Nye Willing to Duck Debates with Rigell
By D.J. Spiker | Saturday, August 7th, 2010 | PoliticsToday’s WaPo article highlights the contrasting positions of the Republicans and Democrats in this year’s election cycle. Both Glenn Nye and Tom Perriello, looking to cling to any stipulation that gives them an advantage in an election year where they’re likely to lose, are insisting that no-chance third party candidates be included in a debate.
Freshman Reps. Glenn Nye (D) and Tom Perriello (D) both want conservative-leaning independent candidates included in their debates, while their Republican opponents are resisting.
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“Debates are really an important forum in this election,” said Nye campaign spokeswoman Leah Nelson, saying they are among the “few opportunities that these candidates really have to speak on substantive issues.”
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Rigell’s campaign doesn’t want Golden participating unless Golden reaches the 15 percent mark in at least three independent polls — the same standard used for inclusion in general election presidential debates. (There is one key difference: While presidential races are polled daily by a variety of sources, there may not be three independent polls of the 2nd District contest between now and November.)Nye doesn’t think there should be any statistical bar to Golden’s participation.
“Glenn believes that the debates should be open to everyone who qualified for the ballot,” Nelson said.
Nye and Golden are both planning to attend an Aug. 19 debate at a Virginia Beach high school, but Rigell won’t be there. Nye, in turn, has declined invitations from other groups that didn’t include Golden.
However, as I mentioned months ago, when it first came out that Nye was refusing to debate, regardless of your (or Brian’s) feelings about the Scott Rigell requirements, at the end of the day the incumbent is the one who looks bad by not debating, no matter the spin by Nye or the Virginian Pilot.
It’s not surprising that Glenn Nye would want to include Kenny Golden in any debate. However, the additional (unspoken) part of Rigell’s stipulation is noteworthy too. Rigell’s campaign includes a 15% clause, much like a presidential commission, not necessarily unreasonable. What adds to this is Kenny Golden’s own remarks, given at an on-the-record press conference a month and a half ago, that he would drop out of the race if he were not polling at 10-15% in September. Given that any debate likely won’t take place until September or October, this ‘debate about debates’ is much ado about nothing. Golden raised $4000 last quarter. The odds that he’ll be polling at 10 – 15% in a month/month and a half are astronomical. If he is committed, as he stated on the record, that he’ll be dropping out if he’s not at that threshold, why is Rigell’s stipulation ridiculous?
This fiasco should be seen for what it really is, a transparent attempt by Glenn Nye to avoid any on the record event against Scott Rigell.
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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.
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71 Responses to "Nye Willing to Duck Debates with Rigell"
“Rigell’s campaign includes a 15% clause, much like a presidential commission, not necessarily unreasonable.”
And Rigell insists they be 3 or 5 independent polls, which likely won’t even be done.
And I think Rigell is gonna win this running away.
So, where are we?
And DJ, since you cite me with your vast campaign experience (and I’m not talking women), a challenger should want to debate anywhere against anyone.
Unless you think Ronald Reagan did it wrong.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bearing Drift, Daniel J Spiker. Daniel J Spiker said: RT @bearingdrift: Web: Nye Willing to Duck Debates with Rigell http://bit.ly/apzmvU [...]
It seems to me that Rigell is afraid to debate Kenny. Go up there and show us the differences between all of the candidates and show the public that you have a grasp of the details of the policy and are able to articulate them on your feet. I don’t want another Congressman that is not able to speak when he does not have prepared remarks in front of him.
Rigell afraid? He’s debated Golden plenty of times, and after the last time I think Kenny gave up and left the party. What’s that about?
Brian, I agree, I think Rigell has this thing hands down. I don’t think it’s ridiculous. Rigell and Nye should have their debate time, and that’s who the people should hear. You only have so much time in a debate, I want to hear from contenders, not someone with no chance of winning, and a few bucks in the bank.
Thanks for the great article.
Jax
Nye is chicken and afraid to debate Rigell one on one, no suprise there. One candidate has actually run a successful private business and created jobs vs. a Democrat who thinks the $800 Billion stimulus which only bailed out AIG executives, paid for real “stimulating” items like art studios in New York, and helped to run up a $1.5 Trillion deficit is the way to go.
Golden and Rigell have already debated four or five times; I’ve been at 3 of them. After the last debate, Golden QUIT the Primary because he knew he couldn’t beat Rigell. If Golden raised $4000 last quarter as DJ asserts, then his candidacy will remain about as goofy as his “Where is Waldo / Who is Kenny Golden?” signs.
Nye vs. Rigell. I want to see it, and lets pray it happens, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Nye hides behind Golden and refuses to come out and step in the ring with Rigell.
Scott Rigell is not afraid to debate Kenny Golden. It is a political reality that Kenny will not win but it is possible he could split the vote in a way that will make this go Nye’s way. What is important is getting a conservative in Congress, not indulging Kenny’s ego trip. It is what it is, Kenny couldn’t get any support in the primary and then dropped out. Scott’s decision to not debate Kenny is a strategic move, not because he’s scared. Let’s put a conservative back in Congress and get our country on the right track!
Nye is afraid to debate Rigell.
Of course he is, because he is the invisible congressman. I swear the guy is a hermit.
