LETTER INDICATES TOM DAVIS IS RUNNING AGAIN

Check out this letter.  It came out in a Tom Davis envelope, but was signed by some guy named Geoff Pohanka.  I'm holding my fire until this decision is made final, but if Tom runs get ready for the nastiest campaign ever seen in recent Virginia political history.  The moment he decided to use federal tax dollars (i.e. his Congressional staff) to defend his wife's State Senate seat is one he will regret this entire year if he ends up running.  Tom's disgusting two faced antics are about to be exposed and it's going to be a fun year to be blogging.

See it here.

Comments

[AfterAfter]

This Geoff Pohanka?

http://www.nada.org/NADALeadership/BoardofDirectors/Biographies/Pohanka_bio.htm

Pohanka's a big fan of the Davises and Gerry Connolly too:

http://vpap.org/donors/results_level2.cfm?key=INP000250692&Year=All&CandFilter=A

[Piedmont Watcher]

Without an actual opponent yet, why would this be the "nastiest campaign in recent Virginia political history?" Haven't there been some pretty good ones in the last decade?

The bile coming out of this blog lends me to believe where the nastiest is going to come from. I'm sure it will be entertaining, but nastiest is so difficult with some of the accusations that have been thrown around (Abu Gharib anyone?)

[Va Blogger]

Basically, Ben is giving us a warning:

If you thought the incredibly ridiculous, over-the-top, petty, and exaggerated posts he made during the Jeannemarie were bad (which everyone but Ben did), then you haven't seen anything yet. I imagine, come September 2008, every other post will be in size 7, bold, and in all caps.

Either that, or Ben will replace the entire content of this blog with the "Byrne for Congress" blog.

It is essentially a warning to all who like the analysis and insights that Ben sometimes posts here: hope Tom Davis doesn't run for re-election, or remove this site as a bookmark and don't bring it back until January 2009.

Sometimes you are like a mean little dog nipping at the heels! Are you so young that you don't remember Pohanka auto? Ah, I know I shouldn't ask a question when I already know the answer.

[Phil Chroniger]

Never was a big fan of the Pohanka auto group...but that's for professional reasons dating back to my days working in a dealership.

So Tom Davis is going to run for re-election again. *yawn*, anyone else not surprised?

[55]

Ben,

Coming out saying that you are going to make this campaign nastier is not needed. I am so tired of seeing this type of campaigning. Your blog is great, lets keep it that way.

Hey now. Why are y'all blaming Ben for all the nastiness to come?

Dig back in your short memories and recall that the Davis camp put Chap's home address, phone, and family member's names on a mailer and circled them in bright red. And they were proud of it.

Ben might have some harsh words for Davis, but it's Davis and friends who will drive this thing into the ditch, and fast, in a desperate attempt to hold his seat.

Y'all? Ben is the only one I know to use that expression...

Wow, Leslie has already qualified for platinum.

Just because Tom is raising money doesn't mean he's going to run. Look at all the money he took from people who thought they were donating to his Senate campaign only to have it flushed down the toilet -- I mean dumped into JM Double-D's race.....

[Va Blogger]

Anon 10:33

The reason we're "blaming" Ben for the nastiness is because he's basically saying that if Tom Davis runs for re-election, he will do everything he can to prevent him from winning.

Just for an idea of what everyone is in for, image this:

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/11/tom-davis-storm.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/wapo-picks-up-o.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-sto.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/minority-voter-.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-say.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-sta.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/i-will-not-rele.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/the-davis-famil.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/tom-davis-not-r.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-scr.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/she-did-it-agai.html

times a hundred.

Intersperse that with post after post of Leslie Byrne curing cancer, bringing peace to the Middle East, then coming back to life after three days.

It will be utterly, disgustingly unbearable.

The only good thing is that Ben is giving everyone a fair warning.

Those stories were all so terrible that the Washington Post took a bunch. Ben stop breaking major news!

[Va Blogger]

Yes, I must of missed the Washington Post's front-page coverage of the Davis's night out at Outback.

Va Blogger, I missed the one about her storming out of her office too.

[t]

t prays that a pro-life conservative knocks out TD in a June primary.

TD has EARNED the acrimony he has received from my dear friend and colleague NLS.

TD has run under the mantra of being a Republican, used pro-life resources, and then stabbed pro-lifers in the back.

I agree with t.

