Commonwealth Watch: And then there was one…
Commonwealth Watch, a good blog on keeping up with Virginia politics, evaluated the VCAP endorsed challengers for House of Delegates seats yesterday, including Shaun:
District 54 VCAP challenger Shaun Kenney trails Bobby Orrock $20,000 to zippy. This race is big news around the state. Kenney (who is younger than Chapman, … at a mere 26) appears clever his website is a blog, … but thats probably turning out to be stupid. Hes feeling compelled to fill it up with stuff that can only hurt him. For example, … a post from his brother assuring people hes not too right wing theres a catchy slogan, … vote for my brother, hes not too right wing. And the proof of it is hes also got a blog blab up about what an honor it was for him to meet with an animal rights group!! Yes, a social conservative who called an animal rights group a tremendous group of activists …. YIKES! This is the same group that got our favorite Independent Republican Gubernatorial Candidiate Russ Potts to introduce their bill to force public schools to teach respect for animals as part of the curriculum!! Del Kenney will work well with Gov Potts! Obviously, Kenney is too caught up with his cool website (why does he have links to the other VCAP challengers so potential money can get siphoned away to them) and as a result carless and will lose.
Now, the blog itself isn’t a bad thing, which CW admits, but it’s all about how you use it. And I have to agree that Shaun’s choice of quote from me may not be the best. First off, it’s not my best writing, I look like I’m twelve (I’m thirteen, thank you very much). Secondly, if taken out of context (which it is) it looks like I’m excusing Shaun’s conservativism for no real reason, something Jenn pointed out to me when she saw the quote on Shaun’s site.
Now, if you look at my original post, I quantify my statement by quoting some of Shaun’s annoucement, which may have come across as too conservative to people who don’t know him:
“After much prayer and consideration, many consultations with my wife, Republican Party leadership and conservative activists, I have come to the decision to challenge Bobby Orrock in the June 14th Republican primary,” stated Shaun Kenney.
“His voting record has simply been far too liberal for far too long,” Mr. Kenney continued. “We need to have an honest debate about the direction we want to see Virginia go. Do most we as Republicans want to be the party of tax hikes and bigger government, or do we deserve tax cuts and smaller government?” Kenney asked.
“I believe the voters of the 54th District are ready for a Republican who will stand up for our core Republican values of lower taxes, the right to life, and traditional marriage,” Mr. Kenney exclaimed. “I’m ready to help lead that fight.”
And before anyone starts screaming about Shaun being TOO right wing, let me reassure you that he is nothing of the sort. While Shaun and I do not see entirely eye to eye on every issue, I know for a fact he has the best interests of the people at heart and I can not think of a better man to hold public office than him.
All of my brothers and I were raised with the belief that we have a duty to stand up for the welfare of others. Whether it be through charity or public service, we have an obligation to help others and that is what Shaun is going to do. I’m proud that he is my brother and I stand behind him 100% in his efforts.
There’s the context of the quote (and the quote) and here it stands up a bit better than it does alone.
Does Shaun’s post about meeting with an animal rights group hurt him? It helps him more than anything. Since when did animal rights of any sort become a partisan issue?
And on the money front, CW’s looking at January fundraising filings and Shaun had not officially thrown his hat into the ring until March. Since then? Wildfire.
Unfortunately the CW is basing a big part of their evaluation of the campaign off the blog, that it’s in the way and can hurt Shaun. I think it will do the opposite, even if it gives “too much” information. Interested parties have an easy way to find out more information on what Shaun stands for. Including animal rights, supporting fellow challengers, and maybe citing endorsements by his little brother. It provides a picture of a well rounded candidate who is constantly on the move and even learning more every day about issues most of the public may not know about.
But I’m not the only one speaking up. Check out comments like this one attached to the CW post:
Kenney on VVAW? You think those guys are riled up to work for him now? You bet. Sounds like this guy knows the difference between grassroots politicking and just putting on a front.
It’s probably worth having a serious conversation about Shaun Kenney. He’s 26. He raised $30,000 in three weeks (more than his fellow challengers). And while that’s not much to speak of considering Orrock has $100K in the bank, let’s not sidestep the fact that he’s also chairman of the Spotsylvania Republican Committee.
That’s huge. How many 26-year old committee chairmen are there in localities the size of Spotsylvania? He didn’t get wished in there, that’s for sure. He’s raised a heck of a lot of cash. And his grassroots look solid. Even with the VVAW bit, that’s smart. Who do you think those guys will work for now?
Smart move I’d say – I hope he keeps doing it. After all, what else do you want to see on his blog anyway? “I collected $50 and shook some hands”?
Heh, touche.
There’s more to this, just check out the whole thing and see what you thi
