Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 15, 1993 TAG: 9309150173
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
In speeches and press conferences this week, all three Democratic statewide candidates have portrayed their Republican opponents as Robertson-inspired "extremists" held hostage to an evangelical agenda that would destroy public schools.
The debate escalated Tuesday as two Democrats called on the GOP ticket to repudiate Robertson's statement Friday: "If the public schools do not deliver quality education, let them go out of business. Nobody would miss them."
Lt. Gov. Don Beyer accused his opponent, Republican Mike Farris, of sharing Robertson's "extremist views." During a morning news conference, Beyer said that Farris, an evangelical Christian endorsed by Robertson, wants to "destroy public schools."
Supporters of Mary Sue Terry, the Democratic gubernatorial nominee, also called a news conference and challenged her Republican opponent, George Allen, to condemn Robertson's statement.
"It's scary to hear these calls for the abandonment of public education," said Rob Jones, president of the 49,000-teacher Virginia Education Association. "It would be comforting to hear George Allen issue a clarification on the issue."
Bill Dolan, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, asserted Monday that the Christian right agenda is a "fundamental issue" in the campaign. "Should discretionary power be passed to only those who speak to the Lord?" he asked.
Republicans responded angrily Tuesday by accusing the Democrats of trying to divert attention from a Richmond Times-Dispatch survey showing the races for governor and lieutenant governor virtually even and Republican Jim Gilmore holding a 12-percentage point lead over Dolan in the contest for attorney general.
"It's a smear-and-fear tactic to try to divide the electorate," Farris said.
But Democrats say it's fair to question whether Farris and Robertson want to undermine public schools. Farris, a lawyer and advocate for Christian parents who educate their children at home, once called public education a "godless monstrosity" that is not essential to democracy. He since has withdrawn the remark, and did so again Tuesday.
Democratic strategists said they want Allen to either embrace or renounce controversial statements by Farris and Robertson on education. If Allen backs Farris and Robertson, Democrats believe he will alienate thousands of independent voters he needs to win the election. Should he repudiate Farris and Robertson, Democrats believe he would soften the commitment of evangelical Christians to his campaign.
"George Allen is trying to have it both ways," said Tom King, a Terry consultant. "He's trying to present himself as a moderate while winking at the far-right corner. I don't think he's made any comments to disassociate himself from the extremist views of his fellow Republicans."
The Allen campaign refused to bite Tuesday. Spokesman Jay Timmons said Allen is a strong supporter of public education but repeatedly declined the challenge to denounce Robertson's statement.
Larry Sabato, a political scientist at the University of Virginia, questioned whether Democratic efforts to make Farris and Robertson an issue in the gubernatorial campaign will work.
"Obviously, it's a good issue for Don Beyer," he said. "But Mary Sue Terry will not win by running against Mike Farris and Pat Robertson. She's got to take on George Allen himself."
Meanwhile, a spokesman for Robertson complained Tuesday that initial reports of the religious broadcaster's remarks were out of context, omitting statements of support for public schools and calls for greater competition in education and tax credits for people whose children attend private or home schools.
"It doesn't serve them [Democrats] to attack Christian evangelicals of faith . . ." said Ralph Reed, director of the Christian Coalition. "Pat Robertson is not on the ballot. This election is about the failed leadership of Virginia Democrats."
by CNB