We need Leslie Byrne. We can count on her to be 100% pro-choice!

He has a Club for Growth-er already running for the nomination against him. The guy has raised almost half a million dollars already. There is a good chance he gets knocked out in a primary because of his treasonous behavior to the GOP (and his wife's RINO comment.)

Who is running against him for the nomination?

[Va Blogger]

I think he's talking about Keith Fimian, who said he'd only run if Tom Davis retired.

[Phil Chroniger]

Yeah, who's running against Davis?

[factchecker]

Davis will have to explain his votes to sustain Bush's veto of the Labor-HHS-Education appropriations package to his constituents -- whom are disproportionately part of the federal workforce and/or supportive of investing in the social safety net.

The Labor-HHS-Education bill vetoed by Bush (which Davis supported before he opposed) makes modest restorations of $10.6 billion in funding(returning to the FY 2006 level) for safety net health care and job training programs, elementary and higher education. All the while Bush (and Davis) allow waste fraud and abuse to go largely unchecked overseas on such boondagles as the $700 million US embassy in Baghdad (which is neither on time nor on its original budget). We also have failed to cut off $13 billion annual in aid to Pakistan while Musharaf goes after the very elements of Pakistani society most likely to be a bulwark against extremism and Al Quaeda.

Looking forward to seeing the explanations and rationalizations for Tom Davis' recent rubberstamping of Bush approved policies inconsistent with the best interests of this country generally and his constituents in particular...

[Interested Observer]

There you go again, t. What better way to throw this house seat to the Democrats that to run some one-issue whack job and not Tom Davis, even if it will be a tougher campaign for him than before.

Oh yeah, that's what I want to happen. Mark one more up for the Democratic, pro-Choice majority.

[Bwana]

Well, according to the FEC website Fimian has raised $433K, but owes $205K...so you can draw whatever you want from the net of $228K.

[Interested Observer]

Maybe Ben can run against Davis. He is 25 years old, right?

[Not Larry Sabato]

I am supporting Leslie Byrne- what about that wasn't clear?

[Loudoun Insider]

I got this letter and the first thing that came to mind was - I guess he needs to replenish the warchest after he spent it trying to prop up JMDD. While I don't agree with that choice of spending priority, he is still much better than anyone the Dems will throw up against him. Byrne is yesterday's news and Connolly is, well, an a-hole.

[Joel Rutstein]

What kind of loser would bet money on Tom Davis given the streak he's been on?

1) He hoarded money for a Senate bid he thought he was entitled to as John Warner's hand-picked heir;

2) His party spit on him by opting for a convention to pick its Senate nominee;

3) He quit the Senate race and blew his cash hoard on his wife's campaign;

4) His wife lost by 10 points;

5) The NRCC for which he prostituted himself for years is broke; and,

6) He's forced to beg for a fundraiser hosted by a guy who's contributed to a Dem who probably will try for the Dem nomination for his House seat.

Are there really that many Davis supporters who would contribute the large sums that would be needed to fend off a primary challenge by Club for Growther Fimian, only to face the titan who survives the Dem primary?

How many points down will Davis have to be in the polls before he has to worry about begging for more money from the very folks he'll be competing against when he loses and has to become a lobbyist?

If Dems vote in the GOP primary for Fimian to set up a weaker general election candidate, what will this do to the Dem primary between Byrne and Connolly?

Does anyone think that in the end egomaniacs like Davis and Connolly might actually decide not to run?

[Va Blogger]

Man, Joel, you're like 0-for-100 on facts here.

1) He never felt he was entitled to it. John Warner hand-picked him as his successor, and he recieved encouragement from those in the party to run for the seat. Obviously, he decided to make it a goal of his, but he obviously didn't feel entitled to it if he decided not to run, now did he?

2) He still has plenty of money left in the bank, even post JMDD, and is still the best fundraiser in Virginia.

3) His wife's loss has little bearing on Tom Davis's status.

4) He was chairman through the 2002 cycles. There have been two House cycles since then. I don't know if you know how elections work, but you don't raise money for an election only not to use it. If there was any money left that Davis raised for the NRCC, that would be a bigger issue than the committee currently being bankrupted. Additionally, its a reflection on Tom Cole, or even if you want to take a leap of logic, Tom Reynolds, for the NRCC's shortcomings, not Tom Davis. The NRCC had a stellar cycle in 2002.

