Read the statement: Wilder declines to back Deeds for governor

[derby378]

Source: Associated Press / WVEC

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder is declining to endorse fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds for governor.

Wilder, who was the nation's first elected black governor, said in a statement Thursday that he was asked to back Deeds but has concerns about his views on guns and taxes. Wilder said Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell are both honorable men and well suited to be governor.

Read more: http://www.wvec.com/news/topstories/stories/wvec_local_092409_.1b032748e.html

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Wilder's statement can be read below the brief news item. Here's an excerpt:

This in no wise is intended to detract from Mr. Deeds in terms of character or commitment to the task of being Governor. I find that he, as well as Mr. McDonnell are fine and honorable men and well suited to that task. The question before me is whether I support the Democratic candidate's position in addressing these issues. I have not thus far in the progress of the campaign, and as aforesaid refrain from so doing.

[Captain Hilts]

1. I've voted for Wilder, with enthusiasm, but no one's ever accused him of being a team player.

That McConnell has bigoted attitudes about women is okay with a surprising number of folks.

I understand his concern about firearms, but would it be better to have the Republican in?

[derby378]

2. And, last I heard, Deeds still supports a state semi-auto ban

Seems like Wilder would remember that little detail and suck it up instead of enabling his opponent with his silence.

[No Elephants]

10. Not silence. He endorsed him. Read beween the lines. If he really thought they were both

honorable and both equally qualified, why on earth would he decline to back his Party's candidate?

[iandhr]

3. shumuck

It VA they like guns. suck it up and back your parties candidate.

[BolivarianHero]

4. McConnell is an "honourable man"?

Yeah, and Bush is a genius,

[derby378]

5. And porn turns you gay

Or so says one of McConnell's mentors. There's a braintrust for you.

[BolivarianHero]

7. I'm rather ignorant of internal Virginia politics...

I'm Canadian and have so many areas of interest that I only know generalities and basic trends. Why would an African-American Democrat have good words to say about a man who comes across as being right of Jesse Helms? There must be some pretty bad blood between Wilder and Deeds. :-(

[Leontius]

13. Because Wilder thinks of himself as "Kingmaker " of Va

must kiss his ass over and over.

[DumpDavisHogg]

6. Deeds supports "right-to-work"

Deeds supporting this "right-to-work" garbage should be a bigger issue than guns and taxes.

[BolivarianHero]

8. In that case he should be expelled from the Democratic Party...

On the activist level, the party I support in Canada is all left-wing intellectuals, union people, pur et dur socialists, and borderline hippies and I bet half of them would learn how to use weapons if that's what it took to drive someone like that out of the party.

[Blue_Tires]

9. oh dear....

Wilder is burning his last remaining bridges...My dad helped with his campaign, too...

Very sad to see what he's become...

[No Elephants]

11. Thanks for biting the hand that fed you, Governor Lieberman.

[makeanoise]

12. Sorry?

McDonnell, isn't that the guy who supports the Government in removing any and all benefits from not just homosexuals but FORNICATORS as well?

LOL, he's gonna be busy!