Normally I don’t talk a whole lot about the Eastern Shore of Virginia but I saw an article in the Daily Times Sunday which jogged my memory.
In it, writer Ceri Larson Danes talks about a conservative Republican candidate for Virginia’s 100th District House seat trying to unseat a three-term Democrat. What jogged my memory was the name Melody Scalley – I just wasn’t sure why I remembered it. Then it hit me – she’s an occasional reader of my website and we’ve written back and forth on a couple occasions. She happens to be one of my Facebook friends.
There are several items here which may make her bid a race worth watching. It’s noted in Danes’ article (a shortened version ran in Sunday’s Daily Times; the online version goes into more depth) that Scalley is the first woman in memory to make it to the general election ballot in the district. More importantly, though, while I know nothing about the political philosophy of incumbent Lynwood Lewis it’s almost a certainty that Melody’s more conservative than he is – after all, he is a Democrat. Perhaps he’s more conservative than most Democrats but since Lewis hasn’t junked the party affiliation I’m led to presume he’s centrist at best.
Scalley is also unique in that she’s had a bully pulpit to work with as a radio host, doing a local conservative talk show called “Politics on the Edge” once a week. Whether that show can continue with her as a candidate is a legitimate question given current campaign finance laws – fortunately there aren’t equal time restrictions yet. But would WESR be forced to consider the airtime an in-kind contribution? In my case, I needed to declare this website as an in-kind contribution to myself when I ran for Central Committee in 2006. And three hours once a week until November is a large chunk of airtime.
The bigger question, though, is just how far right Lewis is going to have to run in order to counter Scalley’s philosophy. In 2008 President Obama carried Virginia’s Eastern Shore, winning smaller Northampton County by enough of a margin to outpoll John McCain’s narrow win in Accomack County. The two counties also combined to oust incumbent Republican Congressman Thelma Drake as Democratic opponent Glenn Nye carried the Shore.
But 2009 has a completely different political landscape as the economy hasn’t improved despite President Obama’s promise it would. Perhaps a fresh political face and some hard work may combine with a solid, limited-government philosophy to carry the day along the largely rural Eastern Shore of Virginia.
Speaking of solid, limited-government philosophies, it’s also worthy to note that something I carried on monoblogue a couple weeks back was officially announced on May 29 (I meant to place the item in my last “Odds and ends” post but it goes well here too). I didn’t get the e-mail about Jim Rutledge until it was forwarded to me from the Bartkoviches last week; regardless he’s in and the website is working so I’m glad to see someone touting the conservative banner. Let’s see if that plays in a so-called blue state amongst the brainwashed masses on the other side of the bay (and a number of them here too.)
Rutledge is also our speaker at the upcoming Wicomico County Republican Club meeting next Monday evening, so it’s an opportunity to get to know him better, right here in Salisbury.
“But 2009 has a completely different political landscape as the economy hasn’t improved despite President Obama’s promise it would.”
Really? You think Obama meant he could turn the lousy economy around in five months? Please. Let’s see where we are a year from now, when some of his policies (including lowering your taxes) take effect.
Considering that we needed to pass the stimulus package and TARP “right away” to avert catastrophe, I figured all would be hunky-dory by now, didn’t you?
Since I pay estimated taxes I haven’t seen any positive effect on my income. Moreover, the approach of simply redistributing wealth (as Obama’s so-called “tax cuts” will do) doesn’t work in the long run because many of those people weren’t paying taxes in the first place. Instead, people are “going Galt” and undermining the economy in that way.
To me, the best solution would be a consumption-based tax with a flat tax rate second. But then those who favor big government couldn’t regulate behavior as easily could they?
Hi Michael,
I couldn’t have said it better myself!
“But 2009 has a completely different political landscape as the economy hasn’t improved despite President Obama’s promise it would. Perhaps a fresh political face and some hard work may combine with a solid, limited-government philosophy to carry the day along the largely rural Eastern Shore of Virginia.”
If you are a conservative minded voter on the Eastern Shore ~ I NEED YOUR HELP! This will be a boots on the ground campaign and I will need all the support from every Easternshoreman and woman who can help volunteer with my campaign.
I am ready to fight for our way of life on the Eastern Shore, but that is not all that is in jeopardy. The core of what it means to be an American is now being challenged and our Constitution is at stake. We need strong, conservative leaders at the state level who are not afraid to stand firm against bigger and ever more controlling federal government. If we don’t take a stand for states rights we will also lose our individual rights!
If you have a church, civic or business group I would be happy to come and speak to your group so you can hear firsthand why I am willing to fight to represent the Eastern Shore and Norfolk that make up the 100th District of Virginia.
Thank you for your support!
Melody Scalley
melody.scalley at gmail.com
Approved by Scalley for Delegate – Melody