The following post is not meant to bash Patrick Hope, because frankly this could – and I’m sure has! – happened to any politician or elected official in Virginia. So here’s what happened.

In 2009, when Patrick Hope was first running for the 47th House of Delegates district seat, I interviewed the candidates – including Hope. I asked, “will you pledge to take no money from Dominion Power or other companies that act in ways that harm workers, the environment, etc?” Hope’s answer was one definitive word: “Absolutely.” But can “absolutely” hold up in our screwed-up system here in Virginia for raising campaign finances? Here’s another one-word answer: NO!

In Hope’s case, VPAP shows that he has received $7,000 from Dominion Power since 2009, making Dominion his third largest donor. So, clearly, “absolutely” didn’t turn out to be the case. Why not? I received a response to my email about this almost immediately from Hope, which of course is a positive reflection on Hope and his campaign. Here it is:

The only company I refuse to accept money from is Altria and other Big Tobacco.  I changed my mind about Dominion Power specifically because I’ve used these campaign events as opportunities to sit down with them to discuss the importance of investing more in renewable energy.  I’ve even had an executive from Dominion come to Arlington to meet with my constituents to talk about specific ideas to reduce our reliance on coal.  I’ve used their campaign contributions to help elect progressive candidates who share my view on protecting the environment and conserving energy.

That’s a good and fair answer, totally reasonable. I also received another email from his campaign noting that “there was a lot of pressure inside the Democratic Caucus to accept those contributions so they could be directed to other Democratic candidates,” and that “that’s where Patrick has spent the bulk of the money raised in the House account.” Again, fair and reasonable. So what’s the problem, then?

Here’s the bottom line: in our anything-goes, sky’s-the-limit, corporations-uber-alles Virginia campaign finance system, the pressure is on: a) corporations to give money to candidates and electeds to try to gain access to/influence with those people; and b) the party’s caucuses and candidates to accept that money, because given that there’s no public financing of campaigns in Virginia, you need that money if you ever want to get reelected. That’s how you end up with a strong progressive like Patrick Hope, pledging what were undoubtedly good intentions back in 2009 to not take money from bad corporate actors like Dominion, Altria, etc., basically having no choice but to take money from some or all of these companies.

And that’s the (absurd) choice it essentially boils down to for candidates and electeds: either take money from NONE of the corporations or individuals you consider to be “bad;” or take it from ALL of them and use it to help elect progressives/Democrats; or take it from SOME “bad” corporations/individuals but not others. Which is where I guess my biggest disagreement is with Patrick Hope on this one, in that I see Dominion Power as just as bad, if not worse, than Altria. Not that Altria has any redeeming qualities, to put it mildly – they are evil incarnate, basically But Dominion, in my view, is just as bad, essentially doing whatever it can to contribute to trashing the planet and delay/prevent clean energy from taking off in Virginia.

So, obviously, while it would be ideal if our politicians didn’t take money from either Dominion or Altria (or a bunch of other “bad” corporations), the question then becomes, who’s going to step up to the plate and replace that forgone money? The “good guys” (e.g., enviro groups)? Good luck with that. I mean, do they have even CLOSE to the type of money to throw around that the “bad guys” do? Highly doubtful, bordering on ZERO chance of that.

All of which leads us back yet again to our broken system — one in which Dominion Power has given $8 million since 2000 to both Democrats (including thousands to 8th CD Democratic candidates like Don Beyer,  Charniele Herring, Adam Ebbin, and Alfonso Lopez) and Republicans – and the desperate need to change it. But good luck doing that when you’ve got people like Bill “ALEC” Howell and Dick “We don’t need no stinkin’ ethics law!” Saslaw in charge.

In sum, will this system change? Unlikely. Does this system need to change? “Absolutely!”

Earlier this afternoon, we were alerted to video of 8th CD Democratic candidate Lavern Chatman attending North Carolina (Republican) Governor-elect Pat McCrory’s Inaugural Ball on January 17, 2013. On the video, Chatman says the following:

I think Pat McCrory has shown that {when} he was Mayor of Charlotte that he is about the people. He wants to make this a better South. He wants to make this a better state.

