THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, February 15, 1995 TAG: 9502150459
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: GUY FRIDDELL
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
Gov. George F. Allen's proposed moratorium for Republicans on feuding before the 1996 senatorial race has been busted wide open.
Or so it seems from a letter originating in Northern Virginia and attempting to raise funds for a campaign aimed at dumping U.S. Sen. John W. Warner, a Republican running for re-election next year.
Signed by Peter Flaherty, chairman of the Conservative Campaign Fund, the four-page letter, done at the top of its lungs, contends ``there was no legitimate reason for Ollie North to lose'' last year's race for the U.S. Senate.
``I believe one person is single-handedly most responsible for causing Ollie to lose - liberal Republican Senator John Warner.''
The people most responsible were the GOP leaders who found in North the only person on the horizon who couldn't defeat U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, sorely wounded by allegations of marital infidelities.
Warner, along with Virginians in both parties, opposed North because of his role as point man in the Iran-Contra scandal. Warner helped recruit Republican J. Marshall Coleman to run as an independent.
As to Warner's being a liberal, that charge will surprise senators familiar with his voting record.
He is found steadfast in the conservative column on key votes. His chief of staff, Susan Magill, noted Tuesday that in the past 16 years, compilations by the American Conservative Union show Warner with a conservative voting record of 78 percent.
Various polls have found him to be the state's most popular vote-getter. If he has slipped among right-wing Republicans, his stand against North endeared him to many Democrats and independents.
Warner is No. 2 on the Armed Services Committee - which means he is next in line behind U.S. Sen. Strom Thurmond to become its chairman.
No senatorial committee is as important as armed services to the economy of this community of Hampton Roads.
Newport News Shipbuilding births the ships; Norfolk, the capital of the Navy, berths them at the Naval Base.
Nor is that all. Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth repairs government vessels, and Norshipco and other private yards ringing the Elizabeth River help keep the fleet and the local economy afloat.
Gov. Allen had urged that Republicans lay aside politics for the 1996 race and focus on electing state legislators this year.
But just as GOP leaders set a course to defeat in 1994, so they are again turning away from victory.
Republicans Against Warner is circulating 25,000 letters and aims to recruit volunteers to form chapters in Virginia's 20 largest localities. They plan to stalk Warner's campaign appearances and are reading logos and a theme song.
Striving to have the GOP reject a popular and powerful incumbent, they steer straight for the rocks. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
As to Sen. John Warner's being a liberal, that charge will surprise
those familiar with his voting record.
by CNB