Local Dems hear from 6th District candidate

In his first presentation to local Democratic committees, congressional hopeful Andy Schmookler called Republicans deceitful and evil and compared his 6th District campaign to the rebel Jedi mission to destroy the Death Star.

“We are in greater danger of losing our souls as a country now than we have ever been as a country,” the Shenandoah County author and radio host told dozens gathered Monday night at the Augusta County Government Center. “That’s why I’m running for office.”

Schmookler, 65, is looking to unseat 10-term incumbent Rep. Bob Goodlatte, a Republican from Roanoke.

Echoing and amplifying the words of his April campaign announcement, Schmookler asked the crowd to think of a Republican “pattern of lies” and said he had never seen such “pervasive deceit.”

Schmookler, who went without a microphone, asked for a show of hands for those “outraged” about Republican stances on climate change and financial reform, and found himself in a room full of raised arms.

After about 35 minutes of speaking, Schmookler, a self-described “intellectual trying to be a politician,” handled questions with answers that he admitted were tough to keep brief, often referring to his published books and articles but working to pare down responses.

Time and again, he asked the crowd to “talk about the [Republican] elephant in the room,” arguing that the media has failed to describe how aggressive politics has become while Democrats “have shrunk from the confrontation.”

He said talking plainly about Republican maneuvers would be akin to finding the blueprint to the famous Death Star from “Star Wars.”

“The shaft that leads to the Death Star’s core power here is the moral truth,” he said, repeating: “Let’s talk about the elephant in the room.”

One onlooker captured the spirit of the session by challenging Schmookler.

“Your theories are great, but … you gotta beat [Goodlatte],” he said.

The Democrat admitted he faces a tough road, and that he has never before had to raise campaign funds.

But, he said, “if a candidate like me, with a message like this, can beat Bob Goodlatte, that will have a national impact.”

Schmookler said his message comes from a deep place that will be a wild card in the 6th District political climate. He implored Democrats to help him by stirring up talk at water coolers and at church, by writing letters to newspapers and politicians, and by organizing groups to hear his message.

So far, Schmookler is the only Democratic candidate to come forward in the district.