(00:00:00) Lawrence Douglas Wilder made history last November when he was elected this nation's first black Governor. He's inauguration as governor was a milestone of immense significance in American life. It took place in Richmond the capital of the old Confederacy in a state that was for many years the focal point of slavery and oppression of black people with his inauguration the nation moved one step closer to the goal Martin Luther King jr. Dreamed about when a person shall be judged not by the color of his skin, but by the content of his character and I'm quoting in that case. Douglas Wilder is a grandson of slaves. He was the youngest of eight children and he was born and raised in Richmond. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism and ground combat and the Korean War he went to school at Virginia Union University the which he is very proud and later won his Juris doctorate at Howard University in Washington, DC Governor Wilder fought his way to the top of the political system in Virginia by serving a 20-year prison ship in state government. He was elected to the Virginia Senate in 1969 and then re-elected four times. He was in elected lieutenant governor in 1985. And then last year incidentally while he was lieutenant governor. He served as chair of the national chair of the national Governors Association. He has become famous for what has been described as eyeball-to-eyeball confrontations with his own party's power structure. These confrontations inspired respect among both friends and political opponents alike West Virginia's Governor Casper Capitain caperton described Wilders victory in the gubernatorial race is a (00:02:02) Triumph of (00:02:03) talent over privileged and to Merit over Burke the very felicitous choice of words. The governor is viewed by many is the future of the democratic party. He has challenged that party to take a plunge into the Waters of what he describes as America's new mainstream being part of the new mainstream is a legacy the governor now carries with him. I looked for a way to sort of capture some of the things that he stands for and I have a quote from Cal Thomas who is a conservative columnist for the Richmond newspaper and he described a part of what Wilder stands for with the following words. Wilders inauguration spells the beginning of the end of racial quotas forced busing to achieve arbitrary racial mix has formulated by bureaucrats who don't have to live with their consequences and minority set aside contracts. We are nearer to the day when we can say that all any everyone can look forward to is an equal opportunity consistent with the abilities one has been given to forge the best possible life one can for oneself and family and that government does not owe anyone special treatment beyond that given to the handicapped and truly disadvantaged that is a very different perspective than what the Democratic party has traditionally offered. We let the government the governor himself tell us that that is what we truly can look forward to Count hummus meet another statement that provides a useful way of bringing this introduction to a close to quote that Douglas Wilder could be inaugurated governor of Virginia is an indication of how far we have come that. He is only the first black American to hold his elective office is an indication of how far we have to go and I think that captures it very well the title the governor's lecture is the national political terrain focusing on 1992. Let's give the governor a very warm, Minnesota (00:04:23) welcome. (00:04:40) Thank you very much. Adam doctor hasselmo and ladies and gentlemen, it's good to bring this good weather to Minnesota. But I am indeed pleased to have this opportunity to be here to participate in this very prestigious election series. Having a had occasion earlier today, too. Go a little bit around the Humphrey Forum. Just reading the words were inspiring enough to me, too. here and to see the contributions of a great American it's a reminder of those of us who are in public service reminder to us to never forget our purposes. Never to forget our obligations, but I guess most important never to forget the people. And I'm pleased to have this opportunity to discuss the lay of the land of the national political scene. But I will say from the outset that I am confident that a nominee from my party can reclaim 1600, Pennsylvania Avenue in two years. Because I know that Democrats are tired of merely visiting the historic house on social occasion. I've been there a couple times this year myself. And on each occasion. I had my youngest daughter and she said dad will have to (00:06:26) Stop (00:06:27) meeting like this. I said yes. I said we could come more often. Maybe if somebody from how party where they on a regular basis. She says yes, that would be fine too, but don't cut off my invitations either way. Fortunately today more and more Americans when they look at the state of our nation. I'll saying that it's time for us to move our furniture and our ideas back into that house. Where both belong. And in considering the best strategy for achieving the goal. I'm encouraged that a growing number of Americans and people across this country are making it known that they want leaders and government who are dedicated to inclusive government government, which takes the concerns of all of the people into account. And I think the people of this nation want to move forward, but they want to do so together. Oh, there's a miniscule group who wants to turn the clock back. But the people of our country don't want to turn the clock back on the progress that we've achieved and the last several decades. And they are tired of the end fighting. They don't want leaders who for