The Virginian-Pilot
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Republican congressional candidate Scott Rigell agreed to sign a seven-part pledge today that was developed by local Tea Party activists and includes promises to vote against any tax or fee increase, to oppose amnesty for illegal immigrants and to work to overturn the recently approved health care overhaul legislation.
Leaders of the Hampton Roads Tea Party and two sister organizations negotiated the pledge with Rigell but stopped short of endorsing him.
Tea Party leader Karen Hurd said Wednesday that their goal is to boost Rigell's candidacy and limit the chances of independent candidate Kenny Golden, who they believe could split the conservative vote and help reelect U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Virginia Beach.
The three men are competing in the Nov. 2 election in the 2nd Congressional District, which includes Virginia Beach, the Eastern Shore and parts of Norfolk and Hampton.
The pledge has been in the works since shortly after the June 8 primary, when Rigell called Hurd seeking the group's support.
It is a significant shift for Tea Party leaders who backed Ben Loyola during the GOP primary, saying that Rigell was part of well-financed "Republican political machine" that needed to be defeated.
On Wednesday, Hurd said Rigell is probably the best option.
"We can work with him because he can work with us," said Hurd, who negotiated the pledge with leaders of the 912 First Landing Patriots and the Campaign for Liberty.
Included in the pledge are promises to support an audit of the Federal Reserve System that would be made public; an amendment to require a balanced federal budget; "any type of legislation that would increase transparency and accountability" in government; and protecting the Internet from taxes, fairness doctrines or efforts to control access. The document also calls for Rigell to "champion American exceptionalism by fighting any measure that subverts U.S. sovereignty" including granting amnesty to illegal immigrants. Not included in the pledge is an endorsement of Tea Party activists' desire to dismantle many of the government entitlement programs of the past century, including Social Security and federal welfare and education programs.
Jason Miyares, Rigell's campaign manager, said Rigell doesn't support cutting those programs.
Hurd said Tea Party members still believe in dramatically scaling back government but know that trimming programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid doesn't have enough popular support.
Golden, a former leader of the Virginia Beach GOP, said he was surprised by the agreement and reiterated criticism raised during the GOP primary that Rigell, a wealthy auto dealer, was a prominent donor to Republican candidates for years but also had given a one-time contribution to President Barack Obama's election campaign.
Nye, who was conducting a rally for campaign workers Wednesday night, said the pledge is meaningless.
Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com
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I thought, if elected, Rigell should represent the voters. Not the Tea Partiers. How arrogant. When did the Democrats get promoted to being Socialists? Too funny. I guess some people think the old fashioned GOP scare tactics actually work. I am still waiting for the end of the world to happen because of our President. Poltics has truly surpassed professional wrestling when it comes to entertainment.
Clearly the true socialists
Clearly the true socialists occupy White House and The Speaker of The House. Socialism started with Woodrow Wilson (D) and the 16th Amendment. The grandaddy of the all was Franklin D. Roosevelt, ALSO democrat. Voting for Scott Rigell is not voting conservative. He should run for pastor of a church vice congress. The problem with Nye is that he has aligned himself with the party of socialists like Charlie (I didn't pay my taxes) Rangel and Maxine (I had no influence in the bailout deal of my husbands bank) the mouth. I don't think most conservatives have any real dislike for Nye. I think most conservatives want Nancy Pelosi removed as Speaker of the House. Anyway, the republican party has lost their way and the democrats never had a way to start with. The President even said we don't know where we are going and won't know it when we get there and wouldn't know what to do even if we knew we were there already. Bottom line is it will be business as usual no matter who wins. That includes Kenny Golden as well.
A Republican falling in line with Conservative Voters
I think candidates should campaign on their principles and on their history. During the primary Rigell did that and sometimes had it done for him by the opposition. And he clearly wasn't the most conservative candidate. But he secured the unusual endorsement of the Republican Governor and other prominent Republicans and raised more money, albeit much of his own, and won the contest. Although Rigell was not the most conservative candidate, he is far more conservative than Nye. I think people should understand that voting for Rigell means voting for a conservative, whether a moderate or hard-line will become more clear as time goes on. But voting for Nye is clearly voting for a socialist, whether a moderate or hard-line will become more clear as time goes on. Signing the Tea Party Pledge helps Rigell promote himself as a conservative. If he behaves contrary to that pledge, he will pay a heavy price. But if Glen Nye or Kenny Golden want to sign it, I suppose it is open to them also.
Clearly, with the typology
Clearly, with the typology you set up, you imply that republicans are conservative and democrats are socialists, by definition. That is so absolutely ridiculous as to be unworthy of comment, but since you posted it on this forum, I must respond. Fact is, there is a broad middle in american politics occupied by moderate to centrist republicans, democrats, and independents. Whoever appeals to these citizens of good sense will win this election. Regretfully, to many of us who appreciated moderate, centrist, business oriented republicans, that type can no longer be nominated in the republican party, yet there are millions of them who want what is best for this nation. Rigell may have been one of those persons, as is Nye, but if Rigell revealed himself to be a centrist, we would have been villified by the extremists who control the nomination process. By signing the tea party pledge, and moving to the extreme right, he has disqualified himself for my vote and those of thousands of moderate centrists.
Not ready for prime time
Frankly, any candidate that would tie his own hands in advance by signing this pledge reveals a lack of knowledge of the importance of serving as a Congressman. This nation has serious challenges with which we must deal, and to pander to one segment of this country, no matter how loud and obnoxious they may be, shows that he is not ready nor qualified to be a candidate for this high office. The tea party pledge is remarkably similar to the pledge by the discredited aid to Jack Abramoff, that is, Grover Norquist, who said the role of an elected official is to cut off the arms and legs of government so it can be drowned in a bathtup. Fact is, for us, for our nation, and for our businesses to be strong and prosperous, we need a limited yet effective government. To align oneself with those who would kill programs like social security, MediCare, MediCaid, and financial regulation, is to pander for short term gain at the expense of effective leadership.
Take an in-depth look at these three candidates
Make an informed decision when the polls open, take the time now to get the facts on all three of the candidates, and then base your decision on who to vote for after considering resume's of each candidate's experiences and job qualifications.
We have a decision to make this november.. a Navy veteran who served 31 years on active duty and honorably retired as a decorated Captain. This vet was responsible for the largest amphibious task force since the Korean War, served for a period of years in the pentagon and was nominated for secretary of the navy by John Warner and George Allen. Do you think you will settle for yet another politician from the two major establishment parties, the gop and dnc political machines who will have to answer to their party leadership, or an independent candidate who is more qualified to stand on his own and serve Virginians on Capital Hill?
Our society encourages all people to seek a better quality of life and to pursue happiness. Consider the future of your family November 2nd and seriously consider voting for the regions first independent candidate for Congress Kenny Golden. You have the choice to support a fiscally conservative candidate w
Continued..
You have the choice to support a fiscally conservative candidate who is guided by constitutional principles, not a political machine. Seriously consider voting for the leadership experience of a decorated navy captain who will bring honor back to the house of representatives. Thank you for your support. And May God Bless America.
Yawn....
I think I will vote for none of the above.
I think that Rigell signing
I think that Rigell signing this pledge brings him one step closer to representing the citizens of the 2nd Congressional district as well as the United States as a whole. He's gaining momentum everyday, and as the great Ed Rollins once said "in politics, momentum is everything".
Oh Really
Car Salesmen like Rigell will sign anything he thinks you want to hear before election.
He's a very dangerous man! Slick, but dangerous...