Email smear of Sen. Bryce Reeves appears traced to Sen. Jill Vogel

written by Chad Ochocinco January 1, 2017

The first volley of fake-name email smears this past fall gave us a clue of what kind of nastiness we’re in for with the 2017 Lieutenant Governor’s race.

An email from someone purporting to be “Martha McDaniel,” using the email address [email protected], made the rounds this past September. This email suggested GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate Sen. Bryce Reeves (R-Spotsylvania) had been having a long-running affair with a campaign staffer. At the time, we investigated and found no one involved in Virginia or Stafford Republican politics named Martha McDaniel, and no records of any correspondence or activism involving that email address. We also spoke to Reeves and to his principal rival for that office, Sen. Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier). Reeves denied the claim and indicated he was serious about chasing it down. Vogel, in all apparent sincerity, disclaimed any involvement with any anonymous email campaigns. We thought that was the end of it, and the story appeared to die.

And so it did…right up until Reeves’ lawyers obtained responses to subpoenas in a defamation case arising from the emails. These responses point to the email address being associated with Alex Vogel, Sen. Vogel’s husband. The Washington Post‘s Laura Vozzella blows it wide open:

After hearing about the message from several recipients, Reeves said he tried to track down a Martha McDaniel but could not find anyone by that name in Stafford, a location he’d inferred from the gmail address. On Oct. 3, he filed a defamation lawsuit in Stafford County Circuit Court against McDaniel, whose only known address was [email protected]

Through subpoenas to Google and two service providers, Reeves found the Gmail account was associated with a certain cellphone number — one belonging to Alex Vogel. The account was accessed via two IP addresses, one associated with the Vogels’ estate and the other with their neighbors, Lisa and James Gable.

Sen. Vogel and her husband have released a statement about the issue in which they reassert they they had no knowledge of the email, and in which they leave open the door for the possibility that they were hacked:

Jill and Alex Vogel have not sent, have not authorized, have not approved, and were not aware of any anonymous communications concerning either of her competitors for the Republican nomination. . . .They would never condone such tactics, nor would they permit a campaign employee or volunteer to do so on behalf of our campaign. . . . Regrettably, in this day and age, there are many ways a person can send an anonymous email and make it appear to have originated from another sender.”

Culpeper GOP Delegate Nick Freitas is having none of that. I’ve known Jill for five years,” Freitas told the Post. “I don’t want to believe she’s capable of this. I desperately hold out hope there’s another explanation. I just don’t see what it would be at this point.”

For his part, Sen. Reeves appears to not have resolved how to move forward with the new information. “We have legal counsel. And we’re trying to figure out, now that we know who it is, do we go after them civilly? Do we file a bar complaint? Right now we’re trying to get our hands around where we are,” Reeves told the Post.

However this all shakes out, it’s not going to be pretty, and it is sure to overshadow the upcoming General Assembly session, when both Vogel and Reeves will serve together in the small and usually very collegial Virginia Senate.

Stay tuned.

#VA17 #VALG Bryce Reeves email smear Jill Vogel Lieutenant Governor

Chad Ochocinco

Chad Ochocinco isn't a former professional football player.

146 comments

Bryce Reeves isn’t letting up on Jill Vogel – The Bull Elephant February 2, 2017 at 1:30 am

[…] Candidate for Lt. Governor Bryce Reeves has hired a well known defamation attorney, Elizabeth M. Locke. In a letter to his opponent, Jill Vogel, Locke urged Vogel not to destroy any computer or cell phone records that might be linked to the anonymous emails sent to friends of Reeves accusing him of having an affair with an aide. We previously reported on that here. […]

Should Bryce Reeves have brought the lawsuit that allegedly exposed Jill Vogel’s dirty tricks? – The Bull Elephant January 9, 2017 at 5:06 pm

[…] the first of this month we reported on a defamation lawsuit filed by candidate for the Republican nomination for Lieutenant … The lawsuit exposed his opponent for that office, Sen. Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier), and/or her […]

Franklin Fogle January 6, 2017 at 11:06 am

Perhaps some readers have forgotten some of Vogel’s past dirty tricks, but I’ve been keeping an eye on Vogel ever since she, one of her campaign staff,
and Loudoun County’s Commonwealth Attorney James E. Plowman (R) (who was
also a donor to Vogel’s campaign) framed her Republican primary challenger so she could win the 2007 27th District GOP Virginia Senate primary. Unfortunately for her challenger, Mark Tate, he couldn’t prove his innocence until after the primary, when those 11 felony charges related to campaign fraud were thrown out of court. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/15/AR2007101501460.html Regardless, where does a good man go to regain his reputation afterward, and this present kerfuffle again reeks of a political hit job by Vogel, just as it did in 2007. Should it be proven true, well, at the very least, the world should be informed in regards to one Jill Vogel, who’s entire campaign revolves around “Strong Family Values”.

