University of Virginia Library

'Liberal Thrust'

While Senator Byrd's victory was a personal
triumph for him, "it also suggests that the
relatively liberal thrust of the major party
candidates was decisively rejected by
Virginians," Mr. Eisenberg wrote.

"The massive sit out of the Democratic
primary in comparison to the large general
election turnout demonstrated voter
indifference to the Democratic choices from
almost all groups of Democrats," he continued.

"The pattern of voting across the State
demonstrated that Senator Byrd won
impressive numbers of normally Republican
voters, as well as a large amount of traditionally
Democratic support, and his majorities included
localities in the State's most urban areas, Mr.
Eisenberg said.

The liberal-moderate struggle between Mr.
Rawlings and Mr. Duval left Mr. Colvin to seek
support from the conservatives, but since few
conservatives effectively participated in the
primary, Mr. Colvin was never seriously in
contention, Eisenberg stated, Mr. Rawlings'
victory was by a plurality of less than one
percentage point.