Goodlatte playing dodgeball

Nearly every week there is a news story or editorial about Bob Goodlatte dodging debates with Andy Schmookler in the Sixth Congressional District election. Goodlatte has survived for 10 terms by doing little, meeting with constituents... err, I mean Republicans... mostly in highly controlled events, and representing us even less. Bobblehead Bob must figure that is a good recipe for electoral success in 2012. Unfortunately, it is a bad concoction for good governance.

Bobblehead Bob's campaign says he will debate but they won't even talk about when, or where, or how many. To many observers it is clear he wants to run out the clock by playing it personally safe even as he makes a sham of participatory democracy.

Coarse Cracked Corn's
Top Ten Reasons Bob Goodlatte is a Debate Dodger

• The GOP is so strong in the the 6th District that he has grown lackadaisical by getting a pass in previous elections.
• His opponent is a smart guy who has a good chance of embarrassing the incumbent in front of voters.
• We may discover his voting record serves GOP masters more than his district.
• Andy Schmookler may be seen debating an empty chair.
• He choked on BBQ while talking to Joe "you lie" Wilson at a recent Republican gathering in Rockingham County.
• Karen Kwiatkowski might show up and ask a question exposing Bobblehead Bob as a fraud.
• Voters may discover he sips weak tea.
• He might be asked to justify his repeatedly broken promise to serve only six terms.
• He hasn’t had time to sit down with Boehner and Cantor to memorize his talking points.
• He might actually be forced to engage with all constituents.

I'll wager you have other reasons Bobblehead Bob is virtually invisible to all except GOP activists. Add them in the comments!

Tuesday afternoon

Tuesday afternoon,

I'm just beginning to see, now I'm on my way

It doesn't matter to me, chasing the clouds away.

                                           The Moody Blues

The "main event" in Tuesday's GOP primary is the party nomination for U.S. Senate. Most believe this will be a snoozer with former Governor George Allen easily walking all over the field of three little-known and underfunded opponents. Allen has avoided mistakes like the Macaca moment of six years ago that exposed his hateful side... not that most Republican voters would care much about that anyhow. And, he's played dodgeball by refusing to answer any controversial questions. Allen will win easily probably garnering a solid majority of the votes cast.

There are several primaries, both Republican and Democratic, for House of Representatives. Here in the 6th District, entrenched incumbent Bob Goodlatte is challenged by conservative/libertarian Karen Kwiatkowski. Speaking of dodgeball, Bobblehead Bob is the master of the strategy. He refuses to even acknowledge his opponent, only shows up at well-controlled venues with party regulars, and has basically said nothing beyond the safe GOP talking points. He's had the money to run radio ads and put up big 4x8 signs in key locations. With fewer resources Kwiatkowski has relied more on meeting and listening to real people and talking about actual issues. While that strategy speaks to the core of our democracy, unfortunately it isn't one likely to carry the day.

In reading letters to the editor and and other commentary around the sprawling 6th, it is clear that many conservatives and liberals have found at least one area of agreement -- it is time... indeed past time based on his own promise... for Bob to come home from his D.C. career. I know, with the advantages of incumbency and power of money that is unlikely to happen. But, if we really want to retire Bob, Tuesday is the day to do so. If he wins the nomination, Bobblehead Bob will continue playing dodgeball all the way to reelection in November and folks in the 6th district will, for two more years, be poorly represented.

This Tuesday afternoon... or anytime between 6:00 AM and 7:00 PM... visit your polling place and vote to retire Bob Goodlatte. Let's chase the clouds away!

Kwiatkowski/Schmookler debate brought out the best

Last night's "debate" between GOP candidate Karen Kwiatkowski and the Democratic nominee, Andy Schmookler gave the crowded fellowship hall at Community Mennonite Church a glimpse of how political discourse in a democracy could be, and should be, conducted. Sometimes agreeing but more often taking diametrically opposed positions, the two candidates sparred over the economy, foreign policy, the environment, the Fed and monetary policy, taxation, education, and the role of government. While the differences were often sharp, the elbows were not... both candidates were passionate about their ideas and views but, on a human-to-human basis, treated each other (and the crowd) with respect and dignity.

Karen Kwiatkowski

Kwiatkowski fervently believes in a smaller government and holds many positions I'll call, for lack of a more descriptive term, "libertarian." She was equally critical of Democrats and Republicans believing that the parties, especially at the state and national levels, are essentially the same. She'd abolish or curtail the Federal Reserve, believes private property rights (i.e. few regulations) are the best protection for the environment, cares little for public education and a federal role in schools, and would avoid alliances while promoting trade with other nations. If elected, Kwiatkowski's priorities included repealing both the 16th (income tax) and 17th (direct election of senators) amendments and various steps to assure representatives give due diligence to bills and taking away the perks that have made congressional service into a career.

This was my first time seeing and hearing Kwiatkowski in person and, while I disagree with many of her positions, I was impressed with her ability to clearly explain deeply held beliefs while answering questions directly and without evasion as well as the obvious fire in her belly to carry these views to D.C. She connected directly with my experience when relating how she'd written Rep. Bob Goodlatte only to receive a reply that didn't address the issues raised. So, she wrote again only to get a brush-off from the "representative." It was that experience that got her thinking about running for office. During her campaign she's discovered many folks around the district had similar experiences of Goodlatte refusing to listen. To chuckles and applause from the audience, she noted, "Bob is one of my best campaign workers."