Flexn January 3, 2017 at 6:04 pm

I don’t understand why everyone is up in arms about Reeves boinking his staffer. It happens all the time and since he is a public official the public has a right to know of his issues of turpitude that he has. Pictures and audio are worth a thousand words.

GoTrump January 3, 2017 at 6:10 pm

Actually, by filing a lawsuit, Mr. Reeves obviously didn’t think this through. He just opened himself up to a constructive divorce proceeding because even if Jill leaked this info(which I don’t know if she did or didn’t), her defense to any defamation lawsuit which he may file… is the absolute truth. What an idiot…. to put his wife and family through this.

Rocinante January 3, 2017 at 7:37 pm

And another one

Rocinante January 3, 2017 at 7:37 pm

I’m going to throw a flag here

My Unbiased Opinion on the Vogel – Reeves Email Scandal | Virginia Right! January 3, 2017 at 12:02 pm

[…] if you have not seen the email story, it is in the Washington Post, and on TBE here and here. The second TBE link has several documents included which I have […]

Lawrence Wood January 2, 2017 at 1:13 pm

Did any of this self inflicted mud tossing crap ever win or lose a race? I’m hard pressed to remember an example and there were some doozies during the Nixon political years. If you need to spend a ton of campaign cycles or your supporters on this type of thing it tells me neither of these candidates have much to say to the actual voter as to why they deserve your vote for Virginia Lieutenant Governor. It’s starting to make Glenn R. Davis wheeling and dealing down in Virginia Beach look classy.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 2:57 pm

At this rate Glenn could actually be the LG!!

And Corey/Glenn/Chuck just might be Trumpy enough to beat the democrats.

Of course you’d then need a whole station of paramedics at Grace Street for that one on election night.

Pro Digital Consulting January 2, 2017 at 12:17 pm

Please check out our company’s blog exploring what investigative measures should be undertaken to help prove or disprove the claims by both parties:

http://prodigital4n6.blogspot.com/2017/01/conducting-electronic-investigation.html

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 1:54 pm

Good technical explanation.

I’m still going to guess that Martha did it with StaffordForFreedom gmail account authenticated by Alex’ phone, from Casa Vogel.

Or Professor Plum with the Candlestick, in the Library.

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:08 pm

You make me laugh out loud everyday!

ameri...canwork January 2, 2017 at 10:02 am

I will not be making my decision on Bryce Reeves based on rumors of relationships. I will be basing my decision on him as Lieutenant Governor due to his relationship with Senator Bill DeSeph.

How much of the $300,000 that he has raised comes from the Tidewater Builders Association, Home Builders Association of Virginia and the National Home Builders Association ?

If Bryce The Honorable Senator desires to represent Virginia citizens by becoming Lieutenant Governor then aspirations for future Governor then voter willing how will combat the employment of illegal aliens in the Commonwealth being that the illegal employment of illegal aliens in Virginia is a State issue.???????????

Surely Mr. Albertson is well-versed and the Senators policy and desire to represent.?????????

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 10:30 am

Sounds like your guy should be Corey.

ameri...canwork January 2, 2017 at 10:44 am

NO!!!!!!

Corey Stewart squandered his opportunity to combat illegal employment while being outspoken against illegal aliens and working as Prince William County Board Supervisor.

The federal government is after the illegal alien not a Board of Supervisors member.
As PWC Supervisor did he change building permit application for the General/Prime Contractor requiring them to list ALL Subcontractors license and VEC account ?
Did he exert his influence on the board to make it a crime to fraudulently fill out a building permit application ?

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 1:37 pm

You drive some hard requirements!

ameri...canwork January 2, 2017 at 5:28 pm

No they are not hard requirements.
I am a residential building contractor and you may hold me accountable for my work and within this parallel I will hold all of these individuals accountable for their work as legislators and representatives.

Our next governor will be signing employee misclassification legislation into law.
I would like to think that Stewart ,Gillespie ,Wagner and Republican candidates for Attorney General are up to speed on this issue of payroll fraud ( just sayin it’s their job right).
We would not have them undermine President Trump’s Administration By providing Sanctuary employment in our underground economy now would we?

Trump can boast over an alleged thousand jobs at Carrier surely someone (Republican) is sticking up for the thousands of lost jobs in Virginia.

Jonathan Erickson January 2, 2017 at 6:00 pm

Yes!

ameri...canwork January 3, 2017 at 5:39 am

Is that yes confirming that Corey Stewart does not know anything about the illegal employment of illegal aliens and what it costs Virginia.

If you are a Corey Stewart supporter please post the link listing his policies in particular illegal immigration and employee misclassification.

