Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 10, 1992 TAG: 9201100297
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LESLIE TAYLOR STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
WITHDRAWAL SEEN AS RIGHT MOVE
In public libraries, at bowling alleys and in grocery stores, Roanoke Valley residents appear overwhelmingly pleased with Gov. Douglas Wilder's withdrawal from the presidential race.Some had strong convictions. Others seemed apathetic, like the Roanoke woman who, while pleased with Wilder's withdrawal, wasn't quite sure who he was.
Only a few were disappointed.
"I was hoping he'd go on and run," said a Roanoke man who was picking through glassware at the Goodwill store in Salem. "As president? I think he'd have been a good one."
But the man's comments were rare. Most were akin to those of Dave Pannell, owner of Dave's Grocery on 11th Street in Northwest Roanoke.
"The condition of the economy is enough to keep him and all of his associates busy for the rest of his term," Pannell said from behind a cash register. "He didn't have time to devote to the presidency in the beginning. He was elected governor of Virginia; that should have been his first priority."
The timing of Wilder's withdrawal though, could not have been more graceful, Pannell said.
Devin Bledsoe agreed.
"If I were in his shoes, I would have found a graceful way of exiting, and the State of the Commonwealth address was an appropriate vehicle," Bledsoe said, seated at the counter of the Classic Glenvar Chili Shop in Roanoke County, where he works as a waiter.
Don Muse, Bledsoe's co-worker, predicted a surge in Wilder's sagging statewide popularity. Like others, Muse was pleased that Wilder put his presidential desires on hold.
"The people here in Virginia want him to be concerned with Virginia," he said. "The political aspirations come later."
Not that Wilder wouldn't make a good president, Muse said. But "today's social climate wouldn't let him be a good president," he said.
Members of a senior citizens bowling league at the All Star Lanes bowling alley on Melrose Avenue agreed Wednesday that Wilder acted properly in withdrawing.
"I think he should have withdrawn," said W.R. Kinney of Roanoke. "The state right now has too many problems."
Whether Wilder is a presidential aspirant or not, Henry Craighead said he still supports the governor.
"I was happy when he withdrew," said Craighead, also of Roanoke. "The odds were against him - a lot of people were against him."
Those interviewed seemed concerned that Wilder was pursuing what seemed to be a losing effort and appearing to neglect affairs at home.
"He doesn't need to be running up and down the road trying to be president," said David Hale of Salem. "He needs to put more emphasis on his main job - governor."
Keywords:
POLITICS