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

[henster]

Northam has never lost an election and he was elected statewide with 55% of the vote, the highest of any Democrat in 2013. His military and medical background is also a huge plus in Virginia especially in the Hampton Roads area. I don't really see how Perriello is remotely a stronger candidate than Northam.

[henster]

I think Northam's military background is a huge plus, as we saw with JBE in LA and Kander in MO & Greitens, veterans make great political candidates.

[henster]

Periello voted for the Stupak amendment and was endorsed by the NRA, I don't think he will be successful in outflanking Northam on the left. Women's group and gun control orgs will obviously line up behind Ralph.

[henster]

I feel like being anti-choice outside of the deep South is a non starter in most Dem primaries, it is litmus test for a lot of people. Beyond voting for ACA & Cap & trade I am not really not sure what makes Perriello some sort of progressive champion akin to Bernie.

[henster]

I am genuinely curious as to why Perriello is considered progressive.

[henster]

I think Northam will surprise a lot of people, the guy knows how to win.

[henster]

Perriello foot in mouth..

http://wavy.com/2017/02/15/democratic-candidate-apologizes-for-sept-11-comparison/

[henster]

Just a unforced error by a rusty candidate, Perriello hasn't run for any office since 2010 and it shows. Northam is an experienced campaigner and has won countless tough elections, Perriello is a risky choice at this point.

[henster]

I can already imagine Rs running a ad with a 9/11 survivor slamming Perriello.

[henster]

Northam seems a lot more politically disciplined than Perriello who has won one election in his entire career and that was back in 2008. And yes the 9/11 comments will matter, the RGA is ruthless they will have a Pentagon attack survivor slamming Perriello in an ad if he's the nominee.

[henster]

It really surprises me how nobody brings up that Northam is a doctor AND a veteran and VA is a big military state. He did very well in the 757 and did better than any Dem in the past 8 years in VA Beach. As we saw with Kander & JBE people really like vets as political candidates.

[henster]

Seems most of the DC establishment is behind Perriello while most of the Virginia establishment (McAuliffe, Kaine, Warner) is behind Northam.

[henster]

GREAT ad from Northam here, I think people underestimate the guys political skills.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYW6CVpO-Dk&feature=youtu.be

*** mod note: fixed link

[henster]

Another great ad from Northam goes right after Trump.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDonPK5bJoM

[henster]

Great GE ad from Northam really shows the contrast between the candidates Army vet/Doctor vs. career lobbyist/party insider.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tq8guaC8dcI

[henster]

Who is voting on pipelines? This is a ridiculous wedge issue..

[henster]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/democratic-megadonor-tom-steyer-to-spend-2-million-in-virginia-governors-race/2017/08/21/0f2486a2-81fc-11e7-902a-2a9f2d808496_story.html

You must be logged in to read this quote.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

I remember NextGen spending tens of million on some GOTV operation in 2016/2014... I wish Steyer would just give directly to the DGA.

[henster]

Gillespie seems to be throwing whatever at the wall and seeing what sticks sanctuary cities, MS-13, confederate statues. Doesn't seem to be really reaching out to swing voters just stoking enough fear to get the nativist base out.

[henster]

It’s just ridiculous pols are still pandering to coal in VA. Just reading the WaPo article on Gillespie promising to bring back the coal tax credit and Northam continuing to placate coal.

[henster]

Where are the ads hitting Gillespie on his awful tax plan? Forget abortion it’s basically Brownback’s plan and now he wants to bring it to VA.

[henster]

Billionaire Jeff Greene is still said to be considering a run for FL-GOV, he ran for Senate in 2010 and lost the primary to Kendrick Meek. I am not impressed with Gwen Graham, her fundraising has been weak and she does not seem to be an inspiring candidate. FL is an incredibly expensive state to run in so having a self funder might not be so bad. Levine is also independently wealthy.

[henster]

Gillespie now hitting Northam on felon voting rights and along with MS-13 Northam supports child molesters too.

[henster]

Gillespie out with another statues ad 'I'll keep 'em up' he says, I'm surprised he didn't sport a Southern accent when saying it.

[henster]

I just can't fathom a former Washington lobbyist being more popular with voters than a pediatrician and former Army doctor. Looking through Gillespie's career I can't find a single noble thing he's ever done.

[henster]

I want to ask, why exactly is Fairfax weaker than Northam? 

$$ Fairfax simply doesn’t have the adequate resources to sell himself to voters while Vogel is personally wealthy. And the GOV/AG races are sucking up all the money, if the Senate was tied like it was in 2013 and Ds could take back the chamber you’d see more attention to Fairfax.