RubyTwoThree January 2, 2017 at 1:20 am

The Russians did it.

old_redneck January 1, 2017 at 6:18 pm

So — what’s the big deal if Reeves is getting it on with a staffer?

After all, you republicans just elected a twice-divorced, multiple adulterer who brags about sexually assaulting women. If Reeves is doing what he’s accused of, it’s small potatoes compared to your president-elect.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 7:32 pm

Trump’s just following the lead of Bill Clinton. It worked for him.

ameri...canwork January 2, 2017 at 9:49 am

I don’t doubt for one more minute that Trump likes women as much as Bill Clinton butt what worked for him (TRUMP) was Americans were and are tired of the infidelity in representation displayed by both Republicans and Democrats therefore they have thrown the illusion of the honorable Senator or Congressman under the bus for the job site mentality to shove the disloyal Representatives aside In 1 last ditch effort, God please give us a representative that is 100% loyal to America.
We will see what the future holds for me I don’t place my success on what these people do for darn sure.

Eric McGrane January 2, 2017 at 1:04 am

We did NOT elect Clinton.

Oh you meant Hillary.

mezurak January 1, 2017 at 6:03 pm

Ok then.

So who is going to be next years Blue LG?

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 6:34 pm

Justin Fairfax

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 4:59 pm

If this is all true, what happens now? How does Jill spin this? Or does she spin it?

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:36 pm

Alex in Ft. Marcy park? No way to spin that doesn’t involve rehab and/or trial separation.

My vote? Come clean with full public apology and leave it up to the voters to decide — anything else leads to a quiet political footnote.

And keep spouses out of the campaign, it really never ends well.

Reinhardt Reganbacker lll January 1, 2017 at 4:54 pm

Strange as it may seem, in today’s backwards politics, this may actually help her win the election. Voters seem to like quite a bit of “stink” on their candidates these days.

Unless he goes civil, and hauls her into to court and gets a judgement, I say this helps her get elected. Even if she didn’t do it, it still helps her in the election. Didn’t Trump say something like even bad media coverage is good?

I wouldn’t vote for somebody who did this. But, I’m just sayin.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:37 pm

Boy are you dancing on the edge of Cynical Cliff!

Sbn January 2, 2017 at 3:31 pm

So you’re saying you didn’t vote for Trump?

I kid, I keeeed

Connie S. January 1, 2017 at 4:17 pm

Here’s a little more technical background just so people can judge for themselves the improbability of Jill Vogel’s claims of her being hacked.

In order for Jill Vogel – or her campaign – to be innocent, ALL the following ludicrous and implausible actions had to occur.

Somehow this Martha gal either had to get her hands actually on Alex Vogel’s cellphone OR she had to have broken into his phone’s gmail (Google) account! Both are highly unlikely, expecially Alex without Akex becoming aware he was haxked. Here’why – If you log into your Google/gmail account from a new device, Google will send you a text or email alerting you to a login from a new device – it’s part of Google’s security features.

Here’s something even more unlikely – supposidely professional, intelligent people like the Vogels, both with high paying, responsible jobs, and Jill serving in the State Senate – being STUPID enough to use a shared-outside wireless internet which is completely unsecured – UNpassword protected! The neighbor seems to think country bumpkins don’t need to concern themselves with such things.

So Jill Vogel apparently wants us to believe this Martha hacked into Jill’s husband’s cell phone gmail account and sat out in BOTH Jill’s and her neighbor’s driveways – on seperate occasions – and tapped into their ISPs to send these nasty email hit pieces on Reeves from Alex’s gmail?!

Preposterous. Or maybe Putin/the Russians did it..? LOL

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 4:55 pm

All excellent points. Alex had no idea his phone had been hacked? No idea his IP was being used? VERY unlikely.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:39 pm

Ok, hacking is just a stupid way to say guilty — any hacker talk hurts them even more.

just a wild & crazy RINO January 2, 2017 at 8:29 am

Actually the idea that Alex Vogel’s cellphone was hacked is more likely then you seem to think.
It seems that my cellphone was hacked.
I would not rush to judgement on this..

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 10:42 am

No it’s not. And this line of defense will only result in unpleasant depositions.

“Staffordforfreedom”???

Judgement wasn’t rushed, just not used.

Get under the bus now!

Reinhardt Reganbacker lll January 2, 2017 at 1:31 pm

If they have the number, they also have the time and the cell tower location. They know exactly were the phone was when it sent the message.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 2:00 pm

Only If the phone was used to actually send the message — Alex’ phone was used to activate Martha McDaniels StaffordForFreedom Gmail account — the hit could have gone out from any device on that WiFi.

So even if you manage to find someone to take the fall for actually sending the message from the Upperville hotspot, it was Alex’ cell phone that lit up the StaffordForFreedom account in the first place.

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:06 pm

No, it was Alex’s phone. And their IP. It’s a double whammy and difficult to get around.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 2:54 pm

Well we know for sure that the account was created by “Martha” who used Alex’ phone to activate the Gmail account.

And we know that the name of the account was [email protected],

And we know the hit message was sent from inside the Vogel Valley compound.

So it would be someone with knowledge of the name (SFF) and password that was created by Alex’ phone.

So the “hackers” would have to have means, motive, and opportunity to do at the Upperville residence.

There is no way around.

I say it’s time to sacrifice a kid who was “just trying to help.” (And of course knew to whom and what and how to write/send.)

Or a staffer who had access to the phone who finally stepped up to confess. (Who of course had access to Alex’ phone to maintain the Pokémon Go high score.)

Or those pesky neighbors who are secretly still carrying a grudge for how Susan Stimpson was treated last time for the LG nomination. (‘The names were not in order’)

For God sakes, just pull the plug already!!! Do they actually want discovery and depositions???

Reinhardt Reganbacker lll January 2, 2017 at 3:54 pm

Is the story line about an affair true?

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:05 pm

Was your IP hacked at the same time? Stay tuned there’s more to come on this subject.

just a wild & crazy RINO January 2, 2017 at 3:46 pm

On Nov 7 or 8, it seems that my android cell was hacked. Someone went to a control area and turned off incoming and outgoing call function and did a new password so I can not unlock the phone. This phone was only for phone calls and was not connected to any account. This was done remote since I had the phone with me.
If someone could take over my cellphone in this manner, could the same thing not have happened to Alex Vogel’s cellphone ??
I have no connection to any of the people involved in this. But considering what happened to my cellphone and the circumstances here, I can not help but wonder.. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/00fce0e42c97fcb2f49d49187a6af91638cf554a39ee218f7b6a01d918df5b11.jpg

momsaid January 7, 2017 at 1:44 pm

Mark Tate was unavailable for comment?

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:38 pm

Yes, but who are you going to believe, me or your lyin eyes?

powhatan1 January 1, 2017 at 4:14 pm

people made fun of Trump when he said this….but…Computers (technology) have complicated our lives.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 3:30 pm

Well looks like we know who The Big Bull-n-Chief is in for. Can’t post any of the positive articles submitted but this trash is all good. Happy New Year! Tells me a lot about your character Steveo.

Christian Heiens January 1, 2017 at 3:33 pm

I wasn’t aware you were such an unbiased and clear-sighed neutral observer of this race Waverly…

You want to complain about a lack of positive press now after spending the past 6 months going off on unhinged tirades against Bryce to the point of accusing him of being a member of some secretive “Boys Club” that conspires to keep GOP women out of higher office. Quit acting like you’re not some hired gun and sit down before you make a bigger joke of yourself.

Saul Alinsky tactics aren’t your strong suit.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:40 pm

80% of the time Waverly is the voice of clarity and reason. The rest, she disagrees with me.

The Bull Elephant seems pretty even-handed with it’s nominee-skewering over time. It’s just that the Silver platters aren’t so often distributed.

This one is just too juicy to ignore.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:16 pm

Juicy indeed. The email is sent to Reeves best bud and a paid pastor, not the press. If it’s intention was to hurt Reeves why not send it to the press? Why just these two?

Here’s something else, who has seen this evidence? The reporter? The best bud and co.?? Look who’s peddling this? Not the author of said email, just the staff and interns for Reeves.

It’s juicy alright and it looks like more than just the campaign blowing up here.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 9:06 pm

But how did google trace it to Alex phone? We need more details of both campaign’s drama, send in investigative reporter SBT and we want names and pictures!

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:10 pm

Yes, sadly, Vogel’s campaign is blowing up right here. It doesn’t matter how the press got the information, Vogel’s problem exists.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 9:49 pm

What’s sad is you base your opinion on this blog and wapo. Jill is now condemned without a judge or jury.

This evidence has been seen by all Reeves buddies and / or staff. Why not show it to someone that can make a difference, a judge. If he is innocent of the accusations from this Martha person it will be revealed in court.

Embarrassing yourself and family is not the route to go. This should’ve been delt with when it was first discovered not waiting months.

This is just another fine example again of how republicans eat their own. Wapo loves to kill republicans. Reeves helped Will Sessoms defeat conservatives in VB and now he helps democrats through wapo.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:25 pm

They kinda made it easy on this one — I don’t know about Martha/Alex accusations and their veracity, but the Google IP fingerprints make it all too clear.

The post is going to chomp Republicans no matter what, and there seems to be no shortage of things to chomp on.

The only good news is that this is inside baseball and most of the people voting in the $4 million primary that SCC gave us will remain unaware of the drama.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 10:58 pm

Yes, I believe my own blog. And I’ve seen the evidence.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 11:45 pm

Once again people that can make no difference have handled this evidence, made their judgement, and not a judge. Got it.

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:39 am

I’m sorry for you and for Jill but the evidence is quite real. Very sad.

Waverly Woods January 2, 2017 at 10:26 am

I’m glad you’re sorry for Jill but there’s no need to be sorry for me. I support Jill and gave her my word to do so. Not many people stick to their word. That said, I have no hand in this except defending Jill. I just find it hard to believe she or her husband would be involved in this.

Sbn January 2, 2017 at 4:07 pm

After the tone of the previous election cycle, do you really think enough voters even pay attention to this stuff? It’s good stuff for politically centric blogs and nattering ninnies sure but real people, a significant amount? Granted I haven’t gone looking for it but who does other than people that want to find this crap? Haven’t seen it mentioned anywhere in the “real world”

Rocinante January 3, 2017 at 8:02 pm

It won’t go away, each and every Republican will nod, smile, and look at Jill differently now.

Each time I see her at an event, I’m going to think ‘What did she know and when did she know it?’

Each time I see her sign or literature, I’m going to think about this hit.

Each time I see one of her statements, I will read and parse and consider what is being said/not said.

I have no doubt she could, like Hillary, power through the controversy, and buy the primary.

I got a request today to sign up to circulate her petitions… I’m going to set that aside for a while.

At this point, what difference does it make, anyway?

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:09 pm

Saul Alinsky?? Is that what you call it when your guy is down in the polls and the team is desperate to salvage what’s left of the campaign?

Instead of fundraising this last week Reeves spends his time working this, pathetic.

You don’t get to call faul in the last quarter just because you can’t seem to get your hands on the ball.

Jill has outdone Reeves 3 to 1. That math is simple. There has been nothing but false narratives sent out about her from day one. That’s what I can’t stand. Everyone of the people pushing this is nothing more than lapdogs trying to hurt Jill’s campaign. What’s wrong boys afraid of a girl actually winning?!

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 7:36 pm

Foul.

What’s fundraising got to do with this? The truth is the truth. If there are errors here please tell us where they are.

Why do you seem to be the only person defending Vogel on this?

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 8:05 pm

Thx .

Fundraising deadline was last night. Look at each persons VPAP. Look how they each spend their contributions.

I defend Jill because ever sense I started to back her I have heard one false narrative after another. She’s been accused of gun grabbing, transgender bathrooms, and terrible person because her family has money. Now this. I ain’t buying it. No way I’ll believe Jill or her husband are behind this in any way. She’s winning why give Reeves any attention?

This process is skewed. I’m sick of people that run blogs and FB pages controlling the narrative and misleading. That’s why Shaun and I created the Virginia Freedom Caucus FB page. That’s why some of these blogs need more competition.

Turbocohen January 1, 2017 at 8:46 pm

Dont drag Kenney into this.. Waverly.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 8:52 pm

You’re an idiot.

Christian Heiens January 1, 2017 at 9:47 pm

Wow…that wasn’t even an ad hominem…that was just flat out name-calling.

Sbn January 2, 2017 at 4:12 pm

I like it! Straight, to the point. No gray area ponticificating and backhanded bs. Don’t get that very often around here

Turbocohen January 2, 2017 at 4:40 pm

Coming from you Waverly, that is a compliment.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:14 pm

Interesting that neither of Shaun’s blogs are covering this story.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:18 pm

Good point, but they ušually follow TBE lede right?

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:45 am

Of course! Doesn’t everyone?

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:12 pm

Please tell us where TBE has written a false narrative? Was it one of the many pro-Vogel posts? Is the Washington Post making up this whole story? Or just certain parts? Which parts?

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:17 pm

Yeah, I’d be having a lot more fun if I could blame this on TBE or SBT — between the article, citation, and comments, they did this one right.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:14 pm

A Facebook page is not a blog. There is no competition between a FB page and a blog. Sorry.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 9:53 pm

I made no statement that there was, sorry.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:13 pm

The google data is damning.

Anything FB is just so half-ass, unacceptable as a publishing vehicle nor news source.

Jonathan Erickson January 2, 2017 at 5:06 pm

So did Vogel ever learn the difference between a assault rifle and a semi auto? Is she still against carrying on school property and those pesky 10 round magazine’s she is for will not slow a shooter down.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:10 pm

I don’t think anybody is defending Vogel on this, it’s indefensible — doing it, but also getting caught!

It just doesn’t smack of Jill no matter how we look at it.

The error is not settling this quietly between candidates and campaign managers.

But if we’re going to air our dirty linens, we have to be straight with ourselves.

Christian Heiens January 1, 2017 at 9:16 pm

Keep digging Waverly. I don’t think you’ve reached bedrock yet but you must be close.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:16 pm

Really? The candidate with the most money wins? Tell that to Hillary.

No one is afraid of women winning. Sheeze. That’s so lame. I am so sick of the Democrats dragging out that old canard.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 9:58 pm

When I refer to outdoing Reeves 3-1, that’s not always about money. Although she has done that too. He is way down in the polls. That’s not because of money. He did that all by himself. When you see all the boys and 1 woman (you) gang up it’s pretty obvious. And was that a backhand jab at calling me a democrat? Just checking.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:06 pm

Another reason not to do this stuff — Jill was the front runner!

I think the sentiment is that sexism is a democrat party canard, it’s disappointing when it happens on our side.

None of the candidates running think any different of Jill — she was the one to beat, because she was Jill, not because Jill is a woman.

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:44 am

Nope. Not calling you a democrat, but you are using their tactics. You might want to think about that. I have never been the least bit against Jill Vogel and neither have any of our articles been against her. No one here is ganging up on her.

Waverly Woods January 2, 2017 at 10:38 am

Too funny, I guess I learned from the best at it. I have never made any reference until now that I thought you were against or for any candidate. The perception others have I cannot say.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:02 pm

It seems that Reeves has handled this quite right, he outed a dirty trick, same stuff goes on in every campaign, remember the crap that went down at the last LG convention?

This is politics, same as it ever was.

But this particular ploy was an unnecessary, risky hit, that didn’t pay off, and has had horrible, awful blowback.

This hurts Jill far worse than the email accusation hurts Bryce. It hurts her brand and most of us don’t want to believe she would have anything to do with this.

But we all know how subpoenas work, and how Google accounts work, and how IP tracing works.

The duel is over, a mortal blow has been dealt, go to your corners for medical attention.

I still think Jill would be our best LG nominee, it’s just become a heckuva lot harder to convince the rest of the party of this.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 10:19 pm

Outing dirty tricks I have no problem with. This hurts Reeves family far more than anyone. Whether this accusation from Martha is true or not the family should not be dragged through the mud.

I would never dream of hurting someone’s family. That’s just off limits. I don’t recall the LG convention involving anyone’s family.

Lee Pillsbury January 1, 2017 at 10:35 pm

You lie Waverly, you told me this rumor yourself at the Advance. I have 3 witnesses.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 11:27 pm

Nice try but you fail at linking me to this mess. I know nothing about this mess. youre in your own here.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 10:35 pm

It’s politics, nothing but mud and if you bring your family to the game, they’re going to play — look at how political kids are constantly savaged.

We no longer have decorum, thanks to increased News cycles, social media, and a whole bunch more amateurs. We’ve gotten much better at attacking fellow Republicans than we ever are at attacking the democrat party.

Reinhardt Reganbacker lll January 2, 2017 at 3:40 am

There you go, now that she has got some stink, she is your diamond in the rough. You gotta love it! Is she just following the Trump doctrine?

What difference does it make? Virginia is dark blue.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 7:11 am

Virginia is only Dark Blue because the GOP has shirked our duty, Corey will be an excellent first step on the comeback trail!

Reinhardt Reganbacker lll January 2, 2017 at 1:28 pm

105 comments on a “stink” article. How many do you get on a smaller government article? Americans are not interested in anything that does not have some stink to it.

What a shame.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 1:47 pm

Oh this is Kardashian for Republicans, you can’t begrudge us the digital wallowing!

The fun will stop only at the Appomattox stage.

Doubling down on “hackers” just sets the level to 50

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:08 pm

Waverly loves her ‘secret clubs’ and ‘companies’ and all manner of false conspiracies that are only in her mind. She needs to stop before she completely destroys her credibility. It may well be too late.

Lee Pillsbury January 1, 2017 at 10:27 pm

Nice that the woman always ranting about some ” boys club” is insinuating that the only way a woman could get her job was by sleeping with her boss. That is some next level feminism.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:35 pm

This is good trash, totally fair game and on topic. We have to cry foul even if it seems remotely connected to our favorites.

Steve Albertson January 1, 2017 at 4:03 pm

I honestly could see myself supporting either of these candidates under the right circumstances. I haven’t decided yet. But as to character, the whole point here is attempted character assassination by making stuff up about that person. Such as that we don’t publish positive things about Jill.

