Opinion Editorial
By Kurt Feigel
Some are not as sick of this process as those of us that have been in it for more than the last 6 months. I think the hardest part about all of this is dealing with clearly delusional people. Not just the candidates, but other people as well that are unable to have an intelligent conversation based on logical analysis. Today after months of nonsense we will see who will be the GOP nominee for the 5th district. We will also see when this day is over if Perriello will continue to be our next congressman.
One thing that was reinforced by this process was how stupid people are. I mean as a whole not a specific campaigns supporters…though there was some of that. How is it that after all we’ve seen from Washington D.C. that by the end of today we’ll be lucky to have a 5% voter turnout?
Looking back at the past few months I’ll give you my take on the candidates once last time.
Robert Hurt:
Pro: He has the backing of the hard “R” establishment. He knows how to run campaigns. Has a solid vetted staff.
Con: He has the backing of the establishment in a climate where this is a terrible thing to have. He is a Lawyer who will interpret legislation that hits his desk in light of case law. People perceive him to be a RINO and he will have an uphill battle if he wins. Perriello will make good use of his vote to raise taxes.
Jim McKelvey:
Pro: A normal guy. Business man. Passionate and a good public speaker when he gets fired up. Has money.
Con: Doesn’t understand the constitution or it’s historical context. Would require massive amounts of schooling and study to get to a place where he can articulate law in light of the Constitutional restrictions placed upon it. Is from New Jersey(oh come on I had to get a jab into the garden state there)
Mike McPadden:
Pro: Veteran. Naval & Civil Aviator (I used to fly and stupid people don’t get their hands on military hardware or passenger jets) He has an understanding of the historical context of our nation and the Constitution that I rarely see in people let alone politicians. He has a great family and a strong wife that he has remained faithfully married to. Great public speaker.
Con: His knowledge about the Constitution have been described by some as arrogant. He made the mistake of hiring a rookie campaign manager after loosing the first one only to find out the guy had a few screws loose.
Laurence Verga:
Pro: Successful businessman. Had the support of the northern tea party groups. Had lots of money.
Con: Terrible public speaker. Spent over $100,000 and got no traction for it. Hired an inexperienced campaign manager. Refused to clear the field for candidates that had a shot at this race.
Ken Boyd:
Pro: Respected in his community. Able to win races in the liberal parts of the district. Nice guy. Good public speaker. Has a good online following.
Con: Always talking about Albamarle County and all the wonderful things he did on the board of supervisors there. Complains about stupid things like signs in “right of way” while having signs there himself. Could not break out of the middle where I believe he will be on June 9th.
Ron Ferrin:
Pro: Funny, likable, good public speaker.
Con: has no shot of winning this race. No money. Was told by lots of people to GET OUT long ago but refused for some strange reason. Was reported to be the spoiler when the idea was floated to have a convention amongst the non-hurt candidates. Thanks Ron!
Feda Morton:
Pro: Had a strong following amongst family values voters. Had experience in local politics. Had some hard “R” support.
Con: Her past ( if you don’t know what that is then you’ve been under a rock ) She comes across as shrill at public events. Not likable.
When this day is over you will see Ron Ferrin, Feda Morton, & Laurence Verga at the bottom of the pile. You’ll see Robert Hurt, Mike McPadden, Jim McKelvey at the top and Ken Boyd will be somewhere in the middle.
Should Robert Hurt win we will have an uphill battle to unseat parriello because not a single one of TP’s voters is going to vote for Jeff Clark or Robert Hurt. Perriello will have access to $5 Billion dollars of George Sorros money and can pay people to go door to door and get out the vote. They will find every bottom feeder and look under every rock for votes. Hatred of Perriello is not going to be enough to defeat him. “We want a candidate we can vote for” is the theme of this election and It’s not looking like we are going to get that.
Man, working the polls where all the voters are Republicans is such a joy.
very lite turnout in Lunenburg
My Wife and I just voted for Mike. I don’t expect him to win. A big sarcastic THANK YOU to the 5th district county chairs who did this to us! I suppose I’ll eventually vote for Hurt but I don’t feel like it today. Hey, how about the 5th district chairs promising us a convention in 2 years? That could heal some wounds. Is it possible for them to make such a promise?
agent 86: the method of nomination for our Republican congressman will be chosen by our congressman (if our congressman is Robert Hurt). otherwise, the chairs could probably make assurances now. However, I think they would rather say “well, we’ll let Cong. Hurt make that choice”. That sounds positive.
and no, you don’t feel like it today. give it awhile.
Thanks Kelly for the info. Congratulations on your man making the big win! I’m already getting over it. Ok, deep breath… “it hurts”… lemme try again… “go hurt” (um, maybe I’ll try again tomorrow).
Does anyone have any Clark signs i would love to have one in my yard by the weekend.
I’m sure Jeff will need money, and then the signs will come. I’ll be second in line behind Jack!
Ugghh, that Hurts.
I don’t know which disappoints me more, the fact that:
1) People are not ready for a real Constitutional conservative, or 2) 2.5 times as many people thought McK was a better choice than McP.
My faith in people’s judgment is drastically reduced.
Although I do have a new found respect for the people of Nelson County (where Mike won).
So, who is on the short list of GOP challengers for GOP nomination to run against TP in 2012? (just joking!)
how does supporting jeff clark help defeat Perriello? isn’t Perriello the congressman who voted for stimulus, GIVE act, cap ‘n trade & Obamacare? he’s got to go.
Stephen, sadly there is some truth to that last part about 2012
The political process is like a meat grinder for the soul… in short, it sucks