Friday, September 25, 2009
Former governor refrains from endorsing Deeds
Doug Wilder cited the Democratic candidate's pro-gun background and tax proposals.
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RICHMOND -- Former Gov. Doug Wilder said Thursday that he won't endorse fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds for governor, spurning the Bath County lawmaker just as he did four years ago.
Wilder, the nation's first black elected governor, decided to withhold his support from Deeds despite overtures from the candidate, President Obama and Gov. Tim Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Deeds met with Wilder on Monday.
"The requests, made of me, have been to endorse Mr. Deeds, the Democratic Candidate, for Governor," Wilder said in a written statement. "I refrain from doing so and will leave that choice to the voters."
This is not the first time the unpredictable Wilder has refused to back a Democrat in a statewide election. Wilder pointedly stayed on the sidelines in the 2005 election for attorney general, which Republican Bob McDonnell -- now the GOP nominee for governor -- won by 360 votes over Deeds. Wilder also declined to endorse Democrat Don Beyer in the 1997 governor's race, which Republican Jim Gilmore won handily.
But the stakes for Democrats arguably are higher in this year's election, which is being viewed nationally as an early test of public support for Obama. Obama last year became the first Democrat since 1964 to carry Virginia in a presidential race and later tapped Kaine to chair the national party. Wilder's backing could help Deeds with black voters, who turned out strongly for Obama last year.
"Doug Wilder is an icon in the African-American community," said Del. Onzlee Ware, D-Roanoke, a Deeds supporter who considers Wilder a mentor. "It certainly can't be a good thing if you don't have his endorsement." Ware said Deeds should continue to pursue Wilder's endorsement.
Wilder, who was governor from 1990 to 1994, cited fiscal management and gun control as major factors in his decision to stay on the sidelines this year. Deeds has said he would support new taxes for transportation improvements if the General Assembly passes such a bill, but he has not proposed a specific plan to generate revenue. McDonnell has said he would reject any tax increase proposals.
"This is not the time in our Commonwealth to talk about any kind of tax increase, especially those that are fundamentally regressive and will hit hardest those who are struggling," Wilder said.
Deeds' campaign issued a tepid response to Wilder's announcement.
"We respect Governor Wilder's decision," Deeds spokesman Jared Leopold said. "While Creigh and he may not agree on every issue, they share a fundamental commitment to keeping Virginia the best managed state in the nation, as Governor Wilder first made it in 1992."
Wilder's harshest criticism of Deeds was for opposing a signature initiative of his gubernatorial administration -- a law limiting handgun sales to one per month. Deeds, then a state delegate, voted against the legislation in 1993. McDonnell, also a delegate at the time, voted for the measure, but both candidates now support repealing the law.
"In my conversations with the people across the state, I have not encountered anyone who has listed as their priority the need for them to have more handguns," said Wilder, who completed a four-year term as Richmond's mayor in January.
Wilder's criticism of Deeds' pro-gun stance comes a week after the National Rifle Association endorsed McDonnell.
Though Wilder did not endorse McDonnell, the former governor's statements about taxes give McDonnell additional ammunition to use against Deeds in the closing weeks of the campaign.
"Bob McDonnell and Governor Wilder have worked together well on issues ranging from combating gangs to promoting programs to help the homeless in Richmond," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said. "They share the same commitment to fiscal responsibility and keeping taxes low."
