SOUTH COUNTY BITCH BACK ON WARPATH

Earlier in the campaign, Liz Bradsher asked me to stop calling her the "South County Bitch" on here because it wasn't necessary to use that nickname (given to her by education activists years ago) in her campaign.  To give her the benefit of the doubt, I agreed to not use it again from that point forward unless something changed.

Tonight, when Liz Bradsher went up and threatened Kenton Ngo at a back to school night, she has re earned her title for the rest of this campaign and probably her entire career in politics.

Kenton tells me that Liz confronted him over the blog post this morning, showing her misleading statements. Liz said to him (and I remind all of you that Kenton is SIXTEEN) "You better watch where you step".

WHAT!!!!  You just threatened a sixteen year old?  What the hell is the matter with you, Liz? The last time Republicans held this seat on the school board, their member threatened the student school board member, and lost his seat over that.   Apparently something is in the water in Springfield as Liz decided to restart the Springfield tradition of attacking current FCPS students.

Liz has children around Kenton's age.  HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF SOMEONE TALKED TO YOUR KIDS LIKE THIS, LIZ?

Absolutely pathetic for a woman of your age Liz, totally disgusting, and I will make sure that no one EVER hears your name mentioned without thinking of your nickname.

Comments

[Aimee]

I'll tell you what Liz would do if someone did that to her kids. She would completely flip out.

[just a mom]

"Watch your step" is a threat? Huh? Kenton made up a bunch of foolish lies about Liz and that's all she says? Her restraint is admirable.

Perhaps Kenton isn't ready to play with the big kids. Or perhaps you should not post the ravings of children.

"I remind all of you that Kenton is SIXTEEN."

If Liz did something wrong here, it's not because of Kenton's age. He's a respected political commentator and is managing a fairly big local campaign. Those are impressive things for a man of his age--he's playing in the big leagues now. If he works at that high a level, if he's to be taken seriously by older folks, then he can't use youth as a defense against the rough-and-tumble and sometimes dirty nature of politics.

yeah, Kenton put himself into politics, and is doing great.

That said, it is a bit pathetic for a grown woman to yell at a high schooler regardless of the circumstances.

[Cornelius]

It's no fun being called a bitch, bitch.

[JMU Duke]

This age issue works both ways. It is very unlikely that Liz would have walked over to a 25 year-old man and tried to intimidate him about his actions like she did with Kenton. If the South County Bitch things she can push Mr. Ngo around because he's young, he should call her on it.

Gotta love that she is letting a teenager throw her off message like this.

[just a mom]

I KNOW that Liz would have had much stronger words for a 25 year old man.

[I.Publius]

So who else heard Liz say this, or is this just Kenton's own embellished version of what was said?

This looks like yet another example of NLS taking the word of someone he desperately wants to believe, facts be damned.

And you want to put yourself into the same league as actual journalists? What a joke. No reputable newspaper would run this "story" based on only one interested party's claim.

[Doug]

"No reputable newspaper would run this "story" based on only one interested party's claim."

Hmm.. off the top of my head let me think if I can point out two stories on two different sides that did just this: The Webb/Bush encounter over his son- I'm pretty sure that was sourced to one anonymous person; the Cheney/Lehey f-bomb on the senate floor, sourced only to Lehey. I believe both were published in the washington post.

[Doug]

Ugh, why'd it take me so long to figure out? "just a mom" is Janie Oldham. Had to read a few threads to get that one straight. Get tired of being called insane b*tch? and just want to earn it under another nick?

Anyway, if this were a 35 year old blogger, doing this would still earn back Liz her knickname. Boo hoo, you get called a bad name. You reap what you sow, apparently.

[Not A.E. Dick Howard]

I agree with Anon 12:31--unless Kenton is a student in the school system Bradsher is running to oversee. It is kind of pathetic for an adult to try bullying a 16-year-old, but Kenton is no ordinary 16-year-old. A candidate for school board threatening a student in the school system with retribution on the other hand....

[Curious]

Does fascination for the word "bitch" come from being the son of one?

[Sam]

NAEDH - Unless I'm mistaken, which I could be, I think Kenton IS an FCPS student....

[Aimee]

Just a mom--

from what I know of Liz, I don't believe that she would show restraint based on someone's age--though it is surprising how POLITE she was in this case, so you may be right. Usually, if she's going to go crazy at someone she doesn't care how old they are, just that they have made her mad. She's very juvenile in that way.

