<bt>To the Editor:
I am a student at George Mason University enrolled in a government class, among others. The last two weeks, we had the two candidates for state Senate in the 37th District speak to us — one each week. Two weeks ago, we heard first from Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) and last week we heard from the Democrat challenger, Jim Mitchell. They both spoke to us for about an hour. The result was no contest. The difference between the two candidates was big, and Cuccinelli was the only one of the two to even say much of anything of substance — despite the fact that Mitchell had an hour to talk to us.
Cuccinelli explained his core beliefs, why he was running, his history in politics and what he was going to try and accomplish if he was re-elected. Not everyone in the class agreed with him on every issue, but Cuccinelli was very clear on where he stood on each question asked.
Mitchell talked for half an hour without saying much more than that he ran a small business, which he said about four different ways. Finally, one of my classmates raised his hand and said, "Last week, Sen. Cuccinelli came and told us what he believed and why he was running. Why are you running?" Somehow, Mitchell kept talking for 15 minutes without answering the question, but he did manage to say that he ran a small business, again.
Mitchell mentioned several spending proposals, including increasing spending on schools, so the only other question he got to the whole night was on that subject. One woman in my class noted that a family member worked in the school system and complained of the incredible waste, and she gave some examples. Mitchell's answer was to be surprised. He was not aware of those waste issues, but it did not seem to deter him from wanting to spend more. It was thoroughly underwhelming.
Having lived in Northern Virginia for a while, I was glad to hear of Cuccinelli's roots in Northern Virginia, and I was disturbed by some of Mitchell's comments. Mitchell said that nobody retires in Northern Virginia. He said that nobody "emotionally invests" in Northern Virginia because it's a revolving door. Well, I've lived in Northern Virginia for a long time, and I expect to continue to live here for a long time, haven't I "emotionally invested" in Northern Virginia? And if Mitchell does not care about Northern Virginia, or he plans to leave soon, then why is he running for the Virginia state Senate?
I have never been very involved in elections before, but I am going to follow the race for the 37th Senate District. If everyone in the district sat through my two classes, the race would be a wipeout. I just wonder if the voters will pay enough attention to see how big the difference is between the two candidates. It will certainly be a lesson in government for me - good or bad.
Eddie Deegan
Vienna