THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, October 25, 1996 TAG: 9610250024
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A15 EDITION: FINAL
SERIES: COMMONWEALTH CONVERSATION
One of a series of interviews with Virginia's political leaders
conducted by Pilot editorial Margaret Edds. Wilder was governor of
Virginia from 1990 to 1994 and the nation's first elected
African-American governor.
LENGTH: 108 lines
What are the major trends in Virginia politics during the 1990s?
I see that the Democrats have somewhat become complacent. It's almost that they became apologetic, and as a result of it they've been defensive, and it has resulted in incursions by Republicans.
Why has that happened?
There has been no leadership. . . . Even now, no one is talking about putting together a structured, representative ticket for Democrats next year. When they say, ``Where are the minorities and women in terms of seeking office?'' the question is,``Why aren't the minorities and women found?''
There are lots of individuals who in theory could fill that leadership role? Why aren't they?
(Chuck) Robb by nature eschews the position of party builder or party leader. Mary Sue (Terry) couldn't do that, because she's not going to have the handle on the people. Jerry Baliles could do it if his personality were geared to it. But it's not his nature.
In my case, I don't have any interest in it. (Don) Beyer has to define himself, and that's why I'm frightened for next year. Mark Warner is a nice guy, but he's new to it and he's got his hands full with this Senate race. (Dick) Cranwell is a very able legislator, but that doesn't sell outside of two places, the House of Delegates and Vinton.
Yet I don't mean to suggest that the Republicans have too many people out there who are scintillating either.
What needs to be done?
People are thirsting for leadership. They're thirsting for someone to step forward, whether they agree with them or not. Take some position, articulate the issues, at least let us know where you stand.
I think education is one of the things the Democrats could seize on and show the difference between the Democratic view and the Republican. I don't mean teachers' raises and salary increases. I mean the real approach to education.
How would you articulate that difference?
You should be fighting for every nickel you can get from the federal government and everywhere else. . . . Talk about what the Democrats have done and where we've been. Democrats can point with pride to the kinds of things that have occurred in the last 12-14 years, starting with the Robb administration and going on through.
Prior to that, this is where education was in Virginia. This is where it is now. How did we get here? And look who's trying to do this to where we are.
Why are you not interested in taking a leadership role?
Because I really like what I'm doing here. I like teaching. I don't want to seek any other office. I don't want what I do to be confused with my needing to do it. And also, I don't want the stress associated with it. It takes a lot of time.
What would you like the defining thing to be in this stage of your life?
I still want to be working with young people. That's why I'm associated with Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Union, Virginia State, the University of Richmond, and Hampden-Sydney. I like to speak around the country and lecture on college campuses and I like to be more thematic and less political. (Chuckles) When you're political, you're suspect and people question what you do.
What did your term as governor do for the Virginia Democratic Party?
It put the lie in the teeth of those who said Democrats were wasteful and were not frugal and were not fiscally responsible and would not hold a dime. It likewise showed that Democrats could be tough on crime but innovative as well. It more closely defined the party as a party of the people. There was no immediate recognition of these accomplishments, but it's more recognized now.
Did your quarrels with Senator Robb hurt the Democratic Party?
I never quarreled with him. The question is, did what Robb do to me hurt the Democratic Party? I think it did.
How have Democrats in Virginia managed to hold on to the legislature when they have not in some other Southern states?
Because of (George) Allen. But for Allen, they wouldn't have. It would have been far different in Virginia in my judgment had the Republicans not been too cocky in the nomination of Oliver North or too cocky in the broadsides of George Allen. That cost them a U.S. Senate seat and it cost them control of the legislature unquestionably in my judgment.
But having said that, Democrats can't chortle in glee at running fast to stand still. A vote or two in the House or Senate and they are gone.
Are whites leaving the Democratic Party for racial reasons?
There is some connection. I think quite frankly many whites feel there's more receptivity in the Republican Party, more opportunity for them, more voice. . . . Republicans just have not learned. If they ever sought with open doors the minority vote, Democrats would be lost forever.
Is the Supreme Court's recent decision striking down majority-minority districts in Texas and North Carolina going to undo black political progress?
Yes, it is. And I think it will have a ripple effect as it relates to the legislature and local elections. But we shouldn't be gnashing our teeth and saying all is lost. What we need to do is make certain we have candidates who are prepared and can represent a broader swath of the cloth than just minorities.
What is the future of the two parties in Virginia over the next decade?
I think the future is bleak (for Democrats). The rural areas have pretty much gone Republican. The suburbs are mixed. . . . You're having a decay of the cities in terms of political influence, and the cities have been the stronghold of the Democrats.
Do you think Democrats will ultimately lose control of the state?
Unless there is leadership. Unless there's an effort made to make the case. I just don't understand why the case has not been made. MEMO: These interviews by Margaret Edds were conducted for a book about
Southern politics in the 1990s. The Virginia chapter is being written by
Dr. Thomas Morris, president of Emory & Henry College, and Ms. Edds. ILLUSTRATION: Doug Wilder
KEYWORDS: INTERVIEW by CNB