Washington Post Delegate Endorsements

Well, you win some and you lose some. With regard to the Washington Post's delegate endorsements, I agree with two and disagree with two. Here's my reaction, district by district.

35th District: Citing Mark Keam's "compelling life story" and "impressive resume," the Post concludes that "Mark Keam deserves to be the nominee" to replace Del. Steve Shannon, who is running for Attorney General. I strongly agree with this one, having endorsed Mark Keam myself. Excellent choice by the Washington Post on this one - Go Mark!

38th District: The Post gives the slightest edge to Bob Hull over Kaye Kory (actually, they all but admit it's a tie between the two), who I support, based on Hull's "experience." The problem with that "experience," which the Post doesn't note, is that Hull is not well liked by his Democratic colleagues in Richmond (actually, from the ones I've spoken with, that's an understatement). In addition, Hull has some questionable votes and views (e.g., that Dominion "Global Warming Starts Here" Virginia Power is a responsible, responsive company!). As to Kaye supposedly not having "a clear vision of what she would do in Richmond," that's utterly ridiculous. On all of those points, see my endorsement writeup and you'll understand what I mean. Go Kaye!

47th District: This one is the Post's biggest mistake, with the Post overlooking the two "most liberal candidates" in the race, Miles Grant (who I support) and Adam Parkhomenko, both because they "lack legislative experience" in Richmond. What the Post overlooks is the fact that the candidate they end up endorsing, Patrick Hope, has no legislative experience in Richmond either and will also "face a steep learning curve." In fact, the only 47th district candidate the Post cites as having Richmond experience is Alan Howze, yet they don't endorse him.

The bottom line here is that the Post doesn't really seem to understand the candidates in this race, probably hasn't had a reporter at any of the debates or forums (I've attended three of those so far and have followed this race very closely), and most likely just went with the candidate supported by elected officials they know and like (e.g., Mary Margaret Whipple). In sum, if you're an undecided voter in the 47th district, the Post endorsement is completely unhelpful in making up your mind. Instead, I urge you to read their interviews online (here is the one I did with Miles), to check out their websites, to read their literature, and to watch the videos I've taken of their performances at debates. Then, you can make an informed choice, not just go with the Post's muddled "reasoning." Oh, and GO MILES!!!

52nd District: The Post endorses Luke Torian over Mike Hodge in this race for Jeff Frederick's vacated seat (Frederick is retiring). Although both Torian and Hodge are impressive people, everything I've heard is that Torian is the strongest candidate to win in November (and also will win the primary easily). The fact is, as the Post writes, either Torian or Hodge "would be a major upgrade from Mr. Frederick." In the end, I don't feel strongly about this primary, largely because I haven't focused on it or spoken with the candidates, but I have no problem with the Post's endorsement of Torian.

P.S. By the way, in 2005, the Post favored Jim Lay, a former Republican (the Post loves "moderate" Republicans!) and possibly Libby Garvey over David Englin (who they dissed as a "novice") in the 45th House of Delegates disrict primary. We can all see how that one worked out. Also, I'd just point out that the major 2008 Democratic presidential candidate with the least experience in Washington, DC was probably Barack Obama. Certainly, Hillary Clinton had more, as did Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden, and John Edwards. We can see how that one worked out as well! :)

Kaye Kory for Delegate

In the 38th House of Delegates district Democratic primary between incumbent Bob Hull and challenger Kaye Kory, the choice is clear. Today, I enthusiastically endorse Kaye Kory for Delegate. Here's my reasoning.

First, Kaye and her campaign have been highly attentive, including a prompt response to my questionnaire. In contrast, Bob Hull took a couple of weeks to respond, apparently not having checked his official House of Delegates email account for a while (he claimed he had not seen my emails). If that is any indication regarding the two candidates' approaches to the job of Delegate, Kaye Kory wins hands down. As Kaye herself explains in response to the first question I asked her, "We need a delegate who will be proactive, problem solving, results oriented, responsive to her constituents, and committed to working with other Democrats to make change the 38th district can be proud of." I couldn't agree more.

Second, Kaye has an excellent record on the school board, including leading the fight to rebuild Glasgow Middle School as a "green" school, with solar panels for hot water; motion sensor, high efficiency fluorescent lighting; low flow fixtures for faucets, toilets, urinals and shower heads; etc.

