European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - December 7, 1986, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Biding his time for 88 candidacy Virginia s Charles Robb by Thomas Ferraro United press International or the Sake of family Harmony Charles Robb has never divulged who he voted for in the 1964 presidential election Barry add water or Lyndon Johnson his eventual father in Law. Now for the Sake at his own political Stock Robb is hedging on another question will he run for National office president or vice president in 1988 or later the former Virginia governor and rising moderate Force in the democratic parly insists he has no plans to do so. But he won t Rule himself out either this political Community tends not to take those who have declared themselves finally retired All that  said Robb 47 so if you want to have an Impact you have to remain at least in the eyes of the beholder a player or a potential player he said Many View Hobb Wilh his Hollywood Good looks Middle of the Road thinking Washington connections end record As a popular and progressive Southern governor As a potential Star in the 1988 race for the White House. Within the democratic parly Charles Robb is on everyone s list of possible vice presidential candidates said a member of the parly s inner Circle. A few also see him As a Long shot presidential nominee. Since completing a tour year term As Virginia s governor in january 1986 that state prohibits governors from succeeding themselves Robb has worked As an attorney Wilh a big Law firm and has looked like a candidate he has criss crossed the country campaigning or democrats and giving speeches on issues ranging from defense to Trade and he has rave led the world meeting with politicians and business leaders Robb has also headed the democratic leadership Council a group of mostly Southern and Western politicians who banded together after the 1984 Republican landslide to try to move the shaken parly toward the political Center. On dec. 11-12. Robb is to preside Over a dec meeting of democratic politicians in Witt Ramsburg Ato discuss National issues and to Hammer out an Agenda possibly aimed at the 1968 Campaign. Jill decade ago Charles Hobb was firs elected to Public office As Virginia s lieutenant governor. In 1981, he became tha first Democrat in 12 years to be elected Virginia s governor. His campaigns received National attention in Large part because of his tabled in Laws. Yet Robb who married Lynda Bird Johnson in a televised White House ceremony dec. 9.1967, tried to play Down his lbs relation Robb said his polls found a negative reaction by Conse Vallve Virginia to Johnson who presided Over America s most unpopular War and who obtained landmark civil rights legislation from Congress. Still the Johnson connection proved vital by giving him instant name recognition Robb said. Peop a had a Hook to hang my name on and remember me he  an Marine combat officer in Vietnam in 1968, Robb exchanged a few letters with lbs. In one correspondence he wrote i happen to feel very strongly that we have bean  right course of action. I am Here to fulfil a personal commitment and not because i am required to set an  today citing family Robb is reluctant to give and sent of Johnson the president but does say that after having seen him up close my respect for in a arsed about the same time his National Block was decreasing Robb also is hesitant to appraise lbs a great a Riv. But does say Many of the program were rights the  he refuses to say if he supported Johnson Lor president Robb who had not previously joined any party Reott medal a Democrat in 1974. I have never old a we How i voted in previous  he said. Daily in Magazine sail hedging on rational candid try Chariot Robb in front of Tho Virginia Capitol in Richmond. In photo even the 1964 race which involved lbs in the Days before Robb had met Lynda never  Robb replied Why Robb now smiling whispered family  at their riverfront House in he fashionable Washington suburb of Mclean va., Lynda Bird Robb said i think Chuck has great respect Lor my lather who died in 1973 and daddy was crazy about  As for her husband s political future she said people ask me secretly Chuck must have told you what he is going to do i Don t know. I believe what he Bays that he has no current intentions of running. Then she said. Chuck and i talk about important things like our children Lucinda 18, Catherine 16, and Jennifer b. Democratic National committee chairman Paul Kirk says the party s 1988 ticket should include a southerner. And former dec chairman Robert Strauss has proposed that the southerner be Charles Robb. Others Hough like members of the party s Black caucus and organized labor find Robb a bit too conservative. The Rev. Jesse Jackson refers to Robb s democratic leadership conference As the democratic Leisure class " the 6-loot-2, fit looking Robb rejects the criticism and the labels. I m interested in the process and moving the party in a direction that i feel comfortable  he said As far As i m concerned not right or led but  Robb s positions and proposals include tie social Security Cost of living increases to the recipient s needs. National mandatory service civilian or military for All Young people. Require welfare recipients to take Job training or employment in return Lor assistance get serious about the Federal deficit even in it requires spending cuts in defense and social programs and an increase in taxes. Back and communist efforts in the third world including Aid to Contra rebels opposing the sandinista government in Nicaragua. Ask workers to give up some of their pay in return Lor bonuses based on the performance of their businesses. Robb says there Are several people he could support Lor president Many of them members of his democratic leadership Council like rep. Richard Gephardt d-mo., Arizona gov. Bruce Babbit sen. Joe Biden a Del. His lop pick another dec member is a fellow Southern a sen Sam Nunn a who is also one of Robb s biggest boosters for the 1968 ticket. The two Are to have a walk in the Woods within a month or so to talk politics. We Aren t going to sit in a huddle and flip a Coin to see who runs in this  Nunn said. I will make my own decision. And i m sure he will make his. And we will  sen. Lawton Chiles of la said i Hope one or the other surfaces As a candidate Chiles acknowledged that Robb May not be Well known nationally now but Jimmy Carter was t that Well known either when he began Hia presidential Campaign As Georgia s former governor a decade ago certainly Chuck Robb with his record in Virginia is the kind of Story democrats should  Chiles said. He was Able to stake out the Middle conservative in finance while recognizing problems and doing something about  Robb said at this Point i Don t know if fit Ever seek Public office again. My service in Vietnam and my service As governor have let me lest myself in ways thai i Don t Hava to prove anything to myself. The kind of uncertainty that might motivate some to ask themselves can i play in this league really in t a consideration for me. I m at peace with myself. I have a very Clear sense of who t am and what i can  Robb says he is not yet ready to Lead the nation explaining that he needs More knowledge in foreign policy. Many people Democrat and republicans did t think Robb was ready when he was elected lieutenant governor in 1977. Chuckie Bird is what Virginia democratic Leader Hunter Andrews initially called him. Yet Robb proved an effective politician and one Otha most popular governors in Virginia history. He carved out a National Niche As chairman of the Southern governors association and the education commission of the slates. Robb upgraded Virginia schools and highways brought More Blacks and women into state government and helped erase old racial attitudes that pervaded the capital of the old confederacy. Sunday december. 19b8 the stars and stripes parse 13