Posted on 11/05/2001 10:16:14 PM PST by KQQL
Vote Earley
Bush, Giuliani, and Bishop Loverde pitch in.
By John J. Miller & Ramesh Ponnuru
November 5, 2001 11:00 a.m.
Behind in the polls and badly outspent by his opponent, Virginia's GOP candidate for governor brought America's two most popular politicians and an important religious leader into his campaign over the weekend. Mark Earley's campaign mailed a brochure displaying a big picture of Earley walking half a step behind President Bush on what appears to be a tarmac. Inside, there's a quote from Bush: "I appreciate his strong stance on holding the line on taxes and cutting the car tax in Virginia." Bush recorded a phone message on behalf of Earley and two ticket mates, lieutenant governor candidate Jay Katzen and attorney general candidate Jerry Kilgore: "Mark Earley, Jay Katzen and Jerry Kilgore are the experienced leaders Virginia needs to keep the state moving forward--with a positive agenda for lower taxes, accountable schools, more jobs, and a safe and secure commonwealth." Earley's campaign also aired a new ad featuring New York mayor Rudy Giuliani: "If I were a Virginian, I would vote for Mark Earley." Voters who tuned in to the start of the World Series game last night would have seen it.
In northern Virginia, Earley may benefit as well from a letter by Catholic Bishop Paul Loverde that was either read at Masses or inserted into church bulletins over the weekend. In it, Loverde reminds parishioners of their "moral responsibility to vote" on Tuesday. "Respect for the dignity of the human person must be part of our consciousness as we enter the voting booth," continues the two-page letter. It also reminds voters of "the priority to protect the human life of all persons, pre-born and born."
The letter would have been stronger if Loverde had mentioned specifically that Earley is the pro-life candidate in the race and that his opponent, Democrat Mark Warner, supports abortion rights. In other words, there's more than just a moral responsibility to vote; there's a moral responsibility to vote for Mark Earley. Another possibility would have been to attach a scorecard showing how Earley and Warner (plus other candidates down the ticket) differ on abortion. Earley, for instance, supports legislation to require parental consent before a minor may obtain an abortion, while Warner won't commit past the parental-notification law that Earley helped enact.
As things stand, the bishop's letter leaves voters on their own to figure out the candidates' positions by tomorrow's election day. Perhaps they're sophisticated enough to know where Earley and Warner stand. Then again, perhaps not--and they won't receive much help from Earley's campaign website, which focuses on taxes, education, and safety issues.
But it's a good conclusion to what has been a lackluster campaign. In the end, though, the only thing that may salvage the hopes of those who intend to vote Earley is if they somehow manage to vote often.
Unfortunately, despite my son-in-law's many fine qualities, he doesn't believe in voting because he thinks they are all crooks. His own brother is being primed to run for office in PA, so we are all working on him to try voting -- it might become a habit. Certainly, we are not going to let him go through another Presidential election without voting if we have to drag him to the Polls.
I wonder how many votes Warner will get because of name recognition - or mis-recognition?
"Shan't Git Fooled Again"
(To be sung to The Who's "Won't Get Fooled Again")
We'll enlighten all we meet...
For our children, we shall FReep...
Truth and Morals that we worship shall live on!!
'Tis FReedom that spurs us on...
Lib'ral Judgement is all Wrong...
Media LIES, but the Sheeple shall catch on!!
Right'll re-enforce Nation's Ol' Constitution...
Devolve Power...The Great Devolution...
Laugh and sing and take Mark Warner down!!
Listen to what Limbaugh's sayin'...
Gotta do more than pray!!
Folks, we'll take to the streets and VOTE!!!!!
"We shan't git fooled again!!!"...No NO!!
We'll raise our voice for our Country with pride...
Ain't gonna listen to Left's Med'yuh jive!!
We'll wake all the Sheeple and smite all Left's spies!!
Folks, you know that the Lib'ral Slime always lie...don'tcha?!!
(Kewl synthesizer/guitar combo...maybe a li'l MUD on harp)
YEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
FReepers, hit the streets...educate everyone you meet...
Lib'rals' "programs" we'll erase...by the by!!
And the SLAUGHTER of Warner...means momentum for the Right...
Sheeples' fears shall melt away before our sight!!
Right'll re-enforce our Ol' Constitution...
Reject Lib'rals' Socialist solutions!!
Laugh and grin at the change all around...
Pick up MUD's ol' harp and sing...ain't like yesterday...
Folks, we'll take to streets and scream...
FREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-DUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!
Meet the new boss...his name's Mark Earley!!
Mudboy Slim
I've voted in schools all my life, and they never close them for elections. They just set up the polling booths in a hallway and the people go in and out. It's a good lesson for the children.
GoEarleyGo! bttt
"The Old Dominion Shan't Be Fooled Again!!!!"
Sincere FReegards, all...MUD
8am. Bright sunny morning, expected to wait 10-15 minutes to vote . . .
wandered into the school, walked up to the table, voted immediately. No line.
Distinct impression that the turnout is very low today. Don't know who that is good for though?
FReepMail me where I can find him and I'll tie his Lib'ral butt up 'til 7 PM, my FRiend!! Already got my DemonRAT in-laws tied up out back in the shed...sure, I'm feedin' 'em and even gave 'em both a pillow, but they ain't gonna cancel out my vote!! Not this year!!
LOL and FReegards...MUD
In NOVA, low turnout benefits Earley and the GOP ticket...in Central VA, High Turnout benefits Earley and the GOP Ticket!! I'm heading down to the East End of Richmond to play my guitar, sing anti-Lib'ral songs, and scare off as many Lib'ral voters as I can!!
To me, it's not the Quantity of Voters that matters, it's the Quality of Voters!!
)=^D...MUD
Gave me a good feeling.
Oh yeah, my Brother...Turnout's Gonna Save the Day fer the Right!!!
FReegards...MUD
BTW...after we get this GOP sweep accomplished in the Old Dominion, you and me and the Georgia FReepers got to get our act together to FORCE ZELL MILLER TO CHANGE HIS VOTE FOR SENATE MAJORITY LEADER!!!
I've had a good feeling all day, too!!
FReegards...MUD
BTW...you say "rural"...you out Powhatan way or more towards Chester?
Don't count out Schundler...last I heard he was four points down and coming on like a freight train!!
FReegards...MUD
Exactly...the VA Teacher's Unions just like to keep their folks working as little as humanly possible. Fortunately, all the good teacher's LOATHE the Teacher's Unions almost as much as I do!!
FReegards...MUD
Since you're in northern Virginia, I'd say that's good for Earley.
I hate Mark Warner. The man is a cancer in our state. If he wins, he will work to destroy all that I love about the Old Dominion. I moved here from California in 1999, so I know just how good we have it here in Virginia. Warner wants to be just like "Gay" Davis. Or Bill Clinton. I can't decide. I just know the man is evil.
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