Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 24, 1994 TAG: 9405240101
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By MARGARET EDDS STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MCLEAN LENGTH: Medium
In five action-packed commercials that will air statewide this week, an announcer races through more than two dozen Robb positions and accomplishments while the senator - looking serious and involved - talks animatedly in the background with groups of voters.
The tag line on each is "Chuck Robb, Working Hard for Virginia."
The ads come as Robb is countering charges from opponents that he has done little in his first six years in Washington and has been distracted by a series of personal revelations and problems.
"We're framing the contest on issues that are relevant to voters' concerns," said Susan Platt, Robb's campaign manager. What the ads are intended to convey, she said, is that Robb "has a consistent, solid record."
Platt, who said air time has been bought in each of the state's television markets for this week only, declined to say how much is being spent on the commercials.
Platt termed the expenditure "a modest buy," and said the campaign will evaluate at the end of the week whether to continue the series of ads.
The commercials apparently will go unanswered by Robb's opponents in the June 14 Democratic primary, at least for now.
State Sen. Virgil Goode of Franklin County had hoped to be on television later this week, but supporters said a shortage of funds is delaying that timetable.
Richmond attorney Sylvia Clute replied "not this week" when asked about her television advertising schedule. Clute said she would need $100,000 to create a statewide "presence" on television.
"I don't come close," said Clute, adding that she still hopes to run ads later.
The Robb commercials focus on crime, education, working women and the budget. A fifth ad features an endorsement by Arlington Sheriff Tom Faust.
Far from the "warm and fuzzy" biographical ads often favored by politicians early in their campaigns, the Robb commercials do not contain a single light-hearted moment. The closest they come is a fleeting glimpse of Robb as he kneels to talk with schoolchildren.
Robb never appears without a tie and usually is wearing a suit coat.
Among the positions outlined:
Robb was the first Virginia governor in 20 years to approve a death row execution and worked to add $1 billion to the education budget without raising taxes. He supports mandatory life sentences for three-time violent felons and advocates hiring more police officers. He has been a co-sponsor of the Equal Rights Amendment and the Freedom of Choice Act, codifying the Supreme Court ruling on abortion. He co-sponsored a balanced-budget amendment and advocated $398 billion in cuts to the federal budget last year.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB