Potts on verge of independent bid for governor? (Virginia RINO alert)

Richmond Times-Dispatch ^ | 2/24/05 | Jeff Schapiro

[Corin Stormhands]

A contrarian Republican legislator angry over the rightward shift of his party appears poised to bolt the GOP to run for governor as an independent.

Sen. H. Russell Potts Jr. of Winchester, a sports promoter known for prickly populism, is expected to disclose his intentions at a news conference tomorrow at 10 a.m. in the Old Senate Chamber of the state Capitol.

[Corin Stormhands]

This at least, would be a bonus...

Should Potts fulfill his threat to run as an independent, he could, under Senate rules, be stripped of his committee assignments, which include the powerful finance committee. That's because he would no longer be considered a Republican.

[Corin Stormhands]

Kilgore ping.

[Mudboy Slim]

"Jeff Schapiro"

My gut reaction is to take anything Schapiro says with a huge helping of salt...MUD

[Corin Stormhands]

My gut reaction is to take anything Schapiro says with a huge helping of salt...MUD

Yeah. But Potts is up to something.

[Mudboy Slim]

"...he would no longer be considered a Republican."

Even if he don't run, he's still no longer considered to be a Republican...he's a textbook RINO...MUD

[Mudboy Slim]

"Potts is up to something."

Yeah, no good...MUD

[BCR #226]

I hope he does... that way, we may be rid of that tax hike traitor once and for all.

Mike

[GodBlessRonaldReagan]

I'm having flashbacks to the Ollie North Senate run....

[Flora McDonald]

Run, Pottsy, Run!

[Mudboy Slim]

Yep...bring it on, RINO-boy!!

FReegards...MUD

[THE MODERATE]

While that is possible to be a repeat of 1994 it is not a guarantee. North was a lightning rod with whom a group of Republicans could not bring themselves to vote for, remember in the last week of the race Nancy Reagan all but killed any chance he had. Also the moderate/liberal Republican vote is up for grabs. In 2001 a good chunk of it went to Warner. These voters may have already decided not to vote for the Republican already but it gives them a place to go besides the Democrat Kaine, although his father in law, former GOP Gov Holton is making a run for them. Finally Potts appears to be running to the left of Kaine and it is possible that he could peel off some of that Dean crowd, which seems hell bent on punishing Democrats who do not agree with them.

[gieriscm]

Hmmmmmmmmm... Potts runs as an Independent, Kilgore still wins, Potts loses many coveted committee assignments in the Senate...

I suggest we all contact Potts and encourage him to run as an Independent. The only reason he kept his Senate seat last time is because he asked for an open primary for the Republican nomination, and a lot of Winchester Dumbocrats came out and voted for him. Even then he only won by 107 votes...

[Mudboy Slim]

"The only reason he kept his Senate seat last time is because he asked for an open primary for the Republican nomination, and a lot of Winchester Dumbocrats came out and voted for him. Even then he only won by 107 votes..."

Perhaps Potts simply sees the writing on the wall and this is his swan song before joining the RATS full-time...good riddance!!

FReegards...MUD

[Flora McDonald]

" I suggest we all contact Potts and encourage him to run as an Independent."

Sounds like a plan to me.

[DC_Diva]

"Run, Pottsy, Run!"

I LOVE it!! :-)

Please, Please, Please....Run, Pottsy, Run!