Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 30, 1995 TAG: 9505300046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DWAYNE YANCEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
Speaking to the Roanoke Rotary Club last week, Cranwell gave a review of this year's General Assembly session, which sounded a lot like a preview of his coming re-election campaign against Republican challenger Trixie Averill.
Cranwell noted that funding for education, especially higher education, had been cut during the recession years under Democratic Gov. Douglas Wilder and is being cut again under Republican Gov. George Allen, even though the economy is improving.
"We need to go back and renew some of our commitments," Cranwell said, "particularly to higher education, particularly to Southwest Virginia for education."
Cranwell said "there was no logical underpinning" to Allen's proposed tax-cut plan this winter. He noted that North Carolina has higher taxes than Virginia. In economic development, "why, then, is North Carolina beating us?'' Cranwell asked.
It's because North Carolina does a better job of funding higher education, he said. "Businesses know they have quality education and turn out quality students." In an information-based economy, Cranwell said, the education and training of a community's work force is a critical natural resource.
Cranwell also lamented the language of political discourse these days. "We've got very strident rhetoric masquerading as political discourse in this country," he said. "We live in a very complicated world, and it's one with difficult problems that don't lend themselves to instant-soup, 30-second-sound-bite solutions.
"In this past session, I succeeded in being called a 'dictator,' a 'fat cat,' an 'out-of-touch dinosaur' and a 'monarchial elitist.' I grew up in Richlands; I thought for three days that was a butterfly."
He cautioned his listeners to pay close attention this campaign "to the word merchants," because if people "reject that kind of political discourse, it'll stop."
Hanger, Root battle Tuesday
One of the most hotly contested nominations in the state will be settled Tuesday night in Staunton, when Republicans decide who will be their standard-bearer to challenge state Sen. Frank Nolen, D-Augusta County.
Former Del. Emmett Hanger and lumberman John Root, both from Augusta County, have waged a vigorous battle for the nomination and have drawn huge crowds to the mass meetings to nominate convention delegates for the district that runs from Rockbridge County to Rockingham County.
The biggest crowd came a few weeks ago in Augusta County, where more than 800 Republican activists turned out. Both sides have claimed victory; most Republican strategists aren't willing to venture a prediction.
However, Scott Leake, chief staffer for the GOP legislative caucus, is cheered by the enthusiasm the race has generated and predicts that bodes well for his party's chances of reclaiming a Democratic seat in what is normally a Republican heartland: "If 800 people show up for a Republican mass meeting in Augusta County, then Frank Nolen can kiss his race goodbye."
Re-electing Warner 101
Campaigns are always looking for free help from students. Now U.S. Sen. John Warner, facing re-election in 1996, is hoping some of those student volunteers might qualify for college credit.
The "Friends of John Warner" committee is soliciting applications for summer and fall interns to work free in his Alexandria campaign office. "College credit may be available for this program," the committee says.
As a further inducement, the campaign committee promises that while interns won't get paid, they'll "learn campaign skills and tactics from inside what promises to be one of the most exciting U.S. Senate campaigns in the nation."
For information, call Ned Monroe at (703)549-9696.
Speaking freely
Speaking of Warner, he had little to say last week about the Botetourt County Republican mass meeting that passed a resolution branding him a "traitor" to his party for working against Oliver North in last year's U.S. Senate race.
Asked about the resolution during a visit to Roanoke on Friday, Warner shrugged off the criticism. "It's a free country ... free speech," he said.
Wilder's talking up a storm
Doug Wilder's ratings are up - his radio ratings, that is.
The latest Arbitron ratings show the former governor's talk show increased its audience by 70 percent during the winter quarter and now commands 12.4 percent of the Richmond radio market during its time slot.
Wilder's show has been notable for the big-name guests he has been able to attract, including such national figures as Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole and various other senators and Cabinet secretaries.
Originally aired just in Richmond, "The Doug Wilder Show" now is syndicated on seven more stations around the state, including WFNR (710 AM) in Blacksburg and WYVE (1280 AM) in Wytheville. It airs from 9-11 a.m.
Wilder also is seeking affiliations outside Virginia, and producer Glenn Davidson promises an announcement as early as this week. "How's that for a tease?'' he asked.
Staff writer Leslie Taylor contributed to this report.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB