RVA Politics Profile picture
Nov 8, 2019 10 tweets 5 min read Read on X
The 60-day plan just dropped by @delegateaird in her bid for #VAHouse speaker is one of the most impressive political statements I've seen in a long time
#Thread
1/
issuu.com/delegateaird/d…
First, it's brilliant politicking - Aird has to engage in tough election for Speaker with other delegates, particularly @EFillerCorn - this is a pre-emptive strike that basically sets the agenda for tomorrow's caucus meeting
2/
Plus Aird effectively shuts down any "she's too young" or "she should wait her turn" talk by showing she's organized and ready progress-index.com/article/201601…
3/
So this is more than just a pitch for the "wonk vote" - this is a political document, serving a political purpose
4/
BUT it's also got some crazy-cool ideas for institution reform! First, Aird expands leadership opportunities within the caucus, adding whip positions and a transition team
5/ Image
Then, she proposes to reorg House's archaic committee system, changing names (and presumably subject areas). Key addition: a new "Energy & Natural Resources" committee - [she might have called it the "Depants @DominionEnergy Committee" ]
6/ Image
And she wisely leaves the policy agenda open - letting Delegates (and their constituents) hoping their dream issue rises to the top of the agenda, but without Aird committing to anything specific
7/ Image
One more thing: Aird's bid for leader shows increasing influence of @VaBlackCaucus , especially after #VAGovernor 's blackface scandal earlier this year. (Actually surprised it wasn't @delegatebagby who came forward)
8/
The @vademocrats have had the misfortune to be in the minority for years, but they haven't done much to organize themselves or inspire any hope in Dem voters. Aird's plan suggests that someone in the party, at least, has their act together
9/
I should have more on this Speaker election with @Sara8News tonight on @8NEWS . (As a political scientist fascinated with institutional reforms, Aird's bid & doc has my heart all a-flutter)
10/End

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More from @rjmarr

Sep 3, 2021
As I prep my political theory class for this fall, I'm struck that one thing the TX abortion law should hammer home, and that some of us sometimes forget: conservatism is openly hostile towards individual freedom
#Thread
1/
As ideology, conservatism embraces ancient ideas of difference. Plato's Republic imagines world where people are sorted according to innate characteristics; Aristotle thought democracy was worst form of government. To Greeks, some people just better suited to rule than others
2/
In 1790, Brit Edmund Burke essentially launched conservatism by criticizing the French revolution. Liberty is fine, Burke argued, but what if it's the liberty of a "madman" or "murderer"? Freedom needs constraints, and isn't for everyone
3/
Read 12 tweets
May 6, 2021
As #VAGOP convention approaches, candidates talking about banning "critical race theory" from our schools. We know that racist appeals work on many white voters (hi Donald!) but this one is especially insidious. Here's why
#Thread
1/
First, #CriticalRaceTheory is term for some pretty high-level scholarship and theoretical work, like real pomo philosophy shit. Crenshaw, Delgado, Bell. Mostly influential in legal theory. Time mag explainer (h/t to @bluevirginia) is just fine:
2/
time.com/5891138/critic…
Key here: CRT is WAY less influential than critics claim, even in theory circles. Often mocked by traditional establishment voices. Just check this '98 Cornell law review article that claims to take CRT seriously, but actually drips w mockery/disdain
3/
scholarship.law.cornell.edu/cgi/viewconten…
Read 10 tweets
Apr 16, 2021
Maybe you've seen this, but this week my students and I went on an eye-opening trip through the @americanpano Mapping Inequality project from @UR_DSL

#Redlining in #RVA: a quick #Thread
1/
Background: the federal govt's Home Owners' Loan Corporation was a New Deal org aimed at helping people keep their homes post-Depression. Financially, it did pretty well - even turning a small profit
2/
trumanlibrary.gov/library/public…
But to "help" mortgage lenders, they generated maps of urban areas, color-coded by how "secure" neighborhoods would be for home loans. Here's the RVA map - guess what they based "security" on?
3/
Read 9 tweets
Sep 26, 2020
Happy weekend VA! Earlier this week I tweeted out #VoteNoOn1, the redistricting commission amendment. I'm still a No, but feel a Prof's need to clarify after hearing from some folks on both sides
#Thread
1/
Earlier I said we all want Non-partisan, but even A1 supporters say that's basically impossible. What we actually want is INDEPENDENCE. Current SB 5015 tries to specify criteria for citizen members beyond "party picks" so it would help if passed
2/
But doesn't get over the fact that legislators are on the commission, and that one or two of them could use their veto power for mischief. In an uneven partisan environment (where GOP routinely kicks Dems' ass on process/power) I don't see a way around that
3/
Read 9 tweets
Sep 22, 2020
Good morning VA! As early voting ramps up around the state, now’s a good time to remind you to Vote NO on Amendment 1, which supposedly ensures fair redistricting. I’m not convinced. Here's why:
#VoteNOon1
#Thread
1/
Background: you probably know that “redistricting” - drawing district lines for state legislature and Congress - is super important is for setting the political course of the next decade. So do politicians, which is why they try to control it
2/
A coalition pushed for fair, non-partisan process by 2019 deadline. (Constitutional amendment in VA needs GA to pass a resolution twice, then approved on voter ballot Q.) They didn't get it! Instead, they put in place a compromise
3/
Read 15 tweets
Sep 15, 2020
Anyone check out the #RVAProtests "112 Days" show on @CBS6 last night? You can watch it on MSN (linked below), but I did so you don't have to. Two big thoughts:
#Thread 1/

msn.com/en-us/news/us/…
First, the doc not great on repping protestors. Some efforts to give voice to protest, but probably not central figures. I get it - it's hard to parse, there's no "President of the Movement," and lots of folks probably didn't want to talk
2/
But still - why so much freakin' Mark Holmberg? Why let him complain that protestors marched at Lee Circle but not Gilpin Court- and then ignore multiple anti-eviction actions?
3/
richmond.com/news/local/wat…
Read 9 tweets

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