Curren/Bell to debate... sort of

Erik Curren and Dickie Bell will finally debate, although not before a live audience of voters as most of us probably anticipated. Sponsored by The News Leader and WHSV, the debate will air live on TV3 at 7PM on Tuesday, October 6 and will stream online at newsleader.com and whsv.com.

You may recall that Curren proposed, and Bell accepted, the concept of four debates with one in each of the jurisdictions within the 20th District. Since then Bell has adopted a strategy of weaving, bobbing, and delaying so there may not may never be debates that bring the candidates face to face with voters. So, the televised debate may be as good as it gets.

Over in the 25th District, Del. Steve Landes has inexcusably bailed out of the debate with Dr. Greg Marrow because of his "concerns of the (News Leader) editorial board not being fair and balanced...." Landes said he wanted a different moderator before the format and moderator were even discussed, according to Cindy Corell at The News Leader [emphasis added]. After getting thrashed by Marrow in a debate last week, Landes has apparently gone into hibernation mode.

With strong Democratic challengers for the first time in several election cycles, Valley Republicans don't quite seem to know how to proceed. Suddenly hollow records and bankrupt ideas are being challenged. It seems most Valley Repubs have adopted a strategy of keeping their mouths shut and laying low. If voters remain complacent, that strategy could work, but it could just as easily backfire in the last weeks of the campaign as people awake to the GOP evasion. Nobody likes candidates who hide from their own record, views, and voters. You are supposed to run for something, not from yourself.

Back in the 20th District we find Erik Curren proposing a well thought out plan to create jobs. Dickie Bell, as seems to be his mode of operation, was caught flatfooted and could only react to reporters' questions. Think we need more debates?

So let's see. In the 20th District we have a forward thinking candidate like Erik Curren who is putting ideas on the table OR we have Dickie Bell who is kicked back on his heels blindly reacting to Curren's proposals with generic talking points. What the hell do you expect, he didn't even think ahead enough to deal with his employment issues. And in the 25th, Del. Landes is hiding from Dr. Greg Marrow and the voters, apparently refusing more debates and blaming the media, his opponent... anybody but himself for his woes.

Election Day is but a month away. Tick Tock. The choices get clearer by the day.

Another empty chair?

The News Leader and TV3 were working on an early October debate between Dr. Greg Marrow and Del. Steve Landes. According to good sources, Landes has now bailed out of that commitment. Hard to have a good debate when one chair is empty.

Multiple choice quiz. Pick your favorite reason Del. Landes doesn't want to debate:

(a) feared another shellacking

(b) no good answer on the jobs issue

(c) doesn't have a new folder to hand Dr. Marrow

(d) he is still "POed"

(e) all of the above

Seems to be the Republican strategy in the 20th and 25th House districts - dodge debates and discussion of issues and hope voters in the Valley don't notice.

Marrow - Landes Debate

Steve Landes and Greg Marrow, candidates for the 25th House of Delegates, squared off in their first "debate" of the fall campaign at Kate Collins Middle School in Waynesboro at 6:00 PM on Thursday night. Given that it was during the dinner hour and it didn't get an abundance of publicity except perhaps in The News Virginian, turnout was fairly good but not great. It was a fairly typical debate format with questions posed by a moderator and none allowed from the audience. Nevertheless, at least those in attendance, and the rest of us through local media (NBC29, TV3, The News Virginian, The Daily News-Record, and The News Leader), got to see the two men side-by-side and compare their answers, their demeanor, and take the measure of each.

I won't dig into specific questions and answers, but like many, I left there with some impressions that may be instructive as voters make up their minds.

First, both campaigns were well represented by signs, and greeters, and by approximately the same number of folks sporting stickers (well, Marrow may have narrowly won this straw poll). I bet the campaigns, more than the news media, are responsible for getting people there. Usually incumbents have organizational advantages, except perhaps Del. Landes has lost the touch since he's frequently had little serious opposition. Apparently the campaigns have about an equal amount of energy and organization, which could keep this brawl competitive through Election Day.

Second, Dr. Greg Marrow more than held his own on knowledge about the issues against Del. Steve Landes, who has been in the House 13 years. Such is often not the case as incumbents have experiences and resources from which to draw. I imagine this comes across as Dr. Marrow goes door-to-door and meets voters.

