THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, June 11, 1996 TAG: 9606110306
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Column
SOURCE: Guy Friddell
LENGTH: 76 lines
No one had more fun Saturday than former Gov. Doug Wilder at the Democratic Convention that nominated businessman Mark Warner for the U.S. Senate.
And those who flocked around Wilder, seeking autographs, posing for pictures in Hampton Coliseum.
It became an impromptu reception, well nigh a square dance as one partner after another grabbed his hand or hugged him, swung him around laughing in the hallway.
``Have you changed your name?'' Wilder asked, stooping to peer at the ID tag of a smiling woman.
Straightening, details flooding to mind, he said, ``And how is your family?'' - and he called the roll.
She left happy, convinced he had recognized her immediately.
A TV newsman sighted the eddy and Wilder in its vortex. He squared off, doubled his fists, grinning, and they clasped, Wilder crying, ``You so bad-d-d-d!''
Three reporters sought autographs. ``Never before!'' he said.
A dignified dignitary appeared. Jaunty Wilder, bowing, greeted him deep-toned, ``Your Eminence!''
Head of a Lutheran charity in Washington, D.C., David Temple had managed his Northern Virginia campaign for lieutenant governor.
A Southwest Virginian plowed to his side. ``Mudcat!'' Wilder cried. ``Are you making any money?''
U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb dropped by. Once at war, now at peace, they shook hands.
A college student confessed she was going to enter the Republican primary and vote for James Miller as the easier candidate for Democrat Mark Warner to oppose.
``You vote for Miller,'' Wilder warned, ``and if he wins, he says, `I dealt with John Warner and now I'll deal with Mark Warner!' And money will pour in for him.''
In his speech, Wilder had words for Democrats bent on voting for U.S. Sen. John Warner in gratitude for his helping defeat Oliver North in the senatorial race of 1994.
``Is John Warner going to be out there telling the voters to vote for Bill Clinton?'' Wilder cried.
``No-o-o-o!'' they roared back.
``And is he going to be out there next year telling them to elect Don Beyer?''
``No-o-o-o!'' they screamed. ``Is he going to be telling people to retain Democratic leadership in the state legislature?''
``No-o-o-o!''
``A wakeup call is necessary. I think John Warner is a decent man and I consider him a friend, but I am supporting Mark Warner!''
In the hallway, reporters, hyenas circling a lion, threw questions as Wilder signed autographs and posed for cameras held by hip-sprung amateurs. How would he advise Mark Warner?
``Get on the tube as quickly as possible to tell people what he is going to do.''
Did all this acclaim make Wilder hunger for one more campaign?
No, he said, he was happy as a Distinguished Professor at the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University.
He laughed. Distinguished after 25 years! ``I enjoy it,'' he said. ``I no longer make statements relative to the possible vote of a person or groups. I say what I please. It's a good feeling.''
He was willing for public service, but he ruled out running for office.
``One of the best experiences you can have is a campaign through diverse Virginia, getting to know its people.''
After an hour, Wilder was moving, still signing scraps, pausing for pictures.
What a pity, thought an old gaffer, watching. Never another campaign! All that good will going to waste, poured on Sahara sands. ILLUSTRATION: BETH BERGMAN
The Virginian-Pilot
Once rivals, U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb, left center, and former Gov.
L. Douglas Wilder reconciled enough to share an admirer. by CNB