Loyola Officially on Notice after Wilson Debacle in 8th
By D.J. Spiker | Saturday, December 5th, 2009 | PoliticsToday’s 8th Senate nomination results do not bode well for Ben Loyola and his bid for the Congressional nomination.
Rosemary Wilson attempted to make Jeff McWaters’ alleged belief in mandated health care the central focus in her campaign; McWaters focused on the economy. The results? An overwhelming 26% margin of victory for McWaters.
The perceived game plan for Loyola looks to be to draw attention to Scott Rigell’s donation of $1,000 to Barack Obama in the primary fight last February. Given their similar backgrounds (ex-military, self-starting businessman, local ties, party ties, etc) the one distinct difference Loyola has pointed to has been the donation. That donation was perceived to be Rigell’s weakness, in the opinion of Team Loyola. Given the similarities in strategy on the Wilson campaign, if in fact Loyola attempts to make a central issue of Rigell’s donation while Rigell talks economy and positive message, Loyola will be hard-pressed to gain any traction on May 8th, if he makes it that far. The only chance Loyola has after Wilson’s trouncing today is a legitimate, issues-orientated campaign.
Additionally, at the Advance last night, the energy and attention was firmly with Rigell, followed by Kenny Golden, with Loyola a distant third. Scott Taylor showed up around 10 PM last night, while Ed Maulbeck, Chuck Smith and Bert Mizusawa had no presence whatsoever. Ironically enough, that’s starting to resemble the pecking order in terms of strength of candidacy, with an argument to be made that Taylor and Loyola could be swapped. Maulbeck, Smith and Mizusawa have zero chance; Golden, Loyola and Taylor remain longshots, in that order.
I reported last week about the disturbing preview the 8th District race was. The consensus at the Advance was it was a disaster, a textbook example how not to have a special election nomination fight. Now that it’s over, let’s hope the principals and more importantly the staffs for the 2nd candidates saw what works and what doesn’t.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right...entrenched on the right as a member of the Establishment, proudly tattooed member of the Republican Party, bartender by trade serving both sides the libations needed to continue the debate and discourse. College student, ten years late, majoring in Public Policy and Administration with an eye to serving the conservative and Republican movement in the public or private sector. ducit amor patriae You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com. You can find D.J.on facebook, Twitter, or contact via email at gosport.conservative@gmail.com.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
54 Responses to "Loyola Officially on Notice after Wilson Debacle in 8th"
As I told Jason tonight at Jeff McWaters Victory HQ and Chris Stolle today at Holland Elementary, David Bartholomew, and Republican leadership needs to have a “meetin’ with Jesus” meeting with Team Rosemary who has been hired by Ben Loyola. No more sleazy politics. It’s embarrassing.
Yeah. They have to get their ACT together.
Maybe Loyola needs to direct the play on and move past the first act.
I agree with your assesment of the advance and 2nd district race in general. Rigell definitely has the momentum!
Negative campaigning can be so destructive, because it always raises the negatives of the person doing the attacking. Every candidate needs to heed this warning, and I was very impressed by the Rigell suite at the Advance. The entire staff seemed super sharp, Scott was readily accessible, and Jeanine McDonnell spent a good part of the evening talking about her great family friend Scott Rigell. Classy all around
This post sums up what is happening in the 2nd district. Rigell definitely has the momentum and for all the right reasons. He is running his campaign on principles and the issues and doesn’t need to resort to negative campaigning. The Rigell team was on point at the Advance and I think it speaks volumes that his entire family was there supporting him.
The advance is not the 2nd district. It is filled with folks from out of the district. to say that the showing was good for rigell there has no bearing on the district, just the normal political pack. Did any of the above attend Scott Taylor’s kickoff event? The people will decide, not the “establishment” from out of the district. Read this article on Taylor’s kickoff. http://tinyurl.com/yba62fl
This is momentum of the people
If Rigell is the anointed one, then there won’t be much difference in the election between himself and Nye, two good looking rich white guys who are trying to appeal to the 2nd district. Loyola is the only minority (Hispanic) candidate in this campaign who has a grass roots appeal to both conservatives AND minorities. As Republicans we need to change the perceptions of the 2nd district voters with our message about being inclusive of all, not pandering to our traditional base. Nye’s voting record has been almost impeccably conservative, so it will be a hard sell for Rigell to put any distance between himself and Nye, given that Rigell also supported Obama with a campaign contribution.
