Albo & Roads: Where's the Beef?

Yet again, we take issue with the MSM (mainstream media) for failing to present an accurate picture of the position of Delegate Dave Albo. One of these days, local reporters will actually study his record and actually ask him tough questions - like this one from this famous consumer advocate:

At this year's Republican State Convention, anti-tax social conservatives cleaned house and nearly took out Jim Gilmore. In today's Washington Post, Del. Dave Albo said:

"Everybody is answering to the 3,000 people who show up at party conventions, and no one is answering to the [millions] who want some roads," said Del. David B. Albo (R-Fairfax), who added that both parties need to be mindful of their base but strive for middle ground. Republican Convention in Va. Sends a Message, Washington Post, B1 (June 3, 2008).

AMG finds it interesting that the Washington Post would even consider posting such a quote from an elected official with a (1) long-established, (2) well-documented, (3) extreme, (4) reactionary, and (5) ideological stance against all taxes without any kind clarification whatsoever

Side Note
(come to think of it, it would kind of be like quoting a legislator who supports "abuser fees" without mentioning they're a criminal defense attorney who financially benefits from them.... wait, er, bad example because the Washington Post did that also.... (see AMG, Albo Creates and Angry Horde and Pads His Pocket (June 23, 2007)))

So what's Albo's record?

Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, said phone bills, particularly various taxes tacked onto bills, trail only abortion and gun control as a top issue for his constituents.' Richmond Times-Dispatch 9.7.2000

How about this?

2007 - ATR Signers of Taxpayer Protection Pledge (Albo 1 of 28 on p.10)
2006 - ATR Signers of Taxpayer Protection Pledge (Albo 1 of 28 on p.10)
2005 - ATR Pledge Signer's Update (Albo 1 of 32 on p.10)
2004 - ATR Pledge Signer's Update (Albo 1 of 33 in VA on p.10)
2003 - ATR Press Release - Albo Pledges to Oppose Tax Increases
2002 - ATR - Pledge Signers Update (Albo Listed on P. 10)
2001 - ATR, The Tax Reformer (Albo Listed as 2001 Pledge Signer on P. 17)

And how about these for good measure:

2004 - Voting NO on Governor Warner's Investments in NoVa's schools
2003 - Voting for the Local transportation referendum bill but refusing to campaign for its passage (See, AMG - Albo Flips Flops on Transportation & Taxes)
2001 - Voting against the 2001 Local transportation referendum bill

And the funny thing is Del. Dave Albo hasn't really changed his position:

2008 - Albo Listed as One of Only 22 Va. HOD Taxpayer Protection Pledge Signers

So the number of Virginia signers to the anti-tax pledge has dwindled from 33 in 2004 down to 22 in 2008 with Delegate Dave Albo continuing to sign and THIS IS THE GUY THE WASHINGTON POST SOURCES ABOUT HIS COLLEAGUES NOT BEING MODERATE ON ROAD FUNDING?!?

Here's that pledge again:

I, [Delegate Dave Albo,] pledge to the taxpayers of the [42nd] district of the State of [Virginia] and to all the people of this state, that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes. ATR, State Taxpayer Protection Pledge.

Taxpayer pledge signing Delegate Albo claiming to be working on a real transportation solution is kind of like asking a vegetarian how he's coming on making that ground beef.

While we can appreciate that there are virtually no Republicans left in Northern Virginia to talk to for quote, that reporters are busy and it's easier to simply print something an official says to you without researching it, and it may be true that asking probing questions about blatant hypocrisy might result in no returned phone call next time, but the media still has a responsibility to report some modicum of information that's actually accurate.

Next time Del. Dave Albo says he's working towards a real long-term road solution we have a suggestion, ask him:

WHERE'S THE BEEF?