Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, June 20, 1994 TAG: 9406200024
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
This campaign season has seen an explosion in the number of college-based "political analysts" quoted in the media. It's no accident; some colleges' public relations departments have been calling reporters to promote their star professors as Dial-A-Quotes.
With that in mind, this column introduces a new feature, "Pundits on Parade," in which we take the pulse of the state's punditry in hopes of gleaning the latest conventional wisdom.
This week's question:
Of the four candidates - Charles Robb, Oliver North, Douglas Wilder and Marshall Coleman - which one starts off the campaign in the best shape?
\ Bob Denton, Virginia Tech: "I think North does, simply because he's already identified his constituency. He's already got his field organization there to a greater extent than Robb does. He's already on the air.
"I think this summer Robb and North will be talking to their constituencies. That puts Wilder and Coleman at a real disadvantage," because they still have to identify their bases.
\ Avon Drake, Virginia Commonwealth University: "Right now, we would have to say Robb; but you have to be careful with that, because North has a very deep circle of followers, although it's not very expansive. Robb's base is expansive, but not very deep. As Wilder comes onto the scene, he'll be appropriating votes out of the Robb camp. I think the election will be won by Robb or Wilder, although I think Coleman could have an outside shot at it. I don't see North a real competitor for the first spot."
\ Toni-Michelle Travis, George Mason University: "I don't know if one has more advantages than the others. Robb has the power of incumbency and the party label and the high name recognition. On the other hand, Coleman can redefine himself, and he ran a very good campaign against Wilder last time, just losing narrowly. North is not encumbered by the negative of a record, and he tells us daily he's the outsider. And Wilder, because we have such short memories, can point to how he ran a very fiscally sound state government. I wouldn't say there's an absolute advantage at this point." Ask the candidates
Got a question? We'll try to get you an answer.
During last year's governor's race, the Roanoke Times & World-News set up a phone line for readers to leave questions for candidates. We hunted down the would-be leaders (most of the time) and published their answers.
We're once again giving readers the chance to question the candidates directly.
If you've got an issue you want to see the Senate candidates address, call 981-3119 or (800) 346-1234, ext. 9.
We'll try to pin down Robb, North, Wilder and Coleman on your behalf. Want to get involved?
Not that we needed it, but there's more evidence the state's political center of gravity is shifting north of the Occoquan.
Used to be, it was mandatory for statewide candidates to set up their campaign headquarters in Richmond.
This year, three of the four Senate candidates are basing their operations in Northern Virginia. Only Wilder, who lives in Richmond, is setting up shop in the state capital.
Wherever they are, though, all the campaigns are looking to put together a statewide network of volunteers.
So if you want to be a foot soldier in someone's army, here's where to call:
Robb: (703) 790-9494
North: (703) 802-6600
Wilder: (804) 643-1781
Coleman: (703) 893-1994 - DWAYNE YANCEY
by CNB