If the above is an ad for Jody Wagner, readers should know she stinks
Democrats Win Virginia Senate
By Greg L | 7 November 2007 | Virginia Senate | 78 Comments
Although Ken Cuccinelli has narrowly clung to a win in the 37th District, and Richard Stuart has prevailed over Al Pollard in the 28th District, Jay O’Brien has been defeated by George Barker, Jeannemarie Devolites Davis has been defeated by Chap Peterson, and Bob Fitzsimmonds didn’t quite pull it out against Chuck Colgan. It looks at this point that the Democrats have won 21 seats in the Senate, which gives them control of this body.
This may not shift the Senate in a dramatic fashion from where it has been in the past, with the replacement of Russ Potts and John Chichester, who played large roles in the Senate last year, with much more conservative candidates. Swapping Jeannnemarie Devolites-Davis for Chap Peterson is probably an improvement in many ways. Although controlled by Republicans last session, the Senate has not been a body that has, as a whole, done much to promote Republican legislative initiatives. Usually, it has been at odds with them.
This is an opportunity for Democrats to display what kind of legislative leadership they envision for Virginia. All they have to do is perform better than the pseudo-Republican Potts-Chichester-Stolle cabal, which shouldn’t be too difficult, and they’ll have a clear case to the make to the voters that they deserve consideration by many who would dismiss them. I doubt that little Dickie Cranwell and Brian Moran will allow them to do that, though. It’s likely going to be legislative deadlock instead, which at least on the budget may be a very useful thing for Virginians.
I consider the defeat of Jay O’Brien a big loss for the Senate. He has really be a terrific legislator, and a strong leader on the illegal alien issue. More than losing control of the Senate, losing Jay O’Brien as a legislator is probably the biggest disappointment of the evening.
I’m sure he’ll be back, soon. He better be!
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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Funny all your thoughts about Bob were wrong. Colgan’s first new bill should be about immigration and the second should be a 4 strikes you are out.
How many times can someone get your ass handed to you in a Republican district by a democrat and still keep running. Maybe one of the Colgan’s will run as a Republican for Chucks seat in four years and we can finally win. I would vote for them in a convention. Bobs numbers were embrassing Colgan even beat him out west.
It was a very close race, as I watched the PWC Web site for the votes to be tallied. Disappointed to see Bob Fitzsimmonds not pull it off. But congratulations, Bob, on a well-run campaign and well-fought fight. I was honored to help support your run for the Senate.
In the Ballot Booths, No Fixation on Immigration
By Amy Gardner
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, November 7, 2007; Page A01
Voters across Virginia chose candidates in state and local elections yesterday not out of anger over illegal immigration but based on party affiliation, a preference for moderation and strong views on such key issues as residential growth and traffic congestion.
With a few notable exceptions, the trend benefited Democrats and not those who campaigned the loudest for tough sanctions against illegal immigrants.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2007/11/07/ST2007110700119.html?hpid=topnews
Looks like the illegal immigration issue wasn’t the overriding concern everyone predicted it would be.
Au Contraire, as I helped man the outdoor Poll in Brentsville District in the morning and afternoon, I witnessed many people entering the poll area with pre-printed “BVBL” voting guide. Albeit, not enough for Bob and John. Yes, Illegal Immigration did have a major impact on this Race, just look at Sharon Pandak and Corey Stewart’s race for Chairman of the PWC Board of Supervisors. Corey stood up to the bullcrap, and, in the face of adversity, WON! Bob Fitzsimmonds gave one hell of a race for the Senate position, and John Stirrup’s race was very close as well.
First and Foremost: Thank you to John Stirrup for everything he’s done for PWC, since he was the first one to take that infamous stand. He will sorely be missed in the Gainesville District. Now that Election Day has come and gone, its time for the hard work to be done. Put those intentions into action — like a golf swing, its about the follow-through.
Second, Bob Fitzsimmonds race with Chuck Colgan was tight, and as the votes were counted last night, I was hopeful we would have a new Senator! Last time I looked, it was a couple hundred votes difference. But this morning it was Chuck. Bob gave Chuck a run for his money.
Congratulations to Jackson Miller and Bob Marshall! And Jay O’Brien, all very impressive people I was proud to meet and come to know.
Have a Great Day.
PS: Way-to-go Ham Sandwich.
