DATE: Wednesday, September 10, 1997         TAG: 9709100014

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: OPINION 

SOURCE: BY JAMES W. DYKE JR. 

                                            LENGTH:   88 lines

IT'S TIME FOR VIRGINIA'S POLITICAL PARTIES TO PRACTICE INCLUSION

Having turned 50 several months ago, I realized that now is the time to stop being ``politically correct'' about a much ignored problem and instead give my candid, honest assessment in the hope that it can make a difference in the future which my four children will experience. With that in mind, I challenge the leadership and statewide candidates of the Virginia Democratic and Republican parties to change their closed approach and take steps to be inclusive in their leadership, respect the input of constituent group members and no longer take certain blocs of voters for granted. To do so could result in a historic redefinition of the political process.

In Virginia, making assumptions about how certain voters will cast their ballots has long been concentrated on traditional Democratic voters. Republican leadership and candidates generally assume that working people, educators, African Americans and others will always flock to the Democratic statewide ticket. As a result, little effort is made to fashion a message or leadership team that includes these groups.

Democratic leadership and candidates, on the other hand, tend to assume that these groups will have nowhere to go and will eventually support Democrats no matter how unfocused their message. Moreover, these leaders tend not to include members of these groups in the decision-making process nor apparently value their input on issues and strategy beyond how to get out the vote on Election Day.

It is time for both parties to show some respect for the intelligence of these blocs of voters and for their contributions to the political and governing process by including them in party leadership positions and utilizing their input in formulating issues strategy. If the parties still do not ``get it,'' then these groups should exercise other options for being heard beginning with how they use their vote on Election Day.

Many aspects of the Virginia campaign this year are unfortunate examples of this lack of genuine attention. Fortunately, however, there is still time for the major parties and their candidates to meaningfully include these groups in the campaign process. That would require seeking, listening to and respecting their advice on matters beyond voter turnout and including them in the leadership structure. Whether that effort is made will show if the parties, in fact, really want the input of these groups and their members or are only interested in their voting potential. If that attention and concern are not shown during the campaign, they will not likely be shown in the governing process after the election. Indeed, I would strongly urge such an effort since there is little, if any, enthusiasm among key constituencies for the two statewide tickets.

This challenge is directed to the leadership of both parties and their candidates because the rank-and-file members seem to understand the problem. Loyal Democratic party members from all across the commonwealth feel ignored and left out of the process. The troops know the decision-making process is, for whatever reason, closed to them and open only to those who have shown that inclusion is not on their priority list, either for campaigning or governing. When the Democratic Party is inclusive, history has shown us that it can win even against great odds and govern as the most fiscally responsible state in the nation.

On the Republican side, many party members recognize that their party can make significant and historic inroads into key constituent groups if only efforts are made to include members of these groups in the decision-making process and their input is valued. They may learn they have much in common with these groups on issues and could win their support if only the party's message was properly developed with their input.

One can see examples in other states where Republicans have elected a diverse set of candidates who have a message of inclusion, and nationally, a retired general who advocates inclusion is the most popular potential presidential candidate in the party.

That is the challenge. The opportunity is there to make a historic change in how the major political parties in Virginia relate to key constituent groups who should not have to demand to be included. The constituent groups themselves must make it clear that their votes and input will go only to those parties and candidates who seek, value and respect them.

The political party and/or candidates who seize the opportunity and include these ignored group members in a meaningful way will be significantly rewarded both in valuable input and guidance and by votes on Election Day. Those candidates who do not change the traditional approach will learn on Election Day that voters do indeed have a choice and will exercise it.

As a Democrat, I hope my party responds positively to this challenge and becomes more inclusive. As a Virginian, I am committed to take whatever action is appropriate to ensure that key constituent group members as well as other interested voters are included in the political process of the party or parties that really want their involvement. Virginia's legacy as the birthplace of democracy demands no less a commitment. MEMO: James W. Dyke Jr. is a partner with the law firm of McGuire,

Woods, Battle & Boothe, LLP. He served from January 1990 through July

1993 as Virginia's secretary of education.

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