| 'BlackOut'
PAC Forms in Opposition to Dick Black |
By Erin E. Fogg 
Observer Staff Writer |
| The second political action committee opposing the reelection
of Del. Richard Black (R-32nd District) says a growing number
of Loudoun County voters are backing it. |
| The group, BlackOut 2005, announced Monday, Feb. 28 that
it had registered as a PAC with Virginia and had launched
a Web site, www.blackout2005.com. |
| Another PAC, the Virginia Family Values PAC, organized in
January to oppose Black's reelection as well as three other
far-right Republican delegatesBob Marshall (13th), Dave Albo
(42nd) and Bob McDonnell (84th). |
| BlackOut spokesman Glenn Maravetz of Ashburn said it is
a nonpartisan group not authorized by any candidate, candidate's
committee or political committee. More than 100 supporters
registered on BlackOut's Web site before the official announcement
was made, he said. |
| "It hasn't been hard to attract people," Maravetz said,
adding that Black is "our best promoter." |
| He said BlackOut represents a mix of Loudoun residents,
conservatives and liberals, Republicans and Democrats. The
32nd District is entirely within Loudoun and is comprised
of the Sugarland Run and Broad Run districts and portions
of the Potomac and Dulles districts. |
| Many BlackOut members were motivated to join because of
Black's extreme views, while others believe he is ineffective
at representing Loudoun in Richmond, Maravetz said. A significant
portion joined after Black's outcry over a play students produced
at Stone Bridge High School in which a character questioned
his sexuality, Maravetz said. |
| "We did get a big spike in membership after his speaking
out about the Stone Bridge play," he said. "They voiced concern
about the fact that he didn't even see the play and never
even called [School Board Chairman] John Andrews to look into
it. He just saw it as an opportunity to promote his agenda."
|
| Maravetz said Black gets so involved in promoting his severe
beliefs that he ignores issues like transportation, schools
and safety. This negligence has made Black ineffective in
the House of Delegates, he said. |
| BlackOut will focus the next several months on "voter education,"
he said. It will try to raise as much money as possible to
publicize its Web site. |
| Black's press releases, campaign appearances and automated
phone calls are misleading, Maravetz said. For instance, one
BlackOut member was upset about a recorded message he received
in which Black took credit for the Route 28 and Waxpool Road
interchange, a project first proposed in the 1980s by former
state Sen. Charles Waddell. |
| "He didn't have a thing to do with that, but he takes credit
for it all," Maravetz said. |
| BlackOut will look at two opportunities to oust Blackthe
Republican primary for the 32nd District seat in June and
the general election in November. Some members are supporting
the campaign of David Poisson, a Loudoun Democrat seeking
the 32nd District seat. |
| Maravetz emphasized that Poisson has his own campaign with
his own funding and BlackOut is not connected to his political
race. Maravetz described himself as a "Republican without
a home" looking for an alternative candidate to Black. |
| "There are definitely people on the committee that would
like to see a new Republican candidate and some who will vote
for a Democrat," he said. "They just hope we can have a fair
debate between the two and talk about some real issues." |
| Black, however, said he believes BlackOut members are the
same people who supported John Kerry's candidacy for president
and who will be supporting Poisson. |
| "This is a group that's been around for several months,
gearing up for the race of my opponent," he said. "They are
the same hardcore, hippie-era, John Kerry Democrats." |
| Black said the people behind BlackOut are liberal Loudoun
residents who have been against him since he took office.
"For eight years they've been telling people that their set
of values represents the people of this district, but they've
lost seven elections straight," he said. "They promote same-sex
marriage, abortion, pornography and atheism. It's the same
coalition that got behind the John Kerry campaign in Loudoun
County." |
| Asked if he was concerned about BlackOut, Black said, "I
doubt there are five people in the county who know that they
even exist. Anybody can put up a Web site." |
