Candidate For Equality Takes On Virginia’s Rob Wittman

First things first. Yes, that’s her real name: Krystal Ball. More importantly, she’s running for Congress on a fairly progressive platform, against an incumbent who has used his power in the House of Representatives to promote a regressive agenda.

The incumbent, Virginia’s 1st district Republican Rob Wittman, has earned a score of negative 55 points on the legislative scorecard compiled by That’s My Congress for the 111th Congress. He has opposed efforts to end torture by the U.S. military, voted against protecting workers from employment discrimination, tried to stop expansion of health insurance coverage for children, and stood in the way of assistance for homeowners trying to pay their mortgages during these difficult economic times. Wittman has attempted to block health care reform.

Democrat Krystal Ball, on the other hand, has expressed opposition to torture, supports health care reform with a public option, and proposes an increased commitment to fighting global warming. Ball also supports full legal equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered Americans.

So, one might presume that the 2010 congressional election in Virginia’s 1st congressional district will be one of a solid progressive against a committed right wing Republican. Actually, that’s not necessarily the case. Krystal Ball has another rival besides Rob Wittman. Krystal Ball is competing against Scott Robinson for the Democratic nomination, and Robinson doesn’t seem to be a committed progressive at all.

Robinson’s campaign web site is extremely vague when it comes to the important issues of the day. Robinson mentions only three issues of importance to his campaign: 1) Improve Internet infrastructure; 2) Allow corporations to dictate curriculum in public schools; 3) Improving administration of veterans benefits. The first and third positions are non-controversial. The second position is downright anti-progressive.

That’s it for Robinson when it comes to issues. His campaign blog is restricted to descriptions of political support he has obtained from local leaders. It seems that Robinson isn’t promoting issues so much as he is promoting himself.

However, Robinson may appear to be more of a safe choice than Ball for Democratic leaders who are looking for a candidate who won’t upset Republican voters. If the goal is to promote progressive ideas, Ball seems like the clear choice. However, if the goal is to get anyone under the umbrella of the Democratic Party elected, so that local Democratic leaders can have access to congressional power, Robinson looks like the easy choice.

Scott Robinson hasn’t taken a stand on health care reform, or torture, or climate change, or equality for LGBT Americans. Instead, Robinson spends a great deal of time referring to general values that he says are at the core of his campaign: “Honesty, hard work, and accountability”. For a member of Congress, however, an essential part of honesty and accountability is the willingness to speak openly and strongly on the most important issues of the day. On that score, the Robinson for Congress campaign seems unwilling so far to embody the values it claims to promote.