Hurt Opens Up 23 Point Lead On Perriello

In a SurveyUSA poll taken for Roanoke’s WDBJ-TV, Virginia Senator Bob Hurt has a 58% – 35% lead over incumbent 5th District Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA). 

Perriello, who defeated 6-term Republican Virgil Goode by 727 votes in 2008, today trails among most demographic groups. Among men, Hurt leads by 19 points. Among women, Hurt leads by 26. White voters back Hurt 2:1; black voters back Perriello 2:1. Twice as many Democrats cross over to vote Republican as Republicans who cross over to vote Democrat. Independents break Republican. Perriello runs most strongly among Democrats, African Americans, liberals, moderates, those who have unfavorable opinions of the Tea Party movement, among pro-choice voters, and among those who do not own guns … each of which is today a minority among likely voters in VA’s 5th district.

The composition of likely voters for this survey is 42% Republican, 27% Democratic. This composition reflects an energized Republican base and an enthusiasm gap for Democrats, evident in SurveyUSA polling from around the country. If the electorate is more Democratic than shown in SurveyUSA’s model here, the Republican still wins, though his margin of victory is less. For example, if hypothetically there were an even number of Democrats and Republicans in the likely voter model, Republican challenger Hurt wins today by 11 points, not 23.

H/T – Bearing Drift

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Perriello to Host Telephone Town Halls

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA) will host two telephone “town hall” meetings this week.  Perriello, who hosted REAL town hall meetings last summer, claims that this format will allow “thousands” of constituents to listen in.  Technically, this is true.  Of course, Perriello doesn’t have to look thousands of constituents in the eye either.

Perriello, who narrowly defeated incumbent Rep. Virgil Goode in 2008, is considered a ripe target for replacement in this fall’s elections.  Like his Maryland colleague, Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD), Perriello is attempting to moderate his image among voters.  “Telephone Town Halls” seem to help in this matter.  While claiming to be “more inclusive” and “reaching out to the people”, questions from constituents can be more easily controlled and Perriello doesn’t have to face scores of Tea Party activists demanding a saner national fiscal policy.

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How Our Members of Congress Voted on ObamaCare

Here is a the link to yesterday’s roll call vote in the House.  (I’ve also included last December’s vote in the Senate).

This is how our members voted:

YES (for ObamaCare)

DE         Carper (D)

DE         Kaufman (D)

MD         Cardin (D)

MD         Mikulski (D)

MD-02   Ruppersberger (D)

MD-03   Sarbanes (D)

MD-04   Edwards (D)

MD-05   Hoyer (D)

MD-07   Cummings (D)

MD-08   Van Hollen (D)

VA         Warner (D)

VA         Webb (D)

VA-03   Scott (D)

VA-05   Perriello (D)

VA-08   Moran (D)

VA-11   Connolly (D)

 

NO  (for Liberty)

DE         Castle (R)

MD-01   Kratovil (D)

MD-06   Bartlett (R)

VA-01   Wittman (R)

VA-02   Nye (D)

VA-04   Forbes (R)

VA-06   Goodlatte (R)

VA-07   Cantor (R)

VA-09   Boucher (D)

VA-10   Wolf (R)

Don’t let your representatives forget!  Thank them for voting right (if they did) and work hard to defeat those how voted to take America one more giant leap down the socialist path.

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We Know Where You Guys Stand Now

Rep. Rick Boucher (D-VA) stated last week that he would oppose ObamaCare.  Yet, this afternoon he voted to allow his Democrat pals to block a Republican attempt to force an up or down vote.  So did Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-VA).

Which Democrats are standing firm – for now?

Rep. Frank Kratovil (D-MD)

Rep. Glenn Nye (D-VA)

Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA)

Keep it up guys.  There may be hope for some of you yet.  Here’s a link to the Roll Call.

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Cuccinelli – Hurt Can Raise Money During Legislative Session

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an opinion that Virginia Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania) can raise money for his congressional race during this year’s General Assembly session.  Virginia law prohibits members of the legislature from raising money while the legislature is in session.  Cuccinelli’s opinion states that this prohibition does not apply to federal races.  Hurt is seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA).  According to Cuccinelli:

However, it is my further opinion that such prohibition does not restrict fundraising activity related to a campaign for federal office. Finally, it is my opinion that federal law pre-empts Virginia’s fundraising prohibition when a General Assembly member solicits or accepts contributions solely for a federal office.

This opinion is in line with the practice in other states – states with far more stringent campaign finance laws than those of the Commonwealth.  However, some of Hurt’s opponents for the GOP nod are not convinced:

"Although it may be legal, it certainly isn’t ethical," said Laurence Verga, a private real estate investor from Ivy and one of Hurt’s rivals in the June 8 primary. "The American people are tired of career politicians like Senator Hurt who put their personal aspirations above their ethical obligations."

Verga said the intent of the 1997 law that forbids Virginia lawmakers from accepting contributions was to "prevent lobbyists from buying votes."

While Delmarva Dealings has not been a supporter of Hurt’s campaign, Cuccinelli’s opinion was the right call.

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