Virginia News Headlines: Wednesday Morning

by: lowkell

Wed Jun 19, 2013 at 06:16:35 AM EDT

*Maddow Blasts GOP Fringe Views, Fetal Masturbation Theory: They Keep Finding New Ways To Shock Us (Not sure why we'd be shocked; as I've said for a while now, the GOP has morphed into a bunch of loony-tunes, tinfoil-hat, extremist John Birchers.)
*House GOP approves sweeping anti-abortion bill (Republicans continue their relentless war on women's reproductive freedom.)
*CBO: Senate immigration bill will cut deficit $197B over 10 years (So much for THAT argument by "conservatives" against immigration reform.)
*Nate Silver: Politico Co-Founders Lack 'Curiosity For The World Outside Of The Bubble' (Go Nate!)
*In coded e-mails, clues that helped foil terror plots
*Analyst: Scratch Bob McDonnell off presidential candidate list (And every other future candidate list. He's toast.)
*Kaine, Warner: keep immigration debate in the Senate
*A Va. judge's transportation roadblock ("Cales decided that a plan to have a private developer toll users for $2.1 billion in tunnel upgrades in crowded Hampton Roads is unconstitutional. Only the state has the power to tax and that's what tolls really are, Cales ruled.")
*McAuliffe, at Silver Line station, touts support of project, says Cuccinelli fought it
*Schapiro: Debate over debates spotlights candidates' flaws ("Cuccinelli wants to debate as often as possible because he is a flawed messenger. He needs to change the subject from a lengthening string of ethical snags. Star Scientific and Consol Energy are becoming shorthand for a seemingly politicized attorney general's office")

Virginia News Headlines: Tuesday Morning

by: lowkell

Tue Jun 18, 2013 at 06:12:51 AM EDT

*U.S., Iran soften tone, but change may come slowly
*Preserving a sacrosanct right ("Supreme Court was right to strike down an Ariz. measure demanding proof of citizenship from voters.")
*Opinion recap: One hand giveth....
*Virginia Losing Republican Grip of Old With New Voters
*E.W. Jackson: I Stand By Everything I Said About Gays And Planned Parenthood (The guy's completely insane.)
*Chichester endorses McAuliffe in governor race
*Virginia taxpapers paid for the governor's 'detox cleanses?'
*Va. Medicaid commission meets for first time (The bottom line is that if we want to expand Medicaid to tens of thousands of uninsured Virginians, we need to elect Terry McAuliffe governor.)
*Kaine co-sponsors bill ending ban on drug price negotiations
*Transportation secretary: Va. could lose up to $2B in toll ruling ("Sean Connaughton told state legislators that Virginia would be out at least $700 million if the decision striking down tolls for the Downtown and Midtown tunnels remains.")
*Planetary menace and artist's medium ("Now, two efforts aim to reduce flip-flop waste from both ends of the supply chain.")
*Federal authorities raid New York, Virginia 7-Eleven stores in human smuggling probe
*McAuliffe calls debate haggling a staff matter
*Grant funds hiring of more school resource officers in Va.
*Tea Party to Host Anti-Streetcar Scholar in Westover (This really says it all...no further commentary necessary except BUILD THE STREETCAR!)
*Council president wants referendum on ballpark site
*Forecast: A humid, cloudy Tuesday with chances of rain showers
*Phillies pull ahead of Nationals in the bottom of the ninth inning

Poor Maureen, Appears Bob Involved Her in Fraud

by: Dan Sullivan

Mon Jun 17, 2013 at 12:28:11 PM EDT

Governor McDonnell cannot credibly claim ignorance on the expense claims. He proudly advertises he is a veteran and his service continued until rather recently. Military personnel submit travel claims for reimbursement and during that drill, the definitions and implications of a fraudulent claim are clear to everyone. Then maybe the Feds should be investigating his military travel claims too. Maybe he "regularly" claimed an enema or whatever that bowel cleansing treatment was on those submissions. Regardless, he owes taxes on those false claims.

But that really is just minor compared to the potentially felonious fraud that the gift from Jonnie R. Williams represents. Sadly, Bob may have implicated his daughter Cailin too. You see, the presumption in the tax code is that any gift is taxable. There are reasonable exceptions that are outlined below the fold. This is all designed to prevent bribery and influence peddling from going unpunished.

