Sad State of Affairs for Virginia Democrats
It’s posts like this that make me want to shelve the Democratic Party of Virginia. Egads! Is this the best we can do? Really? If it wasn’t for my consideration of the source, I’d almost want to give up political blogging as well.
It wasn’t until I moved to Virginia Beach four years ago that I became a lot more focused on what exactly it is that the DPVA does (or doesn’t do). My Loudoun County Democratic Committee operated superbly and we relied on the DPVA very little. In VB, I’ve always looked to the DPVA as ideally one to counsel the barely breathing local committee. It’s turned out to be a blind-leading-the-blind situation.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to chat with Sam Eure with the York Poquoson Democratic Committee. That committee came out recently with a resolution opposing the Surry coal plant. Their committee is very concerned about coal fly ash in particular as they wrestle with Dominion’s growing Mt. Ashmore in their backyard. Their members are intent on seeking out further information and taking a stand on the issues that matter most to them. It’s what good Democrats do and it’s an especially important thing to do in these heavily Republican areas like York County and now Virginia Beach, as we otherwise have no voice in Richmond.
I arranged for an presentation on the Surry coal plant at a recent (July or August 2009) VBDC breakfast by Dr. Christine Llewellyn with the Williamsburg Climate Action Network. She expressed disappointment that the VBDC would not even consider going on record one way or another on this important local issue. God forbid the VBDC should ever actually take a position. If Chris only knew the pains I went through to even get them to sign onto the DPVA’s anti- marriage amendment resolution.
My old Loudoun committee had an Issues committee as does the Chesapeake committee. For example, the hot issue in Loudoun back when I lived there was revision of our Comp Plan. Our local committee researched the issue and carefully crafted a resolution in support of it. I presented it at a meeting of the Board of Supervisors. We stood for something and I was so proud to be a Democrat.
The Chesapeake committee apparently voted in a resolution supporting President Obama’s health care reform plan. Imagine how much easier wrestling with Rep. Glenn Nye’s re-election would be for the VBDC had they done similarly. We’d be on record as Virginia Beach Democrats having a backbone. Voters would respect that and keep that in mind as we eventually have to ask them to pinch their noses and vote for Nye in 2010.
It’s time to groom new leadership both at our local and state party level! Which reminds me… we’ll be live blogging with the two candidates for VBDC chair, Susan Mariner and Sylvia Ellis. Which of these two woman is best equipped to really shake things up and start carving out a bold, aggressive path for Virginia Beach Democrats to follow?
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January 1st, 2010 at 6:02 am
As a lifelong Democrat I am very disappointed in the slate of candidates for leadership positions in the VBDC. At a time when the party needs rebuilding locally and nationally we need leaders who will inspire and motivate people to take an active role in civic life. We need Democrats that have the courage and the soul to act like real Democrats, not people who are in it for their own self-promotion. We need people who will act with conviction and take positions that are of importance to our community not a bunch of whiney naysayers. In my opinion, neither candidate for Chair of the VBDC possess the qualities that will breathe life into the party. I have worked with both on various campaigns and events and if this is the best the party can come up with we are in trouble. After years of being the underdog the party actually showed some get up and go there for a while but eventually people got fed up with the “crazies” who eat their own or act like they are scared to open their mouths. I know there are good people in the VBDC I only wish the nominating committe and the nominations from the floor had shown some imagination and courage. Once again the Democrats are showing they are masochists, god help us.
January 1st, 2010 at 11:12 am
I hear ya, FR. I’m actually not going to be able to make this election meeting. I’m speaking at Naro following the film “Crude”.