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Virginians' choice: Two life stories, but what a difference
Virginians' choice: Two life stories, but what a difference
BY MARK PLOTKIN, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 10/27/17 09:20 AM EDT
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
Two very different people are running to be the governor of Virginia.
The Democrat on the ballot, Ralph Northam, is the present lieutenant governor of Virginia. This is a job with little political significance. The only reason anyone seeks it is if they take an unreal pleasure in breaking ties. They surely don't do it for the money. The office pays a modest $33,000 a year. ... You run for lieutenant governor of Virginia because you want to be the governor of Virginia one day. The post is a stepping stone.
....
His Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, has spent his life being a party operative and full-time lobbyist for a collection of corporate interests, including promoting the tobacco industry. ... His political experience included working under Karl Rove. Some of that time was spent raising millions of unregulated donations that went to GOP candidates. This money is commonly and deservedly called "dark money."
....
The country will be watching the Old Dominion — this election could very well be a predictor of what is to come in the 2018 mid-terms.
Mark Plotkin is a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a columnist for The Georgetowner. He previously worked as the political analyst for WAMU-FM, Washington’s NPR affiliate, and for WTOP-FM, Washington’s all-news radio station. He is a winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in writing.
BY MARK PLOTKIN, OPINION CONTRIBUTOR — 10/27/17 09:20 AM EDT
THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY CONTRIBUTORS ARE THEIR OWN AND NOT THE VIEW OF THE HILL
Two very different people are running to be the governor of Virginia.
The Democrat on the ballot, Ralph Northam, is the present lieutenant governor of Virginia. This is a job with little political significance. The only reason anyone seeks it is if they take an unreal pleasure in breaking ties. They surely don't do it for the money. The office pays a modest $33,000 a year. ... You run for lieutenant governor of Virginia because you want to be the governor of Virginia one day. The post is a stepping stone.
....
His Republican opponent, Ed Gillespie, has spent his life being a party operative and full-time lobbyist for a collection of corporate interests, including promoting the tobacco industry. ... His political experience included working under Karl Rove. Some of that time was spent raising millions of unregulated donations that went to GOP candidates. This money is commonly and deservedly called "dark money."
....
The country will be watching the Old Dominion — this election could very well be a predictor of what is to come in the 2018 mid-terms.
Mark Plotkin is a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a columnist for The Georgetowner. He previously worked as the political analyst for WAMU-FM, Washington’s NPR affiliate, and for WTOP-FM, Washington’s all-news radio station. He is a winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for excellence in writing.