Va. Democrats target GOP delegates over stimulus vote

By: Tyler Whitley | Times-Dispatch
Published: April 18, 2009

The strangers knocking on your door tomorrow may be Democrats from your area.

Virginia Democrats are going door-to-door in the districts of nine Republican delegates who voted to reject $125 million in stimulus money for unemployment insurance. Among the targeted delegates is John M. O'Bannon III, who represents the 73rd House district in western Henrico County and northern Richmond.

Democrat Tom Shields, who is opposing O'Bannon, said the rejected money now is going back to Washington instead of helping Virginia families.

O'Bannon said he voted against the package because it would add an unemployment benefit for part-time workers, raise employers' unemployment insurance costs and make them delay hiring new workers, thus holding back the recovery.

O'Bannon and all but two of his 55 fellow Republicans in the House of Delegates voted against the package April 8. All but one Democrat voted for it.

Democrats think they have been handed a powerful campaign issue. A Rasmussen poll taken this week showed 45 percent of Virginians think part-time workers should be eligible for unemployment benefits, while 40 percent said no.

Jared Leopold, a spokesman for the state Democratic Party, said the question was not phrased well.

Democrats are pushing for a special session in which legislators could reconsider the issue. There is some talk in the business community, which opposed the $125 million package, about a compromise.

Meanwhile, two Democratic candidates for governor were disagreeing over their environmental credentials. Terry McAuliffe of McLean began running a television ad in the Richmond and Hampton Roads areas, promoting wind energy. The ad shows McAuliffe in a small fishing boat off the Virginia coast.

"As governor, I'll put my experience investing in the alternative-energy field to work for all of Virginia."

Former Del. Brian J. Moran of Alexandria said the ad omits any mention of McAuliffe's support of offshore drilling for natural gas. Moran opposes offshore drilling.

"Going forward, we hope all Terry's money can be put to use telling the truth," said Andrew Roos, Moran's campaign manager.

Mo Elleithee, senior strategist for the McAuliffe campaign, said McAuliffe's position on limited exploration for natural gas is the same as that of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.

"Brian Moran's attack on Terry's comprehensive plan to create new energy jobs unfortunately mischaracterized Terry's position on several issues," Elleithee said.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination in a June 9 primary is state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds of Bath County. The lone Republican candidate, Bob McDonnell, favors drilling for oil and gas off the coast.

Contact Tyler Whitley at (804) 649-6780 or twhitley@timesdispatch.com.