Seems like Mr. Brat is running scared as well he should be. Good riddance to all of those tired white men telling us women what we can and can't do with OUR Bodies. They are woefully out of touch with reality and it's grass roots efforts like this whose time has come. Good riddance.
23
Dave Brat has been working to stop the so-called skilled worker visas; H1b. In Northern Virginia the H1b visa has been used to increase profits and suppress American STEM workers. Brats victory was based on this and he should be commended for his work.
Democrat challengers would have to take up the cause of the American STEM workers but considering the Clinton cqmpaign promise to staple a green card to the diploma if every foreign student that doesn't seem likely.
My husband and i will be voting Spanberger, eminently qualified despite her gender, despite her political party label (tongue in cheek). Brat has demonstrated time after time his temerity in shunning his constituents. Brat has done NOTHING but wrap himself in the Tea Party Caucus and vote for a major tax cut for the wealthy at the expense of blowing another HUGE hole in the deficit (so much for Tea Party fiscal conservatism). Brat benefits from being in one of the most severely gerrymandered districts in the country. It is time to take him to task.
24
Boy ‘college educated’ women, huh? So the women who took government money, ie your tax dollars, to get themselves indoctrinated on social justice Kool Aide are attacking town halls and using private Facebook groups to coordinate target and harass ideological opponents.
Boy, it sure would be a shame if someone turned the tables on them and started showing up at all their meetings and interrupting them.
2
@Gabe Mills - Interesting that you automatically assume these women didn't pay for their own educations.
As a taxpayer I expect my taxes to go for things that benefit all of us, things like education.
Educated people earn more and contribute more in taxes, they also tend to make better decisions such as not voting for lying bigots.
37
There is a Zero reason to vote for any GOP member (don't get fooled that he/she is a diff - they all are IT and IT goes behind Paul/Mitch w/o their own brain).
And for any women or any reasonable person - voting GOP is like a hurting them selves.
Any one, but GOP.
19
The population of the Seventh Congressional District of Virginia is growing steadily. Much of the gorwth has occurred in the upscale suburbs of Richmond. In addition, a recent Supreme Court finding of racial gerrymandering has resulted in significant growth of the black population in the district. The number of women has not changed proportionately since 2016. So it is the out-of-staters and the blacks who have changed the balance. The women of Chesterfield County make up 13% of the electorate. The Liberal Women of Chesterfield County are upscale and white. Despite their meager numbers, they are front and center with the liberal media. The reporting is shamefully slanted, presumably because the upscale white liberal media are biased in favor of their own kind.
1
@michjas - I'll bite, which candidates do you think they should be covering?
6
"In Virginia, Women Form an Insurgency to Try to Topple Republican Dave Brat" - great title that needs to be edited/expanded to read:
"In USA, Women Form an Insurgency to Topple Demagogue Trump - and Succeed in 2020."
18
I don't think that Virginia is the only state that will see a new dawn in upcoming elections. I hope that many more women run for office as democrats; the country is full of likely candidates. Many are women my age whose children are long grown, and who look forward to doing more for their grandchildren than babysitting. We want to leave them with a better world and I think we have enough courage, intelligence, and strength to do it.
48
We were happy when Eric Cantor got his head handed to him by David Brat. What a coup. Little did we know how he would act in Washington.
Now we do! Vote Abigail Spanberger. Make Virginia District 7 proud along with the rest of the Commonwealth.
28
In Virginia's open primary system, numerous Democrats voted for Dave Brat as a way of defeating Eric Cantor. It worked. In what ways has an ideologue like Brat supported the needs of the people in his district? His sole mission is to support Donald Trump. He's now afraid of his own constituents. Defeating him is essential.
21
This is another encouraging sign of what Steve Schmidt who was a Republican operative, calls " The coalition of the decent ".
People of varying political backgrounds coming together to rebuke the politics of party before country Republicanism. We need to remind ourselves of our country's motto: e pluribus Unum
" Out of Many...One "
16
You talk about a "southern state" district that still has Confederate flags flying on porches in rural areas. So what? I see as many of those flags in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Ohio, etc., as I did in South Carolina.
Being "southern" is a state of mind, not all good but not all bad. Just like being a yankee. No more and no less biased or roudy, kind or polite.
