THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, June 26, 1994 TAG: 9406270060
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DONALD P. BAKER AND RICHARD MORIN, THE WASHINGTON POST
DATELINE: 940626 LENGTH: WASHINGTON
Robb claimed the support of 36 percent of those polled, with North in second place with 26 percent. Two independent candidates are trailing the party nominees, with former Democratic Gov. L. Douglas Wilder getting 17 percent and former Republican Attorney General J. Marshall Coleman getting 13 percent.
{REST} In populous Northern Virginia, Robb held a 32 percent to 22 percent lead over North, with Coleman claiming 19 percent and Wilder getting 17 percent.
Coleman, who twice was the GOP nominee for governor, is getting less support from Republicans surveyed than is Robb - 17 percent to Robb's 19 percent.
Yet Coleman, despite holding last place in the current standings, may be in the best position to move up as the Nov. 8 election draws closer. Although just 13 percent of the electorate currently backs him, an additional 53 percent said there was ``at least a chance'' they would vote for him, while only 28 percent have ruled him out.
No other candidate currently demonstrates such potential to grow. Thirty-six percent of the voters surveyed said they're considering Wilder, 31 percent might vote for Robb and 26 percent might support North.
Because North appears to have the least room for growth, his best hope may lie in a close four-way race in which less than 35 percent is needed to win.
Though Coleman may be best positioned to pick up supporters, he also has the softest support of the four: Fewer than a third of Coleman's advocates said they strongly back him.
Those statistics combine to present a monumental challenge, and opportunity, for each of the candidates and their consultants. By November, they are likely to have shared in the most costly, and perhaps one of the most negative, U.S. Senate campaigns in the country's history.
Robb is running best among women, older voters, independents and political moderates.
And according to extended interviews by poll takers with 40 of the respondents, Robb is benefiting from a forgiving electorate, lowered expectations and opponents who often are viewed even less favorably.
Nearly everyone interviewed was aware of Robb's personal problems, which began during his term as governor in the 1980s. He allegedly attended parties where drugs were used in Virginia Beach and acknowledged marital indiscretions.
North supporters are far more enthusiastic about their candidate. More than six out of 10 strongly support their choice, compared with four out of 10 Robb backers.
North is collecting dividends from the unrelenting travel schedule he has followed in the last two years.
Overall, 56 percent of those interviewed said they were satisfied with the candidates running. In December, before Coleman and Wilder entered the race, an equally large majority were dissatisfied with the candidates in the field.
{KEYWORDS} U.S. SENATE RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES POLLS
by CNB