New Valley YD Blog

A new blog, Young Democrats of Augusta County, appeared this week. There has been some recent activity among high school, Mary Baldwin, and BRCC students to organize YD activities, register voters, etc. Always good getting young people involved in their community and politics. Check it out and pass the info on to teens and young adults.

Warner in Harrisonburg!

Mark Warner will kick off his campaign for the United States Senate with a stop in Harrisonburg on Tuesday, May 6 at 5:15 PM on the Rockingham County Courthouse steps. Warner just turned in over 29,000 signatures (3 X more than necessary) to qualify for the Democratic Primary. No other candidate qualified. The former Governor is very popular among Shenandoah Valley voters. I know there will be many more stops along the I-81 corridor for Mark Warner's campaign.

For more information on Mark Warner's visit to the Central Valley, or to help out, call Lowell at 540-820-2592 or email airedale@rica.net

The Pendulum and the Pit

A blogger named Truth-teller has a good analysis of the recent GOP wars in Augusta County. While Republicans aren't quite committing public hari kari in other committees in the 6th District, the tensions that erupted there and in Staunton can be found among the party faithful throughout the district and across Virginia and the county.

The "Sluggard Republicans" (as Truth-teller named them) are the remnants of the Mountain-Valley Republicans. In the 50s and 60s this group had electoral success in western Virginia and were, in many ways, more progressive than some of the southern Democrats of the Byrd Machine who dominated state politics. These are the Republicans who elected the first Republican governor in nearly 100 years, Linwood Holton (Tim Kaine's father-in-law) and John Dalton. They also began building the party planting the seeds that eventually captured the General Assembly. The Mountain-Valley Republicans, though basically conservative, did believe in the positive power of government and compromise for the common good. In the recent brawl in Augusta, Emmett Hanger is the most obvious heir to this tradition.

Along came the "Regressive Republicans" (h/t Truth-teller) with an anti-government and no compromise agenda. Some inspired by Reagan, others ideological comrades of the old southern Democrats who felt abandoned by changes in that party, and some driven by an evangelical desire to create an American theocracy. Propelled by hatred of Roe v. Wade, taxes, and a more tolerant and open society they slowly but surely took over the heart and soul (if they have either) of the GOP.

For a while, the old and new coexisted in the Virginia Republican Party and together achieved electoral success by eventually capturing the General Assembly, both U.S. Senate seats, and a majority of the Congressional delegation. Sensing a wind shift, some local sheriffs and court clerks abandoned the party who had supported and elected them and became what might be called "opportunist Republicans" who didn't care as much about principles as their own seats.

But, the Regressive Republicans never really liked or trusted the Mountain-Valley types and they were on a mission of taking over the party and reestablishing the "government in exile" (pre Great Depression government policies/interpretation of the Constitution), overturning Roe, and establishing a theocracy. As their numbers increased in the party structure, they threatened and scared many of the remaining Mountain-Valley office holders into submission. And, significant pressure came from above. For example, Grover Norquist threatening to take down any Republican who did not sign his anti-tax pledge (Emmett Hanger and a few others refused) or a former GOP Senator "advising" a moderate mayor to not run for House of Delegates lest federal grants for his city suddenly dry up.

Fast forward to the 2007 General Assembly elections. Regressive Republicans under the "leadership" of Michael, Mitchell, Taetzsch, Davis and others in surrounding parts of the district promoted a political nobody (but drunk on their influence) named Scott Sayre to challenge Hanger in the primary for state Senate in 2007. A nasty and deceptive campaign ensues (amazing how these "moralists" can lie and cheat in pursuit of their goals) in which Hanger squeaks out a victory. Hanger has amazing staying power among Augusta/Staunton voters, but he was far weaker in other parts of the district. Sayre's supporters blame Democrats for voting in the Republican primary and providing Hanger with the margin, but evidence of that is inconclusive at best. The grist mill reveals some Dems did vote for Hanger out of friendship or because of fear of Sayre, but others supported Sayre hoping a fringe candidate would be easier for the Democrat, David Cox, to defeat in the fall.

Today the GOP is in disarray. The Regressive Republicans have achieved some success with guys like Cline, Lohr, Saxman, and others throughout the valley and Commonwealth - candidates with a quick smile, a folksy manner, and a stealthy right wing agenda. Looking at the next crop of potential statewide candidates - Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli, for example - finds most in the Regressive Republican mold. Old Mountain-Valley Republicans like Hanger are fighting back, but have become outcasts within their own local committees and are vilified on blogs, letters to the editor, and in the whisper campaign.