their own purposes pit the people against one another and finally the people of this country are looking for leaders who want to build to continue to achieve leaders Who Remain unsatisfied with the status quo. These desires and these values are What I Call America's new mainstream. And I think its adherence to these principles and these values. Which helped me win in Virginia last November and I think those same values and so same adherence can enable the Democrats of this nation to win this November and in the November's to come because I think that people of the new mainstream were born of differing circumstances and therefore hail from different backgrounds. But they have a common goal to ensure that all people have a voice regardless of (00:08:52) one's race (00:08:54) color creed place of birth or residence or socioeconomic status. For the old me mainstream these things would have mattered. They could have disqualified people from participating to the fullest extent where you from what part of the country what do you talk? Like, what do you look like, but in the new mainstream we are committed to Candor to inclusive and fair decision making and to ethical behavior and every aspect of one's life. if asked about the values of fairness of Integrity of opportunity for all who would make the most of them of concern for others, I think and I resolutely believe that a majority of the American people would say that they too are a part of this broad-based current for the American people believe that if we wanted to we could promote a forward-looking blend of fiscal responsibility and social conscious which when put into practice by our elected leaders at all levels of government, Good provide for expanding and ever expanding opportunities to all individuals and their families. And the creation of more and more economic opportunities is what is called for today. If we at every level of government ought to fund the services that government ought to Jetta mately to provide then we cannot afford to cease in our efforts to prime the pump of Economic Development. Void is through economic development that revenues are raised for programs which are so vital to many of our citizens. And I think the citizens of Minnesota and Virginia share a history and I believe in these rights the rights of life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. We likewise believe that government has no right to interfere in the most personal of personal decisions. The most personal decisions that anyone could ever be called upon to me and I think that women and their families should have the right to make these decisions for themselves and I made this point repeatedly during my campaign for governor. My opponent and others tried to suggest all this is not an issue. You know, Roe versus Wade wasn't really overturned by the Webster decision. I don't know what he's talking about because it's just not going to happen in state legislatures. Well, I can tell you didn't happen in Virginia's legislature because we pledge we would not turn the clock back, but don't think for a moment that the same holes through throughout the nation. In Louisiana, for example, we now find intolerance in the form of the most extreme kind of legislation and I think in light of the successes recently enjoyed by what I would call even extremist forces. In Louisiana in Pennsylvania and elsewhere if a candidate of the new mainstream is to win in 1992 that person must demonstrate a commitment to fighting off these extremist elements at the national level and since coming to office in January. My Administration has kept that promise time and time again on the campaign Trail last year, we've said it but we put the values of fiscal responsibility and social concern to work for all Virginians. The road has not been a specialist move, but we've been successful in moving the state forward just the same. The first challenge that I undertook when I was sworn in. Was immediately to deal with a 1 billion dollar reduction in anticipated revenues. And although we were forced to scale back programs the fair initiatives and trim some more today Virginia's budget and keeping with our constitution is balanced more importantly we've set aside a 200 million dollar Reserve fund to deal with the economic uncertainties looming upon the horizon. But when I came to office in January, I promised the people of the Commonwealth that I would be honest and candid with them, especially when it came to the fiscal health of our state that in my Administration the Thorns would not be hidden by the rose petals. So just last week I had to hold another press conference announcing that because of further unanticipated Revenue shortfall. We had to make additional cuts and calls in the remaining Days of our fiscal year, which ends July first. We had to do that if we were going to ensure that spending does not exceed available revenues, and I'm proud that in contrast to our nation's capital. Where smoke and mirrors are utilized as woeful substitutes for fiscal responsibility year after year in Virginia my Administration continues to ensure that the public receive facts and Candor about matters relating to the budget and to the economy. And as we look to 1992 for a leader capable of moving this nation forward that individual above all else must be a leader that we can trust a leader that we can depend on to keep promises maying made during the heat of the campaign. And a leader who cares about honesty as much as he or she claims to care about fiscal responsibility and social conscience. Candidates for office often increase the cynicism already running rampant among the American public and I need not tell you what the polls show you see them young people being