Is Liz Bradsher related to Diane Bradsher, the builder/developer?

[Not Jack Herrity]

Last anon, is it possible you are thinking of Diane Basheer?

Ben, normally I say it's rude to pick on a 16-year-old, but Kenton is managing a political campaign and skewered Liz pretty good. I don't think he gets immunity just because of his age. Otherwise, every campaign around would start hiring 16-year-olds and stomp their feet every time someone from the other side picks on them.

Kenton's a big boy and he's playing in the big leagues.

NJH

Kenton may be in some trouble in this case.
__________________________

I write as Director of Government Relations of the Virginia Education Association. The assertion that Liz Bradsher has fabricated teacher endorsements is a false one. Although endorsements in local races are made at the local level, in this case by FEA-PAC, FEA is an affiliate of VEA and NEA and both organizations support the local's endorsements.

There are many reasons why teachers and other school personnel on the local level are in the best position to decide which local candidates will be the best for education, and their endorsement should be considered as voters make their own decisions.

To imply that VEA and NEA don't support the FEA-PAC endorsements is just wrong.

Robley Jones
VEA Government Relations Director

Posted by: Robley Jones | September 27, 2007 at 09:06 AM

[Church Hill Dem]

I think Rob just said "Booyah!"

Ben, in the interest of truth and fairness to both the candidate and the organizations, I think the above email from Mr. Jones should be posted separately with a new headline for the readers who don't read all the comments. Kenton should do the same.

[Ethical Gal]

This is just so out of hand now. After the NEA-VEA 'endorsements' were posted on the Liz's site, contacts were made with NEA and VEA regarding their endorsement of local school board candidates. Both organizations' representatives, including Robley Jones, specifically denied their endorsement of local candidates, alluding to the local/county organizations. Now Mr. Jones is referring to VEA and NEA 'support' of FEA's candidate endorsements. Supporting the decisions of FEA is not the same as endorsing a local school board candidate.

But, let's return to the original problem. A candidate for school board can make statements about her experience and qualifications that are untrue and gets angry when she's called on it. She can't even control her temper when the 'offender' is a W. Springfield HS student. Is this one more example of how Liz deals with people who aren't "with her"? (I wouldn't call her 'watch your step' statement as admirable restraint, but I'm just a mom of a teenage son.)

What is Liz saying about her claims that she held posts that don't exist? She obviously believes her experience with PTA--supposedly with the county council and the district PTA--will positively influence potential voters. She could not have been the county council secretary, because that position does not exist. Was she actually the Fairfax District PTA secretary who was elected to the post, showed up for a couple meetings and never returned? Did someone else have to be appointed to fill the position she abandoned?

Can someone show me where the Legislation Chair for the Northern Virginia District PTA serves as a liaison to the state organization? My research shows that only the District Director and Asst. Director serve in that capacity.

The truth hurts sometimes. If Liz told it, maybe it wouldn't be biting her now.

You go, Liz! Kenton is a tool!

[Suzie]

Wonder what the VEA would say about a candidate who is using their endorsement sticker on a campaign sign when that candidate is NOT supported by VEA-FEA?

[I.Publius]

I hope this is a lesson to Democratic bloggers like Not Larry Sabato and others that attacking someone without getting all the facts just because of their party affiliation is a terrible idea.

Weird how that sentence just sort of wrote itself. Where have I read something eerily similar? Hmmmmmm.

Ahh, yes... NLS speaking of Vivian Paige re: Mr. Troy "Crisis of Conscience (after my stepmom turned me in)" Farlow.

To Vivian's credit, when confronted with evidence that she had posted something grossly in error, she responded with something at least resembling a retraction, even if she did pick and choose quotes that put Troy in the best possible light. But most importantly, she posted an apology.

It'll be interesting to see whether Ben or Kenton have that kind of integrity.

[whackette]

Where is the blog post that set this off?

[Aimee]

whackette--
it's here:
http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/09/kenton-kicking-.html

[dems4dems]

Carter Thomas was defeated for many reasons. He was a lunatic. His bullying the student member of the School Board was one of his more minor transgressions.

[Kevin]

Suzie-

To figure out how VEA feels, go up a few comments to Robley Jones' comment. There's your answer.