Am I missing something when I go to the Virginia site it says that O’Brien won by 11%?
https://www.voterinfo.sbe.virginia.gov/election/DATA/2007/196E44FA-8B19-4240-9A44-737216DAA55D/Unofficial/00_153_s.shtml
Is this a mistake or were there some votes that weren’t counted when you called it for Barker?
Thank you Stirrup you will be missed? He won according to the results that I see.
Well, a very happy election day for me. Colgan returns and Tom Kopko’s face with egg since all the losses can be laid at his feet.
PWC will have our Senator back who is respected and loved by those on both sides of the aisle. I too am sad that he will not have Jay O’Brien as a Senate colleague anymore. We all saw that one coming with the flawed candidate in the 51st pulling down the vote.
I dare say that in contrast with what the Wash Post may say, the issue of illegal aliens WAS in fact what saved the Republicans.
What the Wash Post does not understand is the devisiveness within the PWC Republican base. The devisiveness caused by the in-fighting that a convention naturally causes, and then, the two month long review of a legitimate appeal of the convention results….all designed to find a way to keep Gill on the ballot. This fiasco cost the party not only the seats they lost but it also cost lots and lots of support for those victorious Republicans who supported Gill.
If it hadn’t been for that split of the Republican vote, the results would have been far, far more dramatic and the unknowing Wash Post would THEN have thought it WAS caused by the illegal alien issue.
NM, it was an older tally that they still have on their site…darnit
So much for cleaning up our neighborhoods folks. I guess we are in the minority now. See you all in Oklahoma!
Kopko should be flogged for this fiasco. He needs to be called out on this and he needs to pay the price.
Didn’t quite “pull it out”….HA! Bob lost by 3000+ votes and 9 points…are you kidding me?
As for the “effective” Jay OBrien…is this the same Jay OBrien who voted for the abusive driver legislation and then when the outcry started referred to it as “unconstitutional”…why did you vote for it then Jay?
The Republican Party needs to seriously reconsider what it does stand for because it used to stand for those people willing to work hard to make themselves and the nation better, but now it is a bunch of welfare (for big business) proponents who could care less about the little guy or the little’s guys concerns.
Nice job Mr. Kopko…it is awesome to see a convention election steal away a good Republican candidate in the 51st so we can watch a Democrat win a Republican seat while an Independent School Board candidate winning in the same area. Good strategic thinking moron!
I’m good Republican so I have to go to work but time for a quick posting …. Line Breaker….are you nuts. FitzSimmonds a well run race…who knew he was running? His whole campaign talked about Colgan and he never once talked about himself. The guy is a loser. He ran a terrible campgain. Dave Mabie was right about the guy.
I’m with you, Greg….losing Jay was a terrible loss and he WILL be back, no doubt!!! The particularly sad part is that it was Gill that beat Jay O’Brien, not George Barker…..:(
Line Breaker,
Are you being sarcastic? John Stirrup crushed Corey Riley. He won by a bigger margin then Stewart over Pandak.
You better go back and take a look.
All,
I thought the biggest surprise was Ken C. and Janet O.’s race. It was closer than I thought it would be. Janet is not coherent in debates and as one commentator has mentioned, she has a hard time completing a sentence. I wonder about Fairfax residents.
Colgan didn’t win by a landslide. I guess people believed that he will get tough on illegal immigration. Well, we will keep track of his votes and see if he will do something or it was just a bunch of talk to get back his precious seat. I know one thing he will do. He will raise the gas tax. Since the paper is reporting that we will soon be paying more than $3.00 a gallon soon and probably over $4.00 a gallon by spring, his gas tax will certainly make that a reality! So, thank you Colgan supporters. You have just made us suffer at the pump!!!
“Thank you to John Stirrup for everything he’s done for PWC, since he was the first one to take that infamous stand. He will sorely be missed in the Gainesville District.”
Linebreaker, I don’t know where you are seeing that John Stirrup lost, but the SBE local elections results site had the following information up:
RACE CANDIDATE VOTE VOTE% STATISTICS DETAILS
Member Board of Supervisors
(PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY - GAINESVILLE DISTRICT)
Last Reported: Nov 7 2007 12:07AM EST
Corey R. Riley 3,742 38.05%
Precincts Reporting: 12 of 12 (100%)
Voter Turnout: 9,832 of 31,796 (30.92%) Votes by Precinct
John T. Stirrup, Jr. 6,072 61.75%
Write In 18 0.18%
According to this, John whupped Corey Riley but good!
