THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 11, 1996 TAG: 9610110001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A14 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: 49 lines
Not content with a 20 percent lead in the polls or with the distinction of being Virginia's most popular politician, U.S. Sen. John Warner made an unwise and abrupt detour down the low road of negative campaigning this week.
Breaking a pledge not to engage in such tactics, John Warner unveiled an out-of-character television commercial that hurls mud at his Democratic opponent Mark Warner. The commercial insinuates that Mark Warner amassed his sizable fortune through cronyism and obscure tax loopholes.
At one point, the words ``dirty,'' ``stupid,'' ``reckless'' and ``dangerous'' flash across the screen - excerpts from a Richmond newspaper editorial.
If that weren't bad enough, a photo used in the ad, purportedly showing Mark Warner cozying up to President Clinton and former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, was doctored. Mark Warner's head was morphed onto Sen. Charles Robb's body to put him in closer proximity to the two ``liberals'' than he actually was.
The senator has denied any prior knowledge of the faked photo. We believe him, but he's still accountable for whatever comes out of his campaign. His decision to fire those responsible for the commercial was right but seemed to come only after the senator gouged the public outrage.
Doctored or not, this ad is beneath the dignity of the senior senator from Virginia and voters ought to be asking themselves - and Warner - why he would approve such a commercial. And it raises the question of how low the senator would go if the race were a close one.
This race has been a David and Goliath matchup from the start. Mark Warner has poured millions of dollars of his personal fortune into his long-shot campaign. Until now, the senator has done what most popular politicians would do when they enjoy a comfortable lead - John Warner has for the most part ignored his opponent's onslaught, behaving in an admirably senatorial manner.
Why has John Warner resorted to attack ads now? Perhaps he is attempting to thwart a second Mark Warner bid for the Senate that many think may happen in the year 2000 when Sen. Chuck Robb is up for re-election. A recent national poll found Robb's popularity languishing 96th among all 100 senators in the United States.
With his support near rock bottom, his influence in the U.S. Senate nil, and the Republicans likely to field a more-credible candidate than Oliver North next time, Robb may step aside and let Mark Warner have another shot at the U.S. Senate.
By casting doubt on Mark Warner's business dealings, John Warner may have hoped to do some pre-emptive damage to the up-and-coming young Democrat. But the method the senator chose has done more damage to himself. by CNB