ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 28, 1996 TAG: 9608280068
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: Convention Notebook
DATELINE: CHICAGO
Mark Warner, the fabulously wealthy Virginia Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate, came breezing through Chicago on Tuesday in search of - of all things - money.
Warner took a one-day hiatus from his campaign travels around Virginia to pay fund-raising calls on a host of Democratic benefactors from across the country gathered in the Windy City this week.
``You guys are so quick to point out my net worth in every story,'' he quipped to a group of Virginia reporters, ``that it's easier to go to other parts of the country to appeal for funds.''
Warner, 41, is an Alexandria cellular telephone magnate who estimates his personal wealth in excess of $100 million.
He's spent at least $2.3 million of that fortune so far bankrolling his campaign. Those personal contributions accounted for more than 75 percent of the money raised by Warner's campaign, according to a July report filed with the Federal Election Commission.
Warner declined to say whether he'll continue financing the bulk of his campaign.
``I'm not focused on that right now,'' he said. ``I'm focused on finishing my tour of all 135 jurisdictions in the state by Labor Day. I have only six left.''
Warner received a rousing ovation during a brief breakfast speech before the Virginia delegation. He portrayed his opponent - three-term Republican incumbent John Warner - as an out-of-touch politician who has become increasingly doctrinaire and conservative in recent years.
Virginia's other senator - Democrat Charles Robb - promised Tuesday to campaign heavily for Mark Warner. ``Virginians need to look ahead, and I think Mark Warner is the best candidate to lead us into the 21st century,'' he said.
- Warren Fiske
Now that's a tight security system
CHICAGO - Security at the Democratic National Convention is so tight a West Virginia delegate's Wonder Bra set off the metal detector.
Pat White of Poca said she was thoroughly searched upon entering the United Center. And after a security guard ran a hand-held metal detector over her, it was obvious what the problem was.
``I loved the security system,'' she joked. ``I went back three times.''
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS PRESIDENTby CNB