Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 31, 1994                   TAG: 9403310312
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE                                LENGTH: Medium

WARNER SAYS 'OTHER' WOULD WIN

In yet another extraordinary twist in a series of recent Senate-race surprises, the state's senior Republican said conscience would compel him to put principle above party by voting against North if the former Iran-Contra operative becomes his party's nominee.

"The short answer is yes," replied Warner when asked at a University of Virginia student forum if he would support a third-party candidate against North and Robb.

Warner denied that he is recruiting an alternative to North and said he remains optimistic that former federal budget director Jim Miller may win the GOP nomination at a June convention.

But he acknowledged meeting with several potential candidates. And he said: "If you put an independent man or woman on this [Robb-North] ballot, in my judgment, who has an impeccable record in terms of personal integrity and ... broad knowledge of the issues and has some experience ... they're going to be elected by a landslide."

Later, in response to questions, Warner even refused to rule out supporting a Democrat if North gets on the ballot and the Democratic party nominates a candidate other than Robb.

The North campaign moved quickly to capitalize on Warner's growing unpopularity in the state GOP's right wing, calling the statement and an accompanying three-page letter "contrived political theater by two peas in a pod."

"The Warner-Miller alliance is real and it is continuing on, as was proven by Warner's endorsement today of Miller," said North spokesman Mark Merritt.

The Warner letter, in which the senator refused to take a party loyalty oath and defended his failure to publicly criticize Robb, was prompted by a Miller missive to Warner earlier this week.

In his letter, Miller chastised Warner, noting: "If you choose to continue to speak out then I think you must speak equally about Sen. Robb's deficient character, his lapses in candor, and his lack of integrity."

North allies have claimed that Miller's letter was little more than a sham, contrived by the candidate and the senator to protect Miller from GOP ire at Warner.

But Warner denied any prior knowledge of Miller's letter. He said his response will be his last word on the party's nomination until the convention works its will.

Warner outlined extensive differences with Robb over policy and politics. He has not criticized Robb, as he has North, because the two senators must work together in Washington and because it's not up to him to advise Democrats on a nominee, he added.

"Do Sen. Robb and I disagree? You bet," he wrote. Yet "each state has but two voices. To the extent they work together as a team, the state benefits; to the extent they fight and quarrel, their state loses."

Warner, who has criticized North for his Iran-Contra actions, said he disagrees with those who believe Republicans must obey an "11th commandment" not to speak ill of another Republican.

While it would be easier to remain silent, "is that leadership?" Warner asked. "Is that why the people of Virginia have given me their trust for these many years? I think not. I can neither abandon them nor my conscience."

Miller spokesman Jonathan M. Baron replied: "Clearly Sen. Warner and Mr. Miller have a strong disagreement on this matter. We'll have to agree to disagree."

University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato, whose class Warner was addressing, said the comments could have substantial political fallout for Warner, but will have an uncertain impact on the GOP nomination.

Sabato said it potentially could strengthen North's support among the party's hard right, but also could forcefully remind other delegates of the difficulty North may have in getting elected.

North has claimed victory in the nomination battle, a claim Miller disputes. Because delegates to the convention are unpledged and can change their minds up until the last minute, it's impossible to determine who's correct.

Warner acknowledged that his comments likely will hurt him with some Republicans when he makes a planned re-election bid in 1996. But he declined to speculate on whether he might be forced to run as an independent. "I'm taking every day in step," he said.

Meanwhile, speaking in Norfolk, former Gov. Douglas Wilder repeated that he's considering entering the Senate race, as either a Democrat or an independent. He said that getting 14,865 signatures by April 15 to be on the ballot in the Democratic primary could be difficult.

Keywords:
POLITICS