Right wing Virginian-Pilot endorses Kerry,

[dand]

This paper is in the midst of the world's largest Navy-Marine base, Norfolk and Virginia Beach, this is huge in Pat Robertson country.


http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=77017&ran=214061

[theHandpuppet]

1. O...M...G!!

I would NEVER have imagined that one!

[NDFan]

2. Awesome!

Awesome, AWESOME endorsement! :)

[OKNancy]

3. Snip from the endorsement

George W. Bush oiled the troubled waters of his 2000 election by promising to govern as a unifier and a compassionate conservative.

Four years later, the nation is more bitterly split than ever. That is because the president abandoned the middle ground of the Republican Party in favor of its ideological edge.

He discourages internal dissent, equates disagreement with disloyalty and presents the terrorist attacks of 9/11 as an unassailable justification for whatever course the administration takes.

If polls are correct, half of America stands ready to reward his performance with a second term. Their trust rests on faith in the transparency of Bush’s character, that you get what you see, that no one believes more fervently than Bush that freedom is rising abroad and prosperity is around the corner at home.

[jukes]

4. a real assessment

not expected of *any* media outlet based on reporting since this administration stole power, certainly not from one whose home is in the midst of military land.

this is a major turnaround.

[helpisontheway]

5. OMG!!!!!

So happy to have our local paper endorse Kerry!

[helpisontheway]

7. Who did they endorse in 2000?

[popstalin]

12. They endorsed Gore.

[ithacan]

15. hard to believe... Link??

.

[popstalin]

19. Link!

http://home.hamptonroads.com/stories/story.cfm?story=76377&ran=129732

[ithacan]

27. very strange...

I wonder if they knew something about Bush...

Thanks!

[LittleClarkie]

6. Tell me about it!

I grew up there. Spent half my childhood until I was ten watching Hee Haw, The 700 Club and The Jim and Tammy Show.

It didn't affect me in the slightest (twitch).

Let's here it for my hometown. HELL YEAH, NORFOLK! Way to show some horse sense!

[Gin]

8. Yahoo! I may just renew my subscription.

g

[helpisontheway]

9. Me too!

[independentpiney]

10. Media Blast It! n/t

[Minimus]

11. Great news! My niece is in the Navy stationed in Norfolk and

she called me yesterday just to tell me she was driving around Va Beach, it was raining, and their was a bunch of people standing on the corner of Va Beach Blvd and Independence Blvd, holding K/E signs.

I'm a Navy brat and my family lived in Va Beach for 6 years so it is a place near and dear to my heart.

Virginia is going Blue!!!

[Zech Marquis]

14. Virginia Bech Blvd and Independece Blvd--?!

That's smack in the middle of redneck freeperville :wow:

[Minimus]

16. I moved from there 20+ years ago so help me refresh my memory

is that around the Pembroke Mall area?

[helpisontheway]

18. Yes..it is around the Pembroke Mall area

[Zech Marquis]

39. exactly!

full of freepers and repukes driving suvs and foreign made luxury cars :puke:

[elsiesummers]

40. I grew up in Norfolk. Norfolk votes Dem/ Va. Beach Repblican.

In the sixties Va Beach was the recipient of "White Flight" from Norfolk.

Norfolk is Urban (Portsmouth also) and has heavy minority population and votes Democratic - consistently.

Virginia Beach and Chesapeake vote Republican.

The Hampton Roads (Tidewater) vote is predictable - Christian Right and Military officers and local Bubba types vote Republican.

Minorities and academics and some relocated sorts and the occasional misplaced or surprise liberal vote Democratic.

Enlisted military are a diverse group and unpredictable, though usually a narrow Republican majority.

I just visited a couple of weeks ago - my parents have American Flag hanging in the front of their house not because they want to but because they are afraid not to (afraid they will be egged or stick out as the only house without the requisite flag).

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

47. It sure is

my inlaws live just several blocks from there. Yee fucking ha!!!

[helpisontheway]

22. Please tell me your neice is a Kerry supporter!

My husband works at Little Creek and he can't find a single person at his command that is supporting Kerry! :-( He said majority of them sit around listening to Rush during the day.

[Minimus]

24. She is definitely a Kerry supporter

and she told me that the majority of the people on her ship are too. She is stationed on a flagship.

She has a K/E bumpersticker on her car (that aunt cliberty gave her) and she is not the least bit shy in explaining why people should vote for K/E.

Her brother was in the Marines, he has been out for about 3 years so we worry about him being called back.

Her cousin (my nephew from other sister) just got back from Iraq, he is a Navy Seabee and his unit landed stateside just yesterday, so needless to say my entire family is relieved. Just hope he does not have to go back.

My father is a retired Naval Officer - he was in the Navy for 25 years. I just love it when people try to say we Democrats are not patriotic and do not support the troops. Yea right!

[helpisontheway]

26. That is great!

I'm really happy to hear that there is Kerry support on his ship too. My husband works in special warfare on the base so they are like so gung-ho Bush that it is pathetic! I went to a party at his co-worker's house and he has signed pictures of Bush on his wall. My husband gave me the eye when he noticed it. He was like, "Don't you dare comment on it!" LOL

[GreenPartyVoter]

13. Excellent

[i_c_a_White_Ghost]

17. wasn't he supposed to be the pilot on that Missouri Flight?

:smoke:

[cthrumatrix]

20. nice to see.... all are welcome aboard

[underpants]

21. I holding my breath until the Richmond Times-Dispatch endorses Kerry

Great to hear about the Pilot

Okay here goes.............hhhhhhhhhwwwwwwwwffwwfwfwwwpppx(

[VaYallaDawg]

29. Take a deep breath, underpants

I live in Richmond too, and I don't think either of us will live long enough to see the TD doing that.

BTW - have you seen this week's Style? In Richmond city council race, Benedetti is screaming furious because Pantele had da noive to point him out as a repub (actually referred to it as "the R word") in some campaign literature. They can dish it out but they sure don't like to take it!!

[underpants]

32. Benedetti is a tool-BTW don't vote for Wilder either

Benedetti is nothing but a fundraiser for the VaGOP (the need new cell phones) and his run (just moved into the City a year or so ago) is being orchestrated by the GOP as is Wilder. They are going to use it to get Kilgore elected and fight off the irrestable force that is Tim Kaine.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

48. I'm wondering who the Daily (De)Press down in Newport News

is going to endorse? They're owned by the Chicago Tribune who (I was surprised to hear) endorsed Shrub.

I wasn't surpised our piece of shit Richmond Times-Distrust, er, Dispatch endorsed Shrub this past week. They did endorse Wilder for mayor, but they'll endorse a Dem for president when a monkey flies out of my ass!

[RobertDevereaux]

23. Splendid!

[arwalden]

25. Never Was One Of My Favorite Newspapers... But This Is GREAT!!

[Supersedeas]

28. that is huge, Huge, HUGE, H - U - G - E, More Conservatives w/integrity

[DrGonzo]

30. Sorry Guys. We are Way off on this one

The Va. Pilot is one of the most left-leaning/Liberal papers in Virginia. It is considered to be considerably at odds with its readership.This is to be anticipated. See Gore endorsement in 2000. As the weeks go by we need to make sure we understand when an endorsement is a big deal, and when it is not. This is one of the cases of the latter.

[onenote]

31. expected, but still good

The fact that the V-P endorsed Kerry is not a "surprise" given the paper's track record. I haven't double checked, but I believe that the paper also endorsed Clinton twice; not sure who they endorsed the first time Bush-papa ran.

But, even so, I'd rather have the endorsement than not have it...

onenote

[dand]

34. Welcome to DU DRGonzo

I disagree with your first post, but here's to ya:toast:

[Maeve]

38. It's also the largest circulation paper in VA

[Cha]

33. I thought you meant a Virginian pilot

endorsed Kerry...this is better!

"If polls are correct, half of America stands ready to reward his performance with a second term. Their trust rests on faith in the transparency of Bush’s character, that you get what you see, that no one believes more fervently than Bush that freedom is rising abroad and prosperity is around the corner at home.

In anxious and uncertain times, his confidence and clarity carry undeniable appeal.

But Americans must approach this election governed by their heads as well as their hearts.

Resolve is no substitute for results. Americans need to answer honestly: Has Bush strengthened our national security? Our economic security? Our retirement security? Or have his judgments jeopardized all three?"

See..these newspapers don't care about what inconsequentials the media is harping on!

[Critical Thinker]

35. If you have yet to read this endorsement ,

then take a minute to read it now. Speaking as a "Kerry Republican", I can tell you that the Virginian-Pilot has precisely captured my sentiments in this election. Their endorsement elucidates central issues that should "speak" to openminded conservatives. IMHO, *this* is the material that Kerry should be using on the stump until Nov 2 - this stuff can flip voters from Bush to Kerry.

Go Kerry!!!