turned off every day about saying why should I engage? Why should I be involved? And that's cynicism. That is expressed when people who run for office promise one thing but afterwards qualify, even the most Sherman SQL statements. And I would think that it's not necessary to say read my lips. During the genius gubernatorial campaign. I likewise promised not to seek any tax increases and yet despite Virginia's text typed budgetary times. I've gone to Great Lengths to keep that promise and I shall continue to do so not by telling the people of Virginia to read my lips. Watch what I do impending tax increase increases aside. There's yet another far worse breach of public trust which Washington has committed in recent years. For half a decade Americans were told not to worry about the Savings and Loan problem. They were told just that and it amazes me what on occasion I speak to members of the media when I bring it up, they'll say oh yes. Yes and they want to go to the next question. That's a hold up. Wait a minute. If you know the answer to the Savings and Loan debacle printed so that we all can read it. If you know it publish it so that we could all understand it projected depicted portray it so that we all could understand and to the extent that you don't you owe an obligation to hear to hear it out or we find out now in reality is the worst scandal in our country's (00:17:19) history. (00:17:20) I didn't say Nia I didn't say close it is the worst scandal in our history. Scandal with some say may cost the American taxpayers nearly one point four trillion dollars over the next three to four decades some say it may even cost 500 billion dollars for the next 10 years alone. Just last week treasury secretary Nick Brady acknowledge that the federal agency charged with the responsibility of bailing out. The SNL's will be broke before the year's end and will require bailing out itself. So we've got to bail out the agency that's going to bail out SNL. And despite warning signs as early as the mid 80s many turn their heads. The other way apparently hoping is the ostrich that the Minefield economic disaster would be negotiated under some future Administration. It's on my watch now, but it won't be later on. Unfortunately for them. And for the honest hard-working people of this nation, the explosions have already begun as one after another SNL's around the nation are being rendered in solvent. Just last week the Congressional budget office bumped up the number of SNL's expected to fail to 1700. Not surprisingly the people are beginning to demand answers. The people that I meet the people that I run to in the streets across (00:18:59) the regions of our (00:19:00) Commonwealth and they want accountability and they are asking what I would think are rather simple questions who planted this Minefield. How does Washington plan to clear this Minefield? Why were the people misled about this Minefield and what can be done to save future Generations from having their Futures blown apart and mortgaged by the mines, which have been deliberately laid in their path. As you know several days ago. A United States Senator stood to apologize to the members of that body. and to the people of this state Let me make it clear. I'm not here to pass Judgment of any kind on this individual. And yet neither do I intend to minimize the seriousness of the charges know the resulting effect? of an increased lack of confidence in public officials rather I mentioned this episode because I find it ironic that a great many persons inside and outside of Congress sit in judgment. When they themselves many of them have been negligent. Incompetent and in some cases uncaring and their actions in the Savings and Loan scandal. Just last week. I sent a letter to the president and subsequent letters to the Congressional leadership and to each governor and our country calling on the president to create a nonpartisan independent National Commission of inquiry into the Savings and Loan Scandal a commission whose members would be drawn from this nation's investment business education and labor communities to study among other things one the true cost of the Scandal Secondly its Origins. Three the necessary remedies for resolving the current crisis and for mechanisms and safeguards to prevent similar occurrences in the future. Of course, there are those who say that while Republicans must bear the responsibility for this candle any honest inquiry May embarrass some influential Democrats as well. To them, I would say let the chips fall where they may. The possibility that the investigation might find the ethics of some leaders warning should not and must not hinder a thorough independent inquiry into the facts. Instead of reading lips. I've asked that my letter be read. And that it received the response that it (00:22:11) deserves. the response (00:22:16) that the American people deserve Although the S&L Scandal can play a major role in a democratic victory in 1992. Obviously, there are other issues which must be given due attention by our candidates as well. Issues such as crime defense and the environment for too long. We've let the other party unfairly Hammer us as being soft on crime. I say unfairly because democrats should be in are no more willing than Republicans to turn our streets over the criminals throughout this nation. We must be emphatic and sending our message to those who would violate our laws and perpetuate violence. If you break the law you will be punished in Virginia. We've turned the false perception perception of soft on crime on its head and we passed some of the country's most Progressive anti drug and crime measures including the nation's first-ever criminal background check for would-be buyers of