THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9509300017
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 59 lines
The 1994 U.S. Senate race pitting Oliver North against Charles Robb made Virginia the focus of national attention. It's happening again this year as the race to elect all 120 members of the General Assembly heats up.
The Virginia legislative race is the first big test of the electorate's mood since the political earthquake of last November that sent Republican majorities to the U.S. House and Senate.
The question is: Will Virginia continue the trend by turning its legislature over to the Republicans? Or, will voters retain a Democratic majority as a check on conservative Gov. George Allen?
People from outside Virginia aren't just interested in this showdown, they are trying to influence the outcome. Both national parties are pumping money into the contest. Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole's PAC has put $100,000 into Republican campaign coffers. The Democratic National Committee has put a like amount to work for Virginia Democrats.
As usual, incumbents have an advantage in funding. Democrat Hunter Andrews of Hampton has a war chest 10 times that of his challenger. Republican incumbents have a similar edge on their opponents.
But as far as fund raising by parties, rather than individuals, is concerned, Republicans on Aug. 31 led with $894,000 - about 60 percent more than the Democrats' $556,000. If that lopsided funding advantage persists, it will be the first time Democrats are outspent.
Oliver North, Ed Meese, Haley Barbour and George Allen have all held fund-raisers in the state. The Republican National State Elections Committee has contributed $86,000.
More than money is being put to work. Sen. John Warner, who alienated conservatives by failing to back North and Mike Farris in previous races, is mending fences. He's running radio ads that praise Allen for welfare reform and spending cuts. He urges voters to give Allen ``the full Republican team he needs to finish the job.''
GOP candidates also have campaign expertise available to them. Fill-in-the-blanks attack flyers that they can adapt to their individual races permit easy mass mailings. Democrats provide similar services. The Democratic Congression-al Campaign Committee offers video-production services to candidates.
But Democrats are in danger not just of being outspent but outclassed too. The Gingrich revolution hasn't succeeded on ideology alone. Republicans have proved savvy campaigners. They have pioneered in training candidates, in getting free media, in fund raising and compiling mailing lists and in targeting direct mail. Democrats have begun to catch up, but Republicans still have an edge in modern campaign blocking and tackling.
Of course, there's more to politics than technique. Money, charisma and campaign expertise weren't enough to make Oliver North a senator, but it's better to have all of the above than not. Heading into November, the Republicans have them. by CNB