DATE: Tuesday, August 26, 1997              TAG: 9708260366

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY CRAIG SHAPIRO, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   63 lines

LIDDY BRINGS HIS POLITICS, RADIO SHOW TO NORFOLK

Evan Scheidegger was a toddler in 1972. It wasn't until college that he heard about the storied steel will of G. Gordon Liddy - how the Watergate mastermind would hold his palm over a burning candle without flinching.

A few years ago, he dialed up Liddy's nationally syndicated radio program. He's been tuning in ever since.

Some 300 like-minded retirees, businessmen and teen-agers turned out for a live broadcast of Liddy's show Monday from the Norfolk Waterside Marriott.

They listened, and cheered, as he commented on stories published in that morning's Washington Times and Wall Street Journal.

``Is there a new `Great Awakening' under way?'' Liddy asked. ``Let's hope so, ladies and gentlemen, because God knows we need it.''

The broadcast was part of Talkfest 97, a trade show put on by Norfolk radio stations WNIS-AM and WTAR-AM. It brought 60 advertisers - restaurateurs, bankers, sales reps - to the Marriott for a day of show-and-tell; proceeds benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Scheidegger, 28, art director for a software development firm in Newport News, had a copy of ``Will,'' Liddy's 1980 best seller, with him.

``To begin with, I'm a conservative,'' he said. ``I've listened to other conservative talk-show hosts, but I really like Liddy because of the way he treats his listeners. He's also the most rational (host).

``I don't agree with all of his views. But economically and socially. . . . ''

Liddy, whose Washington, D.C.-based show airs locally on WTAR, goes on the road about 15 times a year. The benefit, he said backstage during a break, is two-fold: He gets to thank stations and listeners for their support, even if the latter is a case of preaching to the converted.

``I suspect they are fans when they come in,'' he deadpanned. ``If they don't like me, why bother showing up?''

On the air, he read from a story about the recent Teamsters strike that characterized it as ``all about foot-dragging.'' Ad-libbing, he added, ``something that is already too familiar with this presidency.''

Will that help the Republicans' chances in 2000?

``I see a lot of talented people in the GOP vigorously contesting for the nomination,'' Liddy said backstage. ``They see (Vice President) Al Gore as vulnerable because of his admitted criminal wrongdoing.

``On the other hand, the economy is good. There's an old saying in politics: `Don't shoot Santa Claus.' Will that be enough to sustain the Democrats? Who knows?''

Among the advertisers and sponsors manning displays on the Talkfest floor was one unlikely participant - People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

Unlikely, at least, on first blush.

``He's anti-animal experimentation 100 percent,'' said Jenny Woods, PETA's media relations manager. ``He doesn't talk about the other issues. He's probably not a vegetarian and probably pro-hunting, but that's OK. It's good to have someone so conservative support it.'' ILLUSTRATION: [Color Photo]

G. Gordon Liddy broadcast his nationally syndicated radio show

before a live audience of about 300.

HUY NGUYEN/The Virginian-Pilot

G. Gordon Liddy broadcast his radio show from the Norfolk Waterside

Marriott Monday as part of Talkfest 97, a trade show put on by

Norfolk radio stations WNIS-AM and WTAR-AM.

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