THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, November 17, 1994            TAG: 9411170006
SECTION: FRONT                    PAGE: A22  EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                             LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

GOP KINGMAKERS WRONGLY CHOSE OLIVER NORTH AS CANDIDATE

Once again the Republican Party of Virginia has been its worst enemy. By shoving Oliver North down the collective throats of the voters of Virginia, it missed the chance to be a part of the Republican wave that swept across the country on Election Day.

Now the finger pointing has begun to determine who was at fault for Oliver North's loss. The responsibility falls directly on state party Chairman Patrick McSweeney, Mike Farris, Pat Robertson, George Allen and Ralph Reed.

In the majority of the states, Oliver North would never have been considered a viable candidate. These kingmakers decided that the voters of Virginia were gullible enough to accept this man as a representative of this state.

These men are now trying to shift the blame for North's loss to Sen. John Warner. His voice was the only voice of reason in a mob action of insanity. There are calls for revenge. I agree, but let the revenge be against the kingmakers.

MICHAEL T. WILBURN

Virginia Beach, Nov. 11, 1994 by CNB