Potts considers run for governor (RINO alert)

Washington Times ^ | 2-10-05 | Christina Bellantoni

[RKBA Democrat]

Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. is considering jumping into the Virginia gubernatorial race, which already has at least three candidates. -SNIP-

Mr. Potts, who is considered a moderate in the party because he voted for last year's tax increases, would run as either a Republican in a June primary against two known candidates or as an independent in November.

[Coop]

Smart... or slow?

[GeorgeW23225]

Hey Mudd:

Your description of Potts is much too kind..... :-)

[GeorgeW23225]

Hey Mudboy:

Your description of Potts is much too kind..... :-)

[Mudboy Slim]

"Your description of Potts is much too kind..... :-)"

Heh heh heh, I'm just gettin' warmed up, my FRiend...MUD

[gieriscm]

Dang, but I called it!

http://www.zwire.com/site/tab1.cfm?brd=2553&Nav_Sec=65096 - The Loudoun-Times "Smear" is not known for liking Republicans.

Sen. Potts II

When Sen. Russ Potts (R-western Loudoun) announced last week that he's running for governor as an independent, the recurring question was why.

Why would this longtime Republican turn his back on his party? Why would he spend a lot of money when he has little chance of winning? Why would he forsake his constituents?

Speculation centers on one factor: state pension.

One theory making the round is that Sen. Potts does not have the strength to win, but he will siphon votes away from Republican nominee-in-waiting Jerry Kilgore, the former attorney general.

Those votes could be enough for the Democratic candidate, presumably Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, to win the general election.

In that case, the theory goes, Sen. Potts would be rewarded with a nice state job, say secretary of education.

Sen. Potts has been in the state Senate since 1992. That's 13 years, enough to qualify for a pension. Add four years in an appointed state job, and the pension becomes mighty attractive.

The smell of money often clouds good judgment. Sadly, it smells like it happened again.

[Corin Stormhands]

Kilgore ping.

Sen. Potts has been in the state Senate since 1992. That's 13 years, enough to qualify for a pension. Add four years in an appointed state job, and the pension becomes mighty attractive.

Rinse. Lather. Repeat.

As often as necessary.

[Corin Stormhands]

Doh!

Lather. Rinse. Repeat

[R. Scott]

Mr. Potts, who is considered a moderate in the party because he voted for last year's tax increases, would run as either a Republican in a June primary

In other words – he’s a democrat at heart.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Speculation centers on one factor: state pension. One theory making the round is that Sen. Potts does not have the strength to win, but he will siphon votes away from Republican nominee-in-waiting Jerry Kilgore, the former attorney general. Those votes could be enough for the Democratic candidate, presumably Lt. Gov. Tim Kaine, to win the general election. In that case, the theory goes, Sen. Potts would be rewarded with a nice state job, say secretary of education. Sen. Potts has been in the state Senate since 1992. That's 13 years, enough to qualify for a pension. Add four years in an appointed state job, and the pension becomes mighty attractive."

Folks 'roun' these parts call it "The Brickley Strategy"...MUD

[Corin Stormhands]

Also known as the Benedetti option.

[Gabz]

We had a few terms for it in Delaware as well.........

You could always predict when a long term legislator, particularly one in a leadership position was going to announce retirement.........talk about helping state employee pensions was always the first hint.

[RKBA Democrat]

Now, now, now. There are some of us anti-tax, anti-RINO Democrats out there.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...talk about helping state employee pensions"

State employees SUCK...MUD

[iceskater]

Now, now. Not all of them are bad....

[Mudboy Slim]

Heh heh heh...MUD

[R. Scott]

Really?

[Gabz]

I was hoping one of my friends up in Dover was online so I could get him to tell me exactly what the last stunt they pulled was.....I don't remember the details, it happened after I moved here and it involved the retiring Senate President Pro. My pal was the caucus "mouthpiece" and so always told me all the dirt.

He got himself a nice cushy job after that stint with the caucus.........I think they figured they better do something with him to make sure he kept his mouth shut...........but what do you expect from dems anyway?

[yankhater]

I just got back from a museum trip from Winchester. I can report that I saw several Potts signs posted along US 17 and US 50. One by a scenic mountain view read "Thank you Senator Potts for this beautiful view". Very self serving and typical of his character that that sign was put up by his own campaign team.

I think him more dangerous than some of you. Having lived for 2.5 years in Loudoun County I see his danger. Despite his pomposity he is popular with the NOVA moderate-liberal Republicans. Potts has acted very much the demagogue on the "Development" issue. If he can split a fraction of the NOVA GOP vote he can do real damage.

I see the hand of Big John at play....(Warner is from Middleburg).

The YH

[Mudboy Slim]

"I think him more dangerous than some of you. Having lived for 2.5 years in Loudoun County I see his danger. Despite his pomposity he is popular with the NOVA moderate-liberal Republicans. Potts has acted very much the demagogue on the "Development" issue. If he can split a fraction of the NOVA GOP vote he can do real damage."

Well, it's going to be obvious pretty early in the race that Potts is simply playing the spoiler, and if he starts to get support fer his views, I think it's likely that he will siphon as many votes from Kaine as from Kilgore.

"I see the hand of Big John at play..."

I don't doubt it a bit...but we need a smoking gun to prove it. Kilgore ain't some wild-eyed RadicalRightWinger like Warner painted Ollie North to be, and if we can open up a few more GOPers' eyes to Warner's propensity to undercut fellow GOPers election efforts, maybe we can get that GOP-only primary election that will be necessary to whup RINO Jawn the next time around!!

FReegards...MUD

[Corin Stormhands]

I see the hand of Big John at play....(Warner is from Middleburg).

I don't think so. Not this time.

Remember in 1994 Jawn Warner refused to endorse Ollie North. He endorsed Jim Miller in the primary.

He's already endorsed Kilgore.

And he's too much of a primadona to play this behind the scenes. He'd want to be in the spotlight.