Strange Signs Pop Up Across the State of Virginia

 

I’m not quite sure what to make of the new signs that began popping up in the state of Virginia on Monday morning.

Earlier today, The Virginia Project, a group whose mission it is to build a 21st Century Virginia GOP, posted photos of new signs purportedly from the campaign of gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe, that say: “Keep Parents Out of Classrooms; Vote McAuliffe; Keep Virginia Blue.”

I can’t imagine McAuliffe supporters believe this would be a winning message.

My children are adults now, but I recall that the amount of time and the frequency of parent participation in classrooms increased dramatically from the time of my first child’s elementary school years to my last child’s. I’m sure that trend has continued in the meantime. Even progressive parents welcomed that involvement. And typically, at that age, children love it when their parents appear at their schools.

At any rate, the signs are showing up on front lawns throughout the state. Unless they are a hoax perpetrated by a right-wing group, which seems preposterous, it is inconceivable that the McAuliffe team thinks this will benefit them.

The message is in line with a game-changing gaffe McAuliffe made during a September debate. McAuliffe said, “I don’t think parents should be telling schools what they should teach.” That remark signaled a turning point in his race against his Republican rival, Glenn Youngkin. McAuliffe lost his distinct advantage and the two are now locked in a dead heat.

In a sure sign that Democrats are getting nervous, they’ve brought in the big guns to stump for their candidate. On Saturday, former President Barack Obama appeared with McAuliffe to tell voters that Youngkin stands with the Jan. 6 insurrectionists. Additionally, he tied Youngkin to former President Donald Trump, whose supporters Obama sees as the biggest threat to democracy in his lifetime. That would be us.

I never like listening to Obama speak, but it’s when he starts lecturing us about losing our democracy, that he’s at his most loathsome.

This important race is viewed as a bellwether for the 2022 midterm elections. With only eight days to go, it’s considered a toss-up.

Please visit my archives at American Free News Network.

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  1. Percival Thatcher
    Percival
    @Percival

    McAuliffe said the quiet part out loud.

    • #1
  2. Randy Webster Inactive
    Randy Webster
    @RandyWebster

    Those signs are stupid no matter who put them out.  If the Democrats, it’s as you say hard to believe that this is a message that’s going to play well with voters.  If it’s Republicans, if it gets out (and it will if true), it could easily swing the election to McAuliffe.

    • #2
  3. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    They could be teacher’s union signs. They’re all about keeping parents away and pressing their indoctrination. They also have a lot of money to spend. They also believe the message. 

    • #3
  4. Victor Tango Kilo Member
    Victor Tango Kilo
    @VtheK

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.” 

    • #4
  5. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    Mr. C has been saying for years that school choice is a huge winning issue for Republicans. Unfortunately nobody believes them when they talk about it — including conservative voters. 

    • #5
  6. Hang On Member
    Hang On
    @HangOn

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    So are you saying Trump didn’t provide border security or are you agreeing with Gary that Trump is neither a Republican nor a conservative?

    • #6
  7. Kozak Member
    Kozak
    @Kozak

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    More important it will be a great fundraising opportunity.

    • #7
  8. Front Seat Cat Member
    Front Seat Cat
    @FrontSeatCat

    Dish washing, fleece wearing kind of guy?  What a weird statement. That should turn those hoop players around – ya!

    • #8
  9. She Member
    She
    @She

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Those signs are stupid no matter who put them out. If the Democrats, it’s as you say hard to believe that this is a message that’s going to play well with voters. If it’s Republicans, if it gets out (and it will if true), it could easily swing the election to McAuliffe.

    Or they could be a false flag, erected by some Democrat group in order to cast suspicion on Republicans, with not enough time left to get to the bottom of the matter (if that’s the case, the Democrats are much better at covering up the money trail than are the GOP, and there’s only a week until the election).  I agree that if it is believed the Republicans are behind them, it will hurt the Republican candidate.

    I don’t put anything past any of these [expletives].

    • #9
  10. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    Obama comes alive to pull out one of his classic straw man non-sequitars.

    Watch out for those hordes of democracy tearer downers they’re everywhere!!!

    We’ll keep our eyes peeled Barry …. thanks for the warning.

    • #10
  11. genferei Member
    genferei
    @genferei

    She (View Comment):
    I agree that if it is believed the Republicans are behind them, it will hurt the Republican candidate.

    By what precise mechanism?

