Supporting a Public Option

Reports have emerged that Jody Wagner is for the public option. When asked by the popular blog Notlarrysabato.com she responded by saying that she would fight to make sure that Virginia will not opt out of any public option passed by Congress.

There has been some talk in Congress about allowing states to "opt out" of any public option, giving governors a tremendous amount of influence when it comes to federal health care policy. In a recent debate, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds was ambiguous about supporting the public option, and even implied that he would ensure that the Old Dominion would not have universal healthcare within its borders.

But in a gutsy move, Jody Wagner will fight for the option. While that may cost her some votes, its nice to see a Virginia candidate sticking with her principles

To see the direct quote, look here: http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2009/10/jody-wagner-will-fight-any-attempts-to-optout.html

WWJD... On Spending?

Bill Bolling's attacks on Jody Wagner throughout the campaign have been two-pronged. The first attack, which I have already addressed, goes after Jody on taxes. The second is an attack on Jody's spending. This is a common "go-to" attack for Republicans and they tend to point their fingers before they conduct any solid research. We've repeatedly heard over the past few months that the past administration has spent so much money they have outstripped population growth and inflation. This accusation is wrooooong. Bill Bolling's goal to link Jody to an administration that spends, spends, and spends some more is a lie and is mere political exedience. A recent Washington Post article has set the record straight ("Balance in Virginia, Oct. 16th). According to the National Association of State Budget Officers, Virginia state fund expenditures have grown at an average rate of 4.6% since 1999. Also during this time, spending by states nationally has increased at a rate 5% faster than Virginia spending. Additionally, prior to 1999 during the dot.com boom, spending in Virginia peaked at 15.3%... this was all during eight years of Republican governorship. I think Republicans should hesitate to point their fingers on spending after George W. Bush took federal expenditures to an entirely new level.

Jody Wagner has no interest in spending Virginia into the ground, despite what her opposition may say. Her goal is to improve the state, and has made job-growth her number one priority. The facts show that Virginia has consistently been ranked a best state to do business, raise a family, and is a best-managed state. Jody's practical experience with monetary policy makes her an asset to Virginia, and citizens of the Commonwealth would be lucky to have her.

Clips from Jody Wagner vs. Bill Bolling Debate

From their first and only debate. Bolling used the phrase "that was a meaningless platitude about nothing" to describe something that Jody Wagner said. Personally, I like my politicians to by more articulate than that. He also accused her of running a "dishonest, deceitful, hypocritical campaign." Real mature.

If I find the whole debate online I will post the link. I bet some of the other bloggers have things to say about what may be the most important event in this Virginia Lieutenant Governor election.

WHAT is Jody DOING?

At this point, I have to be completely frank.

WHAT is Jody DOING? 

More importantly, what is her staff doing?

Jody Wagner is a fantastic candidate for Lt. Governor, and her campaign is simply flailing from a lack of action. Where is the movement? Where is the fight?

WHY should we vote for Jody Wagner? I know why, but I am not the general population of the commonwealth of Virginia. Wagner is a candidate who cares about the constituents and the future of Virginia. But let's be honest: her campaign has no real message, and voters have not yet been able to attach to her in any lasting, legitimate way.

When was the last time Jody Wagner's name was printed in the Washington Post in any meaningful sense? Where is the publicity? 

Let's take a look at the facts about Jody:

• she has ample experience in both the private sector and public administration
  
• she is a mother of four bright, happy children and cares deeply about education on a personal level
  
• she is a small business owner who fully understands the needs of the Virginian worker, and is genuinely dedicated to the cause of creating jobs 
  
• as Secretary of Finance she has first hand experience handling the economy that her opponent simply lacks
  
• she is brilliant and educated and a down-home Virginian who wants to improve her home state for completely altruistic reasons
  

To you hardworking folks over at the Wagner Camp, please listen! Give the voters something to attach to. Voters aren't looking for a new Lt. Governor-- they're looking for a leader. They're looking for a role model. They're looking for an answer. Jody Wagner is that answer-- now it's your job to tell them that.

The key to getting people to vote for your candidate is motivating them. The people need to feel inspired enough to leave the comfort of their homes and cast their ballots for Wagner. Give the voters a real, tangible, specific reason why Wagner is going to make their lives better. Just one brilliant reason repeated over and over again is all she needs. But it has to be real. It has to tug at their heart strings. It has to be viable and different and needs to give Jody Wagner some real character (which she is currently lacking).

Who is Jody Wagner? Why should we make the push to the polls come Election Day for her?

Get her name in the papers. Have her attend public events every single day. Come up with a real slogan and catch phrase and hook, and publicize the hell out of it. You have two weeks to make this happen; sure the task is daunting but it certainly isn't impossible.

Jody Wagner's campaign narrative: Bill Bolling is a no-show

Take a look at this video from the Jody Wagner campaign:



The video features Vietnam veteran and Virginia Delegate Bob Brink. The Lieutenant Governor of Virginia sits on an advisory board important to veterans' issues. Apparently Bill Bolling never showed up to any of the board meetings, essentially meaning that Bill Bolling doesn't care about veterans. This is just another example to reinforce the narrative coming out of the Jody Wagner campaign: Bill Bolling is a lazy no-show who doesn't care enough about his job or Virginia to ever show up. Whatever the Commonwealth is paying Bill Bolling to pretend to be Lieutenant Governor, it is far too much.

If I were working for the Jody Wagner campaign I would be repeating this narrative every chance I got. Messaging works because of repetition and truth. The truth seems to be that Bill Bolling doesn't take his job seriously enough to show up to work. Now the Wagner campaign just needs to loudly keep repeating that truth until election day.

Lieutenant Governor's Debate

HamptonRoads.com announced yesterday afternoon that Jody Wagner and Bill Bolling, the candidates for Lieutenant Governor, have agreed to debate, after one scheduled debate fell through.

The debate will be held on Monday, October 19 at 7:00 pm at Olin Hall in Roanoke College in Salem, and will be sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the Virginia Bar Association.

The full article can be seen here:

The Importance of Voting

The Falls Church News-Press published an article on Wednesday noting that voter turnout for the election on November 3 is expected to be quite low. It is critically important that Virginians across the state get to the polls on election day to vote for Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon.

Over the past several elections, Virginians have chosen Democrats to move the Commonwealth forward. Allowing the Republicans to win on November 3rd would move Virginia backwards.

Virginians have had the opportunity to read Bob McDonnell's thesis over the past several weeks and see the views that he holds about women and families. The Washington Times, in an article published today, notes that Republican Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli has "...described himself as perhaps the most conservative State Senator from Northern Virginia in his lifetime."

The leadership of Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli would erase the progress that has been made in Virginia. It is important that Democrats across the state realize the importance of the election on November 3rd and come out to the polls in support of Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon.