It’s time for Kenny Golden to drop out
By Brian Kirwin | Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 | PoliticsNow that we are past the Labor Day traditional start of the fall campaign swing, it is evident to me that it’s time Kenny Golden made the race for the Second District a one-on-one race.
Let’s get the easy questions out of the way. Will Golden win? No. Not even close. Will Golden win enough to play spoiler? If the current wave sustains, and I think it most assuredly will grow, Glenn Nye is toast no matter what Golden does.
Golden isn’t hurting Rigell, and he isn’t hurting the Second District. But his being in the race is keeping Democratic Party interest and money in this seat, and thus more Republican Party money spent to win it.
At this point, money is a zero sum game. Money spent here means some other district gets less. Virginia House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith is within striking distance of entrenched incumbent Rep. Rick Boucher. The second the Democrats see a poll of Rigell vs. Nye alone, they’ll triage Nye right off a cliff, and Republicans can give Griffith the resources to pick up that seat.
If not Griffith, then some other seat that could be a GOP pickup with the right amount of resources will get help.
Bottom line: If we’re interested in taking back Congress and stopping Obama’s agenda cold, these are things that need to happen.
I’ve liked Kenny Golden a long time. There was a rough and tumble primary that he should’ve stayed a part of, and he has a good resume on defense issues. But the bottom line is most voters will never know it because Golden can’t afford to tell them about it. He’s doing a disservice to voters by courting their support with so insufficient a message machine.
Golden made his point. But compared to what’s going on in the nation, and what his point-making is costing us in not just this race, but in others that could turn the tide, Golden’s point is comparatively rather dull.
In two debates, he truly added no real reason for him to be there. Democrats have enough trouble wondering why they have Nye. Kenny’s assertion that they’ll vote for a former GOP chairman who still holds the same views he always had in the GOP camp is simply silly.
But as long as Golden’s impact was restricted to the Second District race, I bit my tongue. If Golden wanted to end his career saying “nyah, nyah” to people who didn’t endorse him by spoiling things for the guy they did, it’s his career.
But Golden’s windmill charge is now not only folly, but damaging to good Republicans in other districts who did nothing to Golden or anyone else.
That’s wrong, and it should give Golden pause to reflect and, I hope, to decide to exit the race and help recapture Congress.
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About the author
The right wants to jeer him. The left wants to censor him. Moderates usually want both. Brian Kirwin is a political consultant and public relations strategist in Virginia Beach with a lightning-rod flair. Brian also serves on the VB Arts & Humanities Commission and frequently appears on Hampton Roads theatrical stages, if only to prove that all actors aren’t liberals. Kirwin’s columns stir up debate and hit the political scene with no punches pulled.
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78 Responses to "It’s time for Kenny Golden to drop out"
Have we passed the date at which Golden’s name would be removed from the ballot if he withdrew?
Third party candidates have a long tradition in America, and they raise a lot of important issues that the Big Parties can’t. Don’t be a sycophant to the Republican Party. I won’t be voting for Kenny Golden, but he has the right to stand for election and talk about the issues that matter to him.
LOL! It’s amazing to me that you make these statements when the Golden campaign is just now building steam. Kenny had his first business leaders roundtable this morning with executive leaders who know what it means to have someone in congress who is mature, consistent and posesses the proven government sector leadership experience that the gop nominee has not demonstrated. Money, that is what the GOP is smearing the 2nd with. Not experience, Money. The GOP nominee is not a reliably conservative man of ideas, issues, plans or military leadership experience, his experience is with using money to make money and now he is getting the payback from the establishment he gave money to, period.. Smell it, wallow in it, buy all the ads you want with that money, but, bear in mind, a true patriot cannot be bought and won’t back down without a fight. Love of country before party.. try it, you might like it.
As for debates, name one. There have not been any debates during the general election.. NONE. ZIP, ZERO. Scott Rigell WILL NOT attend a debate with Kenny Golden.
Brian, get real.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/politics/dp-nws-golden-independent-0906-20100905,0,4613922.story
Sure he has the right, but it’s getting to be a joke. We all have the right…does that mean I’m going to clog up the system and run for office? Nope. Great, GREAT article though. Well said. Many of us like Kenny, but come on. Time to pack it up and go home.
James, so people who disagree with you don’t have a “love of country?”
You’re quickly becoming a liability even to Kenny.
Kirwin’s call for Golden to withdraw is the most damning evidence that Rigell is losing traction with those who support the tea party. Clearly, they realize that an establishment candidate beholden to Cantor and the country club republicans, and who have proved their allegience to wall street, international corporations, and high net worth individuals cannot nor will not pay any attention post election to tea party ideals. This is the time for real conservatives to rally behind Golden.
I believe that Kenny stated, that by a certain time in September, if he did not have a certain percentage of the vote, he would drop out.
What were those stipulations?
“turbo”, are you sure you aren’t Kenny’s little brother or maybe a prodigal son? That picture in the Daily Press shows what could be described as a striking resemblance.
Brian, blind party loyalty over principle gave us Barack Obama.
Your a human shield for the GOP.
Mike’s new phrase: “country club Republicans”….
Mike, the only conservatives you have ever helped rally, were against you.
TimJ, we are very very distant cousins.
Seems someone is browning up to the gop nominee who can buy anything or anyone he wants. You’re on the payroll now?
Kenny said he needed to poll 15% or higher to stay in
and according to the gop nominee, Kenny has that. Unless you want to call the gop nominee a liar, he said he wouldn’t attend events with Kenny Golden unless he was at 15%.. and so far Scott has participated in the two forums (that he keeps on misidentifying as debates).
This is the time for real democrats to rally behind Kenny Golden.
After stabbing Abel Perriello in the back a few times, now Tim Caine will toss him to los tiburones as a human sacrifice to please his masters.
It is only a matter of time until Tim Caine will feed Glenn Nye to the hungry tiburones.
All true democrats should show their contempt for this lack of loyalty by top DNC officials and support and vote for Kenny Golden.
My last was directed at none other than Brian.
James, dems are not turning out in numbers to support Nye, they are turning out to prevent the GOP from sweeping the house. Kenny presents some of them with an alternative to nye or for that matter pulling a Scott rigell manuever and supporting the opposition.. That will become ruefully apparent in the closing weeks.. And they are flush with cash on hand with more promised.
This is my favorite part of the Daily Press article:
[Ask Kenny Golden what it's like running an independent campaign for Congress in Virginia, and the old Navy captain doesn't blink.
"It's darn near impossible," Golden says in a gravelly bass. "We're not going to have money. We're not going to have organization."]
Golden admits he a) has no money and b) has no organization.
Which means he has NO chance of winning.
Golden has $1300 in his bank account, has no party structure to rely upon, the very article he cites points out that no independent candidate for Congress has ever gotten more than 4% of the vote.
Finally, it seems the Rigell campaign has virtually ignored Golden. That at least has been their attitude in their press releases and Rigell has at the debates. If Golden was a “threat”, they wouldn’t be ignoring him, they’d be going after him.
In just 60 some days, Kenny Golden will be a sad footnote in Hampton Roads political history. What a shameful way to end his career after he was Party Chairman
James, if you’re attacking so many people that you have to clarify whom, perhaps you’re on the losing side.
Brian, how are those negative attack ads going?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CU9dKW8T-DA
Uh.. do you support the use of fossil fuels in a responsible way too?
James, it’s hysterical that you want to criticize Rigell for not staying on topic by yourself not staying on topic.
Since we’re playing clips, here’s one I have of your latest campaign meeting at Golden headquarters.
http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&videoid=3562922
Criticize? The truth is harsh enough.. In his own words.. on 790AM with Macrini
http://www.youtube.com/user/Virginia2RawFootage#p/u/0/b98tokoEPt4
While the previous is awaiting moderation, here is more..
And with Kettner on 1140AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHnVXY14qlU
Then Kenny, the officer and gentleman he is..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ5MK44TIQU
Yeah Brian, you want Scotty to become the fearless leader (puppet) of the 2nd district? God help us.
“turbo”… whew!… I’m glad you weren’t attacking me as I was readying the Mk61 and GAU-12s on my AC-130U Spooky for a low-level pass.
TimJ, you are on the A team!! No disrespect sir.
I agree that Golden has the right to stay in the race. It is still a free country.
But, I hope he bows out soon. I believe his continued presence in the race causes confusion and only helps Nye and Pelosi.
This is my second favorite part of the Daily Press article that James Cohen linked to:
[The past two decades of Virginia elections offer little encouragement, with independent candidates barely registering at the ballot box. Nearly all of the independent congressional candidates since the early 1990s failed to garner even 4 percent of the vote.]
So, even assuming that Golden runs a flawless campaign and is able to DOUBLE the share independent candidates traditionally get in this election he will end up with a grand total of……. 8% of the vote.
The man is chasing windmills and Democrats are rejoicing that they have him in the race.
Golden’s entire legacy that he is so proud of as GOP Party Chairman is forever tarnished if he stays in the race. His little run in the spotlight is over in two short months and he has to live with the consequences.
Bryan, like BK, belies his own point of view by posting at all. If Golden were no threat to Rigell, he would simply be ignored on Bearing Drift. By writing this story, and by posting at all, it is clear that the Party hierarchy considers Golden to be dangerous to their guy’s chances. Of course, how could any self respecting tea party advocate vote for an establishment groomed and chosen insider who will be beholden to the national republican’s support of big business, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and high net worth individuals like Rigell himself?
Isn’t a vote for Golden a protest of the failure of the party hierarchy to listen to the grass roots?
Mike, trying to make another “crap sandwich” with your liberal psycho-babble?
Kenny Golden is in this race not out of patriotism and national interest but out of self interested bitterness. Scott Rigell is in this race because the district decided he was the best candidate for the job.
We all can agree that Golden doesn’t stand a chance of winning the election. He has no money, he has no name recognition, he has very little support. But he won’t step down, because his dominant personality trait is stubbornness.
If he were a true patriot who truly cared about the issues facing the country, he would drop out and support Rigell. Scott’s going to win anyway, why not be on the winning side?
Translation: “a “true patriot” would do what I think is in the best interest of the Republican Party.”
My third favorite part of the Daily Press article James Cohen sent out was this:
[Golden's team uses Friday evening happy hours to talk policy, and the candidate, staffers and supporters frequently summit around what Golden calls "a no-kidding bar" in the office complete with a handful of waiting-to-be-filled shot glasses.]
Let’s see, the most important demographic of swing voters, married women over the age of 30 (i.e., soccer moms), REALLY love it when their Congressman gets blitzed while talking policy.
What kind of B-side candidate invites a member of the press to join him and then brags about doing shots?
Not only is Golden delusional, he has the political savvy of a college frat guy.
