Republican leaders in the 9th District are promoting Morgan Griffith for this congressional seat – apparently forgetting an earlier plan to qualify Oliver North (“Colonel North, sir”) to be our representative in Congress.
That cockeyed scheme would have extended the 9th District in a narrow, thinly-populated corridor, through the Shenandoah Valley, until it reached North’s home county of Clarke.
It seems some 9th District Republicans wanted North as their candidate, but he did not want to live here. Hence, the idea of gerrymandering his home into this district.
As that ignoble scheme was abandoned, so should the idea of letting Morgan Griffith run for Congress here. He lives in Salem, which he represents with Roanoke County in the General Assembly. Both Griffith’s home and his long-time Assembly district are in the 6th Congressional District.
I read recently how Griffith tried to establish credentials for representing us by saying his home is so close that he can actually see a part of the 9th District from his window.
That reminded me of Sarah Palin’s incredible claim during her vice-presidential campaign that she was qualified in foreign affairs because, from parts of Alaska, you can see a small corner of Russia.
Mr. Griffith, we want a congressman who actually lives in this district, has done so for years, knows us and our needs, and is thus qualified to represent us in Washington.
We now have such, Rick Boucher, who grew up in Abingdon and still lives here. His feet are firmly planted in the 9th District and have been for most of his life.
Moreover, Rick is a fantastic congressman who has done more for the 9th District than any other representative in memory.
If Salem and Roanoke County want Griffith as their Richmond representative, so be it. Just keep that would-be carpetbagger at home and let a true son of the 9th District represent us.
Jack White
Abingdon, Va.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement