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Last
weekend, the Blue Dog went on a field trip,
attending two semi-political events in the City of
Staunton.
First,
a cookout with Equality Virginia executive director
Dyana Mason, and later with a visit to another
cookout, but this time at the Casa de Saxman with
Del. Chris Saxman and the local teen-age
Republicans. Both are within walking distance of my
parents' residence in Staunton, somewhere in the
middle of that political spectrum and within the
hilly Staunton topography.
On
Saturday, both sides of the aisle were cautious in
their responses to interviews. The usual suspects
were there, along with a few surprises. Of course,
the Blue Dog was accused of being a political mole
at both events.
Before
I left that morning, our favorite flaming liberal of
the Valley sent the Blue Dog an e-mail. Mr. Yellow
Dog wrote, "Next Saturday, 28 May 2005, at the
bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park at 11 a.m. sharp, there
will be 'An Important Political Announcement'. Come,
bring your family and picnic afterwards. Or head
downtown for the block party with music and
everything else to make ever a Valley Yellow Dog
parsimonious soul rejoice.
"We,
malhereusement, will be away but there in
spirit."
Yes
siree, it looks like Bruce Elder will announce his
House of Delegates candidacy for the 20th District.
The 20th District includes counties of Augusta
(part), Highland and Rockingham (part); and the city
of Staunton; which is a lot of rural ground to
cover.
But
the bandstand on Memorial Day weekend might not even
make the highlight films on the Saturday 6 p.m. news
or front pages of printed publications unless
Democrats on their knees beg gilded local media to
cover the event.
Clearly,
Bruce Elder doesn't have a total grasp of media
outlet concentration and television viewership in
the Valley because more than likely, everyone in the
Shenandoah Valley will be on three-day weekend
vacation. Oh, shucks! Mr. Elder better get on his
knees and pray for some Democratic foot soldiers on
Saturday.
Yin
Dems
Staunton
resident Linda Czyzyk hosted an Equality Virginia
house party and BBQ at her residency on Saturday.
Attendees had the opportunity to learn more about
the organization's recent successes during the 2005
legislative session and reasons to support Equality
Virginia.
The
EV invitation wrote, "As the 2005 Virginia
General Assembly came to a close, aggressive efforts
to make Virginia the most anti-gay state in the
nation were thwarted, but challenges still remain,
most notably in the form of a proposed amendment
that would write HB 751 into the constitution and
prohibit marriage equality, civil unions, domestic
partnerships or any other type of legal relationship
recognition."
The
Blue Dog interviewed Dyana Mason on the possible
endorsement and funding of candidates in the
upcoming statewide campaigns.
"Our
goal," Mason said, "is to really help
complete the circle to make sure the gay community
is involved in all aspects and levels from lobbying
the General Assembly while in session, to educating
the general public, arguing LGBT issues the
courtrooms, to now being much more engaged in the
electoral process and really demonstrate that gay
people are active in all aspects of political
life."
Will
the Equality Virginia PAC fund candidates in the
upcoming election?
Mason
said, "We will hopefully this year [make] two
to four targeted endorsements. We don't know what
races they'll be, and probably wait to after the
primaries, but we do hope whether it be a financial
contribution or organize volunteers for those
candidates and really make sure those resources are
well put and will have an impact."
The
Equality VA PAC is undecided on whether to send out
questionnaires or set up an interview panel for the
endorsement, but key to the endorsement will be
determined by the candidate's support of a
pro-Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender legislative
agenda.
Dyana
Mason noted the EV agenda was more defensive in
nature rather than a LGBT social agenda. (Read
more about those issues.)
Hey,
Mr. Yellow Dog! I finally met pre-Democratic
candidate Bruce Elder over the weekend, when the
Blue Dog went on his political field trips to
Staunton. Augusta County Democratic legend Bob
Dickerman tipped the Blue Dog about Bruce Elder's
arrival at the EV event and then commented on the
possibility of Elder's candidacy.
Dickerman
said, "I think he's going to be a terrific
candidate. He's a self-made businessman and
contributed in the revitalization of downtown
Staunton and involved in lots of civic projects.
He's committed a lot of things I'm committed to,
such as good schools and better transportation, and
he's a man that will make up his own mind.
"I'm
afraid sometime it looks like Mr. Saxman doesn't
make up his own mind, insofar as other people's
agendas. But both these gentlemen are young fellows
with four kids each, and I think it's wonderful that
we in the Valley are going to have a choice this
year."
Yes,
Bruce showed up at the EV event. I told him that I
would be publishing his attendance to the gay and
lesbian event. He said that was all right with him.
