Doug Wilder whacks Deeds

[ccharles000]

http://www.politico.com/blogs/scorecard/0909/Doug_Wilder_whacks_Deeds.html?showall

Former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder announced Thursday that he will not be endorsing a candidate in the Virginia gubernatorial race, while mounting some sharp criticism at Democrat Creigh Deeds over his stance on taxes and guns.

“The requests, made of me, have been to endorse Mr. Deeds, the Democratic Candidate, for Governor. I refrain from doing so and will leave that choice to the voters,” Wilder said in a statement.

“This in no 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.”

Wilder’s announcement is a significant blow to the Deeds campaign, which had been aggressively courting his support in recent weeks. Even President Obama got involved in the lobbying campaign, making a personal call to Wilder earlier this month asking him to endorse Deeds.

Wilder. the first African-American governor in Virginia, met with both gubernatorial candidates this month in preparation for his statement. His comments still carry sway in the state's black community, and Deeds needs strong, enthusiastic turnout among African-American voters in Richmond and the Tidewater to win the governorship.

Deeds' campaign said it respected Wilder's decision in a statement to POLITICO, and still intends to seek Wilder's advice on issues.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

1. Ever since he left the governor's office,

Doug Wilder has gone goofier and goofier. This isn't any surprise - he wants so badly to be Governor again, he's pissed that anyone dares to run for that office.

He's a joke, and Virginians know it..............................

[Thothmes]

2. Gov Wilders concerns about Deeds

is Deed's stance on fire arms and his statements that taxes may have to be raised to support infrastructure improvements in the states.

[benEzra]

3. Wilder endorsed Jim Webb in the 2006 senate race, who was/is just as pro-gun-owner as Deeds.

Not sure what game Wilder is playing now, but it looks to me as if guns are just an excuse (or perhaps an opportunity to grandstand, I don't know). Although his bashing of Deeds for being too protective of gun-owner rights will probably help Deeds in the election...

BTW, Wilder has said more favorable things about the repub candidate than he has about Deeds:

http://www.newsmax.com/politics/wilder_praises_mcdonnell/2009/07/30/241819.html

Former Va. Gov. Wilder Praises GOP's McDonnell

Former Democratic Gov. L. Douglas Wilder said Wednesday that his party's gubernatorial nominee, R. Creigh Deeds, is at risk of becoming the "me, too" candidate, and complimented GOP opponent Robert F. McDonnell on his efforts to reach out to Virginians who don't traditionally vote Republican.

"I would have to say Bob (McDonnell) seems to be very aggressive in going out and strongly seeking the support of everybody," Mr. Wilder said.

The comments were made during an interview with The Washington Times in which Mr. Wilder, 78, the nation's first elected black governor, said Mr. McDonnell has been able during the campaign for November's election to set the agenda on several issues.