[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.

[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