With the Firehouse Primary 6 days away I’ve received so many mailers from the 6 candidates running for Congress in the 10th district that I considering using them to repaper a powder room in my house. The best mailer has come from Delegate Bob Marshall. On the front is a picture of Bob and his sweet wife of 38 years, Cathy. A wonderful picture of a devoted and loving couple:
Click on the image to enlarge it.
On the back of the flyer is a list of what Bob hopes to accomplish as a Congressman and another excellent picture of Bob. (Whoever is doing his photography is a great photographer.) The best part is information for when and where the voter can cast their vote on Saturday, April 26th. The voting location is specific to the voter’s address. What a great idea! This was the first mailer to link the voter’s address with their polling placce and it was done in a such professional manner, seamlessly. That’s what makes this best mailer in the 10th district. The mailer even has a little scissors line to cut the information part to take to the polls.
Again, click on the image to enlarge it.
51 comments
I think it is a fantastic mailer and very effective with voters. And knowing Bob and Cathy, this was a very nice touch, a classy touch for Virginia’s only statesman in the late 20th and early 21st century. It’s a real shame that people don’t know and appreciate this man and what he has done for families and the conservative movement as well as the republican party. He is the very definition of a citizen legislator as our Founders had in mind and a very good man!
Cute mailer. Now if only he’d get around to filing his mandatory paperwork…that he’s over three weeks late to file. Cute photo-ops don’t allow him to bend the law when it comes to filing deadlines. http://bearingdrift.com/2014/04/18/your-papers-please/
Brian?
Not me. I only post under my own name. And I didn’t see anything especially good about this mailer. In fact, it’s too text heavy.
Or is it that you just don’t like men with REAL SUBSTANCE… Let me guess. You are a HUGE CANTOR Fan and are part of his “glorious” YG movement???? …
No, I don’t like embarrassments who have made Virginia a national laughingstock.
I’m not a huge fan of anybody. I support people, and I support the a Majority Leader. No, I’m not part of the YG movement.
So as “guest”, since Discuss keeps freezing on me, I’d just like to say that being confused for Brian is the best anonymous compliment I’ve ever received.
Agree…this is a great mailer for Bob, and looks to be a very effective piece. All except the part that talks about how Obama won “the 13th district” by 11% in 2012.
Aside from that, I think the strategy evident here is spot-on for any challenger…let the other guys throw the mud, and instead focus on what has made Bob Marshall a standout among conservatives. It plays up his strengths very well, without making him appear less than confident in his victory.
It looks like a pretty standard mailer to me. Certainly not bad, of course. Just…. really standard.
And the ship has far past sailed on the “let other guys throw mud” concept. There has been less heat on Marshall because the attacks from other candidates have been more ridiculously false (from Lind) or delusional (from the Kansas guy), but Marshall’s first action in this race was to go negative and just because he produced one advertisement without bashing Comstock doesn’t mean that he is not throwing mud.
Both Wasinger and Lind have hurt Marshall by being in the race.
The circus atmosphere of the 10th reminds me of how Romney won the presidential nomination.
A thoughtful, honest candidate like Marshall is going to be at a disadvantage in such a field.
Marshall’s disadvantages are three-fold:
1) Lack of fundraising;
2) His late entry into the race;
3) The fact that many Republicans DO know him already, and reject his candidacy out of hand.
Candidates like Lind and Wasinger and Savitt should be irrelevant; obviously they get attention on the blogs and among the most engaged activists (i.e., those who comment on blogs), but their < 10% showing on Saturday will prove that we've spent way too much time discussing them.
The fact that you think Marshall hasn't elevated himself above those ankle-biters speaks to the disadvantages of his campaign (points 1 and 2), but it must also speak to the fact that many voters know both Marshall and Comstock, and prefer Comstock.
I agree completely with point 2. An earlier entry would have been better at identifying the race between the two most qualified candidates.
Point 1, yes and no. Obviously, money can be an advantage, but it hasn’t stopped Marshall from having the best website, having the best mailer, or showing up for all or most of the public forums and debates.
Point 3. ? Among many self-identified moderate Republicans sure, but I’m sorry anyone who has taken the time to listen and talk to Bob Marshall thru the years knows that he is a unique politician, he will represent and champion the little guy, the common man /woman.
I think Barbara Comstock is a great candidate for the Republicans to put forward. I like her for many reasons, she went after Hillary, she defended Scooter Libby, she promises to be a national leader among the House leadership, but will she be the best Representative for all the people of the 10th?
If one is voting for who will be the best Representative of the people of the 10th, then Marshall has a legitimate claim to being the best qualified candidate. I know people across the political spectrum who vote for him simply because he’s their Delegate.
