Fimian versus Herrity, Round 1
First, to start things off, let it be known that there will be NO ENDORSEMENTS, here. The goal is to provide analysis of the two campaigns and to have a little fun. So, with that said, the first round of Fimian v. Herrity went like this:
Since the November 2009 general election, rumors swirled about whether Springfield Supervisor, Republican Pat Herrity, would be entering the VA 11 Congressional race. Since 2008, Keith Fimian had made his intentions clear: that he would be seeking a rematch against Democrat, Gerry Connolly, the current, first-term holder of the seat.
Herrity started out strong with his official announcement on Wednesday, January 13, 2010. Herrity touted an impressive list of endorsements that reads as a who’s-who of Fairfax and Prince William GOP politics (Mason Conservative has it here). Lists like these tend to have one purpose: to intimidate the opposition. In that regard, they tend to be very effective.
Fimian responded with an immediate press release (Mason Conservative, posted Fimian’s statement) with the determinative quote:
I offer a break from politics as usual. I am not a politician and that is a problem to the insiders who cut deals and want to anoint their friends.
The quote is determinative because the discussion which followed (a good sampling can be found on both TC and MC) centered not on Herrity’s impressive endorsement list, but on the propriety of Fimian’s response. Is Pat Herrity a political insider? Arguably not, but by pointing to a common insider move, i.e., coming out of the gate with a huge endorsement list, Fimian transmuted a great strength into a potential liability. Herrity supporters countered with feigned righteous indignation while wallowing in victim-hood. Given the transient nature of emotion, Fimian effectively centered the discussion on whether or not Herrity deserves to be called a political insider (as opposed to Herrity’s intent to focus discussion on his impressive endorsement list), so Fimian wins round one.
What do we expect from the future? Who knows? One thing is for sure, with two top marquee candidates, the game can turn on a dime.
Posted on January 18, 2010, in Current Events, Virginia Politics. Bookmark the permalink. 6 Comments.
This is racist!
If the GOP wants to win elections, it must triangulate between insiders and outsiders by promoting candidates that are realistic insiders that advocate policies that appeal to political outsiders.
Emotional responses typically come from materialistic women whom are detrimental to the family.
Slowell, Not Too Conservative, GoBob…Go your mom! Word to your sista…red beans and rice did miss her. Do you guys know how to comment on a subject or do you “triangulate” within yo’ selves? Honestly…y’all pathetic…get a life.
Everyone knows that Herrity was asked by Tony Bedell – Chairman, Fairfax County Republican Committee (who can barely control his bowels, let alone an election) to run for this office. The stench of this move has been in the wind since September. Fat boy Connolly must be wetting his pants, laughing at the fools in the Republican Party as we split the vote, spend our funds and damage the inroads Fimian has made over the last 36 months. Shame on you Bedell and shame on you Herrity for destroying our chances to win this seat and beat this pig (Connolly) out of office!
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