Another mayoral choice in Virginia Beach
By J.R. | July 4, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections |
The two main parties have, effectively, picked their nominees — Will Sessoms for the Republicans and Meyera Oberndorf for the Democrats (who says these are non-partisan races?) — but a third candidate has also declared and should be given some consideration: Scott Taylor.
I had a chance to correspond with Scott and ask him why he’s running and what is the basis for his campaign:
I have always been interested in politics and am more motivated by making positive impacts in people’s lives than making money, although I like to make money. I feel a calling from within that I must answer. That is why I am here.
3 Main issues-
1) Lower Real Estate Taxes(Our assessments are inflated),Which means more efficient spending of our tax dollars.
2) Economic development- Small business generates the most jobs and economic activity nationally. I am a big believer in supporting them in everyway we can reasonalbly and fairly, especially in this economic enviroment.
3) Being a voice for citizens of all demographics in every corner of the city. Empowering citizens and civic leagues to create more collaboration and a sense of ownership.
I consider myself a conservative. I am a moderate Republican. I am a former NAVY SEAL and now small business owner. I like strong military, Low Taxes, smaller government, and capitalism. That being stated, I feel to actually get things done you should be nearer to the center than you are to the far right or left.
My website is www.scotttaylor2008.com
Good luck, Scott.
Comments
43 Responses to “Another mayoral choice in Virginia Beach”
Leave a Reply
Podcast: Virginia Politics On-Demand-
Convention Coverage Sponsors
BlogNetNews Del. John Cosgrove Sen. Ken Cuccinelli Mrs. Brenda Haegley
Mr. John Harvie
Mr. James Hoyt
Del. Tim Hugo Ms. Thelma and Ms. Rosie Gilbert Del. Sal Iaquinto Mr. Michael Katchmark Mr. Patrick Salyer Del. Terrie Suit Mr. Amit Singh
Your donation of $50 will ensure conservative, local coverage of the convention and list you as an official sponsor.
-
What is Bearing Drift?
Bearing Drift was established in 2004. The name comes from the relative motion of objects at sea. If there is no bearing drift, and the distance between you and the object is closing, there will be a collision; therefore, action must be taken. Most navigational rules say to avoid collision, turn to starboard -- the right!
- Jeffersoniad
- badrose
- Bearing Drift
- Below The Beltway
- CatHouse Chat
- Conservativa
- Contemporary Conservative
- Crystal Clear Conservative
- Deo Vindice
- Good Sense
- J's Notes
- Leslie Carbone
- On The Spot
- Rappahannock Red
- Reagan's GOP
- Rick Sincere News & Thoughts
- Right-Wing Liberal
- Scott's Morning Brew
- Shaun Kenney
- Sic Semper Tyrannis
- Skeptical Observer
- Virginia Podcasting Network
- Bill Bolling answers questions on state budget and national politics
- Goode and Perriello debate in Charlottesville
- Navy veteran and former POW Galanti explains why he supports McCain for president
- Chris Graham of the Augusta Free Press on the Vice Presidential choices
- Senate candidate Gilmore touring Virginia to address energy production
-
Support Bearing Drift!
Get your BD gear from CafePress:
A third candidate has also declared? Are there not four contenders? It is in the papers right?
John Moss is also on the ballot, but he’s only backed by wingnuts and will finish 4th and in single digits.
I like having Scott Taylor in this race (and I saw you at Guadalajara’s last week, Brian Kirwin). When it comes to debating the issues, there is too much of a line in the sand drawn between the two front runners and adding a Scott Taylor into the mix will help give those issues better projection.
Scott Taylor is the wildcard in this race. John Moss will pull a Ron Paul while Meyera and Will should do okay.
How many voters turn to Taylor as an alternative to the retreads? Taylor is the obvious choice for those fed up with politics as usual.
If enough, Scott could give Meyera and Will a scare.
