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Messier’s Family Front And Center
By Greg L | 15 May 2007 | Prince William County | 25 Comments
A day after the wife of candidate for PWC Sheriff Mike Messier had a rather bizarre letter to the editor published in the Manassas Journal-Messenger, Mike’s two daughters give readers the “good cop” treatment in their own letter in the Potomac News. Although it’s always nice to see daughters talk about how good their dad is, putting your family front-and-center in the midst of a pretty contentious local election seems pretty unusual.
Notwithstanding that this lends credence to the idea that these letters are nothing more than campaign ploys, putting these two letters side by side seems to refute the allegations made by Mrs. Messier that the campaign has made her daughter fearful and concerned about her father’s safety. On one day she’s a wreck, and the next she’s excited and happy?
I don’t feel like going into extensive detail about how Mike Messier is using his family in his campaign, but it is worth noting the clear hypocrisy being demonstrated here. I would have preferred that Mike would have kept his family out of the campaign, as I don’t really want to talk about them. They are after all pretty much irrelevant in regards to Mike Messier’s qualifications for office, other than possibly signaling some degree of desperation.
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Perhaps they’re his only supporters who are not obviously known Democrats?
Greg and James, I don’t honestly believe that Messier has
any control over his family using their 1st amendment rights,
do you? It appears to me that these are strong, intelligent
women who want to be involved in a fair political view of their
father and husband. This is not as covert, of course, as the
other side, using his power to control the deputies’ freedom
of speech, going so far as to forbid their display of Messier
signs and stickers. That, to me, is dictatorship, clear and simple. And James, please stop referring to “Democrat” which
is consistent with this blogging when it comes to Messier. It
seems to me that Hill, too, was a Democrat until he decided to
run for sheriff (sound familiar?).
NR, whether they’re “using their 1st amendment rights” is a red herring, and you should know that. “Control”? Ultimately, no. “Persuasive authority”? Certainly. That is, while Messier certainly couldn’t prevent them from doing anything they want in this regard, he most assuredly exercises persuasive authority. And to the extent that running for office is a family endeavor (as anyone who has done so can tell you; I speak with some authority on this subject), he almost certainly has veto authority over their public statements, simply as a matter of healthy family dynamics and rational campaign strategy.
And why do you assert that “Hill, too, was a Democrat until he decided to run for sheriff”? He certainly was no activist Republican, but I have never heard that he was a Democrat. Messier, on the other hand, was the right hand man to a Democrat Sheriff whose rank politicization of the office was almost certainly the primary reason for his defeat. It is reasonable to surmise that Messier owed his position to the fact that he was in accord with Stoffregen’s goals.
Does it seem odd to anyone else that here we are, the Republican Primary for the Office of Sheriff is less than thirty days away, and we are just now beginning to talk about how out of the three candidates one is labeled (by some) as a Democrat (worked with a Dem, supported the Dem for this office, allegedly has his campaign supported by Dem contributors, etc.).
The second candidate has a missing in action record regarding ever having been a conservative and, worse, while serving as an elected Republican office holder can only charitably be identified those who have been watching his service/campaign as, “He certainly was no activist Republican.” I would go further. The incumbent not only has a terrrible, missing in action record when it comes to supporting Republicans in the past, it continues right now: Greg L has reported how Hill has endorsed a challenger to a republican candidate for the office of Clerk of the Court. Hill’s photo’s grace that candidate’s website…. it seems that is a key centerpoint of her race AGAINST a republican. And that does not even begin to discuss the fact that Sheriff Hill is on the ENTIRELY WRONG SIDE on key issues and policies that matter greatelly to conservative voters….
Well I’ll be more direct. The matter before the electorate is not who writes what letter to the editor! The real issue is the Republican Primary — a quesiton of which candidate the Republican Primary voters thinks is ‘best.’
One measure of ‘best’ is who is most conservative… to that question there is only one honest answer: The only proven conservative in this race for Sheriff is James J. Fotis. He has a conservative pedigree that goes back more than 15 years, spans countless conservative/republican candidates and issues. There is no crediblity for anyone to argue that either of the other two candidates can begin to hold a candle to James J. Fotis in this regard.
There may be other areas where reasonable folks might disagree, but the record on this ‘who is the true, strong conservative’ point is clear: James J. Fotis is the most conservative candidate in this race and voters that wish to ‘trade-up’ and elect a stronger, more visible conservative have only one real choice: Fotis for Sheriff.