3
@Angelsea
The "War of Northern Aggression" was LOST by the south. We yanks fly the flag of the United States. Once you realize that the south did indeed LOSE the war the better off you'll be.
17
Brat is the best congressman in D.C. I pray he wins.
2
@Cjmesq0 - What exactly has he done to benefit anyone?
12
I have lived in the Richmond, VA suburbs and points slightly west since 1969, and I cannot recall a local race that has generated the enthusiasm I see in the Spanberger campaign. I've tried to be involved for Democratic candidates in every election, but it's often been a struggle to find a place to volunteer or sometimes even to find a yard sign. Ms. Spanberger has an organization of 2000 volunteers, and they are committed. You have no idea how heartening it is to hear from the campaign regularly and to see enthusiastic crowds at meetings. I'm glad the candidate is a woman and a Democrat, but I'm even more gratified that she cares about local concerns like health care and about local people.
Glad I have lived long enough to see this happening.
103
Dave Brat is cut from the same cloth as my VA Congress rep Morgan Griffith--both Tea Party affiliates. Like Brat, Griffith refuses to meet with the people he takes a salary from--he is a 4 term incumbent who has not held a town hall since 2011. Keep in mind that Brat and Griffith ran on a militant platform of fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction, but both voted to blow the deficit up with the recent Tax Cut Act, and continue to support putting the cost of the Mexico wall on US taxpayers. I hope we in VA can get rid of all these do-nothings in November in favor of people who will actually represent their constituents and not big donors--Vote!!!
83
It's the same with Rob Wittman. He will not have a real town hall and his votes hurt the rural constituents he supposedly serves.
14
@not fooled: Add Michael McCaul of the Texas 10th to the list of out-of-touch and, above all, arrogant Republicans who don't hold town halls, ignore all constituents who don't donate big bucks, and keep themselves isolated from anyone who isn't a wealthy Republican. These guys send patronizing boilerplate responses to letters and emails, and the "mansplaining" in particular is tiresome and irresponsible, as these men clearly denigrate people whose opinions differ. They insult their constituents' intelligence when they don't even bother to acknowledge that others may have valid points of view - or even good ideas - that ought to be considered. We know we have an uphill battle all the way to defeat him, since our district is heavily gerrymandered, but by gum, we are going to make them fight us for every vote.
16
@Suanne Dittmeier
Never forget that they are in office to enrich themselves and line their pockets. Ask yourselves who they retire as millionaires on a civil servant salary. Once these guys are elected they are now beholden to their donors they work for them. Never forget that. Vote Democrat in November.
2
Be careful they've been able to turn the moniker "Liberal" into something anti American and communistic! Simply amazing and defying historical truth!
32
@Counter Measures, if being a dreaded Liberal means wanting health coverage for all American citizens that covers ALL conditions and takes care of ALL ages at a low cost, then I'm a Liberal. If it means insuring that ALL Americans pay their fair share of taxes, then I'm a Liberal. If it means making sure our elections are secure and safe from foreign interference, then I'm a Liberal. If it means FINALLY providing funding to adequately care for ALL of our Veterans and their families who need help, then I'm a Liberal. If it means supporting ALL of the Constitutional, not only the parts that Republicans like, then I'm a Liberal. Add to the list.
73
The "they" you refer to are the false branding Right Wing Republican machine that labels everything the opposite of what it is, right?
12
That's all well and good, but @countermeasures is correct. Waving a label doesn't help if it causes the candidate to lose in the district. Chesterfield County is not a handily "Liberal" area and voted for Trump in 2016.
1
A lot of magical thinking. As the tax cuts start showing up in people’s paycheck. As the GDP climbs even higher. What is the resistance resisting? Hat are progressive values? Abolish ice? Socialism? Identity politics? Censorship because you do not agree with someone’s views? Gun control?
None of these seem to be what America wants.
5
@Llyod
I've had my tax cut showing up in my paycheck for several months now, and it has amounted to a whole whopping 20.00 a month!!! I'm so impressed with my tax cut and what is is not doing for me, our deficit and our debt, that I am voting a straight ticket for the first time in my 40 years of voting!!!
75
@Llyod
No one cares about the GDP. They care about their wages, which are still flat. They care about the cost of gas and food and other consumer products that will be affected by tariffs. And yes, they like socialism when it comes to medicare and social security. Americans are also overwhelmingly for stricter gun registration laws. But mostly, they like to see checks and balances...which is not happening between this Republican congress and president.