    • #11
  12. Sandy Member
    Sandy
    @Sandy

    She (View Comment):

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Those signs are stupid no matter who put them out. If the Democrats, it’s as you say hard to believe that this is a message that’s going to play well with voters. If it’s Republicans, if it gets out (and it will if true), it could easily swing the election to McAuliffe.

    Or they could be a false flag, erected by some Democrat group in order to cast suspicion on Republicans, with not enough time left to get to the bottom of the matter (if that’s the case, the Democrats are much better at covering up the money trail than are the GOP, and there’s only a week until the election). I agree that if it is believed the Republicans are behind them, it will hurt the Republican candidate.

    I don’t put anything past any of these [expletives].

    I suppose this could be damaging to the GOP but then why haven’t we heard from the McAuliffe campaign?  I think it’s because it’s impossible for him to respond without bringing up an issue he’s running away from.  Hard to believe the GOP could be that clever, I know.

    • #12
  13. DonG (CAGW is a hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a hoax)
    @DonG

    I thought campaign ads were required to have a message about who paid for them.  I assume this comes from some non-organization that is just trolling.  It is just a meme in real live. 

    • #13
  14. MarciN Member
    MarciN
    @MarciN

    Terry McAuliffe may be in the wrong state to be harassing parents. Virginia is home to the very successful Parental Rights organization. This organization is working on passing the Parental Rights Amendment.   

    Republicans sometimes forget that one very large group of people who left the Democrats for the Republican greener pastures were parents who wanted school choice. 

    • #14
  15. Quietpi Member
    Quietpi
    @Quietpi

    I can see the Lincoln Project being so delusional as to think that this would further their goals, whatever they are.

     

    • #15
  16. EDISONPARKS Member
    EDISONPARKS
    @user_54742

    DonG (CAGW is a hoax) (View Comment):

    I thought campaign ads were required to have a message about who paid for them. I assume this comes from some non-organization that is just trolling. It is just a meme in real live.

    Seems like (R) side trolling to me too ….

    Giveback to those weasel (D)’s exactly what they give out …. Good for the Virginia (R)’s responsible.

    Besides how does the (D) begin to complain about a paraphrase of a nationally televised McAuliffe debate quote.

    • #16
  17. DonG (CAGW is a hoax) Coolidge
    DonG (CAGW is a hoax)
    @DonG

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    A poll in VA showed that Youngkin is +26 among parents with school-age kids.  That is is a winner.

     

    • #17
  18. Western Chauvinist Member
    Western Chauvinist
    @WesternChauvinist

    DonG (CAGW is a hoax) (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    A poll in VA showed that Youngkin is +26 among parents with school-age kids. That is is a winner.

    To quote Hugh Hewitt, if it’s not close they can’t cheat. It’s still close so I predict a D win.

    • #18
  19. 9thDistrictNeighbor Member
    9thDistrictNeighbor
    @9thDistrictNeighbor

    It looks to be a play on the democrat tag line, “Keep Virginia Blue” (without the de rigueur union printing shop seal).  Here is a bumper sticker from the Fairfax democrats (sorry, 7-10 days processing time):

    And when there are eight bazillion signs in the median, it all becomes noise anyway.

    • #19
  20. Henry Racette Member
    Henry Racette
    @HenryRacette

    As much as I get a kick out of the foolishness of the slogan if created by a Democrat, I have to agree with Randy in #2: if it’s a Republican strategy it’s a dangerous one. I’ve read that a lot of people vote for the most familiar name, and all they’ll remember of the sign is the name of the candidate. It’s a great technique for that fraction of the population familiar with the faux pas, but I suspect that’s a small minority in our carefully filtered pro-Democrat media environment.

    On the other hand, if it is in fact a Democratic effort, it provides a remarkable glimpse into the mind (speaking loosely) of the Democrats.

    • #20
  21. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Western Chauvinist (View Comment):

    DonG (CAGW is a hoax) (View Comment):

    Victor Tango Kilo (View Comment):

    I think “parental rights” is the next big issue for Republicans to campaign on, and then do nothing about once they are elected. You know, like “border security” or “repeal Obamacare.”

    A poll in VA showed that Youngkin is +26 among parents with school-age kids. That is is a winner.

    To quote Hugh Hewitt, if it’s not close they can’t cheat. It’s still close so I predict a D win.

    That’s my view right now. (Early) voting this afternoon although I would rather wait for election day. However, I don’t trust the Democrats and worry that if I show up on election day someone will have already ‘voted’ in my place. Keeping fingers crossed but also very realistic about the stranglehold the Democrats have on a state once they are in charge.

    • #21
  22. colleenb Member
    colleenb
    @colleenb

    Some how I’m block quoting when I don’t mean to. Sorry.

