Williams: Deeds dropped ball with Wilder

For R. Creigh Deeds, the latest setback in his campaign for governor wasn't so much a plot twist as a rerun.

Four years ago in his bid for attorney general, Deeds failed to receive an endorsement from fellow Democrat L. Douglas Wilder. He eventually lost to Republican Bob McDonnell by a mere 360 votes.

Now comes Act II of Deeds-McDonnell, and you'd think Deeds would have spent the past four years rehabbing his relationship with Wilder. But Thursday, Wilder again declined to back him.

Talk about an encore. If they gave Tony awards for political theater, Wilder's mantel would be full.

He remains intent on punishing Deeds for opposing one of Wilder's signature accomplishments as governor: a one-handgun-a-month law. It hardly seems to matter that McDonnell, who in 1993 backed the gun limit, now says he'd sign a law repealing it.

Wilder's recalcitrance when it comes to fellow Democrats is well-documented. You'd think appeasing Wilder would have been Job One for Deeds.

"We respect Governor Wilder's decision," said Deeds spokeswoman Allyson Wilson, adding: "As governor, Creigh intends to seek Governor Wilder's counsel often and looks forward to working with him."

That counsel needed to happen before now.

Deeds had problems even before Wilder's snub. He has failed to energize the black electorate he desperately needs to win. On Thursday, the noises from the Richmond Crusade for Voters weren't encouraging.

Crusade President Antione Green said Wilder's gambit would have an impact on the group's endorsement.

"Governor Wilder still has a loyal base of support among the Crusade membership," Green said. "I'm hearing from Crusaders and many people who voted for Obama and who are Democrats who want to see Deeds do more."

Larry J. Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, says the nonendorsement helps McDonnell by changing the subject from his controversial law school thesis.

Sabato also noted that in his study of 41 overwhelmingly black precincts across Virginia, McDonnell garnered more than 10 percent of the vote against Deeds in 2005 -- more than GOP ticket mates Jerry Kilgore (5.7 percent) and Bill Bolling (7.8) managed.

"Ten-point-three percent isn't much, but in a close race, it could make the difference," he said.

Sabato said Wilder's nonendorsement of Deeds is consistent with the former governor's distaste for regressive taxes and his lingering ire over Deeds' opposition to his one-gun-a-month bill.

"As far as the effect, this certainly has some impact," Sabato said. "But a lot can happen in 40 days, and McDonnell is still hobbled by his social issue views. Campaigns are multiact plays, and it's always a mistake to write the review before the play is finished."

True. But Deeds should have anticipated this act and collaborated with Wilder to rewrite the script.

Contact Michael Paul Williams at (804) 649-6815 or . Follow him at http://twitter.com/RTDMPW.