Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 21, 1995 TAG: 9509210045
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: BRIAN KELLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
More than 90 people crowded the Blacksburg Town Council chambers to hear state Sen. Madison Marye, D-Shawsville, and his challenger, Pat Cupp; challenger Larry Linkous and Del. Jim Shuler, D-Blacksburg; and unopposed Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem.
In their opening remarks the candidates went over their campaign themes of support for education and opposition to further job cuts at Virginia Tech, for tough crime policy and other stump-speech staples. But in a 90-minute question-and-answer session afterward, the public had a chance to hear their positions on topics that have not been the subject of previous news coverage, including:
Concealed weapons. Marye and Shuler defended their votes against the successful bill last winter that all but removed judges' discretion in granting concealed weapons permits. Shuler said the bill came about because former U.S. Senate candidate Oliver North was unable to obtain a permit in Clarke County. Marye said he favored the old law, which required a person to have a reason for concealing a weapon. Linkous, Cupp and Griffith said the bill came about because judges weren't doing their jobs and weren't honoring the spirit of the former law. Cupp said the new law requires more firearms training than previously: "Now you have to know more than just the judge."
Abortion rights. Griffith and Linkous said they favor a 24-hour waiting period, an "informed consent" provision and parental consent for minors. They're against taxpayer funding for abortions. Cupp agreed and said the focus should be on parental rights when it comes to pregnant teens. Marye and Shuler said they favor a woman's right to choose to have an abortion.
Family life education, which may come up for revision in the legislature this winter should Republicans achieve majorities. Shuler and Marye said they both favor keeping the program mandatory with an opt-out provision for those parents who don't want their children in it. Linkous said he didn't know if it mattered whether students had to opt out or opt in to the program.
As Marye and Cupp stuck largely to the issues Tuesday, Linkous and Shuler jerked each other's chains on campaign tactics and voting records.
Shuler started it. He caused the usually low-key Linkous to use most of his opening statement to explain why he switched parties two years ago and to defend a 1992 county budget vote. After being elected to the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors as a Democrat, Linkous "decided that the grass was a richer green on the other side of the fence," Shuler said of the party switch.
Linkous said he completely disagreed with Democratic ideology, something he realized at his first party meetings. "I felt like a sinner in church," he said. Moreover, Shuler was incorrectly portraying his record by saying he voted to spend $200,000 the state had targeted for education on a fire truck.
At the two-hour forum's close, Linkous turned the table. He said in the last few weeks he's had his businesses investigated, he's been the target of so-called "sleaze polls" and he's been the subject of unfounded rumors.
"I will not stoop to this type of negative campaigning," Linkous said. "I call on my opponent to clean up his act."
"I've never used any sleaze practices nor put my opponent down for any particular reason," Shuler retorted.
Afterward, Linkous said researchers affiliated with the state Democratic caucus had obtained publicly available Health Department records on his catering business and former butcher's shop. Even if the Shuler campaign itself isn't behind the research and polling, "It's the candidate's ultimate responsibility" to control such tactics.
Shuler said being investigated is just part of running for office. "They've done the same thing on me," Shuler said. And, Shuler said, he has been the subject of misleading polling. "He had a poll out last week," Shuler said. "They asked leading questions on me, too."
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB