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 4 · column 4 of 6 · from the scan, no model involved
time-tested professionals to run some other state agencies instead of installing inexperienced people who had spent most of their time directing political campaigns. The truth is spin doctoring in politics doesn’t really qualify one to administer highly complex arms of state government.
In 1993, Allen probably got the votes of 80 percent of state employees. If he were running today, from all I have seen and observed, he would be lucky to get the votes of 20 percent of those employees. Gilmore is going to have to row the boat that Allen leaves for him to paddle and he will find some leaks that threaten to toss him overboard.
That is, if Gilmore is the nominee. Some pessimists within the GOP ranks are making quiet overtures to others to seek the gubernatorial nomination. Among names mentioned are Rep. Tom Davis of Fairfax and Senator John Chichester of Stafford.
“Don Beyer can be beaten,” said one party pro who wished to remain anonymous, “but I’m not sure Jim Gilmore can do it because he’s not a crowd pleaser.”
The same veteran political operative said, “Don Beyer, . like most Virginia Democrats, hasn’t had a new idea in years. They’re really brain dead and they depend on Republicans knocking each other out to stay in power.”
An aggressive campaigner, he suggested, could contend that Democrats like Beyer cater to all the interest groups who constantly advocate tax and spend policies. He thinks the Republican nominee must defend Allen’s willingness to try new
95.3%