On June 12, 2001 the Democratic Party of Virginia will be holding a primary election. There are three candidates vying for the Lieutenant Governor nomination, and four candidates for Attorney General. Mark Warner is their only candidate for Governor, so there's no choice to be made in that race.
The Republicans are holding a convention, not a primary, to select their candidates. This was a smart move on their part for two reasons: 1) it costs a lot less money, and 2) voters do not register with a party when they register to vote, so a registered voter in Virginia, whether Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Green, Independent, etc. can vote in any one primary during each election cycle. By holding a convention the Republicans have ensured that only their most hard-core activists will be present to vote.
Since the Democrats have continually blocked voter registration by party in the General Assembly, and they have meddled with other parties' primaries in the past (most recently was their attempt to get McCain the GOP nomination, which would have been a disaster for gun owners), it seems appropriate to return the favor. Hopefully the Democrats will then have a change of heart on registering voters by party during the next session of the General Assembly.
So, I propose that voters from all parties vote in the Democratic primary and cast their ballots for the candidates least likely to win. Here is my analysis of their candidates, their vulnerability, and where they stand with respect to the gun control issue. If you have any thoughts or comments please let me know.
Lieutenant Governor
Richmond Mayor Timothy M. Kaine is anti-RKBA. He was behind the effort to have the city fund the MMM buses last year. His term as mayor ends next year, so if he wins the Democratic nomination but loses the election in November, he simply returns to his job as Mayor of Richmond.
Del. Alan A. Diamonstein of Newport News is anti-RKBA. He was a co-patron of HB 247 last year. As a current delegate, should he win the primary and lose the election, he is out of politics for a few years.
Del. Jerrauld C. Jones of Norfolk is anti-RKBA, and also co-patroned HB 247. As a current delegate, should he win the primary and lose the election, he is out of politics for a few years. He is the weakest of the three candidates, with the least amount of money in the bank and support from the Democratic Party.
***** My Conclusion: Vote for Jones. *****