VA-GOV 2017: Utter Panic and Doom (General election: Nov 7th)

[Deblano]

Northam got the endorsement of NARAL

This seems like quite a blow to Perriello.

[Heisenberg]

Northam got the endorsement of NARAL

This seems like quite a blow to Perriello.

Not surprising. Even with Northam having admitted to voting for GWB both times, social liberalism has always been something he's been pretty consistent with, plus he's a sitting officeholder, so he has a consistent, recent record. Perriello was in office only two years, and then he had a mixed abortion record.

[Maxwell]

yeah, NARAL or any pro-abortion group endorsing Northam is not shocking. I'm waiting until any sort of union backs Northam, then I'll be worried.

[Deblano]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

Perriello holding a music concert rally later this month

That's pretty cool.  I don't know if that's a common thing in Virginia or the South in general, but I lived in Connecticut for most of my life and political campaigns holding concerts there was just unheard of.

[libertpaulian]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

Mark Uter...er...Udall's people should get in touch with Northam's people about that.

[Heisenberg]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

Early in his career he described himself as "conservative on fiscal issues but liberal on social issues," and was courted to switch to the GOP. It seems like that's what made him a Democrat (at first). I wouldn't call him right of the center fiscally, but he isn't that much to the left, and is certainly running to Perriello's right on economic issues.

[Skill and Chance]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

Mark Uter...er...Udall's people should get in touch with Northam's people about that.

Yes, but that strategy is proven to work better in VA than in any other competitive state (Hillary 2016, McAuliffe/Herring 2013, etc.)

[Heisenberg]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

Mark Uter...er...Udall's people should get in touch with Northam's people about that.

Yes, but that strategy is proven to work better in VA than in any other competitive state (Hillary 2016, McAuliffe/Herring 2013, etc.)

Focusing on social liberalism should work well in New Hampshire, though I guess it's not really a competitive state.

[Intell]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

[Hindsight was 2020]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

Oh christ we will never beat Trump if we create an "ideology purity test" for blue dogs an no-liberals yes progressives/Bernie's wing deserve a bigger seat at the table right now heck even maybe the drivers seat in 2020 but we shouldn't try to purge conservative dems like Manchin (who drives me nuts btw) or Northan

[libertpaulian]

I feel like Northam seems to focus on social issues far more than Perriello.

Mark Uter...er...Udall's people should get in touch with Northam's people about that.

Yes, but that strategy is proven to work better in VA than in any other competitive state (Hillary 2016, McAuliffe/Herring 2013, etc.)

Focusing on social liberalism should work well in New Hampshire, though I guess it's not really a competitive state.

You and TN Volunteer/MT Treasurer need to get over yourselves with this New Hampshire thing.  It's one of the most elastic states in the nation.

[Deblano]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

Oh christ we will never beat Trump if we create an "ideology purity test" for blue dogs an no-liberals yes progressives/Bernie's wing deserve a bigger seat at the table right now heck even maybe the drivers seat in 2020 but we shouldn't try to purge conservative dems like Manchin (who drives me nuts btw) or Northan

You realize the guy you are talking to is a user with a socialist flair and a quote from Salvador Allende in his/her flair who tends to call people to the right of his/her political views "human trash".

It's a lost cause.

[Figueira]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

Oh christ we will never beat Trump if we create an "ideology purity test" for blue dogs an no-liberals yes progressives/Bernie's wing deserve a bigger seat at the table right now heck even maybe the drivers seat in 2020 but we shouldn't try to purge conservative dems like Manchin (who drives me nuts btw) or Northan

You realize the guy you are talking to is a user with a socialist flair and a quote from Salvador Allende in his/her flair who tends to call people to the right of his/her political views "human trash".

It's a lost cause.

That is wholly untrue, Sandatander is not human trash, Chairman Shanchez is ffine, DC Al fine is fine, so is RepublicanGoldwater as most people with a blue avatar.

Non-Swing Voter is the worst poster, with the worst politics and is human trash.

You included two of the worst right-wing posters in that.

[Intell]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

Oh christ we will never beat Trump if we create an "ideology purity test" for blue dogs an no-liberals yes progressives/Bernie's wing deserve a bigger seat at the table right now heck even maybe the drivers seat in 2020 but we shouldn't try to purge conservative dems like Manchin (who drives me nuts btw) or Northan

You realize the guy you are talking to is a user with a socialist flair and a quote from Salvador Allende in his/her flair who tends to call people to the right of his/her political views "human trash".

It's a lost cause.

That is wholly untrue, Sandatander is not human trash, Chairman Shanchez is ffine, DC Al fine is fine, so is RepublicanGoldwater as most people with a blue avatar.

Non-Swing Voter is the worst poster, with the worst politics and is human trash.

You included two of the worst right-wing posters in that.

Ideologically yes.

[Figueira]

Northam is a symbol of upper-middle class democrats, which is awful.

Perriello is also an upper-middle class Democrat. There are a lot of them in Virginia. Get over yourself.

However unlike Northam, he isn't symbolism for the worst of the democratic party, those like yourself.

Oh christ we will never beat Trump if we create an "ideology purity test" for blue dogs an no-liberals yes progressives/Bernie's wing deserve a bigger seat at the table right now heck even maybe the drivers seat in 2020 but we shouldn't try to purge conservative dems like Manchin (who drives me nuts btw) or Northan

You realize the guy you are talking to is a user with a socialist flair and a quote from Salvador Allende in his/her flair who tends to call people to the right of his/her political views "human trash".

It's a lost cause.

That is wholly untrue, Sandatander is not human trash, Chairman Shanchez is ffine, DC Al fine is fine, so is RepublicanGoldwater as most people with a blue avatar.

Non-Swing Voter is the worst poster, with the worst politics and is human trash.

You included two of the worst right-wing posters in that.

Ideologically yes.

I was referring to Sanchez and Santander, although Santander can at least be entertaining.

[RogueBeaver]

Riggleman out.

[RogueBeaver]

Podesta endorses Perriello, 2nd major Clintonista endorsement after Neera Tanden. Presumably T-Mac won't be amused if more of these are forthcoming.

[Shadows]

The liberal showdown in Virginia's gubernatorial race played out earlier this month in Northern Virginia, where Democrat Ralph Northam met with workers at Ronald Reagan National Airport who were campaigning for a $15-per-hour minimum wage.

"We need to work hard to increase the minimum wage," he told NBC News after the event, later adding: "I've been fighting for progressive values in Virginia for the last 10 years."

The very next day, his primary opponent Tom Perriello made the same visit - and his campaign told NBC that he had embraced raising the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour before Northam did.

Say hello to the 2017 Democratic gubernatorial primary in Virginia, which increasingly has become a contest to see which candidate is more progressive. And say goodbye to the more centrist Virginia Democratic playbook that current Sen. Mark Warner — and Tim Kaine and Jim Webb, to lesser degrees — used successfully in the state over the last 16 years.

Northam, the state's lieutenant governor, has touted his record fighting the state's transvaginal ultrasound legislation in 2012, as well as pushing for gun-safety reforms.

Perriello, a former Democratic congressman, talks about achieving criminal-justice reform, combating a "rigged" economy and fighting against the Trump administration's "white tribalism."

And it all raises the question: Just how blue is the state that Democrats have won in three-straight presidential elections? Or is it still purple, given the Republicans' control of the state legislature and their gubernatorial victory there eight years ago?

Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia's Center for Politics, says Perriello's surprise entry in the contest earlier this year — Northam originally expected no serious competition in the June 13 Democratic primary — made it a race to the left.

"No question Perriello is dragging Northam to the left," Sabato said. "Actually, Northam has moved left during the McAuliffe administration, even before Perriello announced. But now Northam has to stress all of his liberal positions — some of which, on gun control and abortion, may be more to the left than Perriello's record."

But Sabato also notes that President Trump's unpopularity in Virginia — a poll last month had his approval rating at 38 percent in the state — could overshadow this Democratic competition over who is more progressive.

"Trump may generate a larger turnout than usual than usual among Democrats come November. The larger the turnout, the likelier the electorate will resemble last November, and the better the [Democratic] nominee's chances," he said.

Northam, a doctor and Army veteran, says he isn't concerned about a primary dragging the eventual Democratic nominee to the left. "These are things that I've fought for my whole life," he told NBC. "And as a lot of people know, I ran in a very conservative district," referring to his days as a state senator.

Perriello's campaign has a similar response, arguing that pursuing priorities like a $15-per-hour minimum wage "is a fight we welcome" given that it's something even some Trump backers support, says Perriello spokesman Ian Sams.

"Of the two candidates running in the primary, Tom brings bolder arguments than Ralph has brought," Sams adds. "We welcome an argument who can be the most bold."

Holes in Their Progressive Records
Yet as Northam and Perriello try to one-up each other in the Democratic primary, their own progressive records contain some noticeable holes, which each candidate is trying to exploit.

For Northam, it's voting for George W. Bush in the 2000 and 2004 presidential elections. "Knowing what I know now, that vote was wrong. That administration does not stand for what I believe in," he said in an interview with NBC News.

"At the end of the day, I don't think Virginians are worried about who I voted for 17 years ago. They're worried about what I've been fighting for since I was a public servant and where I want to take Virginia."

