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Virginia’s law suit against the new health care law — known officially as “Commonwealth of Virginia, Ex Rel. Kenneth T. Cuccinelli, II vs. Kathleen Sebelius, Civil No. 3:10CV188, Motion Hearing” — will proceed Monday morning at 9:00 in Judge Henry Hudson’s Richmond courtroom. The hearing is on the heels of yesterday’s decision by Federal District Judge Roger Vinson in Florida to allow the 20 State Law Suit to proceed as well (21StateLawsuit.com). While that case is behind the Eastern District of Virginia’s famous “Rocket Docket,” and is where the Virginia case stood about a month ago, the fact that the weight of 21 states now are at full trial over the constitutionality of Obamacare was welcome news to Attoreny General Cuccinelli (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog).

We will be there in the courtroom Monday (or, most likely, in a satellite room with a video feed), and provide our impressions later in the day (electronic equipment is not permitted in the courtroom). So please check in with us. We also hope to be at any post hearing news conference the attorney general may hold, just as we were after the hearing on the federal government’s motion to dismiss in July. We were the only media anywhere to post video of the entire news conference (see it here, as relevant points to Monday’s hearing were discussed).

We expect Attorney General Cuccinelli will be on several television interview shows throughout Monday afternoon and evening, so there will be plenty of opportunity to hear straight from the source. In the meantime, here’s a video of a speech he made at a freedom rally in D.C. last month:

Getting his day in court. More precisely, the people getting their day in court against the government’s unprecedented power grab over individual liberty.

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

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

Obama’s 17-Minute Non-Answer; George Orwell Proven Right?

We lead off the News today with our own Victoria Cobb interviewed about the McDonnell administration’s prices of filling 900-plus positions on state boards and commissions. The Richmond Times-Dispatch was intrigued by conservative activists (namely us, see here) urging conservatives to get involved and apply. Otherwise, the state’s political media remains obsessed with the attorney general.

Nationally, there is intrigue of another sort: Republican U.S. Senate primaries. Former U.S. Representative J.D. Hayworth (R-Ariz.) is putting up a serious challenge to incumbent John McCain while former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani endorsed former Florida House Speaker Marco Rubio in the hotly contested GOP nomination fight which also includes current Governor Charlie Crist. Speaking of the GOP, the fallout from the wacky fundraiser has one resigning and Chairman Michael Steele under fire.

Commentary is abuzz with The Answer — President Obama’s 17 minute ramble to a simple question from a woman about taxes! Bobby Eberle, David Limbaugh and Debra Saunders share their thoughts. We gladly feature the great Thomas Sowell, again, and Harris Sherline expounds on something mentioned here from time to time: George Orwell is more right than even he had a right to expect.

News

*McDonnell urges online applications for boards, panels (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

GOP has dream activist in Cuccinelli (AP/Danville Register & Bee)

Cuccinelli casts a shadow (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

State employee argues to Va. Supreme Court that he was fired for being gay (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Analysis

Supreme Court prospects are Kagan, Wood Garland (AP/GOPUSA.com)

National News

Hayworth defines Ariz. race as tea party vs. DC (AP/GOPUSA.com)

RNC official steps down, but Steele stands firm (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Gingrich tells GOP: Back off RNC’s Michael Steele (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Giuliani endorses Rubio for Senate seat in Fla. (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Whitman chips in $20M more in Calif. gov. race (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Karl Rove ad urges residents to fill out census (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Race and Politics (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Just think if Obama had to answer a hard question (BobbyEberle/GOPUSA.com)

Didn’t Obama Get the Memo that His Bill Passed? (BobbyEberle/GOPUSA.com)

Read the Transcript and Freak (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s 17-Minute Non-Answer Answer (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)

Congress Has Become an Institution of the Useless (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

George Orwell’s Predictions Come True (Harris R. Sherline/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Day One Of Amerika? Or The First Day Of Revolution Two?

The News Stand has returned. Forgive us for its absence, but a little thing called General Assembly session kind of got in the way. Our Communications Department was kind of preoccupied. Today, of course, is quite the time to return. There’s not much to add to the major news story of our time — the federal government’s takeover of our health care system. We have some excellent commentary below. But I do want to add one ironic historical note, a reminder from our friend Norman Leahy at Tertium Quids: Today is the day in 1765 that the British Parliament passed The Stamp Act. We all know what that precipitated. Started here in Virginia, too. Parallels?

News

McDonnell to soon name panels on jobs, government reform, higher education (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Danville debate draws 7 who hope to challenge Perriello (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Democrats to gather in Richmond for low-key Jefferson-Jackson dinner (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Cuccinelli says Va. will sue over health-care bill (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

Abortion compromise doesn’t satisfy critics (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Insurers, doctor-owned hospitals get late help (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

American People Say ‘No’ While Democrats Say ‘Yes We Can’ (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Health Plan Means Bigger Deficits and Higher Taxes (Michael Barrone/GOPUSA.com)

The Goal is Control (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

Doctors and Health Care Reform (Harris Sherline/GOPUSA.com)

‘Don’t Tread On Me’ Was More Than A Slogan (Thomas D. Segel/GOPUSA.com)

The ‘Historic’ Health Care Bill that Americans Don’t Want (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Ok . . . Let’s Get Serious About Cutting Spending (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Unions, Public Schools and Minority Kids (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations

Jesus’ Home Found?

Not much regarding state news today. So slow, in fact, that even Barack “Barry from D.C.” Obama had time to call in to WTOP radio to chat up Governor Tim Kaine. So we’ve loaded up, mostly, on what everyone is talking about: the health care bill — and the News Stand is loaded today, complete with news, analysis and commentary on health care, but other topics, too, including some thoughts on Christmas. In addition, Matt Friedeman, at Rightly Concerned Blog, takes a look at an archaeological find in Nazareth that could be a home in the village in which Jesus grew up! Pretty exciting news at any time, especially now, especially with all that is going on. 

