My own contribution to that thread has been to complain that I’ve seen little (or nothing) from the local party leadership to suggest that they are involved in Webb’s campaign. No LTEs, few yard-signs (I got mine from Brian Patton, thank you - I’m out now - can I get some more?). Although fund-raising is clearly important (especially against Allen’s millions), we need to make better use of existing party structure. And we need to coordinate better between the Boucher campaign and Webb’s appearances in the 9th-district.
Continuing a tradition of 20+-years’ standing, The Virginia Bar Association will again this year host a debate between candidates for major statewide political office. The debate will be held on Saturday, July 22 at 10:30 A.M. at The Homestead in connection with the VBA’s annual Summer Meeting to be held on July 20-23 and will feature incumbent Republican U.S. Senator George Allen and the winner of the June 13 Democratic primary, either Harris Miller or Jim Webb, who will be seeking to unseat Allen.
Don’t forget folks that a fundraising breakfast for Congressman Rick Boucher will be held Saturday, July 15, 2006, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the John Fox Jr. House in Big Stone Gap, Virginia. The cost is $25 per person, or $150 to sponsor the event. The food is always wonderful! Come out and support our Congresman and his re-election efforts. Thanks!
Bill Carrico, the Republican candidate running against Congressman Boucher here in the Ninth District, recently gave an interview to the Quality News Network. It is available here.
Some of his responses were very interesting, the others are mostly GOP talking points. He did, however, stop short of declaring that God had endorsed his candidacy this time.
After being asked about the immigration problem, Carrico says “we have got to build that wall around us,” seemingly suggesting that we need to build a wall around the entire country. I have heard proposals of building a wall across the southern border, but Carrico is the first candidate I have ever heard suggest that we need a wall between us and Canada and on our coastlines.
Carrico was also asked about the budget and he quickly proclaims that he thinks the budget should be balanced. On the follow-up, though, when asked if he would support revoking the recent tax cuts on just people making more than $500,000 per year if it would balance the budget, he declines to answer. Could that mean that Carrico has a few friends (i.e., campaign donors) who make more than half-a-million per year?
This interview confirms what most of us here in the Ninth District already knew – Congressman Boucher should easily win re-election.
Today marked the official organization of the Southwest Virginia Young Democrats as a large group of young (and a few not so “young”) people from all over the Ninth Congressional District convereged on Los Arcos in Abingdon, Virginia.
The group approved their official name, voted on a constitution, elected officers, and approved the beginning of the chartering process with the Virginia Young Democrats.
Serving for the 2006-2007 term will be Tabitha Hibbitts Peace (Wise County), Chair; Brian Patton (Dickenson County), Vice Chair; Sara Sword (Russell County), Secretary; and Joseph Puckett (Russell County), Treasurer.
There were representatives from Bristol City, Washington County, Scott County, Wise County, Russell County, Dickenson County, Grayson County, and Smyth County on hand. The group intends to open membership to anyone within the Ninth Congressional District.
Special guests were Tom Graham, Ninth District Committee Chairman; Jack Heacock with the Bristol City Democrats; and John W. Peace II, member of the Wise County Board of Supervisors. All three showed up to show their support for the organization of a Young Democrat group for Southwest Virginia, and praised the efforts of all who came out.
The group will meet again on August 6, 2006 at 6 p.m. The meeting is tentatively scheduled to be held at Macados in Marion, Virginia, located at 142 East Main Street. For more information, or to become a member, contact Tabitha Peace at 276-393-1055 or by email at TabithaPeace@hotmail.com.
Some of his responses were very interesting, the others are mostly GOP talking points. He did, however, stop short of declaring that God had endorsed his candidacy this time. 