semi-automatic weapons. We've seen what has happened at the national level in the so-called War on Drugs before the war had ever been gun desire was declaring defeat instead of fighting drug lords. The nation's drug czar has fought a war of words with a cartoon character Bart Simpson. We are the new mainstream know how to wage a real fight and to do so for starters. There must be greater communication and cooperation between various law enforcement agencies. To begin working toward this goal those at the national level could consider the success of such efforts as our first-ever law enforcement drug Summit in Virginia this past April. We had some 3 400 people come together for the first time. I found it that they hadn't been talking to each other prosecutors had not been talking with Sheriff's Sheriff's hadn't been communicating with the police chief's police. Chief's hadn't been communicating (00:24:32) with (00:24:35) Commonwealth of Prosecuting attorneys judges hadn't been communicating with any of them. So they came together Under One Roof and I can tell you that it was great as a beginning to understand that we need more cooperation. We need to cut supply-side. Yes, but we need to have Rehabilitation. But yes, we need education. Yes, we need more jails for Corrections purposes that we need more emphasis placed on immorality as far as drugs are concerned. We need more emphasis and teaching our youngsters at the earliest practicable time the ravages of drugs and what it does to ruin a family and I think with those similar effort at the national level law enforcement professionals from around the nation could provide Washington with great insight into the relative strengths and the weaknesses of current law enforcement efforts and of the drug networks Which tax our limited crime-fighting resources daily. Question asked by later this morning was most meaningful and saying well, what are you doing to study their laundering processes the money that's running through our banks and financial institutions. I can tell you it's a big problem that isn't being confronted to the extent that it could be and we know that by its scale alone. This fight will be fierce some including the nation's currents are say that's impossible. I've never known people in this country to give up on anything. I've never known them to believe that they couldn't accomplish whatever it is, they set their minds to and so I think we should turn a deaf ear to those critics and embrace the principles of inclusion by working together for Innovative and Cooperative solutions for fighting drugs and drug-related crime. For too long. We have likewise, let the other party unfairly Hammer us as being weak on National Defense issues. And that's not the case at all on the contrary new mainstream candidates do Advocate a strong military but a military which makes the most efficient use of every single dollar consequently to win in 1992. Our candidates must stressed stressed that fiscal sanity in our defense budget is just as important as troops and Warheads, if we are to preserve our long-term National Security finally far too long and for too long, we've let the other party get away with an abysmal record on the environment. We all remember James White. And you know what? We remember him for and yet even after his departure what has been done during the last decade to preserve the environment for future Generations what has been done to come to grips with the effects of acid rain. What has been done to deal with the landfill crisis? He's around the nation what has been done to strongly encourage voluntary recycling as we approach the year 2000. I believe that people more than ever want to achieve and economic and environmental balance throughout our nation not by pitting one side against the other but by building balanced alliances alliances that do not automatically view all development as harmful alliances that do not view Environmental Protection as luxury alliances that promote open - mindedness and alliances which are clearly within the currents of America's new mainstream. So regardless of who wins the 1992 presidential election. it is my sincere hope that the next Administration will draw inspiration and Direction by including all of America's people and by building rather than destroying and by looking to the future rather than digging in and working for a retrenchment as with all generations ours has a social and a moral obligation to bequeath to the next a better quality of life than that, which was passed To Us by those who came before but if we do not restore fiscal sanity and Washington If we do not increase our efforts to address crime and environmental abuse. If we allow the incompetent and the unscrupulous to walk away from the Savings and Loan Scandal without Justice being served and without answers being found and if we do not have leaders who will be honest and straightforward and candid with the American people. What kind of Legacy will we leave for our posterity? Thus we are left with the all-important question are these the best of times as some in Washington continue to claim or are we saddling our children and grandchildren with unfair and impossible burdens and like countless others who believe in the currents of America's new mainstream? I look forward to hearing the answers to that question with an answer, which I hope the American people will render on Election Day 1992 and believe you me. I trust the people of this country. I say so many times in Virginia that people are always ahead of leaders and they've been there when the leader gets the latest poll or the latest sampling from a focus group to say, let me go out there now and leave these people who already know what I know, but