There are really three circumstances affecting the status of the catering payment by Jonnie (I hope I can call you Jonnie):

• Jonnie paid a bill for Bob McDonnell covering catering for Cailin's wedding in a quid pro quo arrangement that Bob must declare as income
• Jonnie paid a bill for Cailin nee McDonnell covering catering for Cailin's wedding in a quid pro quo arrangement that Cailin must declare as income
• Jonnie filed a federal gift tax return declaring a gift to either Bob or Cailin; basically attesting that there is no quid pro quo arrangement

Virginia News Headlines: Monday Morning

by: lowkell

Mon Jun 17, 2013 at 06:40:51 AM EDT

*Turkey Expands Violent Reaction to Street Unrest (Totally unacceptable.)
*Same-Sex Couples, A Widow, And A Nation Wait On The Supreme Court (This could be an historic week at the Supreme Court. Stay tuned...)
*Lindsey Graham Warns GOP: 'It Doesn't Matter Who We Run In 2016′ If Immigration Reform Fails (Especially since it will be the Republicans' fault if it does...)
*Republicans try to use 'Obamacare' to derail immigration reform efforts (So...Republicans don't like Latinos getting health care OR being granted citizenship. Lovely.)
*To my daughter on Father's Day: Sorry I used to be a sexist (Excellent column by Mo Elleithee!)
*Mansion spending records indicate improper billing by McDonnell family ("The Va. governor and his family have used taxpayer money to pay for personal items such as sunscreen.")
*Battle lines drawn in Va. Medicaid overhaul
*Dude! WaPo Columnist Ventures Look at Downstate Road Project!
*Salamanders' disappearance raises pollution concerns
*What is WMATA's long-range financial plan?
*Tejada: State of County Is Strong Despite Challenges
*D.C. area forecast: Partly stormy to start week, then mostly awesome following
*Nationals vs. Indians: Stephen Strasburg's return isn't enough to pull Washington from offensive slump

Audio: Yours Truly Talks Virginia Politics on the Kudzu Vine Radio Show

by: lowkell

Sun Jun 16, 2013 at 21:55:28 PM EDT

P.S. My segment starts a bit after 20 minutes in...

Virginia News Headlines: Sunday Morning

by: lowkell

Sun Jun 16, 2013 at 06:34:22 AM EDT

*Iranians elect moderate reformer as new president (Clearly, Iranians want a new, moderate, reformist path by overwhelming majorities. The question is, will the hard-line ayatollahs and the powerful Revolutionary Guard allow it? I'm VERY skeptical, but we'll see...)
*U.S. surveillance targets Internet, phone metadata
*Candidates for Va. attorney general spar in first debate (Teapublican Mark Obenshain tries to run from his extreme, right-wing views. Fortunately, Democrat Mark Herring doesn't let him get away with it.)
*Wasteful Charlottesville highway reflects poor McDonnell approach ("Novelist Grisham is right to call proposed Charlottesville highway a 'boneheaded... boondoggle.'")
*Do more to restore voting rights
*Virginia attorney general's office raises questions with role in class-action case
*Only 49 uncontested incumbents for House of Delegates
*Fracking is too risky in a national forest ("The George Washington National Forest is one of a very few remote places left on the East Coast. It would be a mistake to turn it into another industrial site, even in the name of energy independence.")
*Schapiro: Va. Democrats could be paving way for GOP victory (That's the first time, maybe ever, that I've read a Jeff Schapiro column, scratched my head and said "what on earth?!?")
*Race for governor may hinge on who can overcome flaws
*AG candidates draw clear distinctions in first debate
*Virginia still undecided on Medicaid expansion (You know, when even Jan Brewer pushes for Medicaid expansion, you know that Bob McDonnell is completely off the deep end.)
*Solar-powered plane flying across US reaches Washington area from Cincinnati; 1 leg left to NY
*Ovechkin wins NHL MVP award
*Nationals 7, Indians 6: Rendon makes most of second chance with first career homer

