EXCLUSIVE: BRIAN MORAN PROMISES CONVENTION IN 2012 IF ELECTED

Just got off the phone with someone who asked not be named- but who spoke with Brian Moran since Thanksgiving about the Chairman election when Brian called for his support.

This person was a supporter of Brian Moran for Governor in 2009, and Brian basically was treating them as a supporter of his for Chairman without ever asking formally if they would endorse him. 

When this person asked Brian why he would want a job like this, Brian cited some very important decisions that the Central Committee makes, but that the Chair can heavily influence.  Specifically- he said that primaries had not been working well in Virginia- citing his own loss and Harris Miller's loss in 2006.  Brian also said if there had been conventions with delegates that knew the candidates he would have won easily and beaten Bob McDonnell.

Brian went on to say it was very important that the party appartus be in place to support a convention over a primary to nominate a candidate to replace Jim Webb in 2012 as it is assumed that he will not run.  Brian went as far as to cite Tim Kaine as the likely candidate to win a convention and without using the words directly, this source felt that Brian was implying that Tim was well aware of his need for a convention in 2012 and that he might be behind the Moran candidacy  because of this.

An incredible amount of light on this process is now coming in- and it is clear that the Moran candidacy is about shutting down the voter participation that stopped his campaign along with his current boss Harris Miller in 2006 and insuring that Virginia Democratic insiders would select the next Senator from Virginia.

I'm sure there will be more to come on this soon...

Comments

[notsophialoren]

Why are we assuming Webb will not run? I happen to like this Senator and think he should run for re-election.

[Not Larry Sabato]

NSL- I think you could assume from reading the above that Tim Kaine is actively trying to figure out how to get Webb not to run in 2012. I assume he's trying to cut some sort of deal (Sec of Defense for Webb?) with the admin that would leave this seat open.

[ferryfarm]

Great post. I still think Moran is going to be in a uphill battle though. But Kaine would be a great pick for Senate against Allen or even better Stewart...

[change]

Some of those late “teen” amendments (16,17,18) are like our children in their “teenage” years when they think they know everything but don’t have the maturity to understand life.

We should go back to the tenets of the “Great Compromise” and have the legislature of the states select the senators.

Repeal the 17th amendment.

[SE VA MWC Alum]

From what I've heard Kaine is reluctant to run. I dont think Webb has made a decision yet

[Smart Observer]

This seems to be right on. Anyone who understands how this stuff works knows that you watch what people are doing- not what they are saying to figure out politics. Webb isn't raising money. Kaine/Warner are trying to control the VA party for something. Moran is going to get something he wants. This all makes sense.

[Bob Brigham]

I supported Moran, but this is scandalous. So scandalous in fact, it should disqualify Moran as a serious candidate.

Not only is the process of trying to circumvent the voters awful -- and clear proof nobody learned the proper lessons from the last few cycles, but Tim Kaine as the nominee as a goal? WTF? Tim Kaine is an idiot who half-assed it as DNC Chair in 2009 (losing VA-Gov, NJ-Gov and MA-Sen). Kaine followed up on that with historic losses last month.

Tim Kaine was a crappy governor and a disaster as DNC Chair. That Moran wants to bypass Democratic voters to force Kaine as Chair shows he is entirely unfit for the job.

Fuck this, this shit needs to be shut down with extreme prejudice.

[Gretchen Laskas]

I'm completely on the record for supporting a primary in 99.999% of all situations. (I can't think of a situation where I wouldn't support it, but I don't like to be completely black/white in my thinking....)

[Get Real]

Bullshit post on too many points to list including the fact that Kaine would wipe up in a primary if Webb retires.

[Loudoun Insider]

Wow, you guys are getting your own version of party purity wars now! Moran would have beat McDonnell??? That's hilarious!

[kelley in virginia]

look, you all know I am a Republican. But even in my most generous outlook, I can't believe that the Dems can't do better than Tim Kaine.

[VAPolitico]

Why in the world should we take away direct election of U.S. Senators? Give me one actual good reason.

[GNProgressive]

Here is your good reason;

Senators were originally selected by state legislatures so that the states themselves would have representatives in the Federal government.

Right now they have no representation and the people are represented twice. Politically, it will never happen, but from a common sense standpoint, I think it should be one senator elected by the state legislature and one elected by the people.

[Martin Lomasney]

McKaine cannot beat Felix Macacawitz.

[Not Ben]

"Brian also said if there had been conventions with delegates that knew the candidates he would have won easily and beaten Bob McDonnell."

If Brian Moran really said this...

LOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!

What a moron. Dems deserve him.

[J. Tyler Ballance]

Your post, reporting an unnamed source is odd, both considering the timing, and the fact that when Mr. Moran met with Seventh and Third District representatives here in the Richmond area a few weeks ago, he said that he was not in favor of changing our current primary system. In fact, several of the Party members present spoke in favor of Primaries, in spite of the expense.

Mr. Moran, and Mr Rousselot both know that after the holidays, Jim webb will make an announcement regarding his plans for his future.

(Many Virginians are hoping that he will run for President and replace one term, Obooboo).

Mr. Moran will very likely grant you an interview, if you take a few minutes to contact him. If you are interested in fairness, you should talk with both of these fine gentlemen, Mr. Rousselot and Mr. Moran, and provide a synopsis of their response to the same questions.

Having met both men, I am very impressed with both. Mr. Moran has a very charismatic set of qualities and I am sure that if he is Chairman, he will be a hard charger who will make a lasting difference.

Mr. Rousselot has more of a collaborative style and he would be superb in pulling the disparate groups together and rebuilding a unified Party.

Quite the contrary to some of the naysayers who posted earlier, the evidence that I have seen indicates that the Democratic Party shall be in very good hands, with either of these men serving as Chairman.

[VA Blogger]

Ben, don't you mean "pick the next Democratic nominee for Senator from Virginia"?

[Brian W. Schoeneman]

J. Tyler, you seem to be supporting Moran here. How can you square that support with the posts Ben has been making about his fundraising and lobbyist ties, given your stated desire elsewhere to criminalize any kind of lobbying?

[kelley in virginia]

people really want Webb to run for President?

[ferryfarm]

@kelley in virginia - yeah those 'people' are Tim Kaine, Mark Warner and Brian Moran so they have a open Senate seat. lol!

[VAPolitico]

I think this post is crap. Unnamed sources are little whiny bitches who don't have the balls to put their names on the ridiculous allegations they make. And posts like these are why bloggers will never be taken seriously as news sources...real reporters don't post stories but unsubstantiated single unnnamed sources.

[JR]

Irrespective of this gossip, Peter Rousselot would make a much better chair. I hope the party allows the candidates to speak on Sunday and that there is a vigorous debate.

[gail h]

they will both get four minutes to speak ON SATURDAY A.M.

[Helen]

NLS - make sure you have an audio or video recorder when you or if you get interviews.

VAPolitico - odd you slam a blogger for using an anonymous source when lamestream does it all of the time. Have you read a newspaper lately?

[change]

Helen,
You are correct, they use anonymous sources, then they source one another as if their own writings are gospel.

GNP... well said...

[change]

Helen,
You are correct, they use anonymous sources, then they source one another as if their own writings are gospel.

GNP... well said...

[truthteller]

Change wants to repeal the 17th Amendment because he doesn't trust the American voters! He's an elitist snob who thinks that mere mortals ought not to be trusted with the franchise for Senators -- only state legislatures which are easier for corporate special interests to buy out

[viagra online]

And mom picking beans at our Ohio home and the two of us sitting around the kitchen table stringing them up for the winter. I don't remember how they taste but I remember the good times associated with them.

[parental control software]

they will both get four minutes to speak ON SATURDAY A.M.

Agree