I think the answer which we our children and our grandchildren will have to live by for many years to come. Has to be one that we've had the input. I don't believe these are pessimistic times at all. I think America has indeed grown. I think Virginia has shown I think other areas of our country are showing that those of us who believe some things might take place at some Future Point have come to find that that Future Point is now and that those who postponed the enjoyment of the fullest of the fruits of fruition would have to understand that if a thing is right the time is always right and I think it's right and right for the American people to express themselves as eloquently as they could but having more people participate at every conceivable level to make certain that democracy is not a spectator sport, but it calls for participation by all of them. God bless you and thank you for the opportunity of being here (00:31:16) today. happy thank you. Thank you. Thank (00:31:41) you. Thank you. Thank you. Governor. First question, I think we'll give you a chance to relax and think about the other questions of might come along says do you think we will have a black president of the USA within the next 20 years? (00:32:02) I can't answer that right quickly. I was speaking at the Joint Center for political (00:32:07) studies this year and President Bush was there (00:32:12) and Jesse Jackson was there earlier during the day and the president said that he had gone around the nation's capital visiting some schools and he told those young people that he was convinced that there would be a black president one day and he likewise said thinking that Jesse was still there. Jesse I wasn't speaking about in a young 49 year-old I said when I had my occasion to speak the president was gone that I was as certain as the Seasons Trail each other that indeed there will be a person elected to the position of president who might be called Black and that it wouldn't have to wait until those young people grew to be men or women good. (00:33:09) Somewhat related question after last November's election one commentator noted that both you and New York mayor David Durkins were able to gain acceptance from White voters because you are black politicians with white hair. That is that your political style. This is the punchline that your political style is much more mature and mainstream than that of other black politicians. For example, Jesse Jackson. Do you agree with this statement? And would you comment (00:33:42) on had to ask mrs. Nelson? Did you say wait half and she said yes, that's what you said. I think first of all, it plays no part at all. I think what has happened is that if you carry a message to the people as a candidate. And I think Dave Dinkins did that and I think if you campaign at every conceivable level without asking that any special group be treated differently or separately you are ass watching those who would have concerns and fears about you being only concerned with one special group. I think it's sometimes an unfair characterization or comparison with with my being involved in politics to the pier that I have and Jesse Jackson incidentally, he and I are very good friends. We community of fraternity brothers and we remind people of that on occasion, but I've been elected to office for some 20 some years and I started knowing that I had to make accommodation. I had to effectuate compromises never compromising on principle and being satisfied on some occasion to take the half Loop the quiet before I could get the whole loaf and I don't think I've ever been considered a political activist and I'm not considered an activist now and I think that Jesse is Perhaps it is for most and activist as we have on the American scene today and I would think that we both serve different rules and different times and they are not incompatible (00:35:24) good (00:35:31) take the questions a little bit different direction. What role do you think public institutions should take in promoting the appreciation of human diversity in this nation, and I would hope he would address public institutions such as this University when you do (00:35:47) that. Well, I think you have to lead by example and I think the best way to show that is by doing it rather than talking about it I executed executed And Auto in Virginia calling upon genuis agencies and institutions to divest in South Africa. I did that this year and some people said, well, that's fine. But it's a little late and I asked the person who was saying why they felt it was late when mr. Mandela is saying now even before he leaves to comfort his country don't take the pressure off make certain that sanctions continue and do so by example and I think at the institutional levels you we need to show more inclusion of people. This is what I mean by mainstream values to show that this University or any University exists for the education of all people to make the tuition cost available. So that people can come to make the faculty be reflective of the fact that people can be involved to make certain (00:36:59) that (00:37:03) that we don't have this creepy. Racial polarization come back on our campuses in Virginia. I've asked my secretary of education to meet with college boards and college heads and University hits to be certain that this civil. This is the lack of Civility that's approaching. Any number of college campuses is stamped out before it starts because I can see a very dangerous thing taking place if that does happen (00:37:37) as governor of Virginia, you have ordered divestiture of investments in South Africa was this action strongly supportive or did you encounter intense opposition? (00:37:49) I never even weighed the consequences because