Rigell is right to put a standard on golden; if his campaign is weak he can’t get 15% in a poll (I mean, come on, a dead guy probably starts off with 7 or 8%), then he shouldn’t wast our time.
That’s what is troubling. We need a conservative leader in Congress and golden is trying to split the vote. It is upsetting to say the least. Rigell is the guy to take down nye, that’s all there is to it. Who can we count out to get support, raise money, and take on nye….that’s who we need to focus on. Golden’s moves could cost us all the seat we need to get back. Unfortunately I don’t think he can swallow his pride and walk away.
DJ, I was for Scott Rigell before I was against him.
Scotty sure pummeled Kenny at the one on one RPVB breakfast didn’t he. Scotty sure looked confident DJ. Seen or heard the unedited audio or video from that low key event where Kenny was sweating bullets? DJ, you know what happens when Scotty has to answer tough questions don’t you. Not trying any tricks, just saying what is so glaringly NOT that only someone in complete denial could not see.
RINO Scott Rigell gets all wee wee’d up at debates with the opther candidates on the same ballot because he knows not what to say when the heat is on and the tough questions roll and he gets so self conscious that he may make a mistake or gaffe. You cannot deny this DJ. I am not condemning Scott, he is a nice guy, but, we need a statesman who has the cajones to spay Pelosi who does not have to play the same ole scuzzy party politics.
What does the Rigell campaign have to hide DJ? The people deserve open forums so they can see who they are voting for do they not?
Hell, by this standard, we should all oppose Bobby Scott debating Chuck Smith.
Glenn Nye is simply afraid to debate Scott Rigell one on one. Kenny has no chance, and everyone knows it…including Kenny (he’s just too full of himself to get out of the race). Nye’s only hope is raising publicity for Kenny in the hopes that it will take votes away from Rigell. Instead, it’s going to backfire him as people see through him for what he is…a virtually unknown first term congressman who is afraid to face a true challenge. He is going to leave office in 2011 STILL being virtually unknown since he is too afraid to face the people of the 2nd District. (ever notice how you never hear about any event Nye is having until the day of the event or MAYBE the day before? The guy is like a ghost.)
Nye giving Kenny publicity?
Rigell’s giving Kenny more ink than he could ever have gotten on his own.
“TURBO”; Yep, Rigell did clean Golden clocks in all the debates, and in the “one on one” debate. Every single question dealing with economics and Golden sounded clueless.
Maybe because he’s never created a single job in his life.
All I remember is after the last debate with Rigell, Golden QUIT.
So, if he supposedly did so well in the debates, why did he quit?
Because he knew he couldn’t beat Rigell in the primary.
Why is Nye insisting that Golden be part of the debates? Because he knows that it benefits him and Speaker Pelosi.
A vote for Nye is a vote for Pelosi. A vote for Goldne is….. a vote for Pelosi. Looks like Rigell is going up against TWO candidates working to make Pelosi Speaker yet again.
Anyone who honestly thought those childish looking “who is kenny golden?” signs were a good idea automatically disqualifies himself from congress.
Seriously? They look like my 8 year old neice drew them.
I assume golden approved them, which makes me wonder just how poor his judgment is or political sense.
Rigell projects weakness by denying the people of the 2nd open and fair debates. I challenge Scott to take questions from people who are free to raise their hand, not prescreened names from a hat.. yes this is the way Scotty prevents embarassing questions.
Why am I so persistent? Congress is full of nice guys like Scott. FULL OF THEM! We are losing this great country and RINO’s threw the house to socialists by their incompetence, payoffs and sheer greed. When will you people take off your red glasses and see Americans through the lens of the constitution?
@Bryan Stuart, Kenny was the chairman of the party. Kenny never gave a cent to Obama.
Kenny knows how things work at the local and state level all too well. He also knew the other candidates in the primary had the joke on them with regrets. The RNC make a mockery of them by their dishonesty and last time I checked they aint too popular in the house. The GOP screwed the electioneered primary candidates who did not donate to Obama and the YES! campaign and Mark Warner, etc., to the wall and Kenny knew it so early on he had 2 choices, lose a completely rigged primary to a RINO or run as an independent with a clear conscience.. and be on the ballot. If the primary were run fairly, Kenny would be rooting for Obama supporter Rigell but the Rino hunters would still lay in wait.
Who are the Rino hunters?
Seems pretty logical to me that Nye is just trying to get Golden on the stage to split the Conservative/Republican vote with Rigell. Much easier for him to beat two candidates who split their vote than for him to try and beat Rigell alone in a year like this.
Why would Nye want to debate Rigell when he can watch the two guys on the right battle it out over who is more ideologically “pure”? Are we really that much more interested in trying to label Rigell as a RINO or label Golden as a Conservative poster child than we are in beating Glenn Nye in November?
OK, I am biased.
I am impressed by Kenny’s resume even if I do not support many of his stances. I’m just wondering why it is that Republicans in my district couldn’t support Kenny Golden?
I said I was biased, I’m extremely biased. Glenn Nye is the candidate I support. Kenny is on the ballot and what is wrong with including him in the debate? If Rigell refuses to participate, let’s have a debate between Glenn and Kenny since in my opinion Kenny would have been a better candidate in my district in the first place. What’s Scott afraid of? In an honest debate money can’t buy him votes?
