A Capitol run-in with Jeff Schapiro

Bow-tied, bespeckled, long-time political reporter Jeff Schapiro with the Richmond Times-Dispatch was hurrying toward the senate chamber Friday when we passed in the Virginia Capitol hallway. He good-naturedly -- with a crack or two joking that it was delaying him -- paused long enough for a photo. I don't always agree with his political opinion but make it a point not to miss his column. Much appreciation for him humoring me and always being willing to pose for my camera....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Virginia State Capitiol
January 10, 2014

Schapiro exposes negative campaigning ... Bolling again calls for positive messaging

In his column in Sunday's Richmond Times-Dispatch, political reporter Jeff Schapiro wrote:

What Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli say, to whom and how they say it, speaks to the direction of the gubernatorial campaign. Some of it is noise. A lot is dog-whistle politics: shrill, high-frequency babble tailored to the ears of targeted voters.

All the negativity hasn't been lost on Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling who wrote on Facebook:

Jeff Schapiro does a pretty good job capturing the essence of this year's gubernatorial campaign, which is characterized by way too much negativity and way too little substance. I still believe the candidate who can project a positive message in the final weeks of the campaign is the candidate who will win.

A positive message from our 2013 candidates? What a novel idea.

Va Gubernatorial Race: Debating debates ... 5 or 15?

The issue of Virginia gubernatorial debates has the attention of Jeff Schapiro at the Richmond Times-Dispatch as well as Jim Nolan. Republican Ken Cuccinelli wants 15 debates. Democrat Terry McAuliffe says the already-agreed upon five will be enough and is in line with 2005 and 2009. Whichever it ends up being, political maneuvering will be involved....

Photos 7: Rick Perry lunch in Richmond ... political reporter Jeff Schapiro

The veteran political reporter Jeff Schapiro with the Richmond Times-Dispatch stands away from the gaggle of press clustered around Texas Gov. Rick Perry at a press conference after the Richmond RPV luncheon, taking notes and listening.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
14 September 2011