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Annotations & Elucidations

Expanded Holiday Weekend Edition

We hope everyone has a long, relaxing and safe holiday weekend, while remembering to give appropriate pause and reflection to those, throughout the decades, who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in defence of America. To bide over you news junkies, some who may have an even longer weekend than others, we have an expanded edition of the News Stand (including links to audio and video) to bide you over the rest of the weekend. We hope you enjoy your holiday reading.

News

U.Va. challenges Cuccinelli demand for research (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cuccinelli’s office says it will reply to U.Va. in court (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

U.Va. seeks to block Cuccinelli’s probe of climate researcher (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Dominion CEO will lead Va. panel on higher education (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Dominion chief heads McDonnell’s higher-ed panel (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State education board allows Richmond charter school to open before traditional schools (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Halt in offshore drilling cuts funds for Virginia’s transportation projects (Washington Post)

Mixed response from Virginia as Obama cancels oil lease sale (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell says Va. oil lease sales shouldn’t be canceled (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Most state workers will be on furlough Friday (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. won’t seek Race to the Top education funds (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia declines to compete for U.S. education grant funding (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell may seek roads czar (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell to put private road projects on the fast track (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Democrats continue to criticize McDonnell’s choice of Malek (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell says his vetting is fine, Malek’s past a ‘non-issue’ (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McDonnell defends governmental reform appointee (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Staffer: Cuccinelli made no pledge to Navy Vets (Roanoke Times)

Virginia gun rights leader blasts Cuccinelli over GMU campus gun ban (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

GOP, Tea Party split on candidate endorsement (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Political novice Jeffrey Clark could turn Va. congressional race on its head (Washington Post)

Richmond lobbyist heads national GOP election effort (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

O’Brien expected to get out of state Senate race (Woodbridge/Manassas News & Messenger)

Video

Wall of Honor a tribute to Virginia’s war dead (3:16) (TimesDispatch.com)

Audio

Ask The Governor (38:59) (WRVA-AM/WRVA.com)

Ask The Governor (43:23) (WTOP-AM/WTOP.com)

National News

House approves repeal of law banning openly gay military service (Politico/Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Congress moves to end ban on gays in military (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Four Moral Issues Sharply Divide Americans (Gallup.com)

Decision to halt offshore drilling stirs debate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama admin asks Supreme Court to stop AZ from enforcing illegal alien law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

WH had Clinton try to ease Sestak out of Pa. race (AP/GOPUSA.com)

New $23B for teacher subsidies falters in House (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate OKs war funding; House to cut spending bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Report: Two dozen terror leaders among detainees (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Why Obama’s Sinking in the Polls(Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

CBS: the Toilet Network(Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

That Blood of Heroes Never Dies (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

It Should Be Our Honor to Honor (Frank Salvato/GOPUSA.com)

Memorial Day 2010 (Oliver North/GOPUSA.com)

Just how much is someone’s ‘fair share?’ (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

The Politics of the Gulf Oil Spill (Michael Reagan/GOPUSA.com)

Obama To America: I Am Not Accountable (Christopher G. Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

You Want Bipartisanship?

The president visited the Senate Republicans yesterday asking for bipartisanship, then promptly went to a partisan fundraiser to mock them. Classy. Not only that, he’s disingenuous, as ever. There is bipartisanship in Washington — and it’s all against his policies as evidenced by the large numbers of Democrats who voted against the health care bill and cap and trade. Now, Democrats are joining Republican calls for the White House to be more forthcoming on a brewing scandal — did the president offer a candidate a job to drop out of a primary? The candidate, Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pa.) says yes. By the way, if it happened, it wouldn’t be your normal political patronage. It’s against the law.

Elsewhere, we’re sorry to hear the Jay and Stephanie Burkholder have given up their lawsuit against the city of Roanoke for stealing their land and giving it to a private company. It’s been a long fight and the legal expenses are mounting. The Burkholders pledge to work for, as are we, a state constitutional amendment beginning the next session of the General Assembly to prevent such government abuse and protect property rights. We’ll have more comment about this later this week.

