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By GEORGE BOWLES
However premature they may be, political stirrings concerning the 1985 race for governor are continuing to increase in tempo. Some of the most recent activity has proven a mite embarrassing to one of the potential Republican candidates as well as the leadership of the state’s powerful independent conservative coalition.
The coalition is if many splendored thing which defies brief definition. It is generally made up of the political and philosophical heft* of the old Byrd Democratic organization who, while unable to accept the relative liberalism of the modem Virginia Democratic party, find themselves equally uncomfortable wearing a formal Republican label. Besides, as we shall see in a moment, they occasionally find Democratic candidates whom they prefer to those of the GOP. Such was the case in 1981 when most of the coalition backed Democrat Chuck Robb over Republican Marshall Coleman for governor.
The acknowledged leader of the coalition is former Del. W. Roy Smith of Petersburg. It should be emphasized that Smith does not command a monolithic organization, although his endorsement is a powerful and much sought-after asset in any political campaign.
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