THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, September 23, 1996 TAG: 9609230024
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: At Issue: Leadership
SOURCE: BY TOM HOLDEN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH LENGTH: 145 lines
From his seat as vice president of finance for a commercial real estate company, Dennis W. Napier can't put a finger on the essence of leadership.
When pressed, Napier said leadership is found both in the political realm and in the less public world of private business, but it isn't easy to define.
``I guess a leader to me is someone who has a strong vision of what they want to accomplish,'' he said. ``They have a clear set of objectives and they have the realistic steps needed to accomplish those goals. A leader is a person who will give you a straightforward answer and, whether you agree with it or not, they believe in it.''
But when it came to citing specific examples of leadership in public life, Napier resorted to a concern he has about politicians in general.
``I believe that today's politicians do not have a pulse on the concerns of the average middle-class American,'' he said. ``I think they are too far-removed, and involved in the trappings and egos of politics. They tend to say what they think you want to hear during the campaign and after they get into office will forget those promises.''
Napier does not consider himself a leader - except of his two children, he adds with a sly smile - and although he votes, he does not vote in every election.
``I try to, but with family and work, it's hard sometimes.''
Napier admitted that, like most citizens, he has never had any contact with his representative in Congress, 2nd District Rep. Owen B. Pickett. But he feels that if he asked for Pickett's help, he would not be taken seriously.
``I don't think it would make any difference,'' he said. ``Politicians tend to go where the money flows.
``And quite frankly, I can't blame them. If you're a politician, I can't blame them since they need the money to run a campaign. They're in a conflict.''
Napier intends to vote in the coming election, but he's not sure it will matter.
``I'm just one person out of 10,000 voters,'' he said. ``If I was one person out of 25, I think I would have more of an impact, but we, the voters, get lost in the numbers.
``I still think it goes back to my original premise: They respond to political action committees or whoever is lining their pockets. It's an evil function, but a necessary one. I think they will always respond to the money first.'' MEMO: Question for the candidates: Poor leadership is characterized
by indecisiveness, an unwillingness to listen to others' views and a
lack of vision about where we are headed as a nation. In what ways are
you decisive, receptive to others' views and firm in your vision of
where America is headed?
SENATE
John Warner's response: ``I have always put principle over politics,
nation above political party. In my decision-making, those are my
priorities. I never stray. At the same time, I listen carefully to what
the voters of Virginia say, and weigh their views against these
priorities in making my judgment on issues before the Senate.''
Mark Warner's response: ``In the business world, I've learned that
failure to act is an act unto itself. In an evolving environment like
the high-technology business community, I know that a successful person
must have the ability to make decisions and implement them, to surround
himself with good people, empower good people and to listen to sound
advice. My vision for America is a nation that continues to lead in the
21st century as it did in the 20th century. My greatest fear - and one
of the main reasons I want to be your senator - is that if we don't have
policy makers who understand the technology revolution that is affecting
our economy, most middle-class Americans will slip further behind.''
HOUSE
2nd DISTRICT
Owen B. Pickett's response: ``Before making a decision, I consider
all the facts available to me. Once a decision is made, I stick with it.
The thousands of votes I've made as a member of the House of
Representatives and the Virginia House of Delegates are examples of
this. I have an open-door policy and enlist the views of everyone I can.
From a governmental viewpoint, having achieved the pre-eminent position
of the world's most foremost military power, which we must retain,
America is focusing on economic, social, cultural, environmental and
technological programs.''
John F. Tait's response: ``I have a very clear vision of where our
nation ought to be headed. We must move toward a smaller, less intrusive
federal government, and more local control, individual freedom and
personal responsibility. We must downsize the federal government until
it once again fits within its constitutional limits. As your
congressman, I will always be guided by this vision. It is crucial that
a congressman listen to and respect the views of his constituents. No
district in the nation plays a more important role in our national
security, and only four districts have more military retirees.''
3rd DISTRICT
Robert C. Scott's response: ``On the decisiveness issue, I've cast
votes for almost 20 years. On receptiveness to others, during the month
of August I've had four town meetings, and I don't remember once cutting
anybody off. I promise not to do that in the future. I don't don't think
I've cut anybody off at any town meeting. Anyone who wanted to speak had
the opportunity. In terms of a firm vision of where American is headed,
I've never been reluctant to take positions I thought were right,
whether I thought they were popular or not.''
Elsie Goodwyn Holland's response: ``Before one can be a good leader
he must first be a good listener. You must pay attention to the interest
of supporters and potential supporters. And based on that, you must be
able to form vision and be a leader for the country. I believe in
consensus-building and a democratic way of ruling. You cannot represent
people alone; it must be a collaborative effort.''
4th DISTRICT
Norman Sisisky's response: ``I listen to people, and I think that's
the best way to find out. To have a vision for America, it's easy to say
we want a job for everyone who wants to work, we want prosperity for
everybody. Unfortunately we have to do some things in between that are
not easy to do. For instance, I honestly believe that we're heading
towards a disaster unless we balance the budget. Pretty simple, but very
hard to do, because in balancing the budget, we've got to cut back on
programs. My vision for America is to do it with care in how it would
affect people, such as Medicare and Social Security and things like
that.''
Anthony J. Zevgolis' response: ``I have the political and moral will
to do what's right, and my record here as a six-year councilman will
verify that. But I'm always willing to listen to others. If you don't
listen to others, you're not able to build a consensus. If you don't
listen to others, then you can't expect them to listen to you. I think
we should have disagreement, because from disagreement you have new
ideas. And generally a better solution comes out. I always stand
corrected. If you can show me a better way to do something and convince
me of that, then I will fight your way.'' ILLUSTRATION: Color photo on page B1 by CHARLIE MEADS, The
Virginian-Pilot
Dennis W. Napier says a leader is someone with a vision and the
ability to make it happen. But as for politicians in general, the
real estate executive doesn't think they really know what's going on
in most Americans' lives. ``They respond to political action
committees or whoever is lining their pockets,'' he says.
Photo
Like most voters, Dennis W. Napier has never met his congressman.
Photos of each candidate
KEYWORDS: CANDIDATES CAMPAIGN ISSUES by CNB