More notes of interest in this News Stand: The GOP wants your ideas. It has started a Web site to take the ideas from every day Americans. U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte of Virginia’s 6th District explains in Human Events. Lawrence Meyers of Big Hollywood explains how we fuel Hollywood trash while Mark J. Fitzgibbons, usually of the Washington Examiner, goes national in the American Thinker, putting the lie on the G-Men’s reply to Virginia’s lawsuit against the health care law; and Ronald Kessler of News Max says it all when he writes that conservatives are the mainstream — and that’s not partisan. All of the above is below. Check it out. 

News

Burkholders give up fight for Reserve Ave. property (Roanoke Times)

Government challenges state’s health care stance (Roanoke Times)

Fifth District candidates face off (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Allen says ‘poor judgment’ led to ‘macaca moment’ (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell says he didn’t know of Fred Malek’s Nixon work, SEC settlement (Washington Post)

National News

House GOP unveils Web site to build agenda (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Republicans, Dems press White House on job offer to Sestak (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama gets an earful in clash with GOP senators (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama offers scaled down version of Bush plan to put troops on the border (AP/GOPUSA.com)

GOP hopes candidate will flip Wash. Senate seat (AP/GOPUSA.com) 

Analysis

Does Hollywood Ideology Affect Hollywood Revenue? (Lawrence Meyers/Big Hollywood-Breitbart.com)

Commentary

ObamaCare Lawsuit Reveals National Grab to Regulate Individual ‘Decisions’ (Mark J. Fitzgibbons/American Thinker Blog)

Conservatives Are the Mainstream (Ronald Kessler/NewsMax.com)

America — It’s Time to Speak Out (U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Va./Human Events)

Obama’s Border Security Plan: More Desk Jobs! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Look Who’s Behind the White House — Sestak Stonewall (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Preposterous Bill Press (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

West of the Potomac, GOP Hopes Rise (Tony Blankley/GOPUSA.com)

Republicans take it to the president (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com) 

Gov’t employees used crystal meth & downloaded porn. … (Kay Daly/Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

What’s All The Fuss?

The Virginia media can’t get over its preoccupation with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Now the big news is that he and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling are meeting regularly. The AG and Governor Bob McDonnell already are. So, what’s the fuss about? There must be a conspiracy, a cabal or more involved. Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Jeff Schapiro wrote not his first, nor his last, column on the perceived ever changing dynamics within Virginia GOP because of Mr. Cuccinelli: State Republicans can’t live with him and they can’t live without him seems to be the prevailing wisdom. Meanwhile, the AG continues to make news, last night doing a live interview on Fox News Channel’s On The Record with Greta Van Susteran, not because of what he did, but because the feds finally replied to the health care lawsuit he filed. Not surprisingly, the Obama administration is asking for a dismissal. Hey, Mr. Prez: same question to you: What’s the fuss?

News

U.S. seeks dismissal of Va. health-care challenge (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Feds seek dismissal of Va. health care suit (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Bolling, Cuccinelli keep each other informed (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Tea Partiers cry foul on local rally (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

McDonnell says he did not know about Malek’s past (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Fimian poll shows him leading Herrity in NoVa primary race (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Rigell’s survey says he’s the clear frontrunner in GOP race to face Rep. Nye (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McDonnell meets with legislative black caucus (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Has McDonnell’s national rehabilitation begun? (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Del. Rust another victim of California thieves (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

House joins upcoming state furlough day, to tune of $35,000 savings (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

In George Allen’s book, sports is allegory for politics (Bob Lewis/AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Analysis

Go west! Dems did, now fight to retain their gains (Kristen Wyatt/AP/GOPUSA.com)

A Senate Majority Comes Closer (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

Cuccinelli forces GOP to adjust (Jeff Schapiro/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Left is right, Right is wrong: Street theatre and protesters in Perriello’s parking lot (Schilling Show Blog and News)

Daily Perriello: “Lefty” McNeill misreports liberal protest at Congressman’s office (Schilling Show Blog and News)

They’re All Obama Liberals Now (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Financial Regulation Bill is Socialism (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

A Plan to Save Europe and World Economic Recovery (Lawrence Kudlow/GOPUSA.com)

Internet Freedom Challenged by Obama FCC (Floyd and Mary Beth Brown/GOPUSA.com)

Who’s coming to your door from the census bureau? (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Obama approval rating drops (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Aloha!