Where is Loyola’s grassroots appeal? Does anybody know who he is? Taylor already has a great relationship in the latin community from last year and speaks fluent spanish (Loyola doesn’t). There is truly only one Grassroots candidate here. Scott Taylor
Jared, your post is very short-sighted. While it absolutely has bearing for the district, the post above had very little to do with Taylor. Defending any and every perceived slight makes you seem more like a zealot than a supporter. Relax. Additionally, if you think Taylor is the lead-horse in this race, you really are a zealot.
Aletha, injected the race card into the nomination fight is absurd. If the primary selling point on Loyola is ‘he’s the only minority who can win’ he’s in far deeper trouble than I thought. Nye has been FAR from an impeccable conservative, to argue otherwise is foolish if he’s voting over 80% with Obama. Research Scott Rigell and Glenn Nye before you say there would be a hard sell to distance them; it’s a patently absurd statement. Show me an issue where LOYOLA and RIGELL differ. That’s all that’s going to matter on May 8th. This nomination fight has to be about issues, not nonsense. You bringing up a contribution from 20 months ago is nonsense and if that’s all Loyola has, then he may as well drop out now.
Because when I think of a “serious” a Congressional candidate, I think of a candidate that announces in a bar of a Mexican restaurants:)
This nomination has to be about issues. Who can lead the 2nd on its breadth of national security issues, the economy, energy, national debt, health care, social security, etc? How Rigell, Golden, Taylor, et al. differentiate themselves on these issues is going to be the key to this race – especially on jobs and the economy.
Socially divisive issues need to stay on the sidelines. It serves no greater purpose.
Gosport,
I didn’t say Taylor is the lead horse, I said he has grassroots. VBLanding, your post is pretty comical, seeing how there were hundreds of people there. What do you have against Mexicans? JR. I could not agree with you more.
Jarad, by the way, Loyola is fluent in reading, writing and speaking Spanish as am I, as well as his gracious wife, who I met at a Va. Beach committee function.
Gosport, either you don’t read the news, or you have blinders on as that Nye 40% conservative vote you mentioned above are targeted at the high profile issues such as healthcare, Cap and Trade, and military spending. The small stuff doesn’t matter and will be wrapped up in a political sound bite by Nye’s team that will easily be offset by the big issues on which the Democrats have given him cover. “Race card”… funny to be seeing that term in a discussion on here, as it seems to have hit a nerve. I am a minority and unfortunately the “nonsense” you mention are issues for a lot of us minority conservatives. I’m sorry that this “nonsense” may be inconvenient or uncomfortable for you to discuss, and your response is stereotypical of what the local Republican political machine has to as talking points. As for any your last statement, you branded Jared as a zealot and you maintain Loyola should drop out because he has nothing to offer over Rigell. Based on that comment, you had better look in the mirror to see if Jared is looking back at you.
“I quote:
JR HoeftNo Gravatar
Posted December 5, 2009 at 10:54 PM
This nomination has to be about issues. Who can lead the 2nd on its breadth of national security issues, the economy, energy, national debt, health care, social security, etc? How Rigell, Golden, Taylor, et al. differentiate themselves on these issues is going to be the key to this race – especially on jobs and the economy.
Socially divisive issues need to stay on the sidelines. It serves no greater purpose.”
I agree. Kenny Golden has the best resume, Rigell has the best backup. We will see.
I’m not surprised that Rosemary lost. It looks like her consultants are developing a substantial losing streak. Isn’t this ACT Consulting’s third loss of the year? First, it was John Coggeshall over in Norfolk. Next, it was Dave Foster’s pathetic 6% at the Convention. Now, Rosemary Wilson. Have these guys ever won an election?
I hope that a business man like Ben Loyola would be concerned about this level of incompetence (especially considering he’s loaned his campaign so much money).
These consultants are just looking for a paycheck, so they promise their clients the world and tell them what they want to hear. The results are always a different story, they can’t deliver.
If Ben Loyola reads blogs, here’s a piece of advice: FIRE YOUR CONSULTANTS!
Dear Thomas,
AMEN!! The Republican Party needs light and not blight!
Aletha,
Reread my comment. I said, if all Loyola can offer is 1) the only minority who can win, and 2) don’t vote for Scott Rigell cause he wrote an anti-Hillary check, then he should drop out now rather than run a disgraceful campaign like Rosemary just concluded. I would hope as a congressional candidate he can offer more than that.
