XML FeedsElection 2009 – 83rd District
By Wally on Oct 13, 2009 | In Politics, State | 12 feedbacks »
Delegate Bouchard goes too far
Delegate Joe Bouchard (D-83rd-Virginia Beach), former Commanding Officer of the Norfolk Naval Base, has stooped to a new low in political mudslinging. If he were still on active duty, one might accuse him of “conduct unbecoming”. It isn’t necessary to view polling results to realize that Bouchard’s campaign has run aground and this sacrifice of his honor is a last ditch effort.
Follow up:
In Bouchard’s latest television political spot, Bouchard embellishes and fingers a handful of hospital procedural civil accusations and settlements solely on his opponent. Bouchard’s rival holds an administrative position at a local hospital.
This would be akin to placing blame on Bouchard for every casualty and incident on the naval base when he was C.O. What would be germane are the positive actions that an administrator implements to prevent re-occurrences of such mishaps.
Most disconcerting is the collateral damage that Bouchard’s self-serving maneuver has caused to the reputation of his challenger’s hospital, doctors, nurses, and employees not to mention patient confidence.
Bouchard has reached the point of extremis and his ad says more about him than it does his opponent.
12 comments
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
When this campaign started, I thought it could be a great local discussion between two very skilled and competent candidates. Regretfully, once the national republican committee pumped $230,000 into Stolle's hands, it deteriorated into the worst personal attack on a Delegate that I have ever witnessed.
Any respect that I had for Chris Stolle has evaporated. Joe Bouchard has represented his District with competence, diligence, judgement, and vigor, yet no person of those qualities can stand by and watch the national republican party mislead, attack, lie, and smear without responding.
Stolle has set a new low, and ought to be personnally ashamed of himself. I suspect that if these dispicable tactics produced victory, his office would be located on "K" street in DC, not on Pleasure House Road like Joe's office.
Frankly, if they elect him, that is what they deserve. Maybe Abramoff's office is still available for Stolle. Is he out of jail yet?
Any respect that I had for Chris Stolle has evaporated. Joe Bouchard has represented his District with competence, diligence, judgement, and vigor, yet no person of those qualities can stand by and watch the national republican party mislead, attack, lie, and smear without responding.
Stolle has set a new low, and ought to be personnally ashamed of himself. I suspect that if these dispicable tactics produced victory, his office would be located on "K" street in DC, not on Pleasure House Road like Joe's office.
Frankly, if they elect him, that is what they deserve. Maybe Abramoff's office is still available for Stolle. Is he out of jail yet?
10/13/09 @ 12:41
Comment from: Reid Greenmun [Visitor]
So says the Democratic Party operative .... what a surprise.
10/15/09 @ 14:08
Comment from: Britt Howard [Visitor] · http://TidewaterLiberty.com
Reid, I don't understand the quick defense by you and Wally of Stolle. Is it just because Barrett chose a side?
I would just assume Bouchard win again. Our time would be better spent either supporting a fiscal conservative or opposing a damaging Tax and Spender of either party.
Further, I'm not sure Barrett's "K" Street allegation is too far off mark. Any "collateral damage" will go unanswered and fade from the public's mind.......probably already has.
Tasteless mud slinging sure, but not worth the time addressing. Talking about it will only keep any wound to reputations open.
I would just assume Bouchard win again. Our time would be better spent either supporting a fiscal conservative or opposing a damaging Tax and Spender of either party.
Further, I'm not sure Barrett's "K" Street allegation is too far off mark. Any "collateral damage" will go unanswered and fade from the public's mind.......probably already has.
Tasteless mud slinging sure, but not worth the time addressing. Talking about it will only keep any wound to reputations open.
10/16/09 @ 09:54
Comment from: Wally [Member] 
Britt:
This post was not about defense as much as it was collateral damage to others other than the candidate. This type of attack is unwarranted.
I believe the flash black from the public resulted in the removal of the offending advertisement.
Further, I don't it was Bouchard’s brainstorm to fabricate this type of media, but the result of ill-advising consultants that are desperately trying to keep a sinking ship afloat.
Unfortunately for Bouchard, he is ultimately responsible and lost control of his campaign.
Whether or not he prevails, he has already lost a great deal. How ironic that the sleazy political consultants will be around for the next campaign.
This post was not about defense as much as it was collateral damage to others other than the candidate. This type of attack is unwarranted.
I believe the flash black from the public resulted in the removal of the offending advertisement.
Further, I don't it was Bouchard’s brainstorm to fabricate this type of media, but the result of ill-advising consultants that are desperately trying to keep a sinking ship afloat.
Unfortunately for Bouchard, he is ultimately responsible and lost control of his campaign.
Whether or not he prevails, he has already lost a great deal. How ironic that the sleazy political consultants will be around for the next campaign.
10/16/09 @ 12:10
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
While I don't support ridiculous ads by either candidate, if you believe that as well, why would you not have condemned Stolle for the ads produced by the republian national committee on his behalf?
Are you just being partisan or do you condone those ads for Stolle but not for Bouchard?
Is swift boating OK for one but not for the other?
Bouchard has been hit by a tidal wave of gross distortions made possible by $230,000 from republican partisans who could care less about the citizens of Virginia Beach.
For me, neither candidate has the right to the mudslinging that has occurred, but if Bouchard did not respond, his candidacy was toast. MJB sends!
Are you just being partisan or do you condone those ads for Stolle but not for Bouchard?