Third, Del. Landes is usually a mild mannered person... some might even say nice, but kind of boring. At the debate's end, in response to jabs about jobs from Dr. Marrow, Del. Landes proclaimed he was "POed" about the jobs issue which Dr. Marrow has been pressing for several months. Flashing "anger," Landes blasted Marrow for not knowing his record and made a show of handing Marrow a binder with the Landes record and biography. Whew! Two things came to mind as I watched and listened: (a) Landes feels a bit uneasy on the jobs issue and is going to great pains to justify his past actions (inactions?); he's even moved ever so slightly to talking about green jobs, and (b) his angry response appeared canned and artificial - was he coached to show he has a little fire in his belly?

So, no knockout in this one (as in most debates). Many in the audience probably thought their guy was better on the specifics of the issues. But from my roost looking behind the campaign's facades, the Marrow folks have good reason to cheer. They have a smart candidate who is up to speed on the issues with an energetic organization to deliver his message. And they can take heart in the feeling that's been expressed by some neutral observers: Del. Landes' heart is not 100% in the campaign. Or in serving? Landes seemed to verify that he came to the debate angling to dispel that perception, telling the DNR afterwards, "I think I made it clear that I have a passion to serve...." Hum, if ya gotta say it...?

Links to media coverage are below. Always interesting to compare them!

NBC29

TV3

Daily News-Record

News Virginian

News Leader

The politics of fear and hate

Was this just over-the-top talk at a hyper-partisan picnic or does Del. Steve Landes really believe his own fear mongering words that help spread distrust and hate among neighbors?

"They're afraid because they're afraid their neighbors are going to tell on them. When you've got a White House that's keeping names of people that don't agree with them, that reminds me of what went on the Soviet Union and in Nazi Germany."

Politics and politicians can be better than this trash talk. Landes is being challenged by Greg Marrow for the 25th House of Delegates seat. It is time for positive leadership in the 25th - for a change.

Wagner Tour Expands

Just got word through the grapevine that Democratic Lt. Governor candidate Jody Wagner has expanded her July 16 tour in the central Shenandoah Valley to several other locations.

• At 8:00 am she'll have breakfast in Shenandoah along with House candidate Jon Lesinski at Shenandoah Grill, 418 N 5th Street, Shenandoah.
• At 10:00 am Jody will join House candidate Gene Hart at Old Dominion Coffee, 2 North Main Street, Harrisonburg
• At 11:45 am she will join candidate Dr. Greg Marrow for a meet and greet at Chickpeas, 415 W. Main Street in Waynesboro
• At 6:30 pm Jody host a meet and greet at Darjeeling Tea House, across from Trinity Church on W. Beverley St. in Staunton.

Blue Tide Risin' III

A few years back, Democratic candidates in the 6th District were few and far between. Changing demographics, the failures of the Bush presidency and right wing Republican policies, and the foolishness of Virginia Republicans led by Jeff Frederick, Morgan Griffith, Bill Howell, Chris Saxman, and Bob McDonnell have sprouted a bunch of good Democratic candidates. Wherever you live there is a great campaign to volunteer with or donate a few bucks to.

If you are satisfied with the same old, same old... sit on your hands. Otherwise, get out and work for the candidate in your area.

• 8th (Salem, Roanoke County): Ginny Weisz
• 11th (Roanoke City): Onzlee Ware (Incumbent)
• 15th (Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, Rappahannock): John Lesinski
• 17th (Roanoke County, Roanoke City): Gwen Mason
• 19th (Botetourt, Bedford): Lewis Medlin
• 20th (Augusta, Staunton, Rockingham, Highland): Erik Curren
• 23rd (Lynchburg): Shannon Valentine (Incumbent)
• 24th (Augusta, Rockbridge, Lexington, Buena Vista, Amherst): Jeff Price
• 25th (Augusta, Rockingham, Waynesboro, Albemarle): Greg Marrow
• 26th (Rockingham, Harrisonburg): Gene Hart

VOTE!

Tomorrow is primary day  in the Commonwealth. Virginia is a state with many traditions, but voting in a primary isn't one of them. Although it is an open primary - meaning anyone of any party affiliation or none at all can vote - turnout will probably be in single digits in most areas of the state. Not so good, but it does mean that every single vote is even more important. Which is why I voted early-absentee since I'll be returning home tomorrow and one delay could mean I'd be too late to vote.

So, get up with the chickens tomorrow and do your duty - VOTE. And while you are at it, vote for CCC's endorsed candidates:

Creigh Deeds for Governor. While I don't always agree with the News Leader, they have an excellent editorial endorsing Senator Deeds.

Jody Wagner for Lt. Governor.

Greg Marrow for District 25 House of Delegates.

To learn more about the CCC endorsements, check out the most recent posts.

