
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, March 20, 1992                   TAG: 9203200225
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Medium

WILDER BLASTS CLINTON'S LINK TO SOCIAL CLUB

While most Democrats were congratulating Bill Clinton on Thursday for virtually locking up the presidential nomination, Virginia Gov. Douglas Wilder criticized his former rival for playing golf at a country club that allegedly excludes blacks.

"It is inconceivable to me that a sitting governor would either accept membership or recreate in a club that openly discriminates against blacks and other minorities," Wilder said in a written statement.

"It is my view that civil rights leaders and others in the black community who have supported Governor Clinton are doing a grave disservice to those who have fought to improve the opportunities for minorities, and who want the Democratic Party to be seen as the party that takes the interests of minorities seriously," he said.

Wilder's comments came in response to a story in The Washington Times that said Clinton, governor of Arkansas, is an honorary member of the racially exclusive Little Rock Country Club. The club has traditionally given Arkansas governors free membership.

A spokesman for Clinton told The Washington Times that Clinton never formally accepted the membership offer, but has played golf at the club. The press secretary said he did not know whether Clinton was aware the club allegedly excludes blacks.

Wilder said Clinton's membership in the club raises questions about "whether the Democratic Party is serious about addressing past wrongs."

He also referred to reports that Clinton has had extramarital affairs. "Governor Clinton, a man besieged with stories about his personal life in the past few months, has taken to lecturing Americans about personal responsibility," Wilder said. "All I can say to Governor Clinton is: `Doctor, heal thyself.'"

During his brief campaign for president last year, Wilder frequently clashed with Clinton as they competed for black votes. In November, Wilder compared Clinton to former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke. He later apologized for the remark.

Keywords:
POLITICS

by CNB