Hey Kenny, how about considering endorsing Glenn Nye if Scott gets his way and you are excluded from the debates? I think that if you are willing to set your sites a little lower, you might find a home in the Virginia Democratic Party with strong moderate support. I want to run Wagner out of office and while the job doesn’t pay much, perhaps you will be willing to again sacrifice. I am not a member of the Democratic Party and I have no influence on their decisions for candidate selection, however they seem to have trouble with coming up with any candidate at all to run against Wagner. With your resume you would be strongly competitive right out the gate.
RINO = Golden
Guy is rabidly pro-choice, so he’s not a social conservative.
Then he releases his “legislative proposal” that advocates tax increases;
DIRECT QUOTE FROM GOLDEN EMAIL FROM FEBRUARY 22, 2010:
“Pay As You Go Act – Requires new proposals to be either budget neutral, offset with budget cuts elsewhere, or paid for by a tax increase. This would ensure that no new spending or tax cuts will increase the deficit.”
Notice …..”paid for by a tax increase.” So, no wonder he REFUSES to sign a no new tax pledge, he advocates PAYGO legislation that opens us open to tax increases.
Bottom line is that Golden couldn’t win in a Republican Primary where 30,000 Republicans voted, so he QUIT.
Glenn Nye is probably praying every night that Golden stays in the race. Nye is scared of any kind of one on one match-up with Rigell because what is the guy going to say? That he voted to keep that tax-cheat Rangel Chairman of Ways & Means Committee even after he was charged with ethical violations?
Perhaps BearingDrift should step up and invite Nye and Rigell to a two man debate.
D&C, there is a broad preconception that Kenny and Scott split the vote and there is some truth to that. If you believe what you wrote, who is splitting whose vote?
This is the peoples seat. Not the GOP’s, not the dems, not Scott’s, Glenn’s or Kenny’s. Representing the people, all of em, is what is at stake here. If we are to defeat a vote that Pelosi can count on, we need to KNOW the next candidate has the will to stand up to a whole lot of bullying by the opposition. Politics is nasty and ugly business and both parties seem to be taking turns out sleazing each other when they come to power. Both parties allowed us to sail off course to where we are now, neither are innocent. If we elect another game player we will get the $ame ole results. Kenny Golden is a game changer and he does not bend his ear for the party line BS. BS, speaking of which, is all I hear from the Rigell campaign.. Overheard some of it at the Cavalier last week as well.. Another WTF moment for Team Rigell.
Nye is so scared of rigell, he’s gone into hiding!
Come on, there is 435 members of the house of representatives, every one is a Republican or Democrat.
So, let’s have a R vs D debate! Let’s hear from Nye and hear him defend his record.
Scott Rigell will make an awesome Congressman.
If Kenny is polling less than 15%, and Nye wants to include Kenny the debates, then Scott should send out Jason Miyares to clean up the floor with those two. If Scott has the election in the bag and is walking away, then why sully a perfectly good day by walking into an ambush?
Scott should send in Jason as cannon fodder so he can claim after the fact how Glenn and Kenny ganged up on his poor campaign manager. Scott can then throw Jason under the bus by saying that whatever Jason said in the debate is not representative of his positions after the blogs, press and the Republican “Establishment” have all weighed in on the debate. It has worked splendidly for Obama using Robert Gibbs… only some in the press are starting to catch on.
I get your point about the people’s seat and all but it still leaves me with two questions. If Kenny’s such a game changer, then why A) did he quit the primary and B) If he’s such a “game changer” how is it that he only raised $4,000 last quarter?
I just checked the FEC website (last updated June 30th) out of curiosity. Golden only has $1,314 Cash on Hand. I don’t care if it’s the people’s seat or not, but that’s nothing. You can’t run a campaign let alone have any shot at winning it if you have only $1,300.
It’s apparent to observers that Nye’s only shot at winning this thing is divide and conquer.
Nye only wants Golden in there to try and divide the vote. James Cohen, and those like him, follishly fall into this trap. Don’t let it happen.
Nye wants to distract the issues. The Pelosi agenda and the radical leftward movement of the Federal government is what will drive people to the polls. Don’t let Kenny Golden, a traitor to his former conservative principles (who the hell else would shift their position on drilling based on an emotional respone but a conservative turncoat looking for votes?).
If you buy into Nye’s BS then I’m certain you’re okay keeping Pelosi speaker because that’s what you get if Golden gains traction beyond his minimal 5-8%.
… and DJ-Golden is a man that you can trust to be consistent with his inconsistencies. He won’t drop out-no matter what. He hasn’t lived up to any of his promises to this point adn he has proved himself to be a man after power and influence, he’s willing to sell out his party and vital issues like energy independence based on emotional responses. He whines and leaves the party because he received no endorsements from GOP leaders and he abandons offshore drilling with one oil spill without waiting to get all the facts of the spill. This is not a man we want as Congressman and this is not a man we can trust to honor his word.
