The 1st Congressional District Committee met today to evaluate 2007 and look ahead to 2008. Phil Forgit couldn't be there because he had to report for duty as a Naval Reservist this month. First of all, no, Forgit will not be a candidate in 2008. Like many of us, he was disappointed that the DCCC, who recruited him in the first place, decided against getting involved...even though the near bankrupt NRCC did so for Wittman. Gov. Kaine, Sen. Webb, Rep. Moran, Rep. Boucher, and Rep. Scott were all over DCCC Chair Chris Van Hollen, to no avail.Just speculation on my part; but when you look at VA-01, we may never get another Democrat to run until the next round of re-districting. The search for a quality candidate is underway however, and the nominee will be selected via convention (because they don't want some Lyndon LaRouche nutcase running under the party banner in the event that no other Democrat runs).
One thing we may want to keep an open mind about is Independent Lucky Narain, who ran against Forgit and Wittman in the special election last month. If he runs again, and no Democratic candidate can be found, area Dems should consider getting behind him. He's a self-described conservative, but he also said that if elected he would caucus with the House Democrats. Plus he spent a lot more time going after Wittman than he did Forgit over the course of the race.
Does anybody have a better idea? Anyone? Anyone?
Naturally I think any of my William & Mary Government professors would be fine choices (McGlennon, Grayson, Evans). Naturally they're considerably more liberal than the average CD1 voter, but it would be fun to watch anyways.
There are a few good universities in this district. Maybe someone more high profile. Is there anyone good up at Mary Washington? How about Gene Nichol... or maybe we could get Paul Trible to run as an independent...
I just think it would be cool to see him run now. He might have been more of a politician 25 years ago. Now he's more of a wonk, and I love him for it.
I also was very disturbed when Forgit pretty much repeated at the Stafford County committee meeting his gaffe at the convention. You may recall that he said 53% of the 1st CD is in the southern part of the district, implying he didn't need the northern part. When I read the media reports about his convention remarks I assumed that he would apologize for his untended offense after his nomination, but he never once even hinted at an apology. Needless to say, I wasn't the only person in attendance who was stunned by his failure to say he was sorry and then ask for their help. He just didn't give the appearance that he was trying to reach out to the Stafford County people at all to either mend fences, leaving a distinct impression of (I'm sure unintended) arrogance.
By comparison, Ted Hontz was very gracious and a much better speaker as he endorsed Phil and assured him that he would work hard for him. Ted, unlike Phil, specifically asked the Stafford County committee members to give their
full support to Phil.
As I was leaving, I had a chance to speak with Hontz privately and told him I thought he was a much better speaker than Forgit and thought he could have united the southern and northern parts of the district. Again, he was very gracious, said he thought Forgit had given a great speach at the convention with no mention of Forgit's offensive comment. Hontz's most telling comment to me "I'm more liberal" than Forgit -- a significant understatement in my mind, and especially important given the fact that the GOP nominee is much more moderate than Jost.
One other important plus for Hontz is his long active duty military career (I think about 25 years) which would make it easier for him to gain the support of active duty and retired military voters in the Newport News/Hampton area -- not unlike Jim Webb's ability to gain their support.
A more important aspect to me is the convention vs. primary nomination method. It does appear that there may be a couple of good candidates if they can be convinced to run. It would be a shame if only very small % of Democrats, and no Independent or Democrat-leaning, decide which candidate will run. That seems no different to me than the RPVA's decision to hold a convention rather than a primary to determine their nominee for U.S. Senate so Tom Davis had no chance to be nominated because they think he is too moderate. And, if it turn out that Hontz is the only person who files for a primary and therefore runs unopposed as Kaine did, so much the better.
Bottom line is that I'd love to see the 1st CD Dems. have a primary and I hope Hontz will be their nominee. This is the year that a very well spoken and knowledgeable Dem. could very well ride Mark Warner's coat tails into office, and without needing a lot of funding himself to get out the vote. Combined campaigns really do help.
T.C.