THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, July 10, 1994 TAG: 9407100075
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY WARREN FISKE, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 86 lines
U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb somberly told American Legion leaders on Saturday that he opposes their two major policy positions: a constitutional amendment barring flag burning and a ban on gays in the military.
On a day when all four Senate candidates addressed the American Legion's annual state conference, Robb, a Democrat, staked out views on both issues that were starkly different from his opponents'.
``I'd like to tell you exactly what you want to hear,'' Robb told about 300 veterans. ``I'd like to throw you some red meat and get you on your feet. But if I did, I wouldn't be true to myself. If I change my views just because it's an election year, you would think less of me.''
Robb defended his 1990 vote against a constitutional amendment banning destruction of the American flag. He noted the U.S. Supreme Court has held that flag burning is a form of protest that is protected by the First Amendment, which defends freedom of speech.
``The First Amendment is worth protecting. I see no reason to tinker with it. I think the exercise of free speech is more likely to protect our freedom than any change we might make to the Constitution.''
Robb's opponents - Republican Oliver L. North and independents L. Douglas Wilder and J. Marshall Coleman - said they favor the amendment. Wilder signed a petition for the amendment at the convention.
As for allowing gays in the military, Robb said soldiers should be judged solely on their military performance - not their sexual proclivities. ``We ought to make a decision on who serves based on what people do, not who they are - based on their conduct, not their status.''
North, who has used his strong opposition to gays in the military as a battle cry in his national fund-raising efforts, drew a standing ovation.
``The young men and women defending our country are not laboratory rats in some social engineering experiment,'' he said.
Wilder and Coleman staked out positions in the middle. Both said they support a compromise ``don't ask, don't tell'' plan now in effect that bans the military from asking potential recruits about their sexual orientation, but makes openly homosexual conduct grounds for dismissal. They said they would support the Joint Chiefs of Staff should they recommend a stronger policy.
Robb said he does not expect strong backing from the 52,000 American Legion members in Virginia this fall. ``I'm not going to try to convince you that there's a large body of support here.''
Indeed, many members said they are leaning toward North. But several gave Robb credit for leveling with them. ``Everyone around me was saying the same thing, at least he's honest,'' said Jim Pilley of Virginia Beach.
Robb took a more hawkish stand on the deployment of American troops abroad than any of his adversaries. He was the only candidate who said President Clinton should not rule out the threat of force in dealing with Haiti, Korea and Bosnia.
``Strength alone, without the will to use it, is effectively no strength at all . . . I do not want to fight in a war that can be avoided. But I honestly believe the best way to avoid a war is to prepare for a war.''
North, wearing a hat from a legionnaires post he belongs to in Newport News, criticized Robb for supporting Clinton's cuts to the military budget. Those cuts, he said, ``left the nation unable to defend its vital interests anywhere on this globe.''
North characterized Robb as someone who has ``traded in his Marine uniform and legionnaire's hat to become a cheerleader for the president.''
All four candidates served in wars. North, Robb and Coleman were Marine officers in Vietnam. Wilder was an Army sergeant in the Korean War.
Wilder spoke at length of his role in capturing 20 North Korean soldiers that led to his being awarded a Bronze Star. As governor from 1990 to 1994, Wilder said he was influential in getting money for a state hospital and a cemetery for veterans.
Coleman delivered a general pitch, saying he is running for the Senate because many Virginians find North and Robb unacceptable. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
The senator opposes a constitutional ban on flag burning and says
gays shouldn't be barred from the military.
All back the flag-burning ban. Oliver North opposes gays in service;
Marshall Coleman and Douglas Wilder back ``don't ask, don't tell''
plan.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES ISSUES by CNB