[underpants]

36. Welcome to DU

Good to have you on board Critical Thinker

[never cry wolf]

44. You are correct, CT. Very well reasoned piece

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[Iceburg]

52. Welcome to DU Critical Thinker

... a Candadian friend in solidarity.

The endorsement (and I read 'em all) was one of my favourites. Not only did it capture the essence of Kerry we were introduced to a few new facts ...

"In 1960, the ratio of workers to retirees was better than 5 to 1. By 2030, it will be just over 2 to 1. By 2018 the Social Security system will start paying out more in benefits than it takes in through taxes.

When President Kerry makes his first field trip to Canada, I guarantee there will be an adoring crowd and there WILL BE flowers ('Mums taped to hockey sticks)

We anxiously wait his arrival.

[steve2470]

37. maybe we will win !

:-)

[Progressive420]

41. Like I have been saying since this time last year

VA is going blue in this election there is no doubt in my mind. It's so close in the polls plus I know so many newly registered voters that have never voted before and most of them will be voting this year for Kerry and I live in Southwest Virginia where most of the people in the area are repugs.

[VOX]

42. Democracy is breaking out in the Red States!

Wow! Reminds me of a time long ago when conservatives were sane. :toast:

[madmax]

43. Another example of the librul media run wild.

:evilgrin:

[Qutzupalotl]

45. Kerry could take Virginia this time.

I hope he goes to the R strongholds like Roanoke and Lynchburg. He would turn some heads and some voters! Then of course hit Norfolk and Richmond.

[2Design]

49. roanoke paper endorsed kerry too

[Laelth]

46. What's interesting to me about this endorsement ...

is that you can hear Ron Suskind's words in it. His essay, "Beyond a Doubt," did us and the country great good. The idea that Bush doesn't and won't listen to his advisers terrifies even the most hard-core economic conservatives. Most of them, the rational ones, think that Shrub is an idiot, and they were happy to believe that Cheney was calling the shots. Suskind's essay proves that something else is going on. In fact, it's Bush's private conversations with God that are determining national policy. This scares most sane folks--as it should.

If you haven't read Suskind's essay yet, you should. It appeared in New York Times Magazine. If you don't want to give NYT Mag. your e-mail address, you can find the text of the article HERE. It's the second item in that thread.

-Laelth

[diamond14]

50. Virginia is OFFICIALLY BLUE !!!! we're voting for KERRY

ABB....

in Virginia....
the reTHUGlicans are MAD
the Environmentalists are MAD
the Seniors are MAD
the Health Care workers are MAD
the Veterans are MAD
the Military Families are MAD
the SOLDIERS are MAD
the PARENTS of school children are MAD (Virginia schools rate near
the BOTTOM of the whole country, slightly behind Texas)
the TEACHERS are MAD
the religously-insane pat robertson supporters are MAD


Virginia will lead the SOUTH AGAIN !!!!

Virginia will PROUDLY cast her 13 electorial votes for KERRY !!!!

[tomfodw]

51. What pisses me off is, we warned everyone 4 years ago...

...what Bush would be like. We told them that his "compassionate conservatism" was a lie, that he had no intention of "ruling from the center," that he would turn hard to the right the second he was in office. We warned them and warned them and nobody listened to us, and now it turns out we were right all along, they're pretending to have just discovered for themselves what we were screaming about 4 years ago!

I'm glad they've seen the light - finally - but what the fuck took them so long?

[greensforimpact]

53. at least no nader in va

at least Nader's not on in Virginia. He's beginning to scare me.

Ralph Nader is now working with a dangerous, cult-like "social therapy" political party. This is disgusting. Please read the report at available at http://www.greensforimpact.com/nadercult.pdf

I've also copied some of the findings below - but please help spread this information. Progressives *must* know about this.

The Independence Party of New York has endorsed Ralph Nader's campaign for president. The Independence Party is a neo-Marxist sect, built around a mind-control technique called "Social Therapy," developed by Fred Newman. Newman’s right-hand woman, is the fringe political operative, Lenora Fulani.

For more information about the social therapy technique and the terrible effects it has had on untold lives, visit www.ex-iwp.org, a community of former members of the Newmanite organization.

Greens for Impact (www.GreensforImpact.com) calls on Nader to reject the endorsement of, and other well-documented support by, Fred Newman, Lenora Fulani, and their Independence Party. Their assistance ranges from giving him legal assistance to get on the ballot in swing states, setting up a shadow 527 organization to boost him, filing lawsuits against Kerry for him, and helping him gather signatures.

See the full report at http://www.greensforimpact.com/nadercult.pdf