The Virginian-Pilot
©
RICHMOND
Del. Bob Marshall confirmed Thursday that he soon will enter the race this year for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, which already features four other contenders.
The strongly conservative Marshall said he is finishing "a few mechanical steps" such as setting up a campaign account and assembling a staff before making a formal announcement. He's also gathering voter signatures to qualify for the June 12 primary for the Senate seat being vacated by Democrat Jim Webb.
Marshall will join a GOP field that includes former governor and U.S. senator George Allen; Chesapeake faith leader Earl W. Jackson; Virginia Beach attorney David McCormick; and former tea party activist Jamie Radtke.
Marshall didn't specify why he considers himself a better option than Allen, who's considered the GOP front-runner based on the strength of his fundraising and campaign organization.
During a colorful legislative career spanning two decades, Marshall has vigorously worked to restrict gay rights and abortion, sometimes landing in controversy for his stances on those and other issues.
He successfully pushed a 2006 amendment to the state constitution that effectively bans homosexual marriage in Virginia. He also has a populist streak, which was on display last year when he backed legislation to reform the foreclosure process to protect homeowners facing property loss.
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Really, another Republican extremist for the Senate?
Allen is not embarrassing enough?
"Other than trying to take away a woman's right to chose, telling us how to live, think, marry, pray, vote, invest, educate our children and, die, Republicans have done a fine job of getting government out of our personal lives..”
Good, but late
Delegate Marshall is not very well liked among the establishment of the GOP. I have heard some refer to him as "ultra-conservative." That's GOP talk for a person who has a passionate belief in supporting the US Constitution. Although Marshall would be far better as a Senator than Allen, he is too late. Radtke, Jackson and McCormick have all organized a campaign and made a firm stake in claiming the conservative field. Marshall should have done this about nine months ago. Now the conservative vote will be spread even thinner and Allen will win by a huge majority. Now is the time for the contenders to coalesce behind one candidate, not broaden the field with more conservatives.
Good News
Democrats think this is good news. Allen will be busy trying to outflank Marshall on the right and might actually lose this wingnut while spending a large part of his amassed campaign treasury. Meanwhile Kaine and Marshall will remind voters of Allen's votes for No Child Left Behind, red ink as far as the eye can see, an unpaid for prescription drug benefit for senior citizens, and two unfunded wars.
"red ink as far as the eye can see"
During his one term as Senator, Allen voted 4 times to raise the nation’s debt ceiling, an expansion totaling $3.2 trillion.
Marshall
may give Allen more competition than the other candidates in the race for the Republican nomination.
He will also bring more
He will also bring more Democrats out to the polls in November than anyone else I can imagine.
Only
if Marshall wins the Republican nomination, which is still Allen's to lose.
He'll get his clock cleaned
This guy is so extreme, he makes Pat Robertson, Michelle Bachman and Rick Santorum look like moderate progressives. I'm glad he's running. He's got some important clout in his home district but he'll get a dose of reality in statewide elections.