Taking Back the Senate: It's More Than Just NoVA
By: Chris Guy
Published On: 5/8/2007 2:57:17 PM
Somebody pass the popcorn. Democrats here in the fighting 28th are in high spirits nowadays. Not only do we have the perfect nominee in place to turn this seat blue in fmr. Del. Albert Pollard, but the GOP "primary" taking place on May 19 is putting local Republican's internal strife on display for all to see. Conservatives have not only fixed things so that only Republicans are allowed to vote, but they have to sign some sort of loyalty agreement vowing to vote for the eventual nominee in November. 
Apparently Republicans would rather be in the minority than send back another John Chichester, one of the most respected legislators in the commonwealth's history. Jon Myers has received the endorsement of every major local GOP elected official. But Chichester and HoD Speaker Bill Howell have endorsed former Commonwealth's Attorney Richard Stuart (pictured) for the nomination.
Another GOP candidate in this race, Joe Graziano, called the Howell endorsement a "sickening betrayal" and called Stuart a "Chichester clone".
Along with former Stafford Co. GOP Chair John Van Hoy, that makes four Republican candidates in this race, but it's starting to look like a two-person fight between Stuart and Myers. Check out this testy little exchange between the two at a recent debate in Northumberland:
In his opening statement, Jon Myers said that he owned and used a 26 horsepower tractor on his home in Stafford. Myers had hardly resumed his seat when Richard Stuart of Westmoreland told him, "On the Northern Neck, we consider 26-horsepower tractors lawnmowers."
Another thing about Stuart that is sure to drive the Stafford GOP off the deep end is his stance on abortion. Though he says he is personally anti-choice, politically he votes the other way.
Oh, also, I'd like to personally thank Mr. Stuart for giving money to Albert Pollard and fmr. Gov. Mark Warner in the past. Gosh, first the GOP frontrunner for POTUS donates to Planned Parenthood, now this. Yes indeed. It's a great time to be a Democrat.
Comments
(Ghost of A.L. Philpott - 5/8/2007 4:03:10 PM)
Just because college football is life to me....
WAR AL POLLARD!!!!!!!!
That is all.
Not Just NOVA (samrasoul - 5/8/2007 10:31:06 PM)
We should not forget other parts of our commonwealth. If we do that now, then we will suffer in statewide elections.
I agree 100%. (Lowell - 5/8/2007 10:33:04 PM)
Every part of this state is as important as every other part. No man is an island, unto himself...and all that. :)
More than just NoVa (Matusleo - 5/9/2007 5:28:03 AM)
John Donne would be pleased with you. ;-)
While Northern Virginia certainly has our brightest most hopeful spots for the coming election, we need to remember Howard Dean's Fifty State strategy. We have to be competitive and running everywhere if we expect to win.
I was a part (a small part, but a part) of Mark Warner's team back in the 2001 race. While Mark only won Fairfax and Arlington counties in Northern Virginia, he really cleaned up downstate. I'm proud to say he won my home county of Montgomery too. Four years later, Tim Kaine's victory was greater in the north, but not as impressive down south. Ditto for Jim Webb.
I'm thrilled they all won, but we should not grow dependent on Northern Virginia to deliver the goods for us. We need to fight everywhere!
Matusleo
Ut Prosim
The "testy exchange" (zippy my pippy - 5/9/2007 9:06:11 PM)
You have taken the "testy exchange" between Myers and Stuart completely out of context. I was there and actually reported on it. Myers is an extremely affable and funny guy and it appeared that he knew it would get a chuckle to tell all the people out in farm-country that even though he was from Stafford, he owns and operates a tractor. The audience loved it. Mr. Stuart simply carried on the joke when he got up to speak. It was playful banter and both sides had a good laugh. Considering Myers' playful remarks, it would have signified a complete lack of civility had Mr. Stuart intended his remarks as spiteful or biting. I have seen them interact twice and they appear to like to make jokes at each other's "expense", although not in an attacking manner.
and another thing...... (zippy my pippy - 5/9/2007 9:08:25 PM)
The part you are leaving out, if I recall correctly from the debate, is that Myers came back at Stuart by asking him how many horsepower Stuart's tractor had (indicating that he knew it was unlikely that Mr. Stuart, a lawyer, owned a tractor). All in attendance had a good laugh about it.