THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 24, 1994 TAG: 9410240052
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: Real Politik
SOURCE: BY KERRY DOUGHERTY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium: 99 lines
Occasional dispatches on the offbeat side of Virginia's 1994 U.S. Senate race
The Cain and Abel of Virginia politics have reconciled and taken their show on the road. First stop: the 11 o'clock Sunday service at Richmond's Trinity Baptist Church.
Chuck Robb and Doug Wilder were easy to spot in the church crowded with worshipers. Robb's, the lone white face in the congregation (besides those belonging to the press) sat stiffly in the front pew. Wilder, who had been a Robb cheerleader for almost 48 hours, sat shoulder to shoulder with his new buddy.
In a church where Wilder is seen as an honorary member, and Robb as a champion of civil rights, there was cause for jubilation as the two men courted crucial black votes.
Also traveling with Virginia's odd couple was Jesse Brown, U.S. secretary of veterans affairs, but he was eclipsed by Wilder, who was a last-minute addition to the speakers list.
No matter how hard they smiled or how often they embraced, the long and bitter feud between Robb and Wilder was a constant undercurrent.
It began with their introduction.
``I refer to these two men as brothers,'' said a Richmond lawyer who introduced Robb. ``Sometimes brothers fight like brothers . . . there's something about fighting between brothers, it brings such emotion . . . and a brotherly bond.''
Robb gave a short speech, but was not permitted to introduce Wilder: that honor was reserved for the Rev. A.L. Lincoln James Jr., who looked at the senator during his remarks and said, ``Brother Robb we believe your opponent is bad news.''
Robb politely ``yielded'' his time to Wilder, whom he curiously referred to as ``one of the most renowned professors emeritus from the ranks of political science.''
As he strode victoriously to the pulpit, with the congregation on its feet and cheering wildly, Wilder couldn't resist blowing his own horn.
He reminded the church members that many of the 37,000 signatures on his petition to run as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate had come from that very church.
He alluded to people wanting his phone records.
He berated Ollie North for calling for a Justice Department investigation into an alleged political deal in which Wilder endorses Robb in exchange for a Clinton appointment, or for help retiring crushing campaign debts.
But then Wilder offered a plausible explanation of why he had endorsed Robb. The man he once said had done ``nothing'' during his six years in the Senate.
It had nothing to do with deals and debts. Wilder can't stand the thought of being left out of what has become the meanest political dogfight in Virginia history.
``I can't just sit on the sidelines and not participate,'' Wilder began. ``I didn't bring my marbles to the game, and then when I can't win say I take my marbles home.
``No, the game goes on,'' he continued, his voice rising as the congregation encouraged him with calls of ``say it.'' ``And no single individual is so big that that individual should stop the game.
``I dropped out of the contest,'' Wilder said, smiling broadly. ``I'm not going to ever, ever drop out of the game.''
If that scared the pants off Robb he never flinched.
Outside the church, the politicians were mobbed by members of the media, all eager to either rekindle the animosity between the two men or watch Wilder eat his earlier unkind words about his new friend. But Robb and Wilder blamed the media for exaggerating their differences as they were peppered with questions from reporters spoiling for a fight.
``Our personal relationship has always been good,'' Robb told reporters, with a straight face.
``In terms of personal difference, I haven't had any,'' Wilder added, smiling.
But the questions about this new unholy alliance wouldn't stop.
``Can you tell us how difficult it was to overcome your differences?'' asked a television reporter.
Another called out: ``Do you think Gov. Wilder's endorsement really makes a difference?''
Still another hollered: ``Do you think the voters will really believe this is genuine?''
Wilder was then asked if Chuck Robb was fit to serve in the Senate, referring to Wilder's charges last summer that Robb was ``unfit'' for the job.
``I think that Chuck Robb will be the next United States senator and I'm going to support him,'' Wilder said with a tight smile. ``If I didn't feel that was the case I wouldn't be doing so.''
Just a brotherly stroll through the Garden of Eden that is Virginia politics. ILLUSTRATION: ASSOCIATED PRESS
U.S. Sen. Charles Robb, seated at left, listens in Trinity Baptist
Church in Richmond Sunday as former Virginia Gov. L. Douglas Wilder
talks about why he dropped out of the Senate contest.
KEYWORDS: U.S. SENATE RACE CANDIDATE CAMPAIGN by CNB