Virginia News Headlines: Saturday Morning

by: lowkell

Sat Jun 15, 2013 at 07:09:08 AM EDT

*Moderate cleric leads six-man field as Iran counts presidential ballots (Verrrry interesting. If Hassan Rouhani wins, it will be interesting to see what, if anything, he can do to turn things around with the international community, etc.)
*Polls Show Chemical Weapons Affect Public's View on Syria
*McLean to Host First Virginia Governor's Race Debate
*Virginia Democrats say Cuccinelli should request IG probe of his own office
*Bullshittery and bad candidates. ("E.W. Jackson, the Republican Party's train wreck of a lieutenant governor candidate, is Exhibit A. No rational person could look at his candidacy and think this is a good idea. This is not a debatable point. Anybody rational who would debate that point now would concede privately that they're bullshitting, and is liable to do so publicly come November.")
*State Revenue Surges, but Growth Not Sustainable
*It's men only on Virginia's statewide ballot for November's elections (Uhhh....why is this a story NOW? With only men running in the Democratic primaries last Tuesday, and with the Teapublican convention over weeks ago, this "story"'s timing is very strange.)
*GOP candidate for Va. lieutenant governor has a steep learning curve ("Learning curve?" The guy's a crazy extremist, what's he going to "learn" at this point in his life exactly? Stupid headline.)
*Former GOP governor Holton backs Democrat McAuliffe ("Ex-Republican governor cites Democrat's focus on economic issues")
*Abortion clinic in Va. files grievance over building rules
*Rigell urges Obama to consult Congress on Syria (That's fine in theory, the problem is that the Senate's dysfunctional and the House is controlled by Tea Party crazies. Hmmm.)
*McDonnell in mountains for PAC retreat (Ain't that precious?)
*SCC official: Reject plan for Brunswick plant
*Virginia Beach proposes giving $18 million for Cavalier project
*D.C. area forecast: Super Saturday, slightly less splendid Sunday
*Bang-bang, Nats fall in Cleveland (This season's been really frustrating so far, and it doesn't seem to be getting any frustrating...)  

Virginia News Headlines: Friday Morning

by: lowkell

Fri Jun 14, 2013 at 06:35:39 AM EDT

*U.S. will provide military support to rebels in Syria
*U.S. Confirms Syrian Government's Use Of Chemical Weapons (Not sure why it took so long to confirm this, but now that President Obama's "red line" has been crossed, we'll see what happens...)
*With Supreme Court rulings near, Obama faces pressure on gay rights
*Obama Tells Keystone Foes He Will Unveil Climate Measures (That's the "ballgame" right there for Obama's legacy. If he fails on climate, his presidency will be looked at in many ways as a failure as well. If he succeeds on climate, the opposite is true.)
*Legal fight over drilling money becomes part of Virginia governor's election battle (It's not the "legal fight" that is Cuccinelli's problem, it's his pervasive corruption in a number of areas - the "US Navy Veterans" scam, Star Scientific, the persecution of Michael Mann, the oil and gas scandal, etc.)
*The Democrats' Counterforce Troika ("Setting up a nice counterpoint to the Republican Party's strident assault on women's issues and other social matters, Ralph S. Northam, one of two good options, was selected as lieutenant governor candidate for the Democratic Party in Tuesday's primary. Winning the attorney general nomination was Mark R. Herring.")
*McDonnell Probe Taints Cuccinelli Virginia Governor Bid ("For Cuccinelli, who like McDonnell has links to the targeted businessman, the timing of the investigation's progression couldn't be worse: a related trial, which will focus on felony embezzlement charges against the governor's former chef, is scheduled to be held in mid-October.")
*Northern Virginia dominates statewide races this fall
*Maddow Eviscerates GOP's Obsession With Sodomy, Voodoo, Satanism: 'This Is What Party Is Like Right Now'
*The Washington Examiner local news team says goodbye after eight years (The local news team was the GOOD part of this far-right-wing, insane rag. I just wish the rest of the Examiner would disappear, but keep the local news team.)
*Northern Virginia abortion clinic files grievance over building rules
*Was Democratic turn-out "abysmal" or an increase?
*Silver Line's December opening may be delayed over new safety concerns
*Ousters open two more chairmanships in House of Delegates
*Congressman's car has a lot of miles on it, but no hubcaps
*State panel to vote today on fox-penning regulations (This is appalling and should be banned immediately. WTF?)
*Thousands without power after storms in Roanoke, New River valleys
*Fast storm spawns tornado
*Zimmerman homers, Desmond has four hits as Nationals beat Rockies

