I have heard Robert Hurt on several occasions comment on his ability to win races. He considers himself a conservative and brags about winning in a conservative district. This causes me to question why Mr. Hurt considers it such an accomplishment for a Republican to win an election in a this type of district. It would be extremely unusual for a Republican candidate to not win with a significant majority in an area like this.
What makes me want to really laugh is that he is so proud of his senate victory in 2007 in which he won with over 70% of the vote. His district is so conservative that the Democrats did not even field a candidate that year so how does this prove that he can win an election when his only opposition was an underfunded independent?
It will certainly take more than that to show me he can win a challenging race. Besides if Hurt goes up against Perriello what will his motto be? I didn’t raise taxes as much as you?
This guy has nothing.
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what this guy has is the ability to beat Perriello.
Kelly not trying to argue with you Hurt maybe a Republican but a conservative he is not. If he wins the primary I will vote for him because I think he is better than Perriello.However don’t be so sure he can win he is the only candidate that will certainly bring out a Independent candidate sending Perriello back to office.
A look at the “not conservative” Robert hurt by RoanokeConservative:
http://roanokeconservativedaily.blogspot.com/2009/12/senator-robert-hurt-looking-at-record.html
I still don’t consider him the perfect candidate, but trying to continue to portray him as some crazy, left-wing lib just ain’t flying anymore. So he’s as conservative as Ken Cuccinelli? I’d take it.
Ken Cuccinelli voted against the $1.4 billion tax increase that Hurt voted for.
Hurt also voted for the largest tax increase in Va’s history.
Let me ask you a philosophical question, BRG… is it ever, EVER okay to vote to raise taxes? If so, under what circumstances? If not, why not? Thanks.
Do any of you even know the local politics behind the this vote. For example the fact that one of the largest employers in Hurt’s district pushed for everyone in the 5th to vote for this tax increase, because it would not raise the sales tax. Do know about the politics behind this vote? Do you know anything about this district at all? I mean it is easy to sit here and say that since he voted for this we shouldnt vote for him, but the fact remains that he is a Conservative, are you just upset that he doesnt fly a yellow flag and go negative?
What has Verga done? He talks a good game with his slogans and promises, but again he is like a basketball player who never made it to the pros, he can talk, but he has never had to take a shot. Hurt has and he knows the district well. You cannot tell me that Hurt cannot win and the the other candidates can.
Verga, who appears to be your chosen one, will get destroyed on the big stage. His negative politics are not what voters are looking for and he has no real policy behind his ideas, nor can he spell or remember what districts are in the fifth.
These attacks on Hurt are getting out of hand. You pose the question “What will his motto be? I didn’t raise taxes as much as you?” This is disingenuous and you know it. He has taken pledges not to raise taxes. Howabout his motto will be “i wont vote with Pelosi on health care and other job killing bills.” or “i will continue to work to bring jobs to southwest Virgina.”
Further, this is not NY-23 and Hurt is not Dede. For this to be Ny-23 there would have to be a third party candidate, and there probably wont be, and you would have to have a liberal in the race, which you dont.
Aaron could you show me where Hurt took pledges to not raise taxes-it might make a big difference to many people who read this blog. Is this if he elected now?
Hurt needs to better explain his vote to raise taxes more than he has so far. On Saturday @ the golden corral with all the other candidates, Hurt couldn’t explain much of anything with clarity.
Hurt signed The Americans for Tax Reform no-tax pledge, a pledge that popular Governor-elect Bob McDonnell didn’t even sign. See Bearing Drift for more info.
He kind of had to after being on their list of most unwanted after voting for the Warner tax hike. It’s called damage control. Now he can say he was against it after he was for it. All just a terrible mistake. I believe his campaign manager/advisor even referred to it as a mistake that Hurt deeply regrets… paraphrasing of course. I’m still not sold.
Aaron, concerning your comment. Hurt’s signing the pledge. That’s good news. If you were referring to the article “Essay: Why Tea Parties are Not the Defenders of Conservatism” What a downer. That’s quite a verbal attack on 5th district Tea Party crowd (myself included). I can’t understand why so many Republicans “spit in the face” of so much potential support. He ignored the cause of our anger, namely, the party doing all they can to choose Hurt for us.
yep, I think Hurt is a conservative. and yep, I think he can win the primary & the election.
this will be one of the most expensive races in the country & the one that garners the most media.
let’s be frank here: to compete against Obama money, Al Gore global warming hysteria & big labor, we need a measured candidate, tremendous political support from yes, the national GOP, & tons, tons & more tons of money.
Blue Ridge Guy, who we always must remember is on the staff of Verga, conveniently omits that Verga has never run in any election except maybe in high school. Hurt won three elections to the House of Delegates before his Senate Race. It isn’t his fault that he is so well liked in his area that no strong candidate ran against him for the Senate.
Blue Ridge, you are getting very tiring with your assaults. Why don’t you explain to us what Verga meant by an “elastic” and “flexible” constitution.
He sounds like he is getting ready to make our constitution into something that only a liberal federal judge would recognize.
Not Blue Ridge Guy, you are so very boring. “Blue Ridge Guy, who we always must remember is on the staff of Verga, conveniently omits that Verga has never run in any election except maybe in high school.” I guess someone like yourself needs everything spelled out, Verga has never been in politics as anyone who has been paying the least bit of attention knows, therefore it goes without saying that he has never run for election. Is that clear enough for you.
As far as Hurt goes, running for an election in a district in which just having an “R’ behind your name guarantees you a win doesn’t count for much in my book.
Finally at least I had the balls to admit who I support unlike you. Although you have made it very obvious.
This is really sad to see. When will it be the right time to vote for candidates based on the person, how well they understand the limitations of the constitution, what kind of plans and visions they have for the district and the country, who can intelligently articulate those plans, and who can incite and inspire those they speak with in every campaign speech, and in every interview. When will some realize that jumping on someone’s bandwagon, based solely on the fact that they may have won previous elections, and, can raise the most money does not prove that that person is the best choice for the district. I am not only talking about Robert Hurt, but, rather every campaign in every district in the country. The cost of campaigns has gotten outreageous, and, now it seems to the point of some literally buying elections. It keeps alot of good potential people from running for anything. It gets even worse when the national committees make their choice, and then fill that candidates bank account with national donations. They should not be involved in crowning kings, because more often than not, that is what they get. They have bought their agendas in the House and Senate. Just as Perriello has been bought lock stock and barrell by George Soros. He is obligated to vote the way Soros wants him to. If he didn’t, Soros can just as easily replace him.
You can have the biggest war chest, and use that treasure unwisely, and wastefully. What good did it do you. On the other hand, you can have the least amount of money, and turn those dollars into a win, even against those with the millions. Look at Jason Chafetz in Utah for the perfect example. He spent $500,000. on his campaign against 2 others that had millions to spend. He won. Obviously he didn’t have yet another greedy campaign manager or high priced staff. He found the way to convince the voters that he was the best choice. He sold himself, and, quite successfully. That’s what I would like to see more of.