Today's Washington Times has an interesting article about how the two candidates running for Virginia Governor are turning to "Twitter" to get their message out to their followers. It also explains how Creigh Deeds the Democratic party candidate uses his air-time to update his supporters on which Springsteen song he is listening to: " "I pretty much listen to music all the time," he said, so his updates often read like the contents of his iPod. "Been on a Springsteen binge last 24 hours."
Maybe this is why the Republican candidate Bob McDonnell has an impressive lead already in those following him on Twitter and other media avenues: "By the numbers, Mr. McDonnell's new-media campaign is out in front of the Deeds campaign. On Wednesday, Mr. Deeds had 2,170 followers on Twitter, while Mr. McDonnell had 4,046 followers."
"Facebook numbers were in Mr. McDonnell's favor, too. Mr. Deeds had 8,867, and Mr. McDonnell had 14,174 supporters, people who have signed on to the page where they can read updates and post thoughts."
Maybe its the contents of the messages being sent that is the reason why there is such a great discrepancy in numbers of followers between the candidates? With all that is going on in Washington with the new administration, the economy, and whatever $ million+ deficit we face her in Virginia the people are looking for a candidate with solutions instead of "Playlists"...
Now being a "Jersey Boy" myself for most of my early years, I too appreciate the work of Bruce Springsteen and have seen him several times. Like Deeds I favor the early stuff that Springsteen wrote and songs describing places that I know personally are all the better. The first Springsteen concert that I saw was in the old Spectrum arena in Philliy and Springsteen spoke about growing up in Freehold and hanging out in the park next to the old cannon which many of us know from being there also. Springsteen also did some great work in his early years when he went to cities to perform and would often donate to the local Food bank operations. This is when he did not have the millions he does now for back then I remember him coming into the gas station I worked at during college and he was always in a beat up Chevy and usually headed back to the Jersey shore after playing in Philadelphia or the likes. He was a good guy and never looked for attention but was glad to talk with those who recognized him... With all of those who hit it big and move to the "Left coast", Springsteen too has changed. I don't see the same man as I saw before when working the gas station in Hightstown NJ when I now seeing him preaching politics during his concerts and the songs he writes now. Not like the early stuff Creigh, Springsteen tickets for the upcoming Hartford CT concert starts at $65 and goes all the way up to $860+ a piece...
The article also states that Deeds has used the "Tweet" option for other than playlist updates and in fact: "In a more serious Tweet on June 1, he wrote, "my heart goes out to all the workers - and their families - of the GM Spotsylvania County plant which will close it doors."
This reminds me of the same concert above where Springsteen also spoke about the closing of the Rug Mill in Freehold and the many people that he knew who got laid off and had no work to support their families. Many times I remember seeing the closed down rug mill and the emptiness to the local economy because that and other businesses had left town. Its good to "Tweet" your sadness in the loss of a business but the people are looking for a Governor with solutions to problems like this instead of one with a "Top 40" songlist...
Updated information regarding the rug-mill in Freehold...
In fact a local Virginia blogger writes about how it is reported that our present Governor of Virginia, Tim Kaine (D) also happens to be the Chairman of the Democratic National Committee at the same time and with that spends a third of his time dealing with DNC problems instead of the issues regarding Virginia. Does that mean the Democratic Governor of Virginia only takes a 2/3 paycheck from the citizens of Virginia that he represents? And since he is a "Lame-Duck" Governor due to term limits, where is his priorities and is this what the citizens of Virginia deserve?
To quote a Springsteen song from one of his better albums "The River":
"Is a dream a lie if it dont come true, or is it something worse"
Impressive flag display provided by the VFW post out of Verona, Virginia...
Also an impressive showing by many volunteers supporting the Shenandoah Valley ~Tea Part Patriots~
Delegate Steve Landes
Delegates Chris Saxman and Steve Landes
Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Delegate Chris Saxman
If you have a location in need of a sign showing your support of the Team GOP-VA contact your local Republican committee or the candidates campaigns directly...
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Bob McDonnell for Governor...
Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor...
Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General...
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Check out the above video and text to the McDonnell campaign for the chance to win tickets to the upcoming Governor debates...
Governor Tim Kaine is skipping all over the United States as the Chairman of the Democratic Party while also claiming to be the Governor of Virginia at the same time.
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Sounds like a good time for Timmy but where are our lousy T-shirts that you always get after somebody goes on a great vacation?
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Timmy got the Frequent flier miles, we got the $300 million budget shortfall...
Several of us came down from Augusta County to help out Ben and his campaign staff with this parade and its always easy to get people out to represent the strong G.O.P. team we have this year. Volunteers (L-R) Bill C., Charles K, Jimmy Brenenman, Elizabeth Cline, Ben Cline, Mike Shull and son, Augusta Republican Chairman Bill Shirley, Chris Green... Raphine is actually in Rockbridge County and Clines district (24th) is in parts of both Augusta and Rockbridge counties so it is also easy to get supporters to travel to support strong conservative candidates like Ben Cline..
Along with the Ben Cline set-up we provided info and numerous hand-outs providing issues and facts regarding the strong Republican candidates we have in Bob McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor, and Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General.
Augusta County Republican Chairman Bill Shirley discusses topics and issues with Mike Shull who was the Republican candidate during the past election for county Supervisor in the Middlebrook district of Augusta County. A very popular information handout during this parade was the one describing Bob McDonnells plans for "More Energy, More Jobs" including offshore exploration and drilling for oil & natural gas, "Green Jobs", Nuclear, Coal, and renewable energy sources...