I see this race as a big giant win for the status quo. Nothing will get done and all will be as it was. What a waste for both sides. If anything I would say that the pro-illegal lobby even came out a bit ahead by capturing the senate. They lost the BOCS but gained the senate where most of the work needs to be done. I’m embarrassed to be a Virginian today.
AWCheney,
I would like to know your thoughts as to the Colgan Fitzsimmonds race.
Congratulations to:
Jackson Miller, Corey Stewart and John Stirrup.
Thank you Supervisor Stirrup!!! We are happy that you are our supervisor. Congratulations!!!
OMG, park’d….I’m seeing the same thing!!! ?????
The Republicans who said they would rather have a Dem than a Republican who didn’t tow the ideological line have what they wanted. And the closed party folks who would rather let the Dems win by holding closed candidate annointment ceremonies instead of open primaries have destroyed 2 decades of party work. It will take at least 15 years (elections following the 2021) to restore what the rigid ideologs have destroyed. The message from this election is that the party leadership is an unmitigated disaster.
Why should I remain a supporter of the Republican Party? If I’m going to support a party I know will lose, the Liberatarian Party sends a better message and looks better every day…
freedom said on 7 Nov 2007 at 7:51 am:
“I’m with you, Greg….losing Jay was a terrible loss and he WILL be back, no doubt!!! The particularly sad part is that it was Gill that beat Jay O’Brien, not George Barker…..:(”
Actually, Jay never endorsed Gill and was a keynote for Julie at the Convention. What lost it for Jay was NOT Faisal Gill, rather it was Fairfax County!!!
That being said, Ken Cuccinelli needs all the help, and money, you afford. He needs good Republican lawyers to assist with the recount. You may either donate via his website: http://www.cuccinelli.com/donate.shtml or e-mail Mike@Cuccinelli.com!!! We CANNOT afford to lose this seat!!!
park’d - he will be…stay tuned.
Here’s what Mr. L wrote yesterday on this blog:
“Today is a referendum in many ways on the illegal alien issue and how it is to be addressed.”
Obviously there were many other issues on voters’ minds this election. Either that, or voters have opted to go soft on illegals.
Oh no, you misunderstood me, John….I full-well realize Jay’s support for Julie at the convention….and he didn’t want to run with Gill!!! The devisiveness and Gill’s nomination hurt him bad….:(
***Didn’t quite “pull it out”….HA! Bob lost by 3000+ votes and 9 points…are you kidding me?***
Are you kidding ME? An incumbent such as Colgan should have won by a landslide. In the end, Colgan won by just over 2000 votes. Bob got 46.5%. That is amazing. Someone sitting in the senate seat for as long as Colgan has should have killed Bob.
I’m sure Colgan felt a shiver down his spine.
John Light —
The point is, PWC was drwan into that district to give him a margin large enough to overcome Fairfax. He needed a bigger boost than 600 votes to pull off the election. GOP turnout, as you know, was depressed by the Kopko/Gill “dram team” of campaign school brainiacs.
I’m quite satisfied Patty…and hope that FitzSimmonds will finally retire from being the “also ran” so that a viable Republican can ultimately replace Sen. Colgan when he retires.
This whole Gill fiasco has played out just like it was called back at the end of the primary. It’s amazing to see it unfold just as Greg called it many months ago. Kopko managed to pretty much destroy the party. Good job Tom: you dufus. Hopefully you get blackballed and end up working as a Walmart greeter.
I see this race as a giant win for the status quo. Nothing will get done and all will be as it was. What a waste for both sides. If anything I would say that the pro-illegal lobby even came out a bit ahead by capturing the senate. They lost the BOCS but gained the senate where most of the work needs to be done. I’m embarrassed to be a Virginian today.
I posted it on the other thread, but it should be said here as well. Jay O’Brien’s loss, and the Democratic control of the Senate, can be placed squarely at the feet of Tom Kopko. First, if the convention had been run fairly, many of the participants may have continued to work for the Party even if their person didn’t win, but because the Convention was so corrupt many people simply threw up their arms and walked away. Second, if we had had a better candidate, it would have inspired more people to get to the polls to vote Republican. I believe that Faisal and Jay were on the same screen when voting. That had to have an effect. Finally, the focus of the party was only on chosen races instead of all contested races. Out of 38,898, Jay only lost by 846 votes. A sidebar effort of a few people got a Ham Sandwich 678 votes. Certainly, if some effort had been put in to Jay O’Brien, an actual person, we could have scraped together another 900 votes.
