Posts Tagged ‘Jim Gilmore’
Tea Party leader Radtke files paperwork, will run for Senate
Jamie Radtke, The former Chairwoman of the Virginia Tea Party Patriot Federation has filed paperwork and will stand for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate.
Radtke confirmed the information to me this morning.
While there are many presumed candidates, Radtke becomes the first to confirm that she will indeed enter the race. As of now, she is the only actual candidate for the seat. That includes the incumbent Democrat, Jim Webb who has yet to decide if he will run for re-election.
Radtke’s political profile skyrocketed in 2010 after she steered the organization of the very successful Virginia Tea Party Convention. The convention brought in thousands of political diehards from across the Commonwealth and hosted many high-profile national politicians. Radtke was front and center during the lead up to the convention and now appears on a regular basis to give her take on politics on national cable outlets like Fox News Channel.
Originally from Florida, Radtke is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and a stay at home mom to three children. She recently stepped down from her Tea Party post in what many presumed was designed to pave the way for her to mount a bid for the Senate.
While she is the first to jump into the race, it is expected that Radtke will be part of a very crowded Republican primary field. The biggest name being the former Senator and Governor George Allen, who has been crisscrossing the state and acting very much like a candidate. Allen has said he will announce his intentions sometime in early 2011, but few doubt he is anything but in.
Radtke will no doubt go after the conservative base of the Republican party, but she might have some competition from Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chair Corey Stewart, who has yet to formally announce his intentions, but has taken a few public shots at Allen and has formed his own political action committee. Also vying for the conservative base, Del. Bob Marshall who came within a few votes of upsetting former Governor Jim Gilmore for the nomination in 2008. That was during a convention, the 2012 GOP candidate will be decided in a primary. Bert Mizusawa, who lost out in a primary bid for the 2nd Congressional district seat is also mulling a run.
Keep in mind, this is for the 2012 election, which is close to two years away.
One Week To Go- Obama in VA Again
As you might imagine it is a busy day on the campaign trail as we are now only one week away from voters heading to the polls to cast their ballots.
Barack Obama spends the majority of his day in the Commonwealth, with the headwind of a new group of polls signaling his position in Virginia improving. Obama will be at James Madison University this afternoon before heading to a nighttime rally at Norfolk’s waterfront ballpark tonight.
The democratic presidential nominee is also asking his supporters to take election day off from work, to help get people to the polls. He also got his buddy Gov. Tim Kaine, to record a radio spot in support of him.
While Obama jets around other parts of the state, he brings a big name here to Richmond. Sheryl Crow will drop by his campaign office on Marshall Street to urge his supporters to get out on the street in support the candidate. She will appear at 2pm this afternoon, although don’t expect a performance. According to the release Crow is “expected to lay out the choice in this election: John McCain and four more years of the same failed policies of the last eight versus Obama and tax relief for the middle class, access to quality, affordable healthcare for all Virginians and a plan to bring a responsible end to the Iraq War.” It doesn’t say anything about her guitar.
***UPDATE***
Crow performed with The Beastie Boys at Monroe Park for Free.
Meanwhile Republicans are still basking in the glow of a decent public relations day for them. Governor Sarah Palin played to big crowds in three different parts of the state and got quite a bit of coverage after an unplanned stop at an Ashland eatery. I was there and was among the many who stood in the rain. The main difference between the supporters and me, is that most of them had appropriate rain protection. My crack photographer Jamie Rife got inside, here was my view of the event.:
In the race for U.S. Senate, Mark Warner continues to show wide leads in every poll taken. Today his campaign sent out an email to supporters with a list of all of their newspaper endorsements. They even pointed out their non-endorsement by the Times-Dispatch, calling the paper’s nod to Jim Gilmore was “lukewarm.”
There is a lot of stuff happening, as you might imagine, so check back often!
Gilmore Wants Another Televised Debate
In a move that isn’t all that surprising, but can be put into the category of very much unlikely, Gov. Jim Gilmore is asking Gov. Mark Warner to take part in another televised debate, saying that his opposition to the Wall Street bailout package and Warner’s support for it, deserve another another vetting in the public square.