Over the weekend, in a special election in a district that has not voted for a Republican in 20 years, in a state that has only sent three people to Washington, D.C., (and one of those was when it first became a state), that went for Barack Obama with 70 percent of the vote, and the district in which he was born and raised, a Republican won with 40 percent of the vote in a 12-candidate field. Two big name Democrats split the vote, to be sure, but one says enough of his supporters will vote GOP in November because the party is too far to the left — even by Hawaii’s standards! What does that tell you? Coincidentally, if you haven’t, check out this post from last week, where a reader from Hawaii left a couple of comments about the situation there. Aloha!

News

Bob McDonnell in Va.: From Conservative to Pragmatist (Time)

Prayer at state police service mentions Jesus, other faiths (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Chaplain invokes Christ at ceremony for fallen troopers (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Hundreds of area faithful celebrate power of prayer (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Va. attorney general off to rocky start with state colleges (Washington Post)

Too many candidates may spoil tea-party impact (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Governor’s Cabinet earns less than local deputies (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. state Sen. Hurt bolsters position in GOP race to oust Rep. Perriello (Washington Post)

Griffith nominated in 9th District to run against Boucher (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Griffith picked to run in 9th (Roanoke Times)

He’s now a she and wants to serve the VFW as a woman (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News

Obama seeks to force votes on spending cuts (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Blumenthal apologizes for claims that he served in Vietnam (AP/GOPUSA.com)

New Hawaii congressman hopes for quick swearing-in (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama says US must shape new world order (AP/GOPUSA.com)

New financial rules might not prevent next crisis (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

The Gathering Revolt Against Government Spending (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s big wins on bills may not help Democrats (Tom Raum/AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Global Governance is Here! (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

More Beautiful Intolerance (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

Rand Paul’s Libertarian Achilles’ Heel (Cliff Kincaid/GOPUSA.com)

Blacks Must Solve Their Own Problems (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

Hey, San Fran! How about boycotting California first! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Up In Smoke

Admittedly, it is too easy, but given the day’s very unusual story, what else to entitle today’s comments? Meanwhile, at State Police headquarters today, a memorial service was held and a chaplain prayed in Jesus’ name — and we’re still here! Amazing how that works. It never ceases to amaze me how the very vocal minority secularists think — demand — that once a person gets elected to public office, or goes to work in a governmental capacity, that person loses all of his or her religious liberty.

Speaking of religious freedom, make that intolerance, a New York boy was suspended from school for wearing Rosary Beads. The details are at the Fresh Ink Blog. In Commentary, David Limbaugh writes on the Obama administration’s media control which, combined with its Orwellian NewSpeak regarding the economy (bad now is good) is creepy as Matt Towery explains, and Frank Salvato tells the GOP that if  you win back Congress, the status quo will not be tolerated. Michael Reagan explores the Tea Party and Kay Daly has two pieces examining Elena Kagan.

Have a good weekend while you rest assured the world will be here Monday. Even if state troopers are praying in public.

News

Prayer at state police service mentions Jesus, other faiths (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Identity theives buy pot with Sen. Saslaw’s credit card (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Pot bought with Virginia lawmaker’s American Express card (ABCNews10, Sacramento/News10.net)

Anti-abortion fetus dolls handed out to Norfolk students (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Cuccinelli says his office wants to protect environment (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Landes: Health reform has many hidden costs (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

GOP to pick 9th District candidate (Bristol Herald Courier)

Group: No complaints about Liberty regarding Lynchburg’s elections (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

Democrats cheer as Mexico’s Calderon criticizes state immigration law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Maine Sen. Snowe lauds high court nominee Kagan (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Dem family feud could cost party Hawaii seat (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Consumer watchdog eyes lenders in new bank rules (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

