Ex-Va. Gov. Wilder Assails Congressman

[Freddie Stubbs]

RICHMOND, Va. - Former Gov. L. Douglas Wilder, who is seeking to become mayor, on Friday assailed a congressman who said Richmond's pending switch to an at-large mayoral election could dilute black voting strength.

Rep. Robert C. Scott apparently believes the people of Richmond "are obviously too stupid, too dumb or too racist to elect their own mayor," said Wilder, who, like Scott, is a black Democrat.

"Race won't be a barrier to anyone elected under this plan. Nobody!" Wilder said.

The mayor is now appointed by city council members, who are elected from wards within the city. The change to at-large elections, coupled with the strengthening of the mayor's executive powers, received 80 percent support in a city vote and was approved by the General Assembly and Gov. Mark R. Warner.

more: http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/politics/8840124.htm

[WI_DEM]

1. there was a time when I thought Wilder might be the first

African-American on a national ticket.

[WMliberal]

2. i read something in the times-disgrace

that had more of scott's take on it. He things the new measure might have been designed to weaken blacks in the city. If it had been done for partisan political purposes only, that'd be okay. We'll see what the district court says.