Yesterday, and elsewhere I speculated on a few threads that seemed to have emerged from the primary elections.
After chewing things over with some more folks last night, a few things seem to be coming together. And one of them is that George Allen may have stepped in a steaming pile of trouble.
My sources, and the sources they’ve spoken with, are almost incandescent with rage over Allen’s endorsements and active work on behalf of incumbents like Walter Stosch. Between the direct mail and the radio ads that provided a bit of right-wing cover for Stosch, the sense is that Allen has jilted them (a feeling that’s shared by Benny Lambert — “Lambert said his support of Allen probably cost him his job. ‘I thought the Allen folks would have helped me more, but it didn’t work out that way.'” Welcome to the club, Mr. Lambert).
Whether these hard feelings will remain in place long enough to do Allen any serious, long-term harm is debatable. But they are real enough right now that Allen might have a hard time beating “Other” in a two-way race for dog catcher.
Another very interesting picture emerging is the role and future of VCAP. The organization played no role in the Bell/Smith or Williams/Stall races. Where they did play, the record was, to be charitable, mixed. Some have called VCAP a paper tiger and others wonder if it’s involvement is a liability or a help. Given its resources, the organization is no paper tiger. But its role in future races will be a subject of debate in conservative circles for some time.
There were a few humorous pictures that came out of Tuesday’s results, as well, including the victory of Joe Morrissey in the 74th district. Morrissey is…colorful. Disbarred from the practice of law, noted for his fightin’ manner (literally) and so much more, he managed to win over the former incumbent, Floyd Miles, and one-time Richmond city council member Jackie Jackson. Morrissey had former Doug Wilder advisor Paul Goldman in his corner, which makes it logical to wonder whether Joe isn’t Wilder’s (unspoken) choice for the seat. When you add that Wilder (quietly) helped Reva Trammell oust Jackson in their in their council race in 2006, it makes for even more entertaining speculation.
But on a happy note, my Sorensen classmate Margie Vanderhye won the 34th district Democratic primary. I may disagree with her policy ideas, but there’s far more to life than politics. She’s just good people, and the HOD could use more folks like her.
