Who should I vote for in the 2008 Virginia 2nd District House of Representatives Race?
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Glenn Nye was born and raised in Norfolk, and is endorsed by Jim Webb. He would bring to the post his military background of years of training and service as a Foreign Service officer. He wants to balance the budget in part by reducing our activities in Iraq, putting some of the money towards bettering our education system and investing in oil production and technology advances here in the United States. He brings a fresh viewpoint to Washington, and would be a force for change. Side: Glenn Nye
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To counteract Thelma Drake's energy plan, Glenn Nye announced his own energy proposal. It includes increased "drilling on lands now leased to oil companies, more regulation on oil speculators and more investment in alternative energy." Nye stated more needs to be done to research alternative energy sources. Money that subsidizes oil companies should go towards alternative energy research. Also, Nye is not opposed to new offshore drilling, but only if the Navy approves it. The Navy has opposed it because drilling off the Virginia coast could interfere with Naval training exercises. Side: Energy
Congresswoman Thelma Drake, Republican incumbent of Virginia's 2nd Congressional District's House seat, requested Angelina Jolie to testify before Congress regarding the state of Iraqi refugees and whether the troop surge was effective. Jolie, a UN Goodwill ambassador, has not responded to the request. Drake's opponent, Glenn Nye blasted back asking whether Jolie is an expert on Iraq and why Congress needs to listen to the opinion of an actress. Nye said, “It’s time for serious people to do serious work to bring a sensible and responsible end to the war in Iraq.”
Supporting Evidence:
Thelma Drake wants Angelina Jolie to testify before Congress
(www.tooprogressive.com)
Side: Drake Calls for Jolie to Testify on Iraq
The main problem with the supposed “anti-war party” or otherwise known as the Democratic Party is that they are not really anti-war or anti-Iraq war. The Democratic Congressional Candidate of Virginia’s 2nd District Glenn Nye is a perfect example. On Mr. Nye’s campaign website he states, quite subtly, that Iraq is one of the top oil producers in the world and basically implying, like most Democrats and Republicans, which we should be given more of the profits earned by Iraq for their oil. This is a preposterous notion and will never work and that somehow the United States owns that oil. As Rep. Drake stated on her website, Mr. Nye does not really give a lot of specifics on how he would do certain things. Side: Glenn Nye III
Even though the Democratic Congressional Candidate Mr. Glenn Nye III does not really give specifics on his website, he did explain his issues in the recent September 12th, 2008 debate between Rep. Thelma Drake and Mr. Glenn Nye. Mr. Nye, according to his arguments in the debate, supports a flat tax and the “abolishment of the estate tax.” Ms. Drake had stated the federal budget was “too big” and Mr. Nye concurred however, played the partisan game and blamed the Republicans for the mess when both Rs and Ds support bills that would expand the wars and expand the welfare system. Mr. Nye delivers speech at a breakfast
Side: Glenn Nye III
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Drake denounced Nye's energy plan saying it would increase gas prices. It was the first time Nye approved of offshore drilling, and Drake stated, "He's opposed it every single day." Drake believes Nye is using his newfound stance only to get elected. Side: Energy
Thelma Drake has shown support for our military and their families while serving on the House Armed Services Committee. She has introduced bills to ensure they are compensated for their service and that veterans get good health care. She also supports the development and maintenance of transportation and highways in Virginia through her post on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. She supports strengthening our borders and her position on the Armed Services Committee lets her influence military issues for our national security. Side: Thelma Drake
Democratic challenger Glenn Nye, like many other candidates this election cycle, is finding fundraising difficult. On the other hand, Republican incumbent Congresswoman Thelma Drake is having a boom in financing. Nye has received only $515,372, with 35% of that coming from out of state donors, while Drake has received $1.3 million, but over half has come from PACs. Cash on hand for both campaigns is relatively close, however, with Nye's camp holding a little over $400,000 and Drake with $682,000. The race for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District may come down to who can outspend the other. Side: Virginia's 2nd Financial Report
On September 10th, 2008 Republican Congresswoman of Virginia’s 2nd District Thelma Drake received the highest honor from the military coalition, The Award of Merit from the Military Coalition.. The reason Rep. Drake was to be given this honor was due to the fact, “…championing legislation to upgrade military pay raises, honor military spouses and survivors, and improve service members’ retirement options.” The Republican Congresswoman’s exact legislation, according to her website, “…amendment mandating a guaranteed pay raise for service members through 2013, and legislation Drake introduced would give service members and civilian federal employees a Roth-style option for their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) retirement package.” Side: Thelma Drake
It seems that the debate between Republican Congresswoman Thelma Drake and Democratic Congressional Candidate Glenn Nye are heating off. The recent debate between the two were heated and it seems that Congresswoman Drake and her supporters were not too keen on most of Mr. Nye’s answers because as Rep. Drake’s staff commented, “they were vapid and vague” and seeing some of his answers you would be disappointed as well. Ms. Drake’s summarization of Mr. Nye’s stances was published by Brian Kirwin on the Congresswoman’s website: Iraq - we need a new solution Health Care - cover more people (no idea how to pay for it) Immigration - work on finding a solution (whatever it happens to be) Taxes - take a look at the tax code Budget - cut the budget without naming what he’d cut Side: Thelma Drake
Drake Votes No on Bailout Drake has called for all of Congress to stay in session until a solution to the crisis is established. “Today, a bi-partisan majority of the US House rejected the Congressional Leadership/Bush Administration’s Wall Street bailout plan. I joined a majority of House members who voted to reject the false choice presented as doing this plan or doing nothing to solve the economic crisis." It is unclear what about the legislation she opposed or what specific solution she would offer. Side: Bailout
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