THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 16, 1994 TAG: 9409160030
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 45 lines
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder yesterday kept intact his record for making surprise campaign announcements when he announced he was ending his independent campaign for the Senate seat now held by Democratic Sen. Charles S. Robb. Wilder pulled out of the 1992 presidential race unexpectedly and he dramatically announced during his last State of the Commonwealth address that he would not challenge Mr. Robb for the Democratic nomination. Then he changed his mind and jumped in as an in-de-pend-ent.
Wilder says he knows when to hold and when to fold - as when poll numbers recently released by Virginia Commonwealth University and Mason-Dixon made it clear he could not marshal the money to run a credible campaign.
That might well be the case, for running a successful independent campaign is exceptionally difficult under the best circumstances. Other reasons could have influenced his decision, however.
The Clinton administration has made no secret of its desire to see Mr. Wilder out of the race. If national Democratic prospects were otherwise bright, the Wilder candidacy might not have unduly worried the national party. As President Clinton has fallen in the polls, however, the stakes in state races natonwide have risen dramatically. Democrats face the very real possibility of losing control of the Senate.
If such a calamity occurred, the hunt would be on for scapegoats. Wilder's name would be high on the list if his effort were thought to have been instrumental in the election of Oliver North. His future prospects in Democratic politics would be dim.
All eyes will now turn to J. Marshall Coleman. It seems unlikely he will pick up much of Wilder's support, and his continued presence could still tip the election toward North. An unknown factor: Marion Barry's victory in Washington, D.C. could help North, who has been pounding hard against the prospect of D.C. statehood.
The dynamics of the race are endless. So fasten your seat belts, folks. It ain't over yet. by CNB