THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504020285
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 55 lines
There he was, Gov. George F. Allen, in a venue normally reserved for two-timing spouses, male strippers and dysfunctional families.
In a move that some called politically savvy and others labeled shameless, Virginia's conservative Republican governor went on ``Donahue'' to discuss the state's new welfare overhaul.
``He's holding his own. He's not getting defensive,'' Virginia Tech political analyst Robert Denton said of Allen's performance on the hourlong talk show, which was taped Feb. 28 and aired Friday. ``That's the kind of press publicity and free air time that money cannot buy.''
As host Phil Donahue moderated, Allen talked up the new welfare reform law with five past and present welfare mothers who said the plan, intended to limit benefits and make young mothers live at home with their parents, was harsh and unrealistic.
The new law, which drew raves from many ``Donahue'' studio audience members, has been touted as the toughest in the country and represents Allen's only major victory in the bruising 1995 General Assembly session. The assembly passed the compromise on its final day.
``You got 'em governor,'' Donahue said when the audience applauded Allen's explanation of how the law would require able-bodied recipients to work within 90 days of receiving their first check.
``If you're ever going to announce for the big one, you do it right here,'' Donahue cooed to the politically ambitious Allen.
Allen has barnstormed the airwaves in the last few weeks to discuss welfare reform - appearing on programs such as the ``700 Club'' with Pat Robertson and ``Rush Limbaugh'' with guest host Tony Snow.
Democratic Del. Clifton A. Woodrum of Roanoke, called Allen's daytime talk show debut distasteful and said it reflected a style of ``zero governance'' and ``30-second sound bites.''
``This is probably the most shameless self-promotion I've ever seen,'' said Woodrum, who conceded he's never watched daytime talk shows. ``Donahue. I mean, who was on last week? `My Mother Dated My Boyfriend?' ''
Allen jumped at the opportunity to appear on the nationally syndicated show, his spokesman, Ken Stroupe, said.
``It's a great opportunity to show the nation what we've done,'' Stroupe said. ``We had the ability here to reach a new and broader audience.'' The media blitz also fuels speculation that Allen wants to catapult himself into national politics. Despite the legislative battering he recently sustained and repeated denials that he is interested, rumors swirl that he is a prime candidate for the GOP vice presidential nomination next year.
KEYWORDS: WELFARE REFORM by CNB