THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, October 9, 1994 TAG: 9410070283
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
SOURCE: John Pruitt
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Sometimes I wonder: Has reason been tossed to the wind in the name of politics? Are taxpayers so deluded that they just want to strike out against the nearest target? Some things just seem so contradictory.
For example, Oliver North's reported increase in appeal to mainline voters and his long-ago adoption as poster boy of the religious right.
The latter surprises less than the former. Zealots often boost each other, so it should shock no one that Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell and the Christian Coalition give Mr. North the status of a political messiah.
What's harder to understand is how mainline voters, not just Republicans who endorse anyone carrying the party banner, could be taken in by this poor-me, picked-on act that Mr. North has milked for years.
If it isn't Congress after him for merely circumventing the U.S. Constitution, it's the liberal media that won't just take his word and print or broadcast it.
Here's a guy who goes into a Northern Virginia school, tells a bunch of kids he didn't lie to Congress, then tells reporters afterward: Yes, come to think of it, he did write in his book about not being truthful to Congress. He should have gone right back in and fessed up.
While some liberal media surely deserve occasional come-uppances and while even those who work hard to get their facts straight sometimes make mistakes, it's just too easy to bash the media and continue the sound-bite patter that has about as much substance as gelatin.
Here's a guy who, polls indicate, could win in a state that last year rejected Republican Mike Farris as an extremist. Compared to Oliver North, Mr. Farris is progressive. Go figure.
Here's a guy who claims to be appalled by Washington insiders. Give us a break! Who on American soil was any more an insider than CIA Operative North?
And a more important question to voters, who would be more of an outsider now in Washington? What could he achieve for us?
Here's a guy who preaches about the disarray of the very legal system he used to save his hide from jail.
Here's a guy who sends out mailings pleading poverty when his campaign coffers are rich, using as justification attacks that haven't even happened.
Here's a man who put his nation at risk, arrogantly explaining that it was for America's good. He's elevated to hero status. Sen. Charles Robb, who admits to personal indescretions, is scorned.
Which begs a question: If the Christian right can forgive Mr. North because he is a member of what some Republicans believe to be God's Own Party, where's the Christian charity for Mr. Robb?
It doesn't mean Coalition supporters have to vote for Mr. Robb. It just means they should think about sin and whether there's a pecking order of sins.
Here's Mr. North, a guy who left the Marine Corps on retirement pay, who's now a millionaire selling bullet-proof vests to police and self-promoting books. If that doesn't demonstrate acquaintance with the system, what does?
And, by the way, there's nothing wrong with being wealthy. It's just that a congressman like Norman Sisisky is viewed by some voters as too wealthy to understand their daily concerns. Where would that put a Senator North?
There's more to this election than TV spots and plastered-on smiles. As dull as Chuck Robb is, we can't dismiss him because he doesn't play well on television. Nor, as down-home and feisty as Oliver North appears, should we fail to consider substance.
The bottom line becomes how well the winner will ``play'' in Congress, and that places on us a much greater burden than striking convenient targets. It's fine to ``sweep the bums out,'' but first identify the bums.
Comment? Call 446-2494.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE by CNB