ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, February 15, 1996 TAG: 9602150091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: RICHMOND
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
Virginia Gov. George Allen flew to New Hampshire on Wednesday to endorse Republican presidential candidate Bob Dole.
"Bob Dole's character, principles and effective conservative leadership personifies what is good about America," Allen told reporters at the Executive Mansion before leaving for New Hampshire.
"His hard work, self-reliance and faith in God show that an individual from humble roots can overcome adversity and achieve great success."
Allen flew to Manchester, N.H., where he joined Massachusetts Gov. William Weld in backing Dole at an afternoon news conference. Dole did not attend the event but participated through closed-circuit television.
Allen lauded Dole for strongly supporting efforts to decentralize the federal government and give states more power over such programs as public education and welfare.
Allen said he does not expect to spend much time this spring campaigning for Dole, the Republican front-runner. He predicted that Dole easily will lock up the nomination long before Virginia Republicans meet in a state convention May 31 to elect delegates to the GOP national convention.
Dole campaigned in Virginia for Allen during the 1993 gubernatorial election.
New Hampshire is the site of next Tuesday's presidential primary election.
Wednesday's endorsements give Dole the support of 24 of the nation's 31 Republican governors.
Among the other Virginia Republican leaders in Dole's camp are U.S. Sen. John Warner and Rep. Tom Davis, R-Fairfax County.
Among the other GOP candidates, conservative commentator Patrick Buchanan's state efforts are being led by Christian conservative leader Mike Farris.
Former Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander and Steve Forbes have virtually no campaigns in Virginia.
LENGTH: Short : 43 lines KEYWORDS: POLITICSby CNB