Nice try, IP, but I’m not going to begrudge ANY Republican who endorsed the Trait… er, Lucy Beauchamp when she was running for the GOP nomination. I believe that they were misguided, to be sure, but it is hardly disqualifying to have done so. If he continues to do so, i.e., if he wants to go down with that particular ship, I will reassess my support for him.
And BTW, I don’t much appreciate being misrepresented. I NEVER suggested that Glen Hill “while serving as an elected Republican office holder can only charitably be identified those who have been watching his service/campaign as, ‘He certainly was no activist Republican.’” Like the post to which I was responding, I was referring to the period before he ran as a Republican. He ran unopposed for the GOP nomination four years ago. It is incredibly stupid politics to reject for re-nomination a guy who was willing to run the hard race when no one else was interested in carrying the GOP banner.
Don’t misrepresent what I have said.
You assert that “Sheriff Hill is on the ENTIRELY WRONG SIDE on key issues and policies that matter greatelly to conservative voters.” Really? Which ones? I see a greatly number of adjectives in your post, and precious few nouns. I confess to not knowing Hill’s stands on “key issues and policies that matter greatly to conservative voters.” But you can’t say he’s “wrong” until you identify what his stands are.
This is a discussion, not a press release.
JY —
My profound apologies for any misrepresentation that occurred. For the record, tis I that is pointing out that the observation/policy criticism of Hill not being much of a Conservative/Republican before he volunteered to run against the former “D” Sheriff is very similar to what I believe this record in office has also so completely demonstrated: That by his actions you can not clearly demonstrate much of any ‘conservative/republican’ pedigree/history, etc for Hill.
I would ask what conservative issues is Hill on the ‘Right’ side of:
Judges, Death Penalty, supporting conservative/Republican candidates, truth in sentencing, Guns, abolishing parole/probation, Abortion, Victims’ Rights, Civil Rights, supporting law enforcement from liberal’s attacks, etc., etc.,
From what I have seen Hill is/has been — AT BEST — silent and at worst on the WRONG SIDE! James J. Fotis for Sheriff is on the RIGHT side of the issues!
And, with all due respect, the issue of his CURRENT support for the candidate running against the Republican Party candidate for Clerk of the Court can’t just be ‘excused away.’
The candidate’s own website has been modified since she went active against the Republican candidate… when I went there Hill was all over that website… pretty as you please (posing with his badge of office by the way) he is smiling and supporting the opponent to the R candidate. So while you may point out a minor technical point, the overall criticism still stands.
Let me ask all the Hill supporters: Why was there no equivalent photo of Hill supporting Allen when he lost by a narrow margin in PW Co. to the Democrat???? Where has Hill been year in and year…before he first ran for office or in the four years since he was elected?
So I want a Hill supporter to explain why the candidate who is so weak on conservative issues/background should win in a primary against a proven, long time, strong Conservative such as James J. Fotis….. I don’t think there is a credible argument why the Conservative/Republicans who plan to vote in the Primary should not send a message that they want the MORE CONSERVATIVE CANDIDATE TO BE THIER SHERIFF….. can anyone point out a compelling opposite rationale?
LTE writing is a fundamental strategy to get a candidate’s name in print. Often used by the candidates themselves though assumed names to fluff up belief that somebody really supports them.
I suspect we will soon be seeing IP’s letters too - whom ever he is. All that said, I thought the last LTE was cute - the girls love their daddy. Momma probably encouraged them, but I believe they wrote it. I stiil see nothing about qualification or the issues in this one either. He used to post here too, but I see he is invisable in most media.
IP, I think JY is going to try to keep you honest here. You talk in circles, use fallacy at every turn, and still ignore the fact your man is very new to this county. Being Sheriff is a job, not just some political twig to perch some bureaucratic butt on. It should be handled by a professional lawman, knowledgable of the jurisdiction he serves, and concerned with how the jurisdiction is managened.
Apology accepted, IP. But I still don’t think it’s fair to hold Glen Hill responsible for the current contents of her website. UNLESS he is maintaining his support for her. I don’t know that he is, and frankly, I haven’t had occasion to ask. When I do, I will find out.
Anyone please explain to me who the hell is Fotis, The arrogance is to much to take please just go away to some other county that you can manipulate for your
own purposes.
Sorry ST - I don’t think he’s going anywhere… it will be the voters who will have the final call… just as it should be. If you really want to learn about James J. Fotis for Sheriff go to www.fotisforsheriff.com
Henry - James J. Fotis is a professsional law man with vast experience and a great conservative pedigree…. he’ll do a first rate job. I think it is fair to say he is not looking for a twig on which to park.
