When History Walks Through the Door

Doug Wilder, who is as charming and combative as any political leader ever produced by the great state of Virginia, appeared deeply relaxed. Sporting a relatively new goatee and his trademark cowboy boots, the for mer governor and soon-to-be former mayor burst frequently into infectious laughter -- sometimes at his own expense, as often at the expense of those who would dare to oppose him.

During an informal conversation with the Editorial staff of

The Times-Dispatch a week before Christmas, Wilder -- in the silky-smooth manner to which he was obviously born -- expounded on past battles and triumphs, analyzed what's right and wrong with Richmond, explained the meaning of Barack Obama's election, and bore no visible scars from nearly 40 years of political conflict.

Wilder's four years as Richmond's first popularly elected mayor since 1948 have been as controversial as any in a career filled with chaos. Allies and enemies have long suspected that Wilder sows confusion intentionally because it creates an advantage for him: Few if any navigate tumult with Wilder's skill and relish. If on occasion he damages himself in the vortex, so be it.

Yet, with his term as mayor ending Thursday, it's impossible not to sense now the history this man wears like a finely tailored suit. And to recognize the subtle irony that Wilder's career as an elected official -- which began in 1969 when he became the first African-American in the 20th century to win a seat in the Virginia Senate -- will end just days before Barack Obama is sworn in as president of the United States.

It is not inconceivable that had there been no Governor Wilder of Virginia in 1990, there would be no President Obama in 2009. Both men are racial pioneers smart enough to understand the precise and necessary art of transcending race.

Throughout his career, Wilder hoarded his personal endorsements of political candidates like a miser counting his gold -- and timed their eventual release with the strategic gamesmanship of a Russian chess master. Just ask never-to-be-senators Ollie North or Owen Pickett about the fatal consequences of a Doug Wilder endorsement perfectly deployed -- or withheld.

So Wilder's relatively early, unambiguously enthused endorsement of Barack Obama for president came as something of a surprise. Or perhaps not, if you recall the history, if you remember the pride and excitement back in '89 when Virginians -- not Californians, not New Yorkers -- made Wilder the first black man in America to be elected governor of a state.

It took 17 years for another commonwealth to elect a black governor -- way too long in Wilder's estimation. But Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick's victory in 2006 and Obama's this year offer "a reaffirmation of what we are in America -- and Virginia led the way," Wilder said. "They show it wasn't an aberration in Virginia. I am convinced most Americans are fair-minded.

"I like to see colors. I like to see differences. But the colors make no difference. We're closer to that now."

Obama's election sends an important message: "You can't make excuses . . . .He certainly wasn't to the manor born. He had to use some sharp el bows . . . .It's about believing in America that anybody can cut it."

So is Wilder hoping for a job in the Obama administration, say, ambassador to France -- or the Bahamas? He shakes his head. "I'm 78. You're not going to get too much more work out of me. Ambassadors have to work!"

. . .

Wilder's term as mayor will be remembered for the sharp decline in crime rates, the departure of the Richmond Braves, his efforts to define the role and powers of the new popularly elected mayor's office, and Wilder's endless conflicts with City Council and the School Board -- which culminated in the mayor's unsuccessful weekend ambush of the board's City Hall offices.

"The form of government we have, people have come to accept it and believe in it," Wilder said. "But one of the mistakes we made -- collectively -- was not outlining the responsibilities of the council. There's a misconception out there. The budget starts and ends with the executive office. The council can amend it."

Under the old system, executive power resided with the city manager, who was appointed by the City Council. On budget matters, "the city manager had better go along with council or he was fired," Wilder said.

With the new system, the City Council found it difficult to relinquish its absolute authority over the budget, Wilder said, and the revised City Charter at times treats the elected mayor as simply another version of the city manager.

The General Assembly, he said, needs to more clearly define the roles of the mayor and the City Council. "You've got to make up your mind if you want a strong mayor or not." Most Richmonders, he added, believe they are voting for a strong mayor.

. . .

Wilder's greatest frustration as mayor was almost certainly his inability to influence the direction of Richmond's public schools.

"The problem here is that the mayor and the City Council have nothing to do with the schools," he said. "If we have no say-so -- except that this is how much money you have to spend -- unless you have a very strong superintendent, it's going to be trouble.

"The School Board is parochial in terms of 'this is my district.' So no schools have been closed. That's the biggest disappointment. We would have spades in the ground building new schools if they would close some schools."

Wilder describes the school administration as "top-heavy."

Then he pauses and confesses a bit of reluctance about what he's about to say:

"Even in a segregated Richmond, I got a better education than some of these kids today. The teachers were so desperate that we learn."

He points to the success of the Governor's School at Maggie Walker.

"I don't want one good school. I want all good schools. It can be done if there's a commitment from the administration. Stop and teach and quit making excuses."

The community must play a role as well, Wilder said. "When I was in school, it wasn't a question of if you were going to get an education, you had to get an education."

He recalled working in a shoe-shine shop after school, and men who had dropped out would talk to him. "They told me, 'Kid, don't make the mistake I did. I'm a failure.'"

He believes the mayor of Richmond should have more power to steer the public schools -- at the very least some significant input in selecting the superintendent.

"The public doesn't understand the role of the mayor and council related to the schools." The School Board offers only leadership by committee. "You can't have nine individuals running the school system. And it's not a lack of money in Richmond. It's a matter of responsibility. Either you're going to spend the money right or not."

. . .

The Richmond Braves left town during Wilder's tenure and many baseball fans blame him for the departure. He has never accepted that version of the story. And he remains confident minor-league baseball will eventually return. Initially, a AA team followed by a AAA team "a year or two" later. Skeptics abound.

The mayor acknowledges that the nationwide financial crisis makes it more difficult to build a stadium to lure a team to town. "You can't go to the city now and say we're going to float some bonds for baseball -- not today. You can't make the argument that baseball is a priority."

The former governor also makes a plug for letting Virginia's chief executive run for re-election: "No governor comes into office knowing what to do. They learn it. And it takes a minimum of a year or 18 months to get your sea legs."

Wilder offers minimal advice for Mayor-elect Dwight Jones. He doesn't want to get in the way of his successor, he says.

At another point in the conversation, Wilder offers a slightly different take: "I'm not going to be in elective office, but I'm not going to be quiet."

Now there's a statement that offers something to make almost everyone happy. I like the part about not keeping quiet.
Contact Bob Rayner at (804) 649-6073 or .