Battle in the 24th: The Delegate Factor
It's time to discuss Delegates Landes, Saxman, Cline and the race in the 24th. Personally I like the way all three vote. Conservative on all fronts, and especially taxes. As Scott Sayre pointed in the recent debate with Hanger, all three have signed the VCAP 'No New Taxes Pledge", and have voted against Hanger's 04' tax increase, and his subsequent tax packages in 05' and 06'. The only person 'out of step' around our district is Hanger period, on taxes.
Del. Landes finally declared for Hanger last week, by himself.. No Saxman or Cline in attendance. What does this tell you? He owed his allegiance to Hanger for past favors, and they share family in staffing, so no surprise there. I will say this for Del. Landes, 'At least he took a stand'. His late endorsement really speaks more for Sayre than it does for Hanger, so he isn't seen as disfavorably with the local grass roots, although we obviously wished he would have stayed neutral altogether, or endorsed as he really votes in the General Assembly.
On to Del. Saxman. He and Emmett have always had conflicting interests. Both have state wide ambitions, as Emmett had a failed LG run in 05', and Saxman is always the talk of a McDonnell-Saxman-Connaughton ticket in 09'. Saxman has consistently voted and advocated for lower taxes along with reigning in the 'run away spending' in our Commonwealth's budget. This sits real well with us 'extremist' grass roots types, because that means he is 'one of us'. What isn't sitting well is that he is not coming out in support of Scott Sayre, because he would be a 'huge' factor, and probably would drive the last nails in Emmett's coffin, in this race.
Now, Saxman is obviously playing it the same way VA General Assembly Speaker Howell, and House Majority Leader Griffith see this race. They came out in support of Hanger, which is a win-win for them, as they probably see this. Both of them would probably Love to see Sayre win, because they have been fighting Potts/Chichester/Hanger since 04' to try and keep a lid on taxes and spending. Should Hanger prevail in this contest, they at least are in Hanger's and the 'Senate Leadership's 'Good Graces' for publicly supporting them.
These two do not have to face any of the 24th's voters, or backlash for standing with Hanger, since we can not vote them out of office. Saxman on the other hand doesn't have this luxury. Saxman will be seen as not standing by his principles (as per his voting record) by not endorsing Sayre. The big factor here is Saxman not completely alienating either the Hanger or Sayre voters, and he can still raise $$ from both camps and smile a lot while hoping for their votes in his base district, as he readies his state wide ambitions.
Saxman still doesn't look good with his grass roots supporters who have pounded his signs, worked the polls for him, etc. since he was first elected. WE have put it all on the line, plus Leadership was expected... and I'll leave it at that.
Del. Cline, has the unenviable position of having the least seniority of the three, and can receive the most damage from the Speaker and House Majority Leader for appearing to 'buck' both of them, with an endorsement of Sayre. Philosophically, Cline is completely in line with Sayre on taxes and spending. His 'Yellow Pages' Bill meets the same fate as Saxman's 'School Choice' in Senate Finance... Doesn't see the light of day, because well, you see the 'Senate Leadership' could obviously not give a 'rip' about spending and taxes, because well, they are all about raising taxes and spending.
Ben also has the problem of a one David Beyeler, who is Augusta County Supervisor and Hanger supporter who holds some sway in Ben's Augusta County precincts. Think that conversation has come up between the two? Never mind that David Beyeler is also philosophically in line with Sayre also on Spending and taxes, but hey, He has been buddies with Hanger forever. Can you say 'Good ol' Boy' network? My favorite conversation with Beyeler is reminding him that by endorsing Hanger, he also endorses a 5% wholesale gasoline tax, increasing the tax on new and used vehicles by 25%, tripling the Grantors tax, etc. etc. How about giving in-state tuition to illegal immigrants, and remember the Big Un' in 04'? The voters do.
Mr. Beyeler also is part of the same Board of Supervisors that gave our County a big fat, 28% increase in our Real Estate Assessments, and didn't see fit to drop the rate one, red, cent. I have enjoyed going door-to-door in his district for the past two weeks.... Think that subject comes up? Can you say 'Power of the Grass Roots'? Many a Sayre sign has gotten planted in the South River district, just on the basis of Beyeler's endorsement of Hanger.
Hey, isn't it Hanger that says "I'm raising taxes in Richmond, so the localities don't have to raise your local Real Estate Taxes?
In conclusion, all politics is local isn't it? The people are interested in Leadership... and the only Leadership alternative is Scott Sayre for Senate.... This whole thing plays out next Tuesday, and I for one am hoping for new Leadership, but what will the voters say? Five days to go.
