Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9411120042
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLUEFIELD, W. VA. LENGTH: Medium
One thing remained clear: Unlike the campaigns of 1982, '84 and '92, the six-term Democratic incumbent Boucher will not debate his opponent. Boucher ran unopposed in '86 and '90 and didn't debate his 1988 challenger.
"This is certainly not a substitute for a debate," Fast said. "I think Congressman Boucher's just afraid to have to defend his record before the people of Southwest Virginia."
Countered Boucher: "I think my time, limited as it is, is better spent talking to my constituents rather than talking to my opponent."
Democrat Boucher and Republican Fast spoke Thursday before 75 people at the Greater Bluefield Chamber of Commerce's breakfast forum for congressional and local candidates. The two-state group met in a West Virginia hotel just a few miles from the Virginia line - but outside the 9th District and 60-odd miles from its most populous county.
Boucher said Thursday marked the third time he and Fast had made a "joint appearance." The first was at a labor forum in Tazewell County and the second in cable-television interviews in Wise County.
"That is a satisfactory opportunity for people to see the two candidates together," Boucher said.
Fast rejected that. He first challenged Boucher to a debate by certified mail on Sept. 28. Though they've spoken to the same group twice, Thursday was the only time they appeared together on the same stage, Fast said. His campaign manager pointed to a 1992 newspaper story that noted Boucher said that, as a matter of policy, he always granted at least one debate.
Given the five-minute time restraint for a general statement and an even tighter cap on answers, the two men could give only the barest outlines of their campaign platforms.
Thomas DeBusk, a Fast campaign worker who timed the event, said that, even then, Fast was cut off earlier than Boucher in some of his answers.
Boucher's comments centered on a pledge to continue his work on economic development and improving educational opportunities for Southwest Virginia, particularly through computer links between secondary schools, community colleges and universities. He also said he is running an "entirely positive" campaign focused on issues, not criticism of his opponent.
Fast pitched his ideas about the need to reform Congress with 12-year term limits and other measures, and his intention to push for a balanced-budget amendment and for major reform of the welfare system.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB