THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 9, 1996 TAG: 9609080154
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: DECISION '96
LENGTH: 97 lines
Negative is in the eye of beholder: After denouncing his Republican opponent this Spring, U.S. Sen. John W. Warner is now seeking the high road. Last week, Warner asked Democratic challenger Mark Warner to join him in pledging refrain from negative attacks. This is the same John Warner who earlier this year ran TV commercials accusing Jim Miller, his primary opponent, of being a draft-dodging, taxpayer-money-wasting budget-buster. Mark Warner dismissed the positive pledge as a stunt, saying he would not engage in personal attacks. But the Democrat said John Warner's record is fair game, particularly votes he says show the 18-year incumbent has grown increasingly conservative and out-of-touch with mainstream Virginians. John Warner issued the ``positive'' campaign challenge a week after Mark Warner began airing a TV spot designed to expose what Democrats claim is the ``real John Warner.'' Some Mark Warner strategists believe a more aggressive tack against John Warner is the only way the Democratic challenger can close a 23-point gap in the polls.
Yankee go home? Mark Warner is demanding an apology from John Warner for referring to him as a ``Connecticut Yankee'' in public appearances. The Democrat is also rankled by a personal letter he received from the incumbent jabbing the challenger for being born out of state. John Warner refuses to apologize. ``What's so insulting about being raised in Connecticut?'' asked Eric Peterson, the senator's campaign press secretary, who grew up in Wyoming. The flap began last week when the incumbent wrote a letter to the challenger asking him to sign a positive campaign pledge. John Warner began the letter by noting his opponent had traveled the state this summer ``to learn more about it.'' ``Having come from Connecticut to join us in Virginia, your trip surely gave us an appreciation of our values and time-honored traditions,'' John Warner wrote. ``He uses Connecticut as if it were a slur,'' said Mark Warner, who was raised in Hartford, Conn., and has lived in Virginia for about 10 years.
TRAIL TALK
``This is called running for the job.''
- A perspiring Mark Warner, while jogging two miles down Magnolia Avenue during Buena Vista Labor Day Parade
``That's the first time I've had one jump in the truck like that. I think he wants me to vote for him; I might.''
- Steve Brown, a 43-year-old plumber from Lexington, commenting after Mark Warner hopped into back of his pickup truck
``He's trying to run off some nervous energy, I guess.''
- John Warner, cool and relaxed after the parade
BY THE NUMBERS: WHAT VIRGINIANS ARE THINKING
QUALITIES VALUED IN A SENATOR [For a copy of the chart, see microfilm for this date.] SOURCES: An election survey of 672 adult Virginians in June, commissioned by The Virginian-Pilot.
HOW THEY STAND
A $2 million advertizing blitz this summer did little to help Democratic challenger Mark Warner catch incumbent Republican U.S. Sen. John Warner. The senator had, by far, more support. Poll of Virginia's voters from Aug. 12-17:
John Warner - 50 percent
Mark Warner - 23 percent
Undecided - 27 percent SOURCE: Richmond Times-Dispatch
THIS WEEK IN HAMPTON ROADS
All events are tentative. Please contact the campaigns to confirm locations and times.
Today: John Warner speaks to Virginia Sheriff's Association meeting. 9 a.m. Sheraton Inn Oceanfront, Virginia Beach.
Friday: John Warner attends christening of USS Cheyenne submarine. 10 a.m. Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News. John Warner hosts fundraiser featuring former President George Bush. Noon. Waterside Marriott, Norfolk
HOW TO REACH THE CAMPAIGNS
John Warner
Telephone: 703/549-9696
Web Site: http://www.warner96.com/
E-Mail: warnerwarner96.com
Mark Warner
Telephone: 1-800-637-mark and 804-342-1996
Web Site: http://www.markwarner96.org/
E-Mail: info markwarner96.org
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Election Day is Nov. 5
Deadline for Voter Registration is Monday, October 7 ILLUSTRATION: John Warner, above, asked Democratic challenger Mark
Warner to join him in pledging to refrain from negative attacks.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE by CNB