Absolutely The Most Important Thing We Can Do This Week.

[Tom Rinaldo]

Support Tim Kaine now in his race to become Governor of Virginia. It trumps everything else. By concentrating on this between now and November 8th we can make a huge National difference.

Because this is an off year Election, the race for Governor in Virginia will quite likely be viewed by the Media as the most significant and high profile race of the year. The Governorship of Virginia is currently held by a Democrat two term incumbent who can not by law run again. Therefor if Tim Kaine loses to his Republican opponent, Jerry Kilgore, it will mean a Republican gain of the Governor's Mansion. Tim Kaine currently has a very narrow lead in this traditionally Republican State.

Given the string of disasters that has befallen the National Republican Party over the last month, do you want to wake up on November the 9th to endless commentary about how the Republican Party obviously is still strong at the State level? Do you want to hear pundits proclaiming that there isn't a national backlash against the Republican Party and Conservatives, because after all a Conservative just took away a Democratic seat in Virginia? The race in Virginia will dominate the news from the 2005 election, and the implications of whatever the result is there, in a tightly contested race, will constantly be amplified by those whose job it is to draw conclusions.

One case in point. Are you concerned over the next Supreme Court nominee? If the message coming out of November 8th is that Conservatives running as Conservatives can still win, a Democratic filibuster is more likely to get over ridden because swing Republican Senators will have less fear of a voter backlash. It plays like that all the way down the line. Republicans are in disarray now, but a victory in what will be seen as the bellwether election of 2005 would help them stem the bleeding.

I don't live in Virginia. I've followed the race some because of Wesley Clark's ongoing efforts to help Tim Kaine win there, but I am hoping some DUers from Virginia can pick up this thread and hammer home the case. Here are links to two Kaine web sites; the first is to his own campaign web site, the second is focused on the reasons to oppose Kilgore, obviously presented with an eye toward Virginia's voters.

http://www.kaine2005.org/

http://www.therealjerrykilgore.com/

[Auntie Bush]

1. I planned to make a contribution on Kaine's behalf.

Thanks for the reminder and pep-talk.

Anyone that Clark recommends is a good man and we can take that to the bank and smoke it.

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. Kilgore has tried to hammer Kaine for opposing the Death Penalty

Of course Kilgore wouldn't want to bring up this letter to the editor of the Washington Post:

"Jerry Kilgore and the Wrong Message on Justice

Thursday, October 20, 2005; Page A26

Are attorneys who volunteer to represent death row inmates enemies of the victims' families? That's what Jerry W. Kilgore's television ads suggest <"Kilgore Ads Seek to Divide Democrats; Kaine Death Penalty Position at Odds With Warner, Most Voters," front page, Oct. 13>.

Clifford Williams still lives in Culpeper, and the memories of the murder of his wife, Rebecca Lynn, remain vivid. He remembers the relief he felt when Earl Washington Jr. was arrested for the crime and the sense of closure he felt when Mr. Washington was sentenced to death. Mr. Williams also remembers his anger when volunteer lawyers agreed to challenge the conviction.

Mr. Washington turned out to be innocent. The state had hidden from the jury and from Mr. Williams forensic evidence that it had the wrong man. It also "overlooked" the mentally retarded man's description of the victim as black (she was white) and explained away blood at the scene that belonged to neither the victim nor Mr. Washington...

While the state turned a blind eye, Kenneth Maurice Tinsley, the real killer of Mrs. Williams, remained at large and raped two more women at knife point. Mr. Washington came within nine days of execution in the electric chair. He eventually was exonerated by DNA evidence, but Mr. Tinsley's role as Mrs. Williams's killer wasn't confirmed until Mr. Washington's lawyers, over the strenuous objections of then-Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, conducted their own tests of crime scene evidence. Mr. Tinsley's DNA was found in the victim's body."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/19/AR2005101902013.html

[Tom Rinaldo]

3. Here is a link to the Kilgore TV ad that invokes Hitler

and blasts Kaine for representing death row inmates as a laywer:

http://www.jerrykilgore.com/contents/media/videos/ads/stanley1.shtml

Plese see my above post for an example of how justice would work under Jerry Kilgore.

[CarolNYC]

4. there's also

Lowell's excellent http://www.raisingkaine.com.

