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

DATE: MONDAY, November 7, 1994                   TAG: 9412070014
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: KATHLEEN WILSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

PERSONAL POLITICS

You've seen the commercials, where Robb disses North and vice versa.

Maybe you're still trying to figure out what Marshall Coleman is all about.

By now, you've probably nailed down where each stands on crime, health care, the economy, defense, abortion, education, term limits and the environment.

But just how well do you really know the candidates?

Just in case you haven't made up your mind yet - if there are still a few things you wish you knew about Coleman, North or Robb - we polled the candidates on selected alternative issues. Issues none of the candidates have brought up, but might be of interest to you.

Here's one thing we'll bet you didn't know all three candidates have in common:

Each has a sense of humor.

Throughout the campaign, it hasn't been the easiest thing for a reporter to get a comment from a candidate on the really important issues. But the candidates not only loved our questions and agreed to answer them, they even got their responses back to us by deadline.

North actually got his in four whole days early. And filled it out himself, we were told by his press officers.

Robb's press office on Capitol Hill tracked down the senator by car phone to get his responses.

And while Coleman's press office admitted they hadn't made one single deadline with this newspaper when called for comment on the serious stuff, their candidate's survey arrived at the exact day and time we asked for it.

So before you head out to vote tomorrow, look this over.

You might see your candidate in a whole new light.