THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 19, 1994 TAG: 9411180025
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A16 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 29 lines
Guy Friddell's insightful column (Nov. 11) overlooks an important facet of the backlash against Sen. John Warner for refusing to support Oliver North. Warner opposed North based on his assessment of North's fitness to serve. Ultimately, that is what Warner's constituents demand - the use of his skills and conscience in the service of his country and the commonwealth.
No such controversy surrounds Mr. Warner. Republican Party officials seeking to unseat Warner in 1996 wish to punish him for his refusal to suborn his conscience to the interests of the party. This leads to two conclusion: The officials do not perceive the best interests of the Republican Party to be the same as those of our commonwealth. These officials are willing to deprive Virginians of a proven senator because they believe their interests are more important than those of our commonwealth.
Such attitudes indeed raise questions over fitness to serve, but not Senator Warner's.
WARREN RUBIN
Virginia Beach, Nov. 11, 1994 by CNB