A check from 20 months ago is not an issue. Health care, cap and trade, bailouts, immigration reform, welfare, economy, those are issues. Again, if Loyola’s only trump card over Rigell is ‘he wrote a check 20 months ago to the wrong side’ don’t waste my time, your time or the party’s time; he needs to drop out now. If a candidate cannot contribute to a discussion of issues without lowering the bar and demeaning the rest of the field, he has no business running. That goes for any of them, including Rigell.
I would hope that I don’t misinterpret your comment to be calling me a racist, as I count Ben as a friend and good acquaintance, regardless of how we might disagree politically. I trust you weren’t insinuating otherwise.
The McWaters victory is just another example of the Tommy Norment, Ken Stolle, Thelma Drake LIBERAL establishment looking to take over politics in South Hampton Roads. I hope they aren’t able to continue their takeover with the Congressional race, but we will have to wait and see–that is another race entirely. I just hope the exposure of McWaters as a liberal in support of mandated health coverage is enough to quell is overambitious view that he should be Governor.
I hope the voters of the 2nd District look at all the other candidates (Loyola, Golden, Taylor, etc..) and not just Rigell because he has the backing of some well known LIBERAL Republicans.
As for me, the McWaters victory was a loss of all true conservatives.
Gos,
An anti-Hillary check? Rigell himself stated in a blog that he was inspired by Obama’s rhetoric. This check may not be a smoking gun, but it is not something to just brush aside. His judgement should be in question. He was one of the top donors to Obama in his zip code. If it was just anti-Hillary, why not just give more to mccain? BS! It’s hilarious how you put 20months ago, as if that was so long ago. WHat about the “Yes” campaign contribution, a campaign to raise taxes? Do you just dismiss that 10k donated?
Jared,
Yes, Rigell preferred Obama over Hillary to be the democratic nominee. He then proceeded to max out for Romney and McCain. Big deal. There are Republicans I know that voted for Obama in the primary. This check just isn’t going to be the big deal you hope it will. It’s already old news.
Also, hundreds of people for Taylor at his kickoff? Are you sure you aren’t confusing those people for the regular patrons of the restaurant that were there? The female, 20 something demographic that Taylor is popular with aren’t exactly the typical type to vote in primaries, but we’ll see.
I will go out on a limb here and predict that Taylor’s congressional primary race will end almost exactly like his mayoral race.
By the way, just so I won’t be accused of sexism for my last comment, I arrived at that conclusion from looking at Taylor’s own facebook page. Also, I am a 20 something and I saw one other young person there the entire hour and a half I was at the polls.
I was at the Kickoff event. There were old, young, black, white, hispanic, filipino, etc.. How easy is it on here do just spit ridiculous false crap from the basement of your mother’s house. Did you read the Portfolio article? To you the donation may be “old” news. Time will tell if people just brush it off that easy. This is a different race from the Mayor’s.
I hope you all saw Taylor on Fox news this morning!
Why not simply focus on the issues, my friends? That should be what determines the qualification of each candidate. These other issues may “help” to form an opinion but it would be just that—help. We need to ensure that each candidate provides a point by point platform response and judge each accordingly. If we allow this process to devolve and not focus on what is truly important, then it will become a laughing stock of a nomination process. Our 2nd District deserves far better than that…
DJ, why don’t you post under your real name instead of using this Gosport Conservative name?
I was at the Taylor kickoff, whoever is claiming “hundreds” of people were there needs glasses.
I counted 62 total, including staff and the candidate. There were normal patrons there to eat dinner that had nothing to do with the event.
Finally, is Scott Rigell is so liberal why has he been endorsed by Kay Cole James, Bill Desteph and Mike Farris? Last I checked, these were all 3 rock solid conservatives
Jim,
I believe the check is an issue. As a lifelong conservative I have only given money to candidates in whom I truly believe. I may have voted for a few candidates as a protest, but have never given money to one.
Therefore, I hold Rigell personally responsible for anything that Obama passes or patrons. The check most certainly is an issue. How can we believe Rigell is pro-life when he gave a check to a man that opposed the ban on partial birth abortion, or how about the 2nd Amendment? How can we believe anything Rigell says when he talks about being conservative?
I know I am very succinct. Maybe it is all the board meetings where everyone wants to get out in time.
Aaron G., find another job.
Saul Simmons, it is hard when A type personalities want to win. We all want to get behind a winner and Scott Rigall more than likely will win. I don’t personally know him but when I have talked to him he is a very nice person who has done quite a lot for a lot of people. He is a Veteran, just like me, an entrepreneur, just like me and a Christian, just like me.
