Vote Frank Wolf On Tuesday
By Greg L | 8 June 2008 | Virginia Politics, US Congress | 11 Comments
On Tuesday there will be a Republican primary election in the 10th Congressional District between long-term incumbent Frank Wolf and challenger Vern McKinley. There’s been very little media coverage on this race, and it has largely been up to the candidates to do all of the voter education about who is running, and that there even is a Republican primary in the 10th District. Usually I’d find this disturbing, but in the case of Vern McKinley’s challenge, that voters have little reason to support him doesn’t particularly bother me.
Vern is a strong conservative with whom I’d agree far more often on policy issues than I wouldn’t. This isn’t the first time that I’ve been nearly disgusted with a candidate like this, however. In the past few years we’ve been offered quite a few candidates that are long on conservative policy positions, and utterly lacking in judgement, experience and qualifications. Vern hasn’t ever held an elected office at the state or local level that would suggest some qualification for legislative experience in the United States Congress. There’s no mention of any experience with his local Republican Committee, nor any prior efforts to support candidates for office in any way. His only apparent engagement in political affairs in Loudoun County is a single donation of $100 dollars to the Patricia Phillips campaign in 2007. Experience this is not.
That is hugely evident when Vern gives a speech, which typically starts with an apology for his complete and utter ineptitude in public speaking. To think this guy could ever win in the tenth district when he is so visibly uncomfortable speaking before an audience is utter fallacy. Pair this guy up in a debate with Judy Feder and it would provide her with a rare opportunity to actually look somewhat statesmanlike.
What bothers me most about McKinley is that his campaign seems to be exclusively an effort by Mike McHugh to challenge his long-time nemesis Frank Wolf. McHugh, the Executive Director and sole proprietor of the Virginia Gun Owners Coalition, is one of those pretty embarrasing, burn-down-the-world conservatives that give the movement a bad name. In a recent publication by McHugh, he castigated Senator Ken Cuccinelli as a sell-out to Republican principles at the same time he acknowledged that Ken actually supported the position that McHugh wanted him to adopt. If Ken Cuccinelli is not conservative enough for Mike McHugh, you have to wonder whether there could ever be an acceptable candidate for him short of Atilla The Hun. In my mind, anyone suggesting Ken Cuccinelli is too liberal is just plain nuts.
This is precisely who Vern McKinley has decided to largely run his campaign, which should giver serious pause to anyone considering supporting McKinley. This is terribly bad judgment, right out of the gate.
I do have my differences with Frank Wolf from time to time, but I’ve found him responsive to constituent input, and for the most part he does a great job of representing us in the tenth district. While I think it would be beneficial to have someone challenge him from the right just to provide voters with a choice here, Vern McKinley is absolutely not credible as that alternative choice. With that in mind, I urge everyone to vote for Frank Wolf on Tuesday.
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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Mike McHugh is part of what some insiders call the “Amish” wing of the RPV. I find this insulting….to Amish people. To wit: Mike McHugh has on numerous occasions ACTIVELY campaigned AGAINST the official NOMINEE of the GOP. He campaigned against Kilgore and McDonnell in 2005, passing out fliers that stated that these conservatives were “sell-outs”. He even went so far as to call them “gun grabbers”. At both the 10th convention, and again at the state convention, he was actively campaigning for RON PAUL! Last I checked, McCain is the GOP nominee.
Mike McHugh is an idiot, and the GOP would be much, much better off if he and his clan would leave and join a third-party. I personally think the man has mental issues. I have seen him pacing the floor at several conventions, talking to himself.
The McKinley campaign is not only inept, it’s downright looney:
http://tooconservative.com/?p=2009
I don’t like that Frank Wolf is being forced to waste any resources on a primary. The Dems are targeting his seat in November.
Here’s another vote FOR FRANK, upon acknowledgement that McHugh has ANYTHING to do with McKinley. I’ve witnessed the McHugh rant at two conventions over three years, and then began became curious where the guy came from. Stey tuned for those results as they come in.
Greg, I agree with you, but I would certainly like to see an explanation from Ken Cuccinelli as to how as a “conservative,” he could support a man with the background and baggage of Faisal Gill for dog-catcher, much less a seat in the Virginia HOD. In these dangerous times, it sure causes me to question his judgment.
Got robo call yesterday declaring Frank Wolf
weak on pro-life. What is that all about?
Go to Too Conservative for details. John Grigsby is a noted whackjob who has a robo call out attacking Wolf on a variety of issues.
Cuccinelli declared Wolf to be a “Pro-Life Leader”.
What is that all about given Wolf’s own letter at www.va4life.com
Ugh. I guess Dick Black and his ilk are behind all this Wolf-bashing.
Babies Frank Wolf wants to use your Tax dollars to kill said on 9 Jun 2008 at 4:21 pm:
Looks like your wackjob found his way over here, LI.
I got a couple of those “wackjob” pieces in the mail today…sounded like some of the excrement that Stevie Chapman tried to smear all over Harry Parrish. Husband and I made a point of voting in the Primary today…FOR FRANK!!