ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 12, 1996 TAG: 9601120058
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: DAVID M. POOLE STAFF WRITER
NOTE: Above
AFTER THREATENING to provide the swing vote, the state senator has mellowed.
Sen. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo's typical jovial mood turned somber Thursday afternoon as he assessed his brief moment in the spotlight during the state Senate's organizational ordeal.
``I might be in a position now where neither the Democrats or the Republicans like me,'' Trumbo said, leaning back in his leather chair during a Senate recess.
A day earlier, the Fincastle Republican thrust himself in the role of tie-breaker by making it known that he might vote for the Democrats' organizational plan. His switch might have broken the Senate deadlock of 20 Republicans and 20 Democrats.
Trumbo liked several features of the Democratic proposal, not the least of which was that it would give him a coveted slot on the Senate Finance Committee.
But Trumbo leaned back toward the Republican fold after GOP leaders penciled him into their proposed Senate Finance lineup. Republicans considered Trumbo one of two key votes they needed to impose their plan on the Democrats.
By Wednesday evening, however, Trumbo stepped out of the spotlight. He made it known that he no longer wanted a Finance Committee seat. He vowed to vote against both the Democratic and Republican plans.
Thursday, Trumbo said he was motivated by a desire to pressure Senate leaders to craft rules and committee assignments acceptable to both parties.
``Force the leaders to talk when they hadn't before,'' he explained.
But Trumbo acknowledged that his actions were open to interpretation: Was he a statesman who rose above partisanship? Or did he dance too close to the flame, pulling back out of fear he could be perceived as selling his vote to the highest bidder?
In reaching his decision, the six-year lawmaker said he remembered receiving advice that he keep his job in perspective.
``If you're married to this seat, you'll do anything to stay here. Then what good are you?''
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: File/1995. Malfourd ``Bo'' Trumbo\Wants ``the leaders toby CNBtalk.'' color. KEYWORDS: GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1996