Yeah, I stole that headline from Norman Leahy.
Placing a higher value on incumbency than on ethics, the Daily Press and the Virginia Gazette have both endorsed Del. Phil Hamilton for re-election.
In other words, he may be a crook but he’s our crook.
Honestly, I’m not surprised. As a senior member of the majority party – like Virginia Beach’s Bob Purkey – there is no way that a local newspaper is going to endorse against them. The bar of incumbency is simply too high for the papers to walk away from. Their position that the perks of incumbency are so important to the overall distribution of resources to our area that they are unwilling to go against it – even in the face of unethical behavior.
We, the voters, have the power to do what the newspapers cannot: vote. And in this case, vote Robin Abbott.
UPDATE: ICYMI CNU President Paul Trible sent out fundraising letters on behalf of Hamilton using university letterhead. Do these people not understand ethics at all?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Not to argue with your basic premise. But you might add that both papers included in their endorsemetns, criticisms of Hamilton’s conduct and the throught that it might have been sufficient to call for his ouster, IF his opponent has been more impressive.
DISCLAIMER: I’m not responsbile for the Gazette’s endorsements although I do get consulted and do sit in on ed board interviews with the candidates.
Criticisms are not sufficient. A backbone – to stand up to corruption – is. Don’t put the onus on the other candidate – that’s a cop out. Either you believe in ethical behavior or you don’t. And if you don’t, you don’t reward it.
With all due respect Vivian, it’s not that black and white. I have my opinion of the Hamilton situation, which is that what he did is wrong and he should have resigned. However, the issue is still under investigation by both the House Ethics panel (likely inconclusive) and the grand jury (probably Phil’s more serious problem). Given that there is no formal finding of wrong-doing at this time and that Phil hasn’t stepped down, it’s a matter for the voters to decide. In doing that there are a number of factors they should consider…Phil’s past record, his influence in the legislator versue a freshman legislator and, yes, the quality of his opposition. While I may or may not agree with the position the paper took, your take on the matter is rather simplistic.
If calling for something ethical over corruption is simplistic, then so be it.
I could apply your argument to anything and justify whatever behavior I wanted to. At some point, the people with the power of persuasion (albeit a decreasing power) have to decide what is right and stand up for it.
The Pilot in its endorsements made transportation the bright line: if you supported a reasonable answer to our transportation mess, you got their endorsement. If you didn’t, they didn’t. Are they simplistic too?
Yes. Transportation is important. But it’s not the only thing that a member of the General Assembly will have to deal with. And, given the budget situation, it’s not even the first thing they’ll have to deal with. Basing an endorsement on one issue is simplistic. It’s a more complicated world than that.
By the way, if the board wasn’t impressed with Abbott, they could have simply chosen not to endorse.
Its everywhere Vivian. Right next door in th 94th you’ve got Glenn Oder the republican who’s entire campaign is based on his supposed fight against “payday lenders”. Yet the Daily Press refuses to point out that Oder voted FOR HB940 in 2002 that let payday lenders into Virginia in the first place. Or that Oder has been taking campaign contributions from the very payday lenders, he claims he’s fighting. Shameful behaviour for a newspaper. Or that Oder who now claims he “abolished” the unconstitutional regional taxing authorities, voted FOR HB3202 to create the mess in the first place.
Then the newspaper big-wigs sit around big tables and muse about “why are people not subscribing to our papers anymore?”! Duh! When you can’t get even an iota of truth from the newspapers its no wonder people no longer rely on them. So the endorsement of Hamilton is surprising, but honestly in todays world, how much influence does it have? Not as much as it did 20-years ago. The average voter doesn’t even subscribe to the paper anymore. Daily Press, even more so than the Pilot, has lost all touch with voters, readers and has absolutley no moral ground to be making predictions or picks. If I read in the DP that the ‘sun is shining” I would need to go outside and feel the heat of the sun on my face before I would believe it, and even then, I’d only give credit to the paper for making a lucky guess! The Daily Press has lost any and all credibility with this former subscriber!
The Daily Press has become a journalistic joke. This once proud paper not only endorses corruption but asks that you,the voter affirm that corruption with your vote.
To answer your last question Vivian, “Do these people not understand ethics at all?”
The answer is clearly “No”.
I have talked to members of the DP editorial board about their biased reporting. What did they say? They said I must be s Democrat!!
They don’t even hide behind the fact that they are republicans.
They even consult with Glenn Oder on articles they write on him. They said he doesn’t take money from payday lenders. I sent them the actual sheet showing he did and they said “oh that was yesterday”.
Sad state of affairs.
Go out and vote for Gary West. We have made over 9000 phone calls for him and he has a good shot at winning.
Just to bump what Laura has said, Oder has taken money from the very payday lenders he claims he’s fighting. When he found out it was going to be an issue this year, he returned $500 to Community Loans of America, but all the other years he’s been “fighting” he’s taken money. Matter of public record, which the Daily Press conveniently ignores. So much for the ‘liberal’ press eh? When they endorse a clearly and obviously corrupt politician, there is no question, that they are in the back pocket of someone! They’ve lost all credibility her on the peninsula and advertising revenues are shrinking as fast as their subscription base.
Here’s the proof they ignored:
http://www.vpap.org/candidates/profile/money_in_industry3/35162?start_year=2000&end_year=2009&lookup_type=year&filing_period=all&industry=69
Ponied up another $100 today to Robin. Unlike Phil, I don’t expect a thousand in return.
What I expect is a Delegate not bought by big pharma, big insurance and hospital chains. What I expect is a representative that fights for the people of Newport News and JCC and not for the big corporate donors who have Phil bought and paid for, just like ODU.
The DP editorial page has become right wing rag unworthy of use as a bird cage lining under Digby Solomon.
Steve – I’m sure your former co-workers think a lot of your comments about them.
Vivian,
We knew a long time ago the editorial board of the DP would endorse Hamilton or not endorse at all. Believe me the inside dealings of this side of the water are huge. If I could yell at a few of the present and past elected officials I would because of their lack of support for people within their own parties. They have to protect their own behinds instead of being true to the individuals that elected them and let them run as Democrats. Maybe we should deny our signatures next time to run as Dems.
I hear you.