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

DATE: TUESDAY, June 7, 1994                   TAG: 9406070093
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: |By DWAYNE YANCEY| |STAFF WRITER|
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ROBB SAYS HE ALONE CAN HANDLE CHALLENGE

U.S. Sen. Charles Robb offered praise Monday for Oliver North's "professional" campaign and advised Democrats to nominate a "battle-tested" candidate who can match North's organization in hand-to-hand political combat this fall.

In an obvious slap at his lesser-known rivals, Robb said the coming battle against North "is not an engagement for those who have not been there" as veterans of previous, successful statewide campaigns.

During a campaign stop in Roanoke, Robb said North's campaign has displayed a technical proficiency in its fund-raising, direct mail and overall campaign strategy that is on "a level of sophistication you'd normally find in a presidential campaign, not a Senate campaign."

As a result, Robb warned that the fall campaign would be a "disciplined, high-stakes match."

"It's not the kind of thing that lends itself to a rather low-key and late-starting effort," Robb said in a dismissive reference to his main rival, state Sen. Virgil Goode of Franklin County.

In recent weeks, Robb's campaign has taken to depicting Goode as a candidate who is not ready for the prime time glare of a statewide campaign.

In return, Goode's campaign has kept up its drumbeat that the "battle-tested" Robb is really "battle-scarred," as Goode spokesman David Hallock put it Monday.

"We believe Democrats need to nominate a candidate who can take on Oliver North and win in the fall and not someone who is reeling from a constant negative onslaught."

A spokeswoman for Richmond lawyer Sylvia Clute, who is also on the June 14 Democratic primary ballot, said much the same thing.

"Oliver North's victory [for the Republican nomination] is a direct result of his proficiency in spending campaign dollars; such expenditures will not buy him the integrity and experience he needs in the U.S. Senate," said spokesman Marguerite Bardone. "That should send a message to Virginians to vote for Sylvia Clute, the only Democratic candidate who does not need to buy those qualities."

Robb's remarks came after he toured the Roanoke offices of the Comprehensive Health Investment Project, a statewide program aimed at providing health services for poor children. It was a campaign appearance like many during his renomination effort - long on Robb being seen conducting his senatorial duties and short on campaign rhetoric.

Robb spent more than an hour chatting with CHIP administrators and four mothers who had been served through the program. Prominently mentioned was the role Robb played in securing a $4.5 million federal grant that has allowed CHIP to expand its services.

"I'm attempting to focus solely on issues relevant to the kind of choices that are going to be made" in the U.S. Senate, Robb said.

by CNB