Jared, who can meet Scott Taylor and not love him? He is running against people with more experience and support. We need new blood and people like Scott, yet we need experience too.
Thomas West, maybe Scott Rigall gave the thousand dollars to Obama to help Obama beat Hillary, I don’t know. I put my money where my mouth is and I would never give money to anyone I would not want to get elected. I absolutely do not think this should be an issue now. No one who votes is going to care. What they are going to care about? It should be what issues do you care about and how are they going to solve them for you? How are they going to work for you?
Saul, I’m calling the BS flag on whomever you are. I was there at the event. There were very few patrons. Below, again, is the article written on the event.
http://tinyurl.com/yba62fl
I think I believe my own eyes as well as this reporters before yours. Kathy, obviously I’m a Taylor supporter, none of these guys have been elected before, so their experience is limited to party functions. I want new perspective not old. I’m sure they are all wonderful, but none will fight like Taylor to get us on the right path. Did you see Taylor on FOX news today. This is the guy who will be behind you and me.
Thomas,
I understand your passion on this issue. To you where someone’s money is spent means a great deal. I can respect that. I see it is important as well. Obama will never, NEVER, get one red cent from this Conservative. I think there are many who regret their vote for and monies given to the Obama “Change and Hope” Express. Does that mean that we throw them off our bus because of that mistake? I would rather accept them back and have them as a clear reminder of what can happen when you do not stick to the GOP Creed. I believe that they would say the same given what our current President has done and has already spent. My question to you would be – “Does this check to Obama from Rigell turn you away from him? Does something like this become (or already is) the defining issue for you? If it is, again I can respect that. That is your choice (as it always should be).
Kathy,
I am agreeing with you more and more. Your posts are more common-sensed based and more issues-oriented. As an elected official myself, I always steer towards the issues and try my best to avoid the drama. It is difficult at times, but that is what I continue to believe is best for me. I look to solve problems, not create them. Isn’t that what elected officials should be doing anyway?
Jared, we all know you are a Scott Taylor supporter. God bless you and God bless Scott Taylor. Scott is a fighter. He is an ex-Navy SEAL. He is also a wonderful person. No one denies that. I will be with him tomorrow to show support for our Navy SEALS being court-martialed for bringing in a terrorist at 8:00am – 12:00pm Naval Station Norfolk,OUTSIDE of Gate 5.
Ben, I am glad you “have seen the light”. The Republican Party cannot stand anymore embarrassment from shady and deceitful politics.
There are too many good people running in this race. Someone needs to step down.
I love the fact that “Ben Loyola” supposedly posts something claiming he is getting rid of his consulting team, yet the phone number he leaves is Aaron Gulbranson, one of the consultants he is purportedly getting rid of!
The audacity of such a post is unbelievable!
Had to delete the ‘Ben Loyola’ comment, we do not allow spamming or personal information of other people to be shared (the cell phone number was for Aaron Gulbransen)
I thought it was Aron Gant!
Jim,
To me the money issue is very important.
To all:
Let me ask you this–Where were you when Reagan lost to Ford in 1976, where were you when George Bush (the 1st) won the Republican nomination as the establishment candidate, not the conservative–where were you when Mike Farris was abondoned by the establishment because he was “too conservative” and lost to Don Beyer in 1993–where were you when Oliver North lost to Chuck Robb in 1994
I was there for each of those events, and I cried each time, as the conservatived principles were betrayed by the “establishment” Republicans. Therefore, yes the money given to Obama means a lot to me and I take it as a personal insult.
A man like that, will NEVER get my support. I understand you can have a change of heart and switch parties as the great Strom Thurmond or Phil Gramm or Ronald Reagan did. However, it was only 18 months since the money given to Obama, and Rigell was quoted in July as saying he “did not regret” the donation. From my teachings, you do not get forgiveness until you acknowledge the mistake and fault of the action–that’s the Biblical Christian side of me coming out.
There are a lot of good men in this race, and all have a right to run as a Republican EXCEPT Scott Rigell–the Obama donation and his lack of remourse removes that right in my book!
The mud slinging has to stop Thomas; Bob just ran a flawless campaign and the mud just dirtied the political waters. I suggest you read Cal Thomas’s op ed this morning and Bob McDonnell’s quote from it;” The last thing [people]need is politicians butting heads and saying how bad the other guy is,”We are tired of mud, you are intiltled to support whom you want, but lets stick to issues and not drag one another into the mud. Whomever has the best ideas should be our canadate!
Steve, would supporting a tax increase be an issue?
