JJ Dinner -- Congressional Candidates
By: Lowell
Published On: 2/10/2008 7:43:38 AM
*Yesterday afternoon, I had a chance to sit down and chat with Glenn Nye, who's running for the Democratic nomination in the 2nd CD (to take on Rep. Thelma Drake). Nye is very sharp, articulate, and impressive. Among other things, Nye is a foreign policy realist who believes we need to significantly reduce our military presence in Iraq and get off of Middle East oil. Also, Nye agrees that we need to deal forcefully with global warming and protect a woman's right to choose. He is determined to get Thelma Drake the heck out of Congress. Go Glenn!
*Prior to dinner, I attended a crowded fundraiser for 11th district candidate Leslie Byrne. Chap Petersen, Donald McEachin, Sam Rasoul, Bruce Roemmelt, and many others (e.g., my good friend Brian Patton, Sen. Puckett's son Joseph) were there, maybe 50-70 or so total. Leslie said that politics "doesn't have to be divisive," but that Republicans have a "nasty habit of trying to divide us." Byrne rejected the GOP "politics of yesterday" and emphasized that "we are in this together." Byrne is running for Congress because she believes we need to "undo what Bush has done" and make progress on numerous areas -- economics justice, universal health care, etc. Byrne formally received the endorsement of (and a check from) NOW, and noted the "tremendous support" she's received so far from "women's groups, environmental groups, labor groups," etc.
*I talked for a few minutes to Anita Hartke, running for the Democratic nomination to face Eric Cantor in the 7th CD. Hartke is impressive in person and, if she's the nominee, will make a great candidate against Cantor. I'm getting excited about the 7th! P.S. Someone told me that 2006 Dem. nominee Jim Nachman probably won't be running this time around and will support Hartke. I'll try to confirm.
*10th CD Democratic candidate Judy Feder was there, talking to a lot of people, a bundle of energy as always. Feder will bring that energy, plus a lot of money that she's raising, to her race against Frank Wolf this year. Go Judy, and farewell Frank!
*I kept seeing volunteers for Tom Perriello, the presumptive Democratic nominee in the 5th CD against Virgil "So Bad He's" Goode, but never quite caught up to Tom (I've met him several times previously -- see here for more). However, I did talk to several people who had met Perriello for the first time and were very impressed with him.
*I chatted with Sam Rasoul, Democratic candidate in the 6th CD. Sam will most likely be coming on RK to live blog sometime soon.
P.S. Photos coming later, courtesy of Eric.
Comments
I talked with Perriello last night (teacherken - 2/10/2008 9:53:27 AM)
at the event Creigh Deeds held for him after the JJ. He is quite bright, pcks up on things very quickly. I also had a conversation with him this morning with someone who had been very involved in Al Weed's two runs. The concern is how Tom will play in the Southside portion of the district. It is not just that he doesn't sound Southside. On the surface some people may be concerned how much he understands the issue in the more rural and small twon parts of the district. On the other hd, that can be offset a couple of ways
- go on a listening tour a la Hillary in upstate NY in 2000 - give the people a chance to express their concerns and to get to know him
- properly use his onw concerns with living his own faith. That will resonate in much of Southside.
He will have the advantage of running on a ticket w/Mark Warner. And I would suspect that having Obama at the top of the ticket might also help bring the district into play.
peace.
Those are great ideas, Ken - Esp. the listening tour (aznew - 2/10/2008 10:19:11 AM)
I think you are on target with Tom. I met him some time ago, and we discussed a slightly different issue.
One of the hardest things about the 5th is dislodging Goode from people's minds. Even Tom's - He told me Goode has been Congressman for so long that people just pull the lever for him without thinking. Of course, that's not true. Goode has only been in congress 10 years, although he spent a lot of time representing the district in Richmond. So, a big part of getting Tom elected is making the case against Virgil.
I think the top of the ticket is a mixed bag. Warner helps, but honestly, whether Obama or Hillary, it hurts in Southside. Pick your poison. On the positive side, the vote will be pumped up in C'ville/Albermarle a bit.
Lowell (DanG - 2/10/2008 2:09:46 PM)
I know you support Judy, but you haven't even mentioned her primary opponent, regardless of how unlikely it is he wins the nomination. Until RK formally endorses one of the two, it is in the best interest of the site's integrity to at least mention the guy once and a while.
I am consulting for Judy (Lowell - 2/10/2008 2:15:44 PM)
If other people want to mention her primary opponent, they're more than welcome to do so. Remember, RK is a group and community blog.
Tom Perriello (youngpolitico - 2/10/2008 6:07:17 PM)
As one of those Perriello volunteers, I was pleased to see the overwhelming support for Tom. It was extremely encouraging talking to many people who are enthusiastically supporting his run in the 5th and it makes me all the more proud to be working for the man who will defeat Goode this November.