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By JOHN GOOLRICK
I would like to offer a modest proposal to the Virginia press corps, one that might be of service to its readers and listeners — particularly its Republican readers and listeners.
Before revealing the idea, let me say up front my gut feeling from talking with various members of the media, Republican activists and some academic types is that George Allen and Jim Gilmore have the votes to be nominated by the GOP for governor and attorney general, respectively, and that the race for lieutenant governor between Michael Farris and Bobbie Kilberg is too close to call.
Having said that, I know my thoughts will be looked on with suspicion in some quarters since I worked for Allen during the 14 months he was in Congress. I can only say the I am basing my observations on many years’ experience as a journalist and later an active participant in the political process.
But for the sake of providing useful information, I suggest the state press corps — perhaps led by Virginia’s premier newspaper located in Richmond —undertake a scientific poll to determine how the 14,000 or so folks who will cast more than 8,000 delegate votes at the June 5 state Republican convention w'ill distribute those votes.
At the moment Allen has proclaimed victory and has already started looking to the fall campaign by setting his sights on prospective Democratic nominee Mary Sue Terry. I told him in a recent conversation I felt that was sound strategy since the former attorney general is a very formidable candidate currently considered the favorite to win, and an early start is essential.
Yet spokespeople for gubernatorial condidates Earle Williams and Clinton Miller contend the race is still wide-open because all of the delegates, or at least nearly all, are uncommitted and can be swayed.
They are right, I suppose, in that the delegates are not legally bound to vote for any particular candidate on the first or subsequent ballots. But I submit there is a difference between uncommitted and undecided; and I would be surprised if any sizeable number of delegates still haven’t made a choice between the three candidates for governor.
The media, though, has both an opportunity and somewhat of an obligation to help shed light on what
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