Thelma Drake ducks the media

By: Rob
Published On: 2/23/2006 2:00:00 AM

Perhaps she was busy taking naps during BRAC hearings or picking out spots off the Virginia coast for oil rigs, but I thought this was interesting:

Thursday night at 8, the public can weigh in on the process during "After BRAC: What Now for Fort Monroe?" at the American Theatre in Hampton. Sponsored by the WHRO Center for Regional Citizenship and the Daily Press, the one-hour program will be aired live on WHRO-TV, WHRV 89.5 FM and the Web site WHRO.org.

"We're trying to energize citizens into thoughtful conversation about this important piece of property," said Karla Martin, who will produce the program. "We know that there are questions about the environmental and economic aspects of it."

Questions can be pitched from the floor at the theater or through the Web site.

Answers will come during the second half of the program, after a half-hour introduction that includes an overview and comments from invited guests.

Scheduled to be on the panel are Hampton Mayor Ross Kearney; Hampton City Councilman Charles Sapp; Bob Harper, chairman of the Federal Area Development Authority; Brian DeProfio, assistant to the city manager of Hampton; Daily Press reporter Kimball Payne, who covers Hampton; local resident Steve Corneliussen; John Munick of Drucker and Falk, which is doing a renovation of the Chamberlin Hotel on the post; Joe Bouchard, with the Center for Homeland Security and Defense; and Jay Sweat, project manager for the secretary of defense, who assists communities that are impacted by BRAC.

Cathy Lewis of WHRO will moderate the forum.

"We tried to get (U.S. Rep.) Thelma Drake (R-Norfolk), but she turned us down," said Martin. "We even offered to pre-record a segment with her."

Well, why should she worry about this issue?  It's not like Fort Monroe is in her district ... oh wait, it is.

Comments



Brandon: No matte (DanG - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
Brandon:

No matter how new he is to the party, if he happens to be the nominee, he'll get everything the state has to offer.



Some responses: 1 (Rob - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
Some responses:

1.  Warner could easily do one event to equalize the event he did for Miller, and still proclaim that he hasn't endorsed either candidate.  It wouldn't hurt him in the long run any more than just helping Miller (as he's doing now) would.  Nevertheless, I don't think it's that big a deal - certainly a minor point in my overall article.

2.  Libertas - I didn't say anything about Warner "hurting veterans."  I use the phrase "turning his back on veterans" to characterize your comments because I think that's the implication of your post.  Feel free to clarify. 

3.  If he were an opportunist cretin, the easiest way out (and smartest political move) for such a man would be to back off on his word to Miller to do an event with him.



Libertas: You wro (Bill Felmlee - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
Libertas:

You wrote:  "It’s easy to like the myth that surrounds the man." 

Funny you should state that, considering what some Webb fanatics are writing about before he (Webb) has even made one public appearance as a 'Democratic' candidate.

And you also wrote: "No one has addressed why Mame Reilly tried to get Webb out of the race."

Do you have concrete proof of this?  Simply tossing her name into this debate without proof is tasteless. 

If you cannot prove this accusation, then you are shameless for name-dropping Mame. 

 



I agree with the com (VirginiaBelle - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
I agree with the comment above. The challenge for all newbies to politics is proving their mettle. If Warner campaigns for Webb, he'll have a hella time shutting up the naysayers even after the april filings.


"He (Warner) should (Brandon O'Connor - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
"He (Warner) should be encouraged to even the playing field by doing an event for Webb as well."

I appreciate your post, and your logic.  However, your above rationale is off.  Warner should not be encouraged to hold a fundraising event for Webb. 

Why?  The fact that Webb just became a democrat and has not even started campaigning should warrant a "hands-off" approach from Warner.  You should not blame Warner for this--whouldn't you want to wait and see how Webb performs on stage before lending a hand?

It would be different if Webb campaigned for Kerry in 2004 (or even Kaine in 2005).  Fact is that Webb has no established public ties within the state democratic party.

My bet remains that Webb is way to new as a democrat to solicit the support and resources of the state democratic party in order to defeat Allen--particularly since he just endorsed Allen during the last election.

Which brings another point to mind:  What was Mark Warner doing in 2000?  I bet he was actively helping Chuch Robb, as were many of us.  2000 was not so long ago.

 



Thelma dodged the me (DanG - 4/4/2006 11:32:58 PM)
Thelma dodged the media in 2004 and got elected.  Why should she change now?

Well, maybe becuase James Webb will weaken Allen's coattails, Phil Kellam is a very tough contender, her district recently voted for Tim Kaine by 3%, and Republicans aren't as popular as they used to be.  Make way for Congressman Kellam!