Yep, tomorrow's primary will likely have pitiful turnout. Still, the primary will totally blow out of the barnyard the number of participants the GOP had at their recent convention, a gathering that selected the most right wing ticket possible. So while many, myself included, bemoan the lack of participation in primaries, they encourage more public debate of candidates and issues, they hone the eventual nominee's skills and organization, and they are fundamentally more democratic - both small "d" and big "D."

Endorsement - 25th District

Over the next few days, CCC will announce endorsements in the June 9 Democratic Primary. Today - the 25th House of Delegates contest between Dr. Greg Marrow and James Noel.

After several election cycles where many area districts saw uncontested races, for Valley Democrats to have two candidates in one district seemed like a blessing, an extravagance even. But intra-party contests, in either a primary or caucus, can be divisive. Luckily for Democrats, that doesn't seem to be the case this time - other than some early internal sparring, the contest been Marrow and Noel has been gentlemanly and fairly low-key. Nevertheless, the process has revealed one candidate to be ready for the nomination, ready to take a spirited battle to an entrenched incumbent, and ready to represent all residents of the 25th District - Greg Marrow.

Marrow, a Harrisonburg eye doctor, has dotted all the i's and crossed all the t's. He's been everywhere attending events, talking to local Democratic activists, and learning the lay of the land in the 25th. In the process he has proven himself to be articulate, informed on key issues, and well organized. Marrow is comfortable in one-on-one conversations and standing before large groups; he listens and understands; he does his homework on issues - all essential skills for a candidate and, more importantly, for a representative of the people.

The sprawling 25th District, which includes Waynesboro and parts of Rockingham, Augusta, and Albemarle counties, is begging for leadership - for a change. Greg Marrow will deliver it - CCC enthusiastically endorses him in the Democratic primary.

Fighting Green

Three Democrats - Gene Hart, Greg Marrow, and Erik Curren - joined nearly 50 Staunton and Augusta residents to discuss a variety of environmental and jobs issues at the Staunton Public Library on Tuesday night. Responding to questions, the candidates for House of Delegates laid out a forward looking vision for making sure the central Shenandoah Valley harvests green - both in our beautiful scenery and in our wallets - as our nation transitions from a fossil fuel to a renewable energy future. There is more at The News Leader and WHSV.

Another clear message came out of the forum - these guys will fight and will hold the incumbents accountable for their actions, or the lack thereof, in Richmond. In response to an audience question, they totally dismantled the backward looking GOP mantra of "drill here, drill now." While they don't agree on every issue, Democratic candidates in the region have shared values to present to voters. 2009 promises to be a bruising campaign where once-comfortable incumbents will need to dig deeper and get beyond simple sound bites. Game on!

Gene Hart is running in District 26, Greg Marrow is a candidate in District 25, and Erik Curren is running in District 20. They promise future forums on transportation, education, and other issues important to Valley voters.

Green jobs, green candidates

There has been a lot of talk about "green jobs" and moving toward a "greener economy." Those terms are sometimes used pretty loosely and I often think we talk past each other, not really understanding exactly what each other means. Then there are those who deny global warming and who only want to "drill here, drill now."

While I don't expect many of that latter group to attend, the rest of us can learn a little more about green issues at a forum tonight. Perhaps we'll communicate better about issues that will affect our future. I hope to attend. Here are the details:

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

7:30pm - 9:00pm

Staunton Public Library Public Meeting Room

The emerging Green Economy offers the Shenandoah Valley one of the strongest ways to create new jobs and build local prosperity while preserving our area’s unique assets. Valley Democratic delegate candidates expected to discuss their ideas and answer questions include:

Erik Curren, 20th district

Gene Hart, 26th district

John Lesinski, 15th district

Greg Marrow 25th district

Jeff Price, 24th district

Oh yeah, I hear there will be a few refreshments, too.

Talkin' in the 25th

In the 25th House of Delegates district Democrats have two candidates - one will become the nominee by virtue of the June 9 primary. I haven't heard of any planned debates, so this may be as good as it gets - earlier this week The News Leader hosted online chats with Jim Noel and Greg Marrow. In the interest of keeping CCC readers up-to-date, here are links to the transcripts.

Jim Noel on April 29

Greg Marrow on April 30

No, this isn't really a debate, but many questions overlap and you will get a better sense of the two men, the issues each will focus on, and how they would take on the incumbent, Steve Landes. The 25th district includes Waynesboro, and parts of Albemarle, Augusta, and Rockingham counties.

I'd welcome your comments and reactions after you've checked out both candidates.

