THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 22, 1996 TAG: 9609230195
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A11 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: AT ISSUE: LEADERSHIP
As Virginians look forward to the Nov. 5 election, they're thinking a
lot about issues that are important in their lives. Leadership.
Economic security. Education. Crime. National priorities. Each Sunday,
we will examine these issues and hear what candidates and citizens
have to say about them.
LENGTH: 400 lines
electronically. For complete text, please see microfilm] ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
Photos
MARK R. WARNER
JOHN W. WARNER
JOHN F. TAIT
OWEN B. PICKETT
ELSIE GOODWYN HOLLAND
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
NORMAN SISISKY
ANTHONY J. ZEVGOLIS
HOW DO YOU SEE THE LEADERSHIP PROBLEM?
ELSIE GOODWYN HOLLAND
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
We have two major parties in this nation and in Virginia as well.
One expresses the view that there is a need for more government
dependency and the other says the opposite that the government ought
to get out of our pocketbooks and let the decisions be made locally.
Those that got so dependent on the government are the problem. I
don't know where that came from, the attitude that we are owed
something from the government.
To what other things is it linked?
It's linked to the lack of the tradition of marriage and the
tradition of family. I'm a strong believer in traditions of church
and community. In my opinion, you ought to be married if you have
children. It's generally a choice.
How does it affect you personally?
I'm an educator, and in our schools, we're dealing with
populations of children who don't know what it's like to have a mom
and a dad. Drugs have played a part in this. The focus has not been
on the traditional family. I'm running to get my voice out there
about this, that all black people, all females, don't think the way
those who vote in a more liberal fashion.
What actions should be considered?
We have to convince people to return to traditional values, and a
work ethic. The moment you start talking about independence and
freedom you're subject to a lot of criticism that you want to
sacrifice the children. When you don't produce independent
individuals in a society they raise kids who see mom didn't work and
they think, ``the world owes me, too.'' We are not helping out folks
when we continue to spoon feed them.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Liberal groups. They preach just the opposite, and I sometimes
don't think they even believe the things they say. Many people will
say something whether they believe it or not. They'll do anything
for the votes. A lack of honesty in leadership comes to mind. People
need to be more honest and realistic.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
Nothing that I can foresee in general. On a specific issue, if
new statistics or empirical data is overwhelming, then I would.
What can a senator or representative do?
Be honest. Congressmen can also introduce and support legislation
that would serve to help the country focus on less government
intrusion, budget reduction and the promotion of the traditional
family. We need to promote families taking care of themselves when
they can.
What can citizens do?
They can vote the right way. They can look at the issues and
decide what it is they want. If they want more government they can
vote for people who support that. They can use the power of the
vote.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
They can appoint positions, organizations, boards to study
problems and recommend solutions, and that can and is being done.
They can study the problems and make recommendations. In
Richmond, a commission created to study the curfew issue recommended
a curfew be enforced, and the city council agreed. It has been
enforced and has helped some of the youth involvement in crime.
Solutions have to come from the people. Common, everyday people
served on the curfew commission. We need more of that.
JOHN F. TAIT
What's the nature of the problem? What is the cause?
Naturally, people don't feel they are getting the leadership they
deserve. Our political leaders in Washington have failed us
miserably. Our own congressman has voted to slash veterans' medical
care in favor of funding more social welfare projects. In a district
as military as ours, that vote is unconscionable.
To what other things is it linked?
Eventually, politicians stop listening to their party
constituents at all and think only of what their party bosses think
of them. Thus, we see Owen Pickett voting against the balanced
budget amendment, against requiring a two-thirds majority to raise
taxes, and against the line-item veto.
How does it affect you personally?
I think it is outrageous. I have dedicated my life to holding
politicians accountable to the will of their constituents. That's
why I'm running for Congress. I couldn't stand to watch Owen Pickett
sell us out any more.
What actions should be considered?
We as citizens must make it clear that we will not continue to
support a politician who will not represent our needs and desires.
By voting out politicians like Owen Pickett, we teach all
politicians a lesson that they cannot betray their constituents and
get away with it.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Politicians work very hard to hide their votes from the people.
They say one thing when campaigning and do the opposite in
Washington. Often, they vote against us on critical but less visible
procedural votes then vote with us on the most visible votes, when
they know we are watching.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
My approach is to vote out politicians who have failed us as
leaders. A man who consistently chooses not to represent us
ultimately loses the right to represent us. Many candidates start
out believing this. It is when they reconsider this position that
they become unworthy to hold public office.
What can a senator or representative do?
The first thing a congressman must do today is undo all the
damage that Owen Pickett and the Washington Democrats have done. It
is time to cut taxes, slash welfare, and get the federal government
out of our hair, out of our face, off our backs, and out of our
wallets.
What can citizens do?
