Decision Virginia

Jared Leopold, spokesperson for the Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds, released this statement in the wake of L. Douglas Wilder’s decision not to back a candidate for the race for Governor in 2009.

“We respect Governor Wilder’s decision. While Creigh and he may not agree on every issue, they share a fundamental commitment to keeping Virginia the best managed state in the nation, as Governor Wilder first made it in 1992. As governor, Creigh intends to seek Governor Wilder’s counsel often, and looks forward to working with him.”

-Jared Leopold

Former Virginia Governor and Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder will not endorse a candidate in the race for Governor in 2009.

NBC12 is interviewing Mr. Wilder about his decision and will have more on TV later today.

Please see his entire statement below:

STATEMENT FROM L. DOUGLAS WILDER:

This is the statement that was shown in Virginia Tomorrow.

There may have been no period in our State’s history when the voters are more aware of what issues confront them in their choice for Governor. We have undergone the worst economic downturn since the Depression. I have previously set forth the things that I would look to see the next Governor address. (1) Who is best suited by temperament and training to govern in hard times? (2) Who has presented to the people realistic plans for Education, Transportation, Health Care, Public Safety and Social Services, etc.? (3) Who is strong enough to stand up for the state when tough calls have to be made? 4) Who has the vision that can inspire confidence and assure people that Virginia can still move forward, even while confronting difficult choices.

The overriding “issue” in this year’s Governor’s race will be the judgment the voters make about which candidate is most capable of managing tough times and establishing the right priorities for when the economy begins to recover.

Throughout my entire involvement with public service, I have tried to be a voice for those most often left out when decisions are being made which affect them in their everyday lives. As a state senator, I fought to get rid of the sales tax on food. As Lt. Governor, I fought to get rid of the sales tax on non-prescription drugs and opposed the increased sales taxes for transportation, because they are regressive taxes, meaning the poor pay at the same rate as the rich. I have lived long enough not to assume that these voiceless people can always count on someone articulating for them.

This is not the time in our Commonwealth to talk about any kind of tax increase, especially those that are fundamentally regressive and will hit hardest those who are struggling.

Rather, it is the time to put our fiscal house in order, strengthening the Commonwealth for the future.

Now is the time to replenish the “Rainy Day” fund which has bailed several administrations out of deficits, but will be all but depleted for future administrations to have at their avail. It is a time to do everything possible to let the public know that we are serious about getting a handle on spending and controlling it better. Re-examine the efficiency and effectiveness reports, previously administratively commissioned, draw from them, and make this reform agenda further known to the public. It is a time to return to the funding of “necessities” rather than “niceties”.

Furthermore, In my conversations with the people across the state, I have not encountered anyone who has listed as their priority the need for them to have more handguns. The present law permits anyone of sufficient age, who is not a felon, to be able to buy one gun a month; twelve a year, twenty four a year for couples etc..

Mr. Deeds thinks that’s not enough and signed a pledge to repeal that law.

This action would allow the truck loads of guns to come back in exchange for drugs from those Northeastern states where gun laws are more stringent. This law was put on the books by Democrats and Republicans because they had seen where those guns go to in our cities and suburban areas where the violence occurs. Partly because of that law, as Mayor, I was able to have the lowest crime rate in our capital city of Richmond in 30 years.

I do not see how endorsing a proposal to have more handguns brought into our cities and suburban areas qualifies as any type of urban renewal plan.

For this situation to exist and for Democrats who lead our party to say nothing is puzzling and inexplicable.

The requests, made of me, have been to endorse Mr. Deeds, the Democratic Candidate, for Governor. I refrain from doing so and will leave that choice to the voters.

This in no wise is intended to detract from Mr. Deeds in terms of character or commitment to the task of being Governor. I find that he, as well as Mr. McDonnell are fine and honorable men and well suited to that task. The question before me is whether I support the Democratic candidate’s position in addressing these issues. I have not thus far in the progress of the campaign, and as aforesaid refrain from so doing.

L. Douglas Wilder

Former Governor of Virginia and Mayor of Richmond L. Douglas Wilder told me this afternoon that he knows who he plans to endorse in the race for his old position and is set to make that announcement “tomorrow or maybe the next day.”