In the meantime the Democrats have emerged from their intra-party divisions of the past stronger than ever. Behind such practical moderates as Mark Warner and Tim Kaine the party is resurgent. Local committees up and down the 81 corridor, and across the state are growing in energy, manpower, and money. Individuals who once shied away from Democrats and politics in general are coming forth to get involved and run for office. In 2006 Democrats elected Jim Webb to the U.S. Senate and 2007 they recaptured the Virginia Senate and made gains in the House of Delegates. The 2008 elections offer a great opportunity for Democrats to capture the second Senate seat and several seats in the House of Representatives. And for the first time since 1964, if Barack Obama heads the ticket, Virginia stands poised to vote for the Democratic nominee.

The pendulum of politics has a self-correcting mechanism. The Regressives overplayed a hand that was way out of touch with most people - and they don't even know they've done it. The Sluggards frittered their hand away - but they'll keep fighting. Filling the void are the Democrats with a positive agenda, common sense governing, and the politics of working together for the common good. The same mill that made "Coarse Cracked Corn" also made "Victory Laying Mash." Victory is exactly what is blowing in the wind for Democrats in 2008.

New Thinking on the Climate Crisis.

In this half hour talk/slideshow, "New Thinking on the Climate Crisis," Al Gore draws the connections between the climate crisis and our democracy crisis. He presents new scientific evidence about global warming. Gore calls for a new sense of "generational mission" to solve this planetary emergency.

Original presentation at Ted Talks.

Urge Superdelegates to Support Obama

According to the Washington Post and Richmond Times-Dispatch, 34 local committee chairs and five congressional district chairs have urged Virginia's Superdelegates to support Barack Obama. In the February primary, Obama crushed Clinton by winning 64% of the statewide vote. In VA-6, signers included Tom Long, Augusta County; Bob Dickerman, Staunton; Tony Reed, Roanoke City; and John Lawrence, Lynchburg.

Virginia has 16 superdelegates. Currently 6 support Clinton and 4 support Obama. The uncommitted superdelegates are party chair Richard Cranwell, former Clinton administration Labor Secretary Alexis Herman, Virginia AFL-CIO President Jim Leaman, Sen. Jim Webb, John Johnson and Jerome Wiley-Segovia.

Want to join in the effort to encourage these superdelegates to support Barack Obama? Sign the Petition.

Chicken Feed: Payday lenders at the trough

A payday lending "reform" bill waits on Governor Kaine's desk. Is it meaningful reform or more laying mash for the predatory industry? Can the Governor offer amendments to toughen it and send it back to the General Assembly? Or will the Senate, at the urging of a couple powerful Democrats, block the Governor and real reform?

The bill that passed has a few significant changes from current law. Among other things it caps the APR at 36% but allows a 20% fee and a $5 fee to support a data base of payday loan borrowers. There are other changes in the minimum term of the loan and limits on the number of loans.

Opponents see this as caving in to the industry. A coalition of the AARP, the Virginia Poverty Law Center, the Virginia Interfaith Center for Public Policy, and the Virginia Organizing Project made it clear they are not giving up the fight for meaningful reform. I imagine Staunton City Councilman Bruce Elder will keep up the fight, too. Elder pushed the Council to adopt a tough resolution urging the General Assembly to act. Many other localities followed Staunton's lead.

Media in the Valley and across the state is urging Kaine to offer some amendments (one he heard about in the Town Hall Meetings - cut the 20% in half). A Roanoke Times editorial speculates the timid reforms will only delay the battle to next year's session. Jim McCloskey, the thought-provoking cartoonist at the News Leader, recently jabbed at the General Assembly's weak bill:

No bill is better than a bad bill. The bill on Governor Kaine's desk will be a bad law that will reduce chances of passing real reform next year. Write the Governor and encourage him to add amendments to protect consumers. Challenge him to put the issue squarely in front of those Virginia Senators, including Majority Leader Dick Saslaw, who are a bit too cozy with the payday loan industry. Then let the Senators squirm and justify why they favor predators over people.

VA-6: reflections on the recent campaign

Rick Howell posted his thoughts on Drew Richardson's exit from the race. While he makes some good points, he unfortunately returns to spitting the bile that characterized most of his commentary on that blog, in a letter to the editor, and in other forums during the brief campaign.

So, a few thoughts from the chicken house on Sam's success and the reasons Drew's campaign never gained traction. But remember Coarse Cracked Corn is 8% protein, 2.5% fat, and 2.75% fiber. Who knows what comes out the other end? You may see this post mostly as litter to spread on the fields before the spring rains.

