Continuing my review of the 2006 VA Bloggers Summit…
After the opening remarks by Bob McDonnell, we were treated to an introduction by Bob Holsworth, Director of the Center for Public Policy at Virginia Commonwealth University. “Dr. Bob†fired the opening salvo in what was the topic number one in the background chatter: are bloggers responsible for Jim Webb’s nomination as Democratic candidate for Senate? (Waldo hosts a thoughtful discussion here).
Holsworth concluded that, although the bloggers could not take full credit for Webb’s victory, they were part of the discussion that leant forward momentum to the Webb campaign. He credited the blogs with helping Democrats focus on a strategic candidate, one who looks good as a virtual candidate against George Allen, but wondered whether a national campaign can translate Webb into a practical candidate. Allen, said Holsworth, will run a local campaign, portraying Webb as a hand-picked candidate who happens to live in Virginia.
Holsworth then spoke more of Allen’s presidential aspirations, how former Governor Mark Warner is framing himself as another presidential candidate, and the strategic decisions that led to Governor Tim Kaine’s victory last fall. By the end of his talk, I think everyone there was excited about being a Virginia Political Blogger during this momentous time.
Holsworth is a teacher and a lecturer, and it shows. I felt like I was in a very interesting Political Science 101 class. He says “uhh…†way too many times, but is an inspired speaker and brings up interesting questions regarding the future of Virginia politics in general, how campaigns work and what makes a candidate choose their priorities. I really wish I could sit in on this class again!