He has more than a legitimate claim… Barbara won’t represent the people in Congress. She will represent her corporate backers. Bob has a23yr history of voting cosistantly. Barbara can’t keep her words and her website congruent. Imagine how that will play out in Congress which is what happens when you pander and conflate some many corporate and special interests. Inconsistency is inevitable…
Guys, I understand you all like Bob, but the chances of him cracking 20% in this race are almost zero. He never had a real shot in this race and he knows it. That’s why I find it disingenuous for him to run – this is about him, not about you. He wouldn’t have wasted your time otherwise.
I’m not a fan of launching massive attacks on the front runner as a viable primary campaign strategy, especially if you have no way to win, like Lind and Wasinger have done. Doing that just hands ammo to the Democrats in the general election.
I guarantee you there will be a “Listen to what Republicans have to say about Barbara Comstock” TV/radio/web ad in the general coming from John Foust. It’s inevitable. And that’s a bad thing.
While it’s just my opinion, I think Bob Marshall is going to surprise a lot of people on Saturday. He always over performs.
Randy,
There is nothing “more” than a legitimate claim to being the best qualified candidate.
And she will not fight for marriage, in fact she is already bought and paid for by the homosexual community in the GOP.
is that right, Steve? If what you say is true, so was Ken Cuccinelli, which of course is ridiculous!
I campaign for Bob. I’ve knocked on over 500 doors in winchester, Frederick and Clark. I think your wrong based on my empirical data. I’m only one of many…
You misspelled “anecdotal”.
I don’t know, 500 anecdotes might require a spread sheet.
🙂
I’m on an ipad, with a smashed screen, fat fingers and the spell check from hell.
Bob is a true statesman – the others are in the race for fame and $….
How is stating facts, slinging mud?
The point is Steve said that the mailer is strong because it focuses on Bob’s merits (such as they are) rather than attacking others, making him appear more confident. Yet his very first action in the race was to attack Comstock, which means the ship has sailed on appearing confident.
I’m not privy to the attack you are referring to… Catch me up.
Don’t play this game.
The very first email Bob sent to potential supporters asking for their support. The PS line was Bob’s spin on Comstock’s record. He didn’t include it to be a font of information; he included it to paint an unflattering picture of his opponent.
The very first public statement Bob made to the press after he announced his candidacy, he accused Comstock of not being as pro-life or anti-gay as he is. Again, he didn’t mention this as a general list of how he differs from various individuals in the world, he did so to paint an unflattering picture of his opponent.
The fact that Bob has gone negative is not up for debate. The fact that he did it as his very first actions in this campaign speaks volumes about how much confidence he had in victory at the outset.
It’s not in our information packet. Clear voting positions going out to constituents and voters in the west. I’m sure it’s no different in nova. If your rubbed about the differentiation in their voting records – I would have to say that’s not personal attacks. These are CLEAR and distinguishing voter issues.
I never said they were personal attacks, and it’s more than just a list of who voted for what. I don’t know whether you’re playing dumb or really just are dumb, but I’m done explaining basic concepts of campaigning to you.
As for how well Cantor’s $6,000 is working out (BTW, that’s less than 0.8% of Comstock’s total funds so far): we’ll find out in less than a week. The only poll I’ve seen shows Comstock with a huge lead. So, I’d say it’s working out pretty well
Ad hominem, really?
Well, That’s what Beverly Sherwood when Mark Berg unseated her. Mark had ZERO dollars. The voters spoke.
I think you have drawn the wrong inference between money and votes. Good luck.
I’m unfamiliar with public polling showing Sherwood in the lead. This race has gotten just a little bit more attention than that one, so I think you’re underestimating the importance of having a competent fundraising organization to demonstrate support.
I will be vicariously humbled for you
Mr. Spiker, if your wrong. Good luck.
Really? No one expected Mark Berg to beat a 22 year incumbent!
I wonder if that contribution was on the advice of his political advisor? Gee Barbara’s advisor wouldn’t even have to pick up the phone to say thank you.
I could only be schooled by an establishment organization. If your demeanor is any indication of how Barbara would represent herself in a formidable debate, I completely understand stand why she didn’t show up at any of them.
Come on. You keep on asking me what Bob’s attacks on Comstock were, as if they didn’t happen or should be categorized as something other than attacks. If you’re that upset that I said “I don’t know if you’re playing dumb or really just are dumb”, then I apologize, and you can climb down off your cross there.
Bob went negative on Comstock. End of story. Sorry if that doesn’t jive with your adulation of the man or the assuredness of his victory.
Comstock has showed up at plenty of debates and forums. And I don’t represent her campaign.