Tom Kopko has put his ego above the good of the Party. The man who said that there was no reason that the PWCRC shouldn’t have 1000 members has driven membership down to about 100, maybe less. We have fixed conventions, distroyed party moral and a Democratic State Sentate all because of Tom Kopko and his band of merry men. Denny is as much to blame as Kopko. As Vice Chairman, he shares as much blame as the Chairman. The two should be run out of the Party on a rail.
April ‘08, Anon, April ‘08!!!
Why are some of my posts not showing up!!!@@
park’d et al. the O’Brien results you are looking at is just for Prince William County. It doesn’t include Fairfax. Here is the breakout by county.
COUNTY/CITY CANDIDATE VOTE VOTE% STATISTICS
FAIRFAX COUNTY
Last Reported: Nov 7 2007 1:01AM EST
George L. Barker 15,601 53.20% Precincts Reporting: 31 of 31 (100%)
Voter Turnout: 29,322 of 87,701 (33.43%)
J. K. “Jay” O’Brien, Jr. 13,694 46.70%
Write In 27 0.09%
COUNTY/CITY CANDIDATE VOTE VOTE% STATISTICS
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY
Last Reported: Nov 7 2007 12:07AM EST
George L. Barker 4,271 44.41% Precincts Reporting: 10 of 10 (100%)
Voter Turnout: 9,616 of 27,406 (35.08%)
J. K. “Jay” O’Brien, Jr. 5,332 55.44%
Write In 13 0.13%
There is no reason that Colgan should have won that seat except for the fact that the people of the 29th District have (for the 3rd time- twice in a general and once in a convention) stated pretty clearly that Bob is not the guy for them. The Party needs to take in to account electablity when choosing its candidates. Simply having an R next to your name is not enough anymore. Also, if you want to find out if a candidate resonates with voters, Republican voters, real voters who have better things to do with their time than sit in a high school auditorium for 5 hours, then open up the nominating contests. Where we had conventions we lost. Where we had primaries, even primaries years ago like Lingamfelter, we continue to win. The Braniac Trust needs to shut their mouths and open their eyes to see how the world really works and not just how they would like it to work.
AWCheney,
I was hoping Bob would win. I also know you are right. Are there any good candidates out there that you know?
Frankly, I’d like to see Dave Mabee move back into the county. Aside from Dave, there’s a wealth of talent in both the County and the City of Manassas. Of course, that presupposes that the PWCRC can clean up its act…I expect most of that talent would stay at arm’s length until that happens.
Ok - NOW I get it all as to the Jay and Faisal connection - thank you all for explaining to me
That being said, I have said for MONTHS now that Tom, Denny, et.al. need to LEAVE the PWC GOP. WalMart??? Come on now, what has WalMart done to deserve THAT (don’t go there, lol).
I say again, Greg needs to do a poll as to who should replace Tom K. as PWCGOP Chairman.
The big winner last night was…….
Cracking down on illegal immigration.
Think about it…virtually every candidate in the region (except for Gerry Connolly) took some version of a strong anti-illegal immigration stance. Rishell, Miller, Colgan, Fitzsimmonds, Lucas, Pandak, Stewart, Stirrup, Gill, Brown, Roemmelt, Oleszek, Marshall…all claimed to be the anti-illegal candidates.
This was a huge victory for the pro-American sovereignty forces in Northern Virginia, namely Help Save Manassas and the other Help Save groups who turned illegal immigration into THE issue for the 2007 elections. Now all the victors have to live up to their promises to fine employers, go after overcrowding and spread 287g across the region.
Colgan will do absolutely nothing about illegal immigration. He hasn’t in 30 years, why should he start now? He and all his supporters are POS’s. His backers hire illegal aliens.
The PWCRC is a disorganized frat boys club. The county should condemn its animal house HQ.
I agree that Colgan will likely introduce jack squat on illegal immigration reform. But he and all these candidates are on record now as supporting a crackdown so that when a tough bill is introduced in Richmond, they will have a harder time weaseling out of supporting it. I
AWCheney,
You are right!!!