6) Many prolific fundraisers have donated to both sides of the aisle, especially in non-competitive races for influential seats.

7) I've heard absolutely no discussion about even the remote possibility of Pohanka running for the seat, let alone as a Democrat in an already crowded field.

8) Yes, there are plenty of people who have contributed and will contribute to Tom Davis. While he may not have the respect of a few inconsequential bloggers in NoVa, he is still one of the most respected Congressman in Washington.

9) I've heard from several sources close to Fimian, and Fimiam himself, that he's not running if Tom Davis runs for re-election. Obviously, things could change, but if you're just running your mouth, you should really think twice before looking like an idiot.

10) There is currently no Democrat considering a run for VA-11 who could even slightly be considered a "titan".

11) Given Tom Davis's electoral history in the district, it would be utter stupidity to assume Tom Davis is down in polls until one is actually released showing that. Again, this goes back to the "running your mouth" tip I was talking about earlier.

12) I've never understood the logic of calling fundraising "begging for money". Everyone does it; it is a neccesary component for running for office. Everytime I see someone attack a political opponent for fundraising by calling it "begging", I automatically lose all respect for them, because either they're a complete moron or they assume everyone else is.

13) I don't understand what point you're trying to make about Tom Davis becoming a lobbyist if he loses or chooses not to run. Don't worry about it, you probably didn't have one.

14) Again, this is assuming that Fimian runs in a primary against Davis (which is a large assumption), but I don't think it'll have that much of an impact at all. Crossover voting is a common talking point among the chattering classes, but isn't really a significant factor in most primaries.

15) Tom Davis will decide what is best for himself in deciding to run or not to run. Its hard to predict the future. However, the one think that you can absolutely count on, is that no matter what decision he makes, Ben will make a ridiculous and outrageous post that further damages his credibility and only strengthens his image as a crazed and overly obsessed wannabe, heckling from the cheap seats at people who have a thousand times the courage as he does to actually put their name on a ballot and make a difference.

[Janie]

>>>We need Leslie Byrne. We can count on her to be 100% pro-choice!<<<

YES!!! That is THE most pressing problem in Virginia's 11th district! Abortion! Forget about traffic, the tunnel,illegal immigration and high taxes! Focus on the most important thing, abortions!

[Janie]

Who is Keith Fimian?

Since I've never heard of him, I doubt he's of much concern to Tom Davis.

[t]

NLS would be the greatest political figure in Virginia if he was pro-life.

Until he becomes pro-life, Ben will be someone who will never validate the great talents that God has Blessed him with.

That would be a horrible shame.

[Joel Rutstein]

Va Blogger, some rebuttal, in order:

1) Because Davis found out he was pretty much alone in his thought that he was entitled to the Senate seat, he decided not to run.

3) ha ha ha

4) I didn't say Davis was the reason for the NRCC being broke; I just think it's another piece of evidence of his loserness that he whored himself for others and now that he needs help, they can't.

7) It was a subtle point, but the competitors I was referring to were the lobbyists who might think of dumping more money down the Davis rathole; again, I just think it's funny that he could persuade them that he might win again and be able to dispense favors, only to drop out or lose and end up being one more legal briber.

9) Fimian's own campaign website says he's running and makes no mention of not running if Davis runs. Then again, a candidate who thinks the long lines at the DMV is proof that government is too big is probably capable of other illogical behavior.

10) again, ha ha ha. The voters of VA-11 will prove you wrong.

11) I didn't say Davis was down in any polls. I was asking a question and making a prediction.

12) Your esteem for Davis is blinding you to the possiblity that I might agree with you that when decent politicians ask for money it might not look as much like begging as when pathetic soon-to-be ex-politicians do it.

13) see # 7 above. I wasn't making a point; I was describing a very amusing prospect.

I win.

