Wilder often got, even as he gave

Doug Wilder -- governor, mayor, rascal -- is making history even when he isn't.

In 2000, Wilder briefly considered a federal judicial appointment. This was known to a handful of politicians, academics and judges. That Wilder declined a seat on the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, the nation's most conservative, should not come as a surprise.

But the city is the worse for it, if you believe the biting reviews of Wilder's just-ended term as Richmond's first popularly elected mayor in more than 50 years.

Even Wilder might acknowledge a judgeship would seem an odd fit; that he hasn't the temperament -- the constitution -- for a job that requires monastic silence and political celibacy. Getting Wilder out of the way was never going to be easy.

Besides, an ankle-length black robe, though great against Wilder's silver coiffure, would accentuate his Napoleonic countenance.

And there's the touchy matter of qualifications. Such high-profile nominations are accompanied by the closest scrutiny.

Wilder would have had much to explain, including a reprimand by the Virginia Supreme Court for foot-dragging in a lawsuit he handled for a New Jersey family injured in a 1966 traffic accident in Chesterfield.

Wilder's conduct as mayor confirmed another constant in his long career as a public official sworn to uphold the law: Do what you want now; worry about the Code of Virginia later.

Just ask the news organizations, Richmond City Council or the School Board -- and the courts where he battled all three.

Going to the 4th Circuit, Wilder, who delights in firsts, would have scored two more: the first African-American on a court badly lacking in diversity and the first Virginia governor since Albertis S. Harrison Jr. (1962-66) to serve as a legislator, chief executive and judge.

By passing on a judgeship -- the idea was floated back then by soon-to-be-defeated U.S. Sen. Chuck Robb, the alpha to Wilder's omega -- Wilder, who is usually doing things to people, instead decided to do something for someone.

In this instance, Wilder recommended his soft-spoken former law partner, Roger Gregory, for the vacancy on the 4th Circuit.

Gregory was nominated by the Clinton White House. The race-razing nomination -- bottled up by the Senate's Republican majority -- seemed doomed with the election of George Bush to the presidency and George Allen to Robb's seat.

That it was saved -- Judge Gregory this past week observed the eighth anniversary of his recess appointment by Bill Clinton and his first step toward lifetime tenure -- speaks, in part, to Wilder's persuasiveness. And it can be summed up accordingly: What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine.

Wilder sometimes telegraphs this more effectively with studied silence than high-decibel rants. Remember: Wilder is not phony tough. He is crazy brave.

And as a master of leverage politics, Wilder knew Allen likely believed that backing Gregory for the Richmond court might put him back in Wilder's good graces for the main event: Allen's bid for the presidency, ultimately wrecked in 2006 with his defeat for re-election.

Wilder, who had campaigned side by side with Robb against Allen, milked that hope. Then, Wilder dropped Allen like a cheap date.

Funny thing: Roger Gregory, of all these guys, is the only one with a regular job.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 6496814 or . Watch his video column Thursdays on inRich.com. Listen to his analysis Fridays at 8:33 a.m. on WCVE radio (88.9 FM).