Let me suggest a specific good candidate for next time around…Carroll Weimer. Good rep, local guy, established, fought Jackson close and clean for the HOD nod in 2006 w/o the tom foolery that occured in the 51st…would pull that Manassas vote that went Colgan into the GOP column.
9 times the people of the 29th district have selected Chuck Colgan to represent them and their interests. The MAJOIRTY of people in this district support and believe in him, get over it. Colgan has two very specific things on his agenda which he mentioned during his campaign. The first and one which will have a significant impact on Illegal’s working is e-verification for employers, if he gets that through (and he will) it will be huge. Secondly he has stated he will ask the Attorney General to seek compensation from the Federal Government for the cost associated with cleaning up the mess the Bush Administration created.
At one time I think you could have gotten a Colgan to run as a Republican, not now. After this campaign and the slanderous attacks on their father funded by the Republican party, they are now solidly Dems again. I am confident you will see Colgan candidates in the near future but it won’t be as
Republicans.
I spoke with young Charlie Colgan last night; he recent returned to this area and is living in Ashburn, working as a youth pastor at a mega church. He now lives and works in Bob Marshall’s district. Not a sermon just a thought.
Advocator,
Advocator said on 7 Nov 2007 at 9:58 am:
Colgan will do absolutely nothing about illegal immigration. He hasn’t in 30 years, why should he start now? He and all his supporters are POS’s. His backers hire illegal aliens.
On Monday at a slug line in Woodbridge a FitzSimmonds supporter holding a FitzSimmonds sign spit on a young girl hold a sign for Colgan. That sounds like something you would do? I would truly like to know who it was, because they need an ass beating and I want to inflict it.
A POS is a guy who would spit on a young lady for holding an opponents sign.
Side show Bob and his buddies, great Christians.
How about AWCheney to replace Kopko?
better luck next year
The republicans need to think hard about what they want to be.
Thats all we need to know.
Absolutely agree, anon — 9:14AM
By nature of the beast, conventions divide the party…even if conducted legitimately. Conventions are PARTICULARLY devisive when committee leadership (including the one-person appeal review authority) is employed by one of the candidates who has a fat pocketbook and represents a large and valuable voting block.
Those who want to “engineer” the convention claim that representatives of the opposing party will come and vote to select the weaker candidate, but how lame is that for an excuse?
While it’s possible that a few Dems might vote in a primary to select a Republican nominee, or a few Republicans might vote in a Democrat primary, precious few would even go to the trouble.
I just hope that through all of this the PWCRC learned a lesson!
k. o’toole said on 7 Nov 2007 at 11:09 am:
How about AWCheney to replace Kopko?
Could not agree more.
Billyboy, your accusation that Fitzimmonds and “his buddies” are in any way responsible for the detestable act of the “spitter” is out of line and dumb. I know Bob personally and he would NEVER condone such a thing. Bob is NOT responsible for the action of this person and IN NO WAY reflects on his Christianity. Again, your comment is based out of ignorance.
Billyboy:
Doesn’t sound at all like something I’d do. I was on the other side of the County. Besides, I don’t hold signs. Slows me down when I reach for a sidearm.
Billy Boy,
All eyes are on Colgan to see if he backs up his crackdown on illegal aliens with meaningful action. We will see if he just said that to get elected or if he meant it. If he kills Jackson Miller’s bills, I will be the first of many to come by your house and protest. I just hope you will not spit on me. Also, if Colgan raises the gas tax, I will stand where Mr. Dole use to stand with a sign that reads “You can thank Mr. Colgan for the increase in the gas tax.” I’ll have Colgan’s number on it so that people can call him.
I’m wondering if AWC would be interested in leading the committee. She’d be great!! However, if she’s not interested, don’t forget Ham Sandwich he would do as well as “the paid consultant” and one-man “appeal authority.”
Bwana –
You got it, except here’s how it should go. Jackson Miller moves to the State Senate seat and then Carrol Weimer runs for the 50th HD seat.
That way, no more “entry-level” candidates who go directly for the Senate.
Is anyone actually suprised about Fitz? What was the spread Mabie had vs. Colgan, I believe it was a better showing than Fitz. If anyone thinks Fitz had a great showing, for the sake of the Conservative movement, please never talk again. The only thing he accomplishes is losing. Great job.
I wouldn’t mind a small (few cents) gas tax, as long as the money stayed right here in PWC and went to building roads and other needed infrastructure.
