Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 25, 1994 TAG: 9407250083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: WARREN FISKE
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Seeking conservative support for his independent bid for the U.S. Senate, Wilder has narrowed his pro-abortion rights views and refashioned his thinking on striker replacement. Hoping to hold on to a liberal base, the former governor has recast history when it comes to his stand on the 1991 confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.
Granted, it's not unusual for politicians to change their minds on issues. But Wilder, whose campaign slogan is ``proven, principled leadership,'' is condemning such behavior from his three opponents this year.
Wilder, for example, is contemptuous of Marshall Coleman, who is also running as an independent, for flip-flopping from a hard line against abortion in 1989 to his present ``pro-choice'' view.
``The question is which Marshall Coleman is running on what day?'' Wilder recently chuckled. ``As Virginians know, he's pretty adept at changing his positions.''
Is Wilder different? Consider his views on abortion.
In 1989, his razor-thin victory over Coleman in the gubernatorial race was largely attributed to Wilder's strong pro-abortion stand. Wherever he went, Wilder pledged not to restrict a woman's right to end a pregnancy. He ridiculed Coleman for opposing abortion rights and for calling on government to regulate ``the most personal of personal decisions'' for women.
In 1991, when he was seeking liberal support in his brief bid for the presidency, Wilder wrote that there should be ``no restrictions'' on federal funding for abortions, according to a questionnaire he filled out for the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.
This year, Wilder says that if a national health care plan is adopted, each state should be allowed to decide for itself whether coverage for abortions should be included in policies. Only 12 states now allow tax dollars to be spent on abortions for poor people. Wilder's stand on the topic has infuriated those who once saw him as a national standard-bearer for abortion choice.
``It's ridiculous to argue that a woman's access to reproductive health should depend on the state she lives in,'' said James Wagoner, vice president of NARAL. ``Doug Wilder has flip-flopped. He is not a pro-choice candidate in this Senate race.''
Wilder also is tossing red meat to conservatives this year by taking a hard line on labor issues. He says he opposes legislation that would ban companies from permanently replacing striking workers.
But in 1991, when Wilder was seeking labor support for his presidential run, he strongly supported the right of workers to strike without fear of losing their jobs.
``It makes no sense for someone to lose their job because of exercising a constitutionally protected right,'' he said that year at the national AFL-CIO convention in Detroit. ``... And for management, or anyone else, to be able to say, `As a result of your exercising that right, you're fired,' I'm against that. That's wrong.''
Incumbent Democrat Charles Robb won't say how he would vote on striker replacement. Wilder has sought to portray the silence as a sign of Robb's fealty to labor and unwillingness to level with voters. ``How would you vote?'' Wilder demanded during a recent debate. ``The people of Virginia have a right to know.''
But don't ask Wilder whether he would caucus with Democrats or Republicans if he makes it to the Senate. He refuses to answer.
Wilder has blasted Robb for supporting the confirmation of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas in 1991 ``when people begged him not to.'' Yet Wilder, while he was running for president that year, declined to say whether he would have voted for Thomas.
In fact, the very basis of Wilder's independent candidacy is wrapped in an inconsistency. Wilder threatened to bolt the Democratic Party last year unless it held a primary election for the Senate seat. Although Democratic officials accommodated him, Wilder still left the party.
Those expecting consistency from politicians may demand some explanations from Wilder as the campaign progresses. After all, no one's ever accused him of having a small mind.
Keywords:
POLITICS
by CNB