Sessoms is no real conservative choice regardless of party. The very fact that the Sessoms camp is currently upset that he is STILL listed as one of the “Friends of Meyera” on the mayor’s website only proves it. (story from the Va. Pilot)
Sessoms is no friend to the tax payer. The fact that Taylor is not Oberndorf or Sessoms is a positive. The fact that Ryto calls Moss backers “wingnuts” is evidence that Moss is the only good pick for fiscal conservatives.
1) Lowering real estate taxes - Moss as co-founder and chairman of the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance has a solid record of pressuring council and the city manager to reduce property taxes as assessments have surged to the point of pricing people out of the area. You certainly can’t count on Sessoms or Oberndorf for relief.
2)Economic Development - Moss has been quoted in the Pilot chastising council and management for the draconian increase on the Machine & Tools Tax. If you WANT to encourage companies to come here and provide jobs, why institute these unfriendly to business taxes to start with?!
3)HRTA - Moss/VBTA have been central in opposition to the unconstitutional HRTA that would only further devastate our economy and produce no real traffic congestion relief.
The fact is John Moss has been working to protect Virginia Beach and has a proven record of that.
I didn’t really want to push Moss on a post that showed Taylor was on the ballot. I did object to the notion that it as made to look as there were only 3 choices. I wanted to respect this positive exposure for Taylor but, Henry Ryto just HAD to throw out ad hominem attacks. “wingnuts”? Consider the source.
Henry, John Moss is supported by the same base that supported Robert Dean in the last election. Dean finished ahead of both Republicans by a long shot, and lost to Oberndorf by fewer than 1600 votes. I can’t say if Moss will experience similar success, but to dismiss the base that supports Moss dismisses recent history.
Rick,
It was a three-way in 2004: Dean, Meyera, and buffoon Al Wallace. I could have finished ahead of Al Wallace.
As Brian Kirwin commented elsewhere, what is Moss going to say in 2008 that didn’t lose for Dean in 2004?
Finally, the Presidential ballot is a whole different animal from 18% turnout in May.
Henry,
1) The presidential elections will bring out far more voters to offset the automatic voting blocks that the Mayor will turn out. Those blocks dominated in that 18% you’re talking about. Were it not for the money Sessoms has raised, I would be predicting a Moss victory right now. Sessoms…..maybe he still is a “Friend of Meyera” and protesting otherwise a bit too much. That presidential election will bring out more disenchanted voters looking for a change.
2) Robert Dean wasn’t expected to do as well as he did. Especially with a labeled Republican running. That lends credibility to future runs by the likes of Dean and Moss.
3)I’m sure Al Wallace will appreciate your calling him a buffoon. More name calling.
Britt,
“automatic voting blocks”? Please explain.
On Al Wallace:
1. The previous December he had been forced to resign from the Republican City Committee.
2. He raised only $638, then lent himself $2,500. Hardly a serious candidate.
The VBTA’s only real appeal is among White middle class ultraconservatives. Not only will they be a smaller percentage of the electorate in November, but are shrinking as a proportion of Virginia Beach’s population.
Finally, The Obama Factor. At least 30% of this November’s voters in Virginia Beach should be African-American, and Moss doesn’t have a prayer of getting the AAPAC endorsement.
That said, the AAPAC endorsement is in play, and I could make an argument for any of the other three candidates on it.
Henry stop pretending that you don’t know about voting blocks that nearly 100% will vote for an incumbant. These are city employee organizations that will fear retribution should they not endorse the incumbent. If compression pay becomes enough of a problem that dynamic might change. Joe/Jane city workers are fed the big lie that “big government” means better pay for them. Actually it means more bureaucrats and less pay for them (to include the compression pay problems)
That is the voting block I mention. Some get election day off. I wish I did.
Al Wallace. Obviously he did not fair well in the election. Robert Dean with 43% was my choice, so I was glad of that. Still, why you feel the need to kick Wallace while he is down is beyond me. Has he done anything to you personally?