Bryan: Eh, that’s how a lot of stuff got done before folks in BOTH parties got so damned sanctimonious.
Bryan, you don’t get it, do you. Many voters of all party affiliations are tired of orchestrated candidates who show no personality or independence and are so scripted as to show a total lack of individuality. I know Rigell; he is not normally that way, but to run as the choice of the party hierarchy, he must give up his own personality and commitment to moderation and pragmatism and adopt the party line of total obstructionism. The candidate becomes an automaton, devoid of character, personality, and individual thought. Pass the scotch!
Kenny Golden is the Bearing Drift equivalent of Ron Paul. All you have to do is saw his name and James Cohen and the other four people supporting him show up and the post is off and running. I should run a random Kenny Golden story on Common Sense whenever my hit count drops.
Brian is right. Golden’s candidacy is a waste of his time and effort. He’d be better off working with Rigell than tilting at this political windmill.
@ Brian Kirwin: I’m curious, did someone actually pay you to write this blog? Well I have news for you buddy, Kenny Golden is not going to drop out of this race, nor go back to “looking through the red lens”. Perhaps Mr. Rigell’s only claim to fame is his money. This epitomizes the very reason why our Congress is in the state that it’s in today. Too many inexperienced and unqualified candidates are simply “buying” their way into Congress.
As a matter of fact, Freedom Ford, Inc. of Norfolk is NOT a current Better Business Bureau (BBB) accredited business. If Mr. Rigell is so renown for being a great employer and entrepreneur, then why isn’t his business affiliated with the BBB? I’m not attacking his car dealership, but I do find this to be very interesting.
Many citizens, in the Second District Community, are voicing that Scott Rigell cannot even think for himself and often sends Jason Miyares to speak for him. He has recently stood-up several groups (church groups too) that have invited him to speak. According to his own Party Scott Rigell has ceased attending weekly Republican breakfasts, for what some say over a FEAR of being asking questions that he is not be prepared to answer. Where has your candidate been?
Virginians need to recognize Scott Rigell’s inability to answer questions concisely, as he did in both forums, and for them need to be sold solely on his “preacher-like” personality. There’s nothing wrong with being a nice guy, but the Second District needs a leader that possesses a thorough understanding of our military and how it continues to be the center of gravity for Hampton Roads.
Scott Rigell’s political inexperience and misleading rhetoric will bring shame to Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. He will not be able to avoid confrontation nor will he have the ability to pick his battles on Capitol Hill.
Now, on the subject of service to our country and leadership:
- Rep. Glenn Nye: Served with the State Department, as a Foreign Service Officer, and with US AID for 1 year, which was commendable and honorable, even though he was protected by military escorts that were charged with keeping him out of harms way.
- Scott Rigell: Joined the US Marine Corps Reserves during the time that many young men were being drafted into combat. He got out of the Reserves after being a “week-end warrior” for 6yrs, without seeing a single day of combat!
- Kenny Golden, US Navy Commodore (Retired): Served our country on active duty for 31yrs, as a Pilot, At-Sea Commanding Officer and was the Commodore of Amphibious Task Force West during Operation Iraqi Freedom, a Strike Group comprised of 10k Sailors and Marines.
Kenny Golden’s profound knowledge of our military and its significant influence on Hampton Roads area is precisely what our District needs. Kenny will face issues head-on, take a stand for what the people want and not be subject to any party agenda.
Don’t take my for it, Virginia Senators John Warner and George Allen spoke highly of his character and leadership when they nominated Kenny for Secretary of the Navy.
Scott Rigell needs to stay in his lane. We need to keep good car salespersons and entrepreneurs doing what they do best.
Capitol Hill is clearly for experienced, proven leaders that will not succumb to representative party group thinking or quiver under fire!
VaBchRavensFan. As a Navy Reservist with 24 years of service and two recalls (one Mob and one PRC) under my belt, I think you just lost Kenny any chance of my support. This is one “week-end warrior” who has a sudden distaste for his core supporters.
Brian W Schoeneman, post this on your blog anytime and we will direct all four of us to your site.. Here we are..
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kenny-Golden-for-Congress/235850915459#!/album.php?aid=267633&id=235850915459&ref=mf
@VBRavens Fan:
Yawn…… all I know is I watched both debates on web streaming, and it was Golden who bragged about “protecting military assets” here in “San Diego.”
Nice Dan Quayle moment.
Golden’s service to his country is wonderful and admirable, but he is a retired Navy Captain. Just because he is a retired Navy Captain doesn’t make him qualified to serve in Congress. There are a lot of retired naval captains in Hampton Roads, by Golden supporters logic they are all qualified to serve in Congress.
Golden is going to lose; he is going to lose quite badly, he is going to be humiliated. He loves the spotlight, loves to hear himself talk, and he’ll get maybe 4 or 5% of the vote on Election Day.
He has run perhaps one of the most bizarre campaigns in Hampton Roads history.
Oliver,
It was not my intent to demean any Reservists. I applaud and am grateful for your honorable service to out country. I too have seen combat and have been at “the tip of the spear”.
The point I was trying to make was that Scott Rigell’s 6yr Reservist tour from 1978-1984, kept him out of harms way. If he had volunteered for a tour overseas to help his fellow Soldiers, I would have more respect for the man.
1980 – Operation Eagle Claw, Iran. On April 26, 1980, President Carter reported the use of six U.S. transport planes and eight helicopters in an unsuccessful attempt to rescue the American hostages in Iran.
