ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, August 27, 1996 TAG: 9608270087
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL PAGE: A-2 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: CHICAGO
SOURCE: Associated Press
The last time a Democratic presidential candidate carried Virginia, the Beatles were big, and Bill Clinton was just a teen-ager.
But now, delegates at the Democratic National Convention are hoping that Clinton, 50, will break that 32-year political losing streak.
Virginia delegates pointed to recent favorable polls and Clinton's record as proof that the party's leader has a chance.
``I have seen more bumper stickers for an incumbent president than I have seen in years,'' said Del. Alan Diamonstein, D-Newport News.
Billy Isbell, a delegate from Prince William County, said Monday that Democrats have never had ``as strong an incumbent going into second term.''
Clinton ``has been more centrist. He's not the [George] McGovern, not the [Michael] Dukakis type of candidate,'' Isbell said. ``That fits in with Virginia.''
Clinton got 41 percent of the vote in Virginia in 1992. George Bush had 45 percent.
A Richmond Times-Dispatch-12 News Poll last week showed Clinton and Bob Dole running just about even in the state. Lyndon Johnson, in 1964, was the last Democratic presidential candidate to win Virginia.
Clinton was favored by 39 percent and Dole by 38 percent of respondents. Five percent supported Ross Perot, the Reform Party candidate, and 18 percent were undecided. The poll had a four-point margin of error.
Sue Wrenn, state party chairwoman, said Clinton has gained popularity by focusing on the economy, education and fiscal responsibility.
``We view with suspicion Dole, who says, `I'm going to give you all these tax breaks' then says, `I'm going to balance the budget,''' Wrenn said.
Convention delegates said a Clinton win in the state will require hard work, because of the state's record of voting for Republicans.
``If we do our job, I think he can carry it in Virginia. Virginians are very issue-oriented and not party-oriented,'' Diamonstein said.
If he wants to win, Clinton may need to put in some time in the state, Wrenn said.
``Bob Dole has been in our state. Clinton hasn't even come in. We're hoping to get a little more attention,'' she said.
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS PRESIDENTby CNB