Talk:Tom Davis (Virginia politician)

message: WillC added:
:His banging of the drum in the Major League Baseball steroids controversy also lends one to believe he is seeking publicity for higher office.
I don't know if that is a good indication that he is necessarily seeking higher office.. anyway, if anyone can find the reference where Davis was talking about his desire to advance to George Allen's Senate seat if Allen wins the Presidency in 2008, please add that link. I know that it was a 2005 interview. It may have been exclusive to the DC Examiner. Thanks, 24.54.208.177 19:03, 4 September 2005 (UTC)
thread_title: Seeking higher office

message: During his service as Board Chairman, he was financed heavily by develpers in rapidly-growing Northern Virginia. Recognizing his ability to raise funds from lobbyists, Davis was named Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee from 1998 to 2002.
: Do you have any source for that?
::I did not put this in but I did include some links and expand.  The fundraising of Davis is quite high from business interests, PACs, and lobbyists including those with no interests in his district like $9,000 from Jack Abramoff. OpenSecrets.org.  [As with Howard Dean earning the Democratic post for his successful fundraising , using the 'Net to bring in new donors, Davis earned the post with his own fundraising skill.
:::I'm afraid that's not responsive to my question/criticism.  The fact that he received $9K from Abramoff is certainly not indicitive that he is good at rasising funds from lobbyists.  Further, your answer is that his fundraising is quite high from "business interests, PACs, and lobbyists", but the passage in question states only lobbyists.  Finally, most importantly, nowhere do you cite any evidence that he was named chair _because_ he was good at it. (BTW, you did indeed insert that line.  Or at least someone registered as User:Acham did). -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: NRCC

message: Despite an admitted transportation crisis in Northern Virginia with some of nation's worst traffic, Davis has received a 93-100% approval rating from developers who benefit from the congestion,
:This is POV as well as misleading.  First of all, developers do _not_ benefit from congestion, because when congestion is too high, people move away.  They may cause congestion, but they don't benefit from it.  Secondly, Davis has secured funding for transportation projects, Metro, etc.  Do you have any support for that?  
::Developers benefit handsomely from housing shortages, although perhaps not small businesses. Developers like the "Sand and Gravel," lumber, and building materials trade associations have no reason to care about traffic after they move on to the next neighborhood.  They don't care if people eventually move away, only if they first pay premium prices.  As for Davis, he showed up at a LOCAL zoning meeting to stop the sale of Metro land to for a high-density Smart Growth plan in favor instead of more sprawl.
:::I will repeat again, nobody benefits from congestion.  Yes, Davis did try to stop that Metro sale, but he's also done a number of other things to help reduce congestion.  (Those things listed below).  In any event, wouldn't "Sand and Gravel" also support more roads?  (Which may or may not lead to congestion). -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: His latest filing for 1Q2006 is here - keep in mind he doesn't even have an opponent in a primary yet. FWIW, You'll see lots of developers (and their wives separately under the "homemaker" title).  Acham 15:33, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Developers support 

message: For redistricting, areas of Prince William County were added to the district joining the remaining Fairfax County portions. Despite the Repblican-friendly redistricting of the 11th Congressional District in his favor, voters of his new district continue to move toward the Democratic Party. 
: I don't think this is accurate.  A large part of the reason that , e.g., PW County is tending Democratic, is because so many Dems are moving into the area.  In any event, it's irrelevant to the subject of Davis, it's only relevant if one wants to study the demographics of the district.  What is relevant is that while Bush and Kerry were close, Davis won in a landslide.
::For redistricting, areas of Prince William County were added to the district joining the remaining Fairfax County portions... I don't think this is accurate.
:::I did not put this in but I know the Republican Congress redistricted some areas out of part of Fairfax county to add parts of Prince William after the 2000 Census, in order to maintain Republican control over the seat in Democratic-leaning Fairfax. 
::::That's not the part I was objecting to.  I was objecting to your assertion that the voters were moving more Democratic.  Given that some parts of the district are the fastest growing counties in America, the shift towards blue may be simply because of people moving into those counties.  It is true that the district is moving more Democratic. (BTW, you did indeed insert  that line.  Or at least someone registered as User:Acham did)-- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Redistricting and voter tendencies

