WAKEFIELD, Va. -- With many legislators in Richmond still deadlocked over a budget compromise, former politicians met with community members an hour southeast of the capital to discuss politics over fish and beer yesterday afternoon.
As the General Assembly entered its 99th day in session, keynote speaker Larry J. Sabato used the event as an opportunity to criticize the current budget impasse.
"Increasingly, we seem unable or unwilling to move beyond political wrangling," Sabato said. "Virginians expect leaders who don't resort to the ideological ultimatums that characterize Beltway politicians."
While statewide dignitaries such as former Gov. Gerald L. Baliles were present at the annual event, known as Shad Planking, few current legislators were able to attend. Back in the capital, many of Virginia's elected officials spent the day reviewing Gov. Mark R. Warner's amendments and vetoes to their legislation.
In his speech, Sabato publicly debated the idea of a gubernatorial bid, highlighting his many qualifications in a sometimes playful, often biting roast of Virginia's current elected officials.
"I would guess that most of you, even in your current state of happiness, could probably engage in a more sober and productive debate than we've seen over the last sad 100 days in Richmond," he said.
Reaching beyond the current legislative term in his critique, Sabato stressed the importance of competitive elections in preserving accountability for public officials. He disparaged the long-standing partisan process of gerrymandering, which creates so-called safe districts for those already in office.
"It wasn't good for democracy then and it isn't good for democracy now," Sabato asserted.
As an alternative, he proposed a non-partisan redistricting system similar those used in Iowa and Arizona.
Many of the Sabato's remarks were met with shouts of "give 'em hell Sabato" from the audience. But the largest applause of the afternoon went to Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, who did not speak but was cheered during introductions prior to Sabato's remarks.
In addressing his hypothetical bid for governor, Sabato, a University politics professor and Norfolk native, mentioned that not a single legislator in Virginia was born in the Commonwealth.
"And perhaps worst of all, we have a governor who was born in Connecticut -- he's a Yankee!" Sabato jokingly offered. "I for one am sick of all these damn carpetbaggers invading our Virginia!"
Some in attendance compared Sabato's eloquence to that of former two-term Gov. Mills Godwin, who has spoken at the event a record seven times.
Sabato "says he won't run for governor, but I think he will," said local resident and business owner Chris Wise. "I'll vote for him."
Though Virginia's primaries are more than a year away, the event provided an opportunity for potential candidates to drum up support. At least four potential candidates for lieutenant governor set up tents at the gathering, offering promotional materials including branded cups of beer.
Prior to the gathering, supporters had littered local roadways with rows of signs promoting political hopefuls.
The tradition can be traced back to the early 1930s, according to a press release from the Wakefield Ruritan Club, which sponsored the event. The gathering's distinctive name stems from the preparation of a local fish, Shad, by a process known as planking.
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