The VBTA’s “only real appeal” IS NOT “white middle class ultra conservatives”. This is more depolarable ad hominem attacks which you seem unable to refrain from. There are some “Ultra conervatives” but there are also moderates, conservative democrats and even Libertarians in the VBTA. Middle class is an incorrect label also. The majority probably are middle class(which is not a bad thing) but, there are upper and lower class representations as well. I’m not a VBTA memeber but, I have been to a few meetings that in which Rep. Drake, Lt. Gov. Bolling, Gov. Gilmore, and Commisioner of Revenue Phil Kellam spoke. The majority was white but, I did see Asians and African-Americans there. At least you admit by omission that there are plenty of women in the VBTA. I don’t appreciate the politics of hate that you use. The VBTA fights for ALL taxpayers.
As, for the AAPAC endorsement, perhaps I’ll advise John to go after it.
Britt,
“Politics of hate”? Simply pointing out that a group is too narrowly based isn’t hate.
Sure, John can go for the AAPAC endorsement. However, he won’t get it.
Meyera successfully took on Jesse Helms to get Virginia Beach its water supply. Do you enjoy washing your car in your driveway and watering your lawn?
Henry,
No Henry, you falsely catergorize a group for your political reasons …whatever they are. Would a larger minority presence be beneficial?Absolutely! However, you make it sound like no minorities are there. As far a class and political spectrum, your accusations are near outright wrong. Trying to damage the name of the organization or something?
Perhaps he will or won’t get an AAPAC endorsement, however it would be wonderful if he did. Going after it sounds like a positively good idea.
As for the Gaston Pipeline, I give Mayor Oberndorf credit. I’ve lived in VB since I was 5 yrs. old. I don’t deny that she has done good things. Although not in the last couple of elections, I have voted for her. Governor Gilmore also deserves credit for Gaston Pipeline but, you likely won’t admit that.
While some might belittle the monumental leadership of Meyera for getting Virginia Beach our water supply, I will point out that she was Mayor when it was achieved. I am sure that those who belittle her invovlement would also have been just as willing to cast complete blame on her (justified, she was Mayor) if we had come up empty.
I am willing to acknowledge that the efforts of others need to also be praised. However little bitty Virginia Beach, under the leadership of Meyera, plucked one indeed plum from the tree in getting all the stars aligned so that we now have our water needs met for the forseeable future.
If we were going to blame her for failure, it is only right we credit her for the success.
Jeez… a guy can’t stop by a Mexican restaurant without being scoped out by Eileen.
Brian,
It’s a good Mexican restaurant, so no shame there.
Moderates in the VBTA?????
Oh, that’s rich!
I am just wondering, what exactly is a moderate?
Me
Me
Not me. I am conservative and I am principled, not pragmatic.
Nice try to pretend that this is a three way race for Mayor and John Moss is not a viable candidate. Sorry, but that dog won’t hunt. Those Beach taxpayers that study the civic performance of their choices on that ballot this November will be pleased to find a man like John Moss to have the opportunity to vote for.
John Moss is clearly more qualified than Scott Taylor for serving on the Virginia Beach City Council. To begin with, John has served on City Council before and he has the business acumen to successfully understand and help manage billion dollar budgets. Something critically important for running a city the size of Virginia Beach. Scott Taylor offers voters neither one of these valuable experiences. Not to take away from Scott Taylor, but the race will offer citizens a very valuable choice with John Moss on the ballot. No doubt, if John Moss had not been willing to serve, I would be supporting Scott Taylor in this race. Not so much because I have a great enthusiasm for Scott Taylor but because I realize that our citizens can no longer afford to have either Mayor Oberndorf and Will Sessoms involved in making decisions for our city. Will Sessoms and Mayor Oberndorf are simply more of the same. And that “more of the same” has been an agenda of massive growth in government spending and related taxes, all to fund a host of entrenched and institutionalized special interest businesses that have led our city’s leadership in the wrong direction for far too long.
If Henry is correct in his political prognostication and the November ballot box turns out many new voters that were inspired by Senator Obama’s promise of hope for “Change”, then those voters would not be inclined to vote for either Will Sessoms and Mayor Oberndorf – neither one of them represents any hope for “change”. They are just more of the same.
For overstressed Beach taxpayers and their families, their best hope for positive change in the form of much needed tax reform is going to be delivered by John Moss.
Vote “Moss 4 Mayor”.