Virginia News Headlines: Thursday Morning

by: lowkell

Thu Jun 13, 2013 at 06:43:24 AM EDT

*NSA head: Leaks have caused U.S. 'great harm'
*Trent Franks: 'Incidence of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low' (Ahhhh...Republicans.)
*It's a man's life in the GOP ("Republican misters push new abortion restrictions.")
*The Va. GOP's abortion canard ("Atty. Gen. Ken Cuccinelli plays fast and loose with the facts on abortion and race.")
*Virginia candidate E.W. Jackson admits past money problems, drug use
*Settling in at top of the ballot ("...for voters, the choices have seldom been so sharp.")
*Gas litigation, debate discord issues persist post primary
*AG candidates to debate in Va. Beach Saturday
*New Va. Democratic ticket appears in Richmond
*A gift? You shouldn't have. Really. ("Hints of scandal hound the governor in his legacy-making final year. Virginia's lawmakers should trade the perks of office for peace of mind.")
*Ken Cuccinelli pushes workforce development in Southside Virginia (Problem is, Cuckoo believes the government's evil.)
*Smithfield CEO says decision to sell was "logical," even if unpopular
*D.C. area outpaces nation in booming Asian, Hispanic growth
*Interfering with nature comes with a price ("Pouring rain scours the hardscape, carrying its toxins to nearby streams. Regulations soon will require the Roanoke River region to stop the poisonous flow.")
*HRT takes turn toward efficiency - and savings roll in
*Forecast: A sweaty day with serious storm potential
*In his Nationals debut, Ohlendorf holds his own against the Rockies
*NFL Commissioner: Redskins Name 'Stands For Strength, Courage, Pride and Respect' (Utter idiocy.)

Virginia News Headlines: Wednesday Morning

by: lowkell

Wed Jun 12, 2013 at 06:34:18 AM EDT

*Cuccinelli's Starring Role in "As the Crony Turns" ("Corruptinelli rides again")
*Va. GOP rescinds request for concealed handgun data (What a fiasco.)
*What Was State GOP Thinking? ("Almost as quickly as news erupted that the Republican Party of Virginia had requested lists of all concealed weapon permit holders from all circuit court clerk offices across the commonwealth, someone in the party headquarters thought better of this boneheaded idea.")
*Dubious defense on oil and gas case ("The level of involvement by Cuccinelli's office in the current case is clearly inappropriate. It is, perhaps, eclipsed only by Cuccinelli's explanation, which is itself worthy of rejection. In the strongest possible terms.")
*Kaine delivers entire Senate speech in Spanish
*The debate  over debates ("Cuccinelli and McAuliffe will have multiple debates. The argument over how many is background noise.")
*Primary results: Northam for Lt. Gov., Herring for AG
*Democratic election ticket set in primary
*Democrats round out statewide ticket in Virginia
* (If even Republican hack Rassmussen shows McAuliffe ahead of Cuccinelli, then he's definitely ahead!)
*Cost of compiling concealed weapon holders too much, Republicans say
*Cuccinelli offers workforce training plans amid primary election
*Schapiro: Va.'s members-only approach to representative democracy ("The fewer the voters, the better for Byrd. Fewer offices filled by popular vote meant more power for the elite. One of Byrd's first initiatives: Compress the statewide ballot, restricting voters' selections to governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. It required the voters' OK. Because there weren't many, approval wasn't in doubt.")
*McAuliffe, Bolling buddy up at VA Free luncheon
*Salahi shifts to write-in campaign for governor
*Poston wins Democratic bid for Norfolk revenue commissioner
*Metro expects to end year with $20 million surplus
*Haren rocked again as Colorado rolls 8-3 in first game of Nats' road trip (Getting close to the point where the Nats need to make a decision about what to do with Haren. He simply hasn't been cutting it.)

Virginia News Headlines: Tuesday Morning (Primary Day)

