Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 11, 1993 TAG: 9305110172
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Wilder was talking to reporters about his daughter's recent marriage and his son's upcoming marriage when a male reporter asked if Wilder, who is divorced, was getting married. Wilder laughed it off.
When another reporter suggested that the first reporter was actually proposing to Wilder, the governor reportedly feigned a lisp and a limp wrist in replying, "Oh . . . stop it."
The incident, which occurred Friday night during the state Democratic convention, was reported by The Washington Post, The Washington Times, the Daily Press of Newport News and The Daily Progress of Charlottesville.
Wilder on Saturday denied making any homosexual slur. "I've never made any gay remarks," Wilder said before giving a commencement speech at Howard University Law School. "That reporter was joking with other reporters. I merely said that's a personal matter."
Asked if he waved his hand with a limp wrist, Wilder replied: "I never waved my hand."
In March, Wilder criticized Oliver North and other Republicans for telling jokes about blacks and gays during a roast. North, a central figure in the Iran-Contra affair, joked during the roast that he had trouble getting through to President Clinton until he lisped, "Excuse me," to the White House switchboard.
Shortly after North's comment was made public, Wilder said, "Unfortunately, the Republican Party still doesn't get it. There is no place in America today for those who would divide us."
Both North and Wilder are considering challenging U.S. Sen. Charles Robb next year.
Adam Ebbin, president of Virginia Partisans Gay and Lesbian Democratic Club who attended the convention, said he would not characterize Wilder's remark in the same fashion as North's.
"I'm not saying it was smart or my kind of humor," Ebbin said. But Wilder, he said, was being indiscreet during informal banter provoked by reporters while North had prepared remarks "clearly intended to belittle people."
Virginia Commonwealth University political science Professor Robert Holsworth said Wilder probably will not suffer the same political damage as North.
"Some people will say it was in bad taste, but the two incidents will be judged by different standards," he said.
North agreed. "There is a higher standard to which Republicans are held," he said.
by CNB