Category: Rob Wittman

Not Robert Wittman!

From the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc. (VCDL): Election shenanigans in 1st Cong. Dist!:

VCDL does not normally get involved in Federal elections but the process that appears to be ongoing in selecting the Republican nominee to replace the recently deceased Congress woman in the First Congressional District needs to be addressed.

Delegate Dick Black, who was one of our strongest supporters when he was in the Virginia Legislature, has informed us about the shocking shenanigans that are going on in the First Congressional District.

The problems are coming up in the secretive and often difficult process that is being used in selecting the delegates for the convention.

On November 3rd, Del. Black attended one in Caroline County.  It was at an unmarked location down a gravel road in the woods.  A steel gate marked with “No Trespassing” signs blocked the road.  The meeting was scheduled for 9:00 am, but they secretly held it an hour early and you couldn’t enter the meeting without violating the Virginia Code on criminal trespass.

They  elected nine delegates for Del. Rob Whitman, who avoided the meeting even though it was in his own district.

Wittman didn’t need to attend, all the other crooks holding the meeting made up for him not being there!

It gets even stranger: when Paul Jost, another candidate, showed up and asked why the meeting was held early, a woman helping to run the meeting apparently yelled at him using profanities and she had to be restrained!

We need to shine light of Democracy on what is going on and we also need our pro-gun members to attend these rapidly scheduled meetings and sign up as delegates in the convention.  It appears that the process currently in place would be more appropriate in Soviet Russia.

Indeed!

As citizens we have a choice – get run over or stand up for our rights.

Preach brother!

Getting run over is NOT an option as it makes a mockery of this great country.  Let’s stand up and make sure our voices are heard!

In some locations they are making it difficult, hoping that citizens won’t go through the trouble to become delegates.  They aren’t planning on YOU, though.

Amen!

A comment left on Renaissance Ruminations blog:

David Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 10:36 pm

From the RPV’s “Handbook for Mass Meetings, Conventions and Party Canvasses”:
“All mass meetings must be held in a public place. Frequently, mass meetings are held in public school auditoriums, council chambers, courtrooms, town halls, civic centers, libraries, etc. A private home is not allowed. A commercial space may be appropriate if it is also used for other public functions (such as a bank auditorium).” A private airplane hangar on someone’s private property seems highly suspect. But starting before the time stated in the Call is just plain wrong.

Conflict of interest? What’s that? …Seriously?

From The Journal Press: Government Officials and Republican Leaders Endorse Rob Wittman for Congress:

Twenty-six local elected officials from counties in the First Congressional District have endorsed Delegate Rob Wittman of Westmoreland County in his bid for the Republican nomination for Congress. Every Republican county chairman in Delegate Wittman’s 99th Legislative District has also endorsed Wittman. The Republican Party will nominate its congressional candidate on Nov. 10 at a Party Convention in Caroline County. The special election is Dec. 11.

[…]

They are: Admiral Robert Fountain, Westmoreland County, Larry Kile, King George County, Jeff Sili, Caroline County, Joan Blackstone, Lancaster County, Allen Webb, Northumberland County, and Deborah Harper, Richmond County.

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: 13 seek nods for open seat in House:

The GOP contest already is mired in controversy. The Republican Party of Virginia is looking into complaints that the Caroline County Republican committee held an improper mass meeting Saturday.

The hastily called meeting was held in a private aircraft hangar near Sparta in rural Caroline and started before its scheduled starting time. Signs along the road leading to the landing field said “No Trespassing.” Representatives of two candidates complained it was over before they got there.

J.M. Sili, Caroline County GOP chairman who won election to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, said the hangar was one of the few places in the area large enough to accommodate a mass meeting. He said the no-trespassing signs were aimed at keeping hunters from parking on the landing field. Candidates were not allowed to speak, because there are too many, he said.

Sili acknowledged the meeting may have started before its scheduled time. Fifty-one people attended and elected nine delegates to tomorrow’s convention. The delegates are not pledged to any of the candidates, he said.

What about the top-tier Presidential candidate’s campaign that wasn’t able to find out what the time the meeting was supposed to happen due to your oh-so-great leadership Mr. Sili? Maybe if you had bothered updating the Caroline County GOP website since September 2006…

Charles E. Judd, executive director of the state GOP, said party officials were trying to determine when the meeting was called to order and adjourned.

If the rules were not followed, the mass meeting could be voided, he said. But there is not time to hold another meeting and elect other delegates, Judd said.

Shaun Kenney, a spokesman for the state party, said the Caroline delegates’ credentials may be challenged at the convention.

A comment left on Renaissance Ruminations blog:

David Says:
November 9th, 2007 at 10:36 pm

From the RPV’s “Handbook for Mass Meetings, Conventions and Party Canvasses”:
“All mass meetings must be held in a public place. Frequently, mass meetings are held in public school auditoriums, council chambers, courtrooms, town halls, civic centers, libraries, etc. A private home is not allowed. A commercial space may be appropriate if it is also used for other public functions (such as a bank auditorium).” A private airplane hangar on someone’s private property seems highly suspect. But starting before the time stated in the Call is just plain wrong.

Port Royal precinct roundup

§ 24.2-310. Requirements for polling places:

E. It shall be permissible to distribute campaign materials on the election day on the property on which a polling place is located and outside of the building containing the polling place except as specifically prohibited by law including, without limitation, the prohibitions of § 24.2-604 and the establishment of the “Prohibited Area” within 40 feet of the entrance to a polling place.

§ 24.2-604. Prohibited activities at polls; notice of prohibited area; presence of representatives of parties or candidates; simulated elections; penalties; neutral observers; news media.

A. During the times the polls are open and ballots are being counted, it shall be unlawful for any person (i) to loiter or congregate within 40 feet of any entrance of any polling place; (ii) within such distance to give, tender, or exhibit any ballot, ticket, or other campaign material to any person or to solicit or in any manner attempt to influence any person in casting his vote; or (iii) to hinder or delay a qualified voter in entering or leaving a polling place.

[…]

E. The officers of election may require any person who is found by a majority of the officers present to be in violation of this section to remain outside of the prohibited area. Any person violating subsection A or D of this section shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Apparently, the Harvey Latney supporters don’t seem to understand that. Mrs. Calvin Taylor and as identified to me, Latney’s uncle and aunt:

I guess the rules don’t apply to them.

They were told to move the sign once it was brought to the attention of the election officials (by the way, the sign on the right is one advertising the fire department as the polling place and not a sign for a candidate).

In other news, Robert Wittman (or one of his helpers) doesn’t know how to drive. A Jeep Cherokee with House of Delegates tag 99 (as in the 99th House of Delegates district) was seen flying through Port Royal at what appeared to be around 40 MPH (the speed limit once you turn off of Route 301 is 25 MPH). He was seen swerving around on the road as well.

And in closing, I would just like to say thanks to you Maxie Rozell and Pamela Mastropaolo!