THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, November 11, 1994 TAG: 9411110140
SECTION: DAILY BREAK PAGE: E11 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Opinion
SOURCE: BY KELLY CRAMER, HIGH SCHOOL CORRESPONDENT
LENGTH: Medium: 66 lines
A MECHANICAL army of lights and cameras stood ready Tuesday night to do technological battle in the world of politics. I was a member of that media militia looking for a story on Oliver North, the $17.6-million candidate for U.S. Senate.
While searching for election news to report to Chesapeake's high school radio station, WFOS-FM, I was overwhelmed by the heavy air of cigarette smoke and the rancid smell of beer. There were three Coors beer trucks and three well-stocked wet bars at Republican headquarters in the Richmond Centre.
Many in the Grand Old Party were partaking of the free-flowing beverages, much to the chagrin of this high school senior and her mother. These are the family values people?
After the polls closed, I bumped into state Republican party Chairman Patrick McSweeney who said, ``Although I am not a betting man, I am confident North will win by a narrow margin.'' At the exact moment McSweeney finished his statement, one of the huge television monitors revealed that Robb had a three-point lead.
The crowd of North supporters booed and hissed at Robb on the screen. An elderly woman started to cry at the news of North's projected defeat.
At around 9 p.m., Gov. George F. Allen told the crowd that defeat was not certain ``until the last vote is counted.'' But minutes later, Richmond's Channel 12 and Dan Rather disagreed, declaring Robb the clear winner.
Around 9:30 p.m., rumor was that Robb would soon give his victory speech. Independent candidate Marshall Coleman had already acknowledged defeat.
Just as Robb began his victory speech on TV, the Republican crowd began chanting, ``Ollie, Ollie, Ollie.'' Instantly, North emerged from behind the stage curtain. Curiously, North began his concession speech at the same time Robb was declaring himself the victor. As a graduate of charm school, I thought it odd that North would do this.
I also thought it odd that North did not congratulate Robb or even mention his opponent by name. Perhaps Nancy Reagan was correct when she said that North has trouble distinguishing ``fact from fantasy.'' This omission highlights a problem that seems to have plagued him throughout his military and political career - an inability to face the facts as they really are.
At the end of North's speech, I also had some questions. Why did North repeatedly refer to the Senate race as a contest when it is so much more than that? Although I am only 17, I know that our country's legislative body is no game.
In closing, North made reference to his boxing days at the U.S. Naval Academy, how he lost twice but persevered until he won the third time. Does this mean he will run again in 1996? I guess that Ollie has not learned that a seat in Congress is not for sale, not for the $17.6 million he spent campaigning, and not even for $26.2 million. That's the amount that Republican challenger Michael Huffington spent in his California Senate campaign, which he refused to concede until the last absentee ballot was counted.
Both races were close, but these men should heed this message: It takes more than money to win a campaign. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
Kelly Cramer is a senior at Maury High School.
KEYWORDS: ELECTION SENATE RACE by CNB