Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 5 · column 4 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
BY JOHN GOOLRICK
It was only a dream, but with everything amazing that has been happening in Virginia politics, I thought I saw the late U.S. Senator (and former governor) Harry F. Byrd Sr. walking through Capital Square in Richmond late one evening.
When the senator saw me, he recognized me from my days as a political reporter. The conversation that followed went roughly like this:
SEN. BYRD: “I’ve been away a while so tell me, my good man, about the current occupant of the governor’s office.”
ME: “He’s a Democrat.”
SEN. BYRD: “Well, of course, just as I was throughout my political career. Maybe I’ll just stop by to see him. What’s his name?”
ME: “Doug Wilder. He’s the first black governor ever elected in the United States.”
SEN. BYRD: “Black, did you say? That is a surprise. Do you suppose he’s in his office now?”
ME: “As a matter of fact he’s over in Africa, where he’s been quoted as saying he wants to start a slavery museum at Jamestown.”
SEN. BYRD: “A curious notion. But if I remember currently, this is a gubernatorial election year. Does our party have a nominee?”
ME: “Why yes, Mary Sue Terry.”
SEN. BYRD: “Did you say Mary Sue? Would she be a woman?”
ME: “That’s right. She was attorney general for two terms thanks to the help of her mentor, A.L. Philpott.”
SEN. BYRD: “A.L. did that? Well, at least my party and the party of my ancestors is still in control.
ME: “For the time being, although the Republicans are getting close in the House of Delegates and State Senate and have aspirations to control the House this year.”
93.1%