Mathieson negative at Labor Day – must be desperate
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, September 8th, 2009 | Politics
What word would you use to describe a candidate who sends out a negative mail piece about an opponent before Labor Day?
I’d say “desperate”.
And why?
Well, if you are a first-term incumbent representing an area that routinely votes for the opposition party, facing a popular challenger, did very little of note during your time in office, and are trailing in polls taken both by your own and your opponent’s campaign, you’d probably be worried too.
Enter Del. Bobby Mathieson (D-21st), or as we like to call him, our dear friend, Vizzini.
Mathieson has sent out a hit-piece on his opponent, City Councilman Ron Villanueva, attacking the councilman for, among other things, changing a flat tire, recovering from an illness, and taking care of his own child who was sick.
Villanueva is being criticized for his attendance record at city council meetings by the DPVA (hmm…nice to see that circular donation thing working – voter donates to candidate, candidate donates to DPVA, DPVA runs mail pieces, etc).
What is glaring is what is NOT being discussed at this particular time in the campaign.
Instead of talking about “perfect attendance”, how come Mathieson won’t talk about:
- His own record of achievements?
- Villanueva’s record on taxes, economic growth, job creation, etc.?
- An honest debate about jobs, energy, transportation, public safety, etc.?
Generally, at this point in a campaign, candidates are seeking some sort of solid footing on a policy issue that will resonate with voters. Hopefully, by now, they have done enough walking, town halls, and positive direct mail necessary to increase their name identification in the district.
But, as an incumbent, Mathieson, who probably thought he had done enough of those things, has seen a very disturbing trend on Labor Day: he’s losing.
So, instead, he has already chosen to throw “Hail Marys” — and it’s just the first quarter.
Talk about being bereft of ideas. Talk about an indicator of an incumbent being worried.
Matheison (Vizzini): Villanueva has been absent or late for council meetings. INCONCEIVABLE!
Me (Inigo Montoya): You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Is Mathieson, with the help of DPVA, going to turn the campaign for the 21st into the nastiest in the commonwealth?
The only thing inconceivable here is how early this type of negative campaigning has started, and how little the incumbent has to offer voters.
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About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
Comments
3 Responses to "Mathieson negative at Labor Day – must be desperate"
Mr. Hoeft – to change the subject slightly, what did you think of the festivities at Buena Vista this weekend? More to the point, did you see this report:
http://www2.wsls.com/sls/news/local/article/mcdonnell_deeds_kick_off_campaign_in_buena_vista/45221/
So, when Creigh simply says he wants to discuss Bob McDonnell’s past record — a record I would think you and Bob would be proud of — you guys cry foul. I don’t get that — It’s Bob’s record, so what is he running from.
But leaving that aside, how about a little intellectual honesty, then, on McDonnell’s negative campaigning at this event. I mean, even the newscaster said it wasn’t approriate. I mean, you don’t think the TV newsguy in Buena Vista is a part of the Vast Left Wing Media Conspiracy lined up against McDonnell, do you?
I think the word you are looking for is “mudslinging” Negative campaigning, also known more colloquially as “mudslinging”, is trying to win an advantage by referring to negative aspects of an opponent or of a policy rather than emphasizing one’s own positive attributes or preferred policies.
Unfortunately, for the “mudslinger”, as in the case of Councilman Villanueva, since the supposed negatives are adequately refuted, the “mudslinger” normally faces voter backlash. Hence, desperation become defeat.
Two years without noteworthy accomplishments in the House of Delegates leaves one with little alternatives other than “mudslinging”.
What an interesting spin on this race. I thought the GOP wanted less government intrusion into our lives and smaller government? So what you really wanted Bobby to do was spend more money and create a bigger government? Never thought I hear GOP folks calling for more spending, more government control and more state employees. I guess you must be part of the RINO or Liberal GOP wing… LOL
Following that theme, I’d guess the spending spree Ron has been on as a city council member since July 2002 isn’t a real conservative’s dream and that is why you’re backing Ron. Look at the annual city budget as he and the council raised the fees, taxes and revenue in Virginia Beach and added many new programs and employees to the payroll year after year.
Add up the seven year budget $$$ and you have to ask “why” would a voter send him to Richmond and give him access the state’s revenue? But then again it appears you want more spending and bigger government. I guess you could always send Ron to Congress and get your wish.
BTW: I saw Bob MacD’s positive family commercial on TV this afternoon. I liked it. I will not vote for him but I believe a positive race still is a good thing!
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