by: lowkell

Tue Jun 11, 2013 at 05:59:26 AM EDT

*Majority Views NSA Phone Tracking as Acceptable Anti-terror Tactic (Fascinating: Republicans supported these programs 75%-23% in 1/06, when Bush was in the White House, but now are only at 52% support when Obama is in there. Meanwhile, Democratic support is way up, from 37% when Bush was president to 64% now. Hmmmm.)
*Leaks raise questions about outsourcing intelligence work (It's definitely a concern, although I must say I worked with many fine private contractors when I was in the government.)
*Edward Snowden is No Hero ("...our system offers legal options to disgruntled government employees and contractors. They can take advantage of federal whistle-blower laws; they can bring their complaints to Congress; they can try to protest within the institutions where they work. But Snowden did none of this.")
*Obama administration drops fight for age restrictions on morning-after pill (I never understood this one; glad they've dropped it.)
*In NSA programs, democracy works in secret ("Just as it is important not to exaggerate the national security risks of transparency, it is also important not to give into the anti-government paranoia of grandstanding politicians such as Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who on Sunday invoked the tyranny of King George III to criticize programs that are the result of a checked, deliberative process across three branches of government")
*Va. senator seeks inquiry into Cuccinelli's office over gas litigation ("A Southwest Virginia legislator Monday called for an state Inspector General investigation into Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's office after a federal judge rebuked a lawyer on his staff for assisting two energy companies as they defend against lawsuits from citizens over natural gas royalties.")
*Voters to complete Democratic ticket in Virginia primary
*AG stands with citizens (Ken Cuccinelli misleads and distorts in the Roanoke Times. In no way, shape, or form has Ken Cuccinelli enforced the laws of Virginia impartially, regardless of who stood to benefit, as Attorney General. That's beyond laughable.)
*Setting stage for November
*Virginia Democrats to complete statewide ticket Tuesday
*McDonnell flees queries about probe ("Governor says he can't talk about a federal grand jury investigation into gifts")
*Virginia GOP Lt. Gov. Candidate: "Satanic Rock," Witches Destroying Society
*Ken Cuccinelli's Running Mate Is More Moderate Than Him on At Least One Thing: Banning Gay S
*Va. mortgage borrowers getting $33M in deal
*Warner appointed to chair Senate Commerce subcommittee
*Study: most Virginia college spending not on instruction
*Critics: Va. inconsistently applies health rules to abortion clinics, hopsitals (Seems like this should be the basis for a lawsuit.)
*Democrat Brian Lang joins race for Hollins District seat
*What's broken about the Nats that can't be fixed in two weeks? Nothing.
*Storm brings flooding, tornado

Virginia News Headlines: Monday Morning

by: lowkell

Mon Jun 10, 2013 at 06:11:28 AM EDT

*Source of NSA leak reveals himself
*Report: Rise in carbon dioxide emissions may be 'a disaster for all' (In other words, anyone - like Ken Cuccinelli, for instance -  who resists a rapid transition off of fossil fuels is aiding and abetting a catastrophe.)
*Libertarianism's Achilles' heel ("Libertarianism doesn't work in the real world.")
*Shocking, but not surprising ("A judge says the attorney general's office has been aiding and abetting Big Coal in its fight not to pay landowners for the gas it has taken from them." How is this not illegal?!?)
*Virginia candidate Jackson has history of money problems ("The Republican nominee for lieutenant governor in Virginia, Chesapeake pastor E.W. Jackson, has a long history of financial and legal troubles, including his repeated failure to pay taxes in Massachusetts and Virginia, The Washington Examiner has learned.")
*Voters, take note of Tuesday's primary ("Virginians who want a voice can help choose the Democratic candidates, anyway.")
*With Close of Democratic Primary, 'Eyes of the Country Are Going to Be on Virginia Voters' (That's laughable; in fact, only a miniscule percentage of Americans will be following this, and only a miniscule percentage of Virginians will probably vote tomorrow.)
*LTM Editorial: A shift right ("We are disturbed by the trio's extreme social views, but are equally uneasy about the economic plan that Mr. Cuccinelli has put forward...")
*Loudoun delegate will be witness before grand jury in probe related to McDonnell ("Ramadan confirms he is to appear at probe related to McDonnell")
*Democratic AG candidates want to overhaul office
*Primaries enable an intraparty payback ("... the real bad blood is lower on the ticket, where seven House incumbents - five of them Republicans - representing 112 years of combined legislative experience face nomination challenges from newcomers who believe they've broken faith within their parties.")
*Q&A with U.Va. President Teresa Sullivan
*Q&A with U.Va. Rector Helen Dragas
*Loudoun transforms property valuation and taxation systems
*D.C. area forecast: Stormy Monday and middle of the week, quieter by Friday
*Nationals sweep a pair from Twins

Video: Virginia Republicans Want Concealed Carry Holders' Personal Information

by: lowkell

Sun Jun 09, 2013 at 14:41:10 PM EDT

NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News

Virginia News Headlines: Sunday Morning

by: lowkell

Sun Jun 09, 2013 at 06:33:20 AM EDT

*Climate science tells us the alarm bells are ringing
*U.S., tech firms say surveillance lawful, limited
*Obama warns Chinese president
on dangers of continued cybertheft
*NSA Revelations Bring Democrats And Republicans Together In Outrage (The bizarre thing is that almost every single member of Congress voted for this kind of surveillance, not once but repeatedly. Why are they "outraged" now when they're the ones who pushed this?!?)
*After transportation bill, Va. House Republicans face rare challenge ("Five GOP delegates face opponents Tuesday, and one big reason is this year's transportation tax hike.")
*Schapiro: Bob and Maureen talk it through ("A late-night, might-have-been conversation at the Executive Mansion between Gov. Bob McDonnell and first lady Maureen McDonnell")
*Light turnout expected for state primaries
*Democrats to fill in ticket in primary ("Tuesday's primary will pick the Democratic candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.")
*Northam, Chopra vie for Democratic Lt. Gov. nod
*Who's Winning the Money Race for Lt. Governor, Attorney General? ("Democrat Aneesh Chopra continues to outraise his opponent; Herring stays in the lead going into the Primary.")
*Critical vote on Beach light rail ("Tuesday's vote is the start to a process that must be methodical and completely transparent. Virginia Beach's future as a financially healthy, vibrant place to live and visit is at stake.")
*Tensions between Va. Beach House candidates flare again
*Plumbing contractor overbilled Norfolk for more than a decade
*U.VA. SAGA: A year after U.Va. failed ouster, healing continues
*An ideology that punishes children ("The prevailing political philosophy in Richmond starves public schools of sufficient funding. Voters must object.")
*Seven is the unlucky number for Nats ("Craig Stammen absorbs the loss as the seventh and final reliever to take the mound against Minnesota.")

Virginia News Headlines: Saturday Morning

by: lowkell

Sat Jun 08, 2013 at 06:41:59 AM EDT

*Obama defends sweeping surveillance efforts (Interesting: Rep. Connolly "said he was unconvinced by the president's assurances that surveillance efforts are constrained by congressional oversight and the federal courts.")
*Wall St. rallies after U.S. jobs data, ends up for week (I continue to be so confused; didn't Republicans warn us a gazillion times that the "socialist" - actually more like an Eisenhower Republican - in the White House was bad for business? So why is the stock market booming, and why is the economy recovering? Hmmmmm...perhaps the stock market and the broader economy have always done better under Democrats than Republicans?)
*Longest Serving Congressperson Should Be Heard, Not Just Heralded (Nice article by former Rep. Tom Perriello.)
*Reince Priebus Praises E.W. Jackson As 'Dynamic' And 'Articulate' (That's the head of the Republican National Committee right there. This party is seriously the 2013 version of the John Birch Society.)
*Mixed signals from GOP stalwarts' campaign giving
*Va. Republican Lt. Governor Candidate Said Birth Defects Were Caused By Sin ("It is the principle of sin, rebellion against God and His truth which has brought about birth defects and other destructive natural occurrences.")
*Prominent Va. Beach developer backs McAuliffe (Also prominent Republican and McDonnell associate.)
*Chopra and Northam approach finish line in primary race
*Chopra banking on innovative experience in race for LG
*Business Taxes Not a Problem State Gov't Should Try to Solve (Yeah, it's hard to see how cutting BPOL doesn't mean higher property taxes for all of us. Blech.)
*Former Va. official helps outline the path forward in health care
*Cuccinelli and McAuliffe ask each other, "Where's the beef?"
*Buying insurance in coastal areas is getting more expensive
*Virginia ups speed limit on Beltway express lanes
*National Science Foundation Moving to Alexandria
*Andrea drenches Virginia, causes flooding
*Forecast: Clouds, humid and warm

Justin Fairfax - The Punches Ben (and others) Pulled

by: Dan Sullivan

Fri Jun 07, 2013 at 21:43:01 PM EDT

On separate occasions I recently ran across Brent McKenzie and Susan Hippen in Hampton Roads. Each of them is running for a seat in the Virginia House of Delegates. Neither of them is a newcomer to local politics or is unfamiliar to Democrats in Virginia Beach. Everyone in the local committee understands they have paid dues. Brent has been doing yeoman's work for the local committee as long as I can remember. Susan spent many an evening making calls for then candidate Obama and working for other Democratic campaigns in Virginia. Both have a history of personal accomplishment. Neither burst onto the scene without laying the groundwork. Easy to take them seriously.

