One of Not Larry Sabato's recent headlines reads:Could Carlos Del Toro Cost Democrats the Senate?
The short answer is "no." To the contrary, Albert Pollard and Carlos Del Toro are working together to turn the entire General Assembly, not just the Senate, blue. The argument that running a strong candidate is a bad thing because it might drive up the other side's turnout is simply too clever by half. Instead, spreading the playing field is a good thing; make the Republicans fight for every seat and spread the Democratic message.
Besides that, the argument that Carlos Del Toro has no chance of defeating Cole is simply without merit. In contrast, as I've said before and will say again: Mark Cole has NEVER gone up against anyone like Carlos del Toro. And Albert Pollard, who knows a little something about getting elected in red House districts, is working with the Del Toro campaign for total victory in November.
I've heard a similar argument to this one thrown around before from local Republicans grasping at straws for ways to criticize someone with the bi-partisan appeal of Albert Pollard. And you knew it was going to be an interesting campaign back when Richard Stuart proclaimed in an open letter in the Northern Neck News:
I give you my word as a Virginia Gentleman that I will not participate in any negativity and will not condone any on my behalf.Not that it's stopped the Stafford GOP from sophomoric name-calling, or from Stuart himself calling Pollard quote "as liberal as they come." (even after the Republican-endorsing Free Lance Star said of Pollard, "he's no liberal" and called him "a conservative Democrat.") It will be interesting to hear what people have to say this November, after Albert Pollard becomes Senator-elect Pollard, and Carlos del Toro prepares to join the House of Delegates.
Let's put an end to this wacky notion and set the record straight:The Pollard-Del Toro ticket is by far the-most synergistic of Stafford County political partnerships, Democratic or Republican...PERIOD!
But, waddya expect from the other side? THEY'RE 'FRADY SCARED!
If they wish to posit such craziness, let them. It helps our phenomenal ticket!