Over here in VA HOD-99: Talking with the Tea Party

Last week, Nick Smith, the Democratic candidate for VA HOD-99, spoke to a Northern Neck Tea Party group at their monthly meeting in Lively!!??!?!?! Now you might ask why a Democratic candidate is talking with the Tea Party? And the answer is: Why not? One of Nick's strengths is that he wants to represent all the 99th and he feels it's important that he listen to what everyone has to say -- and that they listen to him. (And when was the last time a Republican spoke to a group of Democrats, or union members, or NAACP, or . . . ) Here are some comments on what happened: 1. The Tea Party folks recognized that Nick, in spite of being a Democrat, is not the Devil's spawn. 2. Some of them did a double-take when they discovered that Nick's wife is African-American. Then everyone had a fine time. 3. Several of the Tea Party folks indicated -- loudly -- their dissatisfaction with Republican candidate Margaret Ransone. A few of these said they would think seriously about voting for Nick and quite a few said they likely would sit out the election -- they can't vote for a Democrat but they are very unhappy with Ransone. 4. They listened intently and asked serious questions about Nick's technology-jobs-training center concept for the Northern Neck. 5. Nick received hearty -- and I think, sincere -- applause and thanks for speaking to them. Hell didn't freeze over here in the 99th as a result of the Nick Smith - Tea Party meeting,but I'm convinced we have a STRONG candidate who may have taken a bite out of his opponent's support. Nick will be at the Northumberland County Library on Highway 360 in Heathsville on Wednesday evening -- I forget the time but it may be 7:00 PM.