THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, November 4, 1996 TAG: 9611040049
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: Decision '96
As Virginians look forward to Tuesday's elections, they're thinking a
lot about the qualities they want in their leaders. Virginians attach
roughly equal importance to the candidates' stands on the issues and
the candidates' leadership qualities. We posed questions about
leadership to the candidates for Congress. We'll run one a day up to
Election Day.
LENGTH: 100 lines
Describe how your voting is informed by your political party, and by the views of constituents, lobbyists, donors and staff members.
SENATE
John W. Warner (R)
I travel throughout Virginia talking to and learning from as many of my fellow Virginians as time permits. The needs and concerns of Virginians are vitally important to me in deciding how to cast my votes. I consider and value the advice and knowledge of others, but I make my own decisions.
I seek the views of the Republican leadership, and on particular national defense and transportation issues, members of my party look to me for advice. Because I receive hundreds of phone calls and letters weekly, I must rely on my staff to brief me on inquiries. I try to talk to as many Virginians as I can, and read as many of their letters as time permits, but due to the other heavy demands of being U.S. senator, we rely on staff to help. I certainly talk with members of the administration and study their views as well as those of various interest groups. My staff certainly gives me their recommendations on certain votes, but I make all my final decisions.
Mark R. Warner (D)
I don't accept campaign contributions from special-interest PACs because I want to make sure that there is never a hint that any campaign contribution influenced my vote on an issue. Also, as I have traveled across Virginia during this campaign, people have told me that they often feel out of touch with their elected leaders. They only see politicians at election time. I will always guard against that problem by trying to be as accessible as possible. I have committed to go back to all 135 jurisdictions in Virginia during my first year in office.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
2ND DISTRICT
Owen B. Pickett (D)
The lobbying part of my job is many times misunderstood. I take the lobbyists' opinions into account. They can often provide factual information on some complex issues that you may otherwise not have access to. They perform in many cases a useful service in providing unique information. The best I can try to do is reflect the views of the people in my community. I listen to everyone. I don't try to exclude. I don't use one criteria to decide what the majority opinion is. I rely heavily on my own judgment and my long period of public service for having worked individually with a large number of people in the community.
John F. Tate (R)
I am committed to a strong defense, smaller government, lower taxes, and traditional values. Those are the issues that are important to me, and they are also important to the people of the 2nd District. When the party, the lobbyists, or my donors or staff agree, I am happy to have their support. When they disagree, I will work to change their minds.
3RD DISTRICT
Elsie Goodwyn Holland (R)
You would have to get these folks' opinions. We don't live in a vacuum. Through discussions and meetings and debate, decisions are formed and opinions are made. Everything influences you. Once facts are gathered, you still have to decide how you want to cast that vote. I would try to represent them as best I could, taking into consideration their opinions.
Robert C.``Bobby'' Scott (D)
When you vote you try to get as much information on the subject as you can. You have to consider the source when you get information from someone who has a financial stake in the outcome. In weighing information, I also consider how knowledgeable people are on the issue. Many special-interest groups have the technology to have a telegram sent in people's names, often when the people didn't know they had communicated. In one episode last year, one member received communication from people who were no longer living.
4TH DISTRICT
Norman Sisisky (D)
I try to meet as many people as I can, even in Washington. In a lot of offices, they (citizens and others) just see legislative assistants. I try to see them so I can see how their views differ from lobbyists'. My allegiance is still to this state, this district and, of course, the country.
Anthony Zevgolis (R)
I intend on visiting, a minimum of once a year, the 22 localities that comprise the 4th Congressional District. I would also set up temporary headquarters in the major areas of the 4th District. I'm opposed to the PACs. Now the political action committees of the parties, I don't really consider them a special interest group. Obviously to get things done in Congress, it's important to listen to what other congressmen have to say, and not just those of your party. I don't have a problem working with a truly conservative Democrat or Independent. Nothing will make me, not even the party, compromise my beliefs and the will of the citizens of the 4th District.
KEYWORDS: CAMPAIGN ISSUE SENATE RACE VIRGINIA 1996
CONGRESSIONAL RACE VIRGINIA 1996 by CNB