What about this one about Jill’s Loudoun endorsements? http://thebullelephant.com/senator-jill-vogel-endorsed-for-lt-governor-by-loudoun-leaders/
This one about her fundraising prowess: http://thebullelephant.com/jill-vogel-raises-over-half-a-million-in-six-months/
This one about her endorsement by E.W. Jackson: http://thebullelephant.com/e-w-jackson-endorses-sen-jill-vogel-lieutenant-governor/
This one about her stance on conventions vs primaries: http://thebullelephant.com/2017-candidates-weigh-in-on-convention-vs-primary/
This with a nice pic of Jill speaking at the Liberty Farm Festival: http://thebullelephant.com/sights-and-sounds-from-the-liberty-farm-festival/

To my knowledge, we’ve never turned down any positive news about Jill, and won’t ever do so as long as its timely and newsworthy. But keep trying to make stuff up…maybe someday it will stick.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:21 pm

It doesn’t hurt that she’s a good Republican that almost everybody likes.

Now, post an article by that nice Martha McDaniel and let’s watch the comments explode.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:00 pm

Albertson you know and I know the truth here. This won’t sell you ain’t that pretty.

This looks just like what happened to Michael Del Rosso, when you let your investigative fingers do the walking on that keyboard of yours. I’m sure The Company will report on this next.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 7:34 pm

Please show us where Steve is wrong. Please show us where the ‘truth’ is.

What is ‘The Company’?

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:54 pm

Steve knows and so does Tyler.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 9:06 pm

Seriously, please stop this. It’s rude to make such references without fully explaining yourself.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 9:46 pm

Not really rude, but it does remind me of tracking strawberries.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 3:17 pm

It’s hard to believe Alex Vogel would be dumb enough to send these things from his home IP address!

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 3:34 pm

Exactly Jeanine, because the Vogels are stupid enough to do this?? This is pathetic to say the least.

Doesn’t anyone wonder why the CM and “constant companion” were relieved of duty on Reeves campaign last month? No I’m sure The Big Bull-n-Chief wouldn’t fine that odd. Nor would he report on the $1000 spent on flowers from campaign contributions.

Ya nothing to look at here.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 4:53 pm

Those things may or may not be relevant. I’m thinking they probably aren’t relevant because Reeves wouldn’t want to continue his pursuit of the gmail and take it to court if he knew he was guilty. If he was guilty he would want the whole story to go away.

This is a very tough one to spin away.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:32 pm

Reeves probably gave them a chance to sue for peace, negotiations broke down or this is a Reeves flipping over the cards slowly. Extremely well-played IMHO.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:30 pm

Campaigns always shakeup things, romances and young love bloom in the topsy-turvy high-intensity world of politics.

$1000 for flowers is a good reason to shakeup your staff.

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:49 pm

Well I’d say things are shaking.

Donna Widawski January 2, 2017 at 2:56 pm

Waverly,

Maybe someone should question the fired CM”Constant Companion.”

As a former federal investigator I would hope this case is resolved quickly and fairly.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 3:14 pm

There is no case, this is political self-immolation to see who burns brightest.

No one is going to play with sleazy hit pieces especially those originating with radioactive gmail accounts.

A competent grown-up party would step in and tell both sides to knock it off.

Team Reeves: clean up whatever this is or isn’t so that it is sufficiently contained.

Team Vogel: come clean and/or withdraw.

But we seem to have chosen personalities over party — so we get people-based drama… and losses.

Sbn January 2, 2017 at 3:27 pm

“A competent grown-up party would step in and tell both sides to knock it off.”

Let us know when you find that. In the mean time, wouldn’t suggest any holding of breath while waiting.

Rumors and piccadillos, now this is the Republican issues wheelhouse.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:28 pm

Ah, the ‘It was so bone-headed, it couldn’t have been him’ defense.

Tyler Pieron January 1, 2017 at 2:58 pm

Basically, Vogel is saying that someone snuck onto her 260+ acre multimillion dollar estate close enough to hack into her husband’s phone to send out this email. Color me unimpressed with such a bullshit excuse.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:46 pm

Ok, in the grand scheme of things, what possibly could be a better bullshit excuse than “hackers?”

Disgruntled staffer? Just boys doing horseplay? The dog musta pawed send??

I got nothing. There is no remotely acceptable excuse for this. Am I right???

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 6:28 pm

Yes. You are right, and funny.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:25 pm

Actually, the spokesmodel said it.

I’m still trying to find out how the ‘hackers’ validated the account with the code texted to the phone… I suspect drones were involved.

Dave Webster January 1, 2017 at 2:41 pm

Putin has been very busy this year.
After hacking the DNC emails, he then hacked the Vogels’ emails and last night he destroyed Mariah Carey’s performance. Time to expel more Russian diplomats.

Nikki Narduzzi January 1, 2017 at 2:40 pm

Yet one more reason to endorse Glenn Davis for Lt. Gov….Choose principles over politics to make sure Virginia leads right, not just turns red in 2017!

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:23 pm

This is not a reason to endorse Glenn Davis, this is a reason to smackdown Team Jill until they come clean. (But Glenn is the clear winner in this brouhaha — don’t make me connect the conspiracy dots!!)