AZ Gov. Brewer, ‘Mr. President, Secretary Napolitano — Do Your Job!’ (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s Choreographed Media Blackout (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

It Simply Cannot Return to the Status Quo (Frank Salvato/GOPUSA.com)

Economic Recovery Is All Greek to Me (Matt Towery/GOPUSA.com)

How Would You Like Your Tea — Sweetened or Unsweetened? (Michael Reagan/GOPUSA.com)

Princeton PULLED DOWN Elena Kagan’s thesis. . . (Kay Daly/Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

A SCOTUS nomination in trouble? 39% FOR, 39% AGAINST (Kay Daly/Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Teen to be suspended for . . . Rosary beads? (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

Nancy Pelosi: Bring it on! (Fresh Ink Blog GOPUSA.com)

The Shady ShoreBank Bailout (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Banning the Veil (Linda Chavez/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

The Left Over The Long Term

Remember Tim Kaine? Barely? Yeah, that’s him. He’s in the news today, throwing it down at the Republicans. As we say in sports, that’s why we play the game. In other news, the guy who succeeded Mr. Kaine, Governor Bob McDonnell, appointed a Family Foundation alumnus to his administration while arrogant academics scream foul at Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Also, the AG speaks frankly about what’s at stake in the legal battle over the government takeover of health care. Meanwhile, Mark Preston and Dick Morris, in Analysis, get the gold medal in telepathy today with almost identical headlines. You’ll have to read their columns to see if they are on the same wavelength about the midterm elections. Christopher Adamo adds his two bits in Commentary.

But there’s more to scare liberals than pending elections. Education reform and freedom is gaining more momentum, yet the Left stubbornly resists to a long-failed ideology and continues to pander to unions. Joshua Mercer at CatholicVoteAction Blog comments on a Michael Steele op-ed and the we also posted the op-ed itself. Worse yet for the Left, long term, the pro-life movement looks bright. More and more young people are involved as the pro-abortion crowd dwindles in numbers and energy — a victim of age and technology. David Bass at The American Spectator explains.

News

*McDonnell announces appointments (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine: Democrats will hold congressional majorities (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Cuccinelli: Federalism itself is at stake in health care debate (Woodbridge/Manassas News & Messenger)

Cuccinelli’s demand for U.Va. decried (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Academics fight Cuccinelli’s call for climate-change records (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News

GOP stops $40 billion in future spending for science bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senators press for National Guard troops on border (AP/GOPUSA.com)

‘Modifying’ Miranda modifies the political debate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate fails to end debate on bank regulation bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama ramps up criticism of Ariz. immigration law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Open season on political incumbents (Mark Preston/CNN.com)

Open Season on Incumbents (Dick Morris/GOPUSA.com)

The Golden Age of Centrism Wasn’t So Golden (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Pro-Choice Twilight Years (David N. Bass/The American Spectator AmSpecBlog)

Another Judicial Power Grab (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Steele: Democrats fail on school program (Michael Steele/CNN.com)

Michael Steele slams Obama for killing DC voucher program (Joshua Mercer/CatholicVoteAction Blog)

Immigration and Liberty (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com) 

May Primaries And The Coming Electoral Tsunami (Christopher G. Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Battle Cry 

Old Dominion Watchdog steals the scene in today’s narrative. For all the whining . . . it looks like state employees are better off than most and most still complain even in a recessesion. Now, it looks like they’re going to get a bonus come fiscal-year’s end. Granted, they haven’t received a raise in three years, and state employees should be treated fairly (i.e., based on merit), but the consistent whining of government employees — state, local or federal — when things aren’t as bad as they claim, when many are under or unemployed, leaves something to be desired. After all, aren’t their unions the ones who raise the battle cry that they want to be treated as they would be in the private sector? Seems like they are — and more.

Speaking of earning money, in Commentary, check out Thomas Sowell’s reply to the President Obama’s assertion that at some point enough is plenty; Richard Olivastro explains that both sides have found scary aspects of Elana Kagen’s career (so why is the GOP throwing in the towel?); and interesting comments from conservatives, pro and con, about the Tea Party movement. Most pointedly, Josepsh Farah, who warns that libertarian types better not forsake social issues.

But back to the Commonwealth and more national recognition to the AG. This time, someone with sense. In Analysis, Mark J. Fitzgibbons of the American Thinker, exposes another cry from embattled liberal bureaucrats (okay, college professors) and assorted liberal sky-is-falling types: That Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is picking on them. Apparently, it’s fine to harrass job creators but not those who expect a life time of cush at the taxpayers expense. Cry on! 

News

Average pay for state employee slightly trumps private-sector pay (Old Dominion Watchdog)

State employees might get 3 percent bonus (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gay-Straight Alliance winning battle for understanding (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia Democrats call on Cuccinelli to give away donation from group under scrutiny (Washington Post)

Governor to donate debated $5,000 from Fla. contributor (Roanoke Times)

Analysis

Climategate Taxpayer Fraud Investigation Draws Ideological Heat (Mark J. Fitzgibbons/American Thinker)

Eyewitness: On the Ground With the Tim Burns Campaign in Pennsylvania (Capitol Confidential/BigGovernment.com)

National News

Play space owner defends herself against claims that she’s pushing religion (Washington Post)

Rev. Wright: ‘Obama threw me under the bus’ (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Why materialist ‘conservatives’ are wrong (Joseph Farah/WorldNetDaily.com)

Angry voters hammer establishment candidates (Washington Examiner)

Grayson says tea party won’t be big voting bloc (AP/GOPUSA.com)

McConnell faults Kagan on free speech stance (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Court: Sexually dangerous can be kept in prison (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

‘Enough Money’ (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Memo to Sen. Bennett: See Rock; Crawl Under It (Quin Hillyer/The American Spectator)

Both Sides Wave Warning Flags? (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s Defiant Transparency Promise Breach (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Starving for Attention at UC Berkeley (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)

Cronkite Named as Soviet Target by FBI (Cliff Kincaid/GOPUSA.com)

Freedom of Expression? Not if it’s about Illegal Immigration (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Did CT’s AG Dick Blumenthal lie about his Vietnam service? (Fresh Ink Blog/GOPUSA.com)

Adding Insult to Ground Zero (Fresh Ink Blog/GOPUSA.com)

Court grants asylum to Obama’s aunt Zeituni Onyango (Fresh Ink Blog/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Lots Of Info, Two Points

The Monday edition brings a lot of news and features and I won’t begin to try to review them. There are two items of note, however. In one, it’s funny how the Governor Bob McDonnell is raising money for the Washington Post. Yes, that Post, that basically not only sponsored his Democrat opponent, but basically conceived of him, and then skewered and tried to embarrass Mr. McDonnell during the recent campaign. It’s peculiar, to be sure and Accuracy In Media Editor Cliff Kincaid takes a look in Analysis. Speaking of the governor and the peculiar, he endorsed a Congressional candidate that donated money to Barack Obama’s campaign.  

The other item concern’s Florida Senate Republican candidate Marco Rubio. He made a forceful statement on the relationship between our reliance on government and our crumbling society — broken families, crime, abortion. Who keeps saying social issues have no place in campaigns?  

News

Virginia tax income shows year-over-year growth (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State revenues up 2nd straight month (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Lawmakers press McDonnell to act on bipartisan redistricting (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell: Cuccinelli suit won’t hurt other anti-HCR lawsuits (Washington Post Right Now Blog)

Gingrich, McDonnell to talk health care (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Va. toll plan sees early opposition (Washington Examiner)

McDonnell to endorse Rigell in GOP primary (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Republican primary in Northern Virginia sounds familiar themes, with a twist (Washington Post)

Fla. contributor to Va. campaigns raises questions (Roanoke Times)

Dispute over theology, background led to Caner probe (Lynchburg News & Advance)

State bonds get top ratings, are sold for roads program (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Analysis

Why is GOP Gov. McDonnell Raising Money for the Post? (Cliff Kincaid/GOPUSA.com)

Should we ask if Supreme Court nominee is gay? (Martha Irvine/AP/GOPUSA.com)