Patty,
I am not a spitter, that came from your side of this argument. If he fails to do anything on immigration or raises the gas tax, I’ll protest right beside you. However, when he does address immigration and Miller’s bill gets through then I want you to hold a sign which says “Thanks Chuck Colgan”.
Billy Boy,
I (and many of us) will be watching Mr. Colgan.
Okay the campaiging is over lets get the facts that are in evidence back on the table. Colgan does not want an additional gas tax above the current transportation package. Last year he did tell the Gainesville Times he favors a 5% tax on gas OVER the abusive drivers fees and 12 other tax increases, which made up the final transportation package.
Both the Gas Tax Increase bill and the transportation package which we got came from the Republicans not Colgan.
Apparently, you guys are not getting it. Colgan probably will not run again…unless Fitz runs again. If Colgan is ok with his possible replacements, he will not run. So, if you think paying attention or watching him will matter, I am not sure he will care. It is very possible that as long as Fitz does not try (again) for Colgan’s seat, then Colgan will not run again.
Jay’s defeat is a disheartening loss. He is a great legislator and representative, and not only on just the illegal alien issue. Looking at the precinct #’s breakout…I am concerned about voter fraud in Fairfax…is there anyway Jay could get a recount as well?
Most of the voters are neither Democrat or Republican. Most care about candidates that will address political concerns that affect their every day lives. When the party faithful accept that the general population really doesn’t care about or follow the in-fighting of the Republicans or the Democrats, perhaps both groups will offer up far better candidates that are not so polarized.
Congratulations to all candidates who won (even if *I* didn’t vote for you) and thank you to all who did run for office, even if your efforts were not successful.
Dolph,
You are as always very wish
correction to 1:36 post That should be WHO
One thing I haven’t seen mentioned is the long-term impact this shift in the Senate will cause. Remember, redistricting comes up during the term of the State Senators elected yesterday. If Virginia continues the trend we’re seeing, there’s a distinct possibility that Dems may be able to control redistricting after the 2010 census. Take a look at population shifts. Jackson Miller’s district, for instance, is going to change dramatically. How it get redrawn will depend on qhich party holds the pen. With the shift in control in the Senate, the pick-ups in the House, and the trend toward Democratic governors, you may have to get used to seeing more “D” candidates in the winning column for years to come.
The current leaders in the PW Republican Party have hurt the party state wide. And then again, the extreme right wingers across the state have some blame by going after the incumbents in a primary and beating them was a dumb move. That put those seats in play and took money away from other canditates that they could have used. As far as FatSimmonds, he and his buddy, Denny D. have done enough damage with thier underhanded tactics pushing the local party so far to the right it cost the Senate, will get Mark Warner elected and I agree with Turn PW Blue, allow Democrats to control redistricting in three years. Colgan will have that district a democrat district by the end of this term. All he has to do is take Gainesville, West of 29 and move it to a Fauquier District, take back the front half of Dale City and even at 85 he could win if he ran again. But your right, had it not been FitzSimmonds, Colgan would have retired and it would have been a Republican seat and with a 20-20 tie and the Lt. Gov. the republicans would have been in control.
FitzSimmonds ran a lousy race. Just because you work hard does not mean you run a good race. This guy goes to a church at Alvey Elementry a couple of weeks ago and, unknown to the pastor, stands up and introduces himself as a candidate. Last weekend he goes to Holy Trinity Catholic Church and is handing out the bulliten as people are leaving. Then they walk to the cars and he has a made a lit drop on all the cars. People going to chruch don’t want to see that, they want to worship.
He did those robo calls that drove people crazy. Half of them were made outside his district. And the one he made after the abortion flyer sounded like he was crying.
A guy knocks on 10,000 doors and runs for four years a still loses, he’s a lousy candidate. And yes four years ago, Dave Mabie did say that the people of PW County would not take someone attacking Colgan the way FitzSimmonds did. They didn’t. Every Republican officer holder, except for the wing nut on the Manassas City Council and Flip Flop Scott, voted for Colgan, including Jackson Miller. They will lie and say they didn’t, but they did. They talk about in private meetings with winks and nods becuase they all knew that Colgan’s seniority and FitzSimmonds personalty, Colgan was the better choice.
It is time for new leadership in local party. Enough is enough and Bob FitzSimmonds can retire.
A few sports analogys.
