Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407100068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
All four Senate candidates addressed the American Legion's annual state conference. Robb, a Democrat, cut out views on both issues that were starkly different from those of his opponents.
"I'd like to tell you exactly what you want to hear," Robb told about 300 American Legion leaders. "I'd like to throw you some red meat and get you on your feet. But if I did, I wouldn't be true to myself. If I change my views just because it's an election year, you would think less of me."
Robb defended his 1990 vote against a constitutional amendment banning destruction of the American flag. He said the U.S. Supreme Court has held that flag burning is a form of protest protected by the First Amendment, which defends freedom of speech.
Robb's opponents - Republican Oliver North and independents Douglas Wilder and Marshall Coleman - said they favor the amendment. Wilder signed a petition for the amendment at the convention.
As for allowing homosexuals in the armed services, Robb said soldiers should be judged solely on their military performance - not their sexual orientation.
North, who has used his strong opposition to gays in the military as a battle cry in his national fund-raising efforts, drew a standing ovation when he laid out his position.
"The young men and women defending our country are not laboratory rats in some social engineering experiment," he said.
Wilder and Coleman staked out positions in the middle. Both said they support a compromise "don't ask, don't tell" plan now in effect that bans the military from asking potential recruits about their sexual orientation, but makes openly homosexual conduct grounds for dismissal. They said they would support the Joint Chiefs of Staff if they recommend a stronger policy.
Robb said he does not expect strong backing from the 52,000 American Legion members in Virginia this fall. "I'm not going to try to convince you that there's a large body of support here," he said.
Indeed, many members said they are leaning toward North. But several gave Robb credit for leveling with them.
"Everyone around me was saying the same thing: at least he's honest," said Jim Pilley of Virginia Beach.
Robb took a more hawkish stand on the deployment of American troops abroad than any of his adversaries. He was the only candidate who said President Clinton should not rule out the threat of force in dealing with Haiti, Korea and Bosnia.
by CNB