Category: 2012 Elections

The Republicans took some of the fun out of 2012

The fact that Newt Gingrich is leading the polls in the Virginia Republican Primary but didn't gather enough signatures to get on the ballot sort of sums up his presidential campaign so far in a nutshell. But Gingrich wasn't the only candidate who failed to make the ballot. Texas Gov. Rick Perry, whose campaign thus far … Continue reading The Republicans took some of the fun out of 2012 →

What a difference four years makes

A thought occurred to me as I've watched all of these Republican presidential debates and the numerous changes in the frontrunner: what if there had been this many debates in 2007? Would John McCain and Barack Obama have won their party's nomination? Or would we have chosen differently? Actually, there were quite a few debates … Continue reading What a difference four years makes →

Robert Hurt tired of Washington already

(I have delayed talking about next year's Congressional races until after the elections here in Virginia were over. I will have a lot to say about Hurt, his inaction in Congress, and his habit of following instead of leading.) In an interview with the Farmville Herald published on October 6, 2011, Robert Hurt answered the … Continue reading Robert Hurt tired of Washington already →

Looking ahead

My latest op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. It's a look ahead to what's coming in 2012. Obviously, it's not all-inclusive, as there will be other local races both in May and in November around here. But first we have get past the General Assembly session. If nothing else, the session will be interesting to … Continue reading Looking ahead →

Selective journalism and parsing comments

Actually, I shouldn't really call one of these examples journalism at all. It reads more like an essay from a jealous ninth grader that just can't get over it. There is that example, which I will get to shortly, and another, in which a blogger took the parts of a news article and used only … Continue reading Selective journalism and parsing comments →

George Allen 2012: Old Dogs, New Tricks

Guest post by Bwana at Large Virginia Democrats and Republicans have chosen their champions for the 2012 Senate race.  Both have sent out into the countryside for the finest wines, cheeses, and silken fabric so each may present a fitting coronation of former Gov. Tim Kaine for the Democrats and former Gov./Sen. George Allen for … Continue reading George Allen 2012: Old Dogs, New Tricks →

Is Robert Hurt afraid of his constituents?

My Congressman, Robert Hurt, had a recess in August, along with the rest of Congress. He decided not to have town hall meetings with all his constituents, but to drive down a highway in the extreme southern portion of the district, Route 58. To be fair, there was also a "Route 29 Tour" Where I … Continue reading Is Robert Hurt afraid of his constituents? →

Debate foolishness (updated)

All of those involved, especially the Associated Press and the candidates, have literally bumped their heads in scheduling a debate between presumptive party nominees for Senate George Allen and Tim Kaine. Oh, sure - the press covered their backsides by saying "eligible participants include any declared candidates that average 15 percent or better in published, … Continue reading Debate foolishness (updated) →

One in, one out

As in Republican presidential candidates. In the midst of Saturday's Iowa straw poll, Texas Governor Rick Perry announced his candidacy. By Sunday, after a disappointing third place finish in the straw poll, former Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty gave up his bid for the position. I expect we will see a few other candidates drop out … Continue reading One in, one out →