McDonnell event provides backdrop for next political campaigns
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 | PoliticsAbout six hundred happy Virginians packed into the Cavalier Hotel last evening to welcome home Governor-elect Bob McDonnell and his family. It was an opportunity to have, less than a week later, their own victory party for a favorite of this region.
However, while that celebration was going on, at least five candidates were getting ready for the next campaign.
Congressional candidates Scott Rigell, Scott Taylor, and Kenny Golden were working the room, as well as State Senate candidates Rosemary Wilson and Jeff McWaters.
Of note, Taylor told me that Chris LaCivita, campaign consultant for former Sen. George Allen and Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, will be on his team going forward. This clearly puts Taylor, a local businessman and former Navy SEAL, in the competitive mix with Rigell and Ben Loyola (who I did not see at the event, but I’d be shocked if he wasn’t there). Rigell has the support of former Rep. Thelma Drake and Loyola is receiving campaign support from Boyd Marcus.
Rigell said he does not view this campaign in any other light than a campaign of ideas with conservative colleagues, knowing full well that the true contest will be with Rep. Glenn Nye, or whoever the Democrats choose as their candidate.
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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.
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37 Responses to "McDonnell event provides backdrop for next political campaigns"
Go Taylor GO!!!
I would be very surprised if Taylor does any better in this race than he did in the VB Mayor’s race. Early on he was claiming support from McDonnell, but I think it is pretty clear that support is going to Rigell.
More importantly, who can raise money? Taylor did not raise much at all in his mayoral race and Loyola and Rigell have done pretty well so far.
“Rigell said he does not view this campaign in any other light than a campaign of ideas with conservative colleagues, knowing full well that the true contest will be with Rep. Glenn Nye, or whoever the Democrats choose as their candidate.”
I’d say the other candidates are going to look mighty foolish if they try and play this game any other way. Everyone saw how well talking about the past did for Deeds when McDonnell was coming out with 20 page plans every couple weeks…
hwatkins – unless you have sources that I do not, I would say that you are mistaken on who is supporting who in this race. Nothing is public, but from what I know, Taylor is receiving support from some key McDonnell officials.
Additionally, it’s still pretty early on with respect to raising money. Come January/February, we’ll be able to make a better case as to who is the better fundraiser.
I know Rigell will run his campaign in an honorable way that is uplifting to the party. His personal life and professional life have always reflected his integrity and character. It’s also evident by the people he has selected to be on his campaign team. If there is mudslinging in this primary, it will not be from Scott Rigell.
hwatkins,
when has Taylor ever claimed Mcdonnell support? Some people just write whatever up here. I don’t think Taylor will raise as much this time either. Ben and Rigell dropped huge chunks of their own money in the race. Ben had 30 individual donations since June. That’s pretty bad for a someone who is worth millions. Nobody questions RIgell’s honor, just his judgement to give Obama $1k and a 10k gift to a Pac organized to raise taxes.
Remember Taylor was a completely unknown against a 20 year incumbent and a man who was a 14 year vice mayor with 600k. This is a different race.
Jared, I couldn’t agree w/you more. Taylor also came into the race later then everyone else. He may not have had as many big donors w/lots of $’s but he definitely had a lot of donors. I was very impressed w/Taylor’s passion, hard work, and just plain common sense. This is a very different race, were not talking about just 1 city. Taylor has traveled all over and I feel he is more suited for National issues. He has an energy that I see from no other candidate. He has the ability to get everyone involved, all ages, colors, and parties. This is something we need in a Congressman representing VA.
Too bad you are forgetting one thing. This is a seat that the NRCC will look at very closely to bring back to the GOP column. It will probably do its best to clear the field or at least make it easier for one candidate.
To be honest, I think Taylor is the lesser desirable candidate.
I think we do want NRCC support, however this is our district. They should help afterwards and let you, me , and the rest of the district decide who we want. I want someone who is going to represent me, not the party. Taylor is the one.