When the battle began about two months ago, Sam had a big lead, that in hindsight was probably insurmountable. I don't know when Sam began visiting committees and visiting events to which Democrats flock, but at some point we all became aware of his presence. Yes, there were questions about his youth and comments about shallowness on issues. 

But, Sam was everywhere always greeting folks and (importantly) listening to what VA-6 Democrats had on their minds. As he and his campaign matured so did his understanding of a range of issues important to Democrats and residents of the district. While he spoke more frequently and in more depth some topics, like health policy, it was apparent that he was not a one issue candidate. By the fall of '07 many active Democrats were taking note and drawing favorable impressions.

Sam probably locked the hearts and minds of many Democrats by his willingness to show up and campaign for local and General Assembly candidates. With a smile and energy he went door-to-door, attended fundraisers, and helped where needed. Democrats didn't forget.

By the end of the year Sam was well positioned for the push for the nomination. He'd been to most local committees several times, had built up goodwill among even his skeptics, and had committed volunteers in most counties and cities. He'd grown as a candidate and developed his depth of knowledge on the core issues. He'd shown a willingness to attack Goodlatte on his failures - red meat for Democrats. He'd secured, or was close to securing, the support of various party leaders who appreciated his demonstrated commitment to local committees.

As we entered the new year the question echoed "where is that other guy who was going to run?" For months, rumors had been floating about his candidacy, but nothing was happening. He had great credentials and a compelling life story, but active Democrats didn't know much about him. I remember one person asking in a meeting "what about the FBI guy . . .?" and only a couple people there knew his name. Drew did write interesting columns for a newspaper and made bioterrorism presentations groups, but he really had not connected with the very groups who would be determining the nomination.

In January, Drew began visiting committees and more publicly floating the idea of his candidacy. His main theme then (and in the forum in Harrisonburg last week) seemed to be electability. Yes, he talked about security and other issues, but to many Democrats there was uncertainty about where he stood on core issues. Most importantly, time was running out to organize a good campaign before the local caucuses in mid April.

The uncertainly was reinforced when Drew did eventually announce. For a while, his website was only a greetings portal devoid of discussion of issues. Rumors were rife that he'd asked several people to join his campaign and he'd been rebuffed. Eventually word spread that he had Adam Sharp and Rick Howell on board. Both Adam and Rick have campaign experience and many thought the battle for the nomination had finally been joined.

However, many Democrats recoiled at the negative campaign that began emerging. Questioning Sam's age, contributions, religion, experiences, loyalty, etc. . . . ad nauseam. Posts on Rick's site and other blogs like Cobalt6 quickly became heated. Someone created a new blog, 81blue, to subtly attack Rasoul. Drew personally remained above the fray, but the message generated by Adam's and Rick's tactics was clear: with time short, the path to a Richardson victory was to be found in tearing Rasoul down rather than by lifting Richardson up. I'll repeat, many Democrats recoiled. Emotions got raw. Positions hardened.

Such a strategy may have worked in a primary where a larger numbers of people voting may not have known either candidate personally. But in local caucuses, where the participants would likely be party activists who knew both candidates, it was doomed.

By the first of April, it was clear that time was running short for the Richardson campaign to round up delegates for all the local caucuses throughout the district. Instead of negative attacks, the campaign staff could better have better spent time calling and meeting Democrats to make personal appeals. But, Rasoul's folks weren't sitting still - they were lining up committed delegates at every opportunity.

Drew is a smart guy and, given this landscape, he knew the odds were heavily against his eventual success. The caucuses would have been bloody battles filled with rules and credentials challenges. Rumor is that he was never comfortable with the negative tone coming out of his campaign - a piercing tone that crowded out his discussions on issues.

Drew's comments as he withdrew from the campaign were both gracious and realistic, creating the environment for greater party unity as we face the fall campaign. Hopefully, his supporters will follow his lead. Drew is a committed Democrat and we can all hope he will stay active in the 6th District and perhaps seek office at another time.

So, what has this old rooster learned by pecking around in the coarse cracked corn of this campaign?

Get an early start - especially important if you aren't known to Democrats throughout this large district. Perhaps someone with widespread name recognition could enter just a couple months before the caucuses and prevail, but there aren't too many candidates like that.

Resist going negative - Democrats are not comfortable with negative campaigning, especially against one of their own. Pointing out differences on issues is okay; getting personal or rumormongering is not.

Get comfortable with retail politics - all politics is personal and Sam has proven to be very good and comfortable at it. All magnified in a caucus nominating process.

Pay your dues - a commitment to helping other Democrats' campaigns and fundraising events will not be forgotten.

OK, enough pecking in the coarse cracked corn of this one. Moving on . . .

Peck. Peck.