24
@Llyod, what are you talking about? The so-called "tax cuts" have allegedly been showing up in workers' paychecks since February 2018. We're going on 6 months now of supposed PROSPERITY TRICKLES DOWN FROM THE TOP ONE PERCENT, and it's been proven to be bogus. As usual.
19
Brat has a divinity degree from Princeton and a BA from a Christian college in Michigan. He is quoted as believing Protestant Capitalism is basis for all that is good in the world.
How does this fellow square his denial of health care for people with his supposedly Christian values?
Does he even care about his constituents? Certainly not from a Christian perspective.
The hippocracyof the American Christian knows no bounds.
77
@John V: As one of Brat's constituents, I can assure you, he DOES NOT care about us! Brat does not respond to our inquiries, will not hold public town halls, and avoids most of us at all cost.
11
@John V Possibly he changed his mind or lost his faith. Neither is a political sin. But selective use of evidence to advance a partisan political preference, is lame, sophomoric, and dishonest.
5
@John V, not all American Christians. There are a few actual Christians out here, who stick as closely as we can to the teachings of Christ to first of all Love God above all and secondly to love your neighbor as you love yourself. Judging how the fake Christians carry on, they must really hate themselves.
8
Good luck to her, hopefully she wins, Brat is about as distasteful a politician as they come.
The bigger picture is also at work here for the Democrats. How good it is to see a credible and competent Democratic candidate with sensible and unextremist progressive views, what a contrast to the destructive and irresponsible campaign run by socialist from NY's 14th Congressional District.
12
@Cazanoma, I disagree with your characterization of what's happening in NY 14th. The candidate is UNIQUELY shaped by - and for - her District.
9
@Cazanoma, personally I'd like to know what is "destructive and irresponsible" about Ms. Ocasio-Cortez's campaign? Is it the one-payer health care you object to or the $15 minimum wage? Is it responsible immigration laws or stronger unions? Frankly, I am baffled by anyone objecting to someone who actually campaigns on the needs of her constituents. Would to God we had more politicians who did.
20
It will be sweet justice if it's women who save us from this misogynist "Access Hollywood" president and his lapdogs in Congress.
72
I've never considered the "tea party" as anything other than a subversive organization dedicated to turning this country into something it hasn't been in a long time, a white rural agrarian society. God riddance to Mr Brat if in fact he does lose.
66
It was Charles and David Kochs' fantasy, to turn America into an ungoverned Libertarian utopia with them as de facto kings.
37
@PeteH Are the Koch brothers the new evil economic manipulators? Are we one step away from "The Protocols"? Rational voters are sickened by stereotypes of all kinds.
"...the two women watching over the master gardener table showed how close the contest could be."
Indeed. And for cryin' out loud - can we Dems stop voting for crazy third-party candidates for a change! You're not "protesting" anything - but you are handing the Repubs a win since virtually every lousy third-party candidate vote robs from the left and gives to the right.
55
As the photos show this is beautiful country, steeped in the history of America. Kudos to all these women. I believe November will show that women all over the country will save democracy, justice and peace. And get rid of more than one brat.
35
The Tea Party is going to be as short lived as a house fly. They made a big roar and accomplished nothing but obstruction and giving big tax breaks to the wealthy and big corporations. Time to let someone else take a crack at it. Let's give women a chance.
31
@Steve How is this not gender stereotyping?
1
There is more happening in Virginia than the 7th, as implied by the headline. Take a look at Leslie Cockburn in the 5th.
14
Wow. I'd vote for her just because of her face. It's so warm and kind. Nothing like the brittle masks we are used to. Wouldn't it be wonderful if she could win and hold on to the empathy?
At any rate, go Liberal Women of Chesterfield County.