Bruce also gave me a short soundbite ... but nothing
big since I'm covering his upcoming announcement.
Bruce
said, "I'm a private citizen until Saturday at
11 o'clock at Gypsy Hill Park in Staunton."
The
Blue Dog questioned Elder about the opportunity to
run for office. He said with a big smile, "I'm
very excited."
Does
Bruce Elder suffer from Mollycoddle's maligorance
like so many other Virginia Democrats? I'm not sure
at this time. At 6'-6", the burley New
Hampshire native-born shouldn't ever let that
happen. But Elder was cautious and guarded with his
responses, mainly due to his upcoming announcement
and not wanting to tip his hat too early. It's his
coming-out party. From across the Blue
Ridge, Democratic House of Delegates primary
candidate in the 57th District, and a resident of
the People's Republic of Charlottesville, Clement
"Kim" Tingley, also attended the Staunton
Equality Virginia event, but I missed the
opportunity to bark up that tree with another
candidate interview.
I
do know his favorite cartoon is "Calvin and
Hobbes." Mine, too.
Yang
'Pub
The
EV crowd had grilled Italian sausages and BBQ
chicken along with hummus dip and beer and wine
beverages. But I opted to eat at the Casa de Saxman
event. Because 'Pubs always have better food. Host
Saxman greeted his youthful guest and, of course,
the Blue Dog by saying "Mi casa, su casa."
At
the Saxman event, the teenage Republicans feasted on
grilled pork, BBQ chicken and vegetables. Like I
said, the 'Pubs have enhanced vittles and side
dishes.
On
the other hand, the Blue Dog's favorite summertime
Southern delicacy is a large Dixie cup filled with
ice tea, Martin's BBQ potato chips with French onion
dip and a superman-sized mayonnaise-tomato-lettuce
sandwich, which is liberally dowsed with salt and
pepper.
Oh
yeah, those tomatoes and lettuce must be
conservative Valley homegrown.
Saxman's
invitation via e-mail stated, "I have hired a
campaign manager, Heath Fahle. A recent graduate of
the University of Connecticut, Heath has a very
impressive political resume and comes very highly
recommended. "He will be in Staunton next
weekend, and we will get rolling on our campaign
Saturday the 21st with a cookout at Casa de Saxman
with local teenage Republicans from 4-7 p.m."
Briefly,
the Blue Dog talked with Health Fahle. He had
previously worked as the campaign manager for
Connecticut Republican Congressman Rob Simmons, and
as an intern with the Republican National
Congressional Caucus in Washington, D.C. He's a
smart, articulate young gentleman. That's
thin-slicing his interview, but after all, it's
Saxman's campaign.
Saxman
commented at the event, "I'm looking forward to
the challenge of the election."
Oh
yeah, the Blue Dog did take the opportunity to scarf
up a "Saxman for Delegate" t-shirt and
bumper sticker for his political paraphernalia
collection. Party affiliation doesn't matter to the
Blue Dog's collection or his political friendships.
Why
me worry?
Saxman
was first elected to the House of Delegates in 2001.
He easily defeated Augusta County supervisor Tracy
Pyles in what was then a newly drawn district.
Saxman has been serving on the House of Delegates
Cost-Cutting Caucus. He truly believes that
politicians need to stop and think about halting the
practice of taxing their citizens into submission
for bigger and better pork-barrel projects. He's a
fiscal conservative.
Fair
warning to pre-Democratic candidate Elder, because
Saxman is a smart politician, and has probably
already lined up political support in the old-money
city of Staunton. Saxman has a good political resume
combined with an outstanding record in the General
Assembly. He is fast becoming a rising star in the
GOP.
And
I must admit, he is a political maverick as well.
Legislatively, Saxman has been the key advocate for
the VSDB Staunton complex as well as transportation
solutions to I-81 challenges and farm preservation
with his agricultural enterprise-zone legislation.
His policies have been progressive and constructive,
yet save taxpayers' dollars.
Saxman
said, "I am looking forward to a good clean
campaign. I think I have an excellent record, and I
plan on running on it."
It's
only a matter of time before Citizen Bruce discovers
his Democratic friends have been watching the red
state arising - and are probably in an Evangelical
John boat seeking refuge with trustworthy Captain
Chris.
The
Blue Dog tried to warn Mr. Elder about treading
lightly in the local political watering holes -
because those once upon a time blue holes are deep
and cold with red water now.
Bruce
Elder ought to try the blue dog paddle- swimming
method to keep his head above the red water between
now and the November election. The political sea
walls of the red state tsunami are closing in
rapidly on Elder. Gulp!
--
June 6, 2005
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