Ours is supposed to be a government of, by and for the people. We
the people must take back our government. The way to start is by
voting out politicians like Owen Pickett and Bill Clinton.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
State and local governments must begin to assert their right to
conduct their affairs without heavy-handed interference from
Washington. Our local and state leaders are much more in touch with
our local and statewide needs and must not let the one-size-fits-all
Washington bureaucrats tell us how to solve our problems. The
private sector can do virtually everything more efficiently than the
government can possibly do.
OWEN B. PICKETT
What's the nature of the problem? What is the cause?
There are a lot of causes - the vagaries of the political process
in a two-party country. If the machinery is controlled by a faction,
then the party can be skewed off the main stream. It has been argued
that both the Democratic and Republican parties are dominated by
extremes. Neither road is suitable for the general public.
To what other things is it linked?
Leadership has evolved to a considerable extent from seniority
and that does not necessarily bring to the fore the appropriate
person to lead. That's where we are. These are all basically decent
people who think they're doing the best but they don't have the
qualities that the times require.
How does it affect you personally?
Frustration.
What actions should be considered?
The last two federal elections are a good example of how the
public will lash back when they feel their elected representatives
are not responsive. There are leadership changes taking place in
Congress. We will continue to see some volatility in leadership
until we get the leadership that reflects the mood of the people.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
I have the utmost faith in the voters of this country. I am
convinced that if the people are given the facts honestly they will
make the right decision in selecting people for office.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
There has never been legislation that I agreed with 100 percent.
At the very least, I would have stylistic changes. So when something
is 95 percent good and five percent unsatisfactory, it's an easy
call. When that percentage drops, say, 45 and 55, it becomes a more
difficult call. In that matrix, you have to weigh the interests of
your district.
What can a senator or representative do?
Try to explain why we take a side on an issue that is fairly
close. That is where most people get the idea that their views are
not being reflected.
What can citizens do?
They can communicate their views to us. In the final analysis,
you can only go in one direction at a time. Sometimes they fail to
distinguish the role of local and federal governments. Sometimes
they urge action by the federal government when local action is
needed.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
Education. See to it that people are educated and understand the
fundamentals of majority rule. In that environment, all people's
desires will not be accommodated. Even though they don't win the day
on one occasion, they can come back later and change things. Nothing
is forever in our system as long as we have majority rule.
ANTHONY J. ZEVGOLIS
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
The problem is career politicians who have become so arrogant
with their powers they actually believe they're a special class of
citizens. They actually lose touch with what's reality and the will
of the people.
The cause is voter apathy. Failure to check their voting records.
Special interest groups that cater to the career politicians. And I
think it's also a failure of the voter to qualify the candidates.
To what other things is it linked?
The problem is linked to elitism, pork barreling, again, career
politicians catering to special interest groups. Obviously when the
people feel like the politician is not listening to them, he's
catering to some other special interest groups.
How does it affect you personally?< Really, in two ways, as a
businessman and a local government legislator. As a businessman, the
consumers that I depend on have less money to buy my products. And
as a local legislator, unfunded mandates. The federal government
will certainly pass a bill or a law requiring us to do something,
but they don't send any funding with it.
What actions should be considered?
Term limits and campaign reform. We need to do away with the
seniority system for chairmanships in Congress and secret ballots
for election of chairmen of committees. I think a congressman should
serve no more than four two-year terms. I think the Senate should
serve two four-year terms.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
Voter apathy, and the politicians themselves obviously have to be
blamed. The voters are not taking the time to go out and be
informed. And the politicians themselves cannot or will not vote for
a bill unless it's in their own interest. It's self-preservation. We
just can't depend on them.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
If someone has a bill, and it's the right kind of a bill and it's
the right thing to do, I don't care whose hand presents it. I don't
care if it's a Democrat or a Republican. If it's the right thing to
do, I will support it.
What can a senator or representative do?
A congressman can keep his promise and vote for term limits and
campaign reform. But the dilemma is, can we expect them to vote for
things that don't serve their own interests and advance their own
careers? I will support term limits. I want to serve and help get
this country back on its right track, but I do not want to make a
career in Washington.
What can citizens do?
Probably one of the most important things is that they can become
better informed. I have said before that the most dangerous person
in the world is an uninformed voter. I think voters have the
obligation to get better informed, and they need to research the
voting records. If a congressman doesn't sponsor a bill, if he
becomes a do-nothing congressman, then the voters should vote him
out of office the very next term.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
The state government could certainly enact term limits. Local
governments could certainly pass a resolution for term limits of
congressman and for state delegates and senators, and inform their
public through local town meetings.
It depends on the institution. Other institutions could better
strive to inform and educate their members on the issues.
NORMAN SISISKY
What's the nature of the problem? What is its cause?
I think many of the leadership problems really can be solved by
people talking to each other, and more importantly, really listening
to each other. Effective communication, I think, is a key to
understanding in everyone - individuals, politicians, and the media,
which can do a better job of emphasizing the substantive parts of an
issue, as opposed to what we call the sound bites.
