Republican Hung Cao is a chicken

Republican Senate candidate Hung Cao bailed out of the Virginia Bar Association debate with Senator Tim Kaine at The Homestead… an event with a long tradition in the Commonwealth’s politics. One wonders why since he should be desperate for name recognition. It appears Hung 🐓 Cao is terrified to answer questions from Virginians like:

Why does he support plans to sunset Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare? These are essential programs for millions of Americans. Yes, they need bipartisan “repairs” the assure future funding and reduce fraud… but you apparently want to end them entirely! 

Why does he support bills that would ban abortion, reduce access to contraception, and interfere with fertility treatments? Wow… the government intruding in women’s health and our bedrooms sounds like a dystopian future for Americans!

Does he support Project 2025 that is designed and promoted by a shadowy network of Christian nationalists and fascists. Project 2025 would take rights from Americans and many see it as a blueprint if Donald Trump is elected

Many speculate the Cao doesn’t want to leave NOVA to visit what he considers to be “podunk” parts of Virginia. He has made it pretty clear that talking face-to-face with Virginians in all parts of the state isn’t a priority for him. That stands in sharp contrast to Senator Kaine who relishes meeting and listening to constituents. Kaine visited Staunton last Saturday and met with an enthusiastic crowd.

What if you throw a party and nobody comes?

Photo: Mike Tripp/The News Leader

Americans for Prosperity and the Shenandoah Valley Tea Party threw a rally on a beautiful October Saturday at the Wharf in Staunton. But, what if you throw a tea party, call and invite everybody you know, and still nobody comes? What an embarrassment! A party crashed by apathy! A party crashed by empty seats representing those who refuse to associate with their message of racism and hate.

With empty seats and hollow rhetoric the organizers lamely blamed "Dancing with the Stars," "TV," and "too many other events going on..." for the poorly attended rally. Yesterday reminded me of an Americans for Prosperity bus tour in late June that drew virtually nonexistent crowds and petered out before the day was done.

The irony of the backdrop - the shell of a old building for lease - captures completely the crumbling and desolate movement that was the Tea Party.

Coverage of the "rally that wasn't" at The News Leader.