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Annotations & Elucidations

Obama Says Drill, Baby, Drill

Wow, the Obama administration is doing something that makes sense? Allowing drilling off the coast of Virginia? There must be some catch. But, at least in its preliminary stage, Governor Bob McDonnell and the vast majority of Virginians are getting their wish. Of course, he’s slamming the door on production in Alaska, California, Florida and elsewhere. No doubt, he’s aiming for some political cover, especially as he now pushes for extreme regulatory restrictions on U.S. energy consumption. (See? I’m for all types of energy, I support drilling.)

Elsewhere, does the governor’s “no major budget changes” include the status quo on Planned Parenthood, elective abortion and embryonic stem cell research? He also looks to make some permanent restructuring (smaller) state government. So have others. We’ll see.

Meanwhile, offering reason to the disingenuousness of the left, who claim Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s court challenge to the federal government’s health care takeover is a waste of taxpayer money, are editorials, commentaries and news coverage from all over the commonwealth. I commend them to you all. Speaking of the power grab, it’s not all as great as the libs projected as they find out not more than a week after it passed. So much for that child coverage being cheaper — or even existent; and Henry Waxman is showing his tolerance for speech and financial freedom by a witch trial for companies that dare say they will lose money because of the health care takeover. The AP has the details. 

News

Va. governor to name team to reshape, shrink operations (Washington Post)

McDonnell not expecting major budget changes (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cuccinelli: Health-care lawsuit could save state $1 billion (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Obama to Allow Oil Drilling Off Virginia Coast (AP/AOLNews)

Group opposing health care orders DNC to stop using its slogan (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

One threat proven real against GOP Congressman (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Editorial: Health Care: Unconstitutional (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

University of Wyo. cancels William Ayers speech (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Health premiums could rise 17 pct. for young adults (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama administration moves to fix kids coverage gap (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama: Tea party features ‘core group’ against him (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama signs student loan/health care legislation in Virginia (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Is the Va. attorney general wasting tax money on Obamacare lawsuit? No. (Mark Hemingway/Washington Examiner)

Virginia Democrats suddenly discover spending discipline (Mark J. Fitzgibbons/Washington Examiner)

‘Change’ Is Not New (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Liberals In Vitriol Denial (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Henry Waxman: the Witch Hunter of Capitol Hill (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Frustrating, Stubborn Facts (Tony Blankley/GOPUSA.com)

Why the Tenth Amendment is Important (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s Gifts to the ‘Outlier’ Have Only Just Begun (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

The (Health Care) Law of Unintended Consequences (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

Clowns to the left, Jokers on the Right (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)

One might say Tim Kaine wasn’t exactly original as governor. Much of his agenda was a typically liberal one — new spending programs, increased overall spending, kow-towing to the special interests (the VEA and homosexual lobby come to mind), and those annual attempts to jack up our taxes. Now, he’s proving to be just as unoriginal as chairman of the Democrat National Committee.

In an attempt to drum up support for something that supposedly doesn’t need it — it is now law and president says the people and businesses want it — Mr. Kaine and the DNC are spending millions of dollars in radio advertisements in targeted House districts around the country to prop up government-run health care against those running on its repeal. In fact, he’s trying to scare people with a slogan in the ads: “Hands off my health care.”

There’s one small problem. It’s a slogan used quite effectively by Americans For Prosperity, one of the most vocal and well organized opponents of President Obama’s tax-it-all-and-spend-even-more policies. AFP created the “Hands Off My Health Care” campaign about a year ago and has a U.S. trade mark pending. Looks like Mr. Kaine, who tried to rob from Virginia taxpayers to pay for his grandiose spending plans, can’t get out of the habit of taking from others.  

AFP, whose Virginia chapter did its fair share of bringing to the public’s attention Mr.  Kaine’s spend-and-deficit budgets as governor, sent the DNC a cease-and-desist letter on March 27 and asked for reply by April 2. According to Anita Kumar at the Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog, AFP plans a law suit if the DNC does not stop. It looks like we’re headed to court. DNC spokesman Brad Woodhouse arrogantly told Kumar:

This group used this slogan to try and deny millions of people access to affordable health care. We should have sued them for false advertising a long time ago.

So, the DNC is against free speech? Love that leftist tolerance.

AFP national President Tim Phillips rightfully claims that the DNC is creating confusion on the meaning of the AFP campaign and Virginia Director Ben Marchi explained (Washington Post Politics and Policy Blog) that AFP spent millions of dollars developing the brand. More to come on this, but we won’t be surprised to find out soon that the new law also has nationalized all health care slogans as well. 

