RK ARCHIVE - It's Debatable

At the University of Mary Washington, in an event sponsored by the Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, House candidates took on a lot of questions regarding Transportation. Carlos Del Toro blamed the "huge failure in leadership" in Richmond.
One person who attended the event called Del Toro urgent but not angry which, if you know Carlos, is spot on. His opponent Del. Mark Cole (R-88) was really grasping for straws. The man voted for transporation reform, but then voted against HB3202. Cole called Del Toro a flip-flopper, and I'm still trying to figure out why.

Clyde Matthews, running against Howell in the 28th, accused folks in Richmond of essentially "passing the buck" from state to local authorities. When asked about a NOVA style plan all in attendence said, no thanks. Well almost everyone. Independent Green candidate Craig Ennis said he needed more time to assess before making a decision. Is it just me or is every third party candidate just an Independent for the sake of being Independent?

From Craig Ennis' website (emphasis mine):"If you want a placement Candidate someone who is just in this to have the opposing veiw of the Demacrats vote Clyde Matthews."

Fredericksburg Regional Chamber of Commerce's Military Affairs Committee hosted Senate candidates in their own forum. Albert Pollard's pretty much a machine when you see him speak in person. "Perfect is the enemy of good" sums up his approach as a legislator. He knows you get nothing done without compromise. Albert wants to allow the VDOT to at least start work on the roads, even if it doesn't completely solve the problems.

Also, congratulations to the Free Lance-Star for running an actual picture of Albert Pollard this time, and not the headshot of a convicted spy giving an interview from prison. Babysteps FLS. Babysteps.

Comments

Carlos Del Toro (spotsylvania - 9/15/2007 12:40:06 PM)

Exactly. Urgent, not angry. The difference in passion between Carlos Del Toro and his opponent was all too evident. Cole dismissed it, joking he was a graduate of the "Bob Newhart School of Public Speaking". But it was also evident there's a real substantive difference. Cole claims credit for new transportation funding while he was one of only 15 delegates to vote against HB3202. Speaker Bill Howell, sitting far away at the other end of the table, did well not to roll his eyes. In my opinion, Carlos was the star of the evening. He proposed local medical facilities so disabled war veterans won't have to sit in I95 traffic for hours to get treatment in DC. He called for I95 HOV extensions to south of Massaponax and responsible investment in other transportation alternatives. And he enthusiastically supports funding for the UMW graduate school in Dahlgren, noting it will attract DoD education investment as well. It was crystal clear that Carlos Del Toro will be a dramatic improvement.

Is Howell in any trouble? (Teddy - 9/15/2007 12:50:42 PM)

When he made his coded remark about newcomers not having Virginia values, I could not discern whether he was speaking to his personal base of oldtimers or grasping at straws and inadvertantly insulting any new voters in his district. How did he play in the debate? It would be nice to give him a run for the money after the outrageous way he stone-walled Kaine.

Howell (spotsylvania - 9/17/2007 4:49:47 PM)

No, I didn't hear anything to indicate he'll have trouble. The questions were all related to military installations and dollars. No reference at all to immigration that I remember. Howell got the biggest laugh with: "Being speaker is like managing a cemetery. You're above everybody but no one listens to you."