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By Craig Timberg
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 19, 2001; Page B02

WAKEFIELD, Va., April 18 -- For years, the politically astute crowds that came to Virginia's Shad Planking could plot the decline of the Democratic Party by its faltering stock of campaign signs along the route to the event. Born 53 years ago so Democratic bosses could pick the next governor, the Shad Planking had become Republican.

That changed today. The more than 3,000 people who came for bony fish, draft beer and light politicking were greeted by 20 miles of signs, in dense, colorful clusters, touting Alexandria Democrat Mark Warner.

There were signs with his Web address, signs proclaiming "Mark Warner Country," signs in the blaze orange of hunting season featuring a shotgun and the words, "Sportsmen for Mark Warner."

The signs for his Republican rivals, Attorney General Mark L. Earley and Lt. Gov. John H. Hager, looked badly outnumbered, even though crews for the Virginia Department of Transportation removed some Warner signs this morning. Department officials said they were in the highway's right of way and were blowing into the street.

The organizational muscle needed to put out more than 6,000 signs may mean little by election day in November. But today it gave Democrats an unmistakable spring in their steps, hope that a decade of futility could be nearing an end.

"People are still here seeing who they think they should get behind," said Anthony F. Troy, a powerful Democratic lawyer in Richmond and former state attorney general, recalling the legendary days when party loyalists got their marching orders at the Shad Planking.

"They're looking for a winner."

The Shad Planking is named for the tradition of smoking thousands of shad on wooden planks for hours, but it long ago evolved into the state's foremost ritual of the political spring, marking the end of the General Assembly's work and the beginning of campaign season. The Wakefield Ruritan Club sponsors the event and gives the proceeds to charities. The shad themselves are considered the lowlight of a day devoted mostly to chatting up politicians and drinking beer.

As southern Virginia turned mostly Republican during the 1990s, so did the Shad Planking. The biggest cheers today went to U.S. Sen. George Allen, who signed autographs, flashed his trademark smile and was treated generally as a conquering hero. It was just a year ago when his victory over two-term Sen. Charles S. Robb (D) could have been foretold in his commanding victory in the Shad Planking sign wars.

Allen's longtime chief of staff, Jay Timmons, conceded that Warner's showing today was a symbol of political vigor.

"They've finally learned from us," Timmons said. "They've got down the first step of our 100-step program for success. They've got 99 to go."

Warner paid homage to Allen's organization prowess today, saying, "My gosh, my campaign staff must have gone to the George Allen school of signage."

Democrats had more than signs to be thankful for today. Warner is dramatically outraising Hager and Earley, spending little so far from his own vast wealth. The Republicans are locked in a nomination battle that may not end until the June party convention. And the state budget impasse in Richmond has Republican leaders attacking each other regularly.

Each of the three candidates for governor made brief remarks, breaking a Shad Planking tradition barring political speeches during the year a candidate is up for election.

Hager joked about the budget stalemate in his brief remarks, noting how well throngs of activists from both parties seemed to get along in the festival atmosphere of the Shad Planking.

"Some of the Republicans and Democrats are getting along better than the Republicans get along with each other," Hager said to laughs.

None laughed a few moments later when Hager equated his struggles with polio -- he uses a wheelchair -- and his determination not to give up his fight for governor, as many in his party have urged.

"We'll fight in the fields of Fluvanna and the streets of Fairfax and the hills of Hillsville and the sands of Sandbridge, and never, never, never give in," Hager said. "So if you think I've been rolling across Virginia for the last three years, you ain't seen nothing yet."

Earley opted for a lighter tone, recalling his many drives to the Shad Planking during a long political career.

"The scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The farm ponds are dazzling in the sunlight. Peanuts are beginning to sprout up green," Earley said. "The problem is you can't see any of it because of the signs."