1981 – El Salvador. After a guerrilla offensive against the government of El Salvador, additional US military advisers were sent to El Salvador, bringing the total to approximately 55, to assist in training government forces in counterinsurgency.[RL30172]
1981 – Libya. First Gulf of Sidra Incident On August 19, 1981, US planes based on the carrier USS Nimitz shot down two Libyan jets over the Gulf of Sidra after one of the Libyan jets had fired a heat-seeking missile. The United States periodically held freedom of navigation exercises in the Gulf of Sidra, claimed by Libya as territorial waters but considered international waters by the United States.[RL30172]
1982 – Sinai. On March 19, 1982, President Reagan reported the deployment of military personnel and equipment to participate in the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai. Participation had been authorized by the Multinational Force and Observers Resolution, Public Law 97-132.[RL30172]
1982 – Lebanon. Multinational Force in Lebanon. On August 21, 1982, President Reagan reported the dispatch of 80 Marines to serve in the multinational force to assist in the withdrawal of members of the Palestine Liberation force from Beirut. The Marines left September 20, 1982.[RL30172]
1982-1983 – Lebanon. On September 29, 1982, President Reagan reported the deployment of 1200 marines to serve in a temporary multinational force to facilitate the restoration of Lebanese government sovereignty. On September 29, 1983, Congress passed the Multinational Force in Lebanon Resolution (P.L. 98-119) authorizing the continued participation for eighteen months.[RL30172]
1983 – Egypt. After a Libyan plane bombed a city in Sudan on March 18, 1983, and Sudan and Egypt appealed for assistance, the United States dispatched an AWACS electronic surveillance plane to Egypt.[RL30172]
1983 – Grenada. Citing the increased threat of Soviet and Cuban influence and noting the development of an international airport following a bloodless Grenada coup d’état and alignment with the Soviets and Cuba, the U.S. launches Operation Urgent Fury to invade the sovereign island nation of Grenada.[RL30172]
1983-89 – Honduras. In July 1983 the United States undertook a series of exercises in Honduras that some believed might lead to conflict with Nicaragua. On March 25, 1986, unarmed US military helicopters and crewmen ferried Honduran troops to the Nicaraguan border to repel Nicaraguan troops.[RL30172]
1983 – Chad. On August 8, 1983, President Reagan reported the deployment of two AWACS electronic surveillance planes and eight F-15 fighter planes and ground logistical support forces to assist Chad against Libyan and rebel forces.[RL30172]
1984 – Persian Gulf. On June 5, 1984, Saudi Arabian jet fighter planes, aided by intelligence from a US AWACS electronic surveillance aircraft and fueled by a U.S. KC-10 tanker, shot down two Iranian fighter planes over an area of the Persian Gulf proclaimed as a protected zone for shipping.[RL30172]
The 2nd district hypocritical GOP is falling all over itself because the GOP hierarchy decided to put their support in the guy with the money over other candidates with leadership qualities AND to do it before the primary, telling voters they didn’t really matter. The number of GOP members wearing Rigell nametags and running him down the minute his back is turned and saying they will vote for Nye before him grows daily. That they believe two more years of Nye better than Rigell ought to tell you something.
Of course, Kenny makes the GOP nervous…Rigell can’t buy him like some others by paying off their campaign debt. Rigell’s team acts like the KGB whenever anyone outside their chosen few supporters try to ask questions. Rigell is not ready for prime time but he is ready to be a puppet.
Kenny is in; Kenny is staying in. Deal with it!
When right is wrong.
Does Kenny have the RIGHT to run for office?
Does the Imam have the RIGHT to build a Mosque at Ground Zero?
Does the Pastor in Florida have the RIGHT to burn the Quran?
Just because you have the RIGHT to do something, does not make it the right thing to do.
Kenny has a grudge. His campaign is over 50K in the hole and he has so little support he won’t even be playng spoiler at this point. There was a time I thought that was possible but Scott Rigell has gained momentum and support while his opponents lose both.
How is it that Kenny never realized that it was the VOTERS that elected Rigell and not just the folks who endorsed him? He can cry unfair all he wants, it was the voters that cast the votes in the primary.
Kenny is used to being ‘in command’ and couldn’t accept when the voting public would not support him.
Now because an article is written giving voice to what many folks are thinking; namely that Kenny should get out while he can preserve some of his dignity and how he will be remembered — someone throws out the equivalent of the ‘race’ card by saying because folks believe he should get out it means he is really a threat? Totally without merit and unfounded. Is everyone in Kenny’s campaign delusional? I thought it was only him.
Great point, Kenny Golden can’t beat Scott Rigell in a Republican primary when 30,000 plus Republicans are deciding their nominee? But he expects to beat Rigell in a general election!
Give me a break!
Bearing Drift should do a poll… “Is it time for Kenny Golden to drop out”
Same could be said for Chuck Smith
Turbo, you said “Kenny said he needed to poll 15% or higher to stay in…” Now, I’m dead positive that Kenny doesn’t have anywhere close to that. I’m sure that Rigell instead decided to participate because 1) it was the only way Rigell could debate Nye, and 2) Kenny was such a non-existent threat that it was easy to ignore his presence.
So, my question is, when the next poll is released publicly and shows that Kenny doesn’t have 15%, you’re going to support Kenny’s withdrawal, right???
You claim that Kenny is a true patriot and an honorable man. If that is truly the case, then I’m sure he will withdraw as promised rather than potentially play spoiler and allow Glenn Nye another two years as our Stepford politician.