Brian asks what can Moss say that Dean didn’t say before?
Nothing, but the difference is that Dean and Moss have been proven to have been correct. Everything Dean ran on has come to pass.
Haven been vindicated by experience, those same truths that failed to get the vote out before will this time have more resonance.
Regarding “Moderates”
Jim Hightower pointed out that there was ‘nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.’
Choose a damn side.
Congratulations on your stirring Senate victory, Don.
You were nowhere near the middle of the road and wound up looking strikingly armadillo-like.
Seems you, Moss and Dean have lots in common.
Why, thanks, Brian.
Are you saying I should have abandoned my principles to look more like my opponent? Do you think that not having any significant differences in my positions would have overcome the 30 year name recognition difference or the $160K to 5K financing difference?
Admit it, you were shocked I pulled 29%.
The problem is that too many of you guys look at this as though it were a sporting event, where winning is the only thing. As a result, the difference between the Democrats and the Republicans is no more than the difference between the NFC and the AFC. They are no longer political parties with competing philosophies, they are just two teams running the same game plan and seeking power.
Unless a minor candidate can offer a real difference from the pack, why vote for him at all?
The other three candidates are so close together on the issues, you can’t see light between them.
Moss at least offers a choice.
Don, John Doe on the ballot could pull 29%
You, and other far right Libertarians, seem to think that anyone who isn’t as fringe as you has no principles.
Lots of moderates have principles.
Like keeping drugs illegal. That’s a principle.
Like paying for new roads like Reagan did. That’s a principle.
No, I’m not saying you should abandon your principles at all, unlike you who tell people to “choose a damn side” - funny how you tell others to abandon their principles.
And yes, Republicans and Democrats are concerned with winning. It’s a curious detail about politics. The people get to choose, and they ain’t choosing you, and they laughed at Ron Paul.
If the Libertarian Party would start giving at least a passing glance at winning elections, it might be more than a Breakfast Club.
“Like keeping drugs illegal. That’s a principle.
Like paying for new roads like Reagan did. That’s a principle.”
No, those are policies. Can you state the underlying principles?
Principles would be like “I own my body” vs “The state owns my body.”
Or “Roads should be paid for by those who benefit from them.” vs “Roads should be paid for by those who can best afford to pay.”
Obviously, principles should determine policy, but too often, polling and focus groups determine policy.
Are you perhaps confusing the two?
Before I read any further, I have to add this.
Both Brian and eileen claimed to be moderates. I think I can safely say that neither qualifies.
With all the posts that were left I thought I was going to have something additional to say.
Best I could get from what was left was this:
Don Tabor said:
“Jim Hightower pointed out that there was ‘nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos.’
Choose a damn side.”
Us moderates do choose sides. It is just that we do not always choose your side on every issue.
It is not as if we can’t make up our minds. It’s because you think that once we voted for you our minds are already made up.
Let’s try the Democrats, they claim to be more open minded. (At least that is what has been influencing my vote recently.)
Republicans are called “Far Right Wing” on a continuous basis. I am a bit surprised that this label is being used by Republicans against other Republicans and yes, Libertarians. I would think many that read this blog would find “wing nuts” and “Far Right” as insulting.
Brian, I would say most in the VBTA would be called moderates by some in the GOP. They are however, “Far Right”….I guess….on a few issues. Taxation, property rights, and limited government. (overtaxation on your home, eminent domain abuse, and irresponsible VB govt. spending)
The VBTA isn’t against building roads. Opposing the unconstituional HRTA does not mean otherwise.
If you’re going to bring up Reagan, then include his principled beliefs in limited taxation/supply side and smaller government. The VBTA is completley in agreement there as far as I know.
I congratulate Don Tabor on his showing against a tough incumbent Harry Blevins. Blevins championed the unconstituional HRTA. For a Libertarian candidate to do so well against an entrenched heavily financed candidate is an accomplishment. If you think John/Jane Doe can do as well, put them on the ballot. If you can’t get enough petition signers for a fictional person to get ballot access, try a write-in. If a fictional candidate gets 29% of the vote, then something is horribly wrong with the incumbent.