34
I'm frustrated with politicians who refuse to hold meetings with their constituents unless of course they first have an opportunity to vet them as loyal supporters. And frankly, I'm done voting for these losers. I'll not vote for another Republican in my lifetime--and in 40 years of voting I never voted a straight ticket until after the SCOTUS awarded the presidency to GWB and I realized that end the end, no matter an individual's particular stance on an issue, in the end they voted with their party, and the GOP is not concerned about the things I value: education, healthcare, equal access to a fair system of justice, fair immigration policies and just treatment of those seeking asylum, laws to keep corporations in check when they seek to fleece those of us who work hard or those of us who struggle to make a living, unions who represent workers, the environment (so that my granddaughter has a shot at a decent existence), laws that protect the ability of that same myself, my daughters and nieces, and their daughters to make our own decisions about our bodies, a country where all religions are protected, not just the religion of white christian evangelicals...I care about a lot of things and find myself shocked that the GOP shares none of those concerns.
55
@Anne It's true for me, too. I guess that means I'm a "values voter." In the year 2018, voting for any Republican means savaging the values I hold dearest and empowering those who would destroy all I love about my country.
28
@Anne you comprehensively ticked all of my boxes with this, and I suspect those of the majority of Americans.
What frustrates me far more than any of this mess on the right, are the vast numbers of people who feel the same way we do but don't vote, or think election day is about venting their personal grievances and vote for third party candidates.
We are now the last and final check on our government; if we drop the ball, this great American experiment will have failed.
11
I think Mr. Brat is not alone. Other male candidates for office have and will experience the power that American women have discovered in themselves. In a stunning succession of primaries and other elections over the past two years, women have shaken off their submissive posture vis-a-vis elections. We have watched men assume control over our government at all levels and we have observed their willingness to pass laws and regulations and take actions that at best are not helpful and at worst are downright damaging, especially to women and children.
All over the country, women have stepped up to run for everything from city council to state government posts and now for national offices. They have been winning in a surprising number of contests, and seem likely to continue winning, right through the elections in November. The men who have controlled this country no longer seem capable of conceiving a government that works for all the people. On behalf of themselves and their children, the women or America are finally going to exercise their power.
33
‘Power they’ve discovered in themselves’
IE social media witch hunts, harassing opponents, reputation destruction through gossip & character assassination, lying, manipulating, playing the victim,
Nope, women have been doing that since the dawn of time.
Amen! The mothers of this country are rising up for the future of our children.
8
Pretty scary for you there Gabe. Trying to discredit women here won’t work for you because all you do is show who you really are. Which really isn’t much worth looking into.
7
Good luck to Abigail Spanberger.
And the Brat Boi has to go.
But a question, do we really want a C.I.A. officer in charge of the country?
Imagine that she wins and wins and runs for the WH and wins. When she meets Putin the news will be Mr Putin, ExKGB President of Russia, meets Mrs (or Miss) Abigail Spanberger, ExCIA President of the USA.
Do we really want that?
6
@Shark Wow, that is really projecting forward. What is wrong with having someone with a CIA background in the Congress to provide oversight on intelligence operations, for example? We need a wide variety of people with varied experiences in Congress.
6
@Shark - do we really want a C.I.A. officer in charge of the country?
It seems a darn sight better than a KGB officer in charge of the country.
38
@Shark
I'd infinitely prefer it to the current disaster happening in DC and on golf courses all over the east coast
7
All this stupid flip-flop is just why I don’t like politics: It mostly has to do with peoples yearnings and prejudices (Stick in the mud), and not common sense or decency.
Here lies the future of America.
32
It was a joint effort of republicans, tea partiers and democrats. We were all (republicans and democrats alike) fed up with King Eric who couldn't give a tinker's dam about his constituents. I know because we crossed party lines and voted in the primary for the first time for David Brat for the sole purpose of getting rid of Eric. In Virginia anyone can vote in the primary for either party but you can only vote for one party.
Then the district was redrawn and weI ended up in different district, otherwise we'd be voting against David Brat too.
The Tea Party and the Religious Right are killing the Republican Party.
32
In what way does Mr. Brat perceive himself as the representative of his entire district? Last year when I read his comment about women “getting in his grill” by asking when he would hold a town hall, a statement that fairly oozed arrogance, I vowed to donate to whoever his opponent would be, and I have done and do. It seems that outlook was not just a one off, by screening who he invites to events, it is apparent that the congressman wants to avoid answering questions that challenge him. For the life of me, I can’t imagine why voters would fill out their ballots for someone so lacking in gumption that he scurries way from speaking to all of his constituents. Ms.Spanberger gets financial support from Northern Virginia where I live, those small donations add up!
60
@Kathryn Thomas: Brat doesn't respond to facebook questions, phone calls or letters from his constituents either. Not even a generic "form" letter. No other rep or senator or mayor has ever not responded to their constituents in the 7th district. He doesn't understand who he works for!
9
@Halldancer
Quite the contrary Halldancer, he knows exactly who he works for and who he will pick up the phone for.
2
Tea Partiers got rid of Eric Cantor. Now the women (and men) of VA-7 need to clean House (pun intended) of Dave Brat.
Women have special motivation to despise the entire Republican Party, but I think that Education has a lot to do with how districts like VA-7 have changed. Education widens people's views of the range of possibilities, promotes empathy for others unlike themselves, and motivates many to participate in our processes. Educated people likely have traveled more, and that has just the same effects.
44
@Leading Edge Boomer
You were right about this: 'Now the women (and men) of VA-7 need to clean House (pun intended) of Dave Brat.'
In fact if we got rid of the Tea Party influence in politics, the world would be a happy place.
24
Brat is the last gasp of the vile Tea Party alt-Right. More power to the women who are calling him out on his ultra-Trumpist actions in Congress. He unseated Cantor because *gasp* Cantor was not conservative enough (also, he neglected his constituents). Brat should be on everyone's hit list. He is a terrible legislator. Despite his academic credentials, he has been a knee-jerk Trumpist since 2016.
47
@William O. Beeman: We'll do our best to make it right!
4
I urge young people who don't make a habit of voting to look at the picture accompanying this article. All of the people in attendance are middle aged or elderly. These are the people who vote in every election and who will have out-sized power in the voting booth this year like every election year. The same demographic gave you Donald Trump for a president. If younger people vote, they can have a voice about the future direction of this country instead of leaving it all to geezers like myself to choose our leaders. We all see what a mess that has gotten us into.
86
@mpound Not all we geezers voted for DT.
18
@Kate
I think the point is if more young people vote, adding their votes to thise of us enlightened "geezers," we wouldn't have another win for Trump and his ilk.
1
When I hear or read about Republicans who refuse to meet with their constituents, unless they’ve been personally approved or invited by the member of Congress, I can’t help but think they’re just cowards who are afraid of explaining their own decisions.
When I hear of constituents who permit this kind of anti-democratic, yellow-belly behavior from their elected representatives, who don’t throw these guys out on their ear, then I think they probably deserve all the misery that comes their way from Washington.
Eric Cantor did not listen, and neither has Dave Bratt. Vote him out of office in November.
181
Ms. Spanberger is an inspiration!
I hope women in her district (and men) will support her if for no other reason than to rein in a President who clearly despises women. Please don't be passive victims who de facto empower a man who insults women daily and treats his wife like a goat. Fight back! Vote democratic this fall.
48
@Sparky As a mostly democratic voter it saddens me to hear people advocating others to vote for someone only based on gender. There are many many issues at stake. Don't vote for someone only to 'rein in a president who clearly despises women'.
This is the part that said it all: "Mr. Brat no longer widely publicizes campaign events, instead requiring that people sign up in advance. He declined several requests for an interview."
Fear.
It seems that fear is a large part of the psyche of Republicans. It is why fear based campaigning works so well for so many Republicans. Except for appeals to deny someone else something the basis of most of their campaign ads seems to be fear and exclusion. It is easy enough to see how wanting to to only be surrounded by your "base" translates into blocking access to others at the polls.
RE: "they were finally becoming comfortable letting their Democratic identity be known to their neighbors."
It sounds like they are seeing that it is the bully (party or person) who is afraid and they no longer need to be.
113
I agree! Fear is the only thing the GOP has to offer. Here in Tucson AZ Martha McSally’s tv ads are ONLY about FEAR...fear of illegal immigrants...nothing about healthcare or SS in a state where there are a majority of retired citizens. Krysten Sinema, however, has ads that address the constituency’s needs...lower prescription prices etc. GOP is totally out of touch...guess what you can’t scare us anymore!
28
@Marie He's also trying to make up for public appearances by a lot of campaign mailings touting his "record." He's making desperate moves.
9
It speaks volumes that these middle class women left democrat run Richmond for GOP suburbs in search of better schools and security.. and now want to recreate the same progressive mess they had in Richmond in those very suburbs. The only thing missing in the suburbs are significant numbers of minorities... how typical upper white liberal is that?
