The end is Nye
I still hope Rep. Glenn Nye is reelected, but I don’t see how.
For the past few months, I have seen many comments here and at the Virginian-Pilot from Republicans and conservative Independents claiming that health reform was the critical vote for them and that if Nye votes yes, they will vote against him. If that is true, Nye’s vote against health reform should result in an outpouring of support from these same people pledging their votes for Nye’s reelection. I’m not holding my breath. Both the Republican candidate and the Democratic candidate oppose climate change and health reform legislation. Given the choice between a real Republican and fake Republican, they’ll vote for the real Republican every time.
Maybe there’s still time for Nye to enter the Republican primary.
Nye was swept into office on the Obama wave. He has now repudiated President Obama on two priority issues. He hasn’t given Democrats any reason to turn out to vote for him.
Nye has been a tireless advocate for military personnel and veterans (almost to the exclusion of everything else). Maybe he thinks that will be enough.
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March 21st, 2010 at 5:14 pm
As a Republican, in the last election I voted for Nye and McCain. I liked the fact that Nye had international experience and vowed to focus on military issues. If he had been a yes on healthcare, that would have been the end of my support for him. I expected him to vote his conscience and not be a Pelosi puppet. He has done that and thus far has gained my support in 2010. I dont like politicians who walk a party line on every issue. I guarantee you a yes would have been the end of Glenn Nye.
March 21st, 2010 at 6:59 pm
I think that Representative Nye, emphasis on Representative, has stood alone and taken the barbs and arrows from both sides. He has demonstrated true independence and, quite candidly, he may have started a movement to that end. I could only wish Representatives from both sides would join and line up behind him to resolve the lack of non-partisan leadership this country sorely needs to set it on the correct path. Well done, Congressman Nye!
March 22nd, 2010 at 5:50 am
glenn nye must be primaried by a progressive democrat, if not i plan to cast a write in vote for Eugene V. Debs, in november.
March 22nd, 2010 at 6:39 am
Sadly, the diarist is correct. Glenn Nye will not be re-elected. I worked hard for him last time, but I will go down the road and help Jim Perriello get re-elected. He has earned my money and my time, Glenn Nye has not.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:21 am
According to this unscientific sample, two people who voted for Nye the last time reaffirmed that they will vote for him the next time, while two other former supporters vowed not to vote for him next time. That’s a net loss of 50%. That is a microcosm of what I expect to see in November.
I still hope Nye will be reelected (but he’ll have to do it without my help this time).
A liberal primary challenger is unlikely to be elected in this district.
Having a DINO occupying the seat helps maintain a Democratic majority in the House, keeping Pelosi as Speaker and progressives as committee chairs. Maybe some Democrats will hold their noses and vote for Nye for that reason. (Of course, the Republicans will use that against him even as he votes their way on major issues.)
Maybe some Democrats will take a close look at the Republican candidate and vote for Nye as the lesser of two weasels.
Most likely, many Democrats will just sit this one out.
March 22nd, 2010 at 7:25 am
Correction: It’s Tom Perriello. http://www.perrielloforcongress.com/
I’ll be joining you, Bob, with donation of my time and money!
March 22nd, 2010 at 1:07 pm
Oops, always make that mistake, Jim Perriello was my next door neighbor!
I get David’s point – don’t cut off your nose to spite your face. And, if it’s Scott Rigell, why, those Freedom Ford *()%)&# sold me a lemon back in the 1990s and I haven’t been back since.
I suppose I can practice holding my nose for the next 7 months for when I have to do it on election day in November. But my time and money, no, Glenn Nye gets none.
March 23rd, 2010 at 5:24 pm
David Campbell,
Ew, hold your nose and vote for the moderate. Meanwhile us moderates will realize that by voting for the moderate Democrat we will probably be voting for something we do not care for. By that I mean Nancy Pelosi as Speaker of the House. By voting for the moderate Democrat we are casting a vote to include our representative in the Democratic caucus where, if the Democrats hold the majority, Pelosi is going to be elected Speaker.
Now, if that is not enough motivation for you progressives to cast your vote for Nye that while us moderates get the small time representative while you progressives get the big time Speaker of the House then to heck with you.
Go ahead and cut off your nose to spite your face. Go ahead and take action or exhibit lack of action that shows an unwillingness to share power with those voters who also helped get Pelosi elected Speaker of the House (even if we preferred someone else).
If I am going to start hearing DINO out of Democrats just like I heard RINO out of Republicans about voters like me, then what am I to do?
I am going to point out that progressives are more dependent on moderates for election victories then are conservatives. More Americans identify themselves as conservative then do those who identify themselves as progressive/liberal. That means the liberal citizen must go further and try harder to win over the moderate vote to win the day. Even if you are successful in splitting the moderate vote half and half you still lose.
March 24th, 2010 at 4:35 am
Little David: I think we are making the same point from different perspectives.
April 21st, 2010 at 10:07 pm
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