RK Endorsement Decision: Morris Meyer or Rex Simmons?
By: Lowell
Published On: 5/5/2007 12:37:02 PM
Well, the results are in, and it's a unanimous verdict (6-0)...for Morris Meyer over Rex Simmons. The vote broke down as follows: 5-0 internally, plus a close community vote (72-65) in favor of Meyer, with 9 voting for "no endorsement". The end result is this: Raising Kaine is endorsing Morris Meyer for the Democratic party nomination in the 40th House of Delegates District!
A few comments on this decision by RK. First, this is not a vote against Rex Simmons. To the contrary, we were very impressed with Simmons overall, but in the end we came down unanimously in favor of Morris Meyer.
Second, to the extent that Simmons lost the internal RK vote, it was a result of his answers to a few questions we care strongly about - offshore drilling (which we strongly oppose), the Tysons aerial option (ditto), and widening of I-66 inside the Beltway (ditto). Rex is a good man, but we simply disagree on those issues.
Fourth, as far as Morris Meyer is concerned, we very much liked his attitude as summed up in the following statement: "I am a progressive and I believe that the time has come for progressive public policy towards transportation, energy, health care and the environment to counter the radical Republicans in Richmond." Personally, I loved everything Morris had to say here - "fighting for the dignity of working Virginians," "developing sustainable green energy technology to fuel our future," etc. All in all, Morris Meyer would be a great Delegate, and a HUGE improvement over Republican incumbent Delegate Tim Hugo and his abysmal voting record.
Finally, just a note about the RK community on this. I thought the discussion on Rex vs. Morris was very impressive and civil. It's a great testatment to the quality of the RK community, and I personally thank everyone who participated.
So, what does this mean practically speaking?
1) We have added Morris Meyer to our ActBlue/RK fundraising page.
2) We will announce this endorsement with an e-mail to the RK list (over 450 people).
3) We will provide Morris Meyer with RK front-page coverage of his events and other news.
4) Finally, there's the snazzy logo that Morris Meyer can add to his web page, literature, etc. if he'd like.
We plan to announce the next race where we are considering making an endorsement on Monday. Thanks to everyone for participating in the Meyer-Simmons contest, and congratulations to Morris Meyer on the unanimous endorsement of the RK community!
Comments
A community conversation (MorrisMeyer - 5/5/2007 8:43:22 PM)
I once read from a Baghdad blogger "every person you listen to requires a brand new heart" and it so closely describes walking the doors here in Virginia.
Today I ran into Centerville community activist Marvin Powell at his home in the Green Trails precint in the rain. The clipboard, umbrella, pen and stack of lit balance is tricky but what we talked about was important.
We talked about connected communities - where neighbors know each other, where that has gone (see "Bowling Alone") and how we can bring that back.
I heard about today's endorsement and I am honored to be endorsed by our progressive community.
I believe that our country was founded to "create a more perfect union" and our progress has come from moving beyond social and economic inertia to a more fair society.
Paul Wellstone once said that to create a more progressive agenda we first have to get elected.
To that, I'll just say....
Thank You!
Morris Meyer
Democratic Candidate - 40th District
morris@morrismeyer.com