Baseball - Bases are loaded, FitzSimmonds at the plate, bottom of the 9th. It’s a full count. FitzSimmonds gets a fast ball, swings and misses. He goes 0-4 and proves he really is a minor leaguer.
Horse Racing - And they are off. Colgan gets out with a big lead before the first post. Going along the straight away FitzSimmonds closes and moves in for the lead. Rounding the back stretch they are neck and neck. Those in the stands think they see FitzSimmonds moving ahead. Coming out of the back strech Colgan kicks it into high gear. FitzSimmonds tries to bump him agains the rail, but Colgan pushes back. Racing for the finish line Colgan pulls into the lead and wins going away. It was one to many furlongs for FitzSimmonds as he tires at the end. The thoroughbread wins again.
Boxing - The bell rings for the first round in this mighty rematch. Many think Colgan has aged and can’t go the distance. The first few rounds just a few punches, no real damage. Colgan is up on the scorecards. In the middle rounds FitzSimmonds comes out swinging. He staggers Colgan on the immigration issue, even takes a few chep shots. The Democratic Party counters with a low blow on the abortion flyer, that Colgan didn’t see coming. The flyer hurts Colgan more that FitzSimmonds, but FitzSimmonds panics with a few wild puches and Colgan continues take his shots and keeps on boxing. In the late rounds Colgan comes on strong. His experience in the ring shows, he brings in the big guns to work his corner. In the final round Colgan devistates FitzSimmonds. It’s a knock out. Rocky wins!
Turn Blue,
I don’t know how redistricting works when the GA is split. Since the GOP still controls the House, and it does not appear that is going to change anytime soon. The Senate on the other hand seems to be more in play.
Sports fan,
You are beyond clever. I enjoyed that. Actually, I would have enjoyed it even if I were not a Colgan supporter.
All American,
You said ‘Dave Mabie did say that the people of PW County would not take someone attacking Colgan the way FitzSimmonds did.’ You hit the nail on the head! Old ties and common decency go a long way in this area. For those of us who have lived in the area for years, the rhetoric against Senator Colgan was like an attack against Santa Claus. There are just some lines you do not cross. He is one of our own.
Additionally, the people in the state have known this Virginia gentleman for years. Even those across the aisle have great respect for Senator Colgan and see him as a person who will work for the benefit of all Virginians, rather than just for his party.
If his daughter and secretary got in a few faces, then good for them. Go at it. What would anyone else do when someone they loved was attacked?
COM:
House seats are up for election again before the next census. With the gains made this go round in the House (5 seat pickup), Democratic control of the Senate, a Democratic Gov, and potentially two Democratic US Senators, it’s possible the Democrats could pick up the House before redistricting (and you can bet that close House races in ‘09 will see a lot of state and national money with redistricting on the line). Virginia has been labelled lately as a “purple” state. The ‘08 election will go a long way towards determining if we’re purple or some shade of blue (Mark Warner will probably win the Senate seat, so the true test will be which direction the Commonwealth goes for President).
Redistricting is done by a joint committee between the House and Senate with the Governor given veto power over the redistricting plan. While a split house would mean Republicans would get some concessions, the threat of a veto (if there is a Democratic governor) would shift the balance of power towards Senate democrats.
justice said on 7 Nov 2007 at 11:34 am:
Billyboy, your accusation that Fitzimmonds and “his buddies” are in any way responsible for the detestable act of the “spitter” is out of line and dumb. I know Bob personally and he would NEVER condone such a thing. Bob is NOT responsible for the action of this person and IN NO WAY reflects on his Christianity. Again, your comment is based out of ignorance.
Justice let me tell you about your boy Bob. At the Manassas Fall Jubilee FitzSimmonds himself sent one of his henchman over to harrass Colgan’s 17 year old grandson who was wearing a Colgan T-shirt. Colgan’s daughter saw what was going and walked over to challenge the guy and his response was “we’re just having a little fun.” A week later another Fitzsimmonds supporter ran into two of Colgan’s granddaughters (also wearing Colgan t-shirts) at a local restaurant and purposely sat in the booth next to them and harassed them during their meal. On election day, in Manassas Park, one of his poll workers verbally attacked Colgan’s granddaughter, who left the polls in tears and at another polling place in the City a Fitzsimmonds poll worker told one of Colgan’s daughters that she was a “fool” for working for her father. While Fitzsimmonds himself may not have told them to do these things, it seems that there is a common theme here about his campaign workers that transcends from Fitzsimmonds’ actions throughout the campaign….now i know why they are calling him Sideshow Bob.
