Does Deeds Really Need Wilder?

How much does former Virginia Gov. Doug Wilder's refusal to endorse Creigh Deeds hurt the Democratic nominee for governor?

It's bad news, according to some state Democrats. But African American grassroots leaders who helped Obama win the state last year say Wilder's backing would be nice, but isn't really that important.

"I think Deeds will win without it," said Stephanie Meyers, national co-chair of Black Women For Obama For Change, an offshoot group of the grassroots organization that helped Obama become the first Democrat to win Virginia since 1964 last year. The group just reactivated its Virginia activists for Deeds and is currently running a national phone bank on his behalf.

"I'm not going to say anything in opposition to Doug Wilder -- he has great experience," she said when asked about the non-endorsement of Deeds. "I just feel differently."

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