Nye will use this Golden debate issue as his reason to not debate. That’s to be expected from an incumbant scared to debate. He’s just looking for a viable reason-we all know it’s BS. just don’t allow Nye to draft the narrative. Understand who Golden is and see the issue for what it is-a wedge meant to divide and conquer.
Fact: If Rigell sticks to his demands, Rigell will not be involved in any debates.
Fact: Any organization that doesn’t include all three candidates, no debate will occur.
Fact: Only debates will only that occur will between Nye and Golden.
Hence, Independents and undecideds that attended debates that are held will choose between Nye or Golden.
There is no being scared on any part. It just one candidate being very stupid to purposefully avoid joining the opportunity to debate the incumbent.
@Brian Stuart,
If what you are saying is true, I think it is reason for why moderates might support him in my district if he runs against Wagner as a Democrat. While Kenny might be conservative, he is MODERATELY conservative.
Kenny has an exemplary resume that appeals to every reasonable American. He has that willingness to be a maverick that John McCain could have rode to the presidency until he bowed to the extremists and picked Palin to run along side him.
Kenny should think about it. If in despite his service to the Republican Party their support is denied him, perhaps he should reconsider things. Webb did it and was elected. Webb did not abandon principal and he was awarded for switching party. Webb proved you do not have to be liberal and win as a Democrat in Virginia. Perhaps there is some benefit to be gained by claiming to be a reformed former Republican?
@Kempsville, Rigell wins the right hands down, especially the religious right. Nye wins the left, especially the center left who like the right are despised by the far left koolaid drunk libs. Who wins the center left/right independent voter? If you sit in the same house of worship you hear the same gossip in your pew. I hear plenty from disafected republicans and more importantly those who call no party their own. Kenny did not quit the GOP, the GOP chose the guy with more money and friends already in office.. the guy with connections and money. Just take a look at the republicans we already have in congress. Impressed? lol! ROFL! These guys are less awful than the dems and just a handfull seem to do the job the VOTER elected them to do, the rest are preoccupied with lining their pockets and moving THEIR agenda forward.
This election is not unique and the candidates are not the second coming of Ron Reagan blessed be he. This election is about the peoples seat and in Va the rules require signatures to get on the ballot. Kenny got MANY of his.. Scott? Show me someone bold enough to tell those thousands of people that Kenny directly appealed to that their signature to put Kenny on the ballot was wasted and I will show you a RINO. Are you a Rino?
Turbo,
The left in the area actually despises Nye. They’ll vote for him cause they ‘have’ to, but they can’t stand him. To them, he’s a yellow-bellied moderate who’s a conservative.
Missing from all these comments besides KC is the fact that Golden is on the record as dropping out next month if he fails to reach a threshold. That same threshold is the same from Rigell for his participation in the debates. Why should Golden be included in a debate that he doesn’t even want to participate in?! If he can’t pull 15%, by his own admission he shouldn’t even be in the race.
It’s just a matter of time now until he drops out.
And KC, Golden’s 4×8′s say ‘Integrity’ front and center. I trust Kenny to do the right thing and stick to his word, something I personally know that he values. He said he would drop out in September if he fails to meet a percentage, a number that’s quickly becoming clear he won’t meet.
The debate on debates is going to be rendered moot when Kenny keeps his word.
wow, 27 comments on a Saturday…wasn’t expecting that one!
Kenny Golden is running for one reason, and one reason only. He feels, and as a fact is, more qualified to represent the district than either Rigell or Nye. Anyone who says you need any reason other than that to run is undeniably un-American and completely opposed to all the principles of democracy and our great republic.
They want to take 2 of our carriers and close down Joint Forces Command. Nye may think those carriers won’t leave till 2019, but every year is a new budget cycle and Florida outnumbers Virginia in congressional seats.
Think about people;
Who do you want staring down Gates and the Joint Chiefs of Staff; a car dealer, a diplomat, or a 31 year veteran who has served with all of them and has held commands ranging from the largest amphibious task force since Korea to the head of the Policy and Plans Directorate at Joint Forces Command.
Over 15,000 jobs in the district are at stake in this election. The military is 50% of the economy in Hampton Roads. Anyone putting their faith in a car dealer is out of their mind.
If Rigell had Golden at 4%, where do you think he is going to be after all the free press Rigell handed him on a silver platter. Where will he be when Rigell skips the 3 debates in August?
Keep it coming Rigell trolls. I’ve been reading this site for years and it is easy to notice when people pop-out of the woodwork with new names hastily written and the same talking points re-worded over and over again. You think you are clever, but the joke will be on you and Rigell’s empty chair in the Princess Anne Auditorium.
Make that 31 DJ.
And to add to Chris comments, the media WILL be attending, asking questions that will be answered and both the dem and independent candidates will be seen speaking for themselves, unedited, unrehearsed. Go ahead Rino’s, tell Scott to send his boy Jason Miyares to speak if Scott is not man enough to face a couple of guys so easy to whip in the general. The GOP has had a great run putting the best candidates up and it is a disgrace to end the momentum in our region this way.
If Golden couldn’t beat Rigell in a primary, he sure as hell can’t beat him in the general.
Give me a break, if Golden was a real candidate, he would say “15%? No problem”. But he can’t and he knows it so stop wasting our time.
Glenn Nye and all of his Democratic liberals can push Golden’s candidacy all they want to split the conservative vote. He can hide and refuse to debate Rigell one on one. But at the end of the day, he is going to loose on election day.
Saul, there is but one small problem.. 15% has been repeated so many times that everyone thinks Kenny is polling below it.
Fact or Crap?: Kenny Golden independently but unscientifically polled at 27% during the primary before the eloquent party bosses made it clear that nobody but Rigell would be supported. Fact.
I will fund another poll come september/october to satisfy my own curiosity. The poll will be performed independently and scientifically. If I choose to share the results they will be posted fully and entirely here on Bearing Drift if authorized to do so by JR.
Ah Saul, the FACT that you refuse to bring up anything regarding qualifications shows the shallowness of your argument.
You really expect any of the voters who don’t follow inside ball to care about poll numbers or why Kenny left the party?
The vast majority of people hate both parties. Learn some electoral math, the number of people who self-identify as members of the Republican and Democratic Parties are tiny compared to the people who VOTE democrat or republican. The people who elect republicans vote republican because of their ideology and they are NOT involved at all in the party process.
Total up the people who read BD, go to city committee, the breakfasts, and volunteer, and you will have maybe 1% of the electorate. Everyone else couldn’t care less. To them Rigell is acting scared, Kenny is making a statement, and Nye is just trying to represent his district.
This crap about polls, Golden being egotistical, and Nye being allowed to vote against health care is so far over the head of the electorate that it’s a joke that the Rigell campaign would bank on it.
Seriously guys, take a step back and think for a second;
The voter sees 3 people; a young kid who was a diplomat and has 2 years of on the job training, a car dealer who has spent 1.5 million of his own money, and Kenny with 31 years of active duty experience and a resume a mile long. The decision is a no-brainer.
The media loves an underdog and that the local news/radio hosts love Kenny to death. Do you think he will ever get negative press in regards to why he is running?
Tactically and strategically, the Rigell campaign is a joke. You guys have a prosecutor as a campaign manager and a car dealer as a candidate. Tell me where you think Rigell could last 10 minutes during the upcoming democratic onslaught?
Golden doesn’t need to do anything. Rigell will fold under the pressure as Nye, DCCC, and MoveOn.org beat him to death and then the GOP will lash out at Nye and turn him into damaged goods as well.
Say what you will about Golden’s reasons for running or his ideology, the guy is qualified beyond a doubt and no one, not even Rigell or his trolls, will argue that. The fact that there is a credible independent in the race (IE not a single issue nut) will and already has risen the profile of this race in the public eye. Come October, the people will be looking for someone to get behind who isn’t damaged. That person will be Kenny.
It seems that if Mr.Golden is such a minute factor in the general, the posting Rigell loyalists should care less whether or not Golden is in it. Yet they are very anxious to have Golden drop out.
Does anyone really envision a reputable independent poll being conducted in this race? If the answer is no, how will the criteria for Rigell’s conditions ever be met? For that matter, how is Golden’s supposed criteria for dropping out be quantified?
Seems like the incumbent gets the upper-hand in this “debate” and Golden gets the underdog sympathy vote with Rigell being viewed as pretentious. Also, Golden is getting a lot of great media mileage from the Rigell campaign’s arrogance.
What a way to run a railroad!
Rigell’s biggest fear shouldn’t be votes going to Kenny. His biggest fear should be conservative-leaners staying home.
Nye voted against most of what they’d want him to vote against. How much fuel can they have to get to the polls to oust him?
Rigell is like a rhythm quarterback. Kenny doesn’t need to intercept him or sack him – disrupting the rhythm could be enough for numbers of voters to shrug. And there’s nothing much else on the ballot to bring them out anyway, all due respect to City Council.
That’s why Rigell’s folks don’t want Kenny messing with the dynamic. That’s why they aren’t debating him. Winning a debate with Kenny wouldn’t matter – having it at all accomplishes rhythm disruption.
The likely event is that the November wave is so big that Rigell wins running a prevent defense for the next 3 months.
Nye’s hope isn’t that Rigell implodes or that Kenny catches fire. Nye’s hope is that the right-of-center tires of the drama and stays home.
I understand the thinking of the Rigell camp. I have studied Rigell’s debating, when he was doing it, and he’s effective when he’s on message. He’s a likeable guy. He’s not done well when he needed to improv, and likely doesn’t want to be in a position to do it.
Live political improv isn’t hard. It’s a trainable skill. But it’s a skill he won’t need against only Nye.
Brian, I agree with what you say, but I think you and everyone else are missing something key;
The number of liberal democrats in the 2nd district is tiny. They did not elect Nye, independents and conservative democrats did.
In walking the district for campaigns, which I have done for years, better than 60% of the democrats I have met are democrats because they hate the religious right wing of the Republican Party.
Everyone is assuming that Kenny will only take votes from Rigell. All polling suggests that “independents” make up the majority of the electorate this year. He will take vote from Nye, votes from Rigell, and he will own the middle of the electorate that Nye and Rigell would need to break 35%.
In the 2nd district, conservatives make up the overwhelming majority of voters who vote either democrat OR republican. If Nye had run as a token liberal, he never would have beaten Thelma, who got less votes than McCain. Even the democrats admire fiscal, common sense conservatism. Independents don’t like social issues being a major factor and that is what Rigell seems to be playing on against Kenny.
