Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501130099
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The Fincastle Republican was the man of the hour in Richmond this week after he single-handedly brought the state Senate to a halt - ending the governor's planned address to a joint session - by challenging the rules Democrats were trying to enact.
Trumbo, who likes to present himself as ``just a little ol' country boy who can barely read, much less understand what's going on,'' found himself in the unaccustomed position of being in the statewide spotlight.
``My brother called me and said I was on the Washington stations,'' Trumbo said. ``This is ironic; just the other week I was quoted saying that Northern Virginia is `occupied territory.'''
Meanwhile, Democrats were grumbling that Trumbo's questioning of the rules was a setup orchestrated by Republicans to give Gov. George Allen an excuse to cancel his speech to the legislators and instead give it directly to the voters.
Not so, Trumbo insisted. Instead, Trumbo said he simply did something most legislators don't do:
``I read the rules.''
By doing so, Trumbo said, he spotted the new rule Democrats were proposing that would have given the speaker of the House and the president pro tempore of the Senate, both Democrats, the same power the governor has to introduce bills after the normal deadline.
``I didn't talk to the governor about this,'' Trumbo said. ``I didn't orchestrate any of this. We didn't set it up to be any kind of political ploy. It looks that way, but I think people are giving me more credit than I'm due.''
In fact, Trumbo said, he figured he would be a lone wolf in challenging the rules; after all, both House and Senate Republican leaders already had gone along with the changes. Instead, when he publicly challenged the rules, other Republicans joined in - and Democrats abruptly decided to adjourn for the day. ``It was like spontaneous combustion,'' Trumbo said.
Actually, Trumbo gave a Democrat part of the credit - his predecessor and former law partner, Dudley ``Buzz'' Emick. ``He told me once, if you read the rules, the Constitution and Jefferson's Manual [for parliamentary procedure], you tend to be able to produce some results that others aren't able to.''
Odds are, after this week, nobody in Richmond is going to dismiss the folksy Trumbo as just a ``little ol' country boy.''
\ McCadden may face Woodrum
Roanoke City Councilman Delvis ``Mac'' McCadden says he's thinking about running against Del. Clifton ``Chip'' Woodrum, D-Roanoke, this fall.
The freshman councilman says he's weighing whether he can afford to take the time off from his job as USAir's district manager and raise enough money to mount a credible challenge to Woodrum, who first was elected in 1979 and never has faced a stiff re-election fight.
Virginia Republican leaders long have been eager to find someone to run against Woodrum, whose sharp, partisan tongue increasingly has been directed at Allen's proposed budget cuts.
``They've been putting pressure on me for a year,'' McCadden said. ``I'm surprised they haven't been discouraged. That in itself is flattering. I have said no many times. And right now my answer is still no. But that doesn't mean I'm not thinking about it.''
McCadden wouldn't reveal his timetable for making a decision. ``I think I can relate to a lot of different people and offer suggestions to improve our quality of life,'' he said.
The district covers most of Southwest Roanoke, Northwest Roanoke, and parts of Southwest Roanoke County. Among those who have encouraged McCadden to run: Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke.
Marye opposes military cuts
State Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, has taken aim at one of Allen's budget cuts - a proposal to slice $57,000 that was earmarked to provide tuition assistance for Virginia National Guard members attending college.
Marye calls it ``one of the more astonishing aspects'' of Allen's budget.
``It seems to me that one of the most pressing issues facing our nation today is the need to maintain a strong military staffed with the best and brightest young men and women,'' Marye said. ``While the $57,000 is really not very much, it surely serves as an incentive to persons who wish to pursue an education as well as a military career.''
Bell's war chest filling up
Democrats think state Sen. Brandon Bell, R-Roanoke County, may be politically vulnerable, but his campaign certainly will be well-heeled.
Bell said Thursday that the upcoming campaign finance reports will show he's got $50,758 in hand. Only two other Republicans in the state Senate have raised more: Ken Stolle of Virginia Beach, who has $60,000; and Steve Martin of Chesterfield, who's not far behind.
Staff writer Greg Schneider contributed to this report.
Keywords:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1995 POLITICS
by CNB