I believe that when a thing is right the time is right and what happens after that is an important. It doesn't matter to me what happens in terms of me being (00:38:02) criticized in that. I've had (00:38:03) some editorials thinking it was good. I've had some but I never thought would say it was bad have said it was bad. But the important thing is result and immediately after that the University of Virginia had this engaged VMI disengage. We even married disengage Washington and leave and I can go at Mary Washington on down and line the largest single employer in our state this year had already disengages. None of the result of my auto that's the Newport News shipbuilding clinical without any concern as to how it would affect and so I think again it's a question of doing what's right, and I think this country has a moral obligation to do that (00:38:42) period Most of us myself included support stiffer punishment for drug-related crimes. How do you however is a black leader support imposition of the death penalty for drug-related murders when it is well known that blacks account for a disproportionate number of those sentenced to death in the United States (00:39:07) to the extent that that was my concern for seven years eight years in Virginia. I oppose the death penalty because I felt it was unconstitutional and the Supreme Court likewise rule that Virginia's laws were unconstitutional since that time. I have seen what I call parity. It's not a question as to whether you believe in the death penalty and not as a question of whether you believe it's being administered equally and in my state it is being administered in my judgment equally and to the extent that I could support laws, which would allow Society in those what we call most hideous. Some circumstances to express his outrage at certain crime that's being committed that are being committed. Then I can support that and I do (00:39:51) support it. But let me ask you just a follow-up question on that. The drug problem is often stated as a the war on drugs and I've noticed today that you've picked up on some of that rhetoric but there are some people who say that drug problems really a public health problem the same way that we have treated cigarette smoking problem. Would you comment on that? That's one of the reasons I've (00:40:20) vigorously oppose any legalization of drugs because I think it still impacts health. I had a friend of mine who visited a hospital in New York just a month ago with 100 babies. They are born under the addiction of crack cocaine wing of one pound and less 100 babies now the question wasn't asked what are those parents? Those mothers got the drugs legally or illegally those babies are still crippled born into a world and that won't have they won't have a chance. And so I think I think we've not even signal any War on Drugs. We've never Corral the troops. We've never had the forces. The drug declared war on us years ago. We haven't even responded to the first attack and that's why we need constructive clear reason to leadership and watching and we not had (00:41:11) it. (00:41:17) Go to our must say that you have provoked some very interesting questions in a lot of let me try to get some of these pulled together. One question is what has been the state of savings and loan institutes in Virginia. How are these problems being resolved? How are minority businesses participating in the bailout? (00:41:42) What we did in Virginia starting and around 1984 85 when deregulation was occurring was to have the state monitor what we called more stringent regulation of SNL's and so much. So, I think you'll find that in a number of there may be affected but we have avoided the so-called bellying up and the DraStic Ron on the SNL's and our state what we've done in terms of minority SNL's as we've had Two more or less God further involvement with minority Banks to take over those that were in trouble to help them where we could so as not to lose that Minority participation in the financial market and yet to not have the dissipation. So as to wreck would wreck those persons who would be depositors and investors in the in the in the Enterprise (00:42:44) good (00:42:45) this question notes that there was a recent series of racism in the Star Tribune, and I think you commented on one of those articles this morning. Does point of this series is that we minnesotans are again reminded of our subtle and not-so-subtle prejudices. What one thing is most important for us to help face the problem and tear down the barriers (00:43:12) and tearing down the barriers. Yes. We need a lot of help from the media and we need a lot of help from people who don't know from which we've come, you know, it wouldn't I wouldn't be here as governor of Virginia. If a lot of people had a long time ago believed in Bringing together forces of good promoting the Electoral possibilities that could take place believing that we haven't always done the kinds of things we wanted to do and we weren't doing these things and they weren't doing them for headlines. They never got their names printed in the newspapers. They were not in blazoned in the headlines and all were they depicted on television screens or what have you and they are in a number of persons who have benefited their from and so there are groups who use the Democratic process themselves to disparage and to put us down. The skinny is they're Nazis. Those people who have no more concern from with free speech than the Man in the Moon and yet they would say well, you know, the first amendment guarantees me the right to do this they'd burn the First Amendment if they could as far as you and I would concern then you get the other groups who will come and say we've not made