Brian, you may be right that Rigell can ride a wave in, but that is only if he doesn’t implode.
Check out youtube.com/virginia2rawfootage
It’s all the videos the democrats tracker has of Rigell. There is enough fodder for attack ads that will crush Rigell’s campaign in one media buy. As dumb as you might think those GI Bill videos may be, the public is going to cringe when they hear “So Mr. Rigell, you have no opinion on military families?” and the see Scott checking out a hot rod and commenting on how it must be a special edition. Out of touch much?
Chris, your error is that I think voters who do not support Rigell or Nye will stay home rather than vote for Kenny.
That’s what lack of resources does to an independent candidate.
Yes, unfortunately you are correct. Lack of money, if anything, will be Kenny’s downfall. However, as goofy as those “Who is Kenny Golden?” signs may be, they have undoubtedly raised the profile of this race 100x in the public eye.
You know as well as I do Brian that Kenny’s personality dominates everyone and everything when he gets on a stage. There will be at least one televised debate (League of Women Voters/WHRO) and at least a dozen un-televised ones before November. I’ve seen what Kenny can do to a crowd and it is nothing short of amazing.
Things are going to get very nasty very quick between Rigell and Nye. EVERYONE in the district is wondering who Kenny Golden is. Rigell and Nye both know that if they find out, its game over for them.
So you’re saying that when people find out who Golden is, it’s game over for Rigell and Nye. The people who will go out and vote, know who he is, and think what he’s doing is a joke. I respect the man, most people I know do, but this is just wild. We have a chance to win in November, and Kenny throws a fit. Now, there is at least a chance that he pulls enough votes away from Rigell for Nye to win. Great. Sounds like a real win for all of us. Come on.
If the comment “what he’s doing is a joke” was directed towards the signs, then what he is doing is raising the profile of his candidacy is the most creative way possible. Anyone who would not vote for someone because they use creative signs is one of the 25-30% of partisans that make up the base vote of either party. These people vote for nothing more than a R or a D and would never vote for Kenny anyway.
If the comment was directed towards him running as an independent, then what he is doing is give the voters of the 2nd district a real choice in November.
I say again, 15,000 jobs and 50% of the economy of Hampton Roads is at stake this November. Everyone who knows Kenny knows this as well. Everyone who knows Kenny knows that he is head and shoulders above Nye and Rigell in handling this problem.
I have never once heard Rigell or a Rigell supporter make any case what-so-ever that Rigell is at all qualified to handle these issues. I have never heard any of them deny that military issues are the MOST IMPORTANT thing in the 2nd district. Yet they rail and whine about Kenny throwing a fit?
If Rigell wins, this region is dead economically. We lose those carriers and JFCOM and we will see at least 20% unemployment if not substantially more. Obama wants to bring us down to 10 carrier battle groups if not 8. Imagine Northrop Grumman closing down its carrier works. Can you imagine 30% unemployment? I can and so can anyone else who realizes what the military means to Hampton Roads.
There is one candidate in this race that can lead the Virginia delegation in the fight to stop this from happening. That is Kenny Golden. No one can argue that fact.
Golden is pro-tax and pro-choice
Nye is pro-tax and pro-choice
Rigell is pro-life and anti-tax
Pretty clear who wins that debate.
Glenn Nye has no record to stand on, his only hope is to split the rising anti-Democrat waving that is rising.
Golden’s candidacy is based on……. HE IS MORE QUALIFIED. Not on jobs and the economy, which is the #1 issue in this election.
Creating jobs and the economy is what most voters care about, especially with 10% unemployment. That is why Rigell is such an effectie candidate for the fall and why he will win.
Here is Kenny’s “No Tax Pledge” and explanation of why he will not be intimidated into signing a piece of paper from some organization demanding he sign it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvDRij8JIck
If you want to call him a liar, that is your choice. In regards to Pay-GO, the point is that you either cut spending or increase taxes. This forces people to choose one or the other. Golden won’t vote for a tax increase, so he would vote every time to cut spending or not approve spending increases.
On Abortion, he wants to overturn Roe v Wade and give the issue back to the states. Just because he doesn’t want a federal ban does not mean he supports killing babies. Kenny has a plan on his website that will stop more abortions than anything Rigell could accomplish. You can read it here; http://kennygolden.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=72
What you fail to mention Bryan, is that 50% of the Hampton Roads Economy is the military and that right now we are threatened with the loss of at least 15,000 jobs between the two carriers, JFCOM, and 10 carrier battle groups.
Rigell says the biggest part of creating jobs is keeping the ones we have. He is undeniably not qualified to keep the ones we have. So how is it that he is the best candidate?
Bryan, I have already shown beyond a doubt that all of your arguments are irrelevant if not a lie. Repeating the same talking points over and over is not going to win you anything but my amusement.
Come back when Miyares and LaCivita give you a better argument. I’ll be here waiting.
Wow, wouldn’t it be a hoot if Rigell placed third in this thing?
How do you support a tax increase in 2002 and be called anti-tax?