Just so all you folks will know, talked to my friend Brian this afternoon and we agree to disagree. Morgan Griffith thing is a real stretch in logic as well as politics. Republican nominee was chosen by the Republican leadership as soon as he announced and he won the primary with less than 40% of the vote. He is self funded, that’s why he was chosen. On doing the best thing for the Republican Party, I’m not a Republican, I’m an Independent and will be forever. On dropping, no way, as I explained to Brian, over 50 people have come to each of my 5 non-scripted town halls. Last Fridays “Fair Tax” town hall had 65 people. We can’t hold many more unless I reconfigure the HQ. I may have to as we work the next 56 days. 4X8′s are ready, yard signs are leaving daily and we are in the best shape we have been in for weeks. Dems, need to take care of Dems, Elephants need to look after Elephants and we’ll take care of the rest. The person with the best record will win. All the best. r Kenny
Kenny is running as an Independent — it’s a fait compli for a guy who was marginalized on the front end by a party enamored with a guy with deep and open pockets. The 2d District Republican Party primary had a slieu of candidates with varied credentials and, in the end, Scott Rigell prevailed. Wasn’t my choice, but he ran a smart race and kept above the fray. I’m not convinced that Scott is the answer to our problems as he seemed to duck debates and ride his “Operation Dominance” wave of signs, T-shirts, and insubstantial flash over anything substantive. Before we convince ourselves that this is a Republican shoe-in, let’s remember that 8 wasted years of Republican (lack of) leadership got us into this fix and set the conditions for the rise of Obama, Polosi, Franks, Reid et al takeover.
Voters are pissed. We wake up to new horrors daily that are being foisted upon us and hamstringing our kids and grandkids. I’m truly concerned that Scott Rigell is too inclined to vote lockstep with the Party even if they return to their old ways (which got us into this mess). Rigell is a very nice guy — but I’m not convinced he’s a mental heavyweight who can deal with the issues and provide true leadership and direction. Nye is not going to be a cakewalk. The Dems aren’t stupid. Nye has been given some kitchen passes on some key votes and has been allowed to be perceived as a guy who has broken ranks with the Dems. Some serious homework needs to be done to see how he voted in subcommittee and connect the dots to see if he was consistent. Kenny’s got a long and impressive military record and is justified for any disappointment he feels regarding the spooning he got from the party after his years working for it. He has every right to run and have his voice heard. Unfortunately, in a 3-way debate, Nye will likely come across better than the two candidates who offer an alternative to the direction our nation is currently headed. I’m not so sure that Golden’s candidacy can’t do enough damage to derail Rigell’s run. Take a serious look at the voter demographics here in the district and watch to see how strongly the Dems come in to try to keep control here. If they come in strong and are not challenged, Nye could win. Rigell needs to get his debate act together and Golden needs money and organization to get out his message. Nye is no idiot and nobody’s fool. He’s out there and very visible. He’s got a ton of money, strong backing, a term of experience on the issues and can look Scott in the eye and say, “At least I didn’t write a check to the Obama campaign.”
We need to end the death grip the liberals have on our nation. Every district is critical. Sadly, this is a Kafka-esque version of a Miss Second District Beauty Pageant and once these guys get under the microscope . . . we’re not left with anyone that we can really vote for with confidence. Not much to look at here . . . at least not yet.
or as I once saw captioned in a Pogo comic strip . . . I have met the enemy — and he is us.
LC stated: “So, my question is, when the next poll is released publicly and shows that Kenny doesn’t have 15%, you’re going to support Kenny’s withdrawal, right???”
LC, I am supporting Kenny.. Period. So far the only poll I can believe in was the automated non partisan poll using randomly selected registered voters that I paid for during the primary. Before spring as a gop candidate, Kenny polled at 27% with a 5% margin of error early in the primary, well ahead of the candidates who were used as pawns by the GOP while they confided they were supporting the eventual gop nominee. This sham was a disservice to voters and in my opinion it was disingenous and a disgrace.
I am privately funding the next poll that is going to be performed by a recognized non partisan scientific polling entity that often conducts polls for Rasmussen, Pulse Opinion Research. I have been soliciting questions for well over a month but will conform to a three candidate expanded election survey. If you got one, leave it here or if you would like to suggest or discuss poll questions call me at 620-5536.
You polled registered voters during a primary? Brilliant move!
It is still a free country and Golden has earned the right to run. If he wants to run, he should stay even if he only gets one vote…
Welcome to America: Land of the Free and home of the brave.
If Kenny isn’t a Republican, why did he run in the Republican primary? Isn’t that a little disingenuous – trying to get the nomination of a party you proclaim not to be a member of to prop up your campaign?
Are all of you Golden supporters so besotted with him that you can’t recognize the questionable ethics of that?
Brian W. S., Kenny was a republican running in the R primary until it became apparent that the people in white shirts, red glasses and blue suits were inmates running the asylum. The ethics in question are those of the country club establishment office holders who chose a well heeled self funding candidate with gobs of money over the working class former chairman whose leadership experience was ample proof of his superior ability to represent the common man/woman in the 2nd congressional district.
