What is it about politics that leads good people to do really, really stupid things? Case in point: Fairfax County Board Chair Sharon Bulova, who has now hit an all-time low in this regard. According to Bulova, in a press release out this morning, she is “very proud to endorse Chris Wade in the Democratic primary” for Braddock District Supervisor. That would be the same Chris Wade who identified himself as a STRONG McCain-Palin supporter, just days before the November 2008 presidential election. Wade is also someone who Rep. Gerry Connolly complained had no serious civic or political credentials qualifying him to run for supervisor, while also citing concerns over Wade’s voting history, notably two recent cases where he voted in Republican primaries. Why on earth would a Democrat like Sharon Bulova endorse this guy over a real Democrat – one who ran against Ken Cuccinelli and lost by just 101 votes – like Janet Oleszek? It’s mind boggling.
*Speaking of Oleszek, it’s even more mind boggling that Sharon Bulova would attack her for supposedly only being “passionate and informed about one thing” – education. First off, that’s patently untrue. Among other things, Janet Oleszek is a passionate and knowledgeable advocate of strong environmental protections. Same thing with transportation matters. What on earth Bulova’s talking about is beyond me, but is she implying that Oleszek’s service on the Fairfax County School Board, and her passionate commitment to top-notch education in Fairfax County, is actually a bad thing?!? WTF?
So, why would Sharon Bulova endorse a strong McCain-Palin supporter? According to leading Fairfax County Democrats I’ve talked to today, there are a few interesting items to note.
1. In 2008, then-Braddock-Supervisor Sharon Bulova gave Republican John Cook the “Community Champion” award for the District. About a year later, Cook won Bulova’s seat, running in part on that “Community Champion” award. Nice job, Sharon, for giving him the street cred/local fame to run on.
2. Note that in her endorsement, Bulova doesn’t mention anything about Wade having the right VALUES; instead, it’s all about being a nice guy who she’d be able to work (translation: “control”) with on the board.
3. Clearly, Bulova sees Oleszek as too independent, too much her own person, and not nearly as likely to do what she’s told to do – by her – as Wade would be.
4. Bottom line: Bulova wants someone she can control. If Cook loses, she sees Wade as that person.
Does any or all of this give you a warm and fuzzy feeling? Not me.
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