@saul simmons
There are two Independants in congrees.And there a some others leading in the polls this year
I’m so enjoying this hyperbola and all the “expert” analysis that this blog brings. With all the vulnerabilities and skeletons Rigell has, the 527 groups are going to have such a field day that Rigell just might pack-up that trailer and head out of town after the election results come in.
Last I checked, this was a conservative blog (although I’ve noticed a lot of negative comments lately…guess our Democratic friends are visiting more often now that the primary is over). We should all be focused on defeating Glenn Nye. I don’t know why anyone would bother discussing a third party candidate. If he has a shot, he should be able to easily show 15% support. If he can’t, he should go away. The Democrats absoultely LOVE this infighting about a third party candidate who has no chance.
Let’s get Glenn Nye out of office.
Gee LC, if your right about this being a conservative blog, then the independent must be the one you must be referring to. If you are referring to the Republican nominee, other than giving a chunk load of money out to local incumbent candidates to buy political influence for prospective customers, I challenge you to give an example of Rigell’s history in supporting a conservative issue or cause. And for each one you name, if any, I’ll name two liberal stands he has participated in.
LC, We agree on one thing.. Pelosi must lose a representative, specifically, our current one. I was all for Scott Rigell because of his business acumen, his seemingly conservative views we share some common ground on and he is a very likeable guy. So.. Why would I come to question his capacity to defeat someone in Pelosi’s camp? Why? because I became convinced that the gop was bowling for one of their golden geese and returning a favor for years of time, energy and money that went to support conservative candidates.. well most of the time until Obama and some others.
Call me too simplistic one issue but when Scott said “I’m perfectly fine with it” when asked about his One thousand dollar donation to the most pro abortion president in American history, Barack Hussein Obama, the air was sucked out of the room, lights fizzled out and I suddenly lost faith in Scotty’s candidacy. I had to find out if there were more skeletons so I asked HIS people and was politely asked not to ask those questions. So, fast forward.. I researched the rest of the candidates, saw the qualities in Kenny that I felt our region desperately needs in these times asked for my donation Rigell for Congress to be returned.. still waiting for that by the way.
So LC, I abruptly stopped supporting Rigell because I became convinced that he will not be able to defeat the dems this november once the slime from the left begins to ooze. This is not something I want to see happen to Scott but more importantly I do not want Pelosi to have VA-2 after 11-2-10.
I challenge you to do some online research on dem and progressive blogs. The bad stuff is harder to find since either you have to have a password or be invited. I have done both so call me an infiltrator. There is some ugly information out there and god help the VA-2 conservative voter who does not do their due diligence. Our region cannot afford to lose again.
Gates to Cut Major Military Command in Virginia, Officials Say
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/08/09/gates-cut-major-military-command-norfolk-officials-say/
I say again, who do you want staring down Gates in that hearing room? A car dealer, a diplomat, or Kenny Golden?
This is a no-brainer folks. If you are supporting Rigell, you are supporting the loss of 15,000 jobs in Hampton Roads. Rigell doesn’t even understand what JFCOM does, so how can you expect him to fight for it?
The future of Hampton Roads is at stake this November. If we elect anyone but Kenny Golden, you can kiss this region goodbye. We CANNOT survive without JFCOM, those carriers, and Northrop Grumman Shipyard. Kenny is the only one with the qualifications to fight for these. Period. End of story.
Hmmmm… didn’t see anything on Rigell’s web site except this link from his Facebook…
“Team Rigell: if you own a business or office and would like to help send Scott to Congress we would love to stop by your office and drop off some literature and bumper stickers for you to display.”
I wonder if he has enough “literature and bumper stickers” for Northrup Grumman, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, SAIC, Old Dominion University, NASA and the 80 other companies who will be forced to shut down or leave the Hampton Roads area.
Kenny came out with a release on the proposed closing 11 days ago. Get that? 11 days. Rigell didn’t even know it was happening 11 days ago. Where has he been? How come Kenny with no money is able to address these issues a full 11 days before Rigell?
You can read Kenny’s response at the link below;
http://kennygolden.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=94:kenny-responds-to-proposed-closing-of-joint-forces-commands&catid=39:campaign-news&Itemid=92
I wonder what the WHINOS would be saying here if the situation was reversed? Seems to me that Golden’s only motive is to make sure Rigell loses so maybe he’ll have a shot next time. If he runs again, it won’t be on the Republican ticket.
Craig Kilby, you speak with disgrace about a man with a lot more experience than either party candidate who is a distinguished active duty career military veteran. Craig, a real gentleman would apologize.
I was at the RPVB meeting this eve and was humbly satisfied by the number of openly supportive republican friends supportive of Kenny Golden in the audience whom I met prior to and after the meeting. May I request that you consider speaking with both Scott and Kenny and ask both of them the tough questions concerning each individuals leadership experience and come up with your own conclusion. It seems many senior retired military veterans already have.. and they are not sitting by idly.
The fact that Kenny Golden seems he will caucus with Democrats is a reason not to support him. I have had it with the Charlie Crists in the GOP. Golden will caucus with House Democrats
Northman where are you getting this information from for this allegation? You should prove this allegation with facts.
