The point is not that Oleszek is the best candidate, although I can see why partisan blinders will cause some will try that spin to avoid the real issue.

The point is that over the last eight years the Democratic Party has not built a set of issues in Virginia to run candidates from and has not built an organization and a bench to draw candidates from. Instead they have sought power on the cheap, and it has caught up with them.

The GOP field has three candidates-two of whom have never held elected office-who saw an opportunity might come their way and prepared to take advantage of it. That speaks to having an organization and a bench of people ready to go. The Democrats on the other hand had no one ready to go, are only now shuffling about trying to find out who to run in this special election, and they are doing it not by folks eager to run but only after taking a poll.

I cannot imagine the Dems (or the GOP, for matter) willingly importing a candidate into a special election if they had a suitable candidate on hand waiting on the bench ready to go.

Marsden’s strength is really neither here nor there to the point at hand. His potential carpetbagging simply is the most current manifestation of the problem. The problem is most obvious in Va 37 because it is a competitive district, but it exists elsewhere. The Democratic party had the chance to build a brand through policy initiatives, taking stands, and even if defeated in the General Assembly would have an issue to take to the public.

Instead, they decided to do nothing but hope the GOP imploded while running against Bush and Gilmore.

The point is not that Oleszek is the best candidate. The point is that after eight years of Dem control of the governor’s mansion (and control of the Fairfax Board of Supervisors for as long a period) they haven’t built the brand or the bench that would obviate the need for candidate selection by polling.

Why is this polling needed? It’s a result of their power on the cheap policy.

Bwana, it’s ok to be afraid of Marsden, you should be. He’s consistently won by appealing to moderate voters while still offering base Democrats something to be excited about. Ironically, he’s probably the closest thing the D’s have to Cooch himself; someone who wins in an area that does not line up perfectly ideologically with him because he appeals to a broad spectrum of voters by being honest, working his rear end off, and providing outstanding constituent service. I mean really, who else personally calls back nearly every constituent that contacts him?

However what’s not ok is to continue to repeat Ben Tribbett’s lies about Marsden verbatim.

You note that Cathy Belter was “by many accounts bullied out of running.” Really, many accounts huh? Like whose? Seriously, are there ANY accounts of this made up phenomenon besides Ben Tribbett? Name two of them (since ‘many’ means at least 3, right?).

You obviously know about his axe to grind with Marsden and you do nothing but diminish your credibility when you repeat this garbage. Same with Marsden “going door to door for Cooch.” Pure fantasy, made up by Ben because the D’s in the 41st District had the good sense to laugh at him when he wanted to run for the seat. In hindsight, it was perhaps the smartest move any two magisterial district committees ever made in the history of Virginia politics! Can you imagine that nutjob trying to govern?!? But I digress….

You’re better than this! Partisan blinders are entirely fair, but at least be honest.

Also, isn’t COBRA available under the State of Virginia plans? I imagine that would be so even if technically there might be no Federal regulation.