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 3:15 pm

This is starting to resonate

Tyler Pieron January 1, 2017 at 2:40 pm

Jill Vogel should withdraw from the race and apologize.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:25 pm

Let’s not rush to justice, I don’t see this tied to Jill.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 4:57 pm

Huh? How is it NOT tied to Jill? Her husband did it all on his own? Good grief. He’s her HUSBAND!

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 5:15 pm

Oh sure if you want to grant that spouses are connected…

But seriously, can you see Jill saying: “Yeah Alex, that’s a great idea, use a made up Gmail account authenticated to YOUR cell phone and mail it from OUR back yard?” — you’d find Alex sporting the phone ‘Ambassador-style’ in a Fauquier liverpool if Jill knew about this in advance.

My money is on figuring out how Jill crossed Findlay, and how it’s going to end up pinned on Ron Hedlund.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 6:30 pm

You are on a roll! You are keeping us entertained today! Too funny!

Waverly Woods January 1, 2017 at 7:51 pm

It’s the Surrender Monkeys all over again. Hilarious!

Tyler Pieron January 2, 2017 at 12:26 pm

I went and re-read the statement from the Vogel campaign. Written like it was drafted by two lawyers, it reads “Jill and Alex Vogel have not sent…”, which indicates that the following statements are only true if it was both of them, not individually. Crafty bit of legalize.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 1:40 pm

Damn your Fiskian parsing!!

Logic 101 — what are the only ways to resolve a dilemma? — What approach will Jillex use?

Jeanine Martin January 2, 2017 at 2:11 pm

Where was the statement made? I don’t see it on her website.
Thanks!

Lee Pillsbury January 2, 2017 at 9:01 pm

Tyler, they’ve also only denied sending anonymous emails. Not the email in question. Lots of parsing in the campaigns statement.

Tyler Pieron January 2, 2017 at 10:27 pm

So, when they used a fake name it isn’t “anonymous”. Gotcha. This is looking worse and worse for the Vogel campaign, and them personally.

Rocinante January 2, 2017 at 3:16 pm

And this too is starting to resonate.

Connor James Marley January 1, 2017 at 2:23 pm

Actually, there were emails going out in July attacking Jill.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 3:16 pm

So?

Connor James Marley January 1, 2017 at 3:46 pm

So, the article said “the first volley of fake-name email smears this past fall gave us a clue to what kind of nastiness we’re in for with the 2017 Lieutenant Governor’s race”

This is incorrect. The FIRST volley of fake-name email smears targeted Jill back in July which was months prior to the allegations in the Post. Whoever was attacking Jill in July was the first one to take the LG race negative with their false smears and anonymous email chicanery directed at Jill. I really think the author should update the article to include all the facts.

Jeanine Martin January 1, 2017 at 4:57 pm

Were those smears erroneous? Has that been proven in court?

Sbn January 2, 2017 at 3:35 pm

It’s completely possible that I missed something but has this? Been proven in court that is

Steve Albertson January 1, 2017 at 5:11 pm

I’d be happy to add something if you can point me in the right direction. I don’t recall an attack from that time.

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:26 pm

From “Martha McDaniel????”

Connor James Marley January 1, 2017 at 3:55 pm

No, I think it was some other anonymous user

Lee Pillsbury January 1, 2017 at 2:06 pm

These kind of political attacks have to stop. To risk destroying a good man’s marriage and a bright talented staffers reputation to win a damned election? Way beyond the pale.

old_redneck January 1, 2017 at 2:34 pm

No, not beyond the pale. SOP for republicans. Or maybe you have forgotten:
— John McCain’s mixed-race child
— Swift Boat
— Hillary murdered Vince Foster and 40 others
— Born in Kenya
— Hillary’s child porn ring run out of a DC pizza restaurant
— Nixon’s “Canuck” letter
— Willie Horton
— The “Brooks Brothers” riot

Rocinante January 1, 2017 at 3:33 pm

I’m more upset at the sloppy execution — what has happened in a world where you can’t successfully broadcast an anonymous hit piece? And that that the hit piece was just so pedestrian. Alleged Infidelity??? We’ll never catch up with democrat party legends with lame efforts like these.

old_redneck January 1, 2017 at 1:54 pm

No way the Vogel’s could have been hacked. I mean, the National IT Guardian, Donald Trump, tells us that hacking for political purposes does not happen . . . he’s “very smart” and knows all about it.

Let’s see . . . as I recall, there was an incident a few years ago in Harrisonburg where an employee of a company under contract to the VA GOP was caught destroying voter registration applications. The company was working out of a Winchester address . . . Senator Vogel’s office.

My, my.

Email smear of Sen. Bryce Reeves appears traced to Sen. Jill Vogel

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