You will note in the graphic in the post below on candidate positions, the Pre-K one shows that Delegate Paula Miller disagrees with the Virginian Pilot’s position on Governor Kaine’s Pre-K proposal. I was quite surprised to see that, especially since I have heard Miller say on several occasions that she supports the proposal. Thinking it was a typo, I emailed the Miller campaign about it.
Del. Miller herself emailed me back. She reiterated her position – that she supports the proposal – but said that the estimated $641 million budget shortfall presents a challenge. She wants the budget problems resolved before Virginia takes on a worthy project such as this, particularly if the program has to be started and then stopped due to lack of sustained funding.
Apparently, the Pilot’s questions were only “Yes” or “No,” and lacked any opportunity for explanation. If this causes a candidate’s position to be misrepresented (and, in reading the answers to the three questions posed so far, I’m inclined to believe that there are others), then the Pilot is not doing anyone any favors by reporting this.
All the more reason for the Pilot to include references to the candidates’ websites in their articles. And, all the more reason for the candidates to make sure that their websites reflect their positions on these issues.
Technorati Tags: Paula Miller
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Perhaps you should email Griffin for clarification, too.
My understanding is that Giffin does not support the pre-K program.
And what about Welch??? Virginia’s Family Foundation legislator of the year??? OMG! That just can’t be right! Paging Brian Kirwin. ‘Splains this one, Brian, por favor.
Could Griffin also oppose it for financial reasons? He may have other valid reasons for opposing it. Why don’t you ask?
Giffin’s statement is not a misrepresentation. He may very well have good reasons for opposing the pre-K program, but his answer – that he disagrees with the program – is correct. On the other hand, Paula’s answer wasn’t really correct. Like I said – I thought hers was a typo because I had heard her express support for the program. No typo in Giffin’s response.
Miller seems to be have a very bad habit of saying something, then having to clarify (After certain people call her, I am sure). She seems to have trouble saying what SHE thinks, has trouble voting and seems to “mispeak” a lot.
She is either a puppet or not smart. I guess when you spend your life simply reading a teleprompter, anything less is just confusing.
Which is worse? Saying something and then having to clarify or, as Nick Rerras seems to do, voting one way and then saying the opposite?
Vivian,
Remember that “dumber than a box of rocks” phrase we discussed walking in Richmond at Bloggers Day? That applies here to Ms Miller. What surprised me at the time is that this is a favorite phrase I heard first from a Norfolk Republican long time activist.
I’m guessing it must be a Norfolk thing I don’t know about.