Is swift boating OK for one but not for the other?
Bouchard has been hit by a tidal wave of gross distortions made possible by $230,000 from republican partisans who could care less about the citizens of Virginia Beach.
For me, neither candidate has the right to the mudslinging that has occurred, but if Bouchard did not respond, his candidacy was toast. MJB sends!
10/16/09 @ 13:26
Comment from: Wally [Member]
First, this post specifically addressed Del. Bouchard and his offensive ad.
Second, no where in the post was Stolle mentioned except in reader's comments.
Finally, the degree of the subject ad not only erroneously reflect on Bouchard's opposition, it also caused mindless collateral damage on innocent hospital rank and file. Since the facility is not within the district, the faculty were regarded as if they were insignificant proletarians.
Public whiplash and outrage caused the ad to be immediately pulled.
Yes, even in mudslinging, there are level of degrees. This one reached a new high.
Second, no where in the post was Stolle mentioned except in reader's comments.
Finally, the degree of the subject ad not only erroneously reflect on Bouchard's opposition, it also caused mindless collateral damage on innocent hospital rank and file. Since the facility is not within the district, the faculty were regarded as if they were insignificant proletarians.
Public whiplash and outrage caused the ad to be immediately pulled.
Yes, even in mudslinging, there are level of degrees. This one reached a new high.
10/17/09 @ 02:40
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Wally, am I to believe that you did not see the ridiculous ads produced with the $230,000 from the republican national committee? Do you really believe that Joe Bouchard is a criminal because he notes that unless we properly resource transportation, the system will collapse?
In some ways, it already has collapsed. The American Society of Civil Engineers just gave us a D-, and with lack of funding, an F is inevitable. So if you honestly assess the situation and so advise your constituients, it is ok for the national republican party to swift boat him?
You only were blinders when you don't want to see the truth. MJB sends!
In some ways, it already has collapsed. The American Society of Civil Engineers just gave us a D-, and with lack of funding, an F is inevitable. So if you honestly assess the situation and so advise your constituients, it is ok for the national republican party to swift boat him?
You only were blinders when you don't want to see the truth. MJB sends!
10/17/09 @ 13:16
Comment from: Wally [Member]
Mike,
It is truly unfortunate, but evidently I am unable to adequately convey the degree of difference between an issue oriented attack and that of a character assassination that wrongly encompasses innocent individuals by besmirching their professionalism.
Gear switching the topic to redundantly point out a funding source as some supposed conspiracy or scandalous fonder does not exonerate the fact that Bouchard's ad is tasteless and will result in solidifying his undoing.
It is truly unfortunate, but evidently I am unable to adequately convey the degree of difference between an issue oriented attack and that of a character assassination that wrongly encompasses innocent individuals by besmirching their professionalism.
Gear switching the topic to redundantly point out a funding source as some supposed conspiracy or scandalous fonder does not exonerate the fact that Bouchard's ad is tasteless and will result in solidifying his undoing.
10/17/09 @ 14:25
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Wally, regretfully, I believe your response simply shows that no matter what tactics a politician adopts, if your agree with him, you support his tactics.
The only difference is that the "character assassination" of Bouchard by Stolle is financed by $230,000 from the republican national committee, and if that does not make you sick, it ought to.
Frankly, no matter your partisan views, Bouchard is one of the brightest and best Delegates in the House. In fact, he, like Jim Webb, are strategic thinkers who represent the best and brightest based upon their military service.
You ought to recognize that. MJB sends!
The only difference is that the "character assassination" of Bouchard by Stolle is financed by $230,000 from the republican national committee, and if that does not make you sick, it ought to.
Frankly, no matter your partisan views, Bouchard is one of the brightest and best Delegates in the House. In fact, he, like Jim Webb, are strategic thinkers who represent the best and brightest based upon their military service.
You ought to recognize that. MJB sends!
10/19/09 @ 07:46
Comment from: Wally [Member]
Mike, do you not see a contextual difference between a barbed attack against an opponent and one that unjustly besmirches the professionalism of innocence of those not even remotely attached to the campaign?
The sad part is "one cannot unring a bell", and now the subject of whiplash sentiment is successfully being used in an effective counter attack. It is very likely Bouchard has become victim to the "macaca effect", a situation his campaign adviser created.
The sad part is "one cannot unring a bell", and now the subject of whiplash sentiment is successfully being used in an effective counter attack. It is very likely Bouchard has become victim to the "macaca effect", a situation his campaign adviser created.
10/19/09 @ 12:23
Comment from: Mike Barrett [Visitor]
Frankly Wally, both camps are guilty of extremely negative campaign ads. I frankly can't say which is worst.
But I do think that when the national republican party enters a district race in Virginia with an absolutely gross amount of money raised outside the district, it is an indication that they could not let local politics take its course, and they needed to intervene.
That ought to tell you who the best candidate is. In this case, if Stolle were to win, the republican national party should send a puppet in to take his place. MJB sends!
But I do think that when the national republican party enters a district race in Virginia with an absolutely gross amount of money raised outside the district, it is an indication that they could not let local politics take its course, and they needed to intervene.
That ought to tell you who the best candidate is. In this case, if Stolle were to win, the republican national party should send a puppet in to take his place. MJB sends!
10/19/09 @ 14:27
Comment from: Bill Barnes [Visitor]
Mike Barrett would impune Jesus if he was a Republican. He has no credibility. Former VB residence and registrated Independent. bb
11/01/09 @ 15:08
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