any progress and you've got some people who've been working year after year after year painstakingly slow for progress, but when the media goes to cover whether we've made progress or not, they go and call on that person who doesn't have a constituency. Sometimes that person who doesn't really represent the thinking of the group whatever. But you'll find as much media attention given there's anywhere else to give you an illustration. We had last year in Virginia in Virginia Beach what some called Greek Fest you saw the riots some soft and thanks taking place. And now the question is is it going to happen again? Rather than to say positively that that was an isolated instance that took place rather aberration Ali some of the media are saying even now what do you expect to take place this time? How many heads will be cracked this time? Are you going to stand the National Guard this time? How many state police are you going to send this time? In other words the anticipation of trouble so you can have a self-fulfilled prophecy. If you say that rather than for the media to include more people who are involved with doing good things when you go and speak to our school and the graduates of they're trying to do. Well this isn't a dropout These are people doing well. When you see the number of people who are still working to send their children to school and doing all that they can these aren't Dole outs waiting for someone to give them something and so every now and then you find someone getting the attention but we don't have the inclusion of the positive things that we've had occur in our society and the media could help us then with that takes place then the Dooms that the naysayers and the Doomsday is would take a backseat to what's taking place rather than the front seat. And today they're taking the front (00:46:23) seat. Very good. (00:46:29) This person had a second question and I'm going to add that to still another question first white and black women who are widowed in are divorced heads of household are the major proportion of people living in poverty. What are you doing to help those women second? Let me add to this. I know you are a loyal Democrat but might not one way to speed change within the party be the formation of a third party a woman's party. For example. (00:47:02) Well, let me answer the last part of it first. I don't think you can characterize the minds of women because of their sex. That's the said that's their discriminatory. Is anything (00:47:18) else? (00:47:20) Then to say you'll have a men's body. Then you'll have a white party. Then you'll have a black part. That's the very purpose of the new main stream to include people and they said notwithstanding from whence you come that's a situation. It's a very bad sign of the times was because when I was coming up the man in the household was such that it was revered that the parents were their mothers and fathers worked with their children and I used to say on occasions and in the 80s. Oh where oh, where have all the father's gone. I know where a lot of them have gone. They've gone away from responsibility. They've gone away from care. They've gone away from the nurturer they've gone away from succour and they allow that burden to fall on the mother and the mother on occasion has to resort to government not because she wants it you'd be surprised at the number of persons who say I don't want a government check all I wanted a job and yet experience shows. We haven't provided a jobs for those people who want the jobs. We've allowed allowed our youngsters to believe that well. I want to help Mother at any cost and as a result of that on occasion, they go out and sell the drugs or steel and rock all of those things which are wrong. So we need to wrap our economy up to provide jobs for people who want them including those people and it takes them off the welfare rolls and put them on the (00:48:45) tax roll. (00:48:50) Another question, I think you'll like how do you feel about the youth population? What can we as young people do to make our future better? (00:49:02) Well, he said I liked it because he knew what I said earlier this morning. I signed as an executive order right after I was elected after the one on including no discrimination was the Declaration of the Niners to be the decade of Youth and Family. It is absolutely important that we focus on our young people at every conceivable State summer saying we've lost a generation. I don't accept that. I think that we have a generation that's losing ground, but we've got to reclaim them to make certain. However that those who are there can be helped but more so go to what I called preventive delinquency to establish guidelines and operations for people to have association with young people. We have an early four-year-old program in Virginia. We have a task force on Youth and Family and young people ought to ask every conceivable question become involved. I've asked that students in high school adopt those in elementary school those and college adopt those in hi. School to form that peerage where we don't have it on occasion to understand that they are all together. And then where there aren't any parents that we have the adoptive parents not necessarily the formal adoption, but something like the big brothers and big sisters that we need to have, you know, older people letting our young people understand that we want them. We love them and they are in fact the leaders of Tomorrow some say if they are the leaders of the more than we've got to stick with them if they are the cream of the crop God helped him milk, but we've got to make the milk and the cream butter because they will be our country for us. (00:50:54) Next question somewhat poignant, but