Democrats find a last-second candidate in the 8th District
The Washington Post reports that Democrat Bill Flemming, a small business owner in Virginia Beach, is entering the race against Jeff McWaters for state Senate. Apparently the ONLY reason given for Flemming entering the race is because President Obama’s campaign for change wanted the competition.
“This is last minute on a shoe string, but there are volunteers here who feel there should be choice,” Flemming said.
It appears that Mr. Flemming’s rationale for entering this race does not come from a deeply held conviction to serve, but because he was talked into it. Given a choice between someone who believes strongly in public service and one who had to have their arm twisted to get off the sidelines, I’m sure the voters will choose the one who actually wants to go to Richmond.
“I welcome any challenger in this race. The liberal activism and political involvement of my new opponent speaks loudly,” says McWaters. “The differences could not be more clear. Voters in Virginia Beach have spoken by electing Republican Bob McDonnell last month by one of the largest margins in history, 65%-35%. I will continue to campaign on reducing the cost of government, creating jobs, keeping taxes low, and prioritizing transportation, issues that matter to voters.”
Category: Campaigns and Elections
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Try to at least APPEAR to be objective.
Bill Fleming is a VETERAN, he has built his Information Technology business in Virginia Beach, where he has already created real jobs, something his Republican opponent can only talk about.
Bill Fleming is also a man who is committed to sensible stewardship of our environment, something that will help keep Virginia Beach tourism healthy.
Here in Virginia, our citizens do not cling to party labels, they judge each candidate based on their individual merit, and a local accomplished businessman, such as Bill Fleming, presents a very attractive alternative to the, always beholden to big corporations, Republicans.
A local business man, Bill Fleming, has walked the walk of job creation and meeting a payroll. His opponent is just a tool of the corporate establishment who can only talk about jobs while his party leadership continues to ship jobs off to China.
For locals, WRV is our surfboard, and Bill Fleming is our candidate.
Paul, why do any of the writers here need to “appear to be objective.”
Unlike the newspapers and the mainstream media who claim to be objective and clearly aren’t, Bearing Drift doesn’t claim objectivity. We do, however, claim to be excellent. We write opinions. We’ve had Democratic contributors. Should they be “objective” too?
Stop trying to censor things you don’t agree with.
All this shows me is yet another instance of Democrats saying one thing and doing another. After weeks of claiming they wouldn’t run someone in the 8th, a claim i NEVER believed (because I rarely believe Democrats), they nominate a candidate.
I don’t care what resume the candidate has. His entire campaign is built on a foundation of a lie told by his party.
First off, I do not live in the district (although I do live in Va Beach) so I really do not have a horse in this race; I doubt I will be looking at either of the candidates that closely.
However I do not think I would hold it against a candidate if he had to be convinced to run. In fact, I think in some ways I might find such a candidate preferable if I was going to judge on that alone. Who is preferable? The slick, polished, professional politician or the more ordinary citizen who had to be convinced he had what it takes to serve?
I am not saying there is anything wrong with someone motivated to serve, however it is not wrong to question why that person is motivated. On the other hand, for the person who had to be convinced to run, I guess it would be fair to ask who did the convincing.
I just want to know if these guys agree on healthcare.
Paul,
Do your homework the next time you post on this blog. Have you ever heard of AMERIGROUP? Jeff McWaters, the GOP nominee for the 8th, started the company from scratch and was the CEO, which employs over 1700 people in Virginia Beach. So all of the accolades you heap on Fleming, and say McWaters has not done the same is ignorant. He has done the same and more.
Glad you brought up AMERIGROUP. There is a mega difference between a corporation that sucks life from others, as a medical insurance gate-keeper, and a LOCAL high tech business that creates real opportunities for LOCAL citizens. Ripley missed that rather glaring issue, so it is clearly HE that needs to do HIS homework.
I don’t want another member of the corporate elitists in our government. Bill Fleming is one of us and not beholden to the, “Big Boys.”
Sorry JR, but you don’t have this one right. Neither the party or any “liberal” group talked Fleming into running. This is something he wants to do to give people a choice in this election. He began his campaign with grassroots activists collecting signatures to run as an Independent. The support of the local party came after he was well on his way in that process.
It’s a bit of a David v. Goliath race here. We don’t expect much if any money to flow into his campaign, but Fleming believes there is potential for a win.
Fleming is a self described fiscal conservative, who owns a small business, and who has created jobs. His success hasn’t come from profiting off of, what do conservatives call it again?, oh yeah, “government entitlement programs” like McWaters has.
Yawn…more Democrats who claim to be “fiscal conservatives” until it’s time to raise taxes.
Gill,
I am sensing some angst on your part? Are you ok? Yes, AMERIGROUP is a corporation, but the point I was making is the Paul’s post about Fleming was inaccurate in the fact that McWaters founded this company from scratch and grew into a corporation which employs 1700 people in Virginia Beach.
So when he makes the comment “he has built his Information Technology business in Virginia Beach, where he has already created real jobs, something his Republican opponent can only talk about”. is not correct and needs to be corrected. Jeff McWaters has created jobs in Virginia Beach.
You want to have a debate on issues and candidates, that is fine I am there, but use factual information when you do.
Joel,
You honestly expect us to believe Fleming has been gathering signatures and working on an independent bid for a while, with no one whatsoever reporting it or being aware of it. For weeks now the press has been stating that whomever won the GOP nomination would win the seat since the Dems had not declared a candidate. Now this guy comes from left field at the eleventh hour to run as the Democratic nominee. Come on now!
J.M.
As always, believe what you want, but Bill called on me to help him gather signatures. I mentioned that there was a possibility of a candidate on December 7th over at Virginia Beach Progressives. Fleming was that candidate.
Joel,
Fair enough…I’ll take you at your word.
It will be on a shoe string. Democrats would be idiotic to waste any resources in this district. Particularly when there’s a more competitive race for Cuccinelli’s old seat.
Joel has always been honest. I’d never question a word he said.