Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SATURDAY, April 28, 1990 TAG: 9004280395 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: MARGIE FISHER RICHMOND BUREAU DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
The Rainbow Coalition is the organization founded by the Rev. Jesse Jackson and which served as a political arm of Jackson's bids for the Democratic nomination for president in 1984 and 1988.
Wilder is widely viewed as a major rival of Jackson's in terms of black leadership within the national Democratic Party.
The governor, frequently mentioned as a possible national candidate in 1992 or 1996, also has another high-visibility national speaking engagement on his schedule next week.
On Monday night he will address the Yale Political Union at Yale University in New Haven, Conn.
Since taking office in January, Wilder has been much in demand as a speaker for out-of-state events as well in those within Virginia. His travels have taken him to Illinois, Louisiana and twice to California. In June, he will be speaking in New Hampshire - one of the early primary states in presidential election years.
Wilder has not denied a possible interest in national office. Recently, however, he has been stressing that he plans to finish out his term as governor.
Before he travels to Atlanta, Wilder will be the speaker next Saturday for Virginia Tech's commencement ceremony at 9 a.m. in Blacksburg.
by CNB