ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610210048
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
COLUMN: VIRGINIA JOURNAL
Many Virginians appear ready to give John Warner a vote of thanks for his role in helping defeat Oliver North's U.S. Senate bid two years ago.
A survey by the Richmond Times-Dispatch showed 25 percent of those surveyed were more likely to vote for Warner because he opposed the Iran-Contra figure, while 14 percent were less likely. Another 61 percent said Warner's role made no difference.
A survey by Virginia Commonwealth University found what its pollsters called "striking evidence that many independent and Democratic-leaning voters may be supporting Sen. Warner in part because of his stand against North."
The VCU poll looked closely at a key subgroup of voters - independents who normally lean to the Democratic Party. Among those who said they're aware of Warner's role in opposing North, 57 percent said they were likely to vote for Warner. Among those who said they were unaware, only 21 percent say they support him.
Put another way, the more likely independents voters are to remember Warner's opposition to North, the more likely they are to vote for him in November.
About half of all Virginia voters surveyed say they remember.
Mark Warner's advice to voters who feel "indebted" to John Warner because of his opposition to North: "Write him a thank-you note."
- DWAYNE YANCEY
Ripping the coalition
John Warner must get a kick out of ripping the Republican Right.
The Republican senator recently made a big show, for the benefit of a Washington Post reporter, of blasting a Christian Coalition scorecard that gave him a 100 percent rating.
"You know what it's worth? That's what it's worth!" he roared, as the pieces floated onto a coffee table.
Such bravado earns John Warner the wrath of dedicated movement conservatives, but it scores big political points with mainstream Virginia voters.
With polls showing televangelist Pat Robertson with huge negative ratings, John Warner must figure there is no political downside to thumbing his nose at the Christian Coalition.
- DAVID M. POOLE
Not going to pot
Mark Warner didn't mention whether he'd inhaled. But when a reporter on Friday asked the Senate candidates at a debate in Reston if they had experimented with recreational drugs, the Democrat answered quickly and directly.
"I have admitted trying marijuana when I was in college. I was wrong," Mark Warner said. He then explained how he would fight drug use, hire more police and finance anti-drug education programs if elected to the Senate.
His Republican opponent put the question to rest.
"Frankly, it's not an issue that I think is going to determine this election," John Warner responded to considerable applause from the Democrat-friendly crowd.
John Warner also pointed out that he has never tried marijuana.
- ROBERT LITTLE
LENGTH: Medium: 65 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICS CONGRESSby CNB