Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 27, 1993 TAG: 9302270227
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: ROB EURE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
DEMOCRATS FEAR ROBB-WILDER DUEL
Virginia Democratic leaders say they dread the prospect of a new battle in the war between U.S. Sen. Charles Robb and Gov. Douglas Wilder, and they're split on whether Wilder could successfully challenge Robb's renomination next year."I don't think anyone is looking forward to it," said Dan Alcorn, the party's chairman in the 11th Congressional District.
Wilder's declaration Thursday that he will ponder a nomination battle with Robb in 1994 caught several party leaders interviewed Friday by surprise, despite long-standing speculation that Wilder might try it.
"When I read it this morning, I was a little dismayed," said 2nd District chairman Ken Geroe, a sometimes-critic of Wilder. "But I'm comforted because it's a long time away. There's not much question [that] it's an invitation to disaster, but I think right now most activists are focused on this year's elections.`
Wilder told The Washington Post on Thursday that he will decide by June whether to challenge Robb, his rival for as long as the two men have been among the state's leading Democrats.
Some Democrats were perplexed that Wilder floated his trial balloon now. In recent weeks, he's made several unity gestures, including settling a public dispute with the party's prospective nominee to succeed him, Mary Sue Terry.
Others said they have been expecting Wilder's move.
Oscar Blayton, a Hampton lawyer active in the NAACP, said Wilder is "maintaining his troops."
He said a number of key organizers in Wilder's previous elections have rallied under a new organization, the Virginia Black Caucus. Blayton said that group could help Wilder unseat Robb.
"It's easy to underestimate Doug," Blayton said. "He's probably in pretty good shape in this part of the state."
Blayton added that Robb may have some problems among African-Americans. "Chuck used a lot of his markers up running for governor and Senate. Some people feel he has been something of a user. And that is aside from" his most recent controversy with Wilder.
Wilder complained bitterly again Friday about that spat, renewing charges that he was the target of a Robb-staff smear campaign. A grand jury decided in January not to charge Robb in connection with his staff's leaking of an illegally intercepted Wilder telephone call.
Wilder said the grand jury investigation showed "the history of a staff spending more time undermining Virginia's government than promoting Virginia's interests."
He said he is speaking up now because Robb's "investigation in terms of his indictment is over. What really got me was several instances of him standing up saying he was the victim, and that just got me. How he could describe what has happened as the victimization of him? It's hypocrisy of the rankest order.
"I frankly think Virginia needs the best possible person they could have" in Robb's Senate seat, Wilder said. "That would not be the incumbent. You could make a vast improvement over the incumbent."
Gammiel Poindexter, commonwealth's attorney in Surry County, said Wilder spoke to a gathering of about 500 there early this month and "hinted he was thinking of running against Robb. Governor Wilder is very well thought of, at least in Surry," said Poindexter, a longtime Wilder supporter.
"But I supported Chuck Robb too. I hope at this point we are not called on to decide" between them, she said.
Wilder said he would prefer a primary against Robb to a convention because it would be less divisive. Democrats interviewed Friday said it would also give Wilder a better shot of winning.
Wilder has worked to maintain not only black support, but the backing of organized labor, several Democrats said. Both constituencies could benefit him in a primary setting.
The decision on whether to call a primary rests with the Democratic State Central Committee. That group is headed by Wilder's longtime ally and strategist Paul Goldman, but he is to be replaced in May at the convention that will nominate Terry.
Keywords:
POLITICS
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.