2012.02.01
Virginia’s U.S. Senate race, as overheard in north Roanoke County
I took yesterday off since I’ll be covering the Roanoke Democratic firehouse primary on Saturday. My wife and I spent some time traveling and hiking around the Natural Bridge area before coming back into Roanoke.
We ate at a restaurant outside the city borders on the north side, and I couldn’t help overhearing the brisk political discussion at a nearby table about the U.S. Senate race.
I didn’t outright eavesdrop, but I’m always interested to hear what people discussing politics out in public have to say about the various campaigns in Virginia.
This was a fairly large group and from a distance it seemed like its members stances varied from disinterested to activist.
One couple was passing out a petition to put E.W. Jackson on the ballot in the Republican primary for U.S. Senate this year. The (presumably) husband and wife were big Jackson supporters, as they rattled off his resume and some of his personal story. I wasn’t entirely surprised to hear that fervor for Jackson, as he’s definitely got pockets of strong support here in the Roanoke Valley.
Others in the dinner party weren’t entirely convinced — one man said he’s backing George Allen — but they were all for helping anyone get on the ballot, regardless of whether they’d actually vote for him.
I lost the thread for a while, as I was involved eating and chatting with my own supper companion, but I did overhear some comments on the same subject of the U.S. Senate race a while later. These came from one fellow who was ready to defeat Democrat Tim Kaine.
He was working to convince another member of the dinner party of the urgency in beating Kaine, and from what I heard he used two main arguments: Kaine closed interstate rest stops, and he recommended that convicted double-murderer Jens Soering be sent to Germany.
So what does all this mean?
Well, nothing really. It was one overheard conversation at a random restaurant in the early stages of a big campaign.
But I think it’s worth noting a couple of things. One is that these conversations already are being had this year. It’s not just talk about the presidential race, but the U.S. Senate race too.
Second is which two attack points have already taken hold and which are being used to convince likely voters, even in late January.
What do you think?
– Mason Adams
It is very exciting to hear from someone with a first-hand account of E.W. Jackson’s supporters out spreading the word and getting signatures! Jackson’s candidacy is unique in this senate race since he is not a carrer politican or an Washington insider and has no corporate interests funding him in an attempt to get him into office. He is simply a U.S. Marine who graduated from Harvard Law and after 15 years left the legal profession to answer God’s call to the ministry. Now he feels a calling to help save our Republic and I believe he would be the best Senator Virginia has had in my lifetime. If anyone is interested here a link to EW Jackson using humor to make a serious political point. Enjoy the video!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br66GeW5UuU
Comment by Greg Aldridge — February 1, 2012 @ 10:56 am
I wanna know if you signed it, Mason =)
Comment by belle — February 1, 2012 @ 10:57 am
No, the couple passing it around didn’t bring it to any other tables.
I know there’s no harm in signing to help someone get on a ballot, but as a reporter covering the race I’d be uncomfortable even doing that, no matter which candidate it was.
– Mason Adams
Comment by Mason Adams — February 1, 2012 @ 11:03 am
I am also very excited about Jackson’s campaign. I would love to hear him debate Kaine! Jackson would mop the floor with him!!
Comment by Lori Carlson — February 1, 2012 @ 11:20 am
As John Warner would say, E.W. Jackson “went North!” for his degree and not the colleges associated with great Virginians like Robert E. Lee or Thomas Jefferson. Oh well, times are changing.
Comment by Bryan — February 1, 2012 @ 11:25 am