'Independent Republican' Potts Joins Race in Va. (RINO running against GOP)

Washington Post ^ | 2/25/05 | Rosalind S. Helderman and Chris L. Jenkins

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RICHMOND, Feb. 25 -- Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. (R-Winchester) announced Friday that he is running for Virginia governor as an "independent Republican" and will mount a populist, pro-investment campaign against the two major party candidates.

Potts, a senator for 14 years, said that he remains faithful to the principles of his party but that the GOP's rightward drift has put it out of line with the thinking of most Virginians.

"I believe that Virginia is a moderate, middle-of-the-road state," said Potts, 65. "That's where I am."

He vowed to turn back one of the most popular political promises in recent Virginia history by allowing local governments to reinstate the car tax. He said the rollback of the tax has been a "fiasco" that has starved the state of millions of dollars needed for education, health care and public safety.

[iceskater]

Yep. We have to keep calling it what it is - tax increases. $^&(%(&#$(* -it. I am sick of the tax increases. I have to vote next week in my county against the freakin' meals tax they want to impose. It's everywhere - from local to federal. More, more, more....enough already!

[Guillermo]

If he was truly "in step" with Virginians, and not "out of step" like he says the GOP is, then he should cruise to victory in the GOP primary...right??

[Gabz]

The "meal" tax is the only tax I have yet to figure out around here. They're really wacky and no one has ever been able to totally explain it to me. If I eat a meal and have a couple of beers in one section of a favorite place, I pay tax on everything. If I have the identical thing in another section of the same establishment, I only pay tax on the food part of the bill. Weird.

[iceskater]

There you go - thinking logically again. Doncha know that's strictly forbidden by libs?

[iceskater]

I think every county has it's own rules. The powers that be in Henrico have not explained any of this very clearly so that the voters know exactly what in the h### they're voting for. Furthermore, they've tied it to a bond issue vote and have said that if you vote for all of these projects and NOT the meals tax then you're property tax will increase. Well, the thing of it is, my property tax has been increasing at least 10% every year since I've been in the house I'm in now. Will someone please explain to me how that is NOT a tax increase already.

Frankly, I'd rather have the property tax increase - at least I can deduct that on my income taxes.

[Gabz]

Ok - I don't feel so bad about thinking things are convoluted.

Mind you I'm not complaining, although I dislike taxes as much as the next guy, Accomac is pretty low on the scale........and compared to taxes in Delaware, they are a piece of cake.

Would the meals tax be considered a sales tax for the purpose of federal taxes? My understanding now is that you can opt to deduct sales tax paid instead of state income tax from the Federal starting with 2005.

[iceskater]

Here's my letter to the editor about the meals tax. Let's see if it makes it into the paper. Any other Henrico freepers who want to chime in - feel free to use mine as a guide.

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Regarding the proposed meal tax in Henrico County: I am baffled why the county thinks a new tax is needed. So far, the county has failed to make the case that more revenues are needed. Furthermore, considering most property taxes are increasing for most taxpayers due to rising assessments, the county has completely failed to explain why, with these increasing revenues, an additional tax is needed.

Then, the county schedules the vote on a totally off day - not a general or primary election. One would think they were trying to manipulate the results by having this vote on date when most people won't even show up at the polls.

And the final threat from the county is that if the voters approve the projects and reject the meals tax, then our property taxes will increase.

This whole thing smells to high heaven and the county board of supervisors and county manager ought to be ashamed of themselves.

Frankly, I would rather have the higher property tax, at least I can deduct that on my income taxes. I urge the voters in Henrico to vote NO on the meals tax.

[R. Scott]

I hope he doesn’t succeed in rolling back the car tax back too far – I’m used to not paying a sales tax every year on my “22 year old Chevy Coup”.

[jla]

Corin...Would you have this guy's voting record on hand?

[Corin Stormhands]

Not handy, but you can look around here: http://www.stoppotts.com/

[Republican Wildcat]

If he's going to run on a leftist platform, he may just draw votes from the Democrat.

[Mudboy Slim]

"I urge the voters in Henrico to vote NO on the meals tax."

Dittoes...MUD

[iceskater]

I just heard from the paper verifying that I did submit that letter. So, it's going to the editor. It might get in the paper. We'll see.

[Flora McDonald]

Love it! Mind if I steal it?

[Flora McDonald]

It usually means they'll print it. Congratulations!

[Flora McDonald]

Do folks in the Peoples Republic of Northern Va get to vote in our elections?

BTW..Are any of you DC FReepers doing the Fayetteville NC FReep on March 19th?

[Corin Stormhands]

Help yourself.

[JohnBDay]

Marshall Coleman was able to get as many votes as he did because he had the implicit endorsement of John Warner. This time, Warner has alrighty endorsed Kilgore. I'd be shocked if Potts gets more than 5%.

[Mudboy Slim]

Let us know when to check out the LTE page, I don't read it as religiously as I used to...MUD