Three Big Primaries This Week (Fresh Ink Blog/GOPUSA.com)

One More Reason Democrats Should Have Read Their Healthcare Bill (Fresh Ink Blog/GOPUSA.com)

National News

Woman who supported abortion rights experienced evolution that changed her mind (Washington Post)

Transgender, gay workers’ civil rights promoted in Employment Non-Discrimination Act bill (Washington Post)

Rubio says country relying too much on government (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Abortion foes capitalize on health law they fought (AP/Yahoo! News)

Anti-gay rights activist resigns after trip with male escort (CNN.com)

Small business lobby joins challenge to health law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Kagan courts converts, gains favor on Capitol Hill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Kagan unlikely to see GOP filibuster on nomination (AP/GOPUSA.com)

IRS pitches tax credit for health insurance (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

The Power of Incumbency No More (Michael Reagan/GOPUSA.com)

Gingrich Calls a Spade, a Spade. Can the rest of the GOP do it? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Berwick and Obamacare Equal Socialism on Steroids (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

American History, Not Ethnic Studies (Linda Chavez/GOPUSA.com)

An Obvious but Muzzled Truth, Islamist Terrorism (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Who is Governing America? (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

We Have to Talk About Elena Kagan (Frank Salvato/GOPUSA.com)

Jesus, Mohammad and Comedy Central (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Conservatism On Defense Will Ultimately Lose (Christopher G. Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Job? You Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Job.(Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Obama Knows Best (Harris R. Sherline/GOPUSA.com)

Intolerance is a Beautiful Thing (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

He Wasn’t Just Whistling Dixie! (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

The Double Stack Edition

The News Stand was off yesterday so the news got stacked up. So much of it is interesting, we piled it all on today. In the commonwealth, Governor Bob McDonnell appointed another Democrat to his administration. Huh? At least this latter is explainable (we think): He appointed Larry Wilder, the son of former governor and Richmond Mayor Doug, as an advisor on convicts’ re-entry into society. On the merits, Mr. Wilder has a certain perspective, given his past problems with the law. But more likely, the cynic would suggest, is that this might just have something to do with the former Democrat governor’s weighty non-endorsement of Creigh Deeds last fall.

The governor also is busy trying to line up tolls I-95 on the North Carolina border. Anything but a “tax increase.” Meanwhile, he appointed a commission to reform state government and suggest how it can operate more efficiently. Commissions come and go in Virginia. The jury will remain out on this until we see recommendations actually put into place and the ensuing positive results. Speaking of juries, Chief Justice Leroy Hassell, Sr., will resign from the top judicial spot, but remain on the court. The justices elect the chief justice themselves.  

Also in state, a sensattional trial finally is set to begin. Sensational, because Joseph Price, a co-defendant, is the former president of Equality Virginia, something the Washington Post conveniently fails to mention in its reporting.

Nationally, it’s all going on: The Mojave Desert Cross, which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled legal two weeks ago, was stolen; senior citizens in a group home in Georgia were told they could not pray out loud before meals because the home accepted federal funds (Yes! Federal funds means no free speech, now sit down and shut-up granny!); a senior House Democrat lost renomination in West Virginia to a challenger from the right; and a poll shows Utah Republicans may throwout U.S. Senator Orin Hatch next, after refusing to renominate his colleague Robert Bennett last weekend.

But we’re not close to done, with a big Surprise! coming from Washington — health care reform will cost $115 billion more than estimated just a couple of months ago! Also, a bill in Congress would allow states to veto offshore drilling, something with implications for the Old Dominion; and, in the rare good news from D.C., President Obama seeks a line item veto and the Senate votes to audit at least some of the Fed (see Richard Olivastro’s commentary on this issue as well).