As for questionable ethics, I challenge you to stand up at a GOP function and ask a modest and sobering question.. Did we (GOP) nominate the most experienced and qualified candidate? If you believe you did then vote for him.. if not then I dare you to ask the leadership WTF? IMO there were two others FAR MORE QUALIFIED than your nominee that the party leadership used and abused by not coming clean and admitting they were not going to vote for. I know they have all made up now and all is hunky dory but the problem with the party remains. The reason the GOP has a good shot at winning is because the dems screwed up worse they did in a shorter period of time and the reason the independent has a good shot at wining is beacause a record number of people are so annoyed by establishment parties that they want an alternative this time, thank you tea party.
See you on your site Brian W. S. Respectfully, T
Did anyone look at the very first post?
If Kenny dropped out now, will his name be removed from the ballot?
My guess is yes but I’m so burnt out talking to the State Board of Elections (yes, Gary Byler violated the Code of Virginia) that I have no desire to look into what “really” happened. My guess is Kenny’s name would be removed up and to the moment the absentee ballots are printed regardless of what state law says.
None of the candidates inspire me. Glenn is a wanna-be Democrat, Scott is a nice guy who should stay in his lane and continue to support/fund republican candidates and Kenny is, well, Kenny.
I don’t know about you but this whole process exposes how the party system is not only ingrained in our collective psyche but built into the Code of Virginia.
One of the concepts that Jessica Sandlin ran on was IRV.
http://www.instantrunoff.com
Before you think this is crap please note it’s already being used by some states for absentee voting!
If our Virginia politicans really wanted the voice of the people to be heard, then this would be the ticket. Kenny could stay in and when, as Brian points out, the die is cast votes for Kenny wouldn’t be wasted but recast for your #2 choice.
Just a thought from the Republican fringe.
“the people in white shirts, red glasses and blue suits were inmates running the asylum.”
I love how Golden supporters describe the 30,000+ people that voted in the Republican primary. 30,000+ people voted, but he decries that somehow it was an “inside” job. This wasn’t a convention people, it was open to all Republicans, tens of thousands of people participated.
A big “what if”… If one of the other 2nd district candidates had won the primary, would Kenny have supported them or would he still be an independent?
Bryan, Not one Golden supporter has described any of the voters, not one. The inside job was the unscrupulous behind the scenes “fix” that was in from the moment the primary got underway. The other candidates were used as rag dolls, pawns. This was wrong and Kenny knew this is not what the voters asked for and it is totally unbecoming but not unexpected of electeds to pull this stunt. Republicans, despite party affiliation or variation from the platform, are not acting like republicans and this is the problem that gave us Obama, Pelosi and other socialists.
Money talks.. I hear “Republicans in name only” and “Me Too” Bryan and that is a major issue for center/right republicans. Some people just might vote for for the real conservative, a former republican, but not in name only.. Who would that be?
James, the poster posting as “Kenny Golden” above (and I assume that’s him) specifically said “On doing the best thing for the Republican Party, I’m not a Republican, I’m an Independent and will be forever.”
If that’s the case, why did he run as a Republican?
Primaries are not about nominating the best qualified, most experienced candidates. They’re about nominating the candidate the people want to run.
Kenny probably ran as a Republican because he was fooled into thinking the party actually represented his values (they fooled me for a while too).
As for the “voters” choosing anything, are you really that naive? Voters don’t pick politicians, politicians pick their voters. If you really think a a partisan nomination process can’t be rigged to heavily favor one candidate, then I don’t think your opinion counts for very much.
I think the funniest part of this whole situation is that if you know Kenny, as Brian and the Rigell camp do, then they know pulling stuff like this won’t get them anywhere. As you all so aptly point out, Kenny is very stubborn. If you think this is going to make him drop out, then I wonder about whether you believe your own talking points.
The argument about Kenny wasting GOP money is also ridiculous. Scott Rigell was picked because he could self-fund. RNC and RPV are not going to have to commit significant resources for that reason. If Rigell looks like he is in trouble, they will ask him to dig deeper into his own pockets before siphoning off valuable resources that Griffith or Fimian need.
I think Brian and the GOP severely underestimate just how flawed Rigell is as a candidate. When MSM breaks the story about Rigell leaving his church because they ordained a woman minister, look for his poll numbers to drop. When the commercial of him ignoring a question on the GI bill starts running, look for his campaign to go into panic mode.
Anyone who has carefully observed this race knows that A. Golden doesn’t have a shot, B. Rigell was a fatally flawed candidate from day one, and C. Nye was always going to have a cakewalk to re-election because he has followed Picket’s playbook to the letter.
Its a pity voters and party leaders weren’t smart enough to nominate someone like Bert Mizusawa who could raise money and had the resume needed to beat Nye. Oh well, we can all hope Nye keeps voting his district and doesn’t turn into a real democrat.
CO, the one thing that I’ve discovered about folks who call themselves independents is that many of them tend to have a curious mixture of cynicism and paranoia. Their candidate doesn’t win because the system is flawed and “they” rigged it against that candidate.
Yes, Rigell can self fund and that’s important in a race where your opponent has over $1.5 million in the bank. If Golden was the best candidate, he would have raised more money. Rigell raised six times as much from individual donors than Golden did, regardless of Rigell’s self-financing.
The fact that Golden is stubborn doesn’t mean what BK said here didn’t need to be said.
As for Nye winning, in this environment, no Democrat in any kind of a competitive district is going to have a cakewalk. This is a Republican district and in a wave election year like the one we’re facing, no matter how flawed Rigell may be (and I don’t consider him flawed at all), Nye has an uphill battle and he more likely than not will lose.