It has always amazed me that fundraising is used by some people to judge a candidate’s worthiness. Sure funds are the impetus of a successful campaign, the obvious benefit resulting from funds raised (advertising, staff, etc.) is garnered supporters and votes but the total dollar amount of funds raised should not be the catalyst of being taken seriously or earning support.
A good Republican represents the party as well as the constituents.
To decide before the race has begun that the NRCC will choose the victor is to surrender your voice in our national politics, and I for one refuse to do this. While he is the lesser known candidate, Taylor has the grounds-up approach that most modern politicians lack…start with the people’s needs first, then the party’s, which I would think is preferred. He has shown the character to accomplish what is needed without sacrificing integrity or principle. I believe he is more than a viable candidate, he is exactly who we need to represent us.
Although all candidates are strong Republicans with common conservative goals, in my mind Taylor is the only one with the integrity and aggressiveness to battle in the trenches for us in Capital Hill! He is a former Navy SEAL, very successful entrepreneur, and is young enough to be up to speed with new technology. He has traveled all over the world, speaks various languages and came from a low-income, single mother raised household. He has been in the shoes of most all of society’s classes and in my mind, is the PERFECT candidate to actually make changes in Washington. No offense to the other candidates but I’ve met them all and Taylor is by far the most intelligent, persuasive, and aggressive. I only hope enough people see this and donate to help him out because unfortunately the one with the most money seems to always win which definitely isn’t right.
Look, I am not saying the NRCC is going to come in and pick a candidate. I know there are looking at everyone right now.
Unfortunately for Scott Taylor, I don’t think his time has come yet. He still needs to prove himself. I mean, you run for mayor and lose and now you run for Congress? Granted, its the road less taken, but I wouldn’t expect victory at the end.
What Congress needs is more individuals who understand business, how to meet payroll, how to balance a budget. As of now, I only see that person being Rigell.
Also, what’s the rumor with Taylor’s foreclosure. True or False?
David, That rumor is false and easily verifiable. The rumor that Rigell gave 1k to Obama and 10k to a PAC formed to raise taxes,true (also easily verifiable). The rumor that Rigell was talked into running by Thelma Drake, true. Just ask her.
Taylor has proven his integrity, sacrifice, and dedication. The other candidates have not.
Whether Rigell was recruited by Thelma has no bearing on my decision. In fact, it strengthens it. I like Rep. Drake and thought she did an excellent job representing the 2nd. Hell, I wanted to fight for her old seat.
Concerning his contributions, he has also given $132,256 for GOP candidates and committees. As for Obama, hell McCain was a horrible candidate. He sucked. He ran a terrible, terrible campaign and really had no chance at winning. You see businessman…those who are actually running a business contribute to democrats and theirs PACs all the time. Spouting off his small contributions to these two are trivial at best. I’d also like to know what his dealership has done in state races. I am guess quite a bit since VA accepts corporate contributions.
I respect Taylor for his service, but to me, he just comes off as creepy.
Calling Taylor ‘creepy’ is very wide of the mark and on Veterans Day I suggest you keep those kind of comments to yourself. As for suggesting he has to prove himself, in case you are not aware none of the other candidates have anymore political experience than him. Scott is down to earth and finds himself close to the people of the second district – who else would we want to represent us, our voices and values will best heard through him.
I find it interesting that folks are claiming the support of McDonnell when he is not yet involved in the race whatsoever. The only McDonnell who has involved themselves with the race is Maureen McDonnell, who has endorsed Rigell. She also has a video talking about what a good friend Rigell has been to the whole McDonnell family on his web site.
As far as Taylor goes I don’t think that he is a bad guy just not the right man to represent us in the second. The Democrats will rip someone apart who has had some of his property go into foreclosure (according to the October edition of Inside Business). If someone is incapable of keeping their own finances in check, how can we expect them to keep our country’s finances in check?
It seems to me that Scott Taylor is on the Alan Keyes plan for campaigning. If at first you don’t succeed just keep running for every office that comes along. You don’t fail forward when you don’t even meet the barest of expectations in a mayoral race.
Getting 9% of the vote and raising a grand total of $27,000 from donors doesn’t inspire me or qualify someone to run for Congress.
His service as a Navy Seal inspires respect in me but so does Rigell’s service in the United State Marine Corps and Loyola’s years flying for our country.
Anybody knows that a credible 2nd dist. candidate has to raise a minimum of $2 Million to knock of an incumbent like Nye who will have at least that much. Taylor isn’t even in the running.
Rigell has the full package in my view.
BTW JR Hoeft … having support from “McDonnell officials” doesn’t really mean a whole lot to avg. voters.
If they ain’t got the name “McDonnell” … it just ain’t the same.
Maureen McDonnell is supporting Scott Rigell for Congress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTFT6-upqtw
The Maureen you are referring to is Bob’s sister not wife, pretty sly since that isn’t her last name. I wish you would show the actual foreclosure from Taylor, than your argument would have substance not just rumor. How can you even compare the Mayor’s race when there were two incumbents and Taylor was unknown still gaining 20,000 votes, clearly you know nothing of politics? Taylor raised more than 27k, this is on VPAP. What exactly was Rigell’s service in the Marine corps, you were inspired by this? You don’t think Rigell will be eaten up by Nye with his Obama and Tax increasing PAC donations? It is really ridiculous on here, You people will write anything.
And how many people have ran and lost the first time? We are not talking Abe Lincoln, there are plenty of Virginia Beach examples. Even Thelma Drake.
Jared, it’s not at all “sly”. Maureen McDonnell (Bob’s sister) has gone by “Maureen McDonnell” professionally since she got married because that is how everyone knows her.
Your defense and loyality to Taylor is evident so I don’t hope to change your mind with what I write. But I do think that one of Rigell’s big strengths against Taylor is his life experience and family support. When I think of a leader for our country I want someone who has weathered storms, lead a business and lead a family -a truly well-rounded candidate. Rigell’s experience as a husband and father for almost 30 years is an important part of what makes him a good leader. He has a depth of experience and perspective that Taylor does not. You’ll probably scoff at me for bringing this point up but I really think that a committed family man with real life experience is what people want in these uncertain times. Just my opinion…
Let’s play devil’s advocate shall we…actually Taylor garnered a little over 16,000 votes on that $27k, not the 20,000 votes stated before. He actually raised a little over $82k (including in-kind and a loan). The loan was for $44k, given in August and paid back in October. Since he didn’t raise $44k to pay off the loan, he just gave it back, so you could speculate that it was given to inflate his fund-raising numbers to give him legitimacy in the race.
Also you have to look at his results in perspective to other races that year as well. For $27k raised Scott garnered a little over 16,000 votes ($1.69 per vote). However a candidate against Rosemary Wilson, raised a whopping $110 (yes $110.00) and garnered a little over 13,000 votes (.008 cents per vote). In this light, Taylor’s results don’t look that impressive.
Reid,
you are right, my mind won’t change. I respect that Rigell is a “committed” family man. I can not speculate if Taylor is or is not. If you look at the census breakdown for this district, The “committed” family men are not a majority, so what you think people want in these times if definitely your opinion. As far as life experience, Taylor has packed a lot of it in his young years. His background is diverse and relates to many more people in this district than Rigell’s. Ripley, your point is well taken. The only thing you seem to not account for are the political machine of Sessoms and the 22 year incumbency of Obendorf. The vote count was 19k and change that is pretty amazing considering the players (your comparing Rosemary’s race?) and Taylor being unknown.