[Tom Rinaldo]

5. Good catch. From "Raising Kaine":

The 25th of 25 listed reasons not to vote for Kaine's Republican opponent, Jerry Kilgore:

25) Kilgore’s top adviser is Scott Howell, the same guy who smeared triple-amputee and Vietnam War hero (and former Senator from Georgia) Max Cleland as a disloyal, unpatriotic, Saddam- and Osama-loving traitor. Oh yeah, Howell was also behind the racist “black hands” ad in the 2004 Oklahoma Senate race for his far-right-wing extremist client, Republican Tom Coburn (yeah, the same guy who favors the death penalty for doctors who perform abortions and is obsessed with “rampant lesbianism” in the schools of southeastern Oklahoma).

The 25th of 25 listed reasons to vote for Tim Kaine:

25) Tim Kaine was a Christian Missionary who put his faith into action, teaching welding, academics and religion to poor children in Honduras.

“In the middle of law school, I took off a year and worked with Catholic missionaries in Honduras. I met a real life-hero there, Jim O’Leary, who worked for 40 years among the poorest of the poor. He put me in charge of a school that taught kids carpentry and welding. That experience really changed my life by teaching me that I should measure my own life by the difference I can make for others. Since returning from Honduras 25 years ago, I have worked hard to serve my church, family, community, city and state. I wouldn’t be in public service today had I not had that experience as a young man. I recently went back to Honduras with my wife to visit Jim’s grave and see many of the missionaries I worked with so many years ago. It was a very powerful trip for both of us.” Tim Kaine Online Chat

[Gin]

6. Here in Hampton Roads...there are many Kaine signs posted at strategic

places along the road sides and many in yards. It's very encouraging.

[Nay]

7. Lots of Kaine signs here in Richmond, too. Very hopeful.

[Tom Rinaldo]

10. Kaine I think was once Mayor of Richmond, is that right? n/t

[cally]

8. California better focus on our own election

Arnie has his initiatives on the ballot. If they pass then other states may follow. He plans to redistrict to benefit Republicans which may make it very difficult to win back the House for a few election cycles. He plans to eliminate union donations to political campaigns which will hurt Dems nationwide. He also plans to reuire parental notification before an abortion. We NEED to focus on this. It's critical that we win these both for California and the national Dem party.

I want Kaine to win but it's not the most important issue right now. California is much more important because these initiatives will be duplicated nationwide if they pass and the Dems will have little chance of winning the House.

[Tom Rinaldo]

9. I see your point. My header was provocative but...

We should be able to walk and chew gum at the same time. Thank you for commenting on the California Election. The larger point remains true. There is an important election in less than 10 days. A handful of results will set a national tone. The Governors race is one. Arnie's initiatives are another. Still, many more activists here at DU are focused on the 2008 Elections. We can get back to endless comments about 2008 on November 9th, AFTER we win the key contests on November 8th.

I suggest you start a thread on the importance of California's initiative vote. Maybe you have already and it sank out of sight. It is hard to get people to focus on much beyond the damage being done by George Bush here sometimes. If you start one I will try to help keep it active. I lived in California for 27 years, moved to New York State 3 and a half years ago. I know how trends start in California, but nowadays right wing trends start in the bible belt and South also.

[cally]

11. I agree with you

I try to focus on other states and not just my own. I'm just very worried about the upcoming primary election in California. I'll start a thread later in the week since I'm not going to be on DU much more today. :hi:

I didn't mean to sound snarky. I agree that the Virginia election is very important.

[Adelante]

15. It's hard, cally, I know

:pals:

So much to do, so much to think about. I live in a daze rushing from one threat to another. :crazy:

[nodehopper]

12. do they have electornic voting there?

[Tom Rinaldo]

13. If you want to look into this more start here

I do not know the answer but I googled a good site to either learn more or get involved to ensure fair elections in Virginia:

It is called Virginia Verified Voting and they have an excellent web site: http://www.vavv.org/

[nodehopper]

17. cool, thanks!