...Mr. Fairfax, while certainly possessed of potential, did very little of note while at the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia (E.D. Va.). It is unclear if he personally tried a single jury trial while serving as an AUSA. Indeed, his only verifiable lead prosecutorial credit is to an indictment for a phone snatching case in 2011. - PhilVABlue comment on NLS

When Justin Fairfax surfaced as a candidate for Attorney general, he came across as an interloper. No one could cite his work with local committees in Northern Virginia or the DPVA. Nowhere in his own biography does he mention any involvement in local democratic organizations. He could have a pass for that if instead he had spent time with some other local community organization, but that does not appear the case either. Rather, he embellishes a rather mundane series of accomplishments.  

Virginia News Headlines: Friday Morning

by: lowkell

Fri Jun 07, 2013 at 06:49:32 AM EDT

*What You Need To Know About The Government's Massive Online Spying Program
*Eugene Robinson: Does Verizon records case mean an end to privacy?
*US judged shocked by Va. role in lawsuit ("A federal judge has expressed shock that an assistant Virginia attorney general has been assisting two natural gas companies that are being sued by landowners who allege the companies bilked them out of natural gas royalties.")
*Bolling criticizes Cuccinelli's stand on tax incentives in speech to Roanoke County business leaders ("The current lieutenant governor suggests his party's candidate for governor doesn't understand the importance of business incentives.")
*Aides' instincts were on target ("Concerns among the governor's staff should have scuttled a mansion event for Star Scientific")
*Terry McAuliffe pushes 'war on women' theme in Va. governor's race (Stupid headline. It's not a "theme," it's right-wing reality.)
*Michelle Obama stumps for McAuliffe in Virginia governor's race
*U.S. official praises Va. on health care ("Marilyn Tavenner, newly confirmed as administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, said the state is doing the right thing by working with her agency to coordinate care for people eligible for both national health care programs.")
*Va. GOP candidate fined for late loan disclosure (EW Jackson strikes again!)
*Blacksburg businessman, writer announces state House bid ("Michael Abraham works in publishing and was a freelance columnist for The Roanoke Times.")
*Lucas' hotel plans emerge once again
*Restoring bay Omega-style ("Thanks to a uniquely compliant regulatory scheme - Virginia's menhaden fishery is controlled by the statehouse rather than by regulators, as all other saltwater fish are - Omega has enjoyed freedoms available in few other states.")
*Pair of Republican PACs differ on Va. Beach candidates
*Elizabeth Miller Secures Loudoun Democrats' nomination
*Friendly rivals seek Herndon area seat
*Primary race for Va. House seat turns ugly ("The race to represent a chunk of central Virginia Beach in the House of Delegates deteriorated this week into mudslinging involving two of the three Republican hopefuls for the November ballot.")
*Tropical Storm Andrea poised to give Hampton Roads a soaking ("The storm is expected to pack its biggest punch for the region today, with rainfall accumulations surpassing 1 inch and possibly 2")
*Flash flood watch in effect for wide area as Andrea's rains move in

Virginia News Headlines: Thursday Morning

by: lowkell

Thu Jun 06, 2013 at 06:38:25 AM EDT

*What is Obama fighting for in his second term?
*The 'Social Cost Of Carbon' Is Almost Double What The Government Previously Thought
*Virginia candidate E.W. Jackson: Yoga leads to Satan (More insanity, intolerance, an idiocy from the Virginia Republican LG nominee...so embarrassing.)
*Terry McAuliffe Tests Obama Playbook in Virginia ("Whether the president's campaign tactics will translate to any other Democrat will be tested in pivotal governor's race.")
*Is Virginia for Haters? (Yes, if we elect Ken Cuccinelli, EW Jackson and/or Mark Obenshain. No if we don't!)
*Michelle Obama campaigning for Terry McAuliffe today
*Governor to examine wife's role with foundation (Uh huh...)
*Expand Medicaid, save money, lives
*E.W. Jackson is disappointed Scott Rigell won't endorse him (And the rest of us are disappointed that ANYONE would endorse this extremist wacko.)
*The Troubles Continue for the Governor ("Gov. McDonnell needs to address these matters as expeditiously as possible. Never has Virginia had a governor in such a position as this; we don't need to start now.")
*Cuccinelli is issue in primary for AG (Ya think? LOL)
*Hotly-Contested Lieutenant Governor Race Tops Democratic Primary Ballot Tuesday
*Virginia does a clumsy job explaining the Bi-County Parkway project ("Is the road needed? When will it be built? With a toll? People don't really know.")
*Cantor launches site for people to support legislation
*Cuccinelli says IRS blocking more than $100M in Medicare settlement money
*Cuccinelli: IRS refused to pay $125M owed to Va., possibly in retaliation

