Forgit has Wittman on the run? :) (Lowell - 12/9/2007 12:19:01 PM)
A nice boost for Phil as this paper's endorsement hits doorsteps a few days before the election:
Wittman's positions seem to come from a playbook. The issues list on his Web site and in his mailers is short, familiar and designed to motivate a national Republican voter: illegal immigration (first, send them back where they came from), gun rights (leave the Second Amendment alone), abortion (pro-life), the war (can't stay forever, can't leave too soon), taxes (make the Bush tax cuts permanent), the budget (balance it but not with taxes). Page one of that playbook probably says, "Play it safe, it's a Republican district." The electoral history (and the gerrymandering) agrees.Forgit seems genuinely thoughtful, wrestling with issues, sorting out the nuances. So he seems less packaged and more pragmatic, tending toward the middle. That's to be expected of a Democrat in a GOP-leaning district, but it also means his positions appeal to people looking for solutions, not blame. Something else genuine is his service in Iraq. He says we have to stay long enough for the Iraqis to stand on their own, but more as a "referee from the perimeter." That's not dramatically different from Wittman, but Forgit's service gives him extra credibility. Forgit is not beyond campaign clatter, though -- as when he knocks Wittman as a "career politician." Wittman's time as small-town mayor, county supervisor and state delegate might not make him ready for Congress, but it's far more public servant than "career politician."...
On balance ... Forgit represents momentum toward the pragmatic middle, and toward solutions, which is where Congress needs to go. We'd caution him to resist replacing borrow-and-spend with tax-and-spend, however, and trust that the conservative bent of the district would temper any inclination toward a "typically Democratic" agenda.
Help Phil keep this mo going -- check out these GOTV events in the district or visit Barack Obama's phone banking page for Phil.
Non-Partisan Veterans and Military Families for Progress Endorses ForgitSpecial Election is December 11
December 9, 2007
Washington, D.C.: The Veterans and Military Families for Progress organization (www.vmfp.org) -- which is dedicated to ensuring that the rights and needs of veterans, active-duty service members, and their families are understood by the American public, endorsed by our elected officials, and protected by legislation, regulation and public policy initiatives -- proudly and enthusiastically endorses Phillip Forgit in the upcoming 2007 special election.
Forgit's service to our country cannot be questioned. A veteran of the Iraq war and a recipient of the Bronze Star, Forgit shares the values of our military forces. His strong commitment to the issues that are critical to veterans, active serving members and their families is unsurpassed. His public support for mandatory full funding of the Veterans Administration and his declared determination to fight for Concurrent Receipt of Pension and Disability give veterans and their families hope that he will vote in such a way as to keep faith with those who have served and sacrificed joining other legislators VMFP has endorsed.
Forgit's decision to push for the passage of a 21st Century GI Bill, and his deep understanding of the need for providing and guaranteeing full Health Coverage for National Guard and Reserve personnel, demonstrate that he is a candidate who has the character and courage to do what is right for the defenders of America's freedom. We feel veterans, active duty, military families, and in fact, all people of Virginia will be well-served with Forgit as their representative by ensuring America remains strong in national defense and in fighting terrorism.
Veterans and Military Families for Progress is a 501(c)(4) non-partisan, not-for-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. It is a 21st Century organization made up of members from across the country, and from across the breadth of rank and military services, who served, are serving, or are members of families of those who have heeded the call to serve their country in the U.S. military.
Their justification seems to be Wittman's political experience. I wasn't aware being mayor of Montross, population 315, being on the Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, population 16,718, and a whopping two years in the House of Delegates was considered relevant experience.