message: Davis is head of the Government Reform Committtee, which despite the scandals involving Abu Garib prison, WMDs, Jack Abramoff, and Hurricane Katrina, has issued no subpeonas for these investigations.
: Do you have any source which states that the Govt Refrom Committee has jurisdiction over Abu Gharib, WMD's, or Abramoff?  AFAIK, those are the juridictions of other committees.
::He is Chair of the Government Oversight committee which has issued no subpeonas despite much to investigate (Katrina, DeLay, federal workers forced to remove scientific information on global warming and women's health from the agency websites).  How do I prove no subpeonas, or the absence of action?
:::The jurisdiction of the Government Reform Committee includes the investigation of Federal Agencies, employees and contractors. This includes Army contractors and the CIA (Abu Garib), release of Classified Information (Valarie Plame leak), Congressional employees (Abramoff), Homeland Security and FEMA (Katrina) as well as health, science, and the supression of Federally-funded data (global warming, NASA).
::::Thanks for providing that link.  Nevertheless, that link also says: 'Government Reform may, at any time, conduct investigations of any matter regardless of whether another standing committee has jurisdiction over the matter.'.  I think it is potentially unfair, and potentially POV, to criticize one committee for not investigating something that another committee is investigating.  For example, Abramoff was investigated by a number of committees, so to criticize Davis' committee for not also investigating is unfair. -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
replies: text: Sholom - are you sure that Congressional committees investigated Abramoff?  I was under the impression that DOJ was essentially the only ones doing investigations of him.  John Broughton 23:28, 18 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Government Reform Committee

message: Davis supported the Terri Schiavo legislation to "subpeona" the brain-dead Mrs. Schiavo over her husband's objections.
: I know he supported federal intervention, but am unaware he supported a subpoena.  Do you have a source for that?
::The position of Davis now only seems to be on the site of the Minority Members, who opposed the action. The Government Reform Committee, under Davis' chairmanship, launched the investigation into Schiavo's case and issued the subpeona without any Republican objections. Davis said it was "a legitimate legislative inquiry."
:::Thanks for that cite.  You've answered my question. -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Terri Schiavo

message: Why did you remove references to Davis' involvement in getting funding for the Wilson Bridge?  Or his work on the DC College Access Act?
:The statement that he has some responsibility for the Woodrow Wilson Bridge is unsupported. It may be true. Is there a bill number?
::Fine.  You could always ask for a source here.  FWIW, a source that you yourself listed above,  mentions that Davis works together with Wolf and Moran on Wilson Bridge issues.  But the fact that Davis has been a major supporter of it is well known and all over the place.  (I mean, doesn't every Congressman want money for road projects in or around his district?).  See, e.g., .  In fact, he introduced the 'Woodrow Wilson Bridge Financing Act of 1999', http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h106-2563.  He was also the primary sponsor of the DC College Access Act as noted at http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h106-974. -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Funding for Wilson Bridge; DC College Access Act 

message: You don't need 13 links in space of two sentences to vote-smart
:Thank you.  Good point.  Done.
::Let me be more direct.  You've reduced it to six links to the same place in one sentence.  You only need one. -- Sholom 14:39, 17 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Vote-smart links

message: There was no term limit promise. Davis doesn't make promises or committments unless it is in favor of himself. The legislative piece the label at the top of the talk page is refering too was one that Davis signed as a political stunt. He knew very well when he signed it that it would not pass nor did he want it to pass. And as he predicted, it failed. I am removing the tag. 
DTfromDC 23:38, 24 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  No Term Limit Promise 

