THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408240525
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY TONI WHITT, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
L. Douglas Wilder came to this city not so much as a pitchman for Senate votes than as a relative in town visiting family.
The independent candidate for Senate swapped tales at a civic forum, ate lunch with senior citizens, and shook hands with Norfolk Naval Shipyard workers. It was part of a two-day campaign swing through Hampton Roads.
At the Central Civic Forum in Portsmouth on Monday night, Wilder charged into the Disabled American Veterans' aging building on Portsmouth Boulevard, where he began slapping backs, shaking hands and hugging old friends.
He called folks by name and asked about family members absent from the meeting. A few answered by pulling out photos and showing off new babies and growing grandchildren.
It was obvious that many forum members admire the 63-year-old candidate. Most didn't need to be convinced to vote for Wilder; they wanted to know how they could help get him elected.
Wilder said he wasn't really preaching to the choir - he was ``creating emissaries.'' He said he wanted to show people how he is ``going to win, how he can win and why he should win.''
He said he likes to meet all those in attendance, shake their hands and chat with them for a minute.
``I hadn't had a real opportunity to talk to people,'' Wilder said. ``This tour is geared toward small groups and small people who don't belong to anything.''
He never asked for money, either, even though at last report, Wilder had collected less in campaign contributions than any other candidate.
``This wasn't a fund-raising event,'' Wilder said. ``These people will be involved in making money for the campaign.''
Anyway, Wilder said, oftentimes ``they'll ease up to you later and give you an envelope.''
On Tuesday, the candidate ate lunch with senior citizens at the Cavalier Manor Recreation Center. A few people knew him. Almost all of them acted as though they knew him.
During his meetings, he never mentioned his longtime rival, Sen. Charles S. Robb, although he took time out to slam candidate Oliver L. North for ``lying under oath and flying with drug smugglers.''
The people he talked to were concerned about crime in their neighborhoods, drugs in the country, the role of African Americans, jobs, and health. Wilder promised to help solve all their problems. And he promised not to break his promise.
``I want to serve people,'' Wilder said. ``I'm not looking for a job. I don't have to do this - history will be kind to me. I'm already assured a place in the archives.''
While workers trickled out of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, Wilder was there to greet them, shake theirhands and pass out literature. And even though a few people treated him cooly, Wilder still found people he seemed to know. One man on a bike stopped to introduce himself.
``You're Earl's brother,'' Wilder said immediately. ``I remember meeting you.''
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE by CNB