Bacon's Rebellion

Changes to the Bacon’s Rebellion Blogging Crew

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by

James A. Bacon
in

Bacon’s Rebellion

has added three new bloggers recently to its line-up of contributors. The first to join us, with little fanfare, was James Atticus Bowden, a military futurist by day and Poquoson Republican Party activist in his spare time. Next was Steve Haner, a former Republican operative and chief lobbyist for the Virginia Chamber of Commerce, who has launched a private lobbying practice. Most recently (today), we added Claire Guthrie Gastanaga, a lobbyist active in the Democratic Party. Although we tend to be a “right of center” blog, as Jeff Schapiro referred to us, we do value diversity of opinion and viewpoints. Claire will join Barnie Day in keeping the rest of us honest.

Our three new bloggers will replace Phil Rodokanakis and Steve “Blue Dog” Sisson. Phil, the newly appointed president of the Virginia Club for Growth, had to cut back on his blogging — although we still occasionally hear from him. And the Blue Dog has started his own blog. He, too, still drops by for the occasional blog.

I am confident that all three of our new bloggers will help fulfill the Bacon’s Rebellion mission of maintaining a forum for the open and reasoned exchange of ideas in the realm of Virginia politics and policy.

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  1. James Atticus Bowden Avatar
    James Atticus Bowden

    Thanks for the intro. Am I supposed to get busy and post something now?

  2. Jim Bacon Avatar
    Jim Bacon

    Jim — only as you feel moved to do so.

  3. Steve Haner Avatar
    Steve Haner

    Claire will balance out several of us at once.

  4. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    Welcome onboard Bacon’s bits, Claire, Steve and JAB!

    ~ the blue dog

  5. Scott Avatar
    Scott

    Bah! Republicrats are all corporatists.

    Let me know when you add some Greens and Libertarians.

  6. Barnie Day Avatar
    Barnie Day

    Me and Haner–the sensible center!

  7. Brian Patton Avatar
    Brian Patton

    Thanks for adding Claire.

    I got to meet her at the conference and she was really great.

    Of course, I should add, I got to meet Barnie there too and he was pretty cool himself.

  8. CG2 Avatar
    CG2

    Honored to join Bacon’s Rebellion! I hope to live up to the high standards and quality of commentary and witty ripostes set by my teammates, old and new.

    Some in the Democratic Party will be amused (?) by Jim’s description of me as a person “active in the Democratic Party.” I have worked for Party candidates (and some who aren’t); served as Party counsel (in voter guide and voter ID cases; generally re: election law); worked for Democratic legislative leaders (the former Speaker, Majority Leader); and served in a Democratic administration. Nonetheless,I haven’t ever actually been “active in the [Virginia] Democratic Party” as one would normally think of that term (e.g., member of a local committee, party central or steering committee, convention delegate, etc), and those who know me are aware (too well, they might say) that my primary political loyalties are to people and issues, not Party.

    So, while I am proud to be called a democrat and a Democrat, I don’t want the folks who are “active in the Democratic Party” to think that I’m claiming to be something that I am not. (All that talk about ethics and disclosure at the bloggers summit causing a surfeit of candor in the blogosphere?)

    With that said, I am pleased to bring some “balance” and diversity to the team … call me a member of Adlai Stevenson’s “vital center” tacking a bit to the left or, at least, what is called the “left” in Virginia.

  9. Steve Haner Avatar
    Steve Haner

    CG2: So when you were pounding the Attorney General’s office four years ago with FOIA request after FOIA request, camped out in one of my conference rooms reading travel vouchers and EEO hiring summaries, and threatening legal action because you couldn’t see the AG’s phone logs — that was just a personal hobby on your part? Or you were working maybe for the Green Party and I didn’t know it?

  10. Barnie Day Avatar
    Barnie Day

    Hey, guys, if the lights flicker when she’s around, not to worry–it’s just the brain waves she’s putting off!

    (Welcome, dah-link!)

  11. CG2 Avatar
    CG2

    Steve:
    No. As I made clear in my (in the interest of full disclosure)comment, advocacy is not a hobby for me. When you and I spent quality time together, I was getting paid by a Party candidate but not by the Party. Just as you were getting paid to work for the OAG (Earley? Republican Party?).

    “…I have worked for Party candidates” … vs. “active in the Democratic Party.” From your perspective, perhaps a distinction without a difference. From mine, one of some significance.
    CG2

    Barnie:
    Thanks for the compliment and the welcome.
    CG2

  12. Steven Avatar
    Steven

    CG2 is a personal favorite and a friend of the dawg. She’s the best.

    ~ the blue dog

  13. Ray Hyde Avatar
    Ray Hyde

    CG2:

    I could use your help here.

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