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By GEORGE BOWLES Rappahannock Special Writer
The deepening disarray of the state Democratic party is providing Gov. Chuck Robb with his first real test in political crisis management. How well he meets that test is no doubt being watched with considerable interest by Democratic leaders at the national level.
Gov. Robb. 42, is among a select group of promising young men and women within the party who are widely regarded as having exceptional potential for national office. It is therefore important to his future that he demonstrate he can lead Virginia Democrats out of this most recent wilderness into which they have managed to blunder.
It must be said at the outset that the party landed in its present predicament in part because Gov. Robb, through a star-crossed exercise of gubernatorial leadership, did what seemed entirely reasonable at the time in an effort to keep the party out of trouble.
Following the announcement of Sen. Harry F. Byrd Jr. that he would not seek reelection, a half dozen or so prominent Democrats indicated an interest in the party's nomination to succeed him.
These included former Atty. Gen. Andrew Miller, state Sens. Hunter Andrews and Edward Holland, Fairfax Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert Horan, Alexandria attorney William Thomas and Del. Owen Pickett of Virginia Beach.
A divisive and expensive convention battle loomed. Mr. Robb, seeking to forestall such an intra-party bloodletting, suggested that several of those interested get together and decide among themselves which would have the best chance of waging a successful campaign against First District Congressman Paul Trible. the presumptive Republican nominee.
After several meetings, the
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