Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 29, 1994 TAG: 9409290078
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Robb took issue with North's characterization of him as an ``Eighth and I'' Marine, referring to the Washington address of the Marine Corps headquarters. The implication was that Robb's Marine duties were easy and not dangerous.
At a news conference outside the Eighth and I streets complex, Robb said he was proud to have served there.
``It is considered a very high honor to most Marines to be stationed here,'' Robb said of the Washington barracks where Marines who perform White House and other ceremonial duties are based.
But Robb said North's comment was an apparent effort to impugn his military service and suggest he had not done any combat duty. In fact, Robb, a Democrat seeking a second term, and North, his Republican challenger, both are former Marines who were decorated for valor for combat in Vietnam.
``He was suggesting that I was somehow seeking an assignment other than combat duty or that my combat record was somehow unworthy,'' Robb said after plopping his 3-inch-thick military service and medical record down on a podium. ``I think it was a particularly low blow that was designed to go right to my credibility and my integrity.''
North, told of Robb's remarks during a campaign stop in Newport News, said Robb had misunderstood his ``Eighth and I'' reference.
``That is a reference to his tenure in Washington, D.C.,'' North said. ``Chuck Robb may well have been a faithful Marine, but he's been a lousy senator.''
Asked if the term is considered a put-down, North demurred.
``It's a ceremonial detachment,'' he said.
Robb said he believed most former Marines in Virginia would support him because of their disgust with North for lying to Congress about his role in the Iran-Contra affair.
Robb said many ex-Marines had told him they were appalled at North because he worked in the Reagan White House ``in civilian clothes for the entire time but he put on his uniform to plead the Fifth.''
Robb was referring to North's televised testimony before congressional committees investigating the illegal sales of arms to Iran and the diversion of profits to rebels fighting Nicaragua's Communist government.
North has said he was following orders from superiors when he arranged the arms-for-hostages deals in violation of U.S. policy. But Robb said if he had been ordered to commit such acts, he would have alerted his superiors.
``I would have stood my ground. That would have been a no-brainer,'' Robb said.
His news conference came one day after a meeting with his longtime Democratic rival, former Gov. Douglas Wilder, to amend their differences. He said Wednesday he still hoped for Wilder's endorsement. Wilder had entered the race as an independent before dropping out this month.
But nothing from Wilder's camp Wednesday indicated that an endorsement might be coming.
Glenn Davidson, who served as Wilder's campaign manager, said Wednesday that the subject was closed. ``Doug Wilder has no obligation to any of these candidates,''he said.
Recent polls indicate that Robb has gained little since Wilder left the race. Some Democrats suggest Wilder needs to make a public show of support on Robb's behalf.
Davidson said such an exhibition is unlikely at this time.
``I don't think that the party has been particularly gracious to Doug Wilder and his supporters,'' he said.
Independent Marshall Coleman campaigned Wednesday in Ashland, where he criticized his opponents for accepting the lion's share of their funds from outside Virginia.
``The vast majority of my support comes from Virginians,'' Coleman said, ``and that's whom I will listen to in the U.S. Senate.''
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB