Patrick Hope Is Out- I'm considering running

Delegate Patrick Hope just issued a statement announcing he will not be a candidate for the Senate.  Here's what I just released in response.  Click here to sign up to get updates and be the first to know once I make a decision.

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BEN TRIBBETT STATEMENT REGARDING PATRICK HOPE’S ANNOUNCEMENT OF NON-CANDIDACY

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TRIBBETT PRAISES HOPE; SAYS NOW THAT HOPE HAS DECIDED NOT TO RUN, TRIBBETT WILL ACTIVELY CONSIDER RUNNING HIMSELF

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Long-time Virginia Democratic leader Ben Tribbett today strongly praised his fellow Democrat, Delegate Patrick Hope (D-47), on the occasion of Hope’s announcement earlier today that Hope has decided not to seek the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s Senate District 31.

“In his first term in office, Patrick Hope has established an outstanding record of progressive activism. I was very much looking forward to being one of Patrick’s strongest supporters if he had decided to seek the Democratic nomination in Virginia’s 31^st Senate District”, Tribbett said. “I look forward to an opportunity in the future to support Hope for higher office”, Tribbett added.

“Now that Patrick Hope has decided not to seek this Senate nomination, a large number of his supporters and other Virginia Democrats have urged me to run,” Tribbett noted.  “The voters in this Senate district deserve a strong progressive voice in the Virginia Senate, and they also deserve someone who will address local community concerns in all three counties within this district. If I decide to run, I am confident I will provide them with that voice”, Tribbett concluded.

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Ben Tribbett is a long-time Virginia Democratic leader who grew up in Fairfax County. He currently resides in the Rosslyn neighborhood in Arlington. Tribbett has served as the campaign manager or chief consultant to 13 Fairfax and Loudoun county general election candidates- compiling a record of 11-0 in general elections, including 7-0 in Republican held seats that were successfully “turned blue”.  In recent years, Tribbett has focused on his technology business in Arlington and running “Not Larry Sabato”, Virginia’s most heavily visited political blog.   He is best known for having broken the “macaca” story in 2006 that led to George Allen’s defeat.

The 31^st Senate district as redrawn and sent to the Governor for approval includes three counties- Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun.  The portions of Arlington County included in the district are areas around Columbia Pike and the Ballston to Rosslyn corridor which include the highest density young voter populations in the Commonwealth.  The district then straddles the Potomac River through parts of North Arlington and into Fairfax County, where Tribbett served as President of the Fairfax Young Democrats among other roles.  The Fairfax portion of the district includes portions of McLean inside the beltway that are north of Old Dominion Road , all of McLean outside the beltway, all of Great Falls, and portions of Vienna (Colvin/Shouse precincts) and Herndon (Clearview and Sugarland precincts).  The district then continues into Loudoun County where it includes most of the district currently known as Sugarland Run, which like Arlington has large pockets of young voters included.

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Comments

[TGEoA]

Please run. Not that I agree with your politics but Babs is worthless.

[A guy who notices these things]

Too ugly & too overweight to win, unfortunately.

[jus' sayin']

Go get 'em!

[amichel]

So, you think this blog will be an asset or a liability?

[Not Larry Sabato]

I think a lot of people will talk about the blog, but it will be irrelevant in how 99% of people vote.

[TJ]

"No fibs, I'm with Tribbs"

[Bwana]

But are you in favor of packing heat in church?

[GretchenLaskas]

Ben -- you know I like my politics interesting, and a run from you would definitely make it so!

[WJ]

Would you be able to secure any endorsements from elected officials? If so, I don't see how she can stop you!

[Not Janet Napolitano]

Whew. For a moment you scared me because I thought you were going to challenge Tim Kaine in a primary for US senate.

[Mr Bubbles]

long time democratic leader?

[Not Larry Sabato]

Not Janet, that would be fun!

Mr Bubbles- I've been involved since 1995- and started running campaigns in 1999. Isn't a decade a long time?

[wow]

Go for it!

[wow]

Actually the blog may help you - shows you are not afraid to challenge the party bosses...

[Jim Shuler for President]

So, how many of these "encouraging" comments did you post yourself?

[Noticed]

I'll bet you could be a "beast" of a candidate!

[Ghost of Alexander Hamilton]

Thank God. Now we can finally put Saslaw in his grave.

[Janice Lee Allen Boyd for Senate]

I bet 75% percent were posted by Ben.

[The Obvious]

No, I think it was the "leader" part that Mr. Bubbles was questioning. For instance, what issue have you EVER lead on? Sure, you went to town on George Allen, more power to you. Raising Kaine could have broken that story too. For whatever reason, the video was leaked to you. That doesn't make you a leader, it makes you a lucky schmuck.

Your metier is the attack and you've employed it against Democrats since the first day you started this blog. In fact, you basically started it to attack a Democratic candidate who got a nomination instead of you. Now you want to be our, the Democratic Party's, nominee to be his colleague? You've got to be freaking kidding me.

I genuinely hope you run just so those Democrats whom you've savaged for over six years can laugh as you go down in flames. Wonder how "Babe of 2005" will go over with the Good Old Girls? Think the Farm Team will be all over that one, do you? It's time for the chickens to come home to roost and for Ben Tribbett to face the consequences of his irresponsible, juvenile, hateful speech over the years.

P.S. I wouldn't count on David Englin's endorsement, btw. Shana was a 7 seed (out of 8) in that disgusting series. http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2005/12/babe_of_2005_da.html#comments

[b]

but how will this effect you Caps playoff beard?

[PJ]

From The Obvious -

"Think the Farm Team will be all over that one, do you?"

OH,NO!!!

NOT THE FARM TEAM!!!!!!

You are in trouble now, Benny Boy!!!!!!

[Mr Bubbles]

Obvious is right, its the leader part I find hilarious.

Political leaders have a vision of what they want both government and the future to look like. They take initiative, put personal feelings aside for the common good, and focus on results. You have been nothing but petty, reactionary, and scatter-brained ever since you started blogging.

I would take this more seriously if you actually articulated what you stand for on each issue. I would take this more seriously if you didnt use democratic primaries as a venue to pursue personal vendettas. I would take this more seriously if you didnt send out a press release praising patrick hope and urging him to run for higher office after bashing him relentlessly for two years. I would take more seriously your call for honest progressive candidates if you didnt spend all of last year attacking Jim Webb, Tom Perriello, and President Obama. Alas instead of a serious candidates we have Ben Tribbett (and Barbara Favola).

I fail to see how you will succeed where Miles Grant failed. I fail to see how Barbara will ben any better as a Senator than as a self-serving, corrupt board member. As a resident of the 31st, I look forward to writing in Glenn Nye's name in both the primary and GE. Your candidacy is our version of Donald Trump's presidential run, nothing more than a cynical publicity stunt.

Oh, and if you want to know what real leadership looks like, turn on MSNBC right now.

[Hector]

Ben is one of the most honest people in politics. How many other candidates would allow a real debate about their candidacy publicly on their website? Here's a vote in Herndon for you if you run.

[Dominic]

I think b asked the best question of them all Ben - How will this effect your playoff beard? Potential constituents are waiting...

[Helen]

Wow, Ben, based on the positives and negatives in the above responses to your consideration to run, I'd say you've got a good shot at it.

The problem it seems you are going to have to overcome is the fact that those who know and follow your work here are on the extreme sides of the spectrum, meaning they respect you and appreciate your work OR really disrespect you and your work.

Study the comments, albeit a tiny snapshot, of how polarizing you are at the start. It's the "great middle" you are going to have to capture w/a less polarizing style.

Someone mentioned up thread that Dem leaders won't endorse you, well that is not necessarily a true statement. If you build a war chest and demonstrate leadership, many, not all, but many will eventually endorse.

Wish ya luck. Remember - stay focused, raise $$$, and don't put your energy into trying to convince the one's on the extreme disrespect side of the spectrum that you're a leader. They are never going to agree with you and will zap you of any positive energy and gains. Half of the campaign battles these days is psychological, so ignore, ignore, ignore those whose sole goal in life is to torment you.

[Not Ben]

Best part of this whole thing will be when Politifact takes a look at the laughable claims Ben made about his "leadership" with the party, and awards him a Pants On Fire!

ROFL!

[notsophialoren]

Anyone remember Harris Miller? He had all the elected officials endorsing him when he ran against Jim Webb in the primary for U.S. Senator. Those endorsements really helped him!?

[ValerieInRke]

I think you should run and remind the Democrats what they stand for ... make them "think smart" and get a spine.

[Loudoun Lady]

Hey - wait a minute - I am in the 31st! I simply can not comprehend this! LOL

[Pete]

Undefeated as campaign manager..what about the Cooter Jones debacle?

[TGEoA]

How do I tell what district I'm in? I'm thinking of making Larry write me a haiku in exchange for my vote

[Not Larry Sabato]

I said Fairfax/Loudoun! 0-1 in Richmond :-D

[Not Larry Sabato]

TGEoA- What precinct do you vote at?

[NotAndySere]

Ben, your announcement of a potential announcement is so exciting it's driven me out of my retirement.

Unfortunately, it seems that the debate over this potential primary is avoiding the most important issue facing the voters.

As we all know, Tom Whipple compiles the immensely helpful "Whipple Clips" every day to chronicle the top stories across Virginia. With Mary Margaret Whipple's retirement will Tom continue this selfish contribution to the common good? Or will her replacement in the State Senate have to find a way to fill this void?

Virginia infovores demand an answer! I can't think of another issue, from transportation to health care costs to the affordability of college education, more pressing that my daily Whipple clips!!!

[hokieguru]

Ben, did you make up with Patrick after hammering him here on your blog (e.g. when Miles Grant was running)?

[Spock]

I'll vote 4 ya...lol!

[Geographer]

If the district "straddles" the Potomac River, which Montgomery County precincts does it include?

[Loudoun Insider]

Go for it!

[TGEoA]

Ben,

I AM in the 31st. Haiku me.

[Not Larry Sabato]

We need a big change
No Barbara Favola
Let's make it happen

Good?

[Mr Bubbles]

5-7-5

it works...

[Not Larry Sabato]

Thanks.

Mr. Bubbles, to your comment above one point. I hope you will give me a chance on the campaign. From having seen your comments here, I think you will like what this campaign is going to be about.

[Mr Bubbles]

did i just get you to prematurely launch (or pull a tim kaine)?

On a serious note, articulate what you stand for and what you want to accomplish and you should be fine (even if it doesnt completely line up with my blue dog tendencies, ill respect/support you for it if you're being honest).

... Or just ask yourself what would scott surovell do. He and Chap are the only current state level politicians I still like/respect/admire/support

I cant stand the Barbara Favola or the rest of the county board for a wide variety of reasons (the least of which being they demolished my favorite bar in exchange for campaign contributions from developers). If she wins I'm still going to launch a Glenn Nye write-in campaign as sick joke.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Thanks. I agree, best course of action on a lot of things is WWSSD.

I've heard from a lot of Democrats who will have trouble pushing the button for Favola in November. It's becoming apparent that she is the one candidate who could lose this seat to the Republicans.

[McDonald's Brain]

Run, Ben! This is exciting news for Virginia Democrats! I am not in the 31st, but would help your campaign!

[TGEoA]

5-7-5. I'm in.

Even though you are/were probably opposed to expanding I-66, you should use that against her in the non-Arlington areas.

[secret person]

Even though we are philosophically opposed (at the end of the day, I want less welfare and taxes, Democrats want more), I respect your honesty and even your sense of fun. Plus you are more of a centrist than typical. Of course, I am still to the right of you and I don't kid myself on that. All that said, I kinda like you. Good luck, man.

[TGEoA]

Ben, if you for some reason don't run/win, how about running against Chris Zimmerman for Arlington CB?

[West End Observer]

Has anyone noted Favola's campaign finance filing? Very, very top heavy with Arlington developer money. Is she collecting "due bills"?

[varealest]

run Ben run