Wilder told me that in this week alone he has had conversations with representatives from both the White House and Governor’s office.  Wilder also said that he has met, in person, with both candidates, Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, as well.

Last night at a forum held at Virginia Union University, which specifically dealt with issues facing the African-American community, McDonnell mentioned his work with Wilder on multiple occasions. After his remarks McDonnell told me that he is still actively courting the former Governor’s support.  ”I would be honored and delighted to get an endorsement or some sort of support from such a historic figure,” said McDonnell.

While Wilder, in his trademark fashion, has appeared to give McDonnell fainting hope that he may break party ranks, few believe that the nation’s first black governor will not stick with his fellow Democrat. Wilder has often reminded reporters that he has never endorsed a Republican in a race of this magnitude. His former close aide Paul Goldman recently told me that his former boss would not risk alienating his relationship with President Barack Obama, who has made it clear to Wilder who he would like him to support.

Wilder would not tip his hand during our conversation today, but perhaps provided some insight when I asked him if it was realistic to propose a transportation plan that does not include raising taxes.  The former Governor, who dealt with his own share of fiscal turmoil during his time in office, laughed and said, “that will be part of what I talk about when I share my endorsement.”  The transportation debate took an interesting turn today, when Senator Deeds revealed his plan in an editorial in the Washington Post and the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce endorsed McDonnell, based largely on his plan to deal with the issue.

Wilder did tell me that his announcement will not come in the form of a raucous rally or even a press conference. He said he plans to release a simple statement regarding his support. When I asked if his endorsement will include active campaigning or stumping for his chosen candidate, he simply said, “We will have to see, won’t we?”

Once again perhaps Richmond’s most prolific politician has us all waiting on the edge of our seats.

Below, find Bob McDonnell’s comments from last night’s forum at VUU.

Much is being discussed today about Doug Wilder’s resistance to jump behind Creigh Deeds campaign for Governor. While Wilder has gone to great lengths in interviews with both Politico and the Washington Post to suggest that he remains unconvinced that Deeds deserves his support, the man who may know him the best isn’t buying it.

Paul Goldman, the eccentric former top aide to Governor Wilder said that his former bosses’ dance is no different than the same endorsement act he has put on in previous races for Governor. He said that while Wilder will hint and flirt with the Republican Bob McDonnell, barring an unforeseen circumstance, he will eventually get behind his fellow democrat.

“Wilder has already telegraphed his final move,” Goldman told me today in a lengthy discussion about the cagey politician.  “The pundits, professors and professionals in Virginia politics are blinded by their own financial/personal/other self-interests to be able to step back and look at Wilder’s dodging and weaving like a doctor looking his own x-rays: that is to say, you need to look at from the pure 100% science, keep your personal stuff out of it.”

Goldman said that by granting a few well placed interviews with high profile outlets, Wilder is able to drop hints and keep himself in the spotlight. A point proven by the media interest in today’s article by Politico and subsequent follow up by the Post. According to Goldman, Wilder can make people believe that he could potentially shock the world and endorse McDonnell, when in reality,  he has no plans to.

“This is not about Bob McDonnell,” said Goldman. “There is simply no way Doug Wilder is going to put himself at odds with the President of the United States.  By raising doubt about Deeds, he can show that he isn’t sold on him as a candidate, but will ultimately have to say that he is supporting him in deference to Barack Obama.”

Goldman said there is no way Wilder will allow Obama to come to Richmond in support of Creigh Deeds and miss an opportunity to stand on stage with the President. (Obama is schedule to come to McLean on Deeds’ behalf at the beginning of August. At this point there are no plans for him to come to Richmond.)

The person of course is a difficult spot is Creigh Deeds. The democratic nominee, who already earned a solid enough of endorsement from  the President of the United States, that Mr. Obama is coming to Virginia on his behalf, can’t seem to even get Doug Wilder on the phone. Yet Deeds,  or those close to him cannot speak ill of the still highly regarded former Governor. Spokesman Jared Leopold told me today that “Creigh is looking forward to sitting down with Governor Wilder. Creigh admires Governor Wilder’s groundbreaking achievements throughout his career,” said Leoplold. “But he recognizes that the Governor is an independent leader and will make up his own mind.

It is a scenario which could make loyal Democrats wonder why their overwhelmingly nominated candidate, needs to bother with the distraction of a man, no longer in office.

Ryan Nobles – bio | email

Doug Wilder is at it again. The unpredictable former Governor of Virginia and Mayor of Richmond told Politico’s Jonathan Martin that he isn’t sure who he plans to back in the 2009 race for his former position. Wilder also said that he couldn’t be convinced to back Creigh Deeds, despite a personal plea from the White House’s Political Director Patrick Gaspard.

According to the Politico article Wilder met with Gaspard for over two hours in Richmond and despite the meeting he appears to be in no hurry to jump into the fray. He even seemed to question Sen. Deeds’ record in this excerpt from the report:

But Wilder, in disclosing the meeting in an interview with POLITICO, made it clear that he remained far from endorsing Deeds and was in no hurry to weigh in on the closely watched race — all the while outlining with his typical brutal candor what he thought some of the party’s challenges were and what was at stake.

On what the former governor called “bread-and-butter issues,” he said of Deeds: “Tell me what the man has done? I haven’t heard it.”

Asked if he thought Deeds may have a problem this fall with African-American voters, Wilder said flatly: “I do.”

He said black voters have no reason at the moment to vote for the nominee and referred to the decision this week of BET co-founder and Democratic donor Sheila Johnson to support GOP nominee Bob McDonnell.

“Many people feel taken for granted and I think that was built into the decision Mrs. Johnson made,” Wilder said.

The former governor could have also been talking about himself.

It is no surprise that Wilder seems unprepared to get behind his fellow Democrat. In past election cycles he has not been afraid to withhold his support until the moment that would bring him the most notoriety. (He waited until a week before election day to endorse Tim Kaine). Wilder caused quite a stir during the democratic primary when he did not endorse anyone, but seemed to be critical of Terry McAuliffe. He also enjoys to flirting with Republicans and has not been shy about his admiration for Republican nominee Bob McDonnell. Wilder does goes to great lengths in the Politico piece to point out that he has never publicly endorsed a Republican.

It is clear from this report, and my own conversations with McDonnell that he is openly courting the first African-American Governor since reconstruction in an effort to draw in moderate and minority voters. This effort is clearly gaining ground as evidence from the support McDonnell received from Shelia Johnson, a prominent African-American businesswoman and the former chair of Kaine’s campaign for Governor.

Meanwhile, this meeting shows just how important the White House views the race for Governor in Virginia. To send someone of Gaspard’s prominence to personally meet with Wilder shows that they want no surprises and are taking nothing for granted. Something Mr. Wilder seems to be well aware of:

“The case that they made is that in Virginia and New Jersey — the two states that are up for election — losing one is bad, but losing both would be devastating.”

No one would argue that former Richmond Mayor and Virginia Governor Doug Wilder is unpredictable. But is he unpredictable enough to cross party lines to endorse Bob McDonnell for governor?

The elusive Wilder has made himself almost impossible to reach for those of us who used to cover him every day in Richmond, but from time to time he makes himself available to a well-placed national journalist. This time around it was Politico’s Jonathan Martin and the topic was Democratic gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe. Wilder told Martin that McAuliffe is trouble for the Democrats and if he wins the nomination, “there will be a formation of Virginians For McDonnell,”

Wilder’s disdain for McAuliffe – who most believe is the odds-on favorite come June 9th – coupled with a well-publicized lunch meeting between the two, have many wondering if Wilder would take the risky step of getting behind the Republican nominee.

If Wilder does decide to get involved, don’t expect it to happen until much closer to the election. The savvy politician has a flare for the dramatic and is known to wait until the right moment before offering his support. Despite the connection the former governor had with Barack Obama, Wilder waited until after Obama had handily won the Iowa caucus to get behind the future president. He even went as far to clear the record a month before, when a magazine incorrectly stated that he had already endorsed Obama.

One thing is for sure, according to people close to Wilder, he will not provide an 11th hour endorsement in the  Democratic primary.

As for Bob McDonnell, the Republican nominee told me he is very close with Wilder and the two had an excellent working relationship when he was the attorney general and Wilder was in the Mayor’s office. He said he can’t handicap the odds of a Wilder endorsement, but if it comes, he will be happy to accept.

