Virginia Senate Race Heats Up as Candidates Engage in Dirty Politics

Sen. Charles Robb, the incumbent Democratic senator from Virginia, is fighting to maintain his seat in the upcoming election against his Republican opponent, Oliver North. The campaign has taken a turn for the worse, with both candidates engaging in negative and personal attacks against each other. Robb's 24-year-old daughter, Catherine, has come to her father's defense, dismissing allegations of marital infidelity and urging young voters to support her father's re-election.

Key Takeaways:

• Sen. Charles Robb's daughter, Catherine, has defended her father against allegations of marital infidelity, calling them "politics" and "not thinking about the family."
• Catherine Robb warned young voters that Oliver North, a fervent anti-abortion rights advocate, would work to take away their right to choose if he wins the election.
• The campaign has focused on negative and personal attacks, with both sides accusing each other of lying and betrayal.
• Sen. Robb has criticized North's campaign ads as "designed to save his skin, not save other people's lives," while North has portrayed Robb as "the Democratic senator who allegedly attended drug parties and cheated on his wife."
• North's campaign has altered its focus, replacing a highly negative ad with a new commercial narrated by a former American hostage in Lebanon who credits North with saving his life.

Statistics:

• 24 years old: The age of Sen. Robb's daughter, Catherine, who has taken on a prominent role in her father's campaign.
• 3: The number of times that North's campaign ad about Robb's alleged marital infidelity has run in Virginia.
• 8: The date of the election, November 8.
• 1: The person who has come out in support of North over Robb, a POW-MIA activist named Donna Long.

Sources:

• MARY ANN AKERS WASHINGTON, Oct. 19
• Sen. Charles Robb's campaign ads
• Oliver North's campaign ads