Perhaps, though, she could learn a thing or two from Bob Marshall’s demeanor. Perhaps the next time Bob says at a press conference that retarded children are God’s punishment for abortions, Comstock can stand in the audience and take notes.
3 comments in 23yrs. Weak, Mr. Striker. I suggest you put some meat on “going negative” and stop bantering it like its the gospel. Candidate records and their dichotomy is not “going negative”. They are the facts and the voters should be aware of the details in the candidates voting histories. Barbara obviously doesnt like that Bob is the only candidate who CAN say this.
I have no idea what Barbara likes or dislikes, as I’m not her nor on her campaign.
There are the facts, and there is the spin. Barbara received money from notable GOP fundraiser Paul Singer, who also donated money to Arkansas Congressman Tom Cotton, to Ken Cuccinelli, to Bob McDonnell, and even to Steve Hunt. Marshall portrays Singer as an “anti-traditional marriage activist”, and thus paints the picture that Comstock is pro gay marriage, despite the fact that Singer has donated to plenty of conservative Republicans.
But the larger question is, why is Bob Marshall talking about Barbara Comstock when he’s asking voters if he should enter the race? Or when the Washington Post asks why he got in?
It’s because he knows, as everyone knows, that Comstock has a broad appeal and the support of most activists in the 10th District, as well as statewide and nationwide–a look at her endorsement page quickly confirms this. So the only way Bob can get out of his state Delegate position he apparently hates so much (having run for three other offices in the past six years) is by tearing down a committed conservative who is already in the race.
You like Bob, and apparently you like him enough to help him achieve his dream of leaving the 13th District behind. You like him enough that you are willing to cast aspersions on Republicans like Barbara Comstock and Eric Cantor, and any Republicans who support those Republicans. That’s fine. It’s a free country. Attack whomever you like.
I’m proud to support the only candidate in the race who has focused their attacks solely on the Democrat in the race. And based on public polling, I suspect we’ll see that a majority of Republican voters in the 10th District will say the same thing on Saturday.
Yes. I am prolife, small limited government, pro-1st, 2nd amendment to a fault, term limits, campaign refinance reform, repealing frivolous federal code, states rights, and living within our means in the form if a balanced budget which means that I do not advocate expanding medicaid in any form. Bobs voting record aligns the best with my views on this country. Why would I not – support him? He has voted consistently in this direction for 23yrs. The only reason I’ve heard you say – vote for Barbara is that she has out raised all the candidates 10 to 1. That is not an informed reason to vote for anyone especially in light of the previous 2 presidential elections. I’m sure we can agree on that.
I’m a pro-life, small government conservative as well. So is Barbara Comstock, who has been a conservative leader in Richmond, while winning a blue state house District. Comstock is the best kind of Republican–one who wins tough elections through campaign savvy and skill while maintaining a principled record. I’m supporting her for the same reason she has so many endorsements: she’s an impressive candidate, can win, and will represent the district well.
Before I decide whom to support, I apply one simple criterion to the field: Who wouldn’t make me embarrassed to be a Republican if they were the nominee? Unfortunately, there are few options in the 10th District. Fortunately, Barbara Comstock is one of them.
I’m not going to convince you to support her, though I do hope you support her if/when she’s the nominee. My point, going back to the reason I commented in the first place, is that by going negative out of the gate, Marshall has conceded the high ground, and any claim that he’s “confident” about winning.
Or by violating his principles. And voting for a democrat.
BTW, “three comments in 23 years” isn’t an excuse, like its okay to say offensive things if you don’t do it too often.
I’m not speaking for Bob on this… But I consider them gaffs. If that is all you have – let’s get back to the moral turpitude issues tha Barbara can’t seem to escape in her record.
“Moral turpitude”? lol
Whatever, dude. Go knock on more doors in Frederick County.
You don’t know what it means? Easy way to escape that.
Sure I know what it means. I just think its a laughable thing to say.
Will do.
What makes it the best is the section that tells the voter when and where to vote. Marshall was the first to do that and he did it very well.
I disagree, Jeanine. What made it good is that (a) it set aside all negativity; (b) it addressed Marshall’s negatives by showing a very warm, loving couple (great photography that humanizes Bob, who has often been cast the anti-woman villain); (c) it hits all the right conservative hot buttons; and (d) like you said, it ends the appeal with the right action item: where and when to go to vote. I’ve not seen any other mailers that show that sophistication in other candidates’ mailers (granted, other candidates don’t necessarily NEED that level of sophistication), but I haven’t seen them all.
But all that aside, it’s just one mailer. People here are blowing your statement out of proportion like you’re saying this mailer is the item on which everyone should base their decision.
No one should ever base their vote on one mailer!