So many great Democrats, so little time. In an attempt to cover the broad array of brilliant Democrats striving to represent Progressive Principles in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Raising Kaine offers "Three for Thursday." Every Thursday we will ask three questions of the candidates, office holders, activists and volunteers striving to put Responsible Government to work for all Virginians.
Three for Thursday: Phil Kellam
The Virginia blogosphere spends an awful lot of time focusing on the happenings in Northern Virginia; so much so, in fact, that very frequently happenings in other parts of the state become forgotten. Well, the blogosphere is about to catch up quickly. Down in the Second District, a giant of a race is about to begin. While we seem to be caught up with the increasingly Democratic Northern Virginia, we forget that The Second District went for Tim Kaine by 3% in the recent Gubernatorial Elections. This is the same area that when Mark Warner lost by 5% in 2001 it was considered a "moral victory" at the time
Yes, my friends, we can compete in the Second District, make no mistake. Why? Well, there are many reasons. But the most important for this year is the candidacy of Commissioner of Revenue Phil Kellam.
With David Ashe now working for the Kaine Administration, Kellam is unopposed for the Democratic Nomination. This fall, he will take on Thelma Drake, Virginia+óGé¼Gäós most Conservative Representative, and one of Bush+óGé¼Gäós most loyal Congressional allies. How loyal to the President is Thelma? Well, she did hold a fundraiser with Dick Cheney only a few weeks after he shot a man in the face. If that+óGé¼Gäós not blind loyalty, I don+óGé¼Gäót know what is.
I+óGé¼Gäóll begin by saying that, as a member of the Second, I+óGé¼Gäóve always liked Phil Kellam. He+óGé¼Gäós always seemed to me to be a +óGé¼+ôsensible government+óGé¼-¥ kind of Democrat in the mold of Mark Warner. Back when I first heard that Kellam was considering a run, I immediately got excited. Then when he formally announced it, I knew that the Second District would be the Democrats+óGé¼Gäó best chance at taking out an incumbent Republican this year.
Mr. Kellam was kind enough to take time out of his busy campaign to answer a few questions for Raising Kaine.
Raising Kaine 1:Virginia Beach politics is, with few exceptions, a city dominated by Republicans (Delegates Wardrup and Iaquinto, Senator Stolle). Even so, you+óGé¼Gäóve found a way to remain active as Democrat. You won election to Virginia Beach+óGé¼Gäós commissioner of the Revenue in 1997, and you were re-elected in 2001 and 2005. Last year you were considered unbeatable for your office and ran unopposed. To what do you attribute your success as a Democrat in Virginia Beach politics?
At the risk of appearing over the top, I really believe that my success stems from faith, family, hard work, loyalty and trust. I have faith that my honest intentions and personal conviction have lasting effects; I have a family that is both supportive and inspiring; I have the opportunity to do what I love and work hard at it; I have had the good fortune to attract capable and committed people to work toward a shared success; and I+óGé¼Gäóve had the chance to gain and retain the trust of the people I+óGé¼Gäóve been elected to represent.Some byproducts of these elements are a smaller more productive staff and a smaller operating budget than when I was first elected commissioner eight years ago; simplified assessment and audit appeals for taxpayers highlighted by the first and only +óGé¼+ôdrive-thru+óGé¼-¥ personal property tax appeal program in Virginia; new, integrated services that save taxpayers time, like providing DMV Services in my office; and changing a culture of bureaucratic redundancy by ending the need and campaigning for the elimination of city stickers.
It simply comes down to never forgetting who pays the bills, listening to their concerns and working toward meeting their needs in an accountable, cost efficient and convenient way. That+óGé¼Gäós not a commitment to a Democratic or Republican ideal, it+óGé¼Gäós just a commitment to service using common sense.
Raising Kaine 2:Many people are interested in learning more about you and your plans for the Second District. Why do you want to run now? What can you do for the Second District that can+óGé¼Gäót be done by Thelma Drake? What experience do you have that qualifies you to serve in the United States Congress?
Unlike my opponent, I am a lifelong resident of the second district with family, friends and associates throughout the district in Norfolk, Hampton, Accomac and Northampton Counties and Virginia Beach.Unlike my opponent, I have been elected three times by a majority of the district+óGé¼Gäós voters.
Unlike my opponent, I have never been part of, or associated with, the petty partisan culture of retribution, ineptitude, corruption and waste in Richmond and Washington.
And unlike my opponent, I have never taken my cues from partisan bosses that fight to retain power for the short term rather than working together to find lasting solutions.
I want to go to Congress to change that reckless culture of spending with no true regard for it+óGé¼Gäós affect on taxpayers.
Raising Kaine 3: If you were elected to the House of Representatives, what issues would be the most important to you? Why, and what would you be able to do to help in those areas?
In short, issues related to security, stability and accountability are the most important we face as a nation today. I will discuss these subjects in detail and my proposals for addressing them after my formal announcement and the beginning of my campaign later this month. Please stay tuned.
Even though this campaign is just getting off the ground, I can already tell that Phil is the perfect candidate for the Second District. He+óGé¼Gäóll do us all proud serving in the United States House of Representatives. But first, we have to make sure he gets there. As Thelma hinted by her $200,000 fundraiser with Dick +óGé¼+ôDuck!+óGé¼-¥ Cheney, the only way she can beat Phil is if she can raise more money+óGé¼-ªmuch more money. Donate to Phil+óGé¼Gäós campaign here to help show Thelma that it+óGé¼Gäós going to take more than a few fundraisers with a very unpopular Vice-President to take Phil down. Also, be sure to visit Phil+óGé¼Gäós website at www.kellamforcongress.com and see what you can do to help.
Written and composed by Dan G.
Thank you for taking the time to share you thoughts. You'll do a great job for the second once you send Thelma Drake packin.
Just my opinion. I think the two compliment each other well.