FitzSimmonds, and many of those who support him, were responsible for “moving” Steve Chapman into our district to take out Harry Parrish. Their tactics were designed on the principle (truly a misnomer) of “the end justifies the means,” and it was the nastiest, dirtiest campaign I had ever witnessed up to that point. I’m not surprised by ANYTHING that those people would do.
AWCheney said on 7 Nov 2007 at 8:24 pm:
FitzSimmonds, and many of those who support him, were responsible for “moving” Steve Chapman into our district to take out Harry Parrish.
AW - Right on! It was FitzSimmonds that led the protest march down Center St. and on Harry Parrish’s business office. It is one thing to disagree with Del. Parrish on a tax bill, but marching on the man’s business office, where his wife was at the time, where his grandchildren were, where he did his commerce, and provided jobs was dispicable. And people wonder why so many Republicans supported Colgan. Harry Parrish was an icon in this community. Everyone who saw that knew if FitzSimmonds would do that to Harry Parrish, he would do it to anyone. His campaign was just another example.
GOPWIN said on 7 Nov 2007 at 1:27 am:
Maybe one of the Colgan’s will run as a Republican for Chucks seat in four years and we can finally win. I would vote for them in a convention.
Interesting thought GOPWIN. There are enough of them. Colgan’s daughter Mary used be president of the Chamber of Commerce and the grandson who was on the school board just moved back to the area. He won two elections in the Gainesville District back in the 90s. I was at the parents meeting at Bull Run Middle School a couple of years ago after the kid brought the gun to school and the son that is the policeman spoke for the police deparment and did well. The name recognition would be a lock and they could raise the money and bring a lot of Democrat cross over to support one of them, espically with Chuck’s backing.
I will never forgive anyone I know of who participated in the attempted ousting of Delegate Harry Parrish. I have never seen such slimy politics in my entire life-anywhere, across many decades.
I lost my mother in spring 2006. Both she and Harry Parrish were in intensive care at the same time. Delegate Parrish was a former shadow of himself. I didn’t recognize him at first. He never fully recovered from the pure EVIL that was done to him. It broke my heart. He was a good and decent person who simply didn’t deserve the hideous slash and burn campaign that was done to him.
Those who participated know who they are. The important thing is for me to know who they are. I will contact AWC for a list of the evil-doers, for that is truly what they are.
…and for those of us who have heard bits and pieces, but don’t know the full story of “kick old man Parrish out,” please share…
The “whole story” is a year and a half long…and I’m still suffering physically from it as well, although I was nearly 30 years younger than Harry. If you want to start a dialogue and hear it, email me through Greg (he’ll forward, I’ll respond and we can go from there).
O.K. Anke (AWCheney), the gauntlet has been dropped. Time for you to rejoin the Committee - you have always been a Republican - and run for Chairman. You have the knowledge, abiltiy and foresight to turn this party around and take it away from the “my way or the the highway” crowd. Yes, you would have to fight the bullies on the school yard, but you have never been shy about taking on an injustice. You would not only have my support, but my slave labor as well. Sounds like many others on this post feel the same. Run Anke, run.
One has to look to the people who managed these senate races. Most incumbents should never lose.
State Senator Devolites spent 313,000 on TV services from Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm. Were the TV ads any good? Who has time to watch TV when everybody is stuck in traffic. Using more grassroots and less TV might have saved her seat.
Senator O’Brien spent 175,000 on radio and TV as well. He used Ten Capitol and Carlyle Gregory as consultants. Again maybe too much money was spent on TV and not enough money on grassroots.
These are low turnout elections. TV and Radio is mostly falling on deaf ears and people who will not vote.
People are beginning to understand that buying ads on radio and TV stations to get a few swing voters to switch to “our side” is problematic.
Meanwhile the Dems were bringing in hundreds of volunteers to go door to door in these districts effectively targeting the most likely voters.
“There are those of us who think you should spend campaign money on alternative grassroots media and grassroots organizers in these swing districts. Hire real grassroots people who can deliver the votes. If you dropped your expensive political media consultants and their ads you would have bundles to spend on real organizing. TV is fun and we all want to be on it but you need to show the proof that these media consultants can swing voters to your side via expensive TV ads.”
We need to look at the political-industrial complex and hold their feet to the fire.