Democratic candidates stand UP for Virginia

                  

Democratic candidates for the House of Delegates took a stand for Virginia's unemployed and for boosting economies in Valley communities at a Harrisonburg rally yesterday. In front of the Virginia Employment Commission Workforce Center, 20th district candidate Erik Curren, 25th district candidates Greg Marrow and James Noel, 26th district candidate Gene Hart, 24th district candidate Jeff Price, and 15th district candidate John Leniski signed the petition demanding the GOP return to the General Assembly to committed to deal constructively with the unemployment.

House of Delegates Republicans blocked the use of $125 million in federal stimulus funds to expand benefits for unemployed, saying the costs may eventually be passed on to businesses. The Speaker of the House made the absurd statement that using the funds would actually increase unemployment. Democrats counter the funds will help families in need and will boost local economies where unemployment is worst. Plus, the changes in unemployment eligibility could be rolled back when the stimulus funds end.

Erik Curren and Greg Marrow had recent letters (Erik's and Greg's) specifically explaining their positions on using the federal stimulus funds to assist unemployed in The News Leader.

You can join Governor Tim Kaine and these courageous candidates and Stand UP for Virginia - sign the online version of the petition. There is more about the Harrisonburg rally, including pictures, at the Daily News-Record. More coverage on NBC29.

Fair play

With today's edition, The News Leader has now given three delegates, Chris Saxman (R-20), Ben Cline (R-24), and Steve Landes (R-25) generous column space to explain why they voted against accepting federal stimulus money to assist unemployed Virginians and boost our local economies.

This is an issue keenly followed across the state, especially in areas with rapidly rising unemployment. In Augusta County and Staunton it tops 7% and things are even more dire in Waynesboro where the unemployment rate is over 10%. There is a possibility the governor will call a special session to that a fresh look ways to use the federal funding to benefit Virginians.

In the spirit of fair play and a robust debate, The News Leader should offer comparable column space to the individuals who will be challenging those delegates this fall. In the 20th, the Democratic nominee is Erik Curren, in the 24th Jeff Price is the only announced candidate for the Democratic nomination, and in the 25th Greg Marrow and James Noel are running for the nomination which will be decided in the June 9 primary.

Deadline passes

The deadline for filing to run in the June 9 Democratic primary was 5:00 PM yesterday and it passed with no last minute surprises in the central Shenandoah Valley.

In the 20th House of Delegates District, Erik Curren was the only person to file and will be declared the nominee. Curren has announced a formal launch of his campaign with two events on Tuesday, April 14: at 11:45 AM at the Staunton Train Station and at 2:00 PM at Bridgewater Town Hall. Curren will take on the incumbent Chris Saxman.

In the 25th House of Delegates District, Dr. Greg Marrow and Jim Noel filed and will square off in the primary. The winner will take on incumbent Steve Landes.

With both Landes and Saxman voting to turn down $125 million in federal stimulus funds to assist the unemployed, it appears the Democrats have a ready-made issue with which to kick off their campaigns. True, employment in the area isn't as high as in other areas of the state, but it is rising and has topped 10% in Waynesboro. The GOP opposition seemed to be based on a fear that when the federal funds ran out, there would be unfunded mandates passed on to businesses in the form of higher taxes. Hey, how about a sunset provision?

Kind of a GOP Déjà vu - remember when Virginia turned down $15 million in Goals 2000 education funding because they didn't like the strings attached only to later accept the funds? Hum.

Another bird in the flock

According to TippingPoint at Cobalt6, Jim Noel has formally announced he is running for the Democratic nomination for the 25th House of Delegates district. Noel will face Dr. Greg Marrow in a June 9 primary to select a nominee to take on incumbent Steve Landes. Noel is 42 and a facilities planner at Perdue in Bridgewater. He lives in Mt. Sidney with his wife and three children.

CCC previously reported that Noel was gathering signatures for the primary. He has visited several of the local Democratic committees and recently spoke at the reassessment hearing in Augusta County. After the hearing, Noel was seen talking to voters and gathering signatures for the primary on the steps of the Government Center.

Greg Marrow announces challenge

Dr. Greg Marrow, a resident of McGaheysville and a Harrisonburg optometrist, announced he will challenge Steve Landes for the 25th District House of Delegates seat. Marrow's announcement adds another district to the growing list of incumbent Republicans in the central Valley facing challenges. Jeff Price has been in the race to unseat Ben Cline in the 24th District for months. Gene Hart is challenging Matt Lohr in the 26th District. So far, no candidates have emerged to challenge Todd Gilbert in the 15th or Chris Saxman in the 20th, but there are rumors of at least one potential candidate considering a run against Saxman.

