THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, October 1, 1994 TAG: 9410010268
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ROBERT LITTLE, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Short : 41 lines
Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder appeared ready to make amends with longtime party rival Sen. Charles S. Robb on Friday, hinting on a national television news broadcast that he is preparing to endorse Robb's bid for re-election.
In an interview with CNN correspondent Gene Randall, broadcast Friday afternoon, Wilder said he dropped his independent U.S. Senate bid Sept. 15 because ``I did not want to see him (Robb) defeated because of me.''
``So at some point you could make an endorsement?'' Randall asked.
``Yes,'' Wilder responded.
``But you won't tell me when that will be?''
``No . . . that time hasn't arrived.''
Friday's public comments were the first that Wilder, a Democrat, has made since a private meeting with Robb Tuesday morning. After that meeting, Robb received the endorsement of the 13-member Virginia Black Legislative Caucus and said he would welcome a nod from Wilder.
Such an endorsement could likely boost Robb in his vigorous quest for support from African-American voters. And it would come as a stark political shift for Wilder, who often campaigned on the principle that Robb is ``unfit for office.''
Three former Robb aides were found guilty of charges related to the release of an illegally taped phone conversation between Wilder and a supporter. Robb was the target of a federal grand jury investigation in the case but was never charged.
Wilder aides said he had no further comment about a possible endorsement Friday. Asked at a campaign stop in Norfolk on Thursday whether Wilder's endorsement was forthcoming, Robb said simply, ``We'll see.''
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE
by CNB