This will ruin McDonnell's Fly Around Today

Nice job Virginian Pilot!

Let me add one bit to this "ancient history".  I was Campaign Manager for Ben "Cooter" Jones, who challenged then freshman Congressman Eric Cantor in 2002.  Cantor had won his seat in 2000 by a tiny margin in the Republican primary before breezing past his Dem challenger that November on George W. Bush's coattails.  In 2001 Cantor had the district redrawn in the redistricting to eliminate half of Chesterfield County from his district- which he had lost in his 2000 primary, and added lots of new voters in largely African American neighborhoods in Fairfield District in central Henrico County.

Because of that a number of conservative political elites in Chesterfield were seriously annoyed with Cantor- the redistricting had moved the power base of the 7th district firmly north of the James River and really marginalized Chesterfield.  A few of them approached Cooter's campaign, promising that an individual who had run the campaign against Cantor in 2000 could be very "helpful" with "dirt" on Cantor.  They even dropped by the infamous flyer that was sent out against Cantor in 2000 that was the subject of this article.  Why did they drop off that mail piece?  The individual they were promising for help was none other than Phil Cox, now Bob McDonnell's campaign manager. 

I regret never following up and calling Cox after that meeting now so I could continue this story.  Our campaign decided that the attacks against Cantor in 2000 were unfair, and anti-semitic and we didn't want help from these people.  But I can speak without a shadow of a doubt that Phil Cox was not only involved in this group's activities, but was still getting credit for this mailer two years later.  Bob McDonnell should be ashamed for giving him such a prominent role in his campaign.

UPDATE:

Comments

[VA Blogger]

This nonsense isn't going to affect a single vote.

[In the YC]

So, it's okay to pay someone to get out of a race but it's unethical to redistrict oneself into a safe seat?

[Sam]

In the YC - Where did Ben say it's unethical to redistrict oneself into a safe seat? Ben seems to be saying it's unethical to make pseudo-anti-Semitic attacks in a primary.... I see no attacks on Cantor in this piece from Ben, only an explanation of why others were annoyed with him...

[kelley in virginia]

i don't think people are going to get too excited about this.

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

Nothing Phil Cox did seems to be as bad as McAuliffe's trying to bribe Ralph Nader to drop out of the 2004 election.

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/05/post_228.html?hpid=topnews

But I'm not surprised you haven't gotten to this story yet.

[kelley in virginia]

brian, terryMcA has alot of baggage. even the Dems would (should) agree with that.

but damn, he's a good campaigner.

who do "we" want to run against? Moron?

[The Long Bayonet]

Note to Phil Cox. Do yourself a favor and step aside, if you dont, the identity of the businessman who gave you the $25,000 check the last week in April 2000 will be revealed. The game is up.

[curious]

This makes one wonder if McAuliffe is worried that an article will come out about the negative ads and connections with illegal fundraising (from convicted felons such as Hsu) should he win the nomination. Given that he was personally involved as opposed to employing someone accused of this type of activity, I imagine the “Pilot” would have a field day with that type of information.

[ben\'s inflated resume]

Cantor: 70%
Cooter: 30%

Yeah, Ben\'s a real political genius.

[Cox's Resume]

McDonnell should be ashamed of hiring Cox because is just isn't good at what he does. Losing to cantor in the '00 primary just one of numerous losses for Phil has piled up. Can anyone name anything major successes Cox can claim? The most recent that comes to memory is Virgil Goode's 08 campaign...lol. If you want to know why Republicans have been taking a beating in VA, look no further than someone like Cox. This guy has an abysmal record yet he continues to get hired because he is good at selling himself, not at offering good advice. Hands down the worst consultant in the state.

[bubba]

On the bright side, the weather today is perfect for a bunch of airport touch-and-go's across the commonwealth.

[InterestedObserver]

Pretty sure these things all came up in 2005 and no one paid much attention.

Then again, this is way more high profile than an AG race...

[Vabreeze]

McDonnell Ashamed-never!

[The Mighty Quinn]

Why is State Senator Jill Vogel introducing the GOP team at an event in Roanoke?

Must mean she is now a sure bet to run in '13 for AG.

Dem's are going to have a field day with that one.

[kelley in virginia]

jill vogel looks to be attractive. is that what the dems don't like? i mean, there are some attractive dems.

[Sam]

No, Dems don't like that Jill Vogel called in favors from her friend the Loudoun County CA to get a phony indictment of her primary opponent shortly before the election. An indictment so absurd it got tossed not long after (but of course, after she'd already won).

We're fine with attractive female politicians, we're not fine with corrupt politicians.

[not a cooter]

Is that the campaign where the guy drove around in a car painted like the Confederate flag. A bit on the racist side by your campaign dont you think. Is that why you got the living shit kicked out of you?

[CarolineProgressive]

ben\'s inflated resume:

Let's just remeber the fact that the only general election candidate Cantor ever ran a coordinated negative campaign against was Cooter. Maybe he was worried (just a bit)? If he hadn't run those ads, those margins would have been closer.

[In the YC]

I'm more than just about winning an election. I'm more concerned about governance and policy development. On those two issues, Brian Moran has a RECORD that will serve as a strong progressive compass.

[I.Publius]

Anyone who believes one word of this post doesn't know jack shit about Chesterfield. Why in the world would a conservative Republican choose to eliminate a large swath of one of the most conservative counties in the state in exchange for Democrat-leaning black neighborhoods? Answer: he wouldn't.

Another swing and a miss by Tribbett. Smoooth move, exlax.

[Not Larry Sabato]

I Publius,

Two Points:

1) If you don't start making your points without personal attacks, I will ban you (again).

2) Maybe this might help you understand:

http://www.chesterfield.gov/registrar/2000reppri/2000republicanprimary.asp

[Nobody cares]

Long Bayonent -

Who cares if Resin gave PC $25K...

[I Pubs, VA Blower, T = Ménage à trois Gay Sex Party]

I Pubs... get closer to the GOP Sexcapades... you know want to.

[liberal lemming]

"I'm more concerned about governance and policy development"

Yc, given yur comment above I suppose you will be supporting the repubican ticket.

welcome to the light side.

we do the work so the libs can complain freely, without having their heads chopped off by muslims, their manhood taked by chineese, their homes invaded by illegals,
and the ability to put gas in the car they drive.

it's hard work, but somebody has to do it.

[In the YC]

Liberal Leaning,

I'm a progressive and will NOT be supporting the Republican ticket. They're more concerned about making sure everyone subscribes to their reactionary ideas. I want true progress...one which benefits everyone and not just an oligarchical few or an egomaniac who thinks the Virginia Democratic Party is ready to go back to the Clinton plantation.

[The Long Bayonet]

Nobody cares.

It's not Rensin. This was April 2000 and the name will surprise some people. It will be revealed next week. It will prove Cox was working for FFA and Matin campaign at the same time, which is a violation of the law. Although the statue of limitations has pasted. That is NOT a good politcal argument.

[Gupta]

To Sam - actually, the indictment wasnt thrown out. It was refilled and Tate pled guilty.

[Nike Shox Rivalry]

The weather is changeable, invariable forever forever love, let light wind is brushed, warm sunshine exhaustion of you pass my sincere blessings every day happy, concomitant! Through the happiness!