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Several
reporters noted seeing Russ Potts campaign signs for
the first time at last week's Labor Day parade in
Buena Vista. Potts had a small but effective army of
volunteers on the scene.
Sen.
Potts told the Blue Dog with a big smile and hearty
handshake, "I'm blogging with you."
Potts
said, "I've read your columns in the past, and
don't agree with you on the issues, especially
taxes. But that's what makes America great."
Oh,
I agree, Mr. Potts.
The
Blue Dog has never met Potts or heard him speak in
the public arena. He's a short guy, but has a big
heart and booming voice.
When
Potts went up on stage and began his thunderous
speech and finger pointing, the Blue Dog thought,
"Is Potts the second coming of the 'little
hand-grenade with a bad haircut', aka Ross
Perot?"
But
my new anti-establishment blogging buddy is more
like Huey Long on steroids.
Holy
Cow, I thought to myself! Potts moves his arms more
at the podium than Democratic Party attorney-general
candidate Creigh Deeds on a slow, hot day in Bath
County speaking to the local Farm Bureau surrounded
by SUV-sized horseflies.
At
the Glen Maury Park Pavilion, those partisan
Democrats seemed to loved Potts' unabashed style and
unashamed endorsement of the largest tax increase in
Virginia's history. That's gutsy. I admire him for
being honest, but I'm anti-tax. That's not kosher
with me.
Recently,
Virginia Educrats and VEA friends have told the Blue
Dog, "we're voting for Russ Potts."
It's
a word-of-mouth campaign between educators, because
the VEA did not include Potts in the September issue
of The VEA News, which included interview
campaign comparisons with the Kaine and Kilgore.
A
retired Virginia teacher told the Blue Dog,
"The VEA only represents the liberal interests
of the Democratic Party of Virginia and not the
political views of mainstream teachers in the
state."
"Russ
Potts is a friend of teachers and the Virginia
educational system."
Pro-choice,
pro-education, pro-gay and pro-tax - that Buena
Vista pro-Kaine crowd went wild with delight until
they realized Potts was not the Democratic
candidate.
Telling,
very telling indeed.
With
Potts' pledge to blog with the Blue Dog, I believe
the leap of faith question is ... When does Democrat
Tim Kaine come onboard the Blue Dog blog? The clock
is ticking, buddy.
Just
imagine, the Republican gubernatorial candidate,
Jerry Kilgore, and the independent candidate, Russ
Potts, a lifelong Republican, are both blogging with
a Blue Dog Democrat. The Blue Dog has Kilgore's
staff on speed dial.
How
ironic. When Kaine will not even answer simple
requests for interviews with a Democrat columnist,
who ran for the Virginia Senate in 2003 - and I
might add, received Kaine's endorsement for his
anti-tax candidacy?
Is
this the same Tim Kaine who may or may not have had
a brief career with the A.C.L.U.? You know, those
guys and gals who protect civil liberties, such as
free speech and freedom of the press. Come on, I'm
feeling like a political prisoner. 'Nuff said.
Merit
badges in heaven: Kaine's speech was consistent
with his campaign's faith-based theme. He said
nothing of interest and, frankly, I'm really
disappointed with the "loaves of bread in the
basket" remark. That was insensitive and not
thought through from the beginning to end by the
youthful campaign staff.
From
counting previous hurricanes in Honduras to the
number of submachine guns on the Latin American
streets, it's not Virginia 2005. That was then, this
is now.
About
public piety - Kaine has done nothing but play the
religious card since day one of his campaign. The
faith-based campaign has been simply disappointing
to say the least. I expected more. Kaine's
missionary work in Honduras is a really good thing.
It's merit badges for heaven, not resume fodder for
the governor's office.
His
flip-flopping stands on abortion as well as gay
marriage are disheartening and disturbing to his
core constituents.
Come
on, Tim! Say something - and make a difference.
On
the other hand, Jerry Kilgore was not much better.
His corny jokes made the Blue Dog crack a smile and
were reminiscent of Sen. George Allen's rhetoric.
But those partisan jokes probably would have been
more effective had they been reserved for the Buena
Vista Republican lunch crowd.
Corn
dog, please! Hold the mustard, because we all know
you're the only fiscal conservative, who is
anti-tax, supports gun rights, limited government
and is against the death penalty.
Tell
me something I didn't know.
Blogging
for Votes: The Blue Dog blog special guest
session with Jerry Kilgore was the buzz of the Buena
Vista parade. Democrats, Republicans and
independents commented to the Dog about the
first-time event on the 'Net.
That
blog session was a blast - e-mailing back and forth,
with two phones ringing while blog posting
commentary.
Matter
of fact, Mr. Kilgore and myself were on the
speakerphone and PCs blogging away. He did a good
job with the answers considering the time allotted.
Our
liberal Dog Pound members grilled him for answers to
tough questions.
He's
fast at the keyboard and talkative. He joked during
the one-hour session, and I really felt at ease with
the session. Jerry Kilgore is a very honest and
genuine individual. I sincerely appreciated the
opportunity to blog with him.
--
September 19, 2005
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