DATE: Wednesday, October 22, 1997           TAG: 9710220001

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B10  EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Letter 

                                            LENGTH:  103 lines

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR - THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT

CAMPAIGN '97

Name-calling Gilmore

looks like a loser

Jim Gilmore himself has proved that he lost the debate and the campaign so far. When you resort to name-calling, it usually means you've run out of arguments.

During the debate, Mr. Gilmore prefaced almost every one of his halting answers with ``he's being dishonest.'' Faced with the prospect of a second debate, he went back to baseless name-calling to squirm out of another pasting.

With all the conservatives' hysterical shrieking over so-called ``political correctness,'' they should stop trying to protect Mr. Gilmore's self-esteem and just admit that he lost and that he should prepare better next time.

Christopher Tallen

Virginia Beach, Oct. 10, 1997

Gilmore tax plan

is the best plan

I disagree with your Oct. 13 editorial, ``A comparison.'' I applaud Jim Gilmore and his plan to eliminate the car tax for all Virginians. The state has enjoyed budget surpluses during the Allen administration that should be shared with the taxpayers of Virginia through Gilmore's plan.

Jim Gilmore will make the best decisions with our tax dollars to improve education and transportation. You may be right that the Democrats who control the General Assembly have not kept their promises in the past. I suggest that we elect Gilmore as governor and Republicans to the General Assembly to ensure that ``promises made are promises kept.''

Lee Ann Padgett

Norfolk, Oct. 14, 1997

Who's really

deceiving the voters?

It is regrettable that Republican gubernatorial candidate James S. Gilmore III has decided against appearing in Hampton Roads to debate his Democratic rival. It seems odd that the reason given by Gilmore for his change of heart was to prevent Don Beyer from having another ``opportunity to deceive Virginians.'' To the contrary, this would afford Mr. Gilmore the ``opportunity'' to publicly take Beyer to task for his alleged ``false and misleading comments,'' as Mr. Gilmore characterized the remarks. Why punish the voters of Hampton Roads by denying a square-off?

It seems more likely that the real reason for Mr. Gilmore's decision stems from his allowance of bid-rigging shenanigans while serving as attorney general for the state. He may also feel disinclined to defend against charges of undue influence by certain fundamentalist groups headquartered in Hampton Roads. It is a monumental stretch to accept the stated reason for reneging on his word.

Dennis Hawley

Norfolk, Oct. 10, 1997

Women need to speak

with their votes

This election is a very important one for the women of Virginia because all of the Republican candidates for the top three state offices are staunchly anti-choice. Government policymakers are not qualified to intervene in medical decisions that may emotionally and physically affect a woman's health and fertility for life. The state has no interest except to protect the viable child in the third trimester, which is already the law of the land.

All three Republican candidates (especially the gubernatorial candidate Jim Gilmore) are heavily backed by Pat Robertson and the Christian Coalition. The Coalition's stated purpose is to do whatever is necessary to again make abortion illegal, and Mr. Robertson has stated publicly that he will ``hold the Republicans' feet to the fire.'' History tells us that a Virginia woman needs to take seriously any attempt to diminish her rights, no matter what she may personally believe on the issue of abortion.

Even with our current legal equality, the 1997 status of women is a far cry from true economic or even social equality. According to a national survey by the Institute of Women's Policy Research in 1996, Virginia ranked 42nd in the number of women serving in public office.

Don Beyer's pledge to dramatically increase the number of women appointed to government positions offers an opportunity for women to become a more integral part of the process.

Eileen Huey

Chesapeake, Oct. 13, 1997

Reform Party offers

alternative to voters

The Virginia general election is near, and much of the news media speak to the lack of voter interest. Yet little mention is given to the fact that there is an alternative to the two major parties.

The Virginia Reform Party is fielding candidates for governor and lieutenant governor: Sue Harris DeBauche, candidate for governor, is a business professional and 52-year-old mother with two young granddaughters.

Bradley Evans is the Reform Party candidate for lieutenant governor. Both are pledged to work to return the right to govern to the people. It is also likely there will be at least one or two Reform Party members in the House of Delegates come January.

The Virginia Independent/Reform Party is the only third party to have ballot access in Virginia and recognition by the Federal Election Commission. A full Virginia delegation will be in attendance at the National Reform Party Convention in Kansas City, Mo., Oct. 31 through Nov. 2.

Some media attention would be appreciated, but lack of it won't make the party go away.

M. J. Laurier

Gloucester Point, Oct. 11, 1997

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