We wanted you to hear it for yourselves in case you haven’t already, but over the last several days, the emboldened liberals have felt safe spilling the beans and being forthright. Finally, they’re calling the government takeover of health care what it is: redistribution of income and wealth; control over individuals and companies; and even outright socialism. It started last week whenU.S. Representative John Dingell (D-Mich.), the most senior member of the House, told a radio show the bill was about ”control” of “the people” (see previous post here). It’s refreshing that they are so honest now, but we wish they would have been so during their town hall meetings last summer and throughout the entire debate and process on the bill. Instead, they acted undecided about it, flat out said the opposite of what’s being said now — or hid. It reveals their disingenuousness.

Still, this wasn’t without proper warning. There certainly were glimpses and peeps about their intentions in 2008 (see below). But, just so you will see and hear it for yourselves, as seeing is believing, here is a sample of recent frank admissions by prominent liberals: We start with U.S. Senator Max Baucus (D-Mont.), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee; former Democrat National Committee Chairman Howard Dean; Al Sharpton; Vice President Joe Biden; and, we cap it off with a classic by the head man himself.

All are only seconds long, except the Dean interview which is about three minutes. It’s instructive and worth it to hear all of them as well as the Dingell interview, especially for people who still think the takeover was altruistic. But, just for good measure, here’s a recent endorsement of the health care takeover by Fidel Castro. Nice. Hard to keep your cover when he’s exposing you (David Horowitz’s NewsRealBlog.com).

Senator Baucus: make no mistake about it — this IS “income redistribution.”

Howard Dean: He admits it’s all about confiscation and redistribution, and only the governing elites decide what the “right balance” is; and the U.S. is way ”out of balance.”

Al Sharpton: We’re all socialists now because socialism is what we voted for.

The Veep: Dingell is only part right. We’re controlling the insurance companies, too! (Why not, government controls the banks, GM, AIG,  . . . .)

The Redistributor-In-Chief where it all started: Let’s “spread the wealth around!”

According to a new study by researchers at San Diego State University and the University of Alabama, and published in the January issue of the journal Social Psychology and Personality Science, narcissism is at an all-time high among college students. In fact, it’s called an epidemic in this March 23 DiscoveryNews.com article. Its highlights:

» Data shows a significant increase in narcissism among Americans in the last 15 years.

» Narcissism is characterized by an unfounded and undeserved sense of entitlement.

» A generation of narcissists could lead to problems in the workplace, as well as risky business and political decisions.

The repercussions are stark, including a future of global financial and credit crises, and increased social and societal problems, because of poor decision making based on a sense of entitlement. (Apparently, social and cultural issues are important economically and otherwise!) How did it get to this point? Theories abound, but one involves . . . 

parents, teachers and the media, which either allow or celebrate overly permissive attitudes toward individualism, and lead to an inflated and unwarranted sense of self-importance.

It’s no wonder many college students are ga-ga over our first It’s All About ME! president, since so many of them now practice the art of the “I.” It may be only a coincidence, or it could be a true reflection of the times, but if you think about it, college kids’ favorite toys are iPhones, iTunes, iPads, iPods, iMacs — all useful in aggrandizing self (not to mention appearances meant to draw attention to themselves), with a subsequent stubborn bewilderment when they don’t get what they want; and no onedoes self-aggrandizement better than the president. It’s Obama’s narcissistic world . . . we just live in it.

Are you, or someone you know a narcissist? Take the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the test used in the study. It’s here at USAToday.com.

According to Anita Kumar of the Washington Post’s Virginia Politics Blog, Delegates Tim Hugo (R-40, Fairfax) and John O’Bannon (R-73, Henrico), are running to fill the House Republican Caucus chairmanship, vacated by the soon-t0-resign Delegate Sam Nixon (R-27, Chesterfield), who is leaving the House to become the new director of the troubled Virginia Information Technology Agency. She reports that Majority Whip Kirk Cox (R-66, Colonial Heights) is supporting Hugo, while Speaker Bill Howell (R-28, Fredericksburg) and Majority Leader Morgan Griffith (R-8, Salem) are neutral. The vote, among Republican members of the House of Delegates, will take place April 21, before the General Assembly reconvenes for its veto session.

Annotations & Elucidations

Obsessed Thee With KC

Never before has a Virginia attorney general dominated the headlines and driven the debate (nationally as well as in state) as Ken Cuccinelli — and he’s only a little more than two months into his term. He’s everywhere — it’s impossible to keep up with the national television interviews and articles. But, according to sources (as they say) it may not be cutting well with fellow Republicans, and Democrats seem to be salivating over his early and frequent actions. Are these the same people who have misread the growing conservative and independent grassroots pushback against ever expansive government control of our lives? Perhaps they misread at their own politcal futures.

