Two weeks ago, invitations to a luncheon with Senator Saslaw arrived in the mail. The Moran chairmanship balloon had been floated and because the return addressee on the envelope was a Mark Warner provocateur, the invitation was placed on the not likely pile. Today’s E-mail reminder secured a “no way:”
In last week’s elections, a Republican wave swept the country, hitting Virginia particularly hard. With state Senate elections approaching next year, we must ensure that wave stops now.
Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw will be in your area next week for a luncheon in support of our efforts and we hope you will attend. It will be held Wednesday, November 17th, 12:30 PM at Hits at the Park Restaurant.
The money we raise at this event will help us fund campaigns and recruit mainstream candidates who will focus on solving problems that Virginians face every day.
PS- If you cannot attend, you can help us by contributing online. Every contribution helps us in our fight to keep Virginia from becoming a one-party Republican-dominated state. Thank you.
The original mailer came from Henry Light, a fellow Senator Warner put up to primarying a safe Democratic seat because Warner held a grudge against Delegate Johnny S. Joannou (D-79th). Joannou had the temerity to oppose a Warner position. That’s how we “fight to keep Virginia from becoming a one-party Republican-dominated state.” Maybe Joannou isn’t “mainstream” enough; whatever that means.
Maybe Jeff Shapiro is on the mark. Possibly Senator Warner fancies himself a modern day Harry Byrd. But his attempt to lobby Brian Moran into the DPVA Chairmanship is transparent. Warner probably allows Moran the idea it is a stepping-stone to higher office. But Warner’s motivation is more likely ownership of the chair not the chair’s future fortunes. It almost makes Brian pitiable. Almost.
“Can a guy who shifted further left as a candidate credibly guide Democrats to the center?” – Jeff Shapiro
How in heaven’s name does “recruit mainstream candidates” square with recruiting a chairman who was the most out of touch with Virginians out of three Democratic gubernatorial candidates? It can only make sense if Warner is trying to circle the wagons for reconciliation within the party. However it looks more like a circular firing squad, no one focusing on the threat outside the perimeter. And Saslaw, who stands to end up in the Senate minority next year, has not demonstrated he understands the mistake that is being made.
Of course, this will all be straightened out after the next statewide drubbing we receive under a Moran chairmanship. Talk about a gift for Republicans and coal (or uranium) in Democratic stockings.
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