Every week that goes by, it seems that more "safe" Republican Congressional Districts move into "less-than-safe" territory. In Virginia, however, there is only one race that has been considered a tossup for a while now. I'm talking, of course, about the contest between Phil Kellam (D) and Thelma Drake (R) in the 2nd CD. With the fundraiser for Drake the other day by President Bush, that race is definitely starting to heat up. Today's Daily Press has an opinion piece on Thelma Drake skipping out on the man she supports 97% of the time in Congress:
What is it...about Hampton Roads and President Bush. He flies in for a visit and Republican politicians scatter to the winds.Last October, only two weeks out from the fall general election, the president dropped down and Jerry Kilgore, the GOP candidate for governor, sent his regrets. Sorry, prez, but real busy right now.
[...]
Now Drake, the incumbent 2nd District representative, must endure accusations of Bush-o-phobia after opting to be a no-show at a presidential appearance in Virginia Beach designed expressly to raise money for her. Bush's numbers, of course, are even lower now than they were last fall.
Of course, Drake claimed that she was needed in Washington for a critically important vote on "military spending and veterans' health care." Yes, Drake's vote was critical alright; the bill "only" passed by a 395-0 margin. Ha.
So let me get this straight. Thelma Drake agrees with Bush 97% of the time, but she doesn't want to be seen with him when he comes to her home town? Can we say "fair weather friend?" Amazing.
Meanwhile, Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue Phil Kellam is running hard, and has a damn good chance of defeating Drake-Bush. He's got the name recognition, he's got the right common-sense, practical, "get things done" credentials for that district.
The only other thing Kellam needs to beat Drake-Bush is MONEY. Lots of it. To date, Bush and Vice President Cheney have raised $700,000 for Thelma Drake. Obviously, they're concerned about losing this seat, which the Hotline recently called "a bellwether for Dem mid-term fortunes."
But for Kellam to raise that money, he'll need all of our assistance. So please help Kellam out by clicking here and giving generously. Let's give Kellam what he needs to let people know what a godawful job Thelma Drake has done the past two years "representing" the 2nd. And let's send Bush, Cheney, and the rest of the DeLay Republicans in Washington a clear message this November - we're mad as hell and we're not going to take it anymore!