I imagine that Dan and Bruce, among others here, will take issue with the following. Ah well. I never claimed to be wedded to the Republican Party.
Virginia Candidates for US Congress
US Senate: Glenda Gail Parker, Independent
US House of Representatives: Marvin F. Pixton III, Independent
Neither Parker nor Pixton have a prayer of winning IMO, they are but vehicles to register my utter disgust for both parties. I’ve gotten so fed up with the two major parties that I will not support either in this election. Republicans George “Macaca” Allen and Jo Ann Davis haven’t done enough to blunt and counter what has greatly angered me about the Republican Party; indeed at times they’ve joined in quite willingly. The GOP has abandoned just about every principle it supposedly stood for and which I’ve regularly given them my vote in the past to support. Instead of tackling the major issues I want resolution to, such as border security, they’ve pussyfooted around and offered last-minute crap along with wedge-issue nonsense like gay marriage, flag-burning, etc. Here’s a clue to the GOP: I don’t like John Kerry, that’s why I didn’t vote for him in 2004. It’s no surprise to me that he continues to make an ass of himself in public; such is part of his nature it seems. Yet however big of an ass Kerry is, he’s not on the ballot and pointing out his latest gaffe does not make up for continued failures and dismal performance by the GOP over the past few years. Trying to peel my vote by presenting a nightmare scenario of Democrats winning and then botching the GWOT isn’t very convincing when they’ve acted and behaved as if the war was a side-issue only to be trotted out in order to win elections. All this does is remind me of the naughty boy caught doing something wrong and saying anything to stave off his just punishment. That’s not going to work this time. Some will disagree with me here and claim that I am allowing emotion to enable the Democrats to win. Ni modo. I’m finished with being taken for granted of by the Republicans and the fault lies with them for not being the kind of leaders they should be. This kind of reasoning has allowed both parties to put up any boob knowing that a certain percentage will always vote for them no matter what. If the GOP cannot stand on its own merit and provide leadership beyond the feckless and incompetent manner they’ve been doing thus far, I see no reason to vote for them. Respect and loyalty are earned, not something they are entitled to. Just because the Democrats have no concept of leadership is not enough to sway my decision. I also call “bullshit” on this since we won the Cold War with a divided government, even if it may have taken longer to do so. A Democrat Congress or one evenly-divided might shake President Bush up enough to rethink the lackluster performance he has given and maybe, maybe he might remember that he does have a veto pen. If the GOP loses, or even hangs on by the skin of their teeth, let them reform and refocus on why people entrusted them for so long with all levers of power. Contrary to the delusions of Dobson et al. I do not believe that GOP stands for “God’s Own Party“. Perhaps I’ll come back and consider them in 2008. Let them earn my vote and those of the rest of the electorate by becoming the kind of leaders they claimed to be and clearly have not been.
Democrat James Webb is an interesting candidate and if this were peacetime I’d probably vote for him on Tuesday as I did in the primary. Yet he has run a campaign just as dirty as his opponent and chosen to represent a party I absolutely despise given its embrace of just about every whacko nutjob from the Radical Asinine Left that has come along, from Michael Moore to Cindy Sheehan. I will not reward their disgraceful, dishonorable, and despicable antics by voting for their candidates, no matter how worthy they may be. Besides, call me a prude but I do not want my Senator writing about fathers putting their sons’ penises in their mouths in any context. Democrat Shawn O’Donnell is a party hack hardly worth consideration for dog catcher in my estimation. Let the Democrats follow the Republicans in reforming and refocusing, along with ditching the RAL, and then perhaps I’ll take a second look at them. I must admit though, that if the Democrats snatch defeat from the jaws of victory yet again I will have to chuckle and perhaps re-post the YouTube video of that evil genius Karl Rove. I may be angry with the Republicans but I do enjoy watching the Democrats go down in defeat. Their wails and lamentations are music to my ears. Besides, there are some Republicans and at least one [Independent] Democrat I’ll be rooting for on election night, but not Allen. I’ve had enough of him.
Proposed Constitutional Amendments in Virginia
#1 – Ban on same-sex marriage, civil unions, and domestic partnerships. NO
I can understand why some people might oppose same-sex marriages, especially those doing so out of religious conviction, but civil unions and domestic partnerships as well? No, this goes too far and leaves gay couples with nothing at all. This is nothing more than discrimination worthy of pre-Loving days.
This seems to be nothing more than constitutional house-cleaning since the provision is already unenforceable. Eh, I too question the constitutionality of it anyways so why not?
This seems non-controversial to me and perhaps beneficial.
Local Referendums
#1 – Allows the county to borrow nearly $77 million dollars to upgrade parks and recreation facilities. NO
I’m in a cranky mood since not enough has been done for transportation, despite the next referendum on the ballot. No, I’m not willing to allow the county to borrow money for much else until my commute improves.
#2 – Allows the county to borrow just over $161 million dollars for transportation projects. YES
A no-brainer for anyone stuck in the long commute in this area.
AGJ, interesting takes on the election in VA… and the local initiatives, too.
Here in Michigan we have 5 big initiatives:
–allow sportsmen to hunt mourning doves (which taste like Bald Eagle without needing a morel sauce),
–roll back ancient racial quota programs for college admissions and other things and return to fair, equitable treatment for all,
–stop state govt from diverting parkland acquistion funds to balance the state budget,
–exempt K-16 education from future budgets cuts and return to the good ol days for teachers’ unions when local school district budgets could grow 2x the rate of inflation… along with teacher salaries, benefits, increased administrators, new buildings, perks,
–prohibit government from taking private property by eminent domain.
You’d think that any of these initiatives simply scream “special interests” but each of the proponents contend they are just doing the People’s Work.
Special interests are bad when they funnel money to political types, but it’s ok when they cravenly look to voters for special treatment and preferential policy relief. Don’t get me wrong –I’m not opposed to initiatives. Just this year, they seem especially “special” interested… if you know what I mean.
Errr…. James Webb’s book “Fields of Fire” about Viet Nam is on the required reading list of USMC officers and enlisted. Its even recommended by the Commandant of the Corps personally.
Errr, the Commandant’s official reading list for the corps also includes a silly science fiction book by Robt Heinlein and lots of other books that raise the querry: When did the Commandant decide to impersonate Oprah?
BTW, the Jim Webb books recommended by Al Gray (Gen USMC) and other militarists are Fields of Fire and a book about the controversy over women in the military –two out of 100+ depending on the date of the listing. I suggest “Born Fighting” or “Emperor’s General” over anything else.
Good authors don’t necessarily make good Senators.
Good Commandants don’t necessarily make good book reviewers, either.
Gryph, AGJ’s concern wasn’t with Webb… in fact, he notes he might have supported Webb if this were a different election… the problem is with the Democrats –who are blackening all by embracing dyspatriots like CindyZeroSheehan and MikeyMoore and GeorgieSoros. Hell, even I liked Webb before he entered the political silly zone.
Agreed. Webb seems reasonable, but he hasn’t done anything that would lead me to believe that he would stand up to his party’s moonbats. If anything, he’s milked and encouraged them.
This is why, if control shifts, the 2008 elections are going to be very interesting; all the so-called “conservative” Democrats, cradling their severed nuts in their hands, will have to explain why they voted for everything they supposedly opposed.
NDXXX, fair enough.
Couldn’t they just use: “I voted for the ______ before I voted against it” line?
Is Cindy Sheehan or Michael Moore campaigning for Webb? What are his actual values as stated? According to his logic I should not vote for Arnold tomorrow because he is associated with Bush. It just doesn’t follow.
According to his logic I should not vote for Arnold tomorrow because he is associated with Bush. It just doesn’t follow.
Arnold has a demonstrated record of both supporting and opposing Bush depending on the issue.
