Is This What Carter Turner Means By Bipartisanship?

As we announced last week, Carter Turner is now the likely replacement for Ginny Weisz. I say "likely" because, while he's announced his candidacy, he won't officially be the candidate until after the Ds caucus tomorrow. I was able to go to his announcement today and I thought I'd post some quick thoughts.

First I must admit I was taken aback by the negativity in the announcement, both from Carter and from his supporters. Calling Morgan Griffith names will win him no votes. It's just undignified when someone like Cabell Brand stoops to name calling. Carter says, however, that the reason he is running is he wants to bring bipartisanship to the 8th HOD district. I think he said the words partisan or bipartisan 20 or 30 times in his speech. This claim rings completely hollow though when you look closer.

1) Does he really know anything about Morgan Griffith's record or does he just read the Roanoke Times editorial page? Of course they call him a partisan devil but his voting record simply doesn't support that charge. You don't have to believe me. Go to Richmond Sunlight and read about his record for yourself. Frankly, his record is incredibly bipartisan considering he's the Majority Leader.

2) I was struck by the partisan tone of an event hyping bipartisanship. I didn't see a single R or I in the crowd other than myself. Not a great way to kick off a "bipartisan" campaign by surrounding yourself with no one but partisan Ds. Very interesting contrast to Morgan's huge fundraiser this past weekend that was attended by over 200 people including a large number of Ds and Is.

3) Furthermore, if Carter wants to run a non-partisan campaign, why is he running as a partisan Democrat? Virginia law allows him to run as an Independent if he wants. So if he's so anti-partisanship, why not run as an Independent and challenge both parties to do better?

4) Maybe most damning to his claim of bipartisanship is his agreement to participate in a nominating process that is demanding all participants take a loyalty oath. Here's a quote directly from the Call for their nominating caucus.

Every participant must sign a Democratic loyalty oath affirming that he or she is a Democrat, believes in the principles of the Democratic Party, and does not intend to support any nominee who is not a Democrat in the 2009 general election in Virginia.

Loyalty oaths? Really? Doesn't sound very non-partisan to me.

5) According to the SBE and the House Clerk's Office, Turner has not filed any of his paperwork to register his candidacy. As such, I found it very curious that he has spent money on a handbill, purchased a website, purchased a large sign and had "staff." One of his staff members needs to take a crash course on Virginia campaign finance law.

6) Finally, where was the support for Turner from the Democratic House of Delegates? No Onzlee Ware, no Gwen Mason, no Ward Armstrong, etc. Ginny Weisz learned all too well that some Ds will promise big things but give you zero support. Carter strikes me as a good guy. I hope that doesn't happen to him but the complete lack of support from the Dem caucus would make me very nervous if I were him.

Carter is a nice guy. But I hope his campaign will be more than attack labels and no substance. I was disappointed with the negativity of his announcement and the attack mode the handful of folks on hand displayed. The fact is, Morgan Griffith has represented the 8th HOD district well and Carter does himself no favors by jumping right into the mud. Hopefully we'll see a better Carter in the next few months.