THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, January 15, 1995 TAG: 9501150103
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 61 lines
Conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan says he's disappointed his old friend Oliver North didn't win a Senate seat, but he's confident North and another Virginian - Gov. George Allen - could be powerful players in national politics.
``His future is limitless,'' Buchanan said of Allen during an interview Saturday at the Republican Party of Virginia's winter meeting in Charlottesville. ``I think he's in touch with the mood of Virginia, and he's in touch with the mood of the country.''
Buchanan, a former communications director to Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan who launched a strong and acerbic challenge to President George Bush for the 1992 Republican nomination, was to be the keynote speaker Saturday night at the 1995 Donald W. Huffman Republican Advance.
Buchanan writes a syndicated column and is a co-host of CNN's ``Crossfire.'' He said he thought the media helped defeat Iran-Contra figure North in his challenge of Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb last year.
``They demonized him,'' he said. ``There's no doubt about it.''
Buchanan appeared during the second day of a meeting marked by not-so-subtle intraparty feuding. In the morning, there were two dueling ``unity'' breakfasts - one sponsored by centrist Sen. John Warner; the other by Christian conservative Michael Farris.
Warner declined to endorse Farris during his unsuccessful 1993 race for lieutenant governor. Last year, Warner actively campaigned against North. Farris has said he'll work for Warner's defeat in 1996, although he won't challenge him himself.
Buchanan, who lives in Northern Virginia, defended his own challenge of an intraparty incumbent in 1992.
``I felt I had to raise the banner of conservatism,'' said Buchanan, who is contemplating another run for president next year. ``I think there are times you have an obligation to do that.''
But Buchanan sidestepped questions about the fallout of the Senate race on the state Republican Party and its implications for Warner when he runs for re-election next year.
``Ollie's a friend of mine. I wanted to see him win,'' Buchanan said. ``I regret that he didn't get the united support of the party. That's all I'm going to say.''
Buchanan said that despite North's loss in the high-profile Senate race while other Republicans around the country had big victories, he thinks Virginia is becoming more and more conservative.
He said Allen's tough-on-crime attitude and his initiatives to cut taxes and spending were on the mark.
``I think Gov. Allen is ahead of the curve,'' he said. ``Americans really are dissatisfied with what they're getting from government for what they are paying for government.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Buchanan
by CNB