RK ARCHIVE - Which Race Interests You Most?

I just wanted to get a general feel about which of the Virginia Congressional House races has you attention this year. Please select from one of the Democratic challengers below, and post the reason you selected that person. Also, post what you think the other campaigns could be doing to get your attention. Thanks!

Shawn O'Donnell (1st): Going up against the very tough Jo Ann Davis. Will be a very tough race against a relatively popular incumbant.

Phil Kellam (2nd): Arguably the most competetive race in the state this year, but many bloggers have complained about lack of knowledge of Phil's issues.

Al Weed (5th): Now that the tide is against Bush, can he reverse 2004's results? Al Weed is going up against Goode in an area that Virgil has represented in some aspect or another for decades. What will it take for the 5th to move on?

Jim Nachman (7th): Some people have called this a "suicide candidacy", but there are bloggers who are serious about trying to take down Cantor. Is it even possible? You tell me.

Judy Feder (10th): The Surprise of the Year. Wolf should be safe after being in office for so long. Instead, he's facing a serious challenge from Feder. This one looks very competetive.

Andy Hurst (11th): Andy got a lot of support early on from the blogging community before his ten-poiny victroy over Ken Longmeyer. Now he's up against a moderate-Republican waiting for a Senate run. Can he put Davis' Senate plans to rest?

Comments

Hurst, Kellam, Feder (Thomas Paine - 8/14/2006 9:45:30 AM)

I am supporting the congressional candidates in this order.

Andrew Hurst has a lot of energy, a good head on his shoulders, and he is not afraid to challenge Tom Davis on his votes and positions.

Now that Davis is getting hammered in The Post for influence-peddling, getting his wife a no-show job from one of his big campaign contributors, traveling to Italy with his wife on the dime of a big developer and contributor for a luxury cruise on the Italian coast, and supporting Bush 97% of the time, Andy has a real opportunity.

Andy's smarts and determination will take him over the top (bladerunner - 8/14/2006 2:44:17 PM)

The momentum has been switching Andy's way and Tom seems to be feeling the heat--he's sending out all these tax payer paid promos which probably stretch his record at best. I believe Andy is going to nail Davis to the cross on his past voting record and lack of congressional investigative hearings. Davis can brag all he wants about how he thinks he's helped our district--It won't matter this time, the voters, courtesy of Andy "balls to the wall"Hurst, will call him to the mat and set the record straight. Like he's already been doing.

Hurst over Davis (Andrea Chamblee - 8/14/2006 2:48:06 PM)

Those who have read my posts won't be surprised when I say it's the campaign by Andy Hurst. Tom Davis has cost the region billions, and the entire country more, by allowing the Government Reform Committee to be used as a cloak to the Republican's daggers. Davis is surpassed in PAC fundraising only by seven other members of the House and only about 15 of the whole 535-members of Congress. He uses this money just like Tom Delay -- to keep the Republican majority whether the people want it or not. Davis funds races of ultra-Conservatives in other districts including disgraced, perjuring, Congressman-for-sale Bob Ney.

Davis's Federal campaign fund has donated over $400,000 to Republicans, including donations to ultra-conservatives who received 100% approval from the National Conservative Union: Todd Akin, George Allen, Bob Beauprez Marsha Blackburn, Tom Cole, Phil Gingrey, John Hostettler, John Kline, Bill Shuster, John Sullivan and Thomas Tancredo. Davis has also transferred his funds to George Bush, embattled Ohio Congressman Bob Ney, and tens of thousands to the Republican Party for further dissemination to Party loyalists, even though the contribution limit might have been met already by Davis's contribution from the same fund. TomDavisTruth.com

Of course, this does not even include his PACs in Virginia. His Virginia Victory Fund and the Federal Victory Fund have also procured almost 3/4 of a million and more for the party, circumventing Federal campaign donation limits. It does not include his second Wife's campaigns.

Davis is only now scrambling to investigate scandals that have languished for years, including lobbying scandals by Jack Abramoff that have gone unchecked. (He allowed the lobbying reform bill to be reported from the committee with sections missing, despite Democrats objections.)

Andy and his team can take credit for Davis's move back to the middle. Although it is late coming and won't last long, Davis clearly was planning to "talk the talk" of moderate politics through his plans for a Senate and White House career. Without a challenge, Davis could have gotten away with it.