Why Is Congressman Eric Cantor Not The Prime Example Of The Type Of Politician That McCain And Palin Say They Are Fighting Against?
Rather than go into a lengthy discussion on the ineptitude and toadiness of Virginia’s 7th District Republican Congressman, I thought this interview of Cantor by Chris Matthew would better prove my point.
Comments
It baffles me why in such a climate this election in terms of the GOP, all the Democrats could muster was Anita. Two cycles in a row now where Cantor will not have to reach deep into his coffers during a campaign.
I agree with you completely. In a Congressional district of about 700,000 residents, certainly there must be a qualified progressive candidate that has far superior qualifications compared to Congressman Cantor. I like Anita Hartke and I wish her the best and hope she can rally supporters and raise campaign funds to get voter attention. If there is a year to vote out Cantor, this is it.
After my initiation into local politics I am convinced that the Democratic Party in the state has been rather moribund and many of the Party leadership who call themselves Democrats would in fact be Republicans in a blue state. Fortunately there is some shake up in the Chesterfield County Democratic Party with some new fresh faces and younger energy. Whether the momentum will survive after the election though is problematic.
Look I was on the fence back in March, but the way this whole thing has transpired in the national level I just can never endorse the national Democrat Party leadership- especially after the Clinton fiasco at the DNC....did they forget what Party they were representing? I truly hope that I am wrong but Obama now strikes me as a sheep in wolves clothing for no other reason than who is behind him. I think Democrats, like you refer to in Chesterfield, would be better served by moderate Democrats or progressive-lite like here in Virginia than those ultra-liberals at the national level. It has been my experience that there are really two very well defined camps in Virginia regarding Democrats;moderates and those in the Chuck Robb tradition which could losely be applied to Mark Warner and those that are persuaded by the ideology of those at the likes of Raising Kaine, Cobalt 6, Daily Kos etc that in my view do more to undermine the Democrat agenda than Republicans do in terms of perception in mainstream Virginia (ie not those of who follow this stuff on a daily basis).
I have come across quite a few pro-life, pro-gun Democrats in Virginia that would serve us greatly, but because they are pro-life they are persuaded not to enter politics based on the insider working of the Party mechanism. I find that very telling. In the Deep South, Democrats like this are making huge in roads into State legislature and Congress. Could you imagine if a pro-life, pro-gun Democrat was up against Eric Cantor in the 7th? No that would be a race worth tuning in to, but it is my view until the next gerrymandering of lines takes place the status quo seem fine with most in the 7th. It leans GOP anyway, except maybe the moderate areas of Henrico and some rural pockets up towards Culpeper. Cantor and Bobby Scott's congressional districts are absurd the way they are drawn.
“Progressive” is anticipating new technology and in incentivizing the growth of those technologies and industries locally so that there will be good paying jobs in Chesterfield and that we don’t loose our top talent after graduation due to lack of local opportunity.
“Progressive” on social issues means that we value science and reasoned debate such that we are rational about abortion. I was on the board of Planned Parenthood of Delaware, yet I find abortion abhorrent. I just don’t see the government jailing women or their doctors as the answer. I don’t see having abortion laws only to have women go to another state of overseas or to a back alley to have an abortion. I favor a respect for life that is not hypocritical. I favor education that teaches that all babies should have the reasonable guarantees of love, health care, education that matches their potential and interests, play, and security. And a respect for life that also sees execution as a violation of this respect for life.
“Progressive” means to me that the discrimination of homosexuals be challenged in the light of science and medicine’s overwhelming agreement that sexual orientation is not a moral choice but is a state of being. And I challenge opponents to explain how gay marriage threatens anything and what kind of life do they expect homosexuals to live when denied the equality heterosexuals enjoy – such as the rights and benefits of marriage, and the opportunity to serve openly in our military.
“Progressive” means that children in public schools receive age appropriate sex education and are taught the responsibilities and consequences of conceiving a child.
When a progressive idea was proposed to have a $300,000 challenge in the county (one dollar for each resident) that would be a contest to come up with the best idea of how $300,000 could be used in the county to improve the quality of life and to put Chesterfield on the map (winner only gets the recognition but contest would be promoted in schools and county organizations and open to all residents), it was conservatives who found every opportunity to put this down and progressives who were supportive.
Two suggestions were: Plant one fruit tree for each resident, 300,000 fruit trees in the county (apple, pear, cherry, peach, damson, plum, walnut, etc.). On public and private property – right of ways and schools and parks and back yards. Progressives saw this as a way to teach science and business subjects, bring a sense of community as fruit is gathered and preserved and pies are made – and a way to gain local, state, and possibly national attention. And to actually provide food locally. Conservatives said it would bring in pests, cause a mess, and compete unfairly with Ukrops.
Another example was to fund six top speakers on science, technology, and politics to give free public lectures in the county. Progressives were quick to suggest names. Conservatives said the county had no interest in intellectuals. I’m a little irked at the soccer moms and hockey moms; where are the math moms and the science moms?
The reality is that the world is moving exponentially and we are moving linearly. Only responding to the day-to-day and never taking the long view will not move the county forward. Few identify with Chesterfield County with the pride of place of which many others view their own town or city or county, and we are the worse for it. And we lose talent; young top grads, and the relocation of top businesses and industries because of it.
Thats why candidates usually have to come back to the middle to win elections and cannot simply stay camped out on the left side of teh Party. That speaks volumes about where we are in terms of the genral view of the electorate.
I doubt many of the so-called "progressive" sites like Raising Kaine fit your framework and yet they to if not careful will distort the word "progressive" just as they did "liberal". There is very little Teddy Roosevelt or bull moose about those folks.
In Chesterfield, I attended school in trailers back in the 80's and we have had trailers ever since and I imagine my children will as well here. Apparently, its not as easy as you describe in terms of planning and for the life of me I just do not get it. We have been dealing with this school issues for almost thirty years with no end in sight and yet they continue year after year to approve more and more zonings. I support growth, but balanced and controlled growth. Our Comprehensive Plan is reactive and not proactive for the future.
Our State has a shortfall of over a billion dollars after Warner and Kaine. They cannot pass the buck to Gilmore for all of the issues. lest they forget 9/11 in 2001 and the Pentagon and its impacts on the Virginia economy from 02 to 03 as well. I amnot placing blame but come on, its been seven years now and we still can't get over the hump and now they(State) is limiting fuding to localities.
It time the Board here wakes up and address needs on a scaled basis beginning with schools, safety/security, and roads and prioritize goals.
Instead we have the Board wanting to do one thing and our State Senator in Watkins wanting to handcuff them with impact fee policy over proffer policy.
Its time to put Chesterfield first at the local level and as far as regionalism; shelve it until we get our own house in order.
Will he have the guts not to support it come vote time?