Virginia News Headlines: Wednesday Morning

by: lowkell

Wed Jun 05, 2013 at 06:33:42 AM EDT

*Gov. Robert McDonnell's tin ear on ethics ("The FBI and state prosecutors and police have been looking into Mr. McDonnell's finances. At the same time, the governor has refused to discuss other compensation or gifts his wife may have received. His reticence and what appear to be repeated instances of using definitional sleight of hand to skirt state disclosure laws have deepened suspicions that more damaging revelations about the governor may be forthcoming.")
*GOP Senator Suggests Porn Is To Blame For Military Sexual Assaults (Republicans continue to act like...well, Republicans. Ugh.)
*Michelle Obama confronts protester, threatens to leave fundraiser
*Republicans Fuming Over Chris Christie's Senate Decision ("The New Jersey governor's decision to hold the Senate race in October 2013 means it will be difficult for the GOP to contest the seat.")
*Medicaid nears its due date ("A legislative commission must act for the state, not the party, as health care reform rolls toward implementation of its major elements.")
*McDonnell's role in Star event concerned aides
*E-mails involving Star Scientific
*Schapiro: McDonnell's mismanagement of a public-relations crisis ("The latest forced disclosure - that first lady Maureen McDonnell was paid $36,000 to advise coal baron Jim McGlothlin on his philanthropies, a task for which she attended two or three meetings - is a reminder that McDonnell, his administration and family are being defined by events. For a skilled politician, it's usually the other way around.")
*Martin latest McDonnell staffer to amend gift disclosure (This administration is out of control.)
*Cuccinelli gets campaign cash from law firm he retained (Speaking of corruption...)
*U.S. Rep. Rigell won't endorse Jackson for lt. gov. (Fine, now he needs to not endorse the equally crazy and extreme Ken Cuccinelli and Mark Obenshain. Same for Frank Wolf, Robert Hurt, Bob Goodlatte, Eric Can'tor, Rob Wittman, Randy Forbes, and Morgan Griffith)
*Sen. Tim Kaine presses Pentagon brass on sexual assaults

Virginia News Headlines: Tuesday Morning

by: lowkell

Tue Jun 04, 2013 at 06:39:39 AM EDT

*Frank Lautenberg, New Jersey Senator in His 5th Term, Dies at 89
*House GOP broken into fighting factions (What a bizarre, dysfunctional party.)
*Domestic Violence Shelters Warn That Sequestration Has Put Women's Lives On The Line (Horrible, thanks overwhelmingly to the fine political party noted above.)
*Turkey goes authoritarian ("The government opts for strongman tactics against peaceful protesters.")
*The 'shoot first' party ("In the IRS scandal, Republicans have decided on the verdict before the trial.")
*Supreme Court allows DNA samples after arrest
*McAuliffe's two-month haul bests Cuccinelli's by $1.5 million
*Michelle Obama to headline McAuliffe fundraiser
*Campaigns wage paper wars over immigrant visas, abortion
*Did Ken Cuccinelli nudge E.W. Jackson to run for Lt. Gov? (This would say a lot about Cuccinelli - nothing good! - if it's true...)
*Gov. McDonnell's press office soon down to 2 staffers
*China company to buy more soybeans shipped from Virginia
*Virginia's easy way around gun laws ("The commonwealth, led by members of a political party that frequently decries federal overreach and the trampling of states' rights, maintains lax regulations on guns and the eligibility criteria for carrying concealed weapons.")
*Accessible and equitable plan ("A Roanoke task force charged with developing a new voting precinct plan says too many voters are not informed.")
*Refreshing reset promises nice day ("The arrival of cooler Canadian air will provide a lovely couple of days.")