ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, September 25, 1996 TAG: 9609250028
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
D - Democrat
R - Republican
What is a senator's responsibility for following the president? His party's leadership? His party's platform? The chairman of the Senate committee to which he is appointed?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``Fortunately, the Senate has changed over the last 20 years so that seniority is less important and committee chairs don't wield such tremendous influence. As a result, each senator can follow his conscience and act in the best interests of his constituents, without having to follow the party leaders in every instance '' On matters of international affairs, I believe that we should work together to make sure our nation speaks with one voice. And when our troops are serving abroad, I believe we all have an obligation to come together and support them, regardless of ideology or political party.''
John Warner (R)
``A senator's ultimate responsibility is to maintain his own integrity while serving country, state and party - in that order. Senate committee chairmen, in consultation with the Senate leadership and the administration, should, and do, establish legislative priorities and identify commonly shared goals.''
What is the role that popular opinion plays in your decision making?
FOR U.S. SENATE
Mark Warner (D)
``Elected officials must represent their consituents' views. The very notion of representative government requires that elected officials represent the interests of their constituents. However, we also expect our senators to be leaders, shaping public opinion rather than simply following it. For example, even though the technology revolution is not a hot political topic, I believe it has extraordinarily important long-term ramifications for our country. I want to take on this issue regardless of public opinion.''
John Warner (R)
``The views of all Virginians are important to me in carefully weighing the pros and cons of every vote. Public opinion, as measured by opinion polls, does not control my voting. I don't aspire to be a popular senator, just one that can earn respect for fairness and honesty.''
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LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB