THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 20, 1994 TAG: 9410200012
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
As someone who was strongly considering voting for Oliver North in the upcoming Virginia senatorial election, my impression of him has changed greatly due to the recent television spots where he is critical of Chuck Robb's association with convicted drug dealers. I do not have a problem with North's assertion that then-Gov. Robb associated with them while visiting Virginia Beach on several occasions. What I do have a problem with is North's using the names of the individuals in his television spots attacking Robb.
I, too, was involved in the political scene in Virginia Beach in 1980. I am well-aware of the temptation that falls upon challengers to the incumbent to find some detail that might give the challenger an edge in the final days of the campaign.
However, in my opinion, North has stepped over the line by naming individuals in the commercial who have nothing at all to do with Robb now.
What North has also done is to dredge up old memories by families that are trying to put the past behind them and go on with their lives. North, better than any of the other candidates, should understand this because of the turmoil that he and his family went through. He has chosen the spotlight for himself. He should not try to shine it upon someone else who is not even a part of the process now.
As a Christian, I have found in North many of the values that I hold dear. As a veteran, I have tried to rationalize why North did some of the things he chose to do while serving our country. I suppose you could say that I was looking for someone to vote for that would be sensitive to the people. North's sensitivity level has dropped in my view because of his insensitivity to the feelings of the families of the individuals named in the commercial.
I will vote on Election Day. It appears now that I may have to exercise my choice for a ``write-in.''
TOM HOLLAND
Virginia Beach, Oct. 15, 1994 by CNB