Dillard Dallies with Democrats
Retiring State Del. Jim Dillard, no conservative he, dumped whatever good will he had left with the Republican party today by formally endorsing a Democrat to replace him in January.
No real surprise there. The GOP has known Dillard's been working on behalf of Dave Marsden for months. (Marsden was Dillard's campaign manager twice and worked as his legislative aide.)
But hearing the words makes it plain. And he didn't mince them.
"His opponent, Michael Golden, really has no experience at all," Dillard said. "[He] is a one-issue candidate and a partisan extremist. "We don't need that kind of leadership down in Richmond."
Wow. No doubt there where he stands regarding Mr. Golden. And it could come back to haunt him. Republican leaders in the House have made it clear they are not likely to be in the mood to help appoint emeritus lawmakers to cushy boards and commissions -- a common practice -- if those lawmakers support members of the opposite party.
Dillard said he didn't think twice.
"I could not in good conscience support Golden to represent this area," Dillard said. "He is so far to the right..there's no way."
Golden dismissed Dillard's endorsement of Marsden as that of a "longtime friend and co-worker." And he disputed charges that he is an extremist by citing support from moderates like Sen. John Warner and Congressman Tom Davis.
"We have a very comprehensive view of where we are headed," Golden said. "[We] are squarely within the mainstream."
By Michael Shear |
October 3, 2005; 4:00 PM ET
| Category:
Democrats
Previous: Debating Debates -- Again |
Next: Gas, Gas and More Gas Tax
Posted by: Whomever | October 3, 2005 07:04 PM
Why does Michael GOlden keep moving Werkheiser for Delegate signs into his own district?
Posted by: Golden Campaign | October 4, 2005 09:01 AM
I always think it's funny when these angry liberals (that includes Dillard, of course) try to make the case that Golden doesn't have experience.
Marsden is a lifelong bureaucrat who failed miserably as Acting Director of Juvenile Justice and was replaced by Gov. Warner after only 6 months. Golden is an appellate attorney who works for one of the top 10 law firms in the entire nation. He's the only one with any real legal or financial experience.
What relevant experience does Marsden bring to the table? I've heard Tim Kaine say we need more attorneys in the legislature, but I've never heard him say we need more probation officers in the legislature...
Posted by: wtf? | October 4, 2005 09:22 AM
A quick survey shows that Golden has only had his name on 4 briefs (only three appellate), and never as the lead attorney. There is no record of his having argued a case before an appellate tribunal. He lost three and his one victory came when the Fourth Circuit affirmed for the reasons stated by the lower court, i.e., Golden's work meant nothing in that case.
Posted by: | October 5, 2005 09:13 AM
I like the idea of sending a guy in his 30's to Richmond. Dillard had really become an embaressmnet in his old age - it was sad seeing him make a fool of himself in committee hearings with his incoherant ranting in favor of whatever plot the NEA or HCI was pushing. I was so pleased to hear he was dropping out. Looks like he got rewarded by Gov. Warner with a board seat to William & Mary for endorsing Marsden.
Posted by: Paul | October 9, 2005 12:02 AM
I love when anonymous posters jump from one blog to another spreading lies. Golden has been on many, many more than 4 briefs--including a number of US Supreme Court briefs--and argued and won at least one case in the D.C. Circuit (the Washington Post ran an article on the victory). He works with some of the best appellate attorneys in the country.
Perhaps the anonymous poster should have spent more time in his legal research and writing class. He can't even find a Post article mentioning Golden prominently? Pathetic.
Posted by: wtf? | October 10, 2005 09:15 PM
It's official. Gary Reese endorsed Caputo.
Posted by: anon | October 14, 2005 07:57 AM
Post a Comment
We encourage users to analyze, comment on and even challenge washingtonpost.com's articles, blogs, reviews and multimedia features.
User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions.
Hmm, must be catching. I think Gary Reese is endorsing Chuck Caputo in the 67th. But it's tough for these moderate Republicans when they see the choicess as being between a moderate Dem and a wingnut Republican.