I’m told that the position became directly elected because the City Council would not have elected him. I’m sorry that I stated it awkwardly before. My opinions are reflections of what I have been told by people who live there now and who lived there under his term as Governor. The nicest thing that I can say is that he is not universally admired for his leadership. The word “incompetent” comes to mind.
Wilder’s a take-no-prisoners buffoon. He’s stubborn and likes to pick a fight. That’s why he wasn’t liked as Mayor. But he’s not incompetent.
I’m no Doug Wilder fan, but he was a far better Governor than any of the other Democrats we’ve had in the last 30 years.
The position was not created for him. The city went from a city manager style government to a directly elected mayor style. As Corin said, Richmond has always had a mayor. Only recently did Richmond get permission to go to the mayor style government (Voting Rights Act stuff, I think).
Doug does not follow the establishment line. He goes his own way. As governor, he dealt with major budget problems without raising taxes. Since the dem solution is to ALWAYS raise taxes, he was not well liked in some circles.
Confrontational, bull-headed, independent - yes.
Incompetant?? - No.