Steve,
Whom a candidate supports financially should most certainly be an issue because I can only assume the candidate in question agrees with those they support. Otherwise, they shouldn’t have given them money or ought to at least regret it. And if the “issues” no longer matter to the Republican electorate, that will just prove my point as to why I have NEVER considered myself a Republican, just a true conservative–the issues, like which candidates Rigell supported or giving money to raise our taxes, are most certainly issues.
I am glad to see dirty politics back-fire on a candidate. It was an abomination to say Jeff McWaters was a “Liberal” Republican.
No more name calling!
Jason, what about these mailpieces calling Rosemary a “liberal Republican?”
Brian,
I didn’t see any of those. There were no liberals in the 8th race.
If you are gonna call a Republican a “Liberal” they better have a lot in common with the likes of Susan Collins, Arlen Specter, and Olympia Snowe.
Jason, I saw plenty, and I heard McWaters radio ad do the same thing.
I really can’t comment on the mail. I only saw the Obama piece that was handed out at the VB breakfast.
On the radio (am 790), Wilson’s ad specifically called McWaters a “Liberal.” The McWater’s ad did not call Wilson a name, just highlighted some of her record.
Bottom line: I will be very disappointed to hear the word “Liberal” in the 2nd race.
Jason,
Those “approved liberals” you mentioned–Susan Collins, Arlen Specter and Olympia Snow–all support mandated health care. MMMMMMMMMMM So, is McWaters a liberal since he supports the same thing? (not open for debate, he has confirmed it himself numerous times recently) How about someone who give money to a liberal–are they then a liberal?
Just some questions. Trying to figure out when it is ok to call a liberal a liberal.
Thanks.
Thomas, you are absolutely incorrect when you assumed that an individual contributes to a campaign just because he or she agrees with that candidate. There are a variety of reasons. Look at it from another perspective. In addition to what you assume, contributing to a campaign is also a business decision. It helps provide access to candidates and the ability for you to voice your concerns. While you would expect all constituents to receive the same level of attention, there is no doubt that those who contribute get more.
Rigell is a businessman and a successful one at that. I am not going to detail everything, but I think everyone can agree that Freedom Ford does quite well. I am not sure how many people the dealership employs, but it’s more than a handful. He’s protecting his company and his employees. I’d be willing to bet that the decision to contribute was based more on business than on what you assumed. If you did some research, you would have seen that of the $133,256 that he’s contributed (fec.gov), only $1k has gone to a Democrat. Come on! This doesn’t even include what he’s done for state GOP candidates, including the recent McDonnell campaign.
Looking at the district and seeing how it has performed over the years, Rigell is the perfect candidate. On top of that, he’s a good businessman…and that’s what we need in Congress. Candidates who understand how to budget, stay on budget, meet payroll, create economic growth, create jobs, etc.
Thomas; Did Ridgel give his donation to Obama during operation kaos?
Brian; We need revenue and I know in a lot of circles that means tax increases, I would only support a tax increae after all other cost cutting measures were expended. I personally think there’s a lot of duplication in govenment and we need to eliminate this duplicity first. Only after would I consider any tax increases. Revenue should be dovetailed to cost of services period. I propose cutting taxes then indexing them to cost of living with tax credits for business, especially start ups. We need to do better period!
Well said, David A.!
Steve, thanks for your views, but my question had to do with your “stick to issues.”
If a candidate supported raising taxes, is that an “issue” or “mudslinging?”
Well David,
As a Conservative Republican, I will look for a candidate that is a veteran, businessman, etc… and DID NOT give money to Obama.
I think there are a few to choose from?
Having been “around the block” for more than a number of years, I recognize to be successful in certain types of business ventures requires certain and various degrees of ethics. Inherently, when it comes to retail automotive sales, misleading, high pressure, sales tricks and misdirection is the name of the game and business as usual. I wouldn’t come out directly and call those in the industry out and out fabulists; however, they have a distinct tendency to handle the truth carelessly.
Interesting analogy to “retail automotive sales”. I wonder who that’s in reference to…
I take exception to the car salesman comment. I have purchased an automobile from Freedom Ford (was given a number of positive references as well before hand). I didn’t feel pressured and they sold me a vehicle at the price I wanted to pay. A few months after the purchase the AC stopped working. Well the part that failed was not covered under the warranty. Freedom Ford offered to pay 1/2 the repair bill, since I had just bought the automobile a few months before. Was my experience an anomoly? Maybe maybe not.
This chick is really crazy. She’s awesome but nasty
Leave your response