Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 13, 1994 TAG: 9401130250
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-1 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: GREG SCHNEIDER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Much as he shocked Virginians by withdrawing from the presidential race at the end of his State of the Commonwealth address in 1992, Wilder appended the Senate announcement to a 33-minute speech that defended the rocky four-year administration of the nation's first elected black governor.
"Some people have asked me whether I would have preferred to have been governor at another time in history," Wilder said, referring to financial crises that he said forced him to scrap many of the goals he had when taking office.
"But I am proud to have served the people of Virginia at this point in time. I have used every opportunity I have had to do what I could do, and wasted none of those opportunities to move Virginia forward."
Wilder then cataloged a list of achievements - creating a "rainy day" fund in the state budget to guard against future shortfalls, imposing economic sanctions against South Africa, winning a fight to restrict handgun purchases to one a month - that sounded for all the world like a litany of reasons for him to be elected to another office.
But at the end of his text, he paused and said, "Now I would ask you here to permit me a digression."
It sounded familiar to those who were present for the presidential surprise in 1992; this time, though, indications were that Wilder was about to officially announce that he would seek the U.S. Senate seat held by longtime rival Charles Robb, also a Democrat.
Earlier this week, Wilder was asked by reporters to quash a rumor that he was leaning against running; the governor stomped his foot on the floor and said, "I quash it."
Wilder began his announcement by running down a list of patrons who had inspired and guided his unlikely rise from busboy in segregated Richmond to first black member of the state Senate since Reconstruction to first black lieutenant governor, and, finally, to governor.
"They helped this raw, unbridled upstart to harness his potential and to develop a passion for leadership," Wilder said. "That spirit is unconquered, and that is what lives.
"Which brings me to the point of asking whether there can be a sequel to that."
And as the packed House of Delegates chamber took a collective deep breath, Wilder took a slow, intentionally dramatic drink of water.
"I don't believe so," he finally said. "I will not seek the nomination of my party for the United States Senate in 1994, nor will I be a candidate for that office."
Wilder said he had consulted only his family before making the decision. And he was characteristically cocky about what his chances would have been: "Could not win is false. Dare not run is falser," he said.
The governor was vague about his plans. "I have not retired from seeking the answers for the problems that continue to confront us, but from seeking public office at this time," he said, adding later that "I feel the need to take another direction and to seek challenges in other areas . . . No further comment is necessary."
The 10-minute announcement immediately overshadowed the preceding address.
Besides listing his accomplishments and defending his performance during a time of recession, Wilder called on the General Assembly to pursue several issues this session, including:
Creating a way for state courts of appeal to hear new evidence for death-row inmates. Current law prohibits condemned prisoners from presenting new evidence later than 21 days after being convicted.
Toughening laws against drunken drivers.
Establishing a system of family courts.
Passing sweeping ethics reform, including tighter requirements for lobbyists to declare what they spend influencing legislators, and stricter conflict-of-interest laws for politicians.
But those were almost an aside. Wilder put his speech, and his whole administration, into context with words at the close of his unscripted conclusion:
"Last but not least, I have been guided by destiny," he said. "And that destiny has been the hand of God. . . . I pray that our commonwealth will continue to prosper and grow, guided by his greatness, held in his hand forever. Thank you, and goodbye."
Keywords:
POLITICS GENERAL ASSEMBLY 1994
by CNB