If only any of that were the case. In fact, McCrory has been an unmitigated disaster as Governor of North Carolina. Among other things, McCrory has signed draconian voter suppression legislation into effect, and generally helped send North Carolina lurching backwards from where it was before he took office in a wide variety of areas: civil rights, the environment (e.g., see NRDC’s documentation on McCrory’s ties to Duke Energy, now infamous for its coal ash pollution of the Dan River), you name it.

For instance, McCrory signed legislation cutting unemployment benefits for North Carolinians in desperate need of them; refused to accept Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act, thus depriving hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians access to life-saving health care coverage; signed a law repealing the state’s Racial Justice Act of 2009 (yikes!); signed legislation requiring NC voters to present government-issued photo identification in order to vote, repealing same-day voter registration and limiting the number of days of early voting; signed legislation restricting women’s reproductive rights and access to women’s health clinics; etc, etc. In short, McCrory has been a disaster in every way – basically, what Ken Cuccinelli would have been if he’d been elected governor of Virginia. In fairness, McCrory seemed like a reasonable, moderate guy when he was Mayor of Charlotte, and it wasn’t totally clear in his 2012 campaign for Governor that he’d turn out as horrendously as he has. In fact, it could be argued that he pulled the wool over North Carolinians’ eyes, big time, in his 2012 campaign for Governor. For whatever reason(s), however, he’s turned into a nightmare…

The reaction to Gov. McCrory’s heinous policies by North Carolinians who have suffered because of them is highly revealing. On that front, I STRONGLY recommend the Story of America video series by filmmakers Annabel Park and Eric Byler on efforts by civil rights leaders and others to fight back, in part via the “Moral Monday” movement (“{Rev. William J. Barber II}, who is president of the North Carolina NAACP and a Disciples of Christ pastor, launched the 2013 demonstrations to protest legislators’ efforts to scale back unemployment benefits and decline Medicaid expansion through the new federal health law. Protesters also criticized voter ID laws, cuts to public schools and tax-reform proposals they said would reduce benefits for the poor.”). It’s an impressive counter-movement to the hard-right-wing turn North Carolina has experienced under Gov. Pat McCrory.

It should be noted that, in addition to speaking positive about McCrory at his Inaugural Ball, Lavern Chatman also donated to his campaign (both individually as well as jointly with her husband). As for the video of her speaking at the inaugural, she links to it from her YouTube channel to this day, which is hard to explain given McCrory’s horrible record since he was elected in November 2012 (I mean, I can understand reading McCrory incorrectly when he was running for Governor, but at this point it’s been obvious since early 2013 just how awful he is). Perhaps Chatman forgot the video was up there? Or perhaps she knew it was up there but didn’t feel the need to take it down? Got me.

Finally, I reached out to Chatman’s campaign for comment, and they responded almost immediately (for which I give them a great deal of credit), sending me the following statement:

I will put my record of being in the trenches supporting Democrats and progressive change up against anyone.

I have been one of President Obama’s strongest and most active supporters in Northern Virginia bundling over $150,000 for the President. Plus, I have raised money for community and nonprofit organizations that went to mentoring programs, to give health care to young girls and women, and to help at-risk kids.

Pat McCrory was a moderate mayor, but has now become a Tea Party governor. The Tea Party agenda that he has advanced is against everything that I stand for and would fight for in Congress.

P.S. A politically astute Democratic friend of mine suggested I add that while McCrory didn’t talk about his desire to suppress the vote,

he DID run for governor on a platform of corporate tax cuts (and tax cuts for the wealthy), fossil fuel deregulation, and fighting against the federal government’s regulation of healthcare. Ugh. In stark contrast, the Democratic candidate – Walter Dalton – was running on a platform of healthcare for all, environmental protection, and public education. In other words, this choice was an easy one: Dalton was infinitely better than McCrory, and one could see that during their campaign if one read their platforms at all.

It’s fascinating to watch Ed Gillespie try to argue that Romney’s remarks writing off 47% of Americans were totally innocuous. Of course, that’s completely absurd, but it’s the alternate-reality la-la land that right wingnuts like Ed Gillespie live in. As American Bridge, which produced this video, explains:

As Ed Gillespie prepares to campaign with Mitt Romney in New York City this evening, Virginia voters should take a look at Gillespie’s record as a surrogate for Romney’s losing presidential campaign in 2012. When Romney’s infamous “47 percent” comments came to light, disparaging millions of Americans like seniors who rely on Social Security and veterans who receive benefits from their service to the country, Ed Gillespie came to Romney’s defense. Gillespie backed up Romney’s comments when asked about it during an appearance on the Today Show, saying: “that’s political analysis, that’s not a governing philosophy.”

