DEEDS/CUCCINELLI TICKET????
The WaPo has a new story up covering a controversy breaking out between Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran. The topic is Jesse Ferguson of Brian's staff writing a terse letter to the Fairfax Police Union about them endorsing Creigh without interviewing Brian.
But as usual Tim Craig misses the big story here.
The Fairfax Police Union endorsed KEN CUCCINELLI in 2007. KEN CUCCINELLI. Why is Brian upset they endorsed Creigh???
And what the fuck is Creigh doing asking for their endorsement?
Instead of whining about the endorsement, Brian should be asking why Creigh's big move into Northern Virginia is with KEN CUCCINELLI SUPPORTERS.
Is Creigh supposed to be impressing me with groups looking at his record and looking at KEN CUCCINELLI'S record and endorsing both of them?
Sorry Creigh, I think the "Cuccinelli Democrats" that you are clearly targeting will be a little busy at the 2009 Republican convention to deliver you much of Northern Virginia in the Democratic primary. If this is your big strategy up here- try again.
David Poisson Doing Well in 2008
After the 2005 election when David Poisson defeated Dick Black I did a detailed analysis of his victory that showed an extraordinarily vulnerable Delegate. His vote totals had come in almost identical to the Kilgore-Kaine race precinct by precinct. Sure, Poisson had ousted the incumbent, but that had more to do with a district that voted for Mark Earley by 8 points over Mark Warner flipping to a district where Tim Kaine beat Jerry Kilgore by 6. Black ultra conservative record had always put his numbers very close with other GOP candidates- no crossover in either direction so Poisson was in the right place as the district finally flipped to being blue.
Apparently Poisson didn't get this memo of where his election came from as he paraded around Richmond in 2006 and 2007. He amassed the worst environmental record of any Northern Virginia Democrat- a 56% from the LCV in both 2006 and 2007. If you pushed random buttons without looking you would average a 50... so a 56 is the equivalent of the middle finger to green voters. In addition, Poisson voted for the abuser fees, one of the most tone deaf politically moves in recent Virginia history.
With this kind of weak first election, and tone deaf voting record in his first two years, I was stunned to see Poisson approach his re-election lightly in 2007. Sure enough, even with a near sweep by Loudoun Democrats on the Board of Supervisors, Poisson barely squeaked by an unknown challenger 53-47. In many precincts outside of Broad Run, Poisson finished with less votes than his ticket mates Mark Herring and local board candidates.
In my detailed analysis of the 2007 election and Poisson's record, I saw him not only weak in the general election but also in a potential Democratic primary against Andrea McGimsey.
So I have been shocked, and very pleased to see David Poisson totally turn around this ship in 2008.
His 56 score from the LCV for 2006 and 2007 turned into a 100 score this year, a great improvement.
In the transportation special session he handled the bills perfectly politically, casting one vote for more transportation money on the compromise Democratic plan, but not attaching his name to other tax increases proposed this year.
He also very smartly endorsed Judy Feder in the primary for Congress. Poisson's district is exploding in population growth, and the last thing Democrats needed was to start over with name ID with another new candidate. Everyone expects Mark Warner to do well here in 2008, but if Judy wins this district or comes close against the incumbent Frank Wolf, it will deter any top tier Republican candidate from challenging Poisson in 2009.
A few months ago, I would have predicted Poisson's demise in the 2009 election, but after the last few months of him smartening up, I think he may be around for quite some time and if he continues this turn around might even make himself into a serious player in Democratic politics.
Blogs In the News
Lowell and I are quoted on a story regarding Tim Kaine for VP on Sunday.
Meanwhile...
The Roanoke Times Editorial Board Rips Lowell.
What a bizarre editorial.
Good For You Kris Amundson and Ward Armstrong
I've been meaning to link to this for a couple of weeks.
"In debating a bill at the Rules Committee this morning, Del. R.
Steven Landes (R-Augusta) started to use the term "Democrat friends"
when he was quickly interrupted.
"Excuse me, did he say Democrat?'' House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) asked. "I believe it's Democratic."
Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) defended Landes. "Friends was the important word,'' he said.
"Actually grammar matters. Sorry, Mr. Speaker," Del. Kristen J. Amundson (D-Fairfax) said."
Calling us the "Democrat" party is one of the most annoying things possible. Doing it as a legislator in the Capitol when you are supposed to be representing all the people of your district is even worse.
If the only thing to come out of this special session is that Republic party members in the legislature stop doing this then this session was not a total failure.
What a 50/50 Presidential Race Would Look Like in Virginia
From Not Chuck Robb:
LOCALITY |
McCain |
Obama |
|
8,033 |
7,040 |
|
|
22,342 |
30,821 |
|
|
19,915 |
49,190 |
|
|
3,687 |
3,616 |
|
|
3,957 |
2,321 |
|
|
8,264 |
5,736 |
|
|
4,677 |
2,669 |
|
|
30,048 |
82,003 |
|
|
24,050 |
9,968 |
|
|
1,415 |
979 |
|
|
1,517 |
1,250 |
|
|
24,336 |
11,843 |
|
|
1,993 |
1,015 |
|
|
11,487 |
6,076 |
|
|
4,726 |
2,498 |
|
|
3,072 |
4,735 |
|
|
4,682 |
4,993 |
|
|
3,606 |
3,322 |
|
|
1,479 |
1,182 |
|
|
17,594 |
8,611 |
|
|
5,821 |
6,476 |
|
|
8,545 |
4,592 |
|
|
1,332 |
2,716 |
|
|
3,393 |
2,473 |
|
|
4,113 |
14,639 |
|
|
57,255 |
51,557 |
|
|
92,247 |
66,865 |
|
|
4,196 |
3,605 |
|
|
6,528 |
2,285 |
|
|
1,001 |
1,292 |
|
|
1,677 |
1,084 |
|
|
11,649 |
7,148 |
|
|
2,592 |
2,085 |
|
|
9,576 |
10,535 |
|
|
3,730 |
3,551 |
|
|
6,940 |
5,765 |
|
|
1,117 |
1,294 |
|
|
2,622 |
2,444 |
|
|
5,152 |
6,495 |
|
|
216,659 |
307,660 |
|
|
2,026 |
5,069 |
|
|
21,206 |
14,615 |
|
|
4,325 |
3,094 |
|
|
7,065 |
5,905 |
|
|
1,828 |
2,344 |
|
|
15,499 |
10,201 |
|
|
22,387 |
11,799 |
|
|
3,424 |
4,999 |
|
|
1,331 |
1,095 |
|
|
4,370 |
3,516 |
|
|
12,353 |
7,247 |
|
|
7,674 |
5,061 |
|
|
4,513 |
2,669 |
|
|
5,066 |
2,990 |
|
|
1,964 |
2,887 |
|
|
9,217 |
7,224 |
|
|
23,896 |
40,859 |
|
|
38,427 |
18,616 |
|
|
6,168 |
6,054 |
|
|
75,370 |
78,276 |
|
|
13,362 |
11,750 |
|
|
937 |
572 |
|
|
4,578 |
3,903 |
|
|
11,271 |
8,362 |
|
|
21,745 |
17,949 |
|
|
1,874 |
1,849 |
|
|
6,375 |
4,269 |
|
|
4,993 |
3,308 |
|
|
4,067 |
3,091 |
|
|
6,330 |
3,793 |
|
|
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