Wilder backs ABC privatization

Former Gov. Doug Wilder (D) is endorsing Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell's plan to privatize the sale of distilled spirits in Virginia.

Wilder, who chaired a commission that recommended privatizing state-run liquor stores, has always been supportive of the concept. But until today, he had not put his name behind McDonnell's scheme to get the state out of the liquor business. (Indeed, just last week he called McDonnell's proposal "still a work in progress.")

In an interview Friday, Wilder said McDonnell had moved in the right direction by dropping taxes out of his proposal. Wilder said he now thinks McDonnell's plan should be adopted.

"I would underscore that we never envisioned any new taxes," Wilder said of the commission that he chaired. "I feel that he's moving in the right direction. ... In concept and in practice, I think it's the right thing to do."

Read the rest on the Virginia Politics blog.