THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 30, 1994 TAG: 9406300023
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Medium
DATELINE: 940630 LENGTH:
Incumbent Democratic Sen. Charles Robb has clearly made a strategic decision to identify himself closely with the Clinton agenda, including higher taxes. Robb even contended that the economy has strengthened and is creating jobs. In fact, the new jobs that have been created are largely the legacy of the recovery that began in the last quarter of the Bush presidency. And in the event Robb hadn't noticed, the stock market and the dollar - both indicators of future performance - are both on a downward trajectory. Robb must be hoping that trend turns around fast. He shouldn't hold his breath.
{REST} North appears to be sticking to his stance of generalized attacks on ``professional politicians'' and avoiding specifics. That might be a mistake, as voters search for substance behind the slogans. North, however, had a point when he complained that Larry King continually interrupted his answers with anti-Reagan tirades.
Marshall Coleman has the toughest job of all, carving out a rationale for his candidacy aside from ``I'm not Ollie.'' He didn't seem to do much to advance his cause in the debate, other than tie himself more closely to Sen. John Warner.
Most intriguing was former Gov. Douglas Wilder, who emphasized his record of fiscal conservatism and attacked Robb's vote for higher taxes, pleading with mock earnestness, ``Please don't vote to raise our taxes anymore.'' He also hinted he is not sure which party he would vote with to organize the Senate.
Wilder may be calculating that his base among black voters, combined with an appeal to fiscal conservatism, could put him ahead of a divided field. He could be right.
There's a long way to go until November, of course, but more of these freewheeling debates will be helpful to the voters in making up their minds.
{KEYWORDS} U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE
by CNB