State Journal

Two days after this year's votes were counted, Virginia's 1997 race for governor seemed to begin in earnest, when James S. Gilmore III, the state attorney general and the early Republican favorite for the top job, proposed a plan to provide millions of dollars in college scholarships to high school students.

The proposed New Century Scholars program, which would require approval by the legislature, would provide $2,000 in state aid to students who maintain a B average in high school, perform well on standardized tests, and attend a public or private college or university in Virginia. Students with suspensions or disciplinary problems on their records would not be eligible.

Mr. Gilmore's proposal is further testimony to the political draw of scholarships--a hallmark of Democratic Gov. Zell Miller's tenure in Georgia and an idea that President Clinton lifted for...