University of Virginia Library

Extolling Virtues

Extolling the virtues or
Generals Lee and Jackson
while excitedly stroking his flat
top, Dick Obsenshain
introduced Godwin with a few
typically irrelevant remarks. To
the aroused huzzahs of the
crowd, the former governor set
aside his mint julep, doffed his
white Panama hat, and
snatched the microphone,
knocking Obenshain's
turtle-shelled glasses off in the
process. With a snort into his
handkerchief, Godwin
launched into an inspired
acceptance of the Republican
nomination for governor in
1973.

Many of the western
delegates, unable to decipher
the Appomattox drawl, rushed
out into the lobby to buy up
the most recent issue of
Reader's Digest, which had just