What about that Green Beret woman, Kate Wilder, the one who defended Jim Webb against the "women can't fight" charges?  I heard she was thinking of running.  What happened to her?

Great idea - she was amazing during the Webb campaign.  Is she really thinking about running?

reluctant although definitely interested at some point. The question is, how do we convince her that she's not only qualified, but that THIS is her year to take on Dave Albo?

Same way you convinced Jim Webb to run.  Let's draft Kate!!

Anyone else have any ideas on this possibility?

Kate is an amazing woman.  I would love to see her run and have told her so.  She thinks she needs more seasoning of some sort, but I think she'd be fantastic.  If there is any way Kate would run, I think every Democrat who knows here would be grateful and energized to support her.  An once more folks knew her they'd love her just as much.

One thing is for sure, if Kate decides to take something like this on, she will go full throttle and give it her all!

I would LOVE to have someone right here in my own backyard that I could help to defeat Dave "Immigrants Are Evil" Albo!!

1) there seems a hesitation on her part to run in an offyear election because the Dems turnout tends to be lower.  But we should note that such did not prevent Jim Webb from winning a US Senate race, nor Dems across the Country doing very well -  such as the House and the Senate and several legislative bodies at state levels

2) Given the lack of top of ballot statewide races, it is far easier to focus attention on individual GA races

3) Jim Webb is committed to helping the party statewide.  In this cycle he can focus on GA races, whereas in 2 years the focus will inevitably be towards statewide races.  Think of the benefit of a fundraiser done by Jim.

4)  Because of the lack of other races (3 other states have legislative, two of them governors) it becomes possible to turn to the national netroots (eg:  dailykos) as a source of support, financial and manpower.

5) Virginia Republican party is reeling right now.  The moderates (Chichester and Potts) are disappearing - it is a real opportunity to reach out to independents and moderate Republicans about the chance of making a real difference in this state.

I cannot think of a better time to take on Albo.

...they're all very true.  So how do we convince Kate that this is her year?

I bet he'd make Kate's campaign a TOP priority.

Albo has become so out of touch with his district it's incredible and he has continued to run his mouth as if he could never lose.  That quote about the developers and having to actually listen to your voters was incredible. 

I think Kate's lived in Springfield since the 80's.  She's got a good political instincts. 

She's also a fighter.  Given that she's a green beret, she'd probably be the only legislator who knows how to kill a person with her bear hands! 

We need some people that will stand up fight for Democratic values in Richmond.  Albo Must Go!

would be happy to help Kate hone her policy positions and generally "bone up" on all the eye-glazing details we know and love. :)

One of the daunting prospects when considering running is the exhausting scheduling prescribed by the professional campaign managers who inevitably take over the campaign.  They want candidates to knock on doors, stand at the Metro, etc. and etc.

If I were Kate, and this is what is making her hesitate, I'd say to the local Dem organization -- "I'll run on my terms."  And those terms would be to focus energy on addressing groups, meeting with editors, using the internet to communicate, and essentially living one's own life rather than having it consumed by a campaign.

I feel that traditional campaigns using the "high energy all the time" method are not effective other than in a marginal sense.

And probably just having a name on the ballot is going to start you off with 40%.

Ummmm, choosing to run for office is a life-altering decision.  It's not like you can still sit at home and watch American Idol, for goodness' sake.

...and I'm sure would put whatever she could into this campaign.  Every candidate's different, obviously, and also keep in mind that Kate would have the Webb "ragtag army" rallying behind her candidacy.  If that happens, watch out Dave Albo!

that Greg Werkheiser is not planning to run?

n/t

Kate will have a built in Volunteer campaign staff with the strong Democractic committess that support this district.

Mount Vernon District especially is building strong activist and volunteer base that will quickly match Arlingtons.  In addition alot of our energy can be focused on this district because we did alot (Chris Ambrose) work on building it with Greg's campaign.)

Kate is part of our family and she has been getting lots of pressure and support.  Lets make the support County and District wide.

is educate voters about Albo, and he's done. It really is that simple.

Lets make some kate for the 42nd! signs for tonights GC Pattie's day party

I'll be there and will take pictures for the blogs.  Thanks!

On the signs we can send them to Raising Kaine site to register on the petition

...if that's what people want.

a true draft campaign - then we need someplace to send the people.

Also I did a brief sign for tonight - but wanted to make sure if I put www.raisingkaine.com on it that that would be ok...

Please sign the petition here.  And spread the word.  Thanks!

I wasn't going to go to Gerry's party because I needed a night off from everything, but NOW, maybe I need to go and help you with the Draft Kate signs!!!

Great idea to have signs for Kate at Gerry's party.

I don't know about a campaign manager per se, but I'd bet Larry Byrne would help as her as he did for Jim.
And he certainly knows Kate well enough to fully understand and accept what she wants to do and what she wants her Army of volunteers to do for her. Kate certainly knows that we can build her army very quickly and make it grow at least as fast as we did for Jim.

I believe that a big advantage of having Larry as her advisor is that he can teach her what she needs to know about running for office, as well as helping her with positions and what should go in the lit. we will hand out for her. Larry's training alone should relieve any concerns she may have about being a new candidate. Jim Webb knew he needed help and Kate watched him learn and grow; once she thinks about that she will understand that the same will happen for her.

I think the bottom line is that the combination of Larry helping and the realization that she really will have a powerful and large army behind her should be more than enough to give her all the confidence she needs to accept the draft. Per the earlier post, she has to know that fundraising should be no problem for her; and by the time of the 19 May Central Committee in Va. Beach Kate should already have enough money in the bank to gain even more fundraising support.

Do you think Kate might be interested in attending the Mojo-Brigades mtg. next Monday ? Recognizing that we have a full agenda, we could still discuss her candidacy with her during the social part. After she realizes at Gerry's party the extent of support she already has and will have, and then sees this again at Mojo Monday, it's hard for me to believe that she wouldn't accept the draft.

Let's get this draft going ASAP.

  Tom Counts

Honored to be a Jim Webb and Kate Wilder Democrat

She would easily join the top tier races in Virginia that we would all be fighting for.

Every Webb volunteer in the District will know precisely the what's at stake, what needs to be done and how to do it.  Kate is the kind of standard bearer we can all rally around, and we'll make sure the rallies are filled with volunteers!!!

I roll out of bed this morhing and you guys have gone and drafted a candidate!

Excellent work.  Kate is great!  She takes no prisoners.