I suppose this seems like old news, but I would like to talk about something that happened earlier this month. Yesterday evening, I took the time to watch the video of the debate between Bruce Roemmelt and Del. Bob Marshall (see here). The PW Committee of 100 sponsored this debate on October 10, 2007.
When I listened to the candidates, I heard one candidate who was focused on the solution and another candidate who was focused on the problem. What is the difference? When you focus on the solution, you work on overcoming the obstacles in your way. When you focus on the problem, you see all the reasons why the obstacles in your way are insurmountable.
Marshall focuses on solutions. For example, instead of trying to tell us why the problem is too big for us, why we should lobby the Federal Government to fix the problem of illegal immigration (Roemmelt’s solution), Marshall talked about the approaches the Commonwealth of Virginia could use to help itself.
Are you sitting on the fence between Marshall and Roemmelt? Then listen to the debate. Both Marshall and Roemmelt are good men, but Marshall knows what he is talking about. Marshall answered the questions put to him directly and honestly; Roemmelt answered with platitudes. While Marshall is working on solutions, the “best” Roemmelt can do is to try to convince us that Marshall is part of the problem.
Marshall has solutions. Most involve letting us run our own lives and spend our own money. What Marshall lacks is enough conservative votes in the General Assembly. We need more Bob Marshalls, not fewer.
If we elect Bruce Roemmelt, we will not get solutions. Roemmelt will just throw our money at problems. If we elect Bruce Roemmelt, all we will get is another lapdog for any lobbyist with a problem.
Watch the video and judge for yourself.
Other Views
Bryan J. Scrafford likes Roemmelt (here).
Loudoun Democrats like Roemmelt (here).
The Right-Wing Liberal likes Marshall (here).
