Posted on 09/24/2009 9:31:10 AM PDT by ReagansRaiders
here 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.
“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.”
This statement clearly means that Wilder does not support Deeds for Governor (for reasons he made known and probably for reasons he won’t discuss publicly), and that a Governor Bob McDonnell would be just fine by him. Maybe some will think I’m wrong, but since when have former VA Governors not endorsed the nominees of their party for the same job? This should really hurt Deeds with the African American vote.
No offense, but you don't know what you're talking about.
Wilder was handed an enormous budget deficit by Gerry Baliles. He managed to cut state government and costs and balance the budget without raising taxes.
Granted, his record as Mayor of Richmond was not as stellar. But, for a Dem, he was a pretty darn good Governor.
he should’ve been the dem’s choice for first black president.
Despite Kaine's recent surge, the modern day title still belongs to Gilmore, however, William Berkeley was still the worst Governor Virginia ever had.
I think if he had waited and not tried to run for President during his term as Governor, he would have had a shot.
This could be huge... black turnout in VA may be light.. if so, “Mr. Deeds” goose is cooked.
Did Wilder make this announcement in a grand fashion, so as to shed light onto himself? That seems to be how he rolls.
Fake out to make people think Deeeds is not a liberal.
Wilder is probably just holding out for another ambassadorship.
Not really unexpected, what with Doug being Doug, but the D’s have to be fuming that at the end he basically put the 2 candidates on the same footing for character and qualifications.
To be honest, I was pleasantly surprised with Wilder’s performance as governor. Not at all like Obama has done as president with using any and all means to advance an incredibly progressive agenda, and populating the WH and agencies with fellow travelers.
Then, too, those of us who did the grunt volunteer work locally for Coleman were rather let down later when he and John Warner chose to screw Ollie North and reelect Robb.
I don’t think Wilder has ever endorsed a Republican. I think there is a very good chance he WILL endorse Deeds before the election. However, Wilder is against higher taxes and raiding the rainy day fund. The only time the fund has been raided is by Democrats Kaine and Warner. Wilder also headed a commission for Warner that recommended many state government cost cutting measures when Warner was governor. None were implemented by Warner. I believe that frosted Wilder.
If Wilder sticks with this and does not endorse Deeds, it will hurt Deeds.
The underlying truth is that Deeds is viewed as a “cracker” by many black leaders and voters.
Did he really write this?
I mean, lots of folks have a typo here and there, but that's not a typo for "way".
Sounds like a total retard.
It's not a common phrase, but is also not incorrect.
It's old English, King James speak.
And yes, he really talks like that.
I heard this on Hannity’s radio program and couldn’t quit laughing. Obama personally called Wilder and it still didn’t make any difference. Looks like Obama’s power is decreasing even with the Dems! :)
Doing the right thing is unusual for Wilder, who would regularly fly a state plane into Charlottesville while governor to bang the wife of John Kluge, and who tried to privatize the liquor stores for the benefit of his brother who happened to be in the package store business.
Still, glad he’s knifing Deeds in the back.
Of course, a democrat can get away with that...sort of like Nixon going to China.
If Obama had offerred him something, he might have budged. In the 1994 Senate race between Chuck Robb and Ollie North, he ran as an Independent until a month or two before the election when Slick Willie offerred him an ambassadorship. Wilder took it, dropped out, and endorsed Robb. If he had stayed in the race, North almost certainly would’ve won that race.
As long as N. Va. votes for the liberal; the Dems have a good chance. Now we need to make sure Bob wins and cut the nonsense of supporting some loony 3rd Party in any of these Dem vs Pub elections.
Where do you get your information that Wilder was offered an ambassadorship? Your posts today are the first I’ve ever heard of it and it shows in none of his biographies.
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