No matter the motivations or interest, members of both parties are obsessed with the AG. Dr. Bob Hollsworth, at his Virginia Tomorrow blog, fielded comments from unnamed Republicans about the Cuccinelli phenomana and Norman Leahy at Tertium Quids follows up, both in the Analysis bin today, as the Richmond Times-Dispatch sets the table with its piece in the News section. Also in Analysis is a Style Weekly (Richmond) symposium on the AG, with cute liberal headlines, such as “Right Hook” and “Fight For The Right,” as well as the ever-present hit-you-over-the-head, “Sorry Politics.”

The lead in National News is more concern about doctors retiring than joining the Obama adminstration, as all health care workers will de facto be when the new law is fully in effect. After all, about the only job growth now is in the federal government (ABCNews.com). In Commentary, we feature Andrew McCarthy and Ed Morrissey of National Review’s The Corner blog and HotAir.com, respectively, who reveal more devastating ills of the health care takeover only now discovered. (Nancy said it would be like this!)

Meanwhile, Governor McDonnell manages a headline. He puts his (contributors’) money where his mouth is for charter schools. Plus, sad news: Former U.S. Representative Stan Paris passed away. He was 80 years old.

News

Cuccinelli vows no letup to restrain federal power (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

VEA opposes requiring local employees to begin paying share of pension costs (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell inaugural fund gives $25,000 to charter school (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Virginia diversity-contract program is faulted (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Man charged with threatening to kill Cantor, family (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Hugo, O’Bannon to compete for House GOP caucus chairman (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Former six-term Rep. Stanford E. Paris dies at 80 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Analysis

The Virginia Scorecard 3-28-10 (Dr. Bob Hollsworth/Virginia Tomorrow)

Inside Republican thinking (Norman Leahy/Tertium Quids)

Fight for the Right (Peter Galuszka/Style Weekly)

Right Hook (Warren Fiske/Style Weekly)

Sorry Politics (Margaret Edds/Style Weekly)

George Allen’s wrenching presence (Jeff Schapiro/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

Health overhaul likely to strain doctor shortage (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Palin to tea party rally: Don’t sit down, shut up (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama announces 15 recess appointments, scolds GOP (AP/GOPUSA.com)

White House defends special appointments (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Crist, Rubio face off in 1st Fla. Senate debate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Thugoracy Whips Capitalism (Andrew McCarthy/NRO’s The Corner Blog)

Another ObamaCare mandate we had to discover after its passage (Ed Morrissey/Hot Air)

The Law of Unintended Consequences (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

The Record Speaks For Itself (Harris Sherline/GOPUSA.com)

The Constitutional Crisis Started Long Ago (Frank Salvato/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Week’s End

An eventful week winds down to a slumberish end. We all can use the respite. However, there is some news: Despite his “Executive Directive,” Governor Bob McDonnell said on his monthly “Ask The Governor” show that there is no need for an anti-homosexual bias law. The Richmond Times-Dispatch has the details, but you can hear it for yourself on the link to WRVA’s podcast (a first for the the News Stand). The Washington Post has mention of it as well, on it s Virginia Politics Blog. Have a listen and a read . . . and a good weekend.

News

McDonnell doubts need for bias law (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

No ‘rampant discrimination’ against gay employees to argue for law, McDonnell says (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog) 

Senate bill proposes no more bailouts (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Saying ‘I do’: Black marriage campaign is growing (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Audio

Ask The Governor (60:00) (WRVA.com)

National News

Democrats send Obama final health measure (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama dares GOP to repeal health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

GOP warns Obama about labor board appointment (AP/GOPUSA.com)

NPR, PBS stations get $10M infusion for local news (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Would partners of gay troops get benefits, too? (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

How the Left Fakes the Hate: A Primer (Michele Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Game On! (Michael Reagan/GOPUSA.com)

Kansas-Nebraska Act 1854, Redux (Tony Blankley/GOPUSA.com)

As the General Assembly began in January, perhaps the most anticipated legislative debate was going to be over the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act. How would this legislation — written to exempt Virginians from the unprecedented individual mandate in the Congressional health care bill — be received after a huge conservative victory in the fall? After all, the campaign was seen as a referendum against the federal government’s increasing control of private business and individual lives. But could it clear the typically obstructionist Virginia Senate?

The answer came pretty early in session when five key Senate Democrats joined all 18 Republicans to send it comfortably through to the House where it was met warmly — even 55 percent of House Democrats voted for it. Similarly, the House version made its way through both chambers later in session. It was all anti-climatic until the events of last weekend.

