Archive for the ‘congress’ Category

More of the same in Va-9 in more way than one

Posted: October 29, 2010 by datechguy in congress, elections, personal
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Stacy McCain is on the road again planning to hit Va, Tenn and Ga races in the final weekend to see what is going on.

In Va-9 where Morgan Griffith is the GOP standard-bearer the news from Stacy’s latest for the American Spectator sounds very familiar in more ways than one:

First democrats running from their record, and attacking instead? Check.

The problem with that strategy, it seems, is that Republican ideas of free enterprise and less government aren’t nearly as “discredited” as Democrats had hoped. And so the Democrats adopted two basic tactics: Accuse Republicans of favoring heinous policies (like “shipping jobs overseas”) and unload opposition-research files that highlight negative personal information about GOP challengers.

Use faux “3rd party” candidates to drain votes? Check.

Here in Virginia’s 9th District, businessman Jeremiah Heaton is on the ballot as an independent candidate. As Virginia conservative blogger Jerry Furhman notes, Heaton doesn’t seem to be running against the incumbent Boucher, but instead “has chosen to devote his every energy to attacking the Republican in this race.”

And finally panic:

With four days left until Election Day, the Griffith campaign is gearing up a series of get-out-the-vote rallies across the district. Griffith is running hard. But it looks like Boucher is running scared.

This sounds an awful lot like the last road trip.

Expect democrats nationwide to rinse and repeat for the rest of the election season to try to stop the big red wave.

The Lean vs Likely on Barney Frank

Posted: October 29, 2010 by datechguy in congress, elections, opinion/news, politics
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A lot of people are breathless on Cook’s moving Barney Frank from “likely democrat” to “lean democrat”.

Anyone who has been actually paying attention to this race on the ground has seen for weeks that all the momentum has been Sean Bielat way.

Anyone looking at Bumper stickers in the state over the last two years noticed a change.

Anyone looking at the competitive REPUBLICAN primaries and a VERY successful write in campaign with little or no state GOP help knew that something was happening.

Anyone who has been doing calling and canvasing in Massachusetts knows that unenrolled (Independents) are breaking Republican all over the state, and 51% of the people in this state are registered “unenrolled”.

The Big Red Wave is coming and it will wash over this state up and down the tickets, only the considerable number of 3rd party candidates (have they had some help?) put some of the republican wins in doubt. I’ve been making this case for a month and people have discounted it.

It’s going to be a long night for the donkeys and Massachusetts is not going to provide a whole lot of comfort.

Voices of the Candidates, John Olver (d), Michael Engel (i)and Bill Gunn (r) Ma-1

Posted: October 27, 2010 by datechguy in congress, elections, politics, special events
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All three candidates graciously agreed to speak to me after the debate:

It was quite a thing to hear a democrat actually defend Obamacare and not talk about repeal, it was almost refreshing. If you’re going to vote for something; own it!

This was my first meeting with Mr. Engel, he is a good advocate for ideas that I totally disagree with

Gunn pointed out Olver has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on TV. He will be running some TV but could use about 40K to try to compete with Congressman Olver’s volume and put him over, can you help? if you can Click Here to contribute.

Forum/Debate ma-1 in Gardner Ma first notes

Posted: October 27, 2010 by datechguy in congress, elections, internet/free speech, local issues, opinion/news, politics
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Last night the three candidates in my district, the first Massachusetts met in a debate in Gardner.

The crowd start to file in, all the seats would be full at the start


I saw several things I haven’t seen before. It was in a small area at Mt. Wachusett Community College (not even the main auditorium).

John Olver with aide before the debate

About 120 people attended to see a debate that was very different that what we’ve seen on TV nationwide.

Bill Gunn talks to a supporter before the start

First of all, there was no name calling

The Debate ended with a friendly handshake that was actually friendly

Second of all Congressman Olver DIDN’T run away from Obamacare or the Bailouts, or anything else, it was quite a change to see a democrat be an unapologetic democrat

The candidates and the moderator


Thirdly the 3rd party candidate is actually to the left of John Olver (and when the dem is a former professor at UMass Amherst that’s hard to do.)

Gunn and Engel disagree strongly but get along very well


On the issues Olver defended Obamacare, and the bailouts, he also touted projects he had brought home. On style he appeared every one of his 74 years, with some long pauses in between

Olver's mike seemed too high, he is REALLY tall


Bill Gunn went back over and over to the Constitution and returning control to the states, he attacked Obamacare as a monstrosity and stressed the power of the free market to solve issues

Bill Gunn Republican for Ma-1


Michael Engel attacked both Obamacare and the free market saying that government needs to partner with business, he suggested democrats were actually in bed with Big insurance and CEOs.

Michael Engel looking for another New Deal

The best part of the exchange, the candidates had dramatically different positions on almost every issue and expressed and defended them. It was some of the most substantive and informative mixed events I’ve seen and was a real service to the district. There was a really clear choice for the voters.

The worst part was the size of the venue, the shortness of the debate (only 1 hour) and that it was not broadcast live so many of the voters in the district likely would not see it. (I’ll fix that today)

On style Engel’s answers were the crispest, Gunn was close behind and Congressman Olver tended to ramble a little, on Substance, take your pick, agree or disagree all gave answers with substance.

This was a solid event, the crowd was well-behaved, the candidates stong in their beliefs and the questions relevant. The district would be well served to see this type of event every other day all over the area.

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