THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 7, 1996 TAG: 9603070006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 62 lines
I take exception to columnist Guy Friddell's ``To Warner, a principle must come before party'' (Feb. 27). John Warner's campaign will answer whether a candidate can violate his party's by-laws twice and win re-election.
The by-laws of the Republican Party of Virginia clearly state that a Republican can be called upon to publicly acknowledge his support for a duly elected or nominated candidate. This Warner has failed twice to do; first with Mike Farris and then with Oliver North.
I also take exception to Warner's saying that he was ``putting principle before politics.'' When he went to the Senate 18 years ago, he went as a Republican, not as an independent, so the principled thing to do is to act like a Republican when it comes to the support of other candidates.
In Farris' case, Warner has yet to state why he could not support him. In North's case he went out and got someone to run as an independent. Some principle!
No fourth term for John.
JACK BIRSCH
Virginia Beach, Feb. 27, 1996
Columnist Guy Friddell and, perhaps, Sen. John Warner have completely missed the mark! (Feb. 27).
The senator is not in trouble for ``vote(ing) his conscience, putting principle before politics.'' He is in trouble on the issue of party loyalty.
In 1978, 1984 and 1990, the senator was perfectly happy not only with the support of the Republican Party but with its convention system; the latter process and the strength of the party organization got him elected.
Having so often reaped the benefits of party strength and support, as a senator he has put precious little effort into strengthening the Virginia party during the many years he has been the sole Republican politician of rank and stature in the commonwealth. As a result, the Virginia party is weak and rudderless; this was dramatically demonstrated in 1994.
The senator has recently not only failed to support but has actively opposed nominees of the party and has suddenly found the party nominating convention to be inadequate, calling for a primary to select the party's nominee.
It is arguable that the senator has abrogated his right to support the Republican Party and should declare himself and run as an independent.
LESLIE A. BUSH
Chesapeake, Feb. 29, 1996 by CNB