Third, from her website, here's a bit more about Kaye's impressive background:

In addition to 10 years of service on the Fairfax County School Board, Kaye has been an active leader in a diverse range of community organizations including: the Annandale Chamber of Commerce; the Virginia League of Conservation Voters and the NAACP. She has been a sustaining member of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee since 2001.

In addition, Kaye served as a VISTA volunteer, as a counselor for troubled youth at "Runaway House" in the District, and much more.

On the issues, there are a few significant differences between Kaye's and Bob's questionnaires. Kaye is a proponent of creating a partnership with local leaders and officials to tackle important district issues like transportation and the budget, while Bob says "there is nothing inherently wrong with the Dillon Rule." Kaye has a detailed, pro-environment agenda, while Bob has a 68% rating from the League of Conservation Voters from 2000 to 2008 (if you go back further, it gets worse). Kaye has pledged not to take money from Dominion Power, while Bob has taken $8,500 since 2000. Most egregiously, Bob Hull had this to say about Dominion Power:

I am certainly not interested in taking money from a company that purposely harms its employees and the environment, but I have not viewed Dominion Virginia Power as that type of a company and I have taken contributions from them. When constituents have contacted me with problems or concerns about electrical service, I have found Dominion to be responsive. I also remember that they went to the EPA and agreed to reduce pollution levels at their generating plants when other utilities were fighting the EPA in court.

Ugh, bad answer.

Other problems with Bob Hull: 1) in 2007, he was one of only a handful of Democrats who voted against HB 2422, which would have "[prohibited] smoking in restaurants in the Commonwealth unless a restaurant posts signs stating 'Smoking Permitted' conspicuous to ordinary public view at each public entrance;" 2) he introduced a bill that - as Marc Fisher explained at the time - would have "ban[ned] all athletic activities on every sports field and every swimming pool in the state of Virginia, even apparently including indoor facilities, before 8 in the morning, after 6 in the afternoon, or at any time on Sundays, unless the organizers of the event got written permission from every single homeowner within 65 yards of the facility;" and 3) I've heard, off the record, from several Democratic electeds that Hull is difficult to deal with and isn't particularly helpful in raising money for the Democratic caucus.

In general, it's time for new, energetic, progressive leadership from the 38th House of Delegates district. In short, it's time for Kaye Kory.

38th House of Delegates Interview: Bob Hull

In early April, I sent out identical questionnaires to both Democrats - Del. Robert Hull and challenger Kaye Kory - running for the Democratic nomination in the 38th House of Delegates district (Fairfax County - Mason and Providence magisterial districts). The Kory campaign responded immediately, and I published her interview on April 13. For whatever reason, I didn't hear back from Del. Bob Hull until a few days ago. Anyway, Del. Hull has now responded with his completed questionnaire, and I appreciate it. Thanks to both candidates for their responses to my questions, and may the best - most energetic, most progressive, etc. - candidate win!

1. Why, in your own words, have you decided to run for election/reelection to the Virginia House of Delegates from the 38th district at this time? What specific qualifications do you bring to the table?
1. I bring knowledge of my district. I have lived in or adjacent to my district my entire life. I think that I know my constituents and I have listened to their concerns.

2. I bring experience to the job. I served on Fairfax County boards and commissions for almost 19 years before being elected to office. I have served in the General Assembly for 17 years and I know how to get things done in Richmond.

3. I bring effectiveness to the job. I have sponsored legislation to prohibit firearms in recreation centers, consistently supported keeping abortions legal and available for women who choose to have them, helped secure millions of dollars in bonds to help build new road and rail projects in Northern Virginia, and fought to pass legislation that effectively bans smoking in restaurants in Virginia.

4. I have stood with Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine to ensure that Virginia is the best managed state in the nation, the most business-friendly state, and the place where children are the most likely to experience success.

2. How would you describe your political philosophy - progressive, moderate, conservative, or - to paraphrase Jim Webb - "the old political labels no longer apply?"
On fiscal matters, I am conservative and think that we need to preserve and protect Virginia’s triple-A credit rating. On other matters, I have a liberal or progressive viewpoint and I have fought to protect the civil rights, human rights, reproductive rights, worker’s rights, and civil liberties of the people of Virginia.

NOTE: I've moved Q&A's 3-12 to the comments section. Why doesn't Blogger software come with a "there's more" feature? Very annoying, as it means that long posts like this one take up the whole front page of the blog. Not good.