ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, October 3, 1996 TAG: 9610030035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
Nancy Balochie, a widow and retired nurse, was outraged Tuesday morning when she picked up The Roanoke Times and saw a story headlined "Rep. Bono: Clinton's a crook."
"The idea of calling the president of the United States a crook in big letters on the front page of the newspaper," she said. "Who is this little Sonny Bono to criticize Clinton? I just think it was just a kick below the belt to say things like that about our president."
U.S. Rep. Sonny Bono, an ex-entertainer turned California congressman, called President Clinton "a criminal" Monday night during a Roanoke fund-raiser for fellow Republican, Rep. Bob Goodlatte.
Balochie said that it bothered her that Goodlatte would bring in someone who would call the president a criminal and make unsupported charges about CIA "hit squads."
Balochie, who lives in Roanoke, said she doesn't consider herself a Democrat or Republican - "I vote for the candidate with the most intelligence" - although she leans Democratic. But Bono's comments upset her enough to do two things she had never done: She called the newspaper to complain about the story. Then she called the local Democratic headquarters to voice her support.
Goodlatte's Democratic opponent, Jeffrey Grey, also reacted - by seeking to paint the incident as an example of Goodlatte's alignment with what he called "extremist" Republicans.
Bono's support for Goodlatte "shows exactly how extreme and out in left field Bob Goodlatte is."
Grey added: "It says something about Goodlatte that he's bringing in someone who has no relationship at all with the people here in the district, and who makes unfounded accusations about the president and the CIA."
On Monday, Goodlatte didn't endorse Bono's characterization of Clinton as a criminal. But he did agree with Bono that Clinton is covering something up.
After Grey upbraided him, Goodlatte issued a statement Wednesday saying Bono's remarks were "irresponsible" and "inappropriate."
Bono's spokeman, Frank Cullen, said Wednesday that Bono may have talked "in a more overtly partisan fashion" because he was in front of GOP faithful. "It may be he was sort of preaching to the choir."
LENGTH: Short : 48 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB