DATE: Thursday, October 2, 1997             TAG: 9710020006

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   33 lines

ELECTION TIME THEY'RE BACK

With Election Day fast approaching, citizens have a public responsibility to begin paying attention to the candidates. It's a dirty job, but many people must do it if democracy is to survive.

One cannot learn much about candidates from 30-second ads that attack the other guy and promise a free lunch. Rare is the political ad that doesn't distort.

On Nov. 4, Virginians will pick a governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. Locally, there are five legislative races.

The two candidates for attorney general are scheduled to appear tonight at 7 o'clock at Willett Hall, 3701 Willett Drive in Portsmouth. A town hall meeting format will allow citizens to ask questions. The candidates are Republican William D. Dolan III of Arlington and Democrat Mark I. Earley of Chesapeake. Go see how they handle themselves under the pressure of public questions. Ask them one they've never heard before.

On Monday night, former governor L. Douglas Wilder will moderate a debate between the candidates for governor at Virginia Commonwealth University. The candidates are Republican James S. Gilmore III and Democrat Donald S. Beyer Jr. The debate is at 8 p.m. but will air at 10 p.m. on WHRO-TV. You can pose questions in advance by calling 1-800-375-4010, or you can send your question to the Debate Virginia website at (www.vcu.edu/debate).

The voter registration deadline for this election is 5 p.m. Monday.

Vote early, vote often. No, wait, that's what they say in Chicago.

Listen to the candidates. Vote once and vote wisely.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu