Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder went home to Richmond last week to deliver the most surprising speech of his four-month presidential campaign. In his State of the Commonwealth address, he stunned legislators by announcing the end of his quest for the Democratic nomination. Wilder took a page from New York Governor Mario Cuomo's book, saying he had chosen to devote himself to "guiding Virginia through these difficult times . . . as my pledge and responsibilities demand."
As Virginians grew restive at the Governor's absences, WILDER FOR RESIDENT signs began appearing throughout the state. In the end, his presidential bid failed to...