So says editorial page editor Donald Luzzatto in today’s Virginian-Pilot:
If you r
ead the editorial page regularly – and I hope you do – you probably have a good idea what the editorial board thinks is important: Good roads, effective schools, safe streets, a clean environment, an adequate social safety net. Taxes should be only high enough for government to do what only it can do: Building roads, for example.
From politicians, we like integrity, both in governance and promises. We want leaders, not followers. We prefer problem-solvers to flame-throwers. We want government to be small both in its spending and in its intrusion. We favor folks who get stuff done. We like smart people.
Incumbency is important – deep understanding of the issues typically tilts in that direction – but experience is not a clincher. It can be if a challenger’s knowledge deficit will take years to overcome. Seniority matters, at least where it provides power used for Hampton Roads’ benefit. Again, not a clincher.
There you have it. Keep this in mind as you read the endorsements in the coming weeks.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
“We want government to be small”
Where’s the rest of that line that should read “so we endorse the opponent of anyone who campaigns for smaller government”
Who is out there campaigning for smaller government? I must have missed the memo.
“Seniority matters, at least where it provides power used for Hampton Roads’ benefit.”
And therein lies the problem. It is hard to envision anything specifically for Hampton Roads benefit that Congress actually has the constitutional power to do.
Umm Warren, 43% of the local economy is related to the military, which is solely under the purview of Congress and the President. If the representative doesn’t have the mojo to affect military decisions then this region is going to suffer a terrible increase in unemployment as 2 carriers and JFCOM leave.
I could easily be wrong, but I see a 65% chance the Pilot will endorse Nye and a 35% chance they will endorse Golden. Rigell has no shot at all. Let’s break down what Luzzatto said;
“From politicians, we like integrity, both in governance and promises.”
Golden had enough integrity to disown a party that no longer represented him, Nye had enough to buck his party on several votes. I personally don’t buy the pass argument, MoveOn.org wouldn’t have waste so much money on an ad buy if they got a call from Pelosi saying Nye had a pass. Obama wouldn’t have wasted a phone call on Nye either. Rigell is deep in the pocket of Cantor and Boehner and while he criticizes Nye for his stimulus vote, he made use of one its programs to “help his business survive”
“We want leaders, not followers. We prefer problem-solvers to flame-throwers.”
Rigell is clearly a follower, he spouts nothing but GOP talking points and is the most tightly scripted candidate I have seen in some time. Golden is obviously head and shoulders above the rest in leadership and problem solving, when he walks into a room, all heads snap to him and he garners everyone’s complete attention. Nye is certainly a problem solver, but he is much too timid and afraid of crowds to be considered much of a leader.
“We favor folks who get stuff done. We like smart people.”
Rigell does get stuff done, but he does so by being a very skilled delegator of authority. His strength lies in picking good people to advise him and do administration, not in making the decisions by himself. Golden has undeniably the most extensive educational background of all three; 2 masters degrees and a fellowship at Oxford, plus the most thorough understanding of what makes up 43% of our local economy, the military. Unlike Rigelll, Nye has actually been overseas and as a freshman incumbent, has had two years to learn the ropes of how Congress works. However, Kenny with his 4 years of legislative affairs has spent more time working with Congress than Nye.
“Incumbency is important – deep understanding of the issues typically tilts in that direction – but experience is not a clincher. It can be if a challenger’s knowledge deficit will take years to overcome. Seniority matters, at least where it provides power used for Hampton Roads’ benefit. Again, not a clincher.”
Rigell’s understanding of the issues are only as deep as his consultants allow. Nye as an incumbent is getting there, but Golden still takes the cake on this one. Anyone who has heard Golden speak or been to a town hall knows that no one goes more in-depth on every issue than him. Again, 43% of the local economy is the military and nobody in this race even comes close to Golden’s level of understanding.
Nye as a freshman has no seniority, but Golden as a 31 year veteran personally knows the 4 stars who make the decisions that will make or break our economy. Now if the GOP takes back the house, there is a slight, slight chance that Rigell, with his close relationship to Cantor, might be able to get some things done militarily, but I doubt it.
I think Golden would be the best choice to represent the needs of the district, but I say 65% Nye and 35% Golden because the Pilot probably doesn’t want to endorse someone who will likely lose.
The military is for the NATION’S benefit, not just Hampton Roads’. I said, “SPECIFICICALLY for Hampton Roads’ benefit.”
The military, of course, falls under “provide for the common Defence and general Welfare of the United States” clause.