THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, September 6, 1994 TAG: 9409060053
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MARGARET EDDS AND ALEC KLEIN, STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 71 lines
In perhaps the harshest blow yet to L. Douglas Wilder's independent candidacy for the U.S. Senate, the state's highest ranking African-American elected official on Monday endorsed Democratic incumbent Sen. Charles S. Robb.
U.S. Rep. Robert C. Scott, a Democrat representing Virginia's 3rd Congressional District, held the party line and shunned Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, who bolted the party this year to run as an independent.
``Chuck and I have worked together the last two years. He's been willing to cast the tough votes, take the tough stands. I'm endorsing him for re-election,'' Scott said at his annual Labor Day picnic at his mother's house in Newport News, attended by about 700 local residents and politicians.
``It's very important. I'm very pleased to have it,'' said Robb, who was on hand for the plug. Noting a string of recent endorsements from prominent African Americans, Robb said several more black community leaders ``have let me know they intend to support me . . . The one today, because of Bobby's position, will be hard to top.''
The endorsement was particularly ill-timed for Wilder, coming on the traditional fall campaign kickoff day. Wilder had planned to attend the picnic, but his campaign announced at mid-morning on Monday that the former governor would not go.
A spokesperson attributed the decision to Wilder's fatigue after a 30-day, 5,400-mile trek around Viriginia, and to a need to get ready for tonight's debate at Hampden-Sydney College in Farmville.
Wilder made no campaign appearances on Labor Day.
``He thinks his time would be better spent recharging his batteries and getting ready for what looks like the most important debate of the election,'' said Dan Conley, Wilder's press secretary.
The debate will pit Wilder against all three of the other contenders - Robb, Republican nominee Oliver L. North and independent J. Marshall Coleman.
Wilder's performance there, however, may be overshadowed by a recent series of blows to his candidacy.
Last week, a group of black Democrats from the Roanoke area who had supported Wilder in his previous runs for statewide office urged the black community to rally around Robb. Last month, Robb also won the endorsement of a group of black ministers in Norfolk led by Bishop L.E. Willis Sr.
With Scott chiming in, Wilder is facing a growing tide of sentiment that Robb is the most viable candidate to compete against North, who gained momentum over the summer and wields a multimillion-dollar campaign war chest.
``I'm a Doug Wilder man, but I'm also a Democrat. I'll be heading up the Robb campaign in Fluvanna County,'' said J.J. Booker, a member of that county's board of supervisors who attended Scott's cookout.
Scott and Wilder have never been confidantes, but the endorsement is ``a substantial blow. Not that (Wilder) would expect Congressman Scott to endorse him, but that he would hope Congressman Scott would remain neutral,'' said Thomas R. Morris, a political analyst and president of Emory & Henry college.
Paul Goldman, former chairman of the state Democratic party and the manager of Wilder's historic 1989 campaign for governor, said that North is the central figure of the race and the other three candidates are vying for a sizeable anti-North vote. Scott's endorsement represents another chunk that won't be going to Wilder, he said.
``It looks like Robb has picked up. I think Wilder has to address it. It's not something you can assume won't have an impact,'' Goldman said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photo
Democratic U.S. Rep. Robert C. Scott
KEYWORDS: ENDORSEMENT DEBATE U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE by CNB