Webb has a demonstrated record of saying one thing and, on the other, playing to the DailyKos fanatics that inexplicably circle his campaign, give him so much, praise him so often, and do everything in their power to go after Allen in his name, but — ahem — don’t technically work for him….
Of course, Webb could do like Arnold and publicly oppose the Kos-sites on several issues. But the simple fact of the matter is that he’d end up like Liebermann.
Webb is just another example of the moonbats finding a puppet with a military record who they think will provide them cover for their anti-military hate — and who is dumb enough to believe that he’ll actually be allowed to think for himself once he’s in office.
I’m in a nasty anti-incumbent mood. My local NJ endorsements;
http://tedbnnj.blogspot.com/2006/11/judgment-day.html
Sigh….Ted, I understand your dilemma. But the time to deal with these sort of things is in the primaries, not the general.
As one who speaks from experience, I can tell you….two years is an eternity when you protest-voted a candidate.
Special interests are bad when they funnel money to political types, but it’s ok when they cravenly look to voters for special treatment and preferential policy relief. Don’t get me wrong –I’m not opposed to initiatives. Just this year, they seem especially “special” interested… if you know what I mean.
I can understand to a point. Yet in Virginia they don’t happen very often but marriage was at ‘risk’ you see, so…
Ah. You mean like Katherine Harris in FL. And what were the last outstandingly independent things that the GOP in Congress did that did not kowtow to the socialist conservatives?
Unfortunately ND30, he ran unopposed at the primary-level. As the district was redrawn years ago to make him unchallengeable, it straddles the boundaries of five County Committees and any challenger would require the nod from at least 4 of the 5 committees just to get on the ballot. thirteen terms in-office is enough, I just want this Reagan/Bush-1980 one-trick-pony gone….
Unless there’s a huge anti-incumbent wave against him personally, it’s usually a “safe” Republican seat…and the next Republican candidate can recapture it with the backing of the County Committees next time. Here in NJ, the political machine is at the County-level, the State Party Committee has little influence here in the southern-portion of the State.
Gryph, AGJ’s concern wasn’t with Webb… in fact, he notes he might have supported Webb if this were a different election… the problem is with the Democrats –who are blackening all by embracing dyspatriots like CindyZeroSheehan and MikeyMoore and GeorgieSoros. Hell, even I liked Webb before he entered the political silly zone.
Exactly. The bit about the part of his book I threw in was like the proverbial sink. I would have completely ignored it if everything else was in order, which it was not. I will not support the party he has chosen to represent by voting for one of their candidates — period. What they have done over the past few years is reprehensible and unforgiveable for the current crop running. If Webb beats Allen and turns out to really be a moderate, I’ll re-consider him in 2012 (ditto for Allen) but right now my answer is nyet to the both of them.
This is why, if control shifts, the 2008 elections are going to be very interesting; all the so-called “conservative” Democrats, cradling their severed nuts in their hands, will have to explain why they voted for everything they supposedly opposed.
Perhaps. Yet some will survive as Blue Dog Democrats, something I miss in politics. I’m sure many of them will pay more attention to their district than what the party wants, if not then they’ll be gone next time around. In the meantime though the political theater will be quite enjoyable.
Is Cindy Sheehan or Michael Moore campaigning for Webb? What are his actual values as stated? According to his logic I should not vote for Arnold tomorrow because he is associated with Bush. It just doesn’t follow.
Then don’t. Such is your right if you so choose. Webb made the unfortunate decision to choose a party I’ve come to despise over the past few years and I cannot get past its embrace of such nutjobs as Moore and Sheehan. It is not a insignificant thing when wingnuts like Moore are seated next to a former president during a nomination convention. Nope. I cannot forget that. Maybe next time, but not right now.
Sigh….Ted, I understand your dilemma. But the time to deal with these sort of things is in the primaries, not the general.
As one who speaks from experience, I can tell you….two years is an eternity when you protest-voted a candidate.
Not a good enough argument for me this time around. Such will work if Hillary gets the Dem nomination in 08, but not this year. Nope. I do not care for the choices presented to me by both parties in my state and therefore choose to go Independent this time. A pox on both their houses.