The 25th District includes portions of Rockingham and Augusta counties, the City of Waynesboro, and three western Albemarle precincts. Landes hasn't faced a serious challenge since he was first elected  in 1995. With unemployment rising (Waynesboro has reached nearly 8%), more Charlottesville area residents moving to eastern Augusta County and Waynesboro, and frustration with the ultra-partisan GOP leadership in House of Delegates, Marrow will find an opening in even in the most conservative parts of the sprawling district. He says a cornerstone of this campaign will be encouraging economic development and helping manufacturers to use green/alternative energy to grow their businesses and create jobs.

Landes, who one observer at his pre-session town hall meetings described as looking "tired and uninspired," broke ranks and angered conservative Republicans with his support for the smoking ban in restaurants. Then, marching to the party line and trying to cover his own seat, he voted in support of the gerrymander.

But, before becoming the Democratic candidate, Dr. Marrow may face a challenge for the nomination. According to the grist mill, James Noel of Mount Sidney is circulating petitions - so far, he's made no official announcement that's been reported by the media.

Blue Risin'

Success breeds success. With Virginia voting Democratic in a presidential election for the first time since 1964, electing a second Democrat as U.S. Senator, and holding a majority of the seats in the House of Representatives, there is optimism about continuing the blue risin' in November '09. A few examples:

Speaker of the House of Delegates, Bill Howell, will face an opponent for the 28th District seat. Stafford County Board of Supervisors Chairman George Schwartz announced that he will run for the Virginia House of Delegates. Schwartz said:

"My term as supervisor is coming to a close. I think I've accomplished what I set out to do. I have every confidence that the board will continue on the track it is presently on next year, and the time is right to take on this next challenge."

As speaker, Bill Howell hasn't been quite the Darth Vader that his predecessor was, but sometimes it is close. At any rate, on the key partisan issues, House Republicans usually march in carefully controlled lockstep to Howell's marching orders. Signs of a crack - some GOP delegates (along with some tobacco Democrats) watered down the restaurant smoking ban agreed to by Governor Kaine and Speaker Howell.

There will be an open seat 52nd District. Jeff Frederick who wears three hats - delegate, Virginia GOP chair, and dunce - announced he won't seek reelection. He's pushing his wife, Amy, to run for the seat. Many observers think this Prince William district, which is trending Democratic and embarrassed by Frederick's strange behaviors, will flip this year.

Here, in the most Republican area of the commonwealth, the central Shenandoah Valley, it looks like Republicans will face challenges in most districts.

In the 24th District, Jeff Price has been on the campaign trail for months and appears to be the likely nominee to take on Ben Cline. Price is a businessman and family man whose wife is a school teacher. From what I can tell, Price wasn't too political in the past, at least not in a partisan way. But, he became frustrated with the extreme Republican dogma, gridlock in the House of Delegates, and with the inept representation provided by Cline. He's run an energetic and creative campaign for the past six months meeting with small groups in Amherst, Rockbridge, and Augusta.

In the 26th District that comprises Harrisonburg and part of Rockingham, Gene Hart is taking on Matt Lohr. Like Cline, Lohr is a party line type guy. Hart calls for "Leadership That Works" which seems to mean ending partisanship and seeking practical solutions. Hart is an attorney with a solo practice in Harrisonburg and his wife is a special education teacher.

In the 25th District, Steve Landes will certainly face an opponent - two Democrats are apparently seeking the nomination which will be decided at the June 9 primary when the statewide candidates will be chosen. James Noel began gathering signatures on petitions a month or so ago and has visited local committees. More recently, Dr. Greg Marrow has expressed interest in running; he's a laser eye surgeon and a cofounder of Seven Generations. The 25th includes Waynesboro and the NE part of Augusta, eastern Rockingam, and a few western Albemarle precincts. Noel is from Augusta; Marrow from Rockingham.

The 20th District includes Staunton, Highland, parts of Augusta and Rockingham, including Bridgewater and Massanetta Springs. At this point, the very partisan incumbent, Chris Saxman, is unopposed as no Democrat has announced intentions to run. Not too surprising since the 20th is a gerrymandered district with solid Republican leanings in the rural areas. But, Democrats point to Staunton becoming increasingly blue and inroads in other areas as well. Some local party activists are hopeful that Bruce Elder might jump into the race. It sounds enticing, but Elder seems to be enjoying his influential role on Staunton City Council. While other names have surfaced and one individual seems to be actively weighting the pros/cons, there haven't been any announcements. Yet!

Similar Democratic activity can be found around the state and there is a good chance many Republican delegates will face real opposition. All of which bodes well for the Democrats picking up the half dozen seats necessary to control the House of Delegates.