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More Observations on Both the Goveror Forum and the NCAA Basketball Selection
I was pondering both the Mechanicsville GOP Governor’s Forum and the upcoming NCAA Basketball Selection Show (My family would like to leave town on Selection Sunday to avoid the annual Rant!) today.
The politics first: The forum was largely a waste of time. I was disappointed that Ed Gillespie did not attend. I had hoped to meet Denver Riggleman but he had a family emergency that prevented his attendance.
I was glad to see again my Mechanicsville Tea Party friends like Major Mansfield, Delegate Peace’s legislative aide, Julie Coggsdale, one of my favorite legislators Buddy Fowler, and I ran into Chuck Smith, a personal friend who is running for AG.
But as I explained to a campaign worker for State Senator Frank Wagner, running for Governor, I need to hear what/how the candidates will win the suburban women in NOVA. I was disappointed.
Speaking of Wagner, he did impress me with his experience (I cannot imagine a Governor Wagner involved in the Judge Roush debacle) in the General Assembly. But he spoke of investing in higher education (a no-no!) and he cited the 2013 transportation bill (in a largely conservative audience of about 100 at Life Church) in a positive manner! OOPS!
PWC Board Chair Corey Stewart was also present and while he gave plenty of red meat for the audience (and for Dems – he said he’d support a 20 week abortion bill with NO exceptions – at least Senator Wagner said life of mother ought to be an exception) he also needs to work a bit on delivery – too many umms and aahs; that won’t get it for a Toastmaster like me.
But Stewart did not answer the proposed question that I never got to give about suburban women in NOVA – he implied he could win in Prince William County (my former residence for nearly ten years) but no solutions to the NOVA problem.
Ed Gillespie did not get to impress me because he was not present; Stewart claimed the event was set on the schedule at his request and he didn’t show. (Wagner alluded to perhaps the reason why when he said the putative front runner and Stewart got into a huge fight over the Lee statue. Now I agree with Stewart on the Lee statue issue but he sort of apologized for Lee – saying he was a war hero in the Mexican War – now they’ll have another reason for ousting Lee – he fought for naked imperialism! – yes it was but necessary to build a nation from sea to sea and I’d never apologize for Manifest Destiny! If you are going to be fearless, Corey, be fearless and support Lee all the way!)
I have tried to reach out to Riggleman to no avail. I might have to vote for him even if he has no chance as a protest for three candidates I have serious issues with. Of course any of them is better than the Democrat – either Northam or Perriello – but that is not saying much. I am truly undecided right now. That is rare for me. (I am also undecided for LG, too.)
Where are the Libertarians when you need them?
Now to the NCAA – I am perplexed about the continuing endorsement of major power retreads like Vanderbilt (17-15 now that they lost in the SEC semifinals) so I have to ask the question: Suppose Vanderbilt gets in the First Four and wins five straight games to gain a Final Four berth? You will have a team in the Final Four with this record: 22-15. Does that glorify the tourney? Does that diminish the national championship if the ‘Dores win the whole thing with 24-15 record? I loved the Jim Valvano NC State team but their ten losses did look a bit odd but at least they won their tournament so they were there on merit.
If the selection committee picks retreads from major conferences (again!) it will be a shame. Pick the team with a stellar record who blipped in their conference tourney. Pick a team like Illinois State. Vanderbilt, absent a issue like a midseason injury to a key player that caused the bad record, ought to play elsewhere.
Where is Wikileaks when you need them: Hacking the NCA Selection Committee!
Article written by: Elwood “Sandy” Sanders
Source: http://www.varight.com/news/more-observations-on-both-the-goveror-forum-and-the-ncaa-basketball-selection/
