House Democrats Continue Melt Down

Every time you think the freak show that is the Virginia House Democratic Caucus couldn't get worse... well it does.

I'm hearing from good sources that Onzlee Ware is saying he has 14 solid commitments to be the new Democratic Caucus Chairman and that with only 27 of the 32 members planning to attend the meeting next week, that 14 votes is enough to win.

This is the same Onzlee who split with Roanoke Democrats to support a slate of Independent candidates for Roanoke City Council in 2008 and helped defeat the entire slate of Democratic nominees.

This is also the same Onzlee who was once caught dealing heroin and only had charges dropped when he became a police informant.  No, I'm not kidding.

The same Onzlee who went to France and Canada on trips paid for by Virginia Uranium.

Finally, the same Onzlee who was scorned by watchdog groups for his campaign finance reports that showed lavish spending on personal items such as trips to expensive bed and breakfasts that were unrelated to his campaign.

I could go on and on, but that seems like more than enough.

If in fact this is true, and Sickles or Surovell don't have the votes to stop Onzlee... then there will need to be a real discussion on whether donors and activists should work with the House Democratic Leadership or go rogue and begin moving operations outside of the traditional structures.

Comments

[Steve Vaughan]

Ah, what the hell. The Dems have only got 32 votes. Let Onzlee play with them. Not like that's enough votes to cause any trouble anyway.

[Tatum]

Barry Obama's national agenda has left all Southern Democrats scrambling. They'll be scrambling for years.

[Andrew]

So what should the new non-Onzlee party be called? Progressive Virginia? Democratic Virginia?

There hasn't been an actual Democratic Party in Roanoke for a while now, so some sort of political structure would be nice.

[One who has seen him operate]

The Dems need to avert this by creating a titled position with lots of "stature" such as "Duke of the House Democrats". "Earl", "Marquis", or "Viscount" would also be suitable. The new position should require little effort to fulfill its duties - an occasional ceremony, frequent all expense paid trips to vacation spots.

We can expect more losses in the House next election if he is as worthless in this job as he has been in all the others he has had.

[Dem in Roanoke]

Onzlee is a tool of whoever purchases him. He has sucked up to the GOP when it fit his goals; he has used that suck-up power to get a house district that is uber-safe.

Here's what many in Roanoke think of Onzlee Ware. An African-American friend of mine once told me that Onzlee is such a bad lawyer that people she knew called him, "Warm up the chair, Ware." (i.e., electric chair)

The best way to deal with the disaster that the Democrats in the House are right now is to forget the DPVA, forget the chair of the House caucus, and go to grassroots action, recruit good candidates and get them elected.

[James Young]

If this is all true --- and I have no reason to question any of it --- Virginia Democrats are more f***ed up than even the most partisan Republicans think they are, and have any reason to hope them to be.

[Not This Again]

I thought the title of "Earl" had already been given to Ben Tribbett.

[Not Bubby]

The Dems have less than a third of the seats. Who really gives a shit who their leader is?

[Will Radle]

Vote SCOTT SUROVELL!

Who the heck gets elected & then skips out on the work of organizing your caucus.

If you cannot come together, to vote for House leadership, then you really should not be in office.

There's a lot at stake for our future. Volunteers & donors have invested heavily for your election. Now, you're slacking on the job already!

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
Give us your name if your not in the game.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

[Will Radle]

SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!
Give us your name if you're not in the game.
SHAME! SHAME! SHAME!

[Andrew]

The way Ware basically just stands for whatever benefits him and Morgan Griffith (or Greg Habeeb now, I guess?), we might be looking at the closest thing to a one party state since the Byrd days. Thanks, Brian Moran!

"Barry Obama's national agenda has left all Southern Democrats scrambling. They'll be scrambling for years."

You know, I hear people say this, and it strikes me as a bit funny. So how exactly is Obama that much anathema to Southerners than Clinton was?

[Sam]

I would like to direct everyone's attention to Ben's twitter feed on the side and say my condolences. I think any of us who have played poker have had something similar happen to us at some point... Damned River Rats....

[Will Radle]

Mark Warner worked to prevent the spread of a Democratic divide created by Onzlee Ware.

Scott Surovell works well with others and unites people in focusing on the solutions we need.

http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2009/08/mark-warner-steps-in-to-prevent-onzlee-ware-takeover-of-roanoke-politics.html

[Isaac Smith]

Dem in Roanoke are there any Dems (or Reps) who are not bought?

[GOPHokie]

I am not saying Ware should be the dems' person, but shouldn't they be looking for someone outside the black caucus and NOVA? Seeing as they have virtually no seats outside those two areas I would think they need to make inroads elsewhere to ever hope of being relevant again.

[Ralph]

GOPHokie: That's Toscano, from Charlottesville, as Minority Leader. Since nearly half the delegation and nearly all of the money comes from NOVA, makes sense for the Caucus Chair to come from there.

[Andrew]

GOPHokie: Toscano is from the Charlottesville area. Other than that, you've got guys who are either too old (Joe Johnson) or geographically isolated (Lynwood Lewis, who is also sorta old I think) or not experienced in leadership.

[Andrew]

I take that back, Lewis does represent part of Norfolk City and isn't very old. I don't know what I was smoking on that one.

[Wow]

If the house caucus elects a gd crook I am so done! And I will make it known at the December 3 rd meeting to all elected officials.

Oh and get over the have to have someone else other than nova. Seriously we are the only ones giving you any dems. So actually you should be glad and follow some tried and true strategy....ones that Scott surovell has actually implemented being chair if the largest democratic committee we have!

Also we've tried the rural dem route with deeds. Howd that work out for us?

[Ralph]

Go Sickles.

[Janet Myhre]

Sickles no - while a great guy and good legislator - doesn't have a clue how to promote and expand the Democratic party statewide. He fully supported the redistricting plan and the entrenchment that came along with it.

[MV Dem]

There are commitments and then there are commitments. Caucus members (gasp) have been known to tell more than one person they have their vote locked up.

[Loudoun Insider]

Holy hell are you Dems screwed! What in the hell is wrong with you folks??? It really seems like Virginia Dems have a group death wish thing going on!

[WoW]

Posted by: Loudoun Insider | November 18, 2011 at 05:33 PM

Seriously - comment about being crazy coming from someone with the signature of Loudoun insider... Heaven help us!

[Not Tim Hugo]

Sickles is the most strategic candidate in the race and he knows how to raise money. Surovell is a bundle of energy with lots of ideas but he has only been there two years. Onzlee is...well, what Ben said.

[Loudoun Insider]

Loudoun is full of crazy, it's why it's called LoCo. Believe me, I'm one of the most sane political people in the county! This is the land of Eugene Delgaudio and Dick Black after all.

[Helen Tansey]

Andrew - I know Lynwood. The guy has the greatest sense of humor, smart as a whip, but I daresay, leading the D caucus would be a unique challenge for him, as well as others.

Loudoun Insider - Virginia D's have yet to realize that a rather large sliver of D support left the Party, in total, in May 2008. We're not coming back and we could give a rip what happens to the Party.

Understand, however, we could give a rip what happens on the R side either, and although you may not wish to admit it, the only thing saving the R establishment is the mirage of the Tea Party supporters. Otherwise, your party is in her death throes too.

The two-party system is dying a slow death and there are lots of us who were once fooled by the blah blah blah and that they stood for something, but we've caught onto the game and know better now.

I'm sincerely hoping more will self educate and arrive at the same ah ha moment the majority in the middle has. Maybe then we can put people into office who actually give a rip about us, you know, the schmucks who pay the largess of taxes.

Until then, it's not only the D's that are screwed it's the R's too.

[just the facts]

Helen, 56% Democratic performance in Fairfax this year does not support your assertion. And what in the world changed in May 2008 that took you away from the party so irrevocably? Are you one of the Hillary people who refuses to support Obama even though she now does? The right wing is so off the rails that letting perfection be the enemy of the good is downright counterproductive....

[just the facts]

It isn't over till it is over. There's a lot of activity in this caucus race and I wouldn't count out Surrovell or Sickles

[Janet Myhre]

Well - if the choice is truly between Surovell and Sickles then YES! I apoligize if my previous comment was not in the best form for Delegate Sickles, they are both representaties in Mount Vernon and do a fantastic job! Either Sickles or Surovell would be excellent choices, while I would like to see Surovell - would not be disappointed in either. Just a double check on "fundraising" have you looked at Surovells numbers? Have you looked at the about of $$ that came into Fairfax County Democratic Committee under Surovell leadership? Hey is a fundraising juggernaut

[Janet Myhre]

VPAP - fundraising accumen.

Surovell $643,343 (5/09-10/11)
Sickles $382,414 (1/09 - 10/11)

Surovell had strong opponents in each of his cycles - received 53.4% in 2009 to capture 59.4% of the district in 2011, with little change from the redistricting.. In fact got more Rep precincts from the 43rd.

[Helen Tansey]

just the facts - Many assume the reason many of us left the D Party had to do w/the Hillary/Obama campaigns, but that's not the reason.

It is what the DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee did in May of 2008. That was the day the Party demonstrated its true colors of which many active and supportive D's said enough. Yes, their decisions on that day effected the campaigns, but it could have been any two candidates.

And regarding the 56% of D's in NOVA, well, if you either receive your livelihood from a federal paycheck or a federal contractor or a federal grant then you too would be voting for the guys that promise no cuts to federal spending. I know I certainly wouldn't be voting against my own self interest.

Look at the demographics of NOVA and where folks derive their livelihoods. Remove that livelihood, as has happened downstate and all across the country and you may see why voters are flocking to the center and demanding spending cuts.

Keep in mind the R's don't get any gold stars either. Both Party operations are beyond repair IMHO.

[just the facts]

Helen, all of VA prospers due to the federal jobs and contracts that energize the Virginia economy. ROVA gets a disproportionate share of the expenditures given NOVA's status as an economic powerhouse, so ROVA residents should think twice before supporting job killing shrinking of the federal employers, grants and contracts which serve the public good and power their economy. We will all lose if we tear down government while the private sector flatly refuses to create jobs here in America! Spending cuts and austerity will not create jobs, they will only create an economic death spiral as happened in the 1920s and 30s

And as for the Democratic Rules and Bylaws committee I have absolutely no idea what you are talking about as you have given no indication of a specific policy or plank to which you object!

[just the facts]

And Ben.... Sickles won caucus chair... Are you counting the Ware prediction towards your 99.8% accuracy rating?

[just the facts]

For Helen and all those groupthinkers who believe that growth is just around the corner from pursuing austerity during an econic downturn, read this piece by Professor Robert Reich

http://www.salon.com/2011/11/18/austerity_isnt_the_answer_2/

[just the facts]

correction:

For Helen and all those who believe that growth is just around the corner from pursuing austerity during an economic downturn, read this piece by Professor Robert Reich

http://www.salon.com/2011/11/18/austerity_isnt_the_answer_2/

[Oscar]

Well the RTD reports that Toscano and Sickles were UNANIMOUSLY elected by the House Democrats.....Why'd you get your shorts in a knot about Onzlee Ware??? Chasing ghosts,again?

[NotJohnSMosby]

As is standard within Democratic circles, once a victor has been determined, the loser is given a chance to withdraw, and the victor is announced as unanimous.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Exactly, thanks NJSM.

[Oscar]

That is NOT the case. When Dick Cranwell lost to Tom Moss in the caucus for the Speaker's nomination, the result was neither unanimous nor announced as such. That's just one immediate example.

[Not Larry Sabato]

Oscar- NJSM said they are given a CHANCE to withdraw, no one is forced to. As was the case here, it took two ballots. Onzlee lead on ballot one and Sickles beat Surovell by one vote for the runoff. Sickles then beat Onzlee by 4 in the runoff.

[Flipper]

Not that it matters anymore, but Ben continues to flog something he doesn't understand. Partisan politics doesn't trickle down all that well to the local level.
So yes, Onzlee supported a group of "independent Democrats" in 2006. Two years later, one of the party-label Democrats in the 06 election -- David Bowers -- turned around and ran for mayor as an independent himself.
Now, everyone has sat down, sang Kumbaya and the party is back together.
This was an intra-party matter, not a matter of Dems versus outsiders.
That old link about Mark Warner intervening is a warped distortion at best.

[Flipper]

That said, many Democrats are upset with Onzlee for a lack of support in winning key precincts in northwest Roanoke --- but that's an entirely different matter than the Victory Stadium related intraparty disputes of the last decade.

[A. Will Radle, Jr.]

JTF, recognize the fact: 69.85 percent of registered voters did not participate in the recent election.

A 24 year incumbent who represents more Virginians than any other legislator, except US Senators, won with support from only 17.9 percent of voters.

Do you think results show people want to continue cutting education funding, increasing students per teacher, and reducing teacher take home pay year after year?

Or, do you agree the lack of participation shows voters saw no choice they wanted to support?

My campaign's challenge was getting our message out when event organizers consistently excluded us.

They included Spike who has zero experience on public committees; zero experience working on issues of public importance; zero experience working with people across political lines.

With over 20 years experience serving on state, regional and local public committees as well as nonprofit boards, my focus remains working with people across political lines to create effective, sustainable solutions to the challenges confonting our community.