A bit of naïveté reporters often have is that political races are about ideals. In reality, neither Stec nor Stefanik will be beaten. Tedra Cobb knew she had no chance, at least in her second run. It’s about campaign coffers. Money flows in and supports a team of advisers and other connected people for six months or so.
Not convinced it is the reporters that are naive, but perhaps the voters. With new District boundaries, no Democrat may ever win the 21st Congressional District again.
You’d think that having deep roots in the local community would count for something. You’d think that a guy who grew up here, went to school here, has generations of family who have lived, worked, died, and been buried here would count for something. You’d think a guy with an excellent education, great job, incredible experience in volunteer works around the world helping rebuild communities devastated by war and natural disaster would count for something, that a community wouldn’t jump to the most negative interpretation of that person’s comments. Stefanik has had so much benefit of the doubt and looking the other way at what she has said, done, advocated, lied about so persistently. We like to believe we are the colored glossy image of Hometown USA. But we really aren’t that and we probably never were, really, or certainly not just that. When we talk about the things that are done, or said, they are often interpreted back to us in idiosyncratic voice that finds gain in the sensational, the action - even if that action is performance and theater. The ribbon cutting where every Tom, Dick, and Do-Nothing shows up for a photo-op. The Award ceremony for a representative who voted against the funding they are receiving an award for. Big brassy bands are big news in the parade of events. Who has the eye for a subtle truth?
All that being said, having just read the statement provided by the Putorti campaign I’m deeply disappointed his campaign basically smeared a lot of people who are LGBTQ or allies. It’s sad.
"...Putorti’s experience rebuilding housing after disasters in Haiti and New Orleans would make him a better fit to address state issues.". Thank you for pointing this out, I had no idea what his accomplishments, or background, encompassed. His tweets always start with his opponent's name, and my eyes glaze over! I've even written to him, indicating that the approach of "I'm not _______" ( fill in the blank) did not work for the Democrat in the Virginia gov race, and that he needed to focus on what potential constituents want that they're not getting from Stefanik. Apologies for going off topic, but I find that approach really frustrating.
A bit of naïveté reporters often have is that political races are about ideals. In reality, neither Stec nor Stefanik will be beaten. Tedra Cobb knew she had no chance, at least in her second run. It’s about campaign coffers. Money flows in and supports a team of advisers and other connected people for six months or so.
Not convinced it is the reporters that are naive, but perhaps the voters. With new District boundaries, no Democrat may ever win the 21st Congressional District again.
Excellent piece re Purtorti. Stefanic gets much of her money from out of State. I urge Purtorto run against Stec.
You’d think that having deep roots in the local community would count for something. You’d think that a guy who grew up here, went to school here, has generations of family who have lived, worked, died, and been buried here would count for something. You’d think a guy with an excellent education, great job, incredible experience in volunteer works around the world helping rebuild communities devastated by war and natural disaster would count for something, that a community wouldn’t jump to the most negative interpretation of that person’s comments. Stefanik has had so much benefit of the doubt and looking the other way at what she has said, done, advocated, lied about so persistently. We like to believe we are the colored glossy image of Hometown USA. But we really aren’t that and we probably never were, really, or certainly not just that. When we talk about the things that are done, or said, they are often interpreted back to us in idiosyncratic voice that finds gain in the sensational, the action - even if that action is performance and theater. The ribbon cutting where every Tom, Dick, and Do-Nothing shows up for a photo-op. The Award ceremony for a representative who voted against the funding they are receiving an award for. Big brassy bands are big news in the parade of events. Who has the eye for a subtle truth?
All that being said, having just read the statement provided by the Putorti campaign I’m deeply disappointed his campaign basically smeared a lot of people who are LGBTQ or allies. It’s sad.
"...Putorti’s experience rebuilding housing after disasters in Haiti and New Orleans would make him a better fit to address state issues.". Thank you for pointing this out, I had no idea what his accomplishments, or background, encompassed. His tweets always start with his opponent's name, and my eyes glaze over! I've even written to him, indicating that the approach of "I'm not _______" ( fill in the blank) did not work for the Democrat in the Virginia gov race, and that he needed to focus on what potential constituents want that they're not getting from Stefanik. Apologies for going off topic, but I find that approach really frustrating.