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

DATE: FRIDAY, January 6, 1995                   TAG: 9501060125
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

ALLEN APOLOGIZES FOR AIDE'S REMARK

Gov. George Allen apologized Thursday for his chief spokesman's description of state Senate Majority Leader Hunter Andrews and two other Democratic leaders as ``tax-raising, fat-cat career politicians.''

``I apologize for our administration,'' said Allen, praising Andrews for his three decades of public service. Allen said Press Secretary Ken Stroupe did not intend to insult Andrews or Dels. Robert Ball of Henrico and Richard Cranwell of Roanoke County, the other two Democratic chairmen of the General Assembly's money committees.

Allen did not criticize Stroupe and attributed his comments to what he characterized as ``all of this rambunctiousness'' over the holiday season.

``Sometimes the bump and run of political banter'' is interpreted as an insult or affront by one of the antagonists, he said. The governor said there should be no more mudslinging with Democrats over his $403 million in cuts to the state budget.

Andrews said he appreciated Allen's apology. Earlier this week, Andrews asked Stroupe for an apology, but instead received a response he regarded as equally offensive. ``It's a very gracious thing for [Allen] to do,'' Andrews said.

Earlier Thursday, Stroupe sent a letter to Andrews: ``Please accept my sincere apologies for my recent comments that were interpreted to be personal in nature.''

by CNB