Meet & Greet with Creigh Deeds and the Roemmelts!

By: Adam Sharp
Published On: 5/14/2008 5:02:25 PM


Watch this space for photos and updates from Bruce & Beth Roemmelt's meet and greet for Creigh Deeds tonight on Bull Run Mountain!

8:00 PM UPDATE: See below for photos! (Click to "embiggen".) 

UPDATE by Lowell: Eric should have more photos later.  For now, here are a few notes.
Virginia's next Governor and Lt. Governor? Stay tuned... UPDATE by Eric: More photos scattered around. ** We're having some technical difficulties with Adam's photos, so I've moved them to the end of this post. Adam realizes he needs a better camera. Please scroll down to his photos (if they're working) **
Bruce Roemmelt introduced Creigh as a "friend of mine." Bruce said that he makes decisions on a gut basis, and when Creigh announced his gut told him to go with Creigh.  Bruce mentioned that a senior Virginia Democrat had called him and asked him what he was doing endorsing Creigh, and he said, "I'm sorry, I'm loyal."
Jon Bowerbank spoke for a few minutes, said that he had filed for lieutenant governor and would be running. Jon introduced himself as a Fortune 10 company businessman, married with three children (including a sophomore at Virginia Tech), and an at-large member of the Russell County board of supervisors. Jon talked about working in the natural gas business, learning hard lessons, bringing a business approach to Virginia government. Jon also mentioned that he was an immigrant from England who had lived here since 1994. He talked about an oak tree on his property in Russell County, how it will be there long after he's gone, and how it's his "time to give something back."


Creigh Deeds talked for about 5-10 minutes and took questions. Creigh said that 2009 is important, but we've got important elections to get through this year. Creigh noted that we've got "superstar Mark Warner" on the ballot, and that every extra vote for him helps us pick up congressional seats as well as help Virginia go Democratic for president in this "vitally important" election.
As far as 2009 is concerned, Creigh said he is very focused this time after losing the last time around by 300+ votes and being outspent 2:1. After he lost, he talked about how reporter Margaret Edds had written that Bob McDonnell had beaten a "nobody from nowhere." Creigh didn't particularly appreciate that, and said that if he's a nobody, there are a whole lot of nobodys out there.  Creigh said that this time, "I can win and I will win."
Creigh talked about having a successful 21st century vision for transportation, an ability to sell a plan to the rest of the state.  He talked about economic opportunity and the importance of thinking ahead, like the research triangle idea in North Carolina which started 40 years ago.  The "next big thing," in Creigh's view, is energy, if "we're gonna survive as a planet."  We need alternative forms of energy, bring together all the resarch universities and create thousands of jobs in Virginia.  Bring high tech jobs and broadband internet to all parts of the state.  We need the smartest workforce in Virginia.  He's running for governor to create opportunities.   Also, the next redistricting is crucial and we need a Democrat as governor.
Creigh was asked about transportation, and said he's proud of Gov. Kaine for throwing a plan out there, because nobody else did.  Sitting in Beltway traffic helped him understand why this is a huge issue in northern Virginia.   In Hampton Roads, it's a big problem too, in part because there are "choke points" everywhere (e.g., the Norfolk-Portsmouth tunnel, the most traveled road in Virginia according to Creigh).   Creigh emphasized that we're "all in this together," and that it's called a COMMONwealth for a reason. It shouldn't be NOVA's responsibility alone to take care of NOVA.  We have a common responsibility to take care of problems all over Virginia.  That's why Creigh favors a statewide solution for transportation.  Also, everything ought to be on the table, the plan has to be right for every part of Virginia.  Creigh's very supportive of high-speed rail as a way to transform the state.   Need to integrate land use and transportation planning. As governor, Creigh would get smart people to figure ou the plan, it would be his job to sell it.
Creigh was asked about overuse of Virginia's national guard and reserves.  He said that he will work to ensure that peoples' lives aren't impinged upon more they bargained for.  Right now, the federal government has a complete disregard for these peoples' lives.  "I'll stand up for our Guard, for our people."
Finally, Creigh talked about the need for an "inordinate amount of money" in order to run successfully for governor.  Last time, he raised $3 million and got outspent 2:1.  Tim Kaine spent $25 million.  He's got to find new people.



Creigh explains why he will win in 2009.
Creigh explains why he will win in 2009.

Jon Bowerbank talks to guests.
Jon Bowerbank talks to guests.

Creigh talks about how important 2008 is for Virginia Democrats.
Creigh talks about the importance of 2008 to Virginia Democrats.

Beth the excellent hostess  

Beth the excellent hostess.

Bowerbank introduces himself.

Bowerbank introduces himself.


Comments



Thanks Adam (snolan - 5/14/2008 8:45:13 PM)
I had to miss it because of my horrible cough...  but it looks like it was fun and informative (like all of Bruce & Beth's fundraisers).  Did you meet Sam?  The friendly resident who like to help clean up?


We missed you Scott (Adam Sharp - 5/14/2008 10:58:45 PM)
Sam wasn't there, so those who know and love the Roemmelts' airedale were disappointed.

I was busy uploading the photos while Creigh was speaking, so thanks to Lowell for great notes.



Quick Question (Flipper - 5/14/2008 9:46:06 PM)
Are Deeds and Bowerback running as a ticket?  And who is Bowerback?  This is the third time I have seen him referenced on RK and understand he wants to run for LG.  It seems rather bizzare that we will be picking our nominees will be over this time next year and no one knows who this guy is.    


Not a ticket (Adam Sharp - 5/14/2008 11:04:38 PM)
Bruce Roemmelt invited Bowerbank to the event Bruce hosted for Deeds. The connection is Bruce's support of Deeds and Bowerbank, not Deeds and Bowerbank being on a ticket.

Bowerbank will be at the Prince William and Fairfax J-J Dinners, so those who want to meet him will be able to do that Saturday and Sunday evenings.

I just met Bowerbank for the first time this evening, and I'm just passing on what I know. I lobbied him on a freight rail solution for I-81 and cleaning up the Shenandoah River, and he listened.  



A year is a long time (Lowell - 5/14/2008 11:20:58 PM)
to get to know someone.  What's "bizarre" about not knowing much about someone more than a year out from an election?  Remember, Jim Webb didn't announce until February 2006 for the primary in June 2006.


I support Deeds on transportation (Teddy - 5/15/2008 8:49:48 AM)
mainly because I also believe that only some one not from Northern Virginia can sell a transportation plan that benefits NoVa to everyone else, and get it implemented and paid for by the Commonwealth.

I also support him because he has hold of a basic good idea: the next great thing is going to be energy development, alternative energy, and solutions to our rising energy crisis, and here is a window of opportunity for Virginia as a state to make a quantum leap forward as a leader in the field... but only if we have leadership which is not penny-wise-and-pound-foolish, and sees the tremendous opportunity here and now.

See, you do not have to be an intense Northern Virginian or a megabusiness guy to have an intelligent worldview which is smart enough to include a vision for future generations of Virginians. With Steve Shannon running for Attorney General and Creigh for Governor Democrats will have a balanced ticket in terms of geography, i.e., not topheavy with those damned Yankees from NoVa. As for Mr. Bowerback, I have met and talked with him, mostly about Wise County coal-fired power plant, and he has a progressive point of view so far as our conversation went... but then, he is a natural gas guy and that clearly influenced his attitude.  



Sorry about the picture problems (Adam Sharp - 5/15/2008 11:51:46 AM)
The pictures were down for about half an hour because Google's free hosting has bandwidth limits and RK blew them out of the water. Pictures are now hosted where there are no limits.