THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, June 9, 1996 TAG: 9606070007
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 28 lines
I was born and raised a Republican. I've been a Republican for so long that I even voted for Dewey in '48. I've also voted Republican in every presidential election since that time.
However, soon after my arrival in Virginia 40-plus years ago, I found that the Republican Party in Virginia, both local and statewide, seems to have the uncanny knack of picking the wrong candidates. As a result, I have voted for Democratic candidates more than once. (I should note that both my wife and I vote in every election.) For example, I voted for Owen Pickett rather than Joe Canada.
The current hoo-raw about John Warner's loyalty to the Republican Party is the crowning blow to what feeble ties I have had with the party in Virginia. Frankly, I regard anti-Warner antics as nothing more than yuppie ineptitude. If these clowns think that Ollie North is one of my heroes, they're sadly mistaken!
Therefore, I am hereby declaring myself to be an independent voter, very independent that is. And my message to the Republican Party in Virginia is: Don't call me, I'll call you.
ROBERT J. TRIPICIAN
Virginia Beach, June 4, 1996 by CNB