5
@Chris It says they left for less expensive housing. It didn't say anything about a progressive mess. To see a mess look at how the Republicans in full control can't accomplish anything good for the People. Just for business and the rich. The economy is a straight line continuation from Obama's time in office nothing new or changed by Trump except to try and kill Obama care and give tax breaks to the wealthy and business, then use the resulting exploding deficit as an excuse to cut Social Security, Medicare and anything that would help normal people.
7
@Chris Wow! You swallowed the GOP line whole. GOP is now so corrupt that anyone with common sense is against them. GOP is pro rich; pro Russia and anti woman; anti black. Vote out GOP. Ray Sipe
28
Not sure what you define as significant numbers of minorities...but Chesterfield County continues to become more diverse and LWCC is not just upper white liberal, as you call it. I assume you don't live in Chesterfield County, so I understand you're not as familiar with the dynamics.
38
Eric Cantor didn’t hold district meetings in the 7th for more than 2 years, and his Washington and Richmond offices would play off of each other saying call (pick one) DC/Richmond to find out the schedule. Dave Brat isn’t holding public meetings, complains that he isn’t getting fair coverage and his emails are full of completely predictable language about the “liberal elites”. He taught at a small private college, which produces some of those elites BTW. Brat is also not paying attention to the tax bill consequences in VA. His defensiveness coupled with his Freedom Caucus misogyny will hurt him.
45
Goodlatte next! Go, Virginia!!!
20
@etcalhom Goodlatte is retiring with his pension, and will soon no longer do damage to VA06 and the Country. Our choices in November are his former staffer and mini-me, or a bright, principled and progressive Jennifer Lewis. I’m supporting Jennifer Lewis.
39
No matter what, I plan to vote for Barbara Comstock, a supporter of Trump. She will be reelected again.
@Mclean4 - It's fascinating to see how proud people are of voting for cheats, liars and bigots.
47
@Mclean4. No matter what I will stick that knitting needle into my eye again and again and smile and ask for more. Please hurt me more as long as you promise to do bad things to "those people" and stop abortion. Take away health insurance, give tax money to the rich and business, make our our country less safe by praising dictators who promise nothing in return. Break agreements and insult our allies, start needless trade wars that will cost regular people jobs and income.
49
@Mclean4 Washington D.C - "I plan to vote for Barbara Comstock."
Interesting. What did those license plates in DC say? "Taxation Without Representation”
Doesn't Comstock represent the 10th district in Virginia?
11
Why just because your a woman are you a democrat? This is stereotyping woman. As if they have no choice but to vote democrat. And if a woman isn’t on the left something is wrong with her. Woman are a different gender not species.
1
@Jim - Women tend to care a lot about education, health care, housing etc. so it makes sense that they would vote for a party that champions those things.
Why would any woman vote for Republicans, the party that doesn't want them to have equal pay or a say in their own health care decisions?
96
@Jim
You've got this backwards. Why does the GOP not provide a place for women? ..for people of color, .. for anyone but big beefy white male blowhards?
50
@Jim
You're right, your sex should not invariably define your political outlook. But the truth of the matter is that there are plenty of women who became Republicans, and in particular, misguided Trump voters all by themselves. Not all of them, but many.
6
I wonder if Susan Oakley is prepared to trade the cost of the border wall for her Social Security and Medicare benefits?
Thanks to Ms. Spanberger and all the men and women supporting her. Hoping they pull out a victory!
118
Is it an ''insurgency'' when they come at you head on ?
At this point republicans are irrelevant, since Liberals vastly outnumber them(even after republicans try everything to disenfranchise potential voters). All they have to do is show up at the polls and vote.
If the candidate is unwavering in Progressive policies, (AND a woman) then the chances of victory go up exponentially.
34
My son and daughter-in-law are doctors and were Sanders supporters in the ‘16 election. They lived outside Fredericksburg in the Va. 7th district.
They thought the obsequious Cantor, who was perpetually absent from the district, was a bad joke and the Trumpo sycophant Brat even worse.
They just moved to Boise for career reasons and unfortunately will be two less votes for Ms. Spanberger.