After Congressional liberals rammed through its government-run health care plan, despite overwhelming opposition across the country, and the subsequent White House gloating, all eyes turned to Virginia. Yesterday, Governor Bob McDonnell made it official with what had to be the most widely reported bill signing ceremony in recent Virginia history. With his signature, Virginia has exempted itself from the most significant portion of the new federal law. We congratulate Governor McDonnell, the General Assembly and the bill patrons for their hard work in making history and protecting Virginia families from the federal government’s burdensome overreach and constitutionally questionable actions.

The patrons and chief co-patrons responsible for this major success for constitutional principle are: Senators Jill Vogel (R-27, Winchester), Steve Martin (R-11, Chesterfield) and Fred Quayle (R-13, Suffolk); and Delegates Bob Marshall (R-10, Manassas), John O’Bannon (R-73, Henrico) and Chris Peace (R-97, Hanover).

Now, however, even more national attention is focused on Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as he defends this new law against the government takeover of our health care system. We thank him for his efforts and state and national leadership on this matter, as he does what he was sworn to do — defend Virginia law and the Virginia and United States Constitutions. He, as you can guess, is under a blistering attack from a loud, but determined, minority opposed to the Virginia law and his legal actions against federally run health care. You can support him by signing an online petition found here.

Finally, thanks to all of you who contacted your legislators and worked so hard to defend the founding principles of Virginia and the nation during this General Assembly session. As these uncertain economic times continue, more work will be required in the months ahead to restore our Founders’ vision.

Annotations & Elucidations

Living La VITA

Congratulations to Delegate Sam Nixon, named yesterday as the chief at VITA. We don’t envy the job he has sorting out that mess, (ahem, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine), but if anyone can do it, we know it’s Delegate Nixon. We’ll miss him in the House, where he twice earned The Family Foundation’s Legislator of the Year Award and where he chaired the Conservative Caucus before getting elected to chair the House Republican Caucus.

Most everything else is about health care. It won’t go away and for good reason. One sign it has legs, especially in Virginia, is the national attention placed on Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s law suit on the government takeover’s constitutionality. Today, the New York Times chimes in, twice. One article covers the AG, himself; one on the preposterous allegation that the lawsuit is reminiscent of the fight for desegregated schools. Typical. At least we have a number of great editorial comics for you enjoyment.

News

McDonnell touts new Va. law in health-care challenge (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Health care fight spreads through Virginia (The Daily Press)

Dems liken health care suit to desegregation fight (The Daily Press)

Va. Democrats demand info on health care challenge (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Chesterfield delegate named new head of VITA (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

George Mason board adopts resolution to “reaffirm” gay policy (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

National

Attorney General Moves to Forefront of Virginia Conservative Resurgence (New York Times)

Dems Liken Health Care Suit to Desegregation Fight (New York Times)

Opponents continue to stand against health care (AP/GOPUSA.com)

GOP forces return of health bill th House (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Petraeus denies political side to NH trip (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

The Real Issue That Can Turn Congress Upside Down in November (Matt Towery/GOPUSA.com)

Bond Markets Reflect the True Cost of Obamacare (Michael Barrone/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Tainting the Tea Party (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Are McCain Republicans Finally ‘Seeing The Light’? (Christopher Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Whatever Happened To The Tenth Amendment? (Harris Sherline/GOPUSA.com)

Vive La Differance (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Military Express Health Care Concerns (Thomas Segal/GOPUSA.com)

Editorial Comics

Constitutional Toliet Paper (Mike Lester/Rome News-Tribune)

Who said blue dogs can’t be trained? (Gary Varvel/TownHall.com)

Health-Care Reform (IRS) (Gary Varvel/TownHall.com)

GOPUSA.com Comics

The American left can’t get over itself, which is a shame. It truly stifles honest and thorough debate on the issues of the day. But it is more insulated with itself the the Bubble Boy from Seinfeld fame. No better illustration of that, no better admission of that (one might even claim arrogance, in fact), came from MSNBC’s Chris Matthews, he of the tingling leg sensation when he hears Barack Obama speak (see YouTube).

This time, instead of talking “stimulus,” Mr. Matthews espouses his idea of fair and balanced presentation of views. There’s no problem with the time he allots various sides. The problem is what he considers the various sides. Apparently, Mr. Matthews thinks the range of political discourse in America should range only from the “left” to the “center-left” (about 1:30 into the video below). Now, there’s tolerance for you! Interestingly, he blames President Obama’s sinking popularity and the distaste for government-run health care on the Fox News Channel, as if one cable outlet can dominate opinion over three broadcast and two cable networks and a host of major daily papers and weekly magazines.

More astonishing, he can’t comprehend that people inherently know that government interference, especially in something as sensitive as health care, is wrong, and the care, inevitably, incompetent. But, that’s what happens when you live in a (misguided, liberal) bubble.

Chris Matthews: Fair is fair — liberals vs. extreme liberals, and that’s all you need to hear!