The Prudent Choice

If you’re reading this anticipating a Virginia 8th Senatorial District endorsement, I don’t have one; I have an opinion. To bestow an endorsement, one must have a bona fide reason to place their name and integrity alongside a candidate. The best I can do is reason and analyze other endorsers’ motivations in taking a position in a political party primary.

Follow up:

Some organizations, supposedly non-partisan, have taken to injecting their endorsement into the candidate selection process. Take for instance the Virginia Beach Taxpayer’s Alliance . In the past General 2009 election, their executive board endorsed two Democrats. Now in a Republican primary they have endorsed Jeff McWaters, primarily because Rosemary Wilson didn’t show up for a town hall format meeting.

Then there’s the long list of Commonwealth elected officials. They have never worked with McWaters professionally on any political issues so why the vote of confidence in his ability to be an effective Senator? Perhaps a gander at the political contributions on behalf of the endorsee to the endorsers listed on VPAP could lend a clue.. Or could it be the endorsers are pressured by other statewide interest “Princes of Privilege” that load their war chests for reelection?

Finally, there are the Wilson endorsements from Virginia Beach City Council, School Board, and a host of city leaders. What are their reasons? For one, they are familiar with Wilson’s capabilities. Additionally, she has been through many budget processes as a school board and city council member. They know and trust her.

Those of you that know me are aware of the differences I may have had with Wilson’s city council votes on several issues. However, there are far fewer issues that separate us than those that we agree upon.

In summation, McWaters is a successful and knowledgeable entrepreneur. That cannot be denied. He is amiable and articulate. Unfortunately, that is far short of the attributes necessary to adequately represent the 8th District constituency.

Wilson’s in-depth knowledge of Virginia Beach’s needs and support from the Commonwealth have painfully been impressed upon her through the many budget iterations dealing with short funding of Commonwealth mandates.

Our present financial and transportation predicament dictate that an individual with Virginia Beach seasoned experience, knowledge-in-depth, and working political relationships needs to fill the slot as successor to Senator Ken Stolle. This time and place is not an opportunity to consider an on-the-job-training candidate.

Rosemary Wilson is the prudent choice.