DATE: Monday, November 3, 1997              TAG: 9711030213

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B8   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Editorial 

                                            LENGTH:   31 lines

POLITICAL SLOGANS GETTING WORDIER

Four years ago, George F. Allen was elected governor with the potent slogan, ``No Parole.'' It fit perfectly on bumper stickers and yard signs.

This year, if the polls are right, James S. Gilmore III will be elected with the even more potent slogan, ``No Car Tax.'' It, too, fits perfectly on bumper stickers and yard signs.

Our analysis of the two slogans reveals that:

Both contain eight letters.

Allen's contains two words; Gilmore's, three.

Both begin with the word ``No.''

So what do we have here?

Possibly a trend toward longer slogans. If it continues, the winning candidate's slogan in 2001 might be four words long. And yet cynics persist in saying there's no depth to political campaigns.

Of course, slogans could shorten. A candidate might run for governor with the slogan ``No taxes!''

Or some day a conservative candidate for governor might harness the full power of negativity with the slogan ``No!'' The candidate would explain, ``There's too much of everything in government.''

Or an honest politician might use the slogan ``Me!''

One thing is clear. If Democrats don't learn from Republicans how to make shorter slogans, their political careers will be . . . well, short.

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