(I wrote this on June 8th, 2007, and didn't publish it for fear we might lose what little support we had from our Delegates at that point. The reason I am publishing it now is because I think it is very relevent to the outcome and analysis of this campaign.)
posted by Spank That Donkey at
9:29 AM
14 Comments:
Looks like the voters didn't remember the "Big Un' in '04" after all... Sayre got wiped away.
Hey Mad- Sayer didn't get wiped away. If you take out the Democrats that voted you probably will find a very close margin that could have gone either way. This is a big message to Hanger that he best get off his high horse and come back to listening to these grassroots constituents. If he tries to push them out (PURGE) he may find the election in November a surprise. He needs to remember that it was his actions that caused the problem in the first place. This should be a wakeup call if it isn't he may find himself in a position being recalled and removed from office through the courts which can be done.
Of course it is those filthy Dems fault that your candidate lost.
Why wouldn't he purge the party leadership locally and install people who will support him? Don't think he hasn't read smear posts on B4s, STD, SG, GGD, and JM.
That is just the attitude you and those " filthy Dems" (your words not mine) as you put it would like. A complete breakup of the Republican party would benefit whatever second rate candidate the dems can scrape up in all hope that their man will win. It is the old divide and conquer tactic and you may be right in that Hanger is just not quite bright enough to understand that implication. He wasn't bright enough to understand the implication of his actions in 2004 and the results of what he has just gone through. If he doesn't extend his hand and learn from this situation, the new young guns of the party will find someone who understands their ideals and tries to work with them and for them for the betterment of the party. If he does things right and gains their confidence along with their support the NEW REPUBLICANS could be a force behind him that could push his political career even further. More like chopping your nose off to spite your face if he doesn't.
As far as the dems being at fault maybe partially, I don't believe that either party should have the right to interfere with another party in their choice for a candidate, but again this is Virginia and good old english law. I believe that the big old money that is afraid of change and progress in Staunton made it a point to vote. You might say the AARP bunch and they are mostly Dems. Being at the polls myself that is what I observed and from my conversations with them. By the way I don't think dems are "filthy" I have voted for many of them in my lifetime. I vote for who I believe will do the best job, not a "good ol' boy".
chirp chirp chirp
where is the update?
Hey Dapits:
If you can't get the votes to primary Hanger out, how the hell do you think you're gonna recall him?
NO ONE IS LISTENING TO YOU ANYMORE.
YOU PEOPLE ARE IRRELEVANT.
Did you not see the Staunton News-Leader today?
YOU'RE the one who better come to grips with reality, or you're gonna find yourselves awfully lonely.
Which wouldn't hurt my feelings.
Heh.
The misleader is going to be called to account for their tirade, that is a fact. As far as a recall you must not know the laws of this state very well. As far as listening to "US" it would be in his best interest. Your a dem just by your attitude so that makes you insignificant. You or the misleader will not succeed in destroying the Republican Party. We will come together and prevail in November as soon as Hanger screws his head back on straight and starts listening to ALL of his constituents.
Here's the update. I write a decent 'insider' post and all I get in the comments section is a bunch of Dems, who undoubtedly voted for Hanger, posting there usual, issueless rhetoric.
I just came in from trying to get all of our signs down... Luckily we ran such a good sign campaign that couldn't be accomplished by four people in a 12 hour period.
and MH: The precincts we targeted came home Sayre... If this were a closed primary, your gloating wouldn't be a reality and you know it.
Ha Ha Ha
What's the matter spanky? nobody around to pat you on the back side anymore?
I'm glad you brought up Saxman. That spineless weasel ought to be next. He actually thinks he can be governor!
to the SWACers...Don't let the door hit ya' where the good Lord split ya'.
This I expected from the far left dems. They talk about mean spirit and smart mouths they must be looking in a mirror. I am going to try one idea and hope it works. I will let you all know the result if and when it happens. I don't want to say anything so that the situation won't be compromised until it is done.
What's funny is that dapits thinks that Hatter is a Democrat.
dapits is funny in all sorts of ways.
What is also funny is that they think Dems that would have voted in this primary would have went for Hanger. I guess thats the excuse you have to use to sleep at night and not look like such a fool for ranting about Sayre for the last 21 weeks.
No Democrat with the motivation to vote in a Repub primary would vote for Hanger. Why? We'd like to have a shot at this seat! With an entrenched Republican incumbent on the ballot for the general, that all but nixes any chance for Cox! Keep with the excuses...maybe you guys can link each other 20001248 times on the same post mid-whine...
Hey Valley, I know they voted and for Hanger. I worked the polls and I observed, I also talked to many of his supporters that admitted they were Dems. Hanger was a Dem to start with and changed parties to ride the winning Republican wave when he ran for the senate 12 years ago. Now we have a big choice in November, 2 Dems and a conservative Libertarian. You aren't very well informed, don't look now but it is showing.
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