Presidential Candidates: A Ghetto Kid Who Remembers His Roots

As the only black candidate in the Democratic field, Virginia Governor Doug Wilder deftly plays the race card while reminding voters he knows how to sop up the red ink

His candidacy, Douglas Wilder says, with unaccustomed modesty, is the "longest of long shots." Democratic Party leaders, in unaccustomed consensus, whisper, At least Wilder's got that right. Granted, the Virginian wrote history in bold script two years ago by becoming the nation's first black elected Governor. Certainly he set a record for brass when he quickly seduced the Great Mentioner -- that Ozlike creature manipulated by pundits and political junkies that pronounces instant presidential prospects -- and challenged Jesse Jackson's primacy as the country's leading African-American politician. But Wilder for President?

He has no nationwide organization, no cadre of experienced advisers...

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