George,

You are absolutely right that we don't have a viable two party system in Charlottesville. This is because the Republicans in town are so out of touch with the voting citizens in Charlottesville. The Democrats for Change vs the Democratic establishment is as close to party competition as we get. However I don't think the lack of a two party system has anything to do with the "Affairs of Honor". I think it has to do differing personalities or perspectives.

I don't know anything about Camille Cooper other than she has accused me of being a male sexist pig. She obviously doesn't know anything about me either. But I would have to guess that Camille is different from Lloyd [Snook]. Lloyd is an attorney and that gives him a special outlook that nonlawyers don't see.

The issue of childcare is an example. Lloyd was looking at the liability issue that others of us didn't consider because childcare was such an appealing idea. If I were to fault Loyd for anything it would be for not making his reasons for not supporting childcare better known.

Lloyd's work on the rules for the convention assured us that we had a fair convention. This is extremely important because if people don't trust the system they drop out. I certainly don't always agree with Lloyd but I always respect and trust him. He certainly has my support to be Democratic co-chair as long as he would like to be.

Downing Smith (electronic mail, March 25, 2002)