Oh my, read these before the team Rigell censors catch up with their FaceBook posts.
http://www.facebook.com/dona.danziger#!/notes/scott-rigell/press-release-planned-closure-of-joint-forces-command-is-a-direct-reflection-on-/419820845837
Turbo,
Wish I could have made the meeting as I planned then, any noticeable stickers or supporters would be removed from the party, and for good reason.
Chris,
Kenny has zero chance at winning in November. Zero. No stars will align in the perfect way. All that is left to happen if for Kenny to keep his word and drop out next month when he’s not polling at his desired percentage. Everything else is secondary.
Dj, what are you smoking.. not every republican is in the tank, especially the mature, experienced and wise. Seniors have an advantage over us middle age and the younger republicans, they have been fooled enough by others lacking experience who went to DC and dropped the ball.. on their foot.
DJ said: “..any noticeable stickers or supporters would be removed from the party, and for good reason.” Care to elaborate?
DJ seems to have drank up all the Kool Aid from the Rigell camp. I think a better title for this post could have been Rigell ducks debates with Golden and Nye. But Rigell would not like that so DJ went with his current headline.
Kenny Golden seems to be a poor loser and it makes sense to not include everyone in the debates. There has to be some cut off and Golden is out of it and he is just staying because he seems to want to be a spoiler. And correct me if I am wrong but Golden is a Republican and the bi-laws of being a member is that you have to support the Republican nominee once the voting is done in the primary. So Rigell is the Republican nominee so why is Golden going back on his word and signed statement of membership. That seems to reflect a lack of character and interity and we have enough of that in Washington now.
Poor ole Mark Cernak, Congratulations, you have included yourself with an elite group of self disgracing individuals that take pleasure in showing utter contempt for a candidate with a distinguished military leadership career. Shame on you bud.. I do not remember anyone on the board of elections appointing you or anyone else to dictate who should or should not run for office. Kenny Golden is better than a republican, he is a patriotic AMERICAN and a great statesman. Get used to it Mark. You have not seen the integrity and character in either party candidate that is a match for Independent Ret USN Commodore Kenny Golden.
A Chris LaCivita sighting… banging away at Pelosi..
http://apnews.myway.com/article/20100813/D9HIHE000.html
What are you Golden people smoking? Seriously! Are you booger-eating 40 somethings working at Starbucks? Because you sure as hell sound like it.
You sound delusional, “Commodore Golden will show ‘em.” “He would keep JFCOM open.”
How? Explain for all of us how a single member of Congress keeps the Defense Secretary from getting what he wants.
Now a group of members can make a difference, and Scott Rigell has the proven ability to bring people together for a common purpose.
Example – he brought people together to ensure that Kenny Golden got no where near the GOP nomination for Congress. In fact, he was so good at it that Golden turned into a coward rather than face his fellow Republicans and get his ass whacked publicly. I think he would have finished last but we’ll never know.
Sounds like Rigell is the one with proven experience at getting things done in politics. Golden is EPIC FAIL.
Ron if Kenny is the one that is scared then why is Scotty to afraid to debate with him on the stage? If he is so good then he should be able to mop the floor with Kenny and Rep. Nye. Why refuse to debate?
Ron stated, “Now a group of members can make a difference, and Scott Rigell has the proven ability to bring people together for a common purpose.” Ron, a group of people do not make a difference if they don’t know the territory and lack experience on military matters and do not know the workings of the inner sanctum. This is one area that Kenny has an unfair advantage over any congressman we have had in decades. Not dissing any previous congressman/woman but it is not often that a decorated active duty commanding officer runs for congress.
And Ron, Let Rigell prove he is not a coward by showing up at the 3rd Police Precinct’s CITIZENS’ ADVISORY COMMITTEE. “The 2nd Congressional District Candidate Forum will be held between 7 and 8:30 P.M., August 19, at the Princess Anne High School auditorium, 4400 Virginia Beach Boulevard.” In reality, Scotty promised he would attend but his handler Jason said no. And Ron, Kenny Golden and Glenn Nye are certified candidates and will appear on the ballot with Scotty on election day.
The organizers will keep a seat open for Scotty if Jason changes his mind and decides to attend the debate.
If Jason attends, then I will be there too because I know Jason will have the answers. I have some simple and probably stupid questions about Scott’s “missionary” work in Honduras and his business with Geely Automobile Holdings that never seem to make it to his Facebook page.
TimJ, Jason knows most TRUE conservative voters are as angry at the GOP establishment as they are at the Dems because the GOP was supposed to be in their corner when they held the ropes from 1998-2006. From the beginning of the Reagan revolution, conservativatism was synonymous with the GOP and after the end of Reagans term, some wise seniors realized we were being sold out by big government spendthrift Republicans (RINO’s) in favor of government expansion.. With blinders on, Rinocons for lack of a better term, sucked it up. By the beginning of Bush II’s second term, our imbalance of payments overseas and the campaign funding sellouts to wall street donors/deal makers was outrageous.. in plain sight, the left biased media (so long used to ignoring real news in favor of the dnc guilt by association rancor stating conservative = gop) failed to forecast the bipartisan mess so obvious to TRUE CONSERVATIVES that was snowballing.
Like it or not Scott Rigell represents the GOP establishment. And he does not straight talk like Kenny Golden.
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