The evidence to substantiate Brian’s claim comes from the figures you provide.

I bet that if Meyera had made a larger effort to communicate her support of Obama in these precints through targeted campaigning/media advertising she would have fared better.

It is not like Meyera lacked the means to get her message out. Of course leaning too far in one direction to gain votes alienates voters and loses votes in another direction.

By the way, that you are so politically involved and take the time out to go to such events is one reason I keep coming back here. But I was not aware of Meyera attempting to tie herself to Barack so I am not surprised that the voters in the precincts you point to were caught unaware as well.

Perhaps Meyera just ran a lack luster campaign?

As an aside, I will mention that perhaps Virginia Beach needs to change course on non-partisan city elections. I have heard Republicans speaking up in favor of this and here is an example where the presumably Democratic candidate would have benefited as well. Most localities do not have a problem with partisan elections for local seats.

Perhaps you are correct in stating I am engaging in speculation.

However if my speculation is correct, what you put forth, that Meyera was joined at the hip with Barack, was evidently not communicated to the precincts in question.

Or are you just speculating yourself?

My speculation is that Meyera did not want to tie herself at the hip with Barack like you state was evident. Such a move would have been advantageous in some precincts but a death knoll in others.

If you felt you didn’t know enough to vote in the mayoral race, I find it difficult to understand why you feel qualified to offer inaccurate claims here.

My impression is that the Sessoms campaign exceeded the Oberndorf in expenditures. I am not certain this is true, but from my personal experience I suspect it is.

Were all of the Sessom’s expenditures other then (and I am not putting forth direct funding) of the flier wasted?

Perhaps the problem is that Meyera spent so little time campaigning in the precints you mentioned, they were more open to appeals from her opposition.

I am not saying that whoever printed the flier should go unpunished. I am just unwilling to accept that the flier is the complete explanation for Meyera Oberndorf’s loss.

Did Meyera offer Obama the keys to the city when he appeared here? Or did she distance herself from the Obama campaign?

Kind of hard to ride the coat tails when you want nothing to do with them.