Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 4, 1993 TAG: 9311040091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
"I look at this election as a mandate for our ideas," said Allen, who captured 58 percent of the vote Tuesday to become the first Republican elected Virginia's governor in 16 years. "That will make our arguments for passing legislation very impressive."
During an afternoon news conference at his campaign headquarters, Allen said he anticipates strong support in the General Assembly. Although Republicans will not have a majority in either house - 47 of 100 seats in the House of Delegates and 18 of 40 in the Senate - Allen expressed confidence that he could form working majorities in each house by winning the support of a few conservative Democrats.
"I'll be speaking to Democrats to see who wants to come over," he said. "I think many of them may want to look at how the votes were cast in their district election night," he added.
Should Democrats try to block his initiatives, Allen pledged to take his case to the public. "We'll certainly use the power of the office," he said.
Appearing relaxed and somewhat tired, Allen said he received personal assurances from Gov. Douglas Wilder on Wednesday morning that the Democrat will help Allen make a smooth transition to office.
At Wilder's invitation, Allen will accompany the governor to New York this morning for an annual meeting with corporate leaders to promote Virginia's business climate. Allen also said that Wilder has agreed to provide him with information from state agencies that Wilder will use to make a final budget proposal to the General Assembly next month.
"I'll certainly want to examine [the budget] to see what Gov. Wilder's priorities are," said Allen, who will be inaugurated Jan. 12. "I'm certain we'll have differences."
Allen appointed Richard Sharp and Otis Brown as co-chairmen of his transition team. Sharp is president and chief executive officer of the Circuit City chain of electronic appliance stores. Brown is a past adviser to former Republican Govs. Linwood Holton and Mills Godwin. Mike Thomas, Allen's campaign manager, will serve as transition director, and Ken Stroupe, the campaign press secretary, will be spokesman for the transition.
Allen also made the first appointments to his administration. He named Jay Timmons, a top aide for the past two years, as chief of staff. Richmond lawyer Frank Atkinson, a longtime Republican policy adviser, was appointed counselor to the governor.
Allen said he will fill other jobs with people who "share my views and principles." Although he pledged a diverse administration, he said he will not hire based on racial quotas.
Before immersing himself in the transition, Allen said he plans to take a brief vacation with his wife and two young children.
Asked about his management style, Allen said: "As far as policy goes, I want to be very much involved with it. I'm not as concerned with the ministerial duties. Those administrative tasks can be delegated. If you try to do 1,000 things, you won't be able to do anything."
Allen said campaign efforts by Democrat Mary Sue Terry to paint him as a lackey for Christian conservatives backfired. "Much of their negative attacks and distortions failed, as far as I'm concerned, because they just didn't ring true," he said.
"The people of Virginia said, `We don't want to hear what's wrong with your opponent. We want to hear what you're going to do,' " Allen added. "I think the Democrats made a big mistake."
Allen had particularly harsh words for Lt. Gov. Donald Beyer, Tuesday's lone Democratic victor. He accused Beyer of waging a campaign of "assassination and distortion" against Republican Mike Farris, an evangelical Christian and former Washington state director of Jerry Falwell's Moral Majority.
Asked if he has any common ground with Beyer, Allen replied: "not at this moment. . . . I would hope that we would not have any tie votes in the Senate so we don't have to rely on his vote."
Allen also pledged not to try to influence next year's Republican nomination fight for the U.S. Senate. Oliver North; James C. Miller, a former White House budget director; and Jay Stephens, a former U.S. attorney, are expected to run.
"I'm going to have my hands full with other things," Allen said.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.