Alan Greenblatt is a GOVERNING correspondent.
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Doug Wilder, the former Virginia governor and Richmond mayor, announced today that he will not endorse either candidate in this year's gubernatorial contest.
Anita Kumar of the Washington Post:
The decision can only be considered a slap in the face to Democrat Creigh Deeds and a victory -- of sorts -- for Republican Bob McDonnell. No one really expected Wilder to endorse McDonnell because he never has supported a Republican, but declining to endorse anyone -- and resisting Obama's personal lobbying --- sends enough of a message.
Wilder has had a long history of refusing to endorse Democratic candidates, running as an independent, endorsing reluctantly, etc. I'm not sure how much his endorsement -- or any endorsement, really -- ultimately matters. But this doesn't speak well to enthusiasm for Deeds and perhaps will be a bit of a drag among African American turnout efforts.
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