Drake Loss May Be Nye
Roll Call Staff
But the presidential race and the economic crisis are just two of the major differences from the previous cycle.
Veterans issues have been front and center in the campaign lately, with the candidates sparring over Drake’s votes on the new GI bill.
After initially voting against the legislation, she later voted for another version. Nye’s campaign has focused on the first vote as a way of trying to tarnish Drake’s image with veterans. Now the Congresswoman is attacking Nye and accusing his campaign of lying about her record.
On Friday, the district’s largest newspaper, the Virginian-Pilot, endorsed Nye over Drake, despite backing her in 2006.
“Two years ago, Drake earned our endorsement based on her knowledge and our hope that she would be more independent,” the editorial stated. “Two years later, she has made few steps toward the center. ... In this election, quite simply, Nye’s potential is a better bet than Drake’s performance.”
The editorial dovetails with much of Nye’s campaign message, which focuses on painting Drake as a partisan drone.
“People are just tired of that kind of politics,” Nye said. “The kind of politics that Karl Rove represents are the same politics that Thelma Drake represents, and that’s a divisive kind of party politics which people are really tired of.”
On a Navy Wing and a Prayer
At a wine and cheese reception in Chesapeake honoring local realtors Thursday afternoon, mortgage broker Mark Davis acknowledges that Drake’s survival depends on the economy and how much the “throw out the incumbents [mentality] is going to take hold.”
“I have every expectation that she’ll win,” he said, adding that Drake is very well-respected in the area.
A former realtor, Drake served nine years in the Virginia House of Delegates, representing a district that should have been difficult for a Republican to hold.
Dave Morgan, who is retired from the Navy, said he will “probably” vote for Drake but his wife will not.
At the presidential level he said he’s probably going to vote for Obama, explaining that his decision had a lot to do with the choice of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the GOP vice presidential nominee.
It’s a change for Morgan, who is retired from the Navy and almost always has voted Republican.
“But this time, no,” he said. “McCain’s an old man.”
It’s statements like that that have loyal Republicans worried.
Hank and Stevie Giffin live just a few doors down from Drake in Norfolk and turned out to support her at last week’s fundraiser.
Hank Giffin, a retired three-star Navy vice admiral, doesn’t sound overly convincing when asked if McCain’s going to win Virginia.
“We hope so. We gotta hope. We need it,” he said.
After being prompted by a campaign aide, he makes a more forceful statement.
“I gotta believe it’s going to be McCain,” he said. “Joe the Plumber’s going to come through for us.”
Even if the celebrated plumber of the campaign trail doesn’t, maybe someone else will.
As the attendees file out of the fundraiser, one supporter tells Drake she’s praying for her.
“That is the most important part,” Drake said.
Schumer Advocates for Many on Panel
Nov. 16, 12 a.m.
As Senate Majority Leader, Lyndon Johnson once said of the Joint Economic Committee, “It’s as useless as tits on a bull.” But as that panel’s chairman during the 110th Congress, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) seized the opportunity to elevate the traditionally low-profile post to the forefront of shaping policy. Read Full Article
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