I always told myself it would be a cold day in hell before I ever linked to Virginia News Source. It is awfully chilly in my apartment today on this 120 degree day!
The boys at Virginia News Source attended the Democratic breakfast with special guest Congressman Glenn Nye, who’s agenda appearance promised a broadside against Republican nominee. The lackluster results?
A pathetic attempt to ban all media and recording that was rightfully resisted by VNS, followed by an embarrassing remarks from a sweat-drenched Glenn Nye, despite the well air-conditioned room. Kudos to you, VNS! [1]
To begin the meeting two staffers sought to stifle media coverage of by asking the city Democrat chairwoman Susan Mariner, a very nice, attractive woman, to ban media recording of Nye’s remarks.
Ms. Mariner said, “The request was made by his press staffer because she is very nervous and this is her first campaign.”
Informed that VNS would leave the meeting or would force the Democrats to throw us out before we would refrain from recording the event.
Mariner said, “The Republicans don’t allow you to record.” The editor replied, “I have been in the media since 1960 and I have never been banned or asked to not record a meeting.
“In fact,” he replied, “the Republicans encourage the media’s participation.”
Mariner said she didn’t know what to do as the deadline for starting Nye’s presentation passed.
…
The whole media debacle was just rough, unprofessional, amateurish and Ms. Mariner admitted that she had no policy.Nye obviously modified his planned remarks with a slight display of annoyance and made no controversial comments about his opponents nor about substantiative issues.
He abruptly ended his remarks and departed. An attempt to talk with him was refused by his staff on the grounds ‘he’s in a hurry to leave.’
The editor got the distinct impression that without his people having total control, Nye was unsure of himself and ill at ease.
The building was well air-conditioned, but Nye was sweating profusely, soiling the armpits of his shirt.
VNS’ impression? Nye will try to avoid all confrontation with any opponents by rejecting debates; will only appear before soft, supportive audiences, where his staff can have control.
He doesn’t appear to have the confidence to expose himself, his comments, or his positions to a mixed party or objective audience where he can’t control the environment or questions.
The ODU College Republicans and College Democrats had been attempting to schedule a joint debate with the Rigell and Nye camps. While Rigell has been willing to debate, Nye’s response so far has been to deny any debate unless certain conditions are met.
Given that Nye is the incumbent, it reflects poorly on him to refuse to debate, no matter the spin involved. If events like this breakfast continue over the summer, the 2nd District will be more easily won then we imagined.