THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, April 14, 1996 TAG: 9604120016
SECTION: COMMENTARY PAGE: J4 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 49 lines
I hold Sen. John Warner responsible for several things that have gone wrong with the Republican Party over the past few years.
First, he torpedoed the candidacy of Mike Farris for lieutenant governor. In a very closely contested race (seven points, if I remember correctly), Warner's endorsement would surely have given enough support to Farris to give him the election. This would have given the tie-breaking vote in the Virginia Senate to Republicans and would have made possible sweeping reforms badly needed in the commonwealth. Instead, Democrats maintain control by virtue of having that tie-breaking vote in their favor. Thank you, John Warner.
Second, he did a similar number on Oliver North in another tight race against Chuck Robb. Winning this race would have given Republicans another U.S. Senate seat and would have put the GOP close to a veto override. It would also have put Sen. Bob Dole in a position to fend off Democrat filibusters by having enough votes to put one down. Several have been threatened by leading Democrats, and Dole had to back down several times because he lacked these votes. This has hurt the conservative cause greatly. Thank you, John Warner.
Last, there seems to be some misconception on the part of some as to what conservative means. To credit John Warner with having a record of voting for conservative measures is off-base, to say the least. Warner is listed by the National Taxpayers Union as the fifth biggest spender in the Senate, right behind Edward Kennedy. Would any of you consider Teddy a conservative when it comes to tax-and-spend legislation? I don't think so. John Warner is right there with him!
And how many would consider the president a conservative? Warner seems to think that he is at least 60 percent of the time; that's how often Warner sided with the president on his voting record. Thank you, John Warner.
It's time for a change. It's time to put a true conservative in the Senate. Senator Warner did not bring the Navy to Hampton Roads, and he has not been responsible for keeping it here. Senator Warner should step aside and allow the conservative revolution to continue. If he is truly interested in what is best for America and for Virginia, he will endorse Jim Miller for the November election and will do all he can to ensure Miller's election. For him to do otherwise would indicate that he is interested in serving himself rather than the people.
JOHN R. ``BOB'' LOCKE
Portsmouth, March 31, 1996 by CNB