I don't always agreee with Mark Plotkin, but he nailed this one

By: Barbara
Published On: 10/2/2007 9:06:41 PM

My question on his WP Chat today, and his answer:

Woodbridge, Va.: What are your takes on the Barker/O'Brien and Devolittes-Davis/Peterson races?

Mark Plotkin: I don't know much about the Barker/O'Brien race but I do know that Devolittes (the wife of Tom Davis) is running scared and does not put her party affiliation anywhere on her campaign literature. Chap Peterson thinks this is a winnable race in the District that is changing demographically. The Dems definitely have targeted Devolittes and Tom Davis' doing everything he can to get his wife re-elected. Some are viewing this race as an indicator of his popularity for the U.S. Senate but his fate will be determined on October 13th when the Republican Central Committee decides whether they will have a convention or a primary. A convention favors Gilmore, a primary favors Davis and I think if they go the convention route, Davis wont even attempt a challenge at Gilmore. The same might be very true in reverse. Devolittes is attempting to raise a million dollars for a State Senate Seat that pays $19,000. Unbelievable.


Comments



At one level, Mr. Plotkin is being disingenuous... (Bwana - 10/3/2007 8:44:03 PM)
...and that point is the matter of putting party affiliation on capaign material.

I don't get campaign literature from all candidates in Fairfax County, but I do see signs for almost all of them...and of them all the only ones I have seen that included their party affiliation on their posters are Ken Cuccinelli and Janet Oleszek.  In fact, the last Chap Petersen poster I saw did not say Democrat on it, nor any other candidate the Democrats have put forward.

A quick run of the websites shows that JMDD does not say GOP, and Chap! does say Democrat.  But of Gerry Connolly, Gary Baise, George Barker, and Jay O'Brien-none of them mentions party affiliation in the first pages of their website.  In fact, Mr. Barker has a list of all those who have endorsed him and for none of the democratic office holders does he mention party affiliation.

My point is that unless a candidate is in a slam dunk area for one party affiliation or another, it has become common practice not to mention it.  I think Ken, Janet, and Chap! are to be congratulated for being up front about it, but given that it is such a common practice I think if Plotkin is going to slam one person for not listing the affiliation then he should point out this practice is not as nefarious as he makes it seem.

Now on raising $1,000,000?  Take you shots...



Good Point... (Barbara - 10/3/2007 10:40:39 PM)
...but, in this case, given her husband's affiliation, it's pretty laughable.  I attended a town hall meeting Tom Davis held this Spring where he proudly spoke of his wife's strong support for 'family values', including her support of the so-called Marriage Amendment.  Did you see the Post article today on these two candidates courting the gay community?  She is the ultimate hypocrite.  Maybe Tom won't be able to buy her a seat this time.