CO made a very astute observation. If Bert Mizusawa won the primary, Kenny would likely be campaigning for him and I certainly would have maxed out my contribution limit.. Bert has a good understanding of military matters and does not depend on someone whispering in his ear or sending memos to stay appraised or to read the tea leaves. Bert was used and abused by the leadership of the party and this is not the way to treat an honorable member of our armed forces. And Bert if you are reading this, I will max out and support you 100% if you run against Webb, you are far better qualified than the likely GOP nominee that will likely get the next big “fix”.
Brian W., Kenny Golden honorably kept his promise to our fine Governor and other people he worked his hiney off for and did not start campaigning until after the governor was seated in office. That said, thank you for reaffirming what Kenny knew early on, the GOP supported the candidate with plenty of money, his own money. Not experience, not party loyalty, not unwavering conservative principles.. MONEY, Mean Green. No doubt about it. And Brian, you seem like a smart guy so I am miffed as to why you cannot recognize the unique advantage the incumbent has not because Kenny is splitting votes but because the GOP made such an obvious error in putting all their marbles behind a sweetheart of a guy with little experience, next to no military experience, zero political experience and a lot of chips. If the GOP were truly making a move to elevate Scotty, they should have helped him into a state seat. U.S. CONGRESS, these are the big boys and girls, the house is full of idiots, crooks, liars, cheats and major league rinos with tons o money.. we have enough of these already and look where they got us. Give us working class leadership before we all go off the financial cliff.. enough people are there already, they worry about how they will pay the next set of bills daily and they feel the same financial pain that Kenny Golden understands all too well.
Brian, I wish I shared your enthusiasm. Those in my small cirle of family, acquaintances, friends, neighbors and conservative co-workers I have talked to are not excited at all about Rigell. I was embarrassed for Rigell at the Princess Anne H.S. debate – Golden, and even Nye reading from his scripted notes, showed more class, knowledge, vision and seriousness. Rigell was, unfortunately, our “rah rah” candidate.
I have my doubts as to whether Nye will lose. My prediction is that he may just win. The Republican Party betrayed conservatives this go-around by pre-selecting the candidate, at a critical time in this country when it never should have happened. That said, my Public Enemy Number One will be the person who does not vote in this election.
If Rigell should win the election, many of us will be keeping a close eye on him. He seems to be the Second District’s Martha Coakley – he is riding his entitlement. Should he spend a major portion of his time trying to get on this committee or that committee (I suspect one or another has been promised to him by the Republican Machine) and sending the pork home to McDonnell (that is my prediction as his first order of business), I will work tirelessly to make sure he is a one-term Rep.
Rigell is no conservative – he may be a Republican, but neither he nor McDonnell are conservatives. They are political operatives. I’ll take what I can get when I can get it (I’d rather have McDonnell as governor that McKaine, any day), but it stops there. One chance and that’s it.
James, I echo your sentiment. I always thought the Senate was better suited for Bert anyway. Running in the Second District was a bad decision for him – in hindsight, for obvious reasons. We need to get Webb out of office with a severe and swift kick in the posterior, and Bert is the perfect person to do that.
Your point about Rigell being educated at the state level first was an excellent one. Well said.
Finally we agree 100% on something.
@James: Let me count the ways Golden is a flawed candidate and had no chance to win the GOP nomination, and it has nothing to do with money.
a) Golden is vocally pro-choice. When 1/2 of all likely Republican primary voters are white evangelical Christians, that alone made it too big of a hill to climb.
James: That has nothing to do with money
b) Golden was weak on taxes. His first public policy release on Feb. 22nd, 2010 included the following:
“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.” (emphasis mine)
This demonstrates two things 1) Golden doesn’t understand supply side economics (i.e. Reaganomics) where he buys into the liberal argument that tax cuts increase the deficit. He needs to study the Laffler curve 2) If he was even the slightest threat, Bert or Ben or Rigell could have taken this idiotic statement and killed him.
This has nothing to do with money. Golden allowed himself to be exposed quite easily on the Life issue and on Taxes. The combination of these two issues assured that he had no chance to win the primary.
James: These two policy blunders have nothing to do with money and everything to do that he was not electable to Republican primary voters.
Bryan, now that as of today there are officially going to be two real debates, not to be compared with forums as Team R continues to do, I suggest you bring your killer questions and ask them from the audience. With plenty of time to fit it into his busy campaign schedule, hopefully your candidate will not have another last minute Urban League meeting and ditch on the organizers like he did for the Bearing Drift event at ODU.
All of the candidates are imperfect humans, all have pro’s and con’s. Back in February I was fresh out of supporting Rigell and was studying all of the candidates. As far as I know Kenny unequivocally supports the Fair Tax without reservation. As for abortion, Pro choice and Pro life are so overly politicized extremes there is no way to peg Kenny with either so here is his Kenny in his own words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR83hcv26MA&feature=player_embedded
FYI Henry and David; Kenny will be on the ballot regardless. I asked this question 2 weeks ago of the Registars office. Even if the good Captain dropped out of the race, or God for bid, passed away he will be on the ballot.
Brian Stuart, your ignorance never ceases to amaze me. Now if you want to call Kenny a complete liar, then yes, he supports raising taxes, but if you would like to exercise your ability to understand the english language, you will see that is not the case.
PAYGO means you EITHER cut spending OR raise taxes. As Kenny already said on video numerous times that he will not raise taxes, that means he would not vote to raise taxes. As I said before, if you would like to call him a liar, that is certainly your choice.
