Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 31, 1995 TAG: 9507310125
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JOSEF FEDERMAN ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: CHARLESTON, W.VA. LENGTH: Medium
Worby, now married to Gov. Gaston Caperton, ``was almost compulsive in her need to unmask her life,'' writes Elsa Walsh, a Washington Post reporter who profiled Worby and two other women in the book ``Divided Lives.''
Worby also stoked the story by inviting several reporters to interview her about the book. She said she hoped her struggle to handle the demands of first lady and her artistic career in socially conservative West Virginia would encourage other women.
``It took courage to be interviewed. It will take continuing courage for me to press forward,'' Worby said. ``I can only hope the larger issues are what people focus on.''
But West Virginians are talking instead about the salacious details, such as the Democratic governor's aggressive courtship, their cuddling in bed and their thoughts of adopting a child after his vasectomy.
``I'm anxiously waiting for the video,'' said David McKinley, former Republican state chairman who is running for governor. ``There has to be a private side to your life. I don't think it makes him a stronger governor or enhances his ability to lead.''
The governor defended his wife at a news conference, calling her ``gutsy, courageous, outspoken.
``That's what I like about her. That's who she is.''
The 64-page ``Rachael's Story'' begins with Worby's introduction to Caperton in 1989 and runs through his 1992 re-election.
Worby, a 46-year-old transplanted New Yorker, had been conductor of the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra for four years when they met. He was newly elected and newly divorced; she was married.
Worby, then in a troubled marriage, said she tried to stay clear of Caperton, whom she perceived as ``another tall Southern playboy who dated celebrity women,'' according to the book.
Still, they dated, taking several trips together and staying in separate rooms, according to the book. She said she finally fell for him after he went to dinner with another woman.
When Caperton invited Worby to a New Year's Eve party, she said, ``I cannot have sex with you,'' according to the book.
``We've never talked about money, sex, or religion,'' the book quoted Caperton as responding; ``I have a lot of money, I want to have sex with you, and I'm an Episcopalian.''
They first made love on New Year's Day 1990. A week later, Worby asked for a divorce from her estranged husband, California screenwriter and producer David Obst, according to the book.
She and Caperton married in May 1990. The book goes on to describe their initial awkwardness in bed, including his gentle distaste for the socks and sweatshirt she wore.
It also discloses that Worby has a tattoo on an upper thigh, and that Caperton's advisers forced her to shave her legs.
While bookstores in West Virginia are busily filling orders, editorial writers and radio talk shows are having a field day.
``What she told, frankly, isn't all that different from what millions of other folks have done and never thought worth bragging about, even if they did keep their socks on,'' the Dominion Post of Morgantown wrote in an editorial.
Most callers to WCHS-AM criticized the first lady last week.
``I don't think she's setting an example for our young people,'' said Pete, a caller from Hurricane.
Pat, a woman from Elizabeth, said she missed the days of Republican Gov. Arch Moore, who later went to prison for three years for corruption.
``We have to remember how wonderful Mrs. Moore is. She never talked,'' Pat said.
Another caller, Michael, came to Worby's defense: ``I think of her fieriness. I think she's a breath of fresh air for West Virginia.''
Worby appealed for sympathy, saying that her frequent clashes with West Virginia's news media have made a sometimes lonely life more difficult.
``It still surprises me that people don't know how easily my feelings are hurt,'' Worby said.
The book also profiles former ``60 Minutes'' reporter Meredith Vieira and and New York breast surgeon Alison Estabrook.
by CNB