IR your writing makes me ill, again Fotis who please he’s an opportunist of the worst kind. A Sheriff has a job to do not an example of a perfect Republican.
Do you have to comment on a subject that you are ignorant of. Making the comment you have made just showcases your ignorance’s even more.
[Ed note: comment edited]
I like the way some of you Glendell Hill defenders act like you are afraid of a Democrat in this election. We have had a Democrat and his Democrat chief deputy in office for the past three years.
If you need proof just look at his work and spending habits.
Lest you all encourage me to not allow any comments on posts regarding the Sheriff’s race, I suggest you immediately tone this down, and make some effort to keep comments on-topic.
Am I naive or confused? Voting for the “most republican republican” in a primary when the sitting sheriff (a republican) has straightened out a mess and by all external appearances is doing a fine job seems wierd. Why is there all of the rucus? Does the job pay that much? It is a job afterall, as oppossed to other elected offices that paylittle for the many hours required to serve. Is the economy that bad that we all are resorting to infighting?
This whole thread started in response to one candidate’s family writing public letters to the editor about their family member — and putting forward various ‘family perspectives’.
What they did not explain in the letters to the editor is why their candidate was running. I can’t speak to why the one challenger is running. I believe that Hill ran for the office initially one-term ago because he was approached by “R” leadership and they asked (is begged too strong a word) him to run against an incumbent ‘D’ Sheriff who by all accounts was doing a terrible job with the office on many fronts. Hill — with little republican party or conservative background — chose to throw his hat in the ring, and let the party/local political process run his election effort.
Now it is four years later and what is supposed to be a Republican Sheriff has turned out to be either not-very conservative (reluctant to be involved or help lead conservative battles/ideas) and/or actually opposed to Republicans/mainstream conservative values. (Yes, he has done a better job than the ‘D’ who held office before - but I would submit simply doing a little better job than a bad Democrat is NOT a ringing endorsement and certainly is NOT sufficient reason to decide against ‘trading-up’ to a better candidate first chance Republican voters get!)
James J. Fotis for Sheriff is a different story. His family is not writing letters to the editor. He is a professional, highly decorated (much more so than the other two candidates) former police officer. He didn’t sit on his fanny/behind a desk — he even survived a point blank shoot out with a would be cop killer.
Fotis is a patriot (volunteered to serve his nation in a time of war) and when he retired from his job as a police officer he dedicated his life to conservative politics in the realm of law and order issues / the law enforcement community. For fifteen years he has been a conservative leader of the highest order.
When James J. Fotis saw firsthand what the current Sheriff was not getting done, when he saw how there appeared to be no common effort to improve local conservative politics nor make the Office of Sheriff more responsive to those who vote; he decided to do what he could to make it better: He believed (and I agree) that he could do a much better job for the Voters in Prince William County and he threw his hat in the ring.
You won’t see all this in a letter to the editor in your local paper.
Ultimately every person who plans on voting in this primary will have to decide do they want to elect the more conservative — and very well qualified — James J. Fotis or will they chose to vote for a candidate who is less well qualified and will take the department in a different direction. If the voters in the Republican Primary DO NOT WANT A STRONG, PROVEN CONSERVATIVE LEADER than I expect they will vote for one of the other candidates. The local media will not be telling this story — not even in the letters to the editor!
I start and end my day as a conservative. If those who plan on voting are not conservative/don’t support conservatives than the less conservative candidate may well win!
But, since the public won’t hear about who is the more conservative candidate in the newspapers we need to be sure to get the truth out in forums such as Greg’s here.
Sherriff Hill has done a terrific job as Sherriff. Mr. Fotis may be the next coming of John Wayne, but he is an outsider to our county who jumped into the race late. As Greg has often pointed out, Fotis would be better establishing some roots and running in a later campaign.
He has not actively supported any PW Republicans in the past that I am aware of, where as the Sherriff has been active in many campaigns including the re-election of Marty, Corey, Wally and Maureen. He also has been very active in his support for Jackson Miller.
Austin -
All due respect but your post has nothing to do with the theme of this thread… and if you are going to make the claim that Hill has done a “terrific” job please tell us how exactly. Please answer the questions posed about shouldn’t he have done more to advance conservative/republican ideas, values, policies and/or candidates. Don’t republican voters have a right to expect something more from their elected representative who seeks their primary vote than the claim that “He did (a little bit) better than a bad Democrat!”
