Is Greg Werkheiser planning to take on Dave "Abuser Fee" Albo in 2009? Based on this story by Tim Craig in the Washington Post, it sure looks like it.
Democratic sources say Greg Werkheiser, who narrowly lost to Albo in 2005, is thinking about making the race. In an interview today, Werkheiser said he will be "watching to see if there is any change in the way Mr. Albo has been representing the district."[...]
Werkheiser noted that about 13 percent of the electorate wrote in someone's name Tuesday instead of voting for Albo
My prediction right now: if Werkheiser runs, Albo loses. Unless, of course, there is a "change in the way Mr. Albo has been representing the district." Hmmmm...for some reason the phrase "hell freezes over" just popped into my mind! :)
Werkheiser, 34, said he didn't run against Albo this year because he recently left his law practice to start The Phoenix Project, an organization that seeks to partner with colleges to alleviate poverty. By 2009, Werkheiser said, his professional obligations may be more limited."I had professional commitments that precluded me from doing it this time," Werkheiser said. "I am still working on that venture, but clearly Mr. Albo seems to continue to not get it that the politics he is pursuing is not consistent with the values of our district."
Hope Greg runs in '09. Or Kate. Or someone. Because, as we all know, Albo must go.
Yeah, I kindof wish the College had told Werkheiser to beat it and go kick Albo out of the House of Delegates, but I think he's doing pretty good work.
I sure hope he runs in 09!
In the Post article Werkheiser is talking about his commitments to Phoenix Project - which I don't know much about but certainly sounds like a worthy cause and a good "excuse".
But I've also heard, from a few different people, a lot of anger toward Greg. Not because he didn't run, but because he was waffling on the decision in a manner that held up the process of searching for a candidate. That Greg effectively held up the task of a candidate search so long that there wasn't time to find a suitable replacement.
I don't know if that's true or not - especially given that we did have time (a little time at least) to try to draft Kate. And I can think of a reason or two why the finger pointing would happen even if Greg played by the book.
This is a pretty important distinction - there was a good chance we could have picked up that seat this year. If the rumors/accusations against Greg are true then he did a great disservice to the Dems and his district and he should not run. If these rumors are just that, then I certainly hope he does step up to take on out Albo in 2009.
So... anyone with the "real" scoop willing to share it?
This was the result of a last-minute write-in campaign in the Mount Vernon precincts of the district. And when I say last-minute, I mean on Election Day. It could have been more if they'd had more time or if it hadn't been raining--it takes a while to explain a write-in as people are going into the polls.
It will come as no surprise to anyone, I'm sure, that this was the brainchild of someone known very well in FC, and particularly Mount Vernon, Democratic circles for his fantastic precinct ops work. Chris worked his butt off, as usual, and the results were pretty amazing.
Look, we were all disappointed and frustrated and maybe even a little peeved that Greg didn't run this time. But running for office is a physically and emotionally draining experience. And then there is the money--Greg spent plenty of his own to run the last time. Sadly, it ordinarily takes at least two runs against an incumbent to win--I can't think of a case when it didn't, can you?
So let's all please just encourage Greg to run again in two years' time--he really is an outstanding candidate.
p.s. I don't know if the abuser fees will still be a big deal in two years, but it sure as hell was this time around. Canvassing in the Lorton area, that's all we heard about. Everybody knew about it, was pissed about it, and knew who to blame for it. They couldn't get Albo, the architect, but they were for sure going to get O'Brien, the Senate sponsor.