L. Douglas Wilder did seek the endorsement, however, and

Douglas Wilder did seek the endorsement, however, and received it with enthusiasm.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Wyatt B. Durrette and lieutenant governor candidate John Chichester stayed clear of the convention and any corrupting ' influence it might have on their campaigns.

But the surprise came when GOP attorney candidate William R. “Buster” O’Brien boldly announced that he would like very much to have the labor nod.

The development threw both parties into a short-lived tizzy. The Democrats immediately launched a full court press to have the convention remain uncommitted on the question, while the O’Brien camp worked feverishly to get the approval of the delegates.

Just why the Democrats put up such an enormous ruckus to keep O’Brien from getting the endorsement is a bit difficult to understand, except that Democrats always have had a sort of proprietary feeling about labor and the labor movement.

Since they have s ’ha proprietary feeling, ^ne party has few qualms about sf ii.ng the help of the rank-and-file .. rkers in their campaigns, although their political good sense tells them that it would be foolish to actively campaign under labor’s banner.

It is this willingness to accept labor’s help, and reluctance to acknowledge formally that help, which infuriates state AFL-CIO President David H. Laws. Although he is a former member of the State Democratic Central Committee, Laws has few kind words about this year’s crop of Democratic candidates.

But, in the meanwhile, both Democrats and Republicans are playing their labor cards close to their chests.

With the exception of Wilder and O’Brien, most candidates — and voters — recognize that in the Old Dominion there is more danger than daring in running as the candidate of labor, or of being tagged even loosely with the union label.