message: To respond to an earlier post... yes, the redistricting was all planned out. Davis, Moran, and Wolf sat down together and dealt out what they wanted. It was all planned to be in favor of the incumbent. It just so happens to be that at that time,JM, Tom Davis' current wife, was in the VA House in Richmond and was in charge of the bill that dealt out districts and the maps. It was all planned.
DTfromDC 23:50, 24 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Redistricting and voter tendencies 

message: Sholom sent me this note on my talk page:
:Hey there.  I was wondering if you might take a look at Thomas M. Davis (particularly Talk:Thomas M. Davis).  I am in the weird position of defending a congressman who I always vote against, because of what I perceive as somebody else trying to do a hack job.  Since you feel similarly regarding Conrad Burns, I thought you might be helpful with Davis.  Lemme know what you think? -- Sholom 14:07, 25 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: NPOV

message: I have some trouble with your changes because you took out the recent incidents I added to support the recent changes in positions by Davis, but you left in the arguably pro-Davis information I added at Sholom's request for balance.  If the recent info I added is POV, then so must be the list to offset it that Sholom asked for. I was negotiating with Sholom and considering everything he said, although not fast enough for him, I guess.  It'll be good to have your outside opinion.  Let's discuss so this doesn't become an editing war.
Also, no one is pro-abortion like they can be pro-environment, unless you know some activists who are chaining themselves to pregnant women as if they were trees and begging them to try out an abortion clinic.  People are for abortion rights or against it.
:I haven't read through all the changes, but I agree with Acham on this last statement.  He's either pro-choice or pro-abortion rights, but not pro-abortion. -- Sholom 23:24, 28 April 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Response

message: The Schiavo subpeona continues to be important information.  Also, without information connecting Davis's tenure on a Board with its ranking, there is no reason to include it. Your source is not firsthand but is the "Design-Build Institute" quoting City and State magazine in a piece of lobbying information.
:Since when is a secondary source not allowed?  In any event here is a better cite, it's the actual minutes of the Fairfax Board meeting when the text to the City and State magazine were entered into the record.  As the Chair and Board run the county, I fail to see how there is _not_ a connection. -- Sholom 17:19, 16 May 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Schiavo 

message: **What was the investigation on that you refer to?  If you mean the hiring of his wife by someone with a matter pending in his office to conduct almost no work, and the work she did have was to get her husband to speak at an annual meeting?  Taking the most expensive junket of any Representative in the region? If an investigation cleared Davis, we can link to that.  What I read was that Davis asked for an ETHICS OPINION, not an investigation, and not till after his wife had been getting paid by ICG for at least a year.  That Ethics Opinion said there might be nothing wrong if she didn't invoke his name at work.  However, her company bio DID invoke his name, and her job involved planning the annual meeting, where her husband spoke. The Ethics Opinion had nothing to say about what the two actually did, just how they should have proceeded if he had asked BEFORE the Post started working on the article.  The whole point is, if there was an investigation to be done, it would be HIS committee who would do it; as Chair he decides what should be on the agenda.
**These allegations are not from any opponents website.  The links are to Washington Post articles of Davis threatening Metro officials and MLB, from his own committee's subpeona of Mr and Mrs Schiavo. The list of investigations requested and denied (WMDs in Iraq, Abu Gharib, Valarie Plame, Halliburton, etc) are from the minority committee members who made the investigation requests.  The fact that the same abuses inspired others to oppose him is irrelevant.
**Please frame any your objections in light of Wiki NPOV policy to "Let the Facts Speak for Themselves."
Acham 03:03, 2 August 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Corruption Allegations 

message: Let me start with a small simple one.  You have entire section called "Major League Baseball Team in Washington", and you have a single sentence: "Davis threatened Major League Baseball with an investigation when a Democrat offered to buy the Washington Nationals."  This is misleading, biased, and inaccurate, for a number of reasons:
*The citation is from an opinion piece, not a news source
*The opinion cited says nothing about a threatened investigation (rather, it mentions an already ongoing steroid investigation)
*Your sentence seems to imply that Davis' complaint was that a Democrat offered to purchase it
*Even the phrase "offered to buy" is inaccurate: the person Davis objected to (Soros) was to be only one member of only one of eight bidding groups
*Davis was one of a group of folks who made comments
*This section describes (in a misleading and inaccurate way) an extremely minor incident, which I would argue doesn't even merit inclusion.  This is not a diary of his life.  Furthermore, you leave out major incidents (e.g., that his committee did investigate steroid use in baseball)
*This single sentence does not merit an entire subsection heading
-- Sholom 16:14, 26 September 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Examples of Bias: #1 - MLB 

