Have Abbott and West abandoned campaigns?
The Newport News Southern Christian Leadership Conference held its House of Delegates candidate forum Thursday night at the Newport News City School Administration Building. The forum was to feature the candidates for the 93rd and 94th districts and was a followup to a similar forum held in April 2009. At the April forum all of the candidates agreed to the followup scheduled for Thursday night. To the surprise and consternation of the nearly 100 voters who crowded into the School Board chamber, neither Robin Abbott, Democratic candidate in the 93rd district, nor Gary West, Democratic candidate in the 94th district showed up for the forum. Their incumbent opponents Del. Phil Hamilton and Del. Glenn Oder did appear at the forum and took questions from the moderators, Bill Thomas of Hampton University and Kathy Barnstorff of NASA Langley and from the audience. Also in attendance were members of the Newport News City Council, Dr. Pat Woodbury and Tina Vick.
Given Abbott and West's previous commitment to attend the forum, the large audience and its sponsorship by the SCLC it is difficult to attribute the failure of both Democratic candidates to appear to anything but their abandonment of their election campaigns.
4 comments:
I attended a forum sponsored by the Southern Christian Leader Conference in Newport News last night to listen to Delegate Phil Hamilton and candidate Robin Abbott. Ms. Abbott failed to show up and that was disappointing. What I heard at the debate was truly a lesson in democracy for all citizens. Mr. Hamilton had to take questions from a very tough inquisitor Bill Thomas from Hampton University. Mr. Thomas for thirty minutes pressed the delegate with hard pointed questions and followed-up with even tougher questions. Phil Hamilton answered every last one. These two strong men went back and forth with neither backing down. However, it was a respectful and articulate debate of the issues that impact our community and my life. There was no name calling or finger pointing just a good old fashioned candid conversation. I have great respect for Delegate Hamilton for having the courage to face this and was pleasantly surprised to see these two remarkable Virginians shake hands when the event was over.
Chester Lewis, II
Suffolk, Virginia
I'm not surprised that Abbott didn't show. She takes a shellacking every time she attends a forum with Hamilton. Even though Abbott says she supports ethics reform, her actions, like honoring a commitment made six months ago, portray a different story. No one should be surprised because she is a lawyer!
Oder's opponent was sitting at the Sheriff's volunteer dinner while Glenn was the keynote speaker!! He sat their and watched the crowd applaud Oder over and over. Oder still made the forum and West did not! If this shows anything, it is that the incumbents have a passion for serving their constituents, unlike their opponent.
I cannot beleive the distain and disrespect shown by Robin Abbott to the SCLC. This civic organization represents a core community in the 93rd district and it's work over the years has benefitted many under-represented voters and issues.
She said in April she would attend and one's word is their bond. Her lack of concern for meeting the voters and her obligations is telling of her character. Shameful.
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