The race that is before us is the one for the Republican Primary for Sheriff and it will be here in a few short weeks.
You, Greg and others may wish that individual candiates were running for other offices, but THEY ARE NOT.
Your WISHES WILL NOT CHANGE THE REALITY that the electon is almost here and that precious little of substance is being covered in the print media. Not surprisingly, some candidates are resorting to letters to the editor, but the reality is the only place where any ‘deep’ discussion of ideas/candidates is on forums such as the one here, graciously provided us by Greg L.
So, there WILL BE an election, the voters WILL CHOOSE between three candidate and the truth/background of these candidates will most likely only be revealed in these kind of forums (assuming that we can keep the debate on the up and up, fact/idea based, out of the gutter and relevant).
James J. Fotis for Sheriff is the most conservative candidate - if the voters don’t want to elect the more conservative candidate then they won’t; I suspect that most Republicans voting in the primary will want to vote for the candidate who has a clearly better/longer/more visible conservative pedigree… for short I call that a voter who chooses to ‘trade-up’.
The voters will likely not hear that message in the ‘main stream media.’ They probably won’t even hear that message in letters to the editor, effective though they may be. The truth is that for right now at least, the place where conservatives can get the most ‘truth’ is from places just like this. I don’t think any candidate can be slighted for resorting to letters to the editor. The bad part is that even with letters to the editor, combined with the non-reporting that is not happening, will leave voters with very little information…. thank heavens that there is the web to fill the void!
On a personal note, while I appreciate your comparing James J. Fotis for Sheriff to John Wayne I must point out that I am a die-hard Duke fan and not even I would dane to compare a ‘mere mortal’ to my hero, The Duke!
PI - Is/was Fotis a sworn officer in Virginia?
IP you must be Fotis and if this is your campaign you should run for dog catcher
in Spain, they dont know you either! Your just silly and i am a republican.
I first off want to thank Greg L for putting together this blog site. Not only do I enjoy the Sheriff’s race blogging, but I also enjoy the other topics that are available on this site. Thank you Greg, I cannot imagine the “behind the scenes” work that goes into such an elaborate internet offering. I do appreciate the opportunity to engage in your site. Secondly, I think a few of us do need to be a bit more responsible when “going at one another” for the sake of our personal choice for the Sheriff’s race. Having said that I do believe that Hill has superseded many of expectations when he took office almost 4 years ago. I would like to pose a question to IP…I am having a difficult time understanding your verbage of “trading up.” Could you please explain to me and others I am sure, how the citizens of this County would be trading up by electing J. Fotis? Understanding that you will undoubtedly mention the conservative/pedigree component…please don’t…I got that…What I would like to know is how will Fotis be a better sheriff than that of our current leader of the Sheriff’s Office? Please tell me how fighting for the death penalty (which we have in the Commonwealth), or abolishing probation/parole etc. etc. will make Fotis a better Sheriff? Fotis comes to this County with experience as a county officer in the State of New York. Henry poses a very good question, we all know the Commonwealth States differ from that of the others. Please tell the readers if Fotis has any back ground in Virginia Law. Has he ever been law enforcement certified in the State of Virginia? Sheriff Hill has over 30 years experience in Law Enforcement in the State of Virginia, specifically Prince William County/Manassas City. He was a police officer, detective, worked through the ranks of the Regional Jail, held the position of Jail Superintendent and is now the Sheriff. He has a vast amount of experience that is a MUST for this office. Although the Sheriff is in fact an elected official/politician it is imperative that the Sheriff have knowledge of the Code of Virginia, the judicial make-up, 4th Circuit, civil process, criminal law, and the interworkings of a Sheriff’s Office. What say you?
It would appear that IP has nothing left to say. Either that or he/she found gainful employment and now has better things to do. I join the arena of political sparring not to envoke frivolous banter to an already inundated melee. I do so to bring clarity to what appears to be an almost hate filled, ill informed or short term memory band of supposed citizens. I am referring to those who are saying dsparaging comments about our elected sheriff. Tis tis. Have you all forgotten the disharmony and utter feud between our law enforcement community while the illustrious sheriff of before held office? Or the sheer arrogance in which that department was run. Sheriff Hill may not fit your idea of what you consider to be a true republican, however to deny that he has brought order and cooperation to the department would be a display of dementia or ignorance. While you argue over his party purity you overlook the fact that he is a true career law enforcement leader with a proven track record. Nough said. Mike Messier was good man who worked for a poor leader and unfortunately adopted his idealism. As for Fotis I say, who are you and where did you get the idea that a old and storied community would embrace an outsider with little qualifications or ties to it? The choice is clear whether you’re republican or not. Glen Hill is a strong leader who has restored honor to a troubled department. Any questions?