    • #22
  23. Bob Thompson Member
    Bob Thompson
    @BobThompson

    Henry Racette (View Comment):

    As much as I get a kick out of the foolishness of the slogan if created by a Democrat, I have to agree with Randy in #2: if it’s a Republican strategy it’s a dangerous one. I’ve read that a lot of people vote for the most familiar name, and all they’ll remember of the sign is the name of the candidate. It’s a great technique for that fraction of the population familiar with the faux pas, but I suspect that’s a small minority in our carefully filtered pro-Democrat media environment.

    On the other hand, if it is in fact a Democratic effort, it provides a remarkable glimpse into the mind (speaking loosely) of the Democrats.

    Someone else did this same thing and had young children put into training camps around the time I was born. It didn’t work out well.  And it’s almost as bad if it is a political dirty trick. Is it any wonder that few of good character want to be associated with a major political party?

    • #23
  24. Stina Member
    Stina
    @CM

    Randy Webster (View Comment):

    Those signs are stupid no matter who put them out. If the Democrats, it’s as you say hard to believe that this is a message that’s going to play well with voters. If it’s Republicans, if it gets out (and it will if true), it could easily swing the election to McAuliffe.

    Thing is in trying to validate the signs, people WILL find out TM actually said what he said. It forces people to look into what the news media is burying.

    • #24
  25. Flicker Coolidge
    Flicker
    @Flicker

    Really?  I thought it was from the Repubs and I liked it.  But then again I think Candace Owens was right, too, to come down on Baldwin.

    As for the sign, what’s the down side?  McAuliffe said it.  And people heard it.

    The sign is basically inoffensive.  The “quote” is big and catches the eye, and is rather inflammatory.  And McAuliffe’s name is still small.

    I think it will work.

    • #25
  26. Old Bathos Member
    Old Bathos
    @OldBathos

    Lefties used to pretend to be listening to community values, to deny that anything untoward was being taught etc. while doing whatever they felt like in practice.  That was the original defense of CRT–it did not exist in schools–it was just some philosophical stuff debated by some law school faculties.  Now. leftists no longer deny what they are up to and take the position that no one has the right to object.  Bold move, Cotton.

    This really is a new ball gme.

    • #26
  27. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    This reminds me of a story I heard last year where signs were cropping up in a city (I don’t recall which) that said “Islam is Right about Women!”

    • #27
  28. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    EDISONPARKS (View Comment):

    Obama comes alive to pull out one of his classic straw man non-sequitars.

    Watch out for those hordes of democracy tearer downers they’re everywhere!!!

    We’ll keep our eyes peeled Barry …. thanks for the warning.

    That was a stuttering, fumbling for words, and uninspiring, Obama.  Reminded me of a comedian dying on stage.  He sure didn’t have the public speaking pizazz of his former self.  Maybe he is not all that enthused about supporting Mcauliffe?

    • #28
  29. Jim McConnell Member
    Jim McConnell
    @JimMcConnell

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    EDISONPARKS (View Comment):

    Obama comes alive to pull out one of his classic straw man non-sequitars.

    Watch out for those hordes of democracy tearer downers they’re everywhere!!!

    We’ll keep our eyes peeled Barry …. thanks for the warning.

    That was a stuttering, fumbling for words, and uninspiring, Obama. Reminded me of a comedian dying on stage. He sure didn’t have the public speaking pizazz of his former self. Maybe he is not all that enthused about supporting Mcauliffe?

    I’ve always thought Obama was lazy, physically and mentally. The only thing he was and is actually interested in “selling” is Obama.

    • #29
  30. Steven Seward Member
    Steven Seward
    @StevenSeward

    Jim McConnell (View Comment):

    Steven Seward (View Comment):

    EDISONPARKS (View Comment):

    Obama comes alive to pull out one of his classic straw man non-sequitars.

    Watch out for those hordes of democracy tearer downers they’re everywhere!!!

    We’ll keep our eyes peeled Barry …. thanks for the warning.

    That was a stuttering, fumbling for words, and uninspiring, Obama. Reminded me of a comedian dying on stage. He sure didn’t have the public speaking pizazz of his former self. Maybe he is not all that enthused about supporting Mcauliffe?

    I’ve always thought Obama was lazy, physically and mentally. The Obama was and is only thing he was and is actually interested in “selling” is Obama.

    I think you’re right.  None of his endorsement speeches has ever been very convincing.  He didn’t even endorse Joe Brandon until he had to.

    • #30
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