
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 4, 1994                   TAG: 9406060148
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

'77 AND '94

IN 1977, THE last time Virginia Democrats held a statewide primary, Henry Howell came from behind to win the party's gubernatorial nomination. Some Republicans snickered up their sleeves at how they'd infiltrated the primary to set up Howell as the Democratic nominee, because Howell would be easier for Republican John Dalton to beat. Which is what happened.

Did Republican leaders, perhaps even Dalton himself, orchestrate a crossover-voting drive? If so, they denied it. Why, it would have been unsportsmanlike, a political dirty trick, evidence that GOP leaders were a little short in the integrity department.

About 1994 Republican senatorial hopeful Oliver North, there can be no such suspicions. He's not snickering up his sleeve. He's openly directing his followers to become Democrats for a day. And in the name of "patriotism" yet.

"A true patriot," North said at a recent GOP gathering, "would sign Doug Wilder's petition, vote for Chuck Robb in the [Democratic] primary on June 14, then come out for me on Nov.8."

Was he just kidding? Doubtful. Do "true patriots" kid around?

North assumes, obviously, that if the incumbent Robb wins the primary, former Gov. Wilder will run as an independent - thus splitting the Democratic vote and making it possible for North to win with a minority of the total vote.

All that could prove true. Or, the Republicans at their nominating convention today could deny North their nomination in favor of his convention challenger, Jim Miller. Or, if North wins today, Marshall Coleman, a frequent carrier of the GOP torch, could upset the cart by also entering the race as an independent, making it a four-way fray. Who cares about party loyalty?

But wait a minute. To hear North tell it, party loyalty is a virtue of utmost importance. His campaign has been feverishly contacting Miller delegates to remind them, in no uncertain terms, that they are obliged by political integrity and a loyalty oath to support the GOP nominee. How does North square that with suggesting that his supporters play crossover games with the Democrats?

Probably only a true patriot would understand. But this is notably of a piece with North's record. Most politicians at least make a nod in integrity's direction. What seems to pass for integrity in North is the openness of his disavowal of it.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB