Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder Will Not Endorse Obama Again

Gather ^ | nov 5, 2012 | Renee Nal

[muawiyah]

Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder endorsed President Obama in 2008. America's first Black American Governor has opted not to endorse a president this time around.

[muawiyah]

Doug Wilder is one of those folks who, if he'd been born in the Midwest would likely have been a reasonably Conservative Republican, or Democrat ~ but he was born in Virginia in a time when everybody was a Democrat 'by gum' ~ and he managed to become America's first African-American post-Reconstruction Governor.

When he speaks people listen ~ Obama, if he had not yet lost the mandate of heaven, just lost the mandate of Doug Wilder, and that's pretty much the way this election is going to happen.

[Viennacon]

He says he’s going to vote for Obama...

I don’t think he is.

[katiedidit1]

I am a native of Virginia..moved west 16 yrs ago. Voted against Wilder but he wasn’t that bad of a governor although I liked Allen much better.
Wilder was awarded the bronze star for his service in Korea so he may not think too highly of Obama. As for Wilder ever being conservative...no way

[onyx]

How about it?

Happy with FR now?

Are you up to Contributing Tonight?

[Stevenc131]

Couldn’t come at a better time for Virginia Republicans. Early vote totals in VA are down from 2008, and the downturn is almost totally in Obama strongholds, as much as 30% in some Obama 2008 areas versus 1% in Republican areas.

[Crimson Elephant]

That tells you everything about how VA is going tomorrow.

[HokieMom]

Republican turnout is down in some areas over 2008? I find that hard to believe. GOP is the most energized I’ve ever seen it since 1992 when I became politically active. The party is wholly unified behind the ticket.

[Vigilanteman]

Doug Wilder at least actually earned his bronze star in Korea. If only Colin Powell had exhibited half of his integrity . . .

[muawiyah]

Actually not. For the moment Conservatives are holding their fire. That ends 22 hours and 11 minutes from now ~ then it’s back to internecine warfare against the Rinos and their running dog lackeys ~ in short, politics as usual.

[Captain Jack Aubrey]

I know Doug Wilder. Doug Wilder is a friend of mine. Doug Wilder is no Barack Obama.

[Salvey]

Unless my lying eyes and ears are deceiving me, I heard Wilder tell Neil Cavuto this afternoon that he will vote for obama.

[Nervous Tick]

>> If only Colin Powell had exhibited half of his integrity . . .

As I read the OP, I was wondering if we could hire Gov. Wilder to slap some sense into Colin Powell.

[muawiyah]

The question is one of 'endorsing' ~ not of 'voting for' ~ Wilder has considerable stature in Virginia that transcends ordinary partisan politics ~ he'll always vote straight Democrat, but that doesn't mean he likes all the candidates.

We have a number of Freepers who think it's not enough to simply vote for Republican candidates for Senate and House, and just leave that top slot empty, or vote for a third-party candidate. They want a straight party ballot ~ even if they themselves don't endorse the candidate at the top.

Wilder, if he'd been born in the midwest under other circumstances would not be easily differentiated from your typical Freeper deep into politics.

[Cowboy Bob]

Sorry, but he wasn’t the first black governor. Louisiana had the first. His name was Pinchback.

[muawiyah]

i didn't say he was the first, just the first POST RECONSTRUCTION black governor.

Pinchback served BEFORE the end of the Reconstruction period ~ from December 8, 1872 to January 13, 1873

[Cowboy Bob]

OK. You could also call Wilder the first democratically elected Black governor! :)