[Tom Rinaldo]

18. Your welcome. I wish every State had a group that good n/t

[skipos]

14. Keep kicked. This is important! nt

:kick:

[Tom Rinaldo]

16. Important information from a Virginia Resident

Given that Wesley Clark campaigned personally for Tim Kaine in Virginia, I posted a similar blog to this thread at the Clark Community Network site. What I copy below is a reply that I received to my post over there:

"It's important to me (electing Kaine), as a resident of Virgina, yet it is also important to the Democratic Party and the coming elections in 06 and 08. Jerry Kilgore is made in the mold of Jerry Falwell, Pat Robertson, Jim Gilmore, George Allen...I could go on, but you all get the picture. He cannot stand up and address the voters of Virginia. He's unsure of himself, his speaking ability, his skill in formulating a coherent message, his actual speaking voice. He's afraid of making a decision--he won't take a stand on how to fund the much needed transportation improvements that need to be made, but wants to let the voters decide in numerous referendums. He will govern by referendum only, except when the far right dictates what he should do.

One small correction to Tom's otherwise great post. In Virginia, there is one term only for the statewide elected offices. Mark Warner was elected in 2001 and cannot serve more that his one and only 4 year term. Over the years, lawmakers in Virginia have turned down opportunities to make the governorship a two term office. At the moment, Warner is very popular and is widely praised as one who was able to steer down the middle of Virginia voters to capture the rural, gun-toting, sportsmen vote as well as the liberal vote. Kaine is less able to do this because of his civil rights work, his years as mayor, and some comments he's made to certain "family values" groups which further painted him as a liberal. He is a good man, with good values, a solid history of helping others, able to stand up and articulate his position with a clear and believable voice. He's real, and will be his own man, unlike Jerry Kilgore. (nicknamed Jerry Sue Gilmore)

How can we help him at this point? Well, if you're in Virginia, call the nearest campaign office because the GOTV effort is going to be intense and aggressive. We have our assignments for election day and I'm very anxious to see how it plays out, because it can truly be a plan for the coming years. If you're outside the state and can't come in to physically work, the next best thing you can do...you know the drill. It's $$. Ads have played a large part in the campaign in the last 2-3 weeks. Unfortunately for Kilgore, they've had a negative impact. If Tim has the money, he can put out some great ads to reach voters in the waning days."

[Tom Rinaldo]

19. Stopping "Scalito" starts in Virginia

Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court vacancy will energize Republican Jerry Kilgore's base in Virginia. Despite his avid support for the Death Penalty, Kilgore said in a debate this year that "I'm a pro-life candidate running for governor. I don't try to be all things to all people. I support a culture of life." Kilgore tried to duck a direct question from moderator Tim Russet about Abortion and his position as Governor of Virginia should the Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade in one of the great "gotcha" moments in American politics:

"If Roe v. Wade was overturned and returned to the states, would you sign legislation in the commonwealth outlawing abortion?

Kilgore: Not knowing what any Supreme Court would do, I would work within the parameters supporting a culture of life. I'm not backing away from that on this stage, but . . .

Russert : But Mr. Kilgore, it's a simple question: If Roe v. Wade is overturned by the Supreme Court, and it is a possibility according to people for and against abortion rights, would you as governor sign legislation outlawing abortion except exceptions for rape, incest and life of mother? Yes or no?

Kilgore: And my response is, that's a hypothetical. You don't know what any Supreme Court in the future is going to do. I am going to work within the parameters laid down by the Supreme Court. That's what attorneys do.

Russert: If the legislature passed a tax increase, would you veto or sign it?

Kilgore: I would veto a tax increase unless . . .

Russert: That's a hypothetical question."

Here is a partial transcript of the debate, as covered by the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/21/AR2005092100111_pf.html

Here is Tim Kaine's position on Abortion, described on one of his campaign websites:

Tim Kaine would veto a ban on abortion as Governor. Kaine wants to reduce abortions but opposes criminalizing women and doctors. Kaine will work to reduce abortions by: Enforcing the current Virginia restrictions on abortion and passing an enforceable ban on partial birth abortion that protects the life and health of the mother; fighting teen pregnancy through abstinence-focused education; ensuring women's access to health care (including legal contraception) and economic opportunity; and promoting adoption as an alternative for women facing unwanted pregnancies.

So Bush's Supreme Court nominee should play well with Kilgore's base in Virginia, but more to the point of this post, a Kilgore victory in Virginia would play well to Bush's base around the nation. It would embolden them, it would put pressure on any wavering Republican Senators to toe the Right Wing company line. The returns from Virginia will be in before a single Senator asks Alito a single question in a Senate confirmation hearing. Stopping "Scalito" starts in Virginia.