However the political landscape of the 7th District is strikingly similar to what they will encounter in Boise: a well educated progressive electorate in an economically and culturally vibrant forward looking city of Boise, and a rural electorate in Idaho who go fetch every time the Trumpo/Tea Party dog whistle blows.
59
I am a progressive Democrat from New Jersey who was introduced to Rep. Brat of Virginia’s 7th U.S. congressional district along with millions of Americans earlier this year while watching Robert Reich’s documentary “Saving Capitalism” on Netflix. Brat is a former economics professor who happens to be one of the most conservative members of Congress. Reich, whose recent mission has been to expose the capture of our government by the big corporations and the wealthy elites who run them, interviewed Brat because Brat successfully campaigned against his vanquished predecessor, Eric Cantor, by attacking his practice of “crony capitalism,” favoring big corporations over small businesses and tax paying citizens. Brat has embraced this issue, at least rhetorically.
In the documentary, Brat describes crony capitalism thusly: “The big folks get together, no matter what industry, to protect their turf at the expense of the small guy. The government’s job is to make sure that doesn’t happen. Instead, the government’s job has turned into, they make that happen.” Correct, Congressman.
Question:
How does Congressman Brat reconcile his opposition to crony capitalism with his support for President Trump’s tax bill which featured huge tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations?
165
@Howard Gregory I haven't seen the documentary, but I'm sure he mentioned that he went to seminary, which seems to give him a pass in his mind of any kind of disconnect between what he says and what he does.
12
This article serves as a good illustration of the press bias in reporting on grass roots politics, especially since it brings up the 'Tea Party'. Remember how the press treated that insurgency? How they lectured the Tea Partiers on civility, called them divisive, hinted that racism and sexism was at the core of their appeal? Compare that to the empathetic, judgement free treatment here. One thing our political discourse needs both locally and nationwide is more citizen involvement like that discussed in this article, but it also needs a press that reports on them equally, without the positive or negative overtones we see so often.
3
@David Godinez Racism was at the core of the Tea Party That was all about a Black man in their White House.
84
@David Godinez I think "press bias" is a figment of conservative imagination, fanned by this inane president, the lunatic right-wing fringe, and other gullible sorts who don't like to face the reality that tea party republicans just aren't very smart.
71
@David Godinez
I don’t understand your point. Are you suggesting that the people in this article are in any way divisive, uncivil, racist or sexist? Or that they need to be lectured for being so?
I don’t see it myself. If anything, they seem to be trying to fight those very things. Unless knitting hats is suddenly subversive somehow.
41
BRAT, an appropriate name for a member of the "Tea Party ". Now it's time for those Virginia Mommies to teach a Brat how they expect their Congressman to behve.
56
Isn't it interesting how words such as "well-educated" and "intelligent" are so commonly used to describe Democrats? Make America Vote Again.
56
@mctommy - Because they are?
23
What goes around comes back around. Good luck Ladies.
36
Implicit in this article is the gerrymandered nature of this district, running “from horse farm to horse farm.” No matter which party does it, gerrymandering undermines the value of the individual vote.
71
The Liberal Women of Chesterfield County is a strong group of women with the managing, organizing .marketing and social media skills needed to be game changers in area politics. This group is a small Army of volunteers who help Democrats with everything from working the polls, writing post cards to residents. to making paper flowers for an event. The LWCC also contributes much needed money to campaigns. I would suggest other localities create their own form of LWCC. No need to re invent the wheel, it is working here in Chesterfield County Virginia
Go Blue Virginia
149
Chesterfield County is area that has been blood red. And yet these women came together and focused on what they could do to change the trajectory. These are women of all ages, education levels and employment types. Activities range from knocking on doors to writing postcards to supporting members of the community who need help. It's hyper local but still looks nationally.
As someone who thought I was the only liberal in the county, I found an amazing collection of people when one of the LWCC members knocked on my door last year and let me know there were other people like me.
Although not as active in the group as I should be, I'm a proud member of LWCC and in awe of these women who have shaken things up and done what they can do.
Special kudos to Kim who planted the seeds and continues to provide stellar leadership.
Oh, and Chesterfield County voted blue for governor for the first time since 1961... LWCC is just getting started...
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@Picklenose Godspeed!
6
@Picklenose
Keep up the great work! Even if you don't take the seat this fall, your organization is in gear to keep the ball rolling. We all have to be in this for the long haul, and you ladies are an inspiration.
