[PLEASE RECOMMEND]
As a Virginia resident I am very concerned about this year's Governor's race between Democrat Tim Kaine and Republican Jerry Kilgore.
I've argued before as to how very important this issue is to national politics for the Dems. It's clearly critical to the Republicans as they are pouring all of their efforts in to this race in the belief that they have no chance to win New Jersey, the only other Governor's Race this year.
If Kaine can win, he will be able to continue the great work started by Mark Warner, and will show that Democrats can win in the South.
I think Kaine needs an edge, and I think I have a good idea. I'm going to bounce this off some folks and see if I can't get it up to the Kaine camp somehow.
Realistically, I think Kaine is in big trouble. But I have a suggestion and would like your input...
I think Kaine is by far the superior candidate, but as in so many recent elections, I'm afraid that the GOP's PR machine is going to
steal this election. I think it's time to fight a strong, aggressive campaign by pointing out how truly wrong the GOP is.
Whereas, Kaine is a great candidate, his track record has been fantastic for Virginia and he is just all around the right man for Virginia's future;
Whereas, Kilgore is more interested in his own victory than fair play or the interests of Virginia by brining Scott "Black Hands" Howell, the man behind the shameful Swift Boat Lies and Max Cleland Smears, in to run his campaign,
Be it resolved that Tim Kain must launch a major offensive against the national GOP by making this election a referrendum on the GOP suppored "New Freedom Initiative".
By aggressively pushing Kilgore to renounce the New Freedom Initiative, Kaine takes control of the discussion. He puts families first against GOP intervention and against big business giveaways, and ultimately takes a stand for public education, here's why.
"The New Freedom initiative" would force all public school children to undergo psychiatric testing. If found to have any questionable mental condidtions, children would be required by law to take psychotropic drugs.
This is a apparently a Bush policy that he brought with him from Texas and has championed towards federal law.
If the recent case where parents refused treatment for their daughter who's cancer was in remission is any indication, it is clear that parents who refused to put their children on drugs would be in danger of losing custody of ALL OF THEIR CHILDREN.
With Scott Howell running his campaign Jerry Kilgore is no longer a Virginia candidate but running as a candidate of the National GOP. Jerry Kilgore has imported National GOP poltics and Texas politics in to Virgnia, and thus he should answer for National GOP evils.
Kaine must ask Kilgore the following question in order to energize Virginia and the Nation to support Democrats:
Jerry Kilgore, will you defend the parents and children of Virginia against the GOP federal initiative to force psychotropic drugs on children regardless of parent's wishes?
Here's what this does for Kaine:
- Gain control of the discuss.
- Frame Kilgore as an outsider to Virginia Poltics - importing Texas and GOP politics.
- Frame Kilgore as defending government intervention over parent's rights.
- Frame Himself as protector of children, freedom and public schools.
If Kilgore does refuse the NFI, he loses anyway and it's a huge win for Virginia.
I'd appreciate your input, and any help you might give in getting this suggestion into Tim Kaine's hands.