message: Please keep an eye out for the return of the copyvio of
http://tomdavis.house.gov/davis_contents/about/
or other attempts to replace the encyclopedic content with verbiage from the subject's official web site. -- Phuongj 03:39, 9 November 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Copyvio 

message: Chap Petersen announced today he would run the VA State Senate against Davis wife Jeannemarie Devolities Davis. Husband Tom Davis already has reportedly taken steps to influence nearby races that would affect turn out. It will be a tough race. Please keep an eye out for return of her husband's staffers and her own to remove the encyclopedic content or replace it with words from the one of the couple's official web sites.Acham 04:52, 4 January 2007 (UTC)
thread_title:  Jeannemarie Devolities Davis 

message: There is so much political information in here that is biased that there is hardly any value to this article anymore. I belive the purpose of this article was intended to be a biography containing information so that someone could reuse this information for research purposes;however, it is so saturated with partisan politics that I belive that was not accomplished. It used to be a decent article. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 72.66.92.78 (talk) 04:48, 14 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title:  Biased 

message: Please sign your posts; don't you want to be associated with your work?
I'm not sure why "political information" would be out of place in a "political biography."  Speaking of partisanship, you keep forgetting to add the Boston Globe and Washington Post's coverage of the partisan ineffectiveness of Davis himself.
Globe here: 
Post here:and here
 Acham 04:37, 28 December 2006 (UTC)
thread_title: Davis staffer?

message: Are Davis' comments about "Barrack" (as he spells it) Obama relevant in his article? Has anyone given this any thought or research? Fdssdf (talk) 16:43, 16 May 2008 (UTC)
thread_title: "Tar Baby"

message: There's a tag that proof has to be provided that Davis is an anti-illegal immigration activist. The article just mentions that he was "opposes amnesty for illegal immigrants". This article, called Representative Thomas Davis record on immigration reform and illegal aliens, summarizes "Overall, Representative Thomas Davis has a moderate record when it comes to immigration reform".
It would seem clear that this proves that he is anti-illegal immigration. The question seems to be whether he is also an activist. I have not found any evidence (using Google) that he made any special efforts in connection with this opinion, besides his work in the House.
Is this called an activist or no? Debresser (talk) 02:23, 5 February 2009 (UTC)
replies: text: If there's any evidence that he's an activist, rather than just a politician who's taken a position on an issue, then we can add the category back.   Will Beback  talk   00:16, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
replies: text:  I also saw your more elaborate reply on Talk:William_E._Dannemeyer#anti-illegal_immigration_activist, including some historical Wikipedia perspective. Thank you. Debresser (talk) 00:24, 14 June 2009 (UTC)
thread_title:  anti-illegal immigration activist 

message: Substituted at 08:38, 30 April 2016 (UTC)
thread_title: Assessment comment

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thread_title:  External links modified 

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thread_title:  External links modified 

message: He sponsored the ridiculous post office pension bill that put them so far in the red. https://www.congress.gov/bill/109th-congress/house-bill/6407
McGruffs (talk) 19:42, 14 April 2020 (UTC)
replies: text: Yes! Why is PAEA not mentioned in all of this? Tom Davis nearly destroyed the USPS single-handedly, and I'm not sure anyone knows why. He's mentioned and linked to in the opening of the article about PAEA, but there's no link back to it. The bill immediately put the USPS into massive debt and caused the 2020 postal crisis. It deserves its own section on his page. Kylegetsspam (talk) 15:15, 5 April 2024 (UTC)
thread_title:  post office bill