16
The House district in which I live is represented by a man who says bluntly that if you didn't vote for him, you are not his constituent and he will not work for you. Plainly, he is saying that if you are a Democrat, he will not take the time to even send a letter of recommendation to West Point, Annapolis, or the Air Force Academy for your son or daughter if they seek admission to one of the military's schools.
It is this level of disservice to citizens that is becoming commonplace, and I sense it is more prevalent among those representatives who identify with the Tea Party caucus, as does mine.
As for Brat's plaint that he is constantly hounded about when and where he will hold the next town hall meeting, he could just a page from John Ratcliffe's (of Texas 4th Cong. Dist.) playbook and just not hold any town hall meetings. Period. Don't want to answer questions? Don't provide any chances to let that happen.
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@Glen
And when these guys fail to answer to their constituents, we can gather together and hold town halls without them, and broadcast our queries to an empty chair. Quite an apt metaphor.
11
Excellent plan, KHL. Inform the candidate that a town hall format debate will be held, with or without him/her in attendance. Advertise the event heavily, invite the local newspapers and TV outlets to cover the unanswered questions, and sit back and enjoy the 10:00 PM news program. The way Lyin' Ted Cruz is ducking debates with Beto O-Rourke, this would be an excellent way to demonstrate who is really interested in what their (non)constituents concerns are.
1
@Glen
Republicans who behave like this are indeed becoming the norm because constituents are allowing it. Rep. Darryl Issa was caught hiding in his office here from people with questions about healthcare repeal.....they organized and protested day after day after day. Eventually, he decided not to run again. Civil disobedience actually works sometimes....you should not give up. Republican officials cannot chose who votes for them unless we allow it.
15
This makes me feel hopeful!
50
"Susan Oakley said she would back Mr. Brat because of his hard line on illegal immigration and his support for Mr. Trump’s wall along the southern border."
People who vote based on manipulative dog-whistle issues like this are not going to change their minds. The only thing to do is get out the vote and outnumber them.
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@Pat
Amen, amen, amen. Just two points to add:
On one hand, because of Republican gerrymandering, Brennan Center researchers project Democrats will have to win the popular vote by 11 points in 2018, something neither party has achieved in decades. Getting out the vote is more critical than it has ever been.
On the other had, there are more registered Democrats than Republicans in many districts, but Democrats— particularly the young and Hispanic-Americans— don’t bother to vote. Register voters, then take them by the hand (or the ear) to the polls in November.
9
A big focus of the Tea Party besides being against taxes was being strong deficit hawks. Remember the deficit and how it would destroy America’s future and how much they blamed Obama for a ballooning deficit? Remember how passionate and how so deeply principled they were, voting against any bill that would raise the deficit by a dollar? That was then, when Dems were in charge. Now Deficit Donny, the liar and adulterer is their beloved leader. May Brat and all the other phonies be tossed out in November and may we always remember how phony Republican principals really are.
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Another great article. In my opinion, what is important that these new candidates are calling for Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to step aside. I trust they are listening and will do the correct thing for the good of the Democratic Party.
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@Not an Aikenite
In my opinion there are more important things to do than calling for Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer to step aside and that is calling for the Republican party to step aside. That comes first. The candidate in this article is running against Dave Brat not Nancy Pelosi, lets focus on that lest we become divisive and hand over elections to the Republicans.
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@Not an Aikenite
If Nancy Pelosi were a man, she would be a hero. She is tough, decisive, and she gets things done. I would like to see younger leaders in Congress. I am uncomfortable with old men and women who hang on to power until they are forced to let go. However, I am also sick of the demonizing of Ms. Pelosi by the GOP, and by Democrats as well. She is an asset to the Democrats with her intelligence and political savvy. Personally, if the Democrats take back the House, I would hope Mrs. Pelosi will step down from the speakership and let another take her place. She will then mentor the new speaker, sharing her insight and experience. Will that happen? Don't know. But Mrs. Pelosi deserves thanks and respect for her service in Congress. She is an amazing woman.
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@dlb
Exactly. Also, I’d add that the anti-Pelosi message is a Republican strategy. Once elected, members may decide to elect a new leadership. But you need to separate that discussion from falling into a Republican trap. (And it’s funny how they always go after women....)