2010.10.11
Police groups, anti-abortion group endorse Griffith
Morgan Griffith
Morgan Griffith, the Republican candidate for Congress in the 9th District, has collected endorsement today from The Virginia Police Benevolent Association and the Fraternal Order of Police, Patrick Henry Lodge #73.
Over the weekend, he announced an endorsement from the The National Right to Life Political Action Committee.
Below are statements from the campaign about each one:
First, the police groups:
The Virginia Police Benevolent Association, a division of the Southern States Police Benevolent Association, met with Griffith at his Christiansburg headquarters for their announcement.
Sean McGowan, the executive director of the VPBA, said Del. Griffith impressed the screening committee with in-depth knowledge of the issues important to our membership, and with his willingness to work with our organization in support of the law enforcement professionals the group represents.
Griffith says he is very pleased to receive the support of law enforcement officers in southwest Virginia. “I am deeply grateful to be endorsed by this law enforcement organization. These men and women put their lives on the line on a daily basis to protect citizens of Virginia, and we need to do everything possible to support them-providing them with the necessary equipment and training to safely do their job. I have supported them in the House of Delegates and will continue to do so in the U.S. Congress.”
Griffith also received the endorsement of the Fraternal Order of Police, Patrick Henry Lodge #73.
And here’s the other one . . .
The National Right to Life Political Action Committee has announced its endorsement of Republican Morgan Griffith in the race for the Ninth Congressional seat.
The group says: “This endorsement reflects Griffith’s commitment to renewing a culture of life, not only in Virginia, but throughout the nation and in the U.S. Congress.During consideration of sweeping health care restructuring legislation backed by President Obama, your opponent, Congressman Rick Boucher, voted against the pro-life Stupak-Pitts Amendment, a pro-life amendment to remove provisions of the bill that expanded coverage of abortion and authorized government funding of elective abortions.”
Griffith says this shows a major difference in him and the current Congressman, Rick Boucher. “I support pro-life legislation and oppose the use of federal funding for elective abortion.”
The NRL says countless Americans who respect the sanctity of human life appreciate Griffith’s willingness to serve and to take a stand as a strong advocate for life.
I guess Morgan finally decided to shed his libertarian beliefs to win the support of NRL. Another example of him saying what he thinks his audience wants to hear. I respected him before now, no longer.
Comment by Geoff — October 11, 2010 @ 5:02 pm
I second that, Geoff. He just changes his opinion based on his audience.
Comment by belle — October 11, 2010 @ 6:11 pm
Geoff, While Griffith does have a libertarian streak, he has always won the support and endorsement of the Virginia Society of Human Life. His views don’t change with the wind or what the party bosses say. The same can’t be said for Ricky boy.
Comment by Southwest Dave — October 12, 2010 @ 11:24 am
All of this is beside the point now. The most reliable polls indicate that unless something dramatic happens, the election in the 9th is already over. Outside money being spent on Griffith is starting to dry up, and the only additional spending he’ll get will be as a courtesy so it doesn’t look like he was completely abandoned. The big money is now going to other districts.
Comment by John — October 12, 2010 @ 12:02 pm
Griffith’s stances absolutely change with the direction the GOP winds blow. Being pro-life/anti-abortion has been a GOP stance for about four decades, though. It’s pretty easy to ‘stay true’ to that one. As for Griffith’s supposed Libertarian streak? Is there any evidence anywhere of that? Any evidence anywhere that he’s not been in lockstep with what his GOP superiors tell him to think? Anywhere?
Comment by abdnva — October 12, 2010 @ 12:54 pm
John, that reflects the most recent polls, which show Boucher stretching out his lead in the last few weeks. I think the shadow groups supporting Griffith realized that it would be far too costly and far to unlikely to result in an overturned seat.
Despite what so many seem to believe, there is a solid reason that Boucher has won every election since his 2nd of 14 terms by a landslide. He crushes the opposition for a number of reasons, among them the fact that the GOP candidates always, always, always default to the mantra of – ‘Look! A librul left winger!… Be afraid of him, but don’t look at me!…’ Despite all the finger pointing and screeching, people understand that Boucher really does work with his constituency’s needs foremost.
Boucher gets a higher % of the votes in his district than the GOP candidates for Governor, Senate, President – and by a significant margin. After nearly three decades of doing that, it becomes pretty obvious that the so called ‘librul left winger’ actually votes for and pleases his conservative base.
Comment by abdnva — October 12, 2010 @ 1:11 pm
People blather on about Boucher being in office 28 years while Morgan has been in office 17 years! Although it’s a different office, he’s definitely not a fresh breath of air. The “term- limit, he’s been there too long” arguments hold no water when your candidate has been office nearly as long.
Comment by Geoff — October 12, 2010 @ 4:34 pm
I kinda agree with Geoff. Griffth is just as much a career politician as Boucher and Goodlatte, so it is hypocritical.
Comment by belle — October 12, 2010 @ 6:40 pm