Hear what McDonnell had to say about Wilder after the jump..

Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

Despite all of the noise Doug Wilder has made during his time as Richmond’s Mayor, the charismatic, groundbreaking politician appears to be going out quietly.

Wilder will serve one more day on the job as Richmond’s Mayor. Dwight Jones is scheduled to be sworn in to the position tomorrow in a low key ceremony.

Tonight on NBC12, we will take a look back at the 4 year roller coaster that was the Wilder Term.

Among the highlights we will feature:

*Wilder’s dramatic electoral victory

*His shake-up of city administration

*The appointment of Rodney Monroe and the subsequent controversy surrounding his degree from VCU.

*His role in the Obama campaign.

*The controversy surrounding his high level administrative aides.

*The attempt to evict the school administration from city hall.

*His constant battle for power with City Council.

We also speculate as to where Mr. Wilder could land in his post-mayoral life. (I welcome your comments as to where you think he will go next. )

After this evening’s broadcast, I’ll post the video of our story.

To see video from our 11pm story click here. Read the rest of this entry »

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

There is no doubt the Ana Gamanol story was the dominant political news story in Virginia. It was the most sought after search term that brought people to our web site yesterday. It was perhaps the first time, that a US Senate Race story trumped other political news.

The Times-Dispatch has a nice background piece on the Gamanol Gaffe including some past indiscretions from other campaigns, including Mark Warner’s.  

The story also got national attention.

Two new polls are out on the presidential race in Virginia. Both go to Sen. John McCain, but one within the margin of error. It does boost his lead in the RCP average to a slight lead of 2.3%

McCain maintains the lead despite the relentless push of Barack Obama in Virginia. His running mate Joe Biden brought his wife to the Commonwealth yesterday and will be here again today.

The McCain camp responded to the Biden event in Sterling, with an event of their own featuring two famous wives: Susan Allen and Geri Thompson.

Obama has also dispatched a high profile figure to Richmond on his behalf. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will speak at the University of Richmond at 3:30pm. The Collegian plans to liveblog the event.

In Richmond news, Mayor Wilder offers up a budget compromise, which allows for plenty of fodder for candidates on the City Council. 

And our Rachael DePompa has a web exclusive. 5 profiles of all 5 candidates for Richmond Mayor. Its something you can only see on decisionvirginia.com.

That is what voters need from Barack Obama, according to Richmond Mayor Doug Wilder. Now that we know who is running, I will look at just how much we can expect to see the candidates in the commonwealth.

According to Wilder, being here- and connecting with voters one on one, could be the difference. Here is his quote from my piece that will run in the 11pm news.

“Let them see him, touch him, feel him, see him sweat, ask him the tough questions, let people know that he means to do it.”

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

Tonight is Barack Obama’s big moment as he delivers his acceptance speech to a crowd of over 70,000 people at Invesco field in Denver. You may recall that prior to the start of the Democratic National Convention, The McCain camp warned of a bump of as much as 15 points in the polls from the convention. So far the Gallup Daily Tracking poll has stayed about where it was before the DNC.

Here is a look at what we are working on for tonight on NBC 12 and DecisionVirginia.com.

Local Delegates Prepare for Obama- We have a number of people from Richmond and Central Virginia in attendance in Denver, getting ready for tonight’s history making speech. We will get their impressions of the big night and what it could mean for the very tight race back here. 

Local Republicans React- The spin machine back here in Richmond has been working overtime, to mute as much of the Obama message as possible. We have an interview scheduled with LG Bill Bolling to get his take on the DNC and a preview of the Republican event next week. 

Mayor Doug Wilder- You may recall our lively chat with the Mayor from Denver on Tuesday. We have another interview scheduled with him this afternoon (His entire comments on the Clinton family are available on our video player on the main page). We will see if he was happy with Sen. Clinton’s speech on Tuesday night and ask him what he anticipates from the Obama show tonight.  

Check back often today as we keep an eye on the McCain VP watch and some other Central Virginia political developments that are still emerging. And don’t forget to catch our coverage on TV beginning at 5:30.