THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Saturday, July 16, 1994                TAG: 9407160245
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                           LENGTH: Short :   36 lines

WILDER SAYS DEMOCRATIC LEADERS ARE WORRIED THAT ROBB CAN'T WIN

Former Gov. L. L. Douglas Wilder said Vice President Al Gore's effort to persuade him to drop out of the U.S. Senate race this year suggests Democrats are concerned that incumbent Charles S. Robb cannot win.

Wilder, who is running as an independent, said he is ``incredulous'' that polls show Robb with only a tiny lead in the four-way race.

``Is there anyone else in the Democratic Party running for re-election with such low numbers?'' Wilder asked during a news conference Friday. ``Absolutely not. It suggests something is wrong.''

Wilder said voters and Democratic leaders may have deep concerns over Robb's support in 1991 for the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and the senator's ``lack of support for crime and drug issues.''

At the vice president's behest, Gore and Wilder met for about 15 minutes in Washington on Thursday and shared a limousine ride to the Capitol. Gore said he expressed hopes that Wilder ``would end up supporting the candidacy of Senator Robb.''

Wilder, who was elected governor as a Democrat, said he told Gore that he was ``resolute'' about remaining in the race. He said Gore voiced concern that Wilder's presence in the race might help Republican Oliver L. North win the November election.

Wilder said Gore never specifically asked him to drop out. ``He wanted to be certain that Oliver North would be defeated,'' Wilder said.

KEYWORDS: SENATE RACE CANDIDATE by CNB