House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer was in town Thursday campaigning for 2nd Congressional District candidate Glenn Nye. When asked during an interview about possible committee assignments, Hoyer said:
In my view, he will go on the Armed Services Committee because of the importance of the military in this district.
When running for the first time in 2004, incumbent Thelma Drake was promised a similar plumb assignment, which no doubt contributed to her win over Marine Corps veteran David Ashe.
The recommendation by Hoyer, the second highest ranking member of the House, has not gone unnoticed. From The Hill’s Blog Briefing Room:
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has introduced a surge of money into Nye’s campaign in recent months. Combined with Hoyer’s visit, the move demonstrates the party’s belief that they could win a district renowned for its Republican bent.
All indications are that the race is tightening up, folks. Time to get out the checkbook 😉
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
While I am sure this sits well with people in the district, I have always believed after undertaking a research project in college on Woodrow Wilson, another great Virginian, that thuis demonstrates exactly what is wrong in Washington. Nye, who appears to be a fine man, is allowing his campaign and the potential for a seat at the Armed Services Committee as a outright bribe of sorts. This would also apply to Drakes run in 2004 if undertaken by the GOP. Wilson, commented often that it would be the “committee system” that would be the country’s undoing and frankly this latest financial crisis demonstrates a bit of that. It was individuals on these committees who ignored the signs on the wall and in fact the testimony before its committees. While I would hope that this region of Virginia would be represented by either candidate should they become successful, we have to ask ourselves if these “committees” really serve the people of the region as much as they serve the interests of Wshington. The lobby groups and special interest it seems have greater access to these committees and its members than do constituents, which was exactly Wilson’s fear. Are they answering to us or the district or are they more concerned with filling the needs of special interest to fill the coffers of future campaigns? Whter it be Nye or Drake, I would hope that after the last few weeks we all demand greater transparency of these committees, especially one as vital as Armed Services. We are already losing in John Warner in the Senate one of our greatest advocates in this arena so we certainly could use some new blood sorta speak to come up through the ranks in the future. Could Nye be that future? I would expect that Jim Webb would want someone in the House from Virginia who understands and has a firm grasp of just how important Armed Services is to Virginia and its future.
“In my view, he will go on the Armed Services Committee”
Yeah, he can sit right next to Phil Kellam.
“All indications are that the race is tightening up, folks.”
I’m out in the 6th so I’m not intimately aware of the happenings in the 2nd but I understood that the polls were actually trending in Drake’s favor. Maybe I’m wrong. What indications are you referring to?
The indications that are mentioned: the money from the DCCC & the Hoyer visit. Neither of those things would be happening if the race weren’t winnable.
Wouldn’t Nye make more sense on Foreign Affairs? Then, that’s expecting Democrats to make sense….
The question is moot: Drake will win reelection easily.
“The question is mootake will win reelection easily”
Thay may very well come to pass, BUT her friend “W” won’t be there! She’ll be like a pig without lipstick… Maybe she’ll be lucky enough to represent us on the SPCA Committee.
Salem Republican,
Vivian is correct, polls show the race tightening up. It has gone from “leans Republican” to “tossup – tilts Republican”.
As for a seat on the Armed Services Committee being a plum assignment, there are so many seats available on that committee that it is hardly a plum. Just about anybody that wants a seat there gets it.
You’re right, Lil, even Thelma was able to get on the Armed Services Committee.
I wonder what Nye’s response is to the plans for Obama to revisit BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) and his support for consolidation and potentially the closure of Oceana Air Station in the next round. Drake fought that measure, but will Nye challenge on behalf of all Virginians any more closures or consolidation in Virginia should Obama wish to do so. I believe Obama and Biden were on record supporting BRAC, so I hope a question in the coming weeks is posed to both regarding the issue.
LittleDavid – yes, I am aware that there are a lot of seats on that committee (although the public is not). However, it was a big deal when Drake ran initially in 2004 (Owen Pickett had been on the committee) and, in fact, no such promise was made to Ashe. (I don’t recall if Kellam was promised a seat.)