Deeds announces additional support

2009 Gubernatorial Race, Politics, Virginia 2 Minutes

Yesterday, Democratic candidate Creigh Deeds announced the support of eight Republican who served in the Virginia General Assembly:

  • Sen. Brandon Bell (R. – Roanoke Co.) – Member of Senate: 1992-96; 2004-2008.
  • Sen. John Chichester (R. – Stafford) – Member of Senate: 1978-2008. Elected President pro tempore of the Senate, 2000. Former Chair of Finance Committee.
  • Sen. Russ Potts (R. – Winchester) – Member of Senate: 1992-2008. President, Russ Potts Productions, Inc.
  • Sen. Marty Williams (R. – Newport News) – Member of Senate: 1996-2008. Former Chair of Transportation Committee.
  • Sen. Warren E. Barry (R. – Fairfax) – Member of the House of Delegates: 1970-1983. Member of the Senate: 1992-2002.
  • Del. Anne G. “Panny” Rhodes (R. – Richmond) – Member of the House of Delegates: 1992-2001.
  • Del. Katherine Waddell (I. – Richmond) – Member of House of Delegates: 2006-2008. Founder, Virginia Republican Majority for Choice. Former aide to Lt. Gov. John Hager.
  • Del. Jim Dillard (R. – Fairfax) – Member of House of Delegates: 1972-1977, 1980-2005. Former Chair of Education Committee.

A cruise around the blogosphere shows that Republicans are as quick to pooh-pooh these endorsements as they were to crow about that of Sheila Johnson. Of course, the reverse is true on the Democratic side.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what we think of the party affiliation of these former legislators. They call themselves Republicans – just as Johnson calls herself a Democrat – and we have no right to impose any kind of purity test on how these people identify themselves. That they have chosen to publicly support a given candidate is their right.We can be disappointed that they haven’t toed the party line, but that’s about it.

The bigger story here is that these individuals are willing to get behind a candidate that they believe in. Given that far too few are willing to do that, these folks should be applauded for stepping forward.

  • Sen. Brandon Bell (R. – Roanoke Co.) – Member of Senate: 1992-96; 2004-2008.
  • Sen. John Chichester (R. – Stafford) – Member of Senate: 1978-2008. Elected President pro tempore of the Senate, 2000. Former Chair of Finance Committee.
  • Sen. Russ Potts (R. – Winchester) – Member of Senate: 1992-2008. President, Russ Potts Productions, Inc.
  • Sen. Marty Williams   (R. – Newport News) – Member of Senate: 1996-2008. Former Chair of Transportation Committee.
  • Sen. Warren E. Barry (R. – Fairfax) – Member of the House of Delegates: 1970-1983. Member of the Senate: 1992-2002.
  • Del. Anne G. “Panny” Rhodes (R. – Richmond) – Member of the House of Delegates: 1992-2001.
  • Del. Katherine Waddell (I. – Richmond) – Member of House of Delegates: 2006-2008. Founder, Virginia Republican Majority for Choice. Former aide to Lt. Gov. John Hager.
  • Del. Jim Dillard (R. – Fairfax) – Member of House of Delegates:  1972-1977, 1980-2005. Former Chair of Education Committee.
Published

8 thoughts on “Deeds announces additional support”

  2. “At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what we think of the party affiliation of these former legislators. They call themselves Republicans – just as Johnson calls herself a Democrat – and we have no right to impose any kind of purity test on how these people identify themselves.”

    They’re being trumpeted as evidence of bipartisan appeal. It’s true that they call themselves Republicans but their effectiveness at achieving that stated purpose–evidencing bipartisan appeal–depends more on how widely others share their own opinion that they are Republicans. Those voters attentive to Republican factional divisions will know their reputations; those voters who are indifferent or ignorant may not, and it is only the latter who will accept their endorsement as evidence of anything.

  3. Uh, by definition, these are not “Republicans.” Republicans in Virginia must pledge their “intent to support all of the party’s nominees in the ensuing election,” or words to that effect. By stating their intent to support a Democrat, these individuals have separated themselves from the GOP. Call them “former Republicans,” if you must (I prefer the term “scalawags”), but “Republicans” they ain’t.

    1. Incorrect. There is no definition of “Republican.” The language you’ve quoted is from the qualification to participate as a member of the Republican Party of Virginia in certain of its events, as provided in Article I of the State Party Plan. By endorsing a Democrat, a Republican may have disqualified himself from participating in those events, but he does necessarily become non-Republican.

  4. -The bigger story here is that these individuals are willing to get behind a candidate that they believe in. Given that far too few are willing to do that, these folks should be applauded for stepping forward.

    I hope you are not excluding Sheila Johnson from this statement, although all indications are that you are or you would have made a similar statement on the Johnson endorsement of McDonell.

  7. I thought Marty Williams reasoning was interesting. He says that since people threw him out(republicans in a primary) for supporting HB3202(regional taxing authority) they should do the same to McDonnell who not only supported it, he touted himself as the “Chief Negotiator” of HB3202. Can’t say that anyone can argue with that logic. If you hated Williams for it, why not McDonnell? Chichester may have changed parties, but he was never a Republican!

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