News

Va. Chief Justice Hassell to yield leadership post (The Daily Press)

McDonnell has high expectations for reform panel (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Delegate criticizes McDonnell choice for chairman of government-reform panel (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Public input sought on government reform (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Va. seeks tolls on I-95 near N.C. border (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell proposes tolls on Interstate 95 in Virginia near N.C. border (Washington Post)

Cuccinelli on Kagan: Not a fan, but lack of judicial experience not the issue (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Conspiracy trial in Robert Wone killing set to start (Washington Post)

Abortion opponents present petition to Va. Beach (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell appoints Wilder’s son as special assistant for re-entry education (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Optometrist wins GOP nod in Chesterfield (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

LU officials to investigate Caner’s background claims (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National News

Thieves Steal Mojave Desert Memorial Cross in Nighttime Heist (FoxNews.com)

Senior citizens told they can’t pray before meals (Rome, Ga. News-Tribune)

Voters’ anti-establishment mood bites both parties (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Poll: Roughly half wouldn’t vote for U.S. Sen. Hatch (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Health overhaul law potentially costs $115B more (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Bill would allow states to veto offshore drilling (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate votes to examine Federal Reserve lending (AP/GOPUSA.com)

New force for broad immigration reform: conservative evangelicals (CNN.com)

Abortion could be sleeper issue in Supreme Court confirmation process (Washington Post)

Obama to Seek Line-Item Veto Power to Trim Spending From Bills (New York Times)

Michael Steele defends spending to RNC state party leaders during meeting (Washington Post)

Despite Content Purge, Pornographic Images Remain on Wikimedia (FoxNews.com)

Analysis

Reagan-Hating Kagan(Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Change Watch: Elena Kagan–Supreme Court Nominee (FRCBlog.com)

Commentary

A ‘Duty to Die’? (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Michelle Obama: Food Profiteer Turned Food Cop (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Cut Spending Today To Save Tomorrow (Tony Blankley/GOPUSA.com)

Should the Fed Be Audited? (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

And They Say Nothing Happens On Monday

Virginia news is pretty slack today, but we are mentioned yet again in the media, this time by Washington Jewish Week, about the state police chaplain prayer policy. People can’t seem to stop writing about us. It’s because we are making an impact and — to the shock of a startled elite — social conservatism is not out of favor with Americans.

Except for those here watching over the impending European implosion, the major news nationally deals with a Supreme Court nominee and one who will vote to confirm her. President Barack Obama selected Solicitor General Elena Kagan to fill the spot of retiring Justice John Paul Stevens. Meanwhile, one who will vote to confirm her, U.S. Senator Bob Bennett (R-Utah), didn’t even qualify for his party’s primary ballot, the first Tea Party scalp this year. Infiltrating a Republican nomination process may sound predictable, and cheered by liberals who think GOP divisions may stave their pending November doom, but you may be surprised at the next incumbent Tea Party scalp in the queue: Democrat Representative Allan Mollohan (D-W.Va.), a senior appropriator, who has a primary challenge from a state senator gaining traction because of Rep. Mollohan’s pork barrelling ear marks and questionable ethics. 

Finally, the health care law has come up short. Already. Again! According to the AP, that guaranteed “kid” coverage (up to age 26!) has run into a snag. Government efficiency and liberal utopia at its best.

News

*Virginia prayer reversal blasted (Washington Jewish Week)

Police chaplains wary of Va. program (Washington Post)

Effort to shrink Virginia government isn’t new (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell reform commission chairman pick sparks protest (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

1st District GOP candidate: Lawmakers guilty of treason (Woodbridge/Manassas News & Messenger)

McDonnell backs O’Brien in Northern Virginia Senate primary (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Saxman now a lobbyist (Staunton News Leader)

National News

Obama Nominates Kagan to Seat on Supreme Court (Wall Street Journal)

Conservatives Note Kagan’s Anti-Military Views, Lack of Judicial Experience (CNSNews.com)

Federal Reserve opens credit line to Europe (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Premiums may undermine coverage guarantee for kids (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Anti-incumbent mood challenge to veteran Democrat (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Conservatives focus on KY following Bennett defeat in Utah (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Supreme Court Nominee Elena Kagan (Ed Whelan/National Review’s The Corner Blog)

The Great Disentangling Has Begun: What Bob Bennett’s Defeat Means and Does Not (Erick Erickson/RedState.com)

Commentary

Will America Follow Greece? (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

Arizona Law Also Happens To Be Good Politics (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)