THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 28, 1996 TAG: 9606280497
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA LENGTH: 79 lines
The source of voter confusion in Virginia this summer isn't hard to name.
The Democrats picked as their Senate candidate a millionaire from Alexandria named Warner. And a few days later, so did the Republicans.
Sen. John Warner, a Republican seeking his fourth term, faces a well-funded challenge from Democrat Mark Warner, a political newcomer who is no relation.
And the ballot in November won't indicate which man is from which party.
``I'm calling myself `Warner Classic,''' joked the 69-year-old Republican.
``And I'm the new, improved model,'' responded the 41-year-old Democrat.
Both men won their party nominations earlier this month.
It is the first time that Republican and Democratic Senate candidates with the same last name have faced off since the Constitution was amended to allow direct election of senators in 1913, according to Congressional Quarterly's ``Guide to U.S. Elections.''
``I consider myself fairly informed, but this is confusing,'' said Mary Ann March, loading groceries into her van Thursday. ``Which one is the Republican?''
If the voters are confused, they are not alone. Top politicians keep mixing up the Warners, too.
At a rally for Mark Warner this month, Rep. James Moran, D-8th District, talked earnestly about the need to defeat Mark, um, John Warner.
At the same event, Sen. Charles Robb, D-Va., praised his good friend John Warner. Robb sheepishly corrected himself. ``I won't be the last to make that mistake,'' he told a giggling crowd.
Both candidates insist their differing positions and histories will help voters pick the right Warner.
``Virginians know me, and have known me for 18 years,'' John Warner said recently. ``I have no doubt they will know which one of us to vote for in November.''
Because Virginia election law prohibits party identification on the ballot, both men must make sure their supporters know their first names. The ballot also will not list John Warner as the incumbent.
John Warner won't be using his standard ``Warner for Senate'' campaign signs and stickers this year. Instead, he's toying with this slogan: ``Make your Mark for John.''
For months now, Democrats have sported bumper stickers that say ``MARKNOTJOHN.''
Mark Warner is already spending some of his own $100 million cellular telephone fortune on television ads that address the name issue directly.
``Two Warners running for the Senate? Don't be confused. Mark Warner's different,'' begins the most recent spot.
Political consultants and analysts say there is no way to tell how many voters will pull the lever unwittingly for the wrong guy.
Mark Rozell, a University of Virginia political science professor, thinks most voters will know their Warners when they enter the voting booth.
``Most, but not all,'' Rozell said. ``Obviously, both of them are somewhat concerned about it.''
Voter confusion undoubtedly benefits Mark Warner, who has never held public office, Rozell and others said.
A recent poll indicated 65 percent of the state recognized Mark Warner's name, which analysts consider suspect. Respondents were probably confusing the two Warners, Rozell said.
The same poll indicated 99 percent of the state recognized John Warner's name. The genial, moderate Republican repeatedly tops polls as the state's most popular politician, and he is considered the strong favorite.
Mark Warner won a drawing this week to be listed above John Warner on the ballot - a billing the Democrat joked beforehand should give him a boost.
``I'd like to be the first Warner they see,'' he said. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
CHOOSING BETWEEN WARNERS
Mark Rozell, a University of Virginia political science
professor, thinks most voters will know their Warners when they
enter the voting booth.
A recent poll indicated 65 percent of the state recognized Mark
Warner's name, which analysts consider suspect. Respondents were
probably confusing the two Warners, Rozell said.
The same poll indicated 99 percent of the state recognized John
Warner's name.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE VIRGINIA CANDIDATES by CNB