To what other things is it linked?
I think many problems are linked to the fact that we need to
communicate with each other more effectively. There's a dual problem
here. We're allowed newsletters, and then I get complaints that
we're spending government money. So I don't send many newsletters
anymore. That's one way I have to communicate.
How does it affect you personally?
Frankly in the age of CNN and the internet, it really compresses
the time that all of us have to learn about issues and form
opinions. I find communications so fast that really all of us face
the challenge of getting the facts straight, before being bombarded
with demands to take a position. And that's where responsibility
comes in. It has ramifications that you have to be very careful of.
What actions should be considered?
The key to effective leadership is to listen to people and be
honest. I have three offices in the district. People have to
sometimes wait for my schedule to be able to see me. I try to listen
to what they say. I do my best to explain my views, especially if we
disagree. As much as anything else, going back to the district every
weekend and seeing people helps me to take a pulse.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
I think one challenge to effective communication is when you
depend on someone else to relay your communication. I really enjoy
talking to people, I speak on TV whenever I get a chance. But I miss
the direct one-on-one response. That's how I learn. That's how I get
what's on people's minds. I get frustrated by anything that comes
between me and direct contact with the people.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
I believe one of the reasons people have supported me in seven
elections and, I hope, will support me in the eighth, is because
they have confidence in the way I solve problems. I listen to
people, I listen to groups, and I use my best judgment, based on my
business experience, my experience in life and my commitment to
family and the community, and basically find a reasonable solution.
What can a senator or representative do?
Listen to people, look at the issues, study the issues to find
the right public policy for the people he represents.
What can citizens do?
They can vote, certainly. I think it's important to learn about
the issues, not just to read something. . . and to take it right on
faith, but really to look at the issues. We get bombarded with
information, and we make a decision on an issue based on the people
we represent. Sometimes we make mistakes, but fortunately I haven't
made any disastrous mistakes so far.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
Communicate how issues affect them. I've got to be sure how a
certain vote will affect a state government and a local government.
We keep in touch with the state governments and the local
governments.
I think they have the same citizenship responsibility as
everyone. I think we owe it to ourselves as Americans to offer
constructive solutions to challenges we face. I think there are
always avenues for people to communicate with each other and work
together to solve problems.
ROBERT C. ``BOBBY'' SCOTT
What's the nature of the problem? What is the cause?
Some of the problem stems from the fact that many politicians
rely on popularity polls, and the results of popularity polls often
are inconsistent and contrary to the research. For example, in
juvenile justice the things that score well in the polls do very
poorly in research-based evaluations. We have candidates all over
the country repeating the rhyme ``do the adult crime you do the
adult time.'' If you were to pass that nursery rhyme, the result
would be less time served and higher recidivism rates.
To what other things is it linked?
There are many issues in which politicians have the option of
doing what's popular in order to get re-elected or doing something
that makes common sense. Unfortunately, there are many issues in
which you have to do one or the other. Some do what makes common
sense, and some do what helps them get elected.
How does it affectyou personally?
Politicians have to make a choice. Frequently they have to make a
choice of doing things that makes sense and doing things that help
them politically. One example is abolishing parole. . . .If you
consider all the options, the one that makes the least sense is
abolishing parole, yet 70 percent in polls say they want to. And
that's all some politicians want to hear.
What actions should be considered?
The (Pilot's) poll is a general poll. I hope it doesn't affect me
personally.
If research-based information were available prior to
(congressional) votes, that would help. The media have an
obligation to alert voters that the sound bites and the substance
are two different things. . . .If the only thing they have is a
sound bite, voters should not be blamed for not knowing the
underlying recommendation.
What's standing in the way of these actions?
The politicians should be speaking in terms of the substance and
not as much in sound bites. But with the the media coverage of
campaigns as it is, I'm not sure what more politicians can do.
What would cause you to reconsider your approach and embrace
another?
On a particular issue, if I learn the facts I've been relying on
to draw a conclusion are found to be faulty, I'd obviously
reconsider my conclusion. I base my conclusions on continuing
research on the various issues.
What can a senator or representative do?
On the issues I've been most involved in, I've tried public
statements, public briefings, doing research to develop issues and
focusing on substance rather than sound bites.
What can citizens do?
Citizens can attend town meetings, legislative briefings and
become informed on issues. They can express their position on
issues.
What can state and local governments do? What can institutions
other than government do?
State and local governments would have the same responsibilities
of the federal government in terms of providing leadership.
There are many different kinds of institutions, so it depends on
the issues involved. Many volunteer organizations can address
problems our government is involved with. They can help develop the
information substantively on issue to help politicians develop the
appropriate policy.
KEYWORDS: LEADERSHIP PROFILES INTERVIEW
HOUSE OF DELEGATES RACE VIRGINIA U.S. SENATE RACE
VIRGINIA CANDIDATES ELECTION VIRGINIA by CNB