THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 13, 1994 TAG: 9411110275
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
Results of the Ollie North-Chuck Robb battle weren't even complete before rabid Virginia Republicans talked Tuesday night of declaring war on the most popular politician in the state, U.S. John W. Warner, Republican. Don't they understand that the problem is theirs, not Warner's?
Apparently not, since Michael P. Farris - the only Republican member of the team rejected by Virginians when Gov. George Allen and Attorney James S. Gilmore were elected last year - took on the role as chief of vitriol, labeling Warner ``singularly the problem.''
Many are the state Republican parties that would welcome such a problem. Think about it: Here the Virginia party has a senator with the guts to dismiss both Farris and North as extremists, and some Republicans want to draw and quarter him in the public square.
Like all who watched the ugliest contest in Virginia history, they need a break. Those who watched Republicans triumphantly gaining majorities in the U.S. House and U.S. Senate surely must find it strange that some Virginia Republicans are so peeved that they just might self-destruct with vengeance.
In both elections, Warner was proved by vote totals to be more in touch with Virginia voters than the delegates choosing party candidates. His determination not to let party loyalty supersede all else should be more admired than reviled.
If the critics look at Warner's voting record, even they are likely to be pleased how conservatively he votes. They'll learn that conservatism need not be paired with extremism.
Instead of devoting so much energy to polarizing the party faithful, those lusting for Warner's blood could better spend it on looking behind the voters' earlier rejection of Farris as their lieutenant governor and Tuesday's thanks-but-no-thanks to North. Whatever these rabble rousers decide, one thing both parties and every politician and would-be politician could do for the rest of us: give it a rest. We're exhausted after this two-year tussle. Must we start all over again? by CNB