Andy Schmookler

Schmookler has obviously engaged in deep thinking about powerful forces lusting for power and wealth and their relentless campaign of "divide and conquer" that is corrupting our democracy. One often repeated priority is a constitutional amendment to overturn the Citizens United decision and return a semblance of equality to our political processes. On foreign policy, human rights, and protecting the environment he understands the historic role of the United States and how solving interconnected problems will require American leadership. Schmooker believes in public education and its power to open the doors of equal opportunity and break down increasingly rigid social/economic class structures. Running through many of his issues was a theme of finding common ground and setting aside hardened ideological differences to solve real problems affecting people and the nation.

I've heard Schmooker several times and was immediately impressed on his maturation as speaker and candidate. More than most, he has thought about and understands the big picture and the tenuous interplay between greed, power, democracy, taxes, compassion, and people's lives. In earlier events I thought Schmooker was too intent on getting all his ideas out and in doing so he was hurried and seen by many listeners as too lecturing. Last night he was relaxed and confident with a warm and genuine sense of humor. He answered questions directly with precision and clarity.

Karen Kwiatkowski and Andy Schmookler were both winners last night. But, the biggest winner was a notion that democracy should engage citizens in an honest and open discussion of compelling issues. That sharp political discussion can be engaging, cordial, and without vitriolic personal attacks.

The biggest loser last night was Bobblehead Bob Goodlatte. In spite of repeated and personally delivered invitations he rudely did not even respond. I assume he felt like giving a smack down to the organizers (Occupy Harrisonburg and the Harrisonburg/Rockingham Liberty Alliance), but that smack down was felt throughout the community. The message he sent and the voters received was - I am entitled to this office and I don't care about your views, your concerns, or your lives. 

Voters... Republican, Democratic, and independent... should send a message to Bobblehead Bob that politics as usual isn't good enough. For the first time ever this Democrat will vote in a Republican primary (open to all voters) for a candidate with honesty and integrity who is willing to stand before the people and debate the great issues facing us. We can retire Bob Goodlatte on June 12. Let's do it!

Bobblehead Bob continues to duck and dodge

Bob likes his office but
he really doesn't care
much for the voters.

Bobblehead Bob Goodlatte continues his strategy of ducking and dodging his June 12 primary opponent, Karen Kwiatkowski, as well as the Democratic nominee, Andy Schmookler. In doing so Bobblehead Bob is also ducking and dodging interaction with voters in the 6th Congressional District of Virginia. His most recent bit of dodgeball involves an open forum in Harrisonburg at 6:30 PM on Monday, June 4 at Community Mennonite Church. Schmookler and and Kwiatkowshi have agreed to attend, to interact with voters, and to discuss issues of interest to the district, but not so Bobblehead Bob.

Perhaps this isn't much of a surprise. At his occasional "town hall" meetings the "representative" generally does far more talking than listening, he sticks to tired GOP talking points, and he gets evasive or even hostile when a constituent asks tough questions. Kwiatkowski and Schmookler may not agree on many points of public policy, but clearly they... and many people in the Shenandoah Valley... agree that Bobblehead Bob has lost touch with the people he is supposed to represent. Since he won't retire voluntarily (as he promised), now is the time for the voters to make that decision for this entrenched incumbent.

Kwiatkowski, a Tea Party and libertarian favorite, believes she could have carried the day at the 6th District Republican convention where delegates gave her an encouraging welcome. But, with the nominee being selected in a primary, it is probably advantage Bobblehead Bob who has money and manpower throughout the sprawling district to turn out his loyal vote while he continually refuses to engage.

For the Democratic nominee appearing at events like the forum is the way democracy is supposed to function and a means to have two-way communication voters. Schmookler noted, "... are these elections for people's career ambitions or are they to serve the voters of the district? I think it's to serve the voters."

As the old saying goes, "politics makes strange bedfellows." Those bedfellows, be they Republican, Democratic, or independent; Tea Party or Occupy Wall Street; conservative or liberal; or just someone who believes government should be accountable to the people can take a first step by voting in the open June 12 Republican primary.

Bobblehead Bob Ignores Defense Spending

Source: The International Institute for Strategic Studies

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R) stopped by Rowe's Restaurant earlier this week to talk with "leaders" (i.e. GOP activists) about spending and regulations, and I'd imagine, his reelection. Of course, he went after Medicare and entitlements and attacked the GOP's favorite boogeyman, the EPA. 

But singing in the GOP chorus apparently means the congressman will ignore the outsized defense budget of the United States. The numbers in the chart speak for themselves, but if you want more of the dirty details, check out the press release of the The International Institute for Strategic Studies. Does the military of the U.S. really need to be so out of proportion to the rest of the world? Could its size and our unwanted presence in so many places actually make us an inviting target and much less safe? If Goodlatte is serious about reducing the debt,  Pentagon spending should be on the table, too.

A career politician, Goodlatte is being challenged by Karen Kwiatkowski for the Republican nomination. Kwiatkowski is way off the rails with many of her beliefs, but at least the former Air Force officer is willing to question some defense spending and polices, saying "I believe that the number of military bases, the amount of military spending, and the number of men and women in uniform deployed around the world do not always make us safer...." She also believes that our military should not be committed to fight unless "...wars are constitutionally declared by the Congress...."