ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, June 10, 1996 TAG: 9606110009
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: ELECTION '96
THE CANDIDATES' OWN WORDS ON PARTY LOYALTY
JIM MILLER
I am an independent and have always voted the man not the party, therefore I value honor and integrity. What kind of values does Jim Miller espouse when he puts party loyalty above honor and duty to the entire constituency?
- Flora Goldman, Norfolk
"The premise of the question is incorrect. Loyalty is neither dishonorable nor inconsistent with integrity. In my opinion, being loyal to the party when it meant supporting Mike Farris and Ollie North was consistent with serving my duty to my entire constituency. Not only did I respect the decision of my party, but Farris would have been better for Virginia than [Lt. Gov. Don] Beyer; North would have been better than [U.S. Sen. Charles] Robb.
"No one I know holds that an elected official shouldn't be allowed to vote his or her conscience. But candidates should tell you where their conscience will lead them, so that party members may decide if they should be the nominee and voters generally may decide if they should be chosen to represent them. Moreover, if an elected official cannot in good conscience respect the decisions of their party, they should do the honorable thing and leave the party."
JOHN WARNER
If you didn't know enough about a very conservative, family-oriented Michael Farris, why didn't you take the time to find out before Election Day in 1993?
- Roger Visser, Virginia Beach
"I did not oppose Mike Farris for lieutenant governor. I declined to endorse him because his experience was limited. His expertise is in a very specific area of religious and home schooling law for which he has excellent credentials. However, because of the narrowness of his field, I was concerned that he was not sufficiently knowledgeable about many aspects of the Virginia economy, such as agriculture and national defense, to be one chair next to the governor's and his potential successor."
How do you feel having Senator Robb cancel your vote when, if you had supported Oliver North for U.S. Senate in 1994, you could have North's vote to help pass important Republican initiatives?
- Roger Visser, Virginia Beach
"Senator Robb and I do not always cancel each other's votes. For example, Virginia stood tall with both Senators voting for the constitutional amendment to require a balanced federal budget. Senator Robb has also taken the lead to try to bridge the gap between Republicans and Democrats to enact the Republican initiative of meaningful regulatory reform."
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: (headshots) Miller, Warner KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESS 2DAby CNB