Comments on: National Journal says Democratic leadership put Boucher “on notice”

By: Sandi Saunders

Sandi Saunders — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 01:08:19 +0000

Virgil got caught showing his true colors. He was the TEA protest raving maniac before they had an ugly sign to carry. He thought he owned this country too. He chose to be a bigot and enough people in our district decided he did not represent us. Yet another reason Hurt is trying to fly low and bank on resentment to do his job for him. Some hero there.

By: abdnva

abdnva — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:18:54 +0000

Boucher’s smart enough to have banked a good amount – about $2 mil or so – just in case. That’s about four times what Griffith had, but that doesn’t factor in the heavy money coming from the shadow group Americans for Job Security and other s like that. If it came down to it, they could easily toss another million in their negative advertising kitty for the 9th. That won’t matter this time, but it will mean less money that Boucher can hold in reserve for his 2012 re-election. Again, pointing towards 2012 campaign after Griffith gerrymanders the 9th to his liking, big picture that the GOP is watching.

By: Jack Mcguire

Jack Mcguire — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 22:00:11 +0000

Virgil got caught flat footed,didnt expect the big bucks campaign against him.

By: Dwayne Yancey

Dwayne Yancey — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:50:48 +0000

abdnva, the way I read it, he was “put on notice” because it’s been a long time since he’s had a serious challenge — that 1984 race against Jeff Stafford that you reference. A lot has changed since then in terms of how campaigns are run — the money required, the technology available, and so forth. No blogs in 1984, for instance! So presumably the Democratic leadership wanted to make sure Boucher (and the other Dems cited) were on top of things. I’ve heard from some Republicans who felt that Virgil Goode lost his 2008 re-election bid in the 5th partly because he didn’t run a “modern” campaign — wasn’t making proper use of direct mail, and so forth.

By: Jack Mcguire

Jack Mcguire — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:38:43 +0000

Boucher will win easy.

By: abdnva

abdnva — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 21:33:04 +0000

So he was ‘put on notice’ because he’s won all of his elections since 1984 by huge margins? Because he manages to meet the wishes of his conservative constituents instead of antagonizing & alienating them? Or because he didn’t spend a lot of money in his campaigns when he didn’t need to do so?

Very interesting approach taken by the so-called party leaders who are all pilloried right now…

By: Bob H

Bob H — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:51:13 +0000

Hey John

After redistricting Boucher will be able to see the 9th from HIS house in Abingdon.

Will your point have as much relevance then?

By: John

John — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 20:20:26 +0000

Boucher needs to retire like Griffith is an expert on the 9th because he can see it from his house.

By: Bob H

Bob H — Fri, 08 Oct 2010 19:49:34 +0000

Boucher needs to retire. BTW, how old is that picture of him, 20 years ago?