Perhaps we've been blinded by the attacks on the blogosphere, which has subsided since he won the nomination, but I was really shocked to see on Virtucon today that Faisal Gill has won the endorsement of The Potomac News:
Republican Faisal Gill comes out the winner when we compare the two newcomers vying for the spot being vacated by Michele McQuigg in the 51st Virginia House of Delegates District.
Gill is an intelligent, good-humored man, who doesn't appear to take himself too seriously.
He seems to have a strong grasp of the issues that face his district and definite ideas of how to deal with them.
Though we don't agree with every stand he takes, we think he has the best interest of his constituents at heart and that he will serve them faithfully.
Despite all the misinformation about his law practice and its supposed protection of illegal immigrants, Gill does have a solid plan of action when it comes to the issue, including a plan to hold employers accountable for hiring illegal immigrants.
People under threat of legal deportation often do need law advice and advocacy. Gill should not be penalized just because his law practice is willing to offer that.
We don't agree with the draconian idea of handing out felonies to all businesses which hire illegal immigrants, as Gill does, but we think holding them accountable is the way to go.
As an immigrant himself, Gill, offers a rare perspective on immigration, and we think his immigrant experience gives him more authority on the issue of illegal immigration.
Gill will also fight to keep our school system classy and competitive.
He wants to keep school funding focused on the classroom and he thinks we should start by ensuring that our teachers' salaries are competitive with other jurisdictions. That way we can keep the best and brightest for ourselves.
Gill's opponent, Democrat Paul Nichols, has much to offer as a candidate.
However, his misleading fliers about Gill show that when it comes to politics he has no qualms about crossing the ethical line.
That is not somebody we want as a delegate.
We think that Gill will be an effective, level-headed and creative legislator, and we hope members of the 51st District will vote for him on Nov. 6.
Even frequent Gill tormenter BVBL is predicting a razor-thin Gill victory. So it seems that the predictions of Gill's demise were premature at best. It sounds like Gill has done a great job attacking the pavement, getting with the people, and putting forth his vision. One can't help but wonder if Paul Nichols figured that all the problems surrounding the convention and the controversy among some that Gill's candidacy presented that he would cruise to election day.
You know, at some point, it takes some special skill to be a politician. I don't know why some people think you can just take anybody off the street and make them into a successful politician. But the democrats try to do this a lot.
Paul Nichols just seems like a good person who has no ability, or even interest, in being a delegate. He let the DPVA run lies about his opponent, he never really said anything he would do that I can tell.
Gill's been pounding the pavement, knocking on doors, working very hard. But remember, Gill isn't some neophyte.
Gill has been around politics for years. Gill was in the military. He was a lobbyist. He worked on high-profile campaigns. He was in a public office in the Department of Homeland Security. He is a lawyer, and also a JAG lawyer.
Some people couldn't look past his religion. Others couldn't look past their friendship with Lucas. Still others were just mad about lawsuits.
Greg may be getting heat because as the President of HSM, he should be talking up the better candidates for illegal immigration -- but he personally backed Nichols, who frankly has no real plan other than "keep doing what we are doing". Meanwhile, even the Potomac News, who doesn't LIKE the push against illegals, notes that Gill has plans.
I sure hope Gill wins, because the people of the 51st will be well-served by him.
Posted by: charles | October 29, 2007 at 11:08 PM
I think people have forgetten as well that this IS a Republican seat so Gill had a built in advantage in terms of the raw numbers. I pray he pulls this out, I think he'll be pretty good.
Posted by: Chris - Mason Conservative | October 29, 2007 at 11:46 PM
Chris, the notion that it is a Republican seat is a little much. Actually, it was a seat long held by Democrat David Brickley, until Jim Gilmore gave him a full-time job in Richmond and opened it up for Michele McQuigg. From what I know of the demographics and the election results, many thought it could have been taken away from Brickley, but the power of the incumbency was always too strong. I think it is a traditional, closely-divided swing seat that could go either way. And I say that as a strong supporter of Gill, both before and after the nomination.
Posted by: James Young | October 30, 2007 at 12:02 AM
But what I'm saying is that McQuigg held that seat for a while so the voters in the last three or four elections are use to pulling the "R" lever, and McQuigg endorsed Gill. It is a Republican district, perhaps not huge but I still think it is.
And I'll never understand why Brickley took that job. Wasn't this the seat that finally gave the HoDs to the GOP?
Posted by: Chris - Mason Conservative | October 30, 2007 at 12:05 AM