Mystery Train: Gail "For Rail!" Parker Runs Again

By: Lowell
Published On: 3/31/2008 2:51:24 PM

In 2006, Gail "For Rail!" Parker received 26,102 votes -- 1.10% -- running for U.S. Senate against Jim Webb and George Allen.  Today, those 26,102 Parker voters must be happy, as Gail "For Rail!" has announced that she's running once again:

Gail "For Rail" Parker -- the third candidate in the George Allen-Jim Webb Senate race a couple of years ago -- sent out a press release last night announcing that her supporters will be delivering a petition to the State Board of Elections today to place her on the ballot for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by the retiring John Warner.

[...]

Her issue? She's for light rail. In fact, she's positively evangelical in her zeal for light rail. But if you think she's a one-note song, you've obviously forgotten her truly unforgettable campaign jingle from 2006.

So here's a reminder. Everybody sing!

Good song, but not nearly as good as The Ballad of Mark Warner.  Now, what's Jim Gilmore's song gonna be, "I Can't Stand Losing?" Ha.


Comments



Okay, Time for a Slogan Contest! (HisRoc - 3/31/2008 3:39:22 PM)
I'll start:

"Vote for Gail--A Light Weight for Light Rail"

"Gail Parker--Riding Ralph Nader's Coat Tails"



Full circle (jeisrael - 3/31/2008 4:08:55 PM)
It's worth noting that her first VA campaign was six years ago.  She sought the Democratic nomination (then as "Gail Glenda Crook" -- she now goes by "Gail Glenda Parker," not sure why the change) to run against Senator John Warner.  The Democratic State Central Committee opted to have NO candidate run, rather than nominate her.

So, she and Mark Warner have something in common: they've both attempted to win this same U.S. Senate seat previously.



Chairman (Ambivalent Mumblings - 3/31/2008 4:21:48 PM)
Didn't she run for Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last year as well?


Yep (DanG - 3/31/2008 5:07:46 PM)


And For State Delegate In 2005 (HisRoc - 3/31/2008 5:19:08 PM)
She ran for House District 44.

Her sights seem to be rising even if her vote totals aren't.



Someone (youngliberal - 3/31/2008 4:29:44 PM)
needs to let Gail know that Independent and Senate do not rhyme.  


not again (hereinva - 3/31/2008 6:42:25 PM)
"Oh, hey its Gail,
pitchin' again for light rail.
But please tell us the tale,
Of this thinly worn veil,
One issue candidate-, its getting stale!"

D.C.
(de capo)



Her photo is inappropriate. (Jack Landers - 4/1/2008 9:53:45 AM)
My understanding is that all branches of military service forbid officers to use their uniform for political purposes. It is inappropriate and forbidden to appear at political events in uniform.

Yet there she is on the front page of her campaign site in uniform.  This isn't some old photo of her showing her prior service - Gail is currently still serving as an officer in the USAF.

She should take that picture off of her website immediately.  People have faced courts martial for doing this sort of thing in the last few years.  



You Are Absolutely Correct (HisRoc - 4/1/2008 7:16:19 PM)
Jack,
She appears to be wearing the uniform inappropriately and in violation of service regulations.  All service regulations, Air Force included, prohibit the wearing of the uniform by officer or enlisted persons, active duty, reserve, or retired "for any political or commercial purpose."  Gail's use of the uniform in this instance is no less sleazy than if she wore it when she came to your house to sell you life insurance.

The problem is how to define "wearing the uniform."  Gail is wearing it in pictures on her web site.  I'm not aware that she has worn it at any campaign appearances.  (If she did, I would swear charges myself.)  Far too many political candidates also have pictures of themselves in uniform on their web sites, including Doug Denneny.  However, their photos tend to be more biographical in representation rather than merely exploiting the uniform.  Gail's picture on her web site appears to have no purpose other than to visually exploit her military status.

Any military veteran has to walk a fine line between taking credit for their service and exploiting the uniform.  Personally, I think that Parker crosses that line.