Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 14, 1990 TAG: 9003142671
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: STATE
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Wilder's speech before the annual unity dinner of the Illinois State Democratic Party was the first stop in nationwide travels that will take him to New York, New Orleans and the Academy Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.
Wilder, who became the nation's first elected black governor last year on his "New Mainstream" campaign theme, said Illinois Democrats could recapture their governor's mansion after 13 years out of power if they follow his example.
`Virginia - like Illinois - was being asked to choose between the two great forces that shape American politics; the forces that are locked in the past and the forces that look to the future," he said.
"This force of the future is what I call America's New Mainstream, that uniquely American combination of solid family values and individual initiative that know our best years are ahead of us; that spirit which taps the best that is within each of us," he said.
"The people of this nation are already in America's `New Mainstream.' It's time for our Democratic leaders to follow them into the inviting waters of promise and progress," he said.
Wilder also recited his accomplishments of the legislative session that ended Saturday, including the repeal of the sales tax on non-prescription drugs, increased funding for anti-drug programs and the creation of a $200 million reserve fund in the two-year, $26.4 billion state budget.
Once one of Virginia's most liberal legislators, Wilder has fashioned himself as a conservative since he took office in January. He has turned aside questions about his national political ambitions, but some Democrats view him as a potential vice presidential candidate.
Wilder will travel to Washington on Thursday to testify before a congressional subcommittee on surface transportation. That night he will be honored at the Sony Innovators Awards Dinner in New York City.
The governor will speak March 23 in New Orleans to the Democratic Leadership Council, a moderate to conservative Democratic group that he once scorned.
He will be in Los Angeles on March 26 to promote Virginia's film industry and will attend the Academy Awards ceremony that evening.
by CNB