THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 22, 1994 TAG: 9410220265
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
Candidate: Charles Robb
Title: Consistent (30 seconds)
When: Started Friday
Words & Pictures
Text: (read by an announcer) Which candidate will stand for a woman's right to choose? Chuck Robb is a consistent supporter of choice and co-sponsor of the Freedom of Choice Act.
Oliver North wants to make almost all abortions illegal and is endorsed by anti-choice activists, including Rev. Jerry Falwell.
Marshall Coleman - he's changed his position on choice three different times to suit his political needs and once opposed abortions for victims of rape and incest.
Sen. Robb - A proven record on choice we can rely on.
Video: As a black-and-white photo of each candidate's face appears, his position on choice is printed alongside. The North photo is flanked by one of Jerry Falwell. Finally, as the ad commends Robb for a consistent record on choice, he is shown in color chatting at a sunny kitchen table.
What's the message
Robb seeks to cement the support of pro-choice voters by reminding them he's their only choice. For those who regard choice as a deciding issue, Coleman is too unreliable to count on, and North is clearly on the other side. And invoking the name of Jerry Falwell sends the message that voters who oppose the agenda of the so-called Christian Right had better rally to Robb.
It's also worth noting that Robb, seeking to flog life into his campaign, has taken his first swipe at Coleman in this ad. It appears to be a tacit admission that Coleman, who commanded 16 percent of the vote in a recent poll, may have the potential to rise in the final two weeks of the campaign.
Factual matters
Robb has supported choice. North does seek to limit abortion drastically, and Coleman has wavered on the issue. North has sought to exploit Robb's support for the Freedom of Choice Act by claiming that it OKs abortion through the ninth month, which is a distortion. The act prohibits states from outlawing abortion through the first six months, and allows states to impose their own laws regarding the final trimester as long as abortion is legal in cases where the mother's life is in danger. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Chuck Robb
KEYWORDS: SENATE RACE CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING by CNB