I personally don't give a damn how the VEA feels. I don't really think the teachers should be telling us who to pick for their supervisor. A little conflict of interest there, eh?

anon 4:12 - school boards don't supervise teachers. Are you also against the FOP endorsing C'wealth Atty and Atty General candidates?

Next time -- think, then type.

[Isophorone]

Anon 4:20 --

I think what the previous Anon (4:12) was getting at is that the school board does draw up a school budget, which in turn does affect teachers pretty directly (and yeah, I know it's the BOS that approves it, but still). Do the CA and AG draw up a budget for the police?

Next time -- think, then type yourself.

Now what is more fascinating about the FEA endorsement is that they have managed to endorse (at least) three Republican-endorsed candidates. Is this some kind of record for them? Is this the real cause of the vitriol we are seeing around here?

Considering that teachers unions are usually reliable Democrat supporters, it's certainly understandable that some bitter Dems are taking it personally.

And since when did Democrats get their panties in a bunch over teachers making school board endorsements? Apparently it's only a conflict of interest when they endorse a Republican.

Isophorone, ding-ding-ding, you are correct!

[Fan of Integrity]

Holy Crap - Liz Bradsher confronts and threatens a person who reveals the truth - and people have the nerve to defend that??

And he's 16? Are you kidding me? This woman is showing her true colors - and they are frankly repulsive and scary.

[DemLobbyist]

Why do you feel the need to call a woman a "bitch?" That's incredibly offensive and misogynistic.

Can't we be adult and civilized? What kind of an example are we setting?

[Aimee]

DemLobbyist--

Though it is Ben's decision to use the nickname, in his defense, it was not made up by him. Liz has had the nickname for years.

A little added insight from today's South County Chronicle. "we support Ramona Morrow over Elizabeth Bradsher, an aggressive partisan who ofen believes that her opinions are the only ones with any validity."

I think that the endoresement was the Chronicle's way of calling Bradsher a _______.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

DemLobbyist, even though as Aimee points out this nickname did not originate on this blog or even on this campaign, I totally agree with you. It's just wrong for those of us who love politics and believe in its ability to make the world a better place (right here at home or around the globe) to use such references.

But, people are often not very nice. Then you add in politics, and they become horrible.

My grandmother would be horrified by the lack of respect so eagerly displayed by candidates for other candidates. She was the one that used to wash our mouths out with soap when I was young, and I sometimes wish she was still around.

[dems4dems]

Doug - Your grammy was a child abuser. She also overstepped boundaries; discipline is a parental preogative.

[Fan of Integrity]

Oh good lord d4d -- maybe he was raised by his grandmother -- or maybe he was blessed to have an extended family unit.

Nice endorsement for Ramona from the SCC!! I guess the newspaper sees Bradsher's actions for what they are. Nasty, divisive and really immature.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

dems4dems

My grandmother most certainly was not! She was a gentle and loving woman who didn't put up with stuff she knows we knew we should not be saying. Besides, she had the blessing of my Mom who was right there!

How presumptuous of you to insinuate something so horrible about my grandmother! This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about!

[55]

He may be 16, but he spews hatred towards so many people. Wow

[55]

He may be 16, but he spews hatred towards so many people. Wow

[backlik]

Only those people that want to get in the game, get in the game. 16 or not, lies or not, you are now a target and held accountable..KENTON

[steele]

"CANDIDATE BRADSHER THREATENS A FCPS STUDENT." That should be a glaring headline. However, he is not the first person she has threatened. Far from it.

[backlik]

Lets connect some dots here..750 volts(blog) is napping while Kenton Ngo works on Morrow campaign. This blog endorses him and says he's the next big thing.Judging from the continued abuse of a schoolboard candidate-whom has done a remarkable job not jumping into this trash-I think we may have found where Kenton really is.Right here!
This is the lowest sleeze ball way to run for schoolboard and I think Morrow had better start talking.Oh yeah, when she doesnt speak up right away, she is thinking- (Connection article in September.)
Hmm.

[fly on the wall]

The "sleezeball" ways of campaigning are all from Lizzie. From her threats to dissenters to her stretching the truth about her endorsement, to dismissing entire communities. It's absolutely distressing that she could be our SB rep. SC needs their own District and rep. Let them have her.

[Gnarly]

All issues and politics aside....way to have someone's back as a person. Very cool brother!!