I think very important your grandparents were enslaved African-Americans. What do you know about their lives and their plight? And what does it mean to you as their grandson to you? Was it quote a long time ago? Well, (00:51:18) my father never talked too much about that aspect And yet when he did it was rather. Passionate with him. He would bite his paper rather strongly and he would talk about opportunities and he would say that he had more opportunities than his father did and he would say that we suddenly had far more opportunities than he did. He said he never wasted opportunity and he never wasted money and he never wanted any of us to waste opportunity nor money, but he believed in education. One of the things that I was impressed with about my grandparents was that my grandmother though. She was sleep was able to teach those around her who were entrusted to her care to read and to write even though she had not had formal education us up. So I said if she could do that, then we could do far less by our posterity by making certainly exceed the opportunities in the limits of opportunities that were given to them. So it's a long time ago but is one of the things that I said in my inaugural address or I say on some occasions I lived in Churchill, which is not that far from Capitol Hill. It's a short distance to go but it's a mighty mighty mountain to (00:52:36) climb good. Question, how can we compete economically with Japan and the United Europe without radically improving the status of the huge underclass in this country? (00:52:56) I think the answer speaks to itself you've got to do that. But you've got to improve improve Educational Opportunity. I'm afraid it's not just a question of competing with Japan and Eastern Europe, but just right in this country dumb people run nothing it's unfortunate. But unless we encourage our young people is to taking advantage of the opportunities and recognizing that it education is intrinsic. It has value within itself and people have got to know and I've got to come to know that youngsters are going to have to be equipped for a fast changing technology. They've got to come to understand that they competition is going to be far more than it's ever been before with people coming from Eastern Europe for jobs already trained already educated. The only thing they're going to need to learn is the language. Unfortunately many of our people in our country don't even know the language. (00:54:02) As we near the end. I've got a couple of easy ones. Tell us what you think about. Mr. (00:54:06) Barragan. When that question was usually asked of me. I asked people when they ask me as to what his position is on housing or his position on Transportation or his position on health care or is positioned on the environment or is positional what and they never would give me anything further and I said in terms of personality, I don't have time to go around the world speaking about personality differences with people. I'm interested in moving this state and this country for (00:54:46) This one. I'm not sure I'll get it says in 1989 the US Supreme Court rule on City of Richmond versus croson in regard to minority business entitlements. I think that out of that there were some quotas that were implied in the question has to do what is your opinion on these sort of forced quotas (00:55:11) what the Christ and I was referring to was a case that was decided against the Richmond city council which ruled that Richmond's ordinance was drawn improperly and that it is established and arbitrary number without saying as to how that figure came by came about. I have not Advanced any legislation of my own during my Administration as to establishing any goal-oriented result. But what I have done is said that people would be included for jobs at every level minorities women. You name it based only on one thing qualification and married and that has been the case in my Administration. (00:56:01) I think you've got some of these but let me I think it's a good question any case what are your opinions on the issue of burning the flag? And do you believe it is a ploy to merely divided in divert the attention of the American people from very pressing issues such as education AIDS Healthcare drugs racism crime Etc. (00:56:24) But I think the issue itself does take an inordinate amount of attention and time and it does occupy people and keeps them away from asking the questions about the S&L Scandal about the kinds of things that need answering during the course of the campaign. I said, I could support the legislation that was drafted which would make it punishable to burn the flag or desecrated or destroy it which would not be in contravention of the first amendment guarantees. We've seen that that did not take please and we've seen the Supreme Court ruled that that was Not the case since that time I've been asked the question again is to how I feel about it and I confess to the question of that. I was somewhat prejudiced having as I said been sent to die in Korea for the flag and to see any number of persons died holding and clutching the flag for purposes dear to them that it does talk in Striking the emotional playing with me that people would feel that they could do that discriminately indiscriminately and I still would like to see a statute drawn that would do that short of Constitutional Amendment, but I subsequently have said that if it does take the Constitutional amendment, I would support it. (00:57:52) Have quite a number of questions ago yet, but I'm going to let this be the last how has being the first black Governor affected your personal life. (00:58:02) It hasn't affected my personal life at all being the first being Governor has (00:58:11) silver.