For Perriello, it's the A-rating he earned from the National Rifle Association when he served in Congress, as well as his vote for an anti-abortion amendment in the debate over the 2010 health-care law.

"I want to be very clear that I regret my vote on the Stupak-Pitts Amendment," he wrote in an online post last month. "This vote caused real pain to constituents and other women. I appreciate that some of these brave women and reproductive justice advocates took time to tell me their stories and educate me about the full implications of that vote."

GOP: "A Primary Between Left and Left-er"
Republicans in Virginia are giddy to see this Democratic contest turn into a race to the left.

"This is a primary between left and left-er and it's hard to tell which one is which," says Matt Moran, a spokesman for GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Ed Gillespie. "They oppose offshore drilling, an energy pipeline backed by Gov. [Terry] McAuliffe, and are both in favor of sanctuary cities, driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, a $15 minimum wage, and free community college. And it's only March!"

Adds Republican Party of Virginia Chair John Whitbeck, "It appears that Tom Perriello and Ralph Northam are desperate to be Virginia's version of Bernie Sanders."

But Democrats ultimately believe that Virginia's gubernatorial race will be more about the eventual Republican nominee having to own President Trump than any primary liberal showdown.

"There's going to be a tremendous amount of focus on Virginia to see which way this country wants to go," Northam told NBC News.

As well as focus about just how blue - or purple - Virginia really is.

Source - NBC

[RogueBeaver]

WaPo on Northam's organization.

[Gass3268]

Team Obama endorses Tom Perriello en mass

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[MAINEiac4434]

This could get interesting...

[Deblano]

This could get interesting...

[Shadows]

Some key points - He sounds very VERY progressive, guess Tom & Ralph are both swinging to more left than one another dragging Virginia to be more & more liberal

If West Virginia can raise their minimum wage, why can't Virginia? I was the first candidate in this race to call for a $15 minimum wage, because higher wages are good for business, good for workers, and good for our economy.

In any case, if you're running your campaign without corporate money, or are in a position to return any small sums of it you may have raised, I strongly advise you to re-frame as a, "corporate-free" Democrat. We have found that to be extremely effective in conveying leadership and integrity. Good luck with your campaign!

I support medical marijuana and decriminalization of low level possession.  The issue of pain management alternatives is particularly acute in the wake of a Big Pharma promoted opioid crisis that is killing three Virginians each day.

Proud to have voted for the ACA, including an even stronger first version that included a public option, removal of anti-trust protections and negotiated prescription drug costs.

The Virginia system is one of the most broken in the country -- unlimited contributions! This includes money and gifts directly from corporations, including publicly regulated monopolies. While the legislature is deeply partisan, the largest contributor to both parties is Dominion Power and not coincidentally we rank at or near last place in every ranking of clean and renewable energy.

Ralph Northam is a great public servant, and I would be honored to work with him in any capacity. I know the party will be united not just for the general election but for governing the state and keeping it a firewall against Trump's agenda of hate.

I strongly support non-partisan (independent) redistricting and promise to veto any partisan district maps. I support the One Virginia 2021 legal strategy to challenge the current maps. Virginia is a 50/50 (leaning blue!) state but our House of Delegates is 2/3 R. The maps were drawn by the DC lobbying firm of my likely Republican opponent Ed Gillespie to ensure our legislature represents his clients instead of Virginia voters.

Lots of similarities -- good to see unity across the Dem party and the resistance on so many fronts. On differences, I have opposed two fracked-gas pipelines across Virginia and refused any donations from Dominion Power. We have called for those investments to focus instead on energy efficiency, wind and solar power. Our campaign has led on the fight for a $15/hour minimum wage and called for racial disparity studies in contracting. Also, I am a lifelong Democrat who ran progressive campaigns to fight against the Bush Agenda, whereas Northam voted twice for George W Bush. As for the frame, I am proud to be running a progressive campaign and want to partner with the unprecedented grassroots energy that has arisen in the wake of the Trump Administration.

In general, we believe there are huge opportunities for decentralized energy and food production in these areas. We have prioritized two debt-free years of community college and career technical training programs to encourage multiple pathways into trades and living wage healthcare jobs.

We also need to bring new industries, like clean and renewable energy, with local production, to areas like SWVA to create hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs that give hard-working people a good-paying, permanent job.

One of the only areas of bipartisanship in Richmond is accepting Dominion's contributions. Meanwhile, Dominion holds back progress on clean energy development, which could create thousands of jobs.

[The world will shine with light in our nightmare]

This was retweeted by Perriello: ten former Bernie delegates endorsing him.

Bernie voters are definitely going to break hard for Perriello.  Having Podesta and the Obama team on his side is great, too.