There was some back and forth between the two camps regarding debates early on during the campaign season, before Warner relented and agreed to three debate opportunities, the last of which was televised statewide (and on NBC12). Gilmore attacked Warner pretty hard accusing him of dodging debates, the televised one in particular. But now that attack seems to have lost some of its luster, because Warner did agree to the debate.
I have a dispatch out to the Warner camp on their feelings about another debate and I will let you know what I hear. You can see Gilmore’s complete statement after the jump.
**UPDATE**
Here is the response from Kevin Hall, communications director for Mark Warner:
“We have participated in three debates — which is the traditional number of debates conducted in statewide election years in Virginia. We now are on the road every day, making our case directly to Virginians, asking for the privilege of representing them in the U.S. Senate.”
Gilmore is Against the Bailout
That was the lasting impression from tonight’s third and final U.S. Senate Debate from Roanoke, which was the only debate televised live statewide and on NBC12. Former Governor Jim Gilmore found a way to work every single question in the debate back to his opposition to the plan passed today by Congress and Former Governor Mark Warner’s opposition to it.
Gilmore was clearly looking for a way to stake his claim in front of the people of Virginia, in his one and only shot to be seen across the state face to face against the man he is trailing.
Warner for his part stuck to his main talking points and attempted to avoid making too much news. He batted back Gilmore’s barbs on the bailout plan and attempted to explain his support of the plan which he called “far from perfect.” You can see how our viewers reacted on our liveblog at decisionvirginia.com
The question after all of these debates is: will it have an impact? My guess is little if any and certainly not enough to dramatically change the direction of this race that Mark Warner has dominated.
I’ve included the spin from both campaigns post-debate after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
Warner-Gilmore III on TV and Online
Don’t forget, NBC12 will have live coverage of the final debate between Senate candidates, Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner. Our coverage starts at 7pm. In addition to our television coverage, log on to www.decisionvirginia.com to take part in our liveblog, where you can give your opinion on the event.
From One Debate Right To Another
I doubt the anticipation is nearly as high, but tonight’s debate between Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore in the race for U.S. Senate promises to have even more theatrics than last night’s debate between the candidates for Vice President. Gilmore seems to have staked his entire campaign on tonight’s statewide televised debate, which you can see on NBC12 starting at 7pm.
The Gilmore camp sent out a press release teasing the debate, which said the following:
“It’s Mark Warner’s worst nightmare! No liberal media to cover up his positions or polish his gaffes. No glitzy TV spots to hide the truth of his real record. Just him, Jim Gilmore, and a statewide audience.”
and then later:
This Friday, all the money in the world won’t save Mark Warner from the truth.
(Bold emphasis added by them not me.)
The first two debates, were seen by relatively small audiences in comparison to what the potential this debate could have and the dramatically underfunded Gilmore is hoping that something major will happen to turn the tide. Tonight could be his last shot. Our coverage on TV will start at 7pm and we will open up the liveblog to your comments as well at around 6:55pm.
In Other News:
I am not suggesting that the Obama campaign is taking any cues from me, but today they announced that Joe Biden will be coming to the Richmond area on Sunday. He will appear at an event at the Tucker High School Gymnasium. This will be Biden’s first visit to the Richmond area.
On a side note, this is one of many Obama events that have been held at Public School venues across Virginia, with out as much as a peep from Republicans. Much different from the treatment given to to John McCain during his visit to Fairfax last month.
Also, see my complete, uncut interview with Sen. Joe Lieberman below. I talked to him via satellite just after last night’s VP debate. It is classic Lieberman. He did not venture away from the talking points, but he did admit that the polls were trending away from the McCain-Palin ticket.
Saturday Reading
There is no doubt the Ana Gamanol story was the dominant political news story in Virginia. It was the most sought after search term that brought people to our web site yesterday. It was perhaps the first time, that a US Senate Race story trumped other political news.
The Times-Dispatch has a nice background piece on the Gamanol Gaffe including some past indiscretions from other campaigns, including Mark Warner’s.
The story also got national attention.
