Thursday, April 09, 2009
Local pundit and consultant gives candidate a video boost
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roanoke.com/politics
Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Mike Signer was in Roanoke on Wednesday to pick up an endorsement from local political consultant Dave "Mudcat" Saunders.
Signer filmed a video spot with Saunders for his Web site in which Saunders explains to Henry Tieleman of Riner why he's voting for Signer in the Democratic primary: "What I like about him is the boy's got spunk."
Meanwhile in Virginia Beach, Jody Wagner -- one of Signer's rivals for the Democratic nomination -- was endorsed by House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong, D-Henry County, because of her experience as state treasurer and finance secretary in the Mark Warner and Tim Kaine administrations.
Signer, an Arlington lawyer who's worked for Warner, Virginia Sen. Creigh Deeds and freshman U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, touted his "New Jobs for a New Dominion" economic growth plan. He said he's ready to face Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is running for re-election. "I know how to defeat do-nothing incumbents," Signer said.
Signer said he wants to re-energize what's largely considered to be a ceremonial position by turning it into an advocacy role.
Saunders, whose work with Warner's 2001 gubernatorial campaign springboarded him into a role as a cable television pundit and part-time author, said he's currently working on a "Jesus book."
He also said he had pitched a reality TV show that would have centered on his planned 2009 run against House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, but that the proposal fell through.
-- Mason Adams