[Va Blogger]

1) Since Davis never felt he was entitled to the seat, it wasn't much of a contradiction for him to decline to run. 0-1

2) No response. 0-2

3) No response. 0-3

4) Why does Tom Davis need anyone else's help? He's still one of the best fundraisers in the country. 0-4

5) No response. 0-5

6) No response. 0-6

7) So you weren't really trying to say anything, you just found something that made sense only in the sizes of your head amusing? 0-7

8) No response. 0-8

9) So the totality of your research on this issue is a 30-second Google search. Earlier, before, when I spoke about not running your mouth, this is exactly what I was referring to. You look like an idiot. 0-9

10) Thank you for the compelling evidence you posted. However, I will say that the voters of the 11th have already responded, and they ousted Leslie Byrne from office the very first chance they got. 0-10

11) Since he's not down in the polls, that makes this entire string irrelevent. 0-11

12) Fundraising is not pathetic in any scenario, except for when you're not able to. Tom Davis can. End of argument. 0-12

13) You don't have to tell me you weren't making a point. 0-13

14) No response. 0-14

15) No response. 0-15

Only in your own little make believe world where Tom Davis is strapped for cash and Leslie Byrne is considered a "titan" can you go 0-for-15 and think you won.

[Joel Rutstein]

9) fimianforcongress.com. I'm right; you're wrong, but it's still a bit creepy that you guessed that I used Google, and it only took about 30 seconds.

11) It's spelled "irrelevant."

I win again.

g'night

"YES!!! That is THE most pressing problem in Virginia's 11th district! Abortion! Forget about traffic, the tunnel,illegal immigration and high taxes! Focus on the most important thing, abortions!"

Janie, It is the only issue that concerns YOUR comrade, t.

[Skip for Congress]

Skip Dale will be running in the 11th as well.

Also, the letter that is addressed to Tessie Wilson? My computer didn't block out the words for about 2 seconds.

[Joel Rutstein]

"When considering for whom to vote, Skip Dale," is the best political jibe since "Ready to clean up after Carl Peed."

Fimian allegedly is supported by the reflexively anti-government Club for Growth, proudly espousing the same type of non-thinking that makes Gilmore so unpopular.

All Pohanka can manage in terms of inspiring support for Davis is to hurl the term "liberal" as if we're supposed to hear the sneer of Sean Hannity.

I suppose it's possible that 2009 will see President Paul, Senator Gilmore and Congressman Fimian, but right now the smart money is on President Clinton, Senator Warner, and Congressperson Byrne.

Va Blogger, get back to work writing constituent letters and setting up Capitol tours.

[Loudoun Insider]

Come on, Va Blogger wins that exchange.

[Va Blogger]

Joel, please explain to me what on Keith Fimian's website makes you believe he is running against Tom Davis? Why would a prospective candidate announce, by means of introduction, the scenarios in which they won't be running? That's not how you introduce yourself. The fact that you think somebody would or should only further serves to show how little you know about what you speak of.

Second, my point about the Google search is that your "knowledge" is based on the most surface examination, and barely even that much. My knowledge is based on people who have actually talked to Keith Fimian himself (which includes myself), and know what his plans for office are. I'm going to trust words spoken by the candidate more than whatever great truths you divined from his website.

Third, where are these allegations of the CfG supporting Fimian? Or are you again speaking when you know nothing of the situation?

Fourth, while the smart money is on President Clinton and Senator Warner, I don't know anybody who's not blinded by their own far-left ideology that believes that Leslie Byrne stands a good chance of getting elected if Tom Davis runs, let alone a better chance than anyone else.

[Joel Rutstein]

The following is a quote from fimianforcongress.com:

"I am running for Congress."

The site also makes clear that Fimian is running for VA-11 and asks for campaign contributions. I didn't see anywhere on the site that Fimian won't run if Davis does.

There was a handy way to e-mail Fimian at the site. Here's the text of my message:

"Someone identifying themselves as Va Blogger in a comment thread at the Not Larry Sabato blog says you told him that you will only run if Tom Davis doesn't. I don't see any reference to this on your website. Can you please let me know if you'll run even if Tom Davis runs? Thanks"

I'll let you know if I hear back from Fimian and/or I see a change to his website.

Incidentally, the commenter at 2:10pm yesterday called Fimian a Club for Growther. Please note my use of the word "allegedly."

[Joel Rutstein]

If you google "club for growth" and "keith fimian" you get four matches, one of which is a site which seems to show that The Club for Growth gave Fimian $895 two years ago, or vice versa.

Here's the URL:

http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:fFE6e0w4PJgJ:www.public-i.org/527/handler-download.aspx%3Fact%3Dfilingcon%26cycle%3D2006%26id%3D96%26filing%3D9561556+%22club+for+growth%22+%22keith+fimian%22&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

[Va Blogger]

Was it really that hard for you to decipher? Fimian contributed to the Club for Growth. That doesn't mean anything.