The point is that it forces people to vote on raising taxes. When a vote is forced, people have to take a stand. You can twist this anyway you want to make it seem like your position is accurate, but I can simply cite Rigell donating $10,000 to a campaign to raise taxes on gas. A donation to the largest tax raiser in Virginia History, Mark Warner, and a donation to Louise Lucas, who wanted taxpayers to pay for an all black hotel.
If that was not enough, Rigell, Bert, Ben, and everyone else in the primary has said publicly at events that they support the exact same PAYGO legislation. So by your logic, Rigell, Bert, and Ben are idiots and support raising taxes as well. Go get some new talking points from Miyares and get back to me on that one.
@Bryan, It remains clear that Rigell gets n-n-ner-r-vous-s-s when on stage with Kenny at forums. Scotty needs to master engaging in arguments at the local level before even thinking about going to congress. He must unequivocally engage in debates and show potential voters the difference between himself, Golden and Nye and demonstrate to the public that he has a handle on his supported policy details and the capacity to articulate them on his own. Do you condone having yet another intern OJT congressman that is unable to speak without prepared remarks in front of him or interns surrounding him to fend off reporters?
Most of the comments here seem to lament the outcome of the Republican primary. Many go on to suggest a make-the-most-of-a-bad-situation by getting Golden to drop out of the general election. This pattern has existed in innumerable elections in the past and should be expected to repeat frequently in the future.
But it doesn’t have to. The IRV system mentioned by David Beemer in one of the earlier comments fixes the flaw in our plurality (i.e. NOT majority) voting system that makes the spoiler phenomenon possible in the first place.
It has been endorsed by the left and right, been in use in Ireland, New Zealand and various US localities for many years, and will likely come before UK voters within a year.
It is eminently common-sense but requires an admission that the very mechanics of our democracy may not be optimal in their current state. What it does NOT require is reduced voter choice (i.e. Kenny dropping out) as an “answer.”
Check out http://youtu.be/rLVAF6M-FcQ for a 3min YouTube explanation.
“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.” (emphasis mine)
The first problem with Golden’s policy statement, is it is clear it does open the door for a tax increase.
The second problem with Golden’s policy statement is it is a clear repudiation of Reaganomics. It buys into the liberal notion that “tax cuts will increase the deficit.” Despite the fact that federal revenue almost doubled under Ronald Reagan, liberals (and Golden) still adopt the notion that tax cuts decrease federal revenue.
I’m sorry, but I assume that Golden actually reads his policy statements he puts out. He rolled this out with much fanfare, and I remember my utter shock when I read it.
You may want to whitewash it, but the bottom line is this is a statement, coupled with his vocal pro-choice views, that simply made Golden un-electable to a conservative Republican primary block that comprises itself of social conservatives and anti-tax conservatives.
Golden’s ignorance of basic economics and supply-side economics is what made him such a weak candidate in the primary and a weak candidate in the general.
Bryan, Bryan, Bryan.. PRO CHOICE? LOL! Again in Kenny’s own words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eR83hcv26MA&feature=player_embedded
Bryan Bryan, Bryan.. FAIR TAX! Again in Conservative Kenny’s own words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8m57sbM0TE&feature=player_embedded
and
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-12u__ZXpyQ&feature=related
Bryan Stuart, I lova ya man! I challenge you to go toe to toe with reality. Stand up at the next rpvb breakfast and call Kenny out. Go for it. Don’t wuss out, got for it man.
John Dowd: that is a great concept. Having someone “have” to drop out of a race to give someone else a chance always left a sour taste in my mouth.
Kenny Golden????????? Who is that??? And who cares??????? – He isn’t going to make any difference in this race.
And Nye has voters so confused – is he an independent, or a democrat??? Uninformed voters really can’t tell. But if you are informed – then you know if someone votes with good ‘ol Nancy 8.5/10 – then he is a DEM.
Hey Lunn22, which of the three candidates made a donation to the biggest pro choice president in history? Care to answer? This does matter to people. I brought this up last night and was accused of making it up. This rots in the mind of independents and there is a 50% ratio of them to your establishment parties.
[...] Drift’s Brian Kirwin called for Golden to drop out of the campaign weeks ago, citing Golden’s inability to win or play spoiler except to [...]
So our choice is between a wuss and a car salesman. There is no way I’m voting for a car salesman.
Kenny, Thanks for your service in the military! Thanks for making the campaign interesting! Since you are polling less than 10%, Please withdraw from the election and support Scott Rigell. Thanks
Bob, Thanks for your service to Bearingdrift! Thanks for making this blog interesting! Since Kenny promised his challenger he would withdraw if he did not poll above X%, his challenger has been unbelievable rude and condescending as have some members of his staff. Retired Navy veteran Kenny Golden did not go back on his word, he took the high road and stood up for principles after Rigell turned his back on him.
Scott Rigell is a decent man so it seems but he is a weak candidate. If he were the strong candidate he would not leave Kenny Golden off of his Town Hall invitations to Glenn Nye. If you really think Scott is such a powerhouse of leadership ask the man why he does not invite the independent candidate. You will not hear the truth because Scott Rigell is truly petrified of Kenny. Go ahead pal, make my day, ask Scott Rigell to invite Kenny to tonights Town Hall.. We will be there if invited and Kenny will be his natural self. Kenny would love to explain why he is in this race to the finish. Feel free to invite him when you catch up with busy busy Scott at 581-7499.
Tell Scott we missed him last night in Hampton, I guess those people were not important.
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