Two new polls are out on the presidential race in Virginia. Both go to Sen. John McCain, but one within the margin of error. It does boost his lead in the RCP average to a slight lead of 2.3%
McCain maintains the lead despite the relentless push of Barack Obama in Virginia. His running mate Joe Biden brought his wife to the Commonwealth yesterday and will be here again today.
The McCain camp responded to the Biden event in Sterling, with an event of their own featuring two famous wives: Susan Allen and Geri Thompson.
Obama has also dispatched a high profile figure to Richmond on his behalf. Former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright will speak at the University of Richmond at 3:30pm. The Collegian plans to liveblog the event.
In Richmond news, Mayor Wilder offers up a budget compromise, which allows for plenty of fodder for candidates on the City Council.
And our Rachael DePompa has a web exclusive. 5 profiles of all 5 candidates for Richmond Mayor. Its something you can only see on decisionvirginia.com.
Gilmore Staff Shake-Up
Gov. Jim Gilmore announced today that he is suspending his communications director, Ana Gamonal, for signing up under a fake name to get press releases from the Mark Warner campaign. Gamonal will not be paid during the two week suspension.
The release, said that Gamonal sent a “misleading” email from her home computer to the Warner campaign asking to be placed on their press advisory list. The Gilmore camp also said her actions were unauthorized.
Gamonal is very familiar to those of us who cover this campaign. She is a ubiquitous figure at political functions and relentlessly pitches stories on behalf of her candidate. Her tenacity, even for two weeks could be a blow to the Gilmore campaign.
There is no word on how Gilmore learned of Gamonal’s actions (ie: a complaint from the Warner campaign).
You can see the entire statement after the jump.
Two Uncomfortable Moments in McLean
As I reflect on the debate this morning, I am overall convinced that there was not anything earth shattering or game changing about what took place. I was however interested in two interesting moments that took place in the debate, courtesy of the Times- Dispatch’s crack political reporter/columnist Jeff Schapiro.
In all manner of full disclosure, I happened to be a big fan of Jeff’s. I love his throwback style and his unabashed approach to reporting the news. This has only been heightened by the T-D’s new use of video commentaries, which Jeff delivers in a witty and memorable style.
Back to the matter at hand. Jeff asked two very tough questions that forced both candidates out of their comfort zone. The first question was posed to Governor Gilmore. Schapiro was looking for a reason why Gilmore’s fundraising had fallen so far behind, despite his connections to wealthy donors during his time as governor and then later on as Republican Party Chair. He gave a list of potential reasons and asked Gilmore to choose from the list- the last choice being the most stinging. Schapiro wondered if the reason donors were not knocking down Gilmore’s door was because people “dislike you personally.” To see Gilmore’s response, check out our video player.
The second moment came when Schapiro again, posing a question to Gilmore, asked if Governor Warner’s financial success was in part due to “sweetheart” deals from relationships he had developed in the business sector and government. Gilmore at first seemed glad to accept the chance to pounce on Warner, and called his business efforts a “government giveaway”, but then backed away and said, he wasn’t sure how to answer the question. Then came Warner’s response, or lack there of which you can see in the video player.
Interestingly, Schapiro also asked how the millionaire candidates’ portfolios were doing in the wake of the financial crisis. Warner stumbled a bit and said he thought he’d lost 10-15%, Gilmore said he had no idea.
By no means incredibly big pieces of news, but interesting moments in an otherwise dull debate.
No Major Scores or Screw-Ups
We are headed back to Richmond from Northern Virginia after the Warner-Gilmore debate and if you saw our liveblog, you probably already know that there was no major scores or screw-ups. Former Governor Jim Gilmore tried very hard to paint Former Governor Mark Warner as a tax and spend liberal who can’t be trusted and Gov. Warner tried to show Gilmore as a fiscally irresponsible right-winger who doesn’t get along with anyone. Here is a picture from my vantage point at the debate:
The big story is that, I can’t imagine that too many opinions will be shifted one way or another. The focus of our coverage on NBC12 (which will be in our 4, 5:30 and 6pm newscasts) will be how hard Gilmore has worked to get this debate and the upcoming statewide televised debate on October 3rd and if was able to capitalize on the opportunity.