Jared,
I am only going by what VPAP has as the vote count, 16,500 something…not sure where you are getting the 19k to 20k vote totals for Taylor from. I am comparing 1 of the 4 opponents against Rosemary garnishing 13,000 votes and only raising $110.00, that is pretty spectacular…I don’t know this persons history, or how many times he has run for city council or what, but for that amount of money and getting that many votes, is pretty good. I was comparing this person to Taylor who raised almost $27k more and only got 3000 more votes.
I don’t have anything against Taylor, I have met him a number of times, seems like a nice personable fellow, but don’t quite consider his past electoral experience as qualification enough to win the nomination let alone the general. There are alot of good men running for the nomination and currently I am undecided as to support at this time, but it will not be an easy choice which is a good thing.
I don’t think his past electoral experience is the experience that Taylor, a farm boy, NAVY SEAL, Iraq war vet, entrepreneur, who has been around the world, and is fluent in another language, is the experience that he is running on. That would just be my opinion. May the best man win…
I’ve heard of an industry rumor (I work for a car dealership in Virginia Beach) that Rigell cheated on his wife in the 90s. I don’t want to make false statements, but I trust my source. Does anyone know if thats true? As a family-value voter, I hope that is not the case. If it is, hopefully he and his wife have come to terms.
Jonathon,
to repeat a rumor like that which has zero shred of proof and is the very definition of hearsay is beyond the pale. Either produce a person and a name or don’t post. I also heard “rumors” that George Bush paid for a woman to have an abortion, had a photo of himself dancing naked at a frat party, and “conspired” to bring down the twin towers. They were all BS and spread by people who are clueless.
“Rumors” are the things people shovel when they aren’t man enough to say it to someone’s face.
What a coward.
So “jonathan” spreads a rumor and hides behind an anonymous blog name. Then he says he’s a family values voter. Sounds to me like you’re a whimp and a coward!!!
Well if there are rumors like that out there then what is the Rigell campaigns way of dealing with them. I’ve mentioned before I’ve heard things too and no Im not going to say what I’ve heard because I can’t confirm it and its not from people within the party or part of any campaign. My concern is not the truth or untruth of any rumor but what is the Rigell campaign’s strategy for dealing with such crap. As we saw with George Allen he said one dumb thing and then rumors went crazy. He wasn’t able to deal with those rumors effectively and it damaged him. I don’t wish ill on Rigell or his family but if he can’t control things like this I think it shows him to not be the best candidate.
Allen’s mistake had more to do with making fun of his tail than him being a racist. I don’t think hes racist, but it makes him look like an a-hole when he attacks a kid for being foreign when he had actually lived in Virginia his whole life; George Allen is from Cali by the way…
Is this race going to be about Rigell’s silence on rumors or that they are being spread by his opponents consultants and promulgated by their opportunistic friends? Or will it be about the Scott Taylor trolls who spam every post or will we get lucky and actually have a debate about who is the smartest candidate?
Hey Max, I think I’m going to call you Mr. 30% from now on.
Nah, it should be Mr. 0 and 3…we call you guys the Blues Brothers, so its only fair that I get a nick name.
Jonathan,
What you have said about Scott Rigell is completely false. Ask him yourself. I have known the Rigell family for over twenty years and there is absolutely nothing true about what you said. For you to come out and say something like that and then say “I don’t want to make false statements” is very cowardly. The Rigell family is one of the closest families I know, you clearly don’t know them at all or you would see that their relationship has never been subjected to that kind of tragedy. Scott Rigell is a man of integrity and his family is standing by him because of this. Spreading rumors like this is not only about the candidate, it affects their entire family. You should be ashamed of yourself. The truth always prevails Jonathan.
Another thought….no one earnestly and honorably seeking the truth on a matter like this does so on a comment on Bearing Drift. Scott has made himself available to voters by home phone: http://www.scottrigell.com/topics/?topicId=20
I highly suggest that you call him and speak to him yourself if you are concerned with knowing the truth. Scott has and will meet with anyone who wants to speak with him.
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