Even Kos is admitting Democrat Glenn Nye has a long road ahead of him in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District…especially when THEIR poll shows him down by 14 points. Ouch.

Rep. Thelma Drake (R-VA02) released her second ad of the campaign and a Virginia blog is prominently on display. (I’d embed the ad, but apparently that feature has been disabled at this posting).

The ad takes several quotes that Glenn Nye made this past May on VB Dems regarding his opposition to offshore drilling and raising taxes on energy companies and contrasts those statements with his most recent positions quoted in the Virginian-Pilot and Cathy Lewis’ “Hearsay” on WHRO.

Taking the policy positions out of this for a second though, what does this mean for blogging? Will candidates be less willing to come on blogs and communicate? Or does this give blogging greater credibility as a source?

According to the Drake Campaign, Rep. Thelma Drake has canceled all campaign events this weekend in order to remain at the Capitol working on legislation for a solution to the recent economic turmoil.

What do you think?

Personally, I think the ad was clean, crisp, and to the point. It demonstrated Drake is clearly for a comprehensive solution to our energy needs.

Rep. Thelma Drake discusses H.R. 6899 “Comprehensive American Energy and Consumer Protection Act of 2008″ as it applies to Virginia and the country, as well as the nature of tonight’s debate in the House.

 

 VPOD: Rep. Thelma Drake - Energy Debate - Sept. 16, 2008 [14:13m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (184)

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We posted on Aug. 4 that Virginia Beach Democrat Glenn Nye and challenger to Rep. Thelma Drake (VA-2) had released his energy strategy. In his plan, Nye stated he was in favor of:

“More drilling on lands now leased to oil companies, more regulation on oil speculators, and more investment in alternative energy.

“[Nye also] said he is not opposed to lifting the congressional moratorium on new offshore drilling sites but said there should be no drilling off Virginia’s coast unless the Navy approves it.”

However, in May, Nye said “I do not believe that drilling off the coast of Virginia is good policy”.

Yesterday, Rep. Thelma Drake held a press conference that touted her bipartisan bill, which may be pushed aside in lieu of Speaker Pelosi’s proposal. Her bill gives the states, especially Virginia, a say in where the drilling is allowed and a share of the revenue. She asked yesterday how Glenn Nye would vote, since he’s been both for and against drilling for oil.

According to WNIS 790AM this morning, the Nye camp is said to be in favor of states having a share in the revenue.

I asked via email the Nye camp for further clarification.

“No one’s ever saved a penny on gas because a politician held a press conference. Our Representative should go up to Washington and work to make sure our citizens get what they need—lower gas prices and a sound energy policy,” wrote Rick Fromberg, Nye’s campaign manager. “Our Representative should focus on getting things done for our district, not hold a press conference about whose name is on what bill. That will be Glenn Nye’s approach.”

House Republicans have been staging a “sit in” of Congress since Aug. 1 when Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi abruptly ended debate on energy solutions and moved-out on a five-week vacation (which appears was for Pelosi’s own benefit).

While Congress waits to act, more and more Virginians are voicing their support for off-shore drilling.

Glenn Nye, challenger to Rep. Thelma Drake in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District, unveiled his energy plan over the weekend.

The energy plan doesn’t deviate much from what he told Bearing Drift and state Democratic convention-goers in June, when he highlighted closing any tax loop-holes for energy corporations and diverting that money to alternative fuel research.

The Politico has the details on one of the most principled and gutsy moves by Republicans in a long time. Apparently, Republicans are NOT LEAVING after Pelosi shutdown Congress for a five-week vacation. Then, she turned off the lights, turned off the microphones, turned off C-SPAN, had Capitol police come and try to prevent reporters from covering the event, etc.

This is going on right now.

Rep. Drake also chimed in on this, calling on Speaker Pelosi to call a special session:

“The families and businesses in Hampton Roads and on the Eastern Shore have suffered for months at the mercy of high energy prices and the Democrat Leadership decided they can wait another 5 weeks. I disagree,” said Drake. “I call on Speaker Pelosi to convene a special session to debate and vote on the many innovative and comprehensive solutions put forward. This is not a partisan issue; I joined colleagues from both sides of the aisle in crafting a bill that puts the American people above partisan bickering. The American people want solutions, not five week vacations.”

Today’s Virginian-Pilot provides an overview of the 2nd Congressional District campaign between incumbent Rep. Thelma Drake, a Republican, and challenger Glenn Nye, a Democrat.

The article, which quotes Larry Sabato and local political scientists Quentin Kidd of Christopher Newport University and Jesse Richman of Old Dominion University, characterizes the district as unpredictable, based on the top of the ticket.

A few weeks back, Rep. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA04) proposed a bold new initiative to reshape the energy discussion with his “New Manhattan Project.” The visionary plan seeks to incentivize innovation when it comes to increasing our energy independence.

The plan has all the makings of applying traditional American know-how and free-market principles to an energy debate that often has lacked both.

“The people of Virginia Beach expect their candidates for public office to keep their word. On Monday, Glenn Nye’s campaign demanded that Thelma Drake cancel a fund raiser with Karl Rove, who has done nothing wrong. Nye’s campaign falsely said Rove broke House rules. On Wednesday, Nye’s campaign called their own standard “absurd” when they were asked to return $4,000 from Charlie Rangel, who admitted to the New York Post that he violated House Ethics Rules on fund raising. Glenn Nye must live up to his own standard and return Charlie Rangel’s money or risk looking like a hypocrite to Virginia Beach voters.”

Which is exactly what Brian Kirwin called Nye here on Bearing Drift Wednesday.

So, right now it’s 2-1 in the surrogate battle. Mathieson and Bouchard for Nye; Iaquinto for Drake. Will another delegate step-up for Drake to even the score?

Update…I see your two delegates with one delegate and raising you a senator…the latest from State Sen. Frank Wagner:

“Glenn Nye has a lot of nerve to ask Virginia Beach voters to support him when he can’t be counted on to practice what he preaches. One day Nye’s campaign falsely accused Karl Rove of “breaking the rules” of the House and called on Thelma Drake to cancel a fundraiser with him. The next day, they called their own standard “absurd” and refused to return $4,000 from Charlie Rangel, who admitted that he violated House Ethics Rules on fundraising. Glenn Nye seems to be more interested in empty partisan political rhetoric than holding himself to his own standard. I call on him to return Charlie Rangel’s money because Virginia Beach residents know hypocrisy when they see it.”

Yesterday, Rep. Drake filed a discharge petition on Rep. Roy Blunt’s (R-MO) Fuel Mandate Reduction Act of 2007 (H.R. 2493), a bill that will reduce the number of special blends of fuels or “boutique fuels” in the Nation’s energy supply.

Guest post and photos by Brenda Haegley

In spite of the hazy, smoky Pungo sky, folks came out to show support for Congresswoman Thelma Drake Saturday.

Virginia Beach Airport provided a relaxed environment fitting the tone of the event. Without long political speeches, the afternoon focused on enjoying music, friends, and family.

Thelma Drake, as usual, was very approachable, and spent the entire event visiting with each of her guests.