Comments on: I ♥ Ken Hutcheson.

By: JamesWalkinshaw.org » Blog Archive » Bolling drinking the surplus kool-aid

Wed, 23 Nov 2005 19:24:46 +0000

[...] Bolling confuses me on so many levels. Here I was thinking that he was one of those “pure” conservatives who was against the “unnecessary tax increase” and would fight to return the surpluses to the taxpayers. I mean, isn’t that the reason he won and wishy-washy Jerry Kilgore lost??? But now I come to find out that Bolling is already planning to spend our hard-earned tax dollars on wasteful government projects. [...]

By: SouthNow Blog » 2006 Preview: Themes

SouthNow Blog » 2006 Preview: Themes — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 21:13:21 +0000

[...] This past August, the Sorensen Institute at the University of Virginia hosted what was likely the first conference of political bloggers from a single state. By November, Virginia bloggers were so prominent that they were quoted in newspapers, appeared at political forums and, in this scathing letter from Kilgore campaign manager Ken Hutcheson, blamed for election losses. State political bloggers are not like national bloggers because most of them are not just news junkies or would-be pundit, but also activists, party leaders and even elected officials as well. As such, they come into the blogosphere with some well-defined goals in mind, and don’t see a problem with using their blog to achieve that goal. Already, Tennessee bloggers are using their blog to serve as a rapid-response unit and sniping team for their candidate of choice, something that will only get worse over time. [...]

By: SoccerMom

SoccerMom — Fri, 18 Nov 2005 16:57:07 +0000

Waldo —

Remember: part of Kilgore’s problem was/is that he does like to have it both ways.

As to Hutcheson — whoooeee — sounds like the old boy is channeling Hunter Thompson without the mellowing effect of Gonzo’s psychotropic proclivities or a smidgen of his writing talent.

Pitiful. Sounds like he and Jerry need a week in Belize to relax and reconnect. As to Phil, he opened the damn door with that pouty damn letter that after all the huffing and puffing was over, really helped the Kaine campaign and showed voters that the Democrats can do a smackdown if they want to, thank you very much!

Hope you and Amber have a blessed Thanksgiving!

By: TrvlnMn

TrvlnMn — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 06:57:46 +0000

Rule number 1 – when communicating with anyone, in ANY printed format, be it snail mail or email, when communicating in ANY format other than the spoken word- Never Ever say anything you wouldn’t want someone else to read/see/hear.

Ken fucked up and forgot that rule.

Phil was probably so hurt/mad he probably didn’t think about how stupid it would make him and his organization look (not that they don’t already do a good job of that on their own).

All the political baggage aside, I almost felt bad for Phil (as a person) after reading the letter, until I remembered he sent it to the press to begin with and remembered how far his values diverge from mine.

By: Michael Collins

Michael Collins — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 04:17:40 +0000

I think Ken needs some serious anger management. It’s amazing how a loss can turn people on the borderline into screaming meanies. I’m glad that the Kilgore commercials lacked the vicious precision of this missive.

What happened to the Johnson-Til Hazel brand of Republicans? They’re looking very good right now.

Next, a flame war between the Fairfax Chamber and the undefeated Ken Hutcheson.

Nice find!

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 21:40:25 +0000

Something important to keep in mind here — and I’m guilty of forgetting this — is that Ken Hutcheson’s e-mail was a private correspondence. He presumably had no intention of demonstrating any kind of a division in the party, nor of attempting to embarrass the targets of his missive. Say whatever you like about his comments, the point is that they’re private.

It was a major breach of netiquette for VCG to turn around and forward this communication to the media. Though I’m not in the habit of communicating privately with anybody within that organization, if I ever do so, I’ll do so with great caution.

I’m reminded of when Alan Seacrest went after Rep. Moran, saying that Moran had made some kind of an anti-semitic comment in a private conversation. Now, I like Alan Seacrest, and I like his work. But, c’mon — whatever Moran did or didn’t say, that was a private exchange. I wouldn’t be comfortable working with Seacrest for the same reason as I’d be cautious with e-mail exchanges with VCG — it’s hard to trust anybody who makes private exchanges public.

By: geoff

geoff — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 19:15:31 +0000

Hutch has one major problem: this is the first major campaign he’s done that was actually competative… and he blew it. BIG time. I mean, the littany of screwups that turned a 13 point lead in a 7point Republican state into a 6 point Democratic win is almost too long to consider point by point.

And Hutch knows this. He knew it while the campaign was going on. It hurts. And it sucks. But he should go back to working safe incumbent races and stay out of the big leauges.

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:19:43 +0000

I guarantee it, James. :) I’d mail him a little bit of this cat food that I’m eating right now, as a sign of my appreciation, but my mother won’t let me out of the basement.

By: James Young

James Young — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:04:47 +0000

And BTW, Waldo, I’m sure that all the love that you have for Ken just gives him a warm and fuzzy feeling.

By: James Young

James Young — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 15:04:09 +0000

Phil’s comments were probably ill-advised; Ken’s were downright arrogant. “We may have lost in the end, but we did so with our dignity and pride intact.” That’s quite a bold assertion for a political operative whose paycheck is justified by one purpose and one purpose only: winning.

By: Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:42:32 +0000

Maybe Rodokankis is actually right. Kilgore tried to have it both ways by both criticizing the 2004 tax increase while at the same time refusing to say he will repeal it.

Mark, I’ve been so busy being pleased to discover that Kilgore apparently didn’t go along with the free-lunchers that I’ve completely failed to consider this. I’d love to see some more reflection on this — it seems that you’re onto something.

By: Mark. T. Blair

Mark. T. Blair — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 14:11:47 +0000

Maybe Rodokankis is actually right. Kilgore tried to have it both ways by both criticizing the 2004 tax increase while at the same time refusing to say he will repeal it. I didn’t follow Bolling and McDonnell closely enough to know how they compare. I’d imagine they said something a little more coherent.

By: Richard Hubbard

Richard Hubbard — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 12:35:27 +0000

Gee, I wish they’d managed to send it to more than 188 reporters …
I don’t think our paper got a copy!

By: NovaGuy73

NovaGuy73 — Wed, 16 Nov 2005 01:49:26 +0000

Anyone who rips into Phil Rodokankis like that has my respect!

By: Josh Chernila

Josh Chernila — Tue, 15 Nov 2005 22:11:01 +0000

BTW, I posted that same Teddy Roosevelt quote on Raising Kaine when Kilgore came out attacking Kaine’s record as Mayor of Richmond: http://www.raisingkaine.com/735.

oh man, this is priceless.