I’ll say this, if the Republican Party started acting like the party of Reagan again, a lot of those Libertarians would likely return to the GOP. The portion that were former conservative Democrats would be faced with an interesting decision.
As far as Dean and Moss:
Brian, they are proven winners, sir. Both have won election to Virginia Beach Council before.
Just read LittleDavid’s post:
I actually agree with you. Had to mention that.
Many moderates are either fiscal conservatives or conversely, big government types that don’t tow their traditonal party line on other issues. The same people that call me “Far Right” today will call me an indecisive moderate tomorrow.
When did Robert Dean win?
He had Reba’s seat for a time. Reba later ran again and got it back. I have mixed feelings there. I love Reba McClanan. Both of them live in the Rose Hall district.
Robert K. Dean
Princess Anne
07/01/1992 - 06/30/1996
Since then I think the district name was changed. Do a google on “robert k. Dean va. beach” should bring you a vbgov site somewhere on the page that lists past office holders. The above was pasted from that.
After his loss vs. Oberndorf he has reportedly said that he wouldn’t run for office again.
LittleDavid, You got my curiosity up when you wrote:
“Let’s try the Democrats, they claim to be more open minded. (At least that is what has been influencing my vote recently.)”
Interesting. I don’t see any signs of being more “open minded” between the Democrats and the Republicans. Both have many viewppoints that reveal closed minds.
The Democratic Party is closed minded when it comes to their social agenda and their underlying addiction to growing more government and increasing government spending.
Are the Democrats more open minded when it comes to respecting the views of those within our society that seek to preserve the meaning of “marriage” to be a union between a man and a woman?
Nope.
Are they “open minded” when it comes to ending government schools and allowing the private sector to provide K-12 education and taxpayers being given the choice of opting out of funding public schools?
No, not really. Gotta keep those Teacher’s unions and that financial of political support they provide to the DNC.
Are Democrats “open minded” about supporting the use of our military forces and our Federal tax funds to create long term bases across the Middle East and to seek to reform the Middle East by erradicating radical Islam from our global community?
No, not really.
The list of Democratic “close mindedness” could go on and on about many views which the Democratic Party is very closed minded, but you understand my point.
It seems to me that the Democratic Party and the Republican Party are both very closed minded on many issues.
Britt, holding office and winning an election can be two totally different things.
Whom did Robert Dean ever beat in an election?
From what I’ve gathered of this conversation is that
A. Nobody really knows what a moderate is, it’s a good catchphrase and
B. People don’t like John Moss because Robert Dean
Ever see the video of how to give a speech without saying anything?
C. The VBTAers don’t have a clue as to how to put together a winning electoral coalition.
That Reid thinks Obama voters are likely to vote Moss simply based on the word “change” is hysterical.
Henry, sorry you can’t appreciate my humor.
Reid, I might even go so far as to say it’s irony…
Isn’t Mr. Ryto the gentleman who on this blog predicted Delegates Welch and Rerris would win in a cake-walk? Maybe he needs some Windex for that crystal ball he uses so he can see things more clearly through all his smoke and mirror rationalizations!
Ladies and Gents,
I often wonder why a good candidate will not run for office. We do have many in our society. Perhaps this type of rhetoric where we attack opponents is the reason. I firmly believe that we are all loyal Americans who want the best for our City, State and Country. However we do not dwell on the good things that a candidate stands for and the principles that will make them a worthwhile public servant. We continue to sidestep these issues and dwell on the negative or smear their character. What a shame that we have digressed to this low level of character and reputation assassination by those who do not have the moral character to do what is right. Voters are not served well by the continued negative thoughts espoused by individuals who are not objective, factual and honest without an agenda. Please, in the interest of those of us who are seriously trying to analyze the candidates to find the best fitted for the position, stop the mudslinging. It is only detrimental to the process of elections of those candidates who have the gumption to place themselves in this environment. I understand why we don’t get more qualified candidates.
Great points, John. Post that on Virginia News Source when they call Council members “fat” and call Senators “nazis”