Average Gay Joe, I think you speak for a lot of disgruntled Republicans. I know you speak for me. However, I’m going a little farther than you. For the first time in my life, I am about to cast a straight Democratic ballot. It’s the only way to send a message that I have had enough.
I don’t feel that I’m deserting the GOP. My political philosophy and principles today are basically the same as they were when I formed them aa couple decades ago. No, the Republican Party has deserted me. I’ll return to the fold when the GOP returns to its core principles.
Of course, I can always hope a viable third party emerges and we can say go to hell to both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Ashley, I’d encourage you to cast that ballot as a str8 party ticket for the Democrats. My hunch is you’ve done it before because I’ve not read much from you here that suggests you are even a behavioral GOP left alone a GOPer.
After you cast that ballot, go join ’em and stay there for a few years. Get involved in their party operations near your home. Get to know your new political bedfellows. It’ll be a good education for you. Every BigTent has it’s exit and the GOP is strong enough to endure your absence.
I’m a moderate to progressive GOPer in Michigan and find the State party and Natl party to be a-o-kay on the majority of items and wrong on a very few particulars. My way is to stay and help change from within.
You go do that with your new pals on the Left– let me know how it works out in 5 years. Til then, drop the “I was a Republican” bs.
Gryph writes at #6: “Is Cindy Sheehan or Michael Moore campaigning for Webb? What are his actual values as stated? According to his logic I should not vote for Arnold tomorrow because he is associated with Bush. It just doesn’t follow.”
OK, once again Gryph, you gotta read for C O M P R E H E N S I O N, guy.
I wrote that AGJ wasn’t saying that about them, it’s about the party he associates with Gryph. The Party, guy. Got it? Damn, liberal yippers can be so frustrating sometimes with that thick head they seem to have. No wonder the tin foil has to be heavy duty.
Oh, Michigan Matt, you are so smug, even when you have no idea what you’re talking about. How dare you judge me when you don’t even know me.
It was not an easy decision to vote a straight Democratic ticket, but I’m fed up and, in my own small way, need to send a message to the GOP. I know I won’t be missed but at least I’ll feel goof about it.
I don’t care whether you believe it or not, Michigan Matt, but, except for local races, where I’ve personally known Democratic candidates, I’ve never before cast a ballot for a Democrat for president, senator, congressman or governor. I’ve volunteered in a lot of GOP campaigns but never in a Democratic campaign. I’ve contributed a lot of money to Republican candidates but not one cent to Democrats.
But no more. George Bush and the Republican leaders in Congress no longer resemble the Republican Party of Barry Goldwater and Ronald Reagan.
Ashley, nothing smug in my earnest plea for you to pull that str* Democrat Party lever and come out of the closet to your pals… it’ll be ok. I can only “judge” you, as you put it, on the ‘tude and comments you’ve brought to this site and oft’ times expressed. You’ve hardly been supportive of GOPers, Bush, the WOT, Congress or the issues even nominally associated with GOPers. Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.
Like others here who flame on, you’ve struck me as someone who will claim to be a GOPer if you think it will help impeach the GOP with other commenters here. Nothing new there –it’s been happening for a while on this site and elsewhere. Your comments above prove that out.
I would love you to “leave the party of Goldwater and Reagan” (ps> did you forget that for more dramatic effect you should write ‘the Party of Lincoln’ because it always sounds more compelling?)… the party that’s moved away from you and your ideals —as you recall them or remake them now. No problem. Lay down with your new liberal Democrat friends for 2-3-4-5-6 years and get acquainted –well acquainted.
Your choice has a consequence.
Now quit trying to spin your own smug denouncement of the GOP into some sort of newbie plea of the lost political songbird… from what I’ve read of your comments, if you do “leave” and join your comrades on the Left, you’ll be where you should have been in the first place.
Simple as that, Ashley dear. And I still don’t give a damn.