Pundit’s theories about my lack of posting are as off-base, off-topic and as self serving as is his post. Why do those who can’t seem to battle honestly about ideas/experience/the record, etc., resort to making silly assertions as did Pundit… If he wants to know why I have not posted recently, just ask. Why make up silly misleading stuff?
I have a theory, those people who hate conservatives, hate the dream/vision of conservatives and all that entails, when they feel confronted or challenged on facts and such, chose to respond with attacks, assumptions, slams, slurs, inuendo, etc. I wonder if that explains Pundit’s choice of sytle (and his political bent)? And this kind of person is the face of the incumbent’s support base? Sheesh!
What appears to be a call for Democrats to vote in this Republican Primary is — if correct — IMHO, COMPLETELY OVER THE TOP!
I have never denied that the current Sheriff’s greatest (and pehaps only) demonstration of success is how he has improved the department. Again, I state for the record, he has! But — and that is a very big BUT — Republicans coming into office who inherit a ‘mess’ created by a previous D office holder often have nowhere to go but up. Sadly, when things are really bad, darn near anything is an improvement.
Fotis has a better history as law enforcement officer than does his opponent: he was the most decorated officer in his Department’s history, he survived a point blank shoot out with a would-be cop killer. Fotis has more and better academic background. And, Fotis has a longer/better conservative political action record. For those who want more data I invite you to www.fotisforsheriff.com
This election is a Republican Primary, Pundit says, “The choice is clear whether you’re republican or not.” I can not help but wonder if that statement is inteded to create support in the Republican Primary by folks other than Republicans (i.e. Democrats). Pundits please clarify. Are you saying your guy is the better candidate for non-R’s or that non-R’s should vote for him in the Primary?
IP how can you possibly state that Fotis has a better history as a law enforcement officer than Hill? Are you insinuating because Fotis survived a point blank shoot out with a would-be cop killer and Hill has not (that we are aware of)somehow makes him have a better L.E. history? This is ridiculous and I cannot believe you would post something so absurd. Okay Fotis got into a gun battle and he survived… please tell me how that makes his law enforcement background better? Hill has been in law enforcement for 30 years…Fotis served 12 and had to come out on disability. And to say he is the most decorated officer, it is funny that there is not anything out there to support this except his own website. All I can say is 30 plus year vs. 12…no comparison whatsoever! This statement is a grasp out of thin air that plays absolutely no part in how that would make Fotis the best for the Sheriff’s office. You and your campaign team need to do much better than that! IP I am disappointed in you that you would stoop to such an extreme to get your “guy” noticed. You have accomplished little for your guy except for everyone having access to his website. This is getting “silly”!
Well it would seem that I struck a cord with IP. I love to provoke rebuttle from people who suffer from tunnel vision. The idea being that you have to really think about what you intend on replying. No silly assertion, just wondering where someone gets the time to respond to so many postings. In case you are wondering why I took the time to reply, I was vacationing. Now I have a theory. IP, you insist on making issue on the idea of a conservative republican and where I and Sheriff Hill rank. I am a die hard, card carrying, right wing Republican and I am proud of it. For you to assert that I am anything but, is just wrong. As for Hill, his record is one of reaching across the isle and cooperating with his constituents. I guess you would rather he entrench himself in party warfare, like that gets you anywhere. The point I was making when I stated “the coice is clear Republican or not” is that you don’t have to be a republican to see the character of Sheriff Hill and admit he is the right man. Your motives appear to be an attempt to divide this party. (won’t work) I thank you for pointing out Sheriff Hills’ success and ability to restore a battered department. You’re right, things have gone up since he was elected. I ask you then, do you subscribe to the “fix it if it works” theory? I personnaly think that if it works and has proven to be successful as you so graciously admit, leave it alone. I concur with vote4hill on the issue of this legendary gun battle you so readily parade about, as if that makes some one an exceptional leader. Really, is that what you pin your campaign hopes on. Desperate times call for desparate measures I suppose.
Is it more important to be a good sherif or a good Republican in the eyes of JY?
It seems to me that the real crisis in the Prince William area is immigration, not abortion and 2nd amendment issues. Why does anyone care if a candidate for sherif is pro-life or pro-choice? How does the sherif’s office concern itself with gun issues as a political issue?
Lets focus on the problems rather than the abstractions.