Why Are Sen. Webb and Rep. Scott Supporting Frank Wolf?

Somehow, in the midst of the primary, I missed the news item that Frank Wolf has indicated he plans to run for re-election in 2010.

After raising just $2,000 from Jan. 1 to March 31, there has been some speculation on Capitol Hill that Rep. Frank Wolf (R), who turned 70 earlier this year, might be considering retirement rather than running for a 16th term next year.

But while Wolf had “no comment” on his anemic first-quarter fundraising during a brief interview on Capitol Hill last week, he did say that “of course” he’s running again in 2010.
...
Two names being floated as possible challengers by Democrats on Capitol Hill are state Sen. Mark Herring and state Del. David Poisson. Herring won a special election in 2006 to a Senate district that stretches across parts of Loudoun and Fairfax counties. He could not be reached for comment Friday or Monday.

Poisson, a former Capitol Hill staffer, was elected in 2005 to a seat that includes part of Loudoun County.

“I am flattered to be among those mentioned, but my attention is entirely focused on being re-elected” to the House of Delegates this fall, Poisson said. - Roll Call

Rep. Wolf has stepped up his fundraising, but nowhere near the levels of previous cycles. As of this month, he has raised a little more than $116,000 and has more than $119,000 on hand. That means his burn rate is about equal to his income rate, not necessarily the best trend for an incumbent. Of course, he's an incumbent without an announced challenger, so it's understandable he's not working as hard this year.

Of course, when you dig down into his recent campaign finance filing, you discover this.

Top 20 Contributors to Campaign Cmte
1 - SAIC Inc - $5,000
2 - ITT Industries - $2,500
3 - Aircraft Owners & Pilots Assn - $2,000
3 - National Assn of Retail Druggists - $2,000
3 - Republican Main Street Partnership - $2,000
6 - AECOM Technology Corp - $1,000
6 - Jacobs Engineering Group - $1,000
6 - McGuire, Woods et al - $1,000
6 - National Air Traffic Controllers Assn - $1,000
6 - Rolls-Royce - $1,000
11 - Bob Goodlatte for Congress Cmte - $435
11 - Rob Wittman for Congress - $435
11 - Senator Bobby Scott for Congress - $435
11 - Webb for Senate - $435

- OpenSecrets

Sen. Webb and Rep. Scott? What the heck are they doing giving to Frank Wolf? I know that Virginia has a history of bipartisan cooperation among its Congressional delegation on issues that affect the commonwealth, but, actually giving money to the other side? That, to me, seems to be going to far.

Democratic elected representatives should not be giving money to a Republican representative in a cycle where the district will be redrawn and Frank Wolf's fundraising is not necessarily spectacular. Every year that goes by, Rep. Wolf gets closer to retirement, and every dollar that he fails to raise adds to that consideration. Bobby Scott and Jim Webb should ask for their money back. The 10th District deserves progressive representation.

Of course, I'm sure it would help for a Democratic challenger to emerge. We are into the 2010 election cycle now. Yes, it's ridiculous, but that's the world we live in. Perhaps if there were an announced Democrat, Rep. Scott and Sen. Webb would have given even more to him or her. I, as a Democrat and active canvasser and committee member, will certainly expect Sen. Webb and Rep. Scott to give the maximum to the eventual Democratic nominee in VA-10 in order to make up for their lapse of judgment in giving money to Rep. Wolf.

Yes, we have majorities, and yes we are now governing, but the fight for progressive policy and principles never ends. The fight for a Democratic democratic government never ends. At a minimum, Democrats should support Democrats, not Republicans. Especially Republicans like Frank Wolf.