That Didn't Take Long!

In 2010 the Democratic candidate in the New York's 26th Congressional District got just 26 percent of the vote. Even in the very good Democratic year of 2008, the Democratic nominee got just 40.5 percent. Last night Democrat Kathy Hochul won NY 26 with 47% of the vote. Her message: "Republicans have proposed a budget that will end Medicare but keep subsidies for Oil companies and tax breaks for the wealthy, and (her opponent) Jane Corwin supported that".

So did Virginia 6 CD Bob Goodlatte...

This is a CD that has not had a Democratic Representative since Lyndon Johnson was President...



Republicans think they have a mandate for radical rightwing social engineering. They are wrong, very wrong.

How will you vote?

Here in the 6th District of Virginia, there is no Democratic nominee challenging Rep. Bob Goodlatte. The alternatives on the ballot, a Rand Paul style Libertarian and a tea drinking independent, don't cut it with most Democrats. Certainly, area Democrats will be going to the polls to vote on amendments to the Virginia Constitution and, in localities such as Harrisonburg, on city council and school board elections. But, what to do about voting in the 6th District race?

Well, there is a movement encouraging Democrats to vote for the Chair of the 6th District Democratic Committee, Linda Wyatt, for House of Representatives. While nobody expects her to get a large number of votes, those she receives (along with other write-in votes) are a way to express dissatisfaction with the choices presented on the ballot.

How should you vote on the constitutional amendments? Here's what I think...!

Boss Limbaugh "Supervises" 6th CD Rep. Bob Goodlatte

GOP Congressman Endorses Sam Rasoul

The Rasoul for Congress campaign received the endorsement of Rep. Wayne Gilchrest, the Republican Congressman representing the 1st District of Maryland. Rep. Gilchrest sits on the Committees of Natural Resources and Transportation & Infrastructure and has served with Congressman Goodlatte on many issues common to both regions including this year's Farm Bill and Chesapeake Bay concerns. Congressman Gilchrest stated:

For 18 years I have served as a Republican member of the House of Representatives. But I am crossing party lines to endorse Sam Rasoul because of his positions on the important policy issues of today. I'm supporting Sam Rasoul because I know that he shares our values and will put principle above party in Washington.

h/t to and visit Cobalt6 for more information.

Staunton Newspaper Endorses Sam Rasoul

The News Leader of Staunton has joined The Roanoke Times by endorsing Sam Rasoul for Congress. Saying it is time for a change, time for a fresh approach, and time for new ideas for the 6th District, the News Leader says:

When Congressman Bob Goodlatte, R-6th, said he would only serve 12 years, we believed him. That was during his first run for the office in 1992....

In March, the nonpartisan research organization Knowlegis ranked the eight-term Republican 254th among 435 House members in the Congressional power structure. The study ranks members on their positions, indirect influence and legislative activity and earmarked funding for special projects.

After all his [Goodlatte's] years in Congress, we'd hope for something better than middle of the pack.

The News Leader goes on to write this about Sam Rasoul:

Rasoul, on the other hand, walks the walk. He is seeking a seat in Congress on a shoestring — he refused money from the National Democratic Committee because he didn't want to be beholden to the lobbyists attached to party money.

...we'd like to see a fresh approach to how our district is represented in Congress.

Rasoul is not part of the problem. We believe he could be part of the solutions.

Cross posted at Coarse Cracked Corn

Roanoke Times endorses Sam Rasoul

The Roanoke Times has endorsed Sam Rasoul in the 6th District with this strong statement of support:

Americans are dissatisfied with a dysfunctional Congress that has placed rabid partisanship and the influence of lobbyists above the interests of the Americans who elected them.

This Nov. 4 affords an opportunity for Americans to force change. Voters in Virginia's 6th Congressional District can help to hasten reforms by electing newcomer Sam Rasoul to replace longtime incumbent Bob Goodlatte.

Rasoul, at age 27, is the youngest person running for Congress. He is still wrapped up in the naïveté of youth. He believes that, with enough principled members, Congress could change. He is idealistic but doesn't seem to fully grasp or appreciate how the system works. Still, voters could do worse than give Rasoul a chance to prove himself.

He has shown through the campaign that he lives up to his principles. He won the Democrats' support as their nominee, but he has shunned all party and political action committee money.

Unseating an entrenched incumbent with a huge war chest is always tough. A newspaper endorsement doesn't guarantee victory. But, it is heartening to see a respected editorial board, which has closely followed this contest, come out with a bold and positive statement supporting Sam Rasoul. Hopefully, in this last week before votes are cast, the Roanoke Times has given undecided voters a reason to take a second look at this qualified candidate who will bring change to D.C. 

Bob Goodlatte's ties to racist Bobby May

Bob Goodlatte is friends with Bobby May. Who is Bobby May? What is so bad about him?

Bobby May is the southwest Virginia GOP activist, treasurer of the Buchanan County Republican Party, and racist who wrote a disgusting and offensive article attacking Barack Obama in his local newspaper. Among the vile crap, May wrote that Obama would hire Ludacris to paint the White House black, change the national antemm into the "black national anthemm," raise taxes to "pay for Obama's inner-city political base" and replace the U.S. flag with a new one that had "a star and crescent logo."

May was a member John McCain's Virginia leadership team. The McCain campaign broke off the relationship with with him only after the story went national when the Los Angeles Times published parts of May's vitriol. A few days later, Bob McDonnell, a co-chair of McCain's Virginia leadership team, current attorney general, and a candidate for governor in 2009, also sought to distance himself from May. So far, no comment has been heard from Chris Saxman, another outspoken member of the leadership team and member of the House of Delegates from Staunton.

Back to Bob Goodlatte. What exactly is his relationship with Bobby May? I think Bob owes us all an explanation. We do know that the Goodlatte campaign throws significant cash to Mr. May's advertising business. According to OpenSecrets.org, the Goodlatte campaign bought $7,508 from May Advertising Specialities in 2006. Was there even a campaign then? Records for campaign expenditures are not complete for 2008, but it is likely the close relationship continues.

Virginia Public Access Project records show May Advertising Specialities has been paid hundreds of thousands of dollars by Republican candidates in Virginia, including over $9,000 by the Staunton delegate and almost $75,000 by the attorney general.

Ah, the ties that bind. Mr. Goodlatte, tell us more about your ties and friendship with Bobby May.

Cross-posted at Coarse Cracked Corn

Bob Goodlatte has Gas

Bob Goodlatte blames the Democrats, and specifically Nancy Pelosi, for the prices you pay at the pump. BobbieBoy ought to learn more economics. He ought to be more honest.

There are several good posts on Cobalt6 and Coarse Cracked Corn exposing Goodlatte's hypocrisy and addressing the current oil/gas situation:

GasBag Goodlatte

Take a Gas-X, Bob

Bob's "Pelosi Premium"

Even the Roanoke Times is cacklin' about BadBob.

We have an alternative. There is leadership, for a change, in the 6th District.

New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century

Sign the petition and support our veterans - stand up for the New G.I. Bill for the 21st Century. Our troops fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan deserve the same opportunities to earn a college degree that soldiers who fought in World War II received when they returned home. Senator Jim Webb introduced this bill on his first day in office. It passed the House, but our misrepresentative Goodlatte voted NO! Republican leaders in the Senate are threatening to block it. Bush may veto it. 

For more info, click here.

Join Mark Warner and sign the petition and pass on the word to friends, family, and neighbors.