One reason for the large News Stand is that it will take a break after today until January 4. So read up! Starting then, we’ll have all the news concerning the countdown to General Assembly session as well as the pending inauguration of the McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli administration. Until then, we’ll continue to update the blog with comment and content throughout the Christmas season, with the expected breaks here and there to enjoy the Holy Season.

News:

Senator Newman to propose infanticide law change (BearingDrift.com)

McDonnell to announce Connaughton as transportation secretary (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Mark Warner Falls 31 Points Among Republicans And 43 Points Among Independents In One Year (NotLarrySabato.com)

‘Barry from D.C.’ calls WTOP to thank Va. Gov. Kaine (Washington Post Politics and Policy Blog)

National News:

Jesus’ Narareth home found? (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Abortion could still roil the health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Reid brags about deals cut for votes in Senate health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Democrat’s special deals life blood of health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate gears for second critical health vote (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Sunrise vote nudges health care bill forward (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Blacks say Obama notdoing enough for them (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Europe feels left out in cold on climate deal (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Concessions Democrat lawmakers won in health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Worst reporting of 2009 — who made the cut? (OneNewsNow.com)

Abortion — a ‘choice’ issue for Democrats (OneNewsNow.com)

Senator Nelson ‘betrayed’ pro-lifers back home (OneNewsNow.com)

Healthcare mandate: Get insured . . . or else (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Obamacare Hazardous to America’s Health (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

The ‘Science’ Mantra (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Al Gore and the Wizards of Climategate (Tom Borelli/GOPUSA.com)

A Cool Wind Braces theHot-Air Crowd (Debra Saunders/GOPUSA.com)

The Realities of Christmas Time (Richard Olivastro/GOPUSA.com)

‘Tis The Week Before Christmas (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

The War on Christmas — it’s a Commie thing (Matt Barber/OneNewsNow.com)

Away with the manger (Chuck Norris/Rightly Concerned Blog)

When All Else Fails, Accuse Opponents of Being Racists (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

A Tasty Recipe for Conservative Victory (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Should GOP Adopt a Conservative Litmus Test (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Fast and pray until Christmas Day (Janet Porter/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Minister tells his flock to go steal (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Sen. Gregg: ‘A government run by community organizers has taken over’ (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Reid bought off votes with $1.2 billion in kickbacks (Elijah Friedeman/The Millennial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

How to stop the healthcare bill (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Weekend Edition

We had a lot going during the week and didn’t get to post these articles, but think they all are of interest. Hope you get a chance to peruse them. One question: Is the Obama machine cranking up for Creigh Deeds a good thing?

News:

Cuccinelli running on GOP core values for Va. AG (Washington Times)

Key Democrat speaks to McDonnell faithful (Washington Times)

All Set for a Republican Resurrection (Washington Post)

McDonnell ahead of Deeds in race for donations (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell’s coffers filling up faster (The Daily Press)

Statewide candidates report healthy treasuries (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Shannon would target predators, gangs as Va. AG (Washington Times)

Obama Grassroots Step Up For Deeds (TalkingPointsMemo.com)

Hamilton, Abbott lay out priorities (The Daily Press)

Campaign ad sparks candidate clash on taxes (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Deals like Senator’s rare at Va. Universities (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Country club bars same-sex family membership in vote (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

This November, Virginians will be one of only two states in the nation with statewide elections. There is much anticipation nationally, as well as in the Commonwealth, as both parties will make Virginia a battleground to prove or disprove President Barack Obama’s popularity and build momentum for the national mid-term Congressional elections in 2010.

What will our voting say about the approval or disapproval of President Obama’s policy agenda? Having voted for the first time in decades for a Democrat president, will Virginia remain blue? Do the traditional values most Virginians share matter in elections anymore?

Two weeks ago, Republicans chose their nominees for statewide office (McDonnell, Bolling, Cuccinelli) and, on Tuesday, Democrats chose their ticket (Deeds, Wagner, Shannon). But it’s not just the offices of Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General that will chart the course of our Commonwealth. All 100 House of Delegates seats are up for election in November and, at this point, it appears that up to two-thirds of those may be contested. 

With such high stakes, and perhaps a historic level of national interest in an off-off-year election, many have inquired as to the involvement of The Family Foundation to ensure that our values and our pro-family agenda is endorsed through representative candidates in November.

Someone actually asked if we were we were engaging in an ”ACORN-esque” program for the upcoming election. Since we intentionally do not follow ACORN’s illegal and unethical activities — nor partake in the “stimulus” gifts it receives — the individual referred to ensuring that citizens who agree with Virginia values are legally identified, registered, educated on candidates and mobilized to vote. 

With that in mind, today, we formally announced “Winning Matters” — a 2009 election project of The Family Foundation and The Family Foundation Action. Winning Matters is a four-step action plan encompassing: 

1. Identifying more Virginians who share our values;

2. Turning concerned citizens into values voting Virginians by registering them to vote.

3. Educating newly and previously registered voters on the differences between candidates on matters of life, marriage, parental authority, religious liberty and constitutional government.

4. Motivating and mobilizing these informed voters to make a wise choice and to vote on election day.

This voter identification and mobilization plan is the largest in our history — potentially larger than the 2006 Marriage Amendment campaign. In the weeks to come, we will tell you more about this project and how you can, and must, be a part of the work we are doing with (and for) pro-family Virginians for the future of our Commonwealth.