Tag: 2011 races
Missing Village Idiot, Islamophobic Bigot(s) Off Virginia Ballot
ABC News reports, "A federal appeals court in Virginia today denied an emergency request by Rick Perry, Newt Gingrich and other Republican presidential hopefuls who failed to qualify for the Virginia primary to be placed on the ballot." What a shame to lose the Missing Village Idiot (Rick Perry, possibly THE stupidest person - and one of the nastiest, most extreme, etc. - ever to run for president in this country) and his fellow Islamophobic bigot (Newt Gingrich) from the Virginia Republican't primary ballot. If you can possibly stand it, the video of Newt demonstrating his ignorance and bigotry is on the "flip." I'd say "enjoy," but there's nothing enjoyable about any of this.
P.S. Newt's also doubling down on his borderline racist "food stamp president" comment.
John Edwards Has Earned Our Vote; Dave Nutter Hasn’t.

Edwards has waged a sometimes lonely battle to expand rail passenger transportation our way. He's made headway by funding connector transport to bring those of us without rail to rail lines. Now he's working to bring passenger trains here as well. He has worked to fund highway needs. He has worked tirelessly to fund education and keep both K-12 and higher education strong.
He's won numerous awards for his public service:
Jim Webb Rallies Loudoun Dems, Calls Out Republicans for Extreme Rhetoric
I've rarely if ever seen Jim Webb this angry, but I think it's totally appropriate given the outrageousness of Republicans' rhetoric in this campaign. Specifically, Webb is disgusted by a Loudoun County Republican Committee Halloween message that included an image of President Obama with a bullet hole in his head. Note that the chair of that committee, Mark Sell, has not resigned or apologized (other than a ridiculous, non-apology "apology") to this day. Nor have most Loudoun Republican politicians condemned Sell or demanded his resignation. That really says it all, wouldn't you say?
Montgomery County Democrats Rallied

Tim told of several instances of election history turning on narrow margins. Indeed several speakers had been in extremely close races. But none struck so saliently as the reminder that AG Kookinelli's Senate race before his AG race was won by a narrow margin. How different things might have looked...
Races decided by single digits, double digits, a hundred votes. That is why I know turnout, calling people, knocking on doors, talking about it at work or school, reminding people Tuesday is Election Day is so important
More (including more photos) below the fold...
Bizarre, “Disrespectful” Mailer Hits Mailboxes in the 32nd Senate District Race

P.S. I just spoke with Janet Howell's campaign manager, and he said they not only have absolutely no knowledge of who sent this mailer or where it comes from, they also find it to be "horrible" and "disrespectful." I couldn't agree more; there should no place in politics for this crap. Beyond that, it's just stupid. There are many reasons not to vote for Patrick Forrest, but this mailer lists none of them (e.g., I'm very glad he's been a strong Democrat until recently, hope he returns to the fold after his crushing loss to Janet Howell on Tuesday).
Comstock’s Resolution Honoring Bork Demonstrates She is Too Extreme for Northern...

Lately, Barbara Comstock has taken to declaring how she is focused on supposedly sensible, bipartisan solutions for Northern Virginia, a strange posture for the woman who headed the RNC’s effort to destroy Vice President Al Gore’s reputation and was a close associate of the infamous Monica Goodling – of DOJ US Attorney scandal. For details on this part of Comstock's history, see here.
But as we already know, Barbara Comstock is anything but a moderate. For the gory details of her extreme voting record, see here.
Upon closer scrutiny, Comstock’s record gets even worse: She has identified herself as a dedicated admirer of Judge Robert Bork, one of the most extreme arch-conservative legal thinkers, whose views were so far out of the mainstream that his Supreme Court nomination was rejected by a 58-42 vote in the 1980s. Comstock was the chief patron of a bill in the House of Delegates, HR 67 honoring Judge Bork – despite his reputation. See here
What makes Bork so extreme that it calls her judgment into question? Based on articles at ThinkProgress and here, controversial stances Bork has taken include:
Jittery Jim LeMunyon Digs Into Dustbin of History on Eric Clingan

Look, I had some of the same questions about Clingan myself, but they were allayed by two things: 1) Clingan was recruited by Del. Scott Surovell, a progressive champion if there ever was one; and 2) I had a long conversation with Clingan at the start of his campaign, during which we talked through his political journey and I came away impressed and unconcerned about decades-old writings in his college days. Heck, I'd better never run for anything, because I started off as a Teenage Republican myself. But I guess that's politics for you, especially when you've got an incumbent who will do anything to hold onto power.
Anyway, check out Clingan's mailer, here and on the "flip," which explains why he moved from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party. Basically, it comes down to his party leaving him (off the right-wing deep end) more than anything, sort of like what Jim Webb told me in December 2005 about why he made the same political journey himself. In the end, Webb hasn't been a super progressive, but he's been an infinitely better Senator than George Allen was/would have been, and he's done some great things as well (e.g., GI Bill of Rights, criminal justice reform, work on Far East policy).
It's the same thing with Eric Clingan -- he will be an infinitely better delegate than Tea Partier Jim LeMunyon, with his crazy "REPEAL" Amendment and funding from the "Middle Resolution PAC," etc. Plus, Clingan's a smart, sensible guy who will be a great addition to the House of Delegates. Go Eric!
Sharon Bulova, Janet Oleszek and Megan McLaughlin: A Great Combo for...

Any further questions? If so, there are two more images you should see on the "flip." :)
Jim LeMunyon Mad at Being Called Out for Extremist Tea Party...

P.S. Here's an excerpt:
- There are two political action committees (PACs) in Virginia affiliated with the Tea Party. Public records show that I have not received any donations from them;- An organization called Middle Resolution contributed to my 2009 campaign. Their donations (considerably less than the figure claimed by Mr. Clingan) have been a matter of public record for more than two years. Mr. Clingan calls them the "Tea Party" PAC. This is false. Middle Resolution is a group of private citizens in Virginia who are active in politics, but not affiliated with any organization. They did not "put me up" to introducing any legislation, but I was happy to have their support for H.J. 542 after it was introduced. I authored H.J. 542 at the request of House Speaker Bill Howell;
Culipher Chooses Cuccinelli Over Voters

His opponent Gerarda Culipher (R-Oakton) failed to show up for the parade, which is a long-time community tradition and the largest fall event in the Oakton/Vienna area. Instead, according to her website schedule, she was attending a Republican fundraiser featuring Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (R).
This is the second time in a week Culipher has skipped a 34th district event to raise money. Last Wednesday, October 19, she missed a Candidates' Forum at Robinson Secondary School - with hundreds of constituents in attendance -- to attend a fundraiser hosting Ed Gillespie, former Chairman of the Republican National Committee.
"Our focus is on meeting voters in the 34th Senate District and carrying a positive message all the way to Election Day." Ben Hodapp, Petersen's Campaign Manager said. "In Vienna, we are pleased to have the endorsement of the Mayor and five of the Council members. It was great to have so many student volunteers join our efforts."