Of course, we know that it’s very much a “governing philosophy” – that of today’s Robber Baron Republican Party. Now, let’s just make sure we keep beating these guys.

Here are a few endorsements in the 8th CD Democratic race that I’ve received in the past 24 hours. Things are definitely starting to ratchet up, with just 2 1/2 months to go until June 10.

P.S. Other endorsements I’ve seen recently include former Vermont Governor Madeleine Kunin for Don Beyer, Oprah Winfrey for Lavern Chatman, and “Blue America PAC” for Patrick Hope. Any others?

MOMENTUM FOR EBBIN:

DEL. MARK SICKLES ENDORSES ADAM EBBIN FOR CONGRESS

Alexandria, Va. – Senator Adam Ebbin – a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District – today received the endorsement of Delegate Mark Sickles (D-Fairfax). Ebbin is seeking the Democratic nomination, which will be decided in the June 10th primary.

“I am proud to endorse my friend and colleague, Adam Ebbin, for Congress,” Sickles said. “Adam Ebbin has been one of my closest friends for over 20 years. For the last ten, I have had the good fortune to have a front row seat in Richmond to watch him produce results for Northern Virginia.  He is both a champion for the less fortunate among us, and for those not treated equally under the law.  In doing his good work, he employs a bipartisan approach whenever possible–the kind of approach we so desperately need in Washington DC today. Today, I enthusiastically encourage Democrats to join me in uniting behind his campaign.”

Sickles has represented the 43rd District in the House of Delegates since 2004 and serves as the Democratic House Minority Caucus Chair. During his tenure, Sickles has championed economic development, biotechnology, and transportation.

“I am honored to be endorsed by Delegate Sickles,” said Ebbin. “Mark is a great friend, a principled leader, and most importantly, an excellent representative for Northern Virginia. His endorsement adds to the momentum boosting our campaign. It is clear that Northern Virginians want a proven progressive champion to advocate for them in Washington. I am humbled that Mark believes I am the candidate best fit to serve as their voice.”

Charniele Herring Announces Three Major Women’s Groups Endorse in Campaign for VA-8

Alexandria, VA-Delegate Charniele Herring announced three major endorsements today in her campaign for the 8th Congressional District of Virginia, the seat being vacated by Congressman Jim Moran.  She has been endorsed by the PACs of the National Organization for Women, Feminist Majority, and the Women’s Campaign Fund.

Charniele Herring said, “I am honored to have the support of organizations that are on the ground working to make the world a better place for women and families. Support of NOW, Feminist Majority, and the WCF– organizations aiming at giving women a voice and fighting for equality, reflect the kind of campaign I want to run, and the kind of legislator I strive to be. Together we will send a strong woman’s voice-and a proven fighter to Congress.”

“The national NOW/PAC is proud to endorse Charniele Herring for Congress in Virginia’s 8th Congressional District.  She is more than a supporter of women’s rights in the Virginia State legislature, she is a leader. She serves as the Democratic Whip and founded the “Pro Choice” Caucus when neither party would discuss or stand united behind reproductive justice for all women.  She exemplifies the values we fight for and that all Virginians deserve – equality and justice for all. Charniele Herring will be a United States congresswoman we can all be proud of.”

“Women’s Campaign Fund is incredibly proud to support Charniele Herring in her Congressional race,” said Clare Bresnahan, Political & Programs Director for WCF. “While in the Virginia House of Delegates, she was a passionate and effective advocate for women and their families and we know she will continue to support them in Congress. Unfortunately, Virginia continues to be a hot-bed for the latest assaults on women’s health. We need leaders like Charniele at the highest levels of government to stand up for all Virginia women and women across the country.”

Eleanor Smeal, President of Feminist Majority says, “Feminist Majority is proud to endorse Charniele Herring for Congress, she has been a champion for women’s rights and women’s heath in the Virginia General Assembly. She has not only been a fighter, but a leader in the fight for women’s reproductive health rights. She led the fight against Governor Bob McDonnell’s trans-vaginal ultrasound bill, and saved many women from much pain.”