You don't have to tell me what's on Fimian's website. I read the site before you knew who he was. But, please continue to argue with me when you have no idea who he is, and can't even read a financial disclosure report.

[Joel Rutstein]

I'm not disputing that you know Fimian better than I.

Unless you're going to again stun me with your insider credentials and tell me that Fimian intended otherwise, I'm going to assume that Finian established his website to communicate with those of us who don't know who he is.

Though you could have been more gracious about it, I do appreciate your informing me that Fimian gave to The Club for Growth and not the other way around. Again, I'm sure you'll tell me if it's not the case, but I'll also assume that Finian is the type who would be proud to be associated with The Club for Growth.

I guess we'll know soon enough whether Fimian will run even if Davis runs.

My primary purpose is to encourage someone to Davis' right, like Fimian, to run, because I think such a person would be easier for the Dem nominee to beat next November.

My secondary purpose is to do what I can to expose Tom Davis as someone who should be approaching his last year in public life.

Winning these arguments with you is just icing on the cake.

[Va Blogger]

I'm sorry you didn't get a chance to get any icing, then.

[Joel Rutstein]

touche

that actually made me laugh

and if you knew me as well as you know Fimian, you'd know I hardly need icing

you win

I'm out

Basically, Ben is giving us a warning:

If you thought the incredibly ridiculous, over-the-top, petty, and exaggerated posts he made during the Jeannemarie were bad (which everyone but Ben did), then you haven't seen anything yet. I imagine, come September 2008, every other post will be in size 7, bold, and in all caps.

Either that, or Ben will replace the entire content of this blog with the "Byrne for Congress" blog.

It is essentially a warning to all who like the analysis and insights that Ben sometimes posts here: hope Tom Davis doesn't run for re-election, or remove this site as a bookmark and don't bring it back until January 2009.

Posted by: Va Blogger | November 23, 2007 at 08:29 AM

AND....

Anon 10:33

The reason we're "blaming" Ben for the nastiness is because he's basically saying that if Tom Davis runs for re-election, he will do everything he can to prevent him from winning.

Just for an idea of what everyone is in for, image this:

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/11/tom-davis-storm.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/wapo-picks-up-o.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-sto.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/minority-voter-.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-say.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-sta.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/i-will-not-rele.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/the-davis-famil.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/tom-davis-not-r.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/jeannemarie-scr.html

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2007/10/she-did-it-agai.html

times a hundred.

Intersperse that with post after post of Leslie Byrne curing cancer, bringing peace to the Middle East, then coming back to life after three days.

It will be utterly, disgustingly unbearable.

The only good thing is that Ben is giving everyone a fair warning.

Posted by: Va Blogger | November 23, 2007 at 12:27 PM

Well, sorry, but I say GOOD.

[Va Blogger]

Wait, I just became confused.

[TomPaine]

Another Davis weighs in on Tom Davis and JMD-D:

Washington Post Letter to the Editor

Reality Check
Saturday, November 24, 2007

I was disappointed that Amy Gardner's Nov. 10 Metro article ["Can Va.'s Davis Team Divorce Themselves From Politics?"] took the opinion of others that I "despised politics" and that this was a likely reason for the dissolution of my marriage to Rep. Tom Davis (R-Va.). It was an utterly superficial statement and a slap in the face to me.

I was well aware of Tom's high political ambitions before we ever went on our first date. During the 30 years of our marriage, I facilitated his career while at the same time curtailing mine and raising our three children. It was a role I understood and accepted.



I also find it antiquated that Gardner suggested that careers must be shared for couples to be the ultimate "soul mates." That's hardly what it's about.

[Bruce]

Let me address part of the post that was ignored by previous posters:

"The moment he decided to use federal tax dollars (i.e. his Congressional staff) to defend his wife's State Senate seat is one he will regret this entire year if he ends up running."

I spent 5 years on the Hill and always volunteered for local election work on my own time. I still do - though it has been 5 years since I was on the Hill. I am now a federal employee and volunteer as permitted by the Hatch Act on my own time.

Why is it a surprise that political junkies who seek employment with the ultimate political junkie on the Hill - Tom Davis - volunteer to be political junkies in their spare time?

This is a bogus argument that you keep bringing up. When you can prove to me that none of Moran, Kaine, Scott, Boucher or Webb's staff volunteered on any campaign last year, then we'll talk.