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Here’s a reminder about a great event we’re co-sponsoring tomorrow night in Centerville explaining how to investigate and prevent voter fraud. We we hope you can attend if you live or will be in the area.

The King Street Patriots from Houston is a group that was shocked to uncover several voting irregularities in its hometown elections, so it created an initiative called True the Vote, which is becoming a model for groups to fight voter fraud across the country (see video and read background, here). With General Assembly elections this November — normally very low turnout campaigns where a few votes can mean the difference between a conservative or liberal Senate — eliminating voter fraud is more important than ever. If elections are not fair they are not free. So, please attend Centreville Baptist Church tomorrow night at 7:00. to learn more. Catherine Engelbrecht, President of The King Street Patriots (see Breitbart.tv), will share the shocking experiences she encountered with the Houston True the Vote organization.

The video below is a Fox News Channel interview of Ms. Engelbrecht and Family Foundation friend Kelly Shackelford of the Liberty Institute. (Kelly was a key partner of us developing strategy during the Marriage Amendment campaign and LI has successfully argued religious liberty cases at the U.S. Supreme Court.) In it, they explain the outrageous and scary voter fraud discovered in Texas during recent elections.

Ms. Engelbrecht, herself, has a remarkable story and worth the time to see. She is a successful entrepreneur in the oil services industry, a mom and someone who was motivated in recent times to get involved in the political process after seeing the direction of our country. She founded The King Street Patriots and her work for it is entirely volunteer.

At the meeting you will also receive updates from American Majority, a Virginia-based national training organization whose mission is to train leaders committed to individual freedom through limited government and the free market. In addition, The Family Foundation will provide an update on the latest General Assembly and November election news. If you are in Northern Virginia, will be in the area, or want to make the trip, we encourage you to attend. For more information, contact Roger Pogge at 804-343-0010 or roger@familyfoundation.org.

The event is free and open to the public. Click here to register, for directions or for more information.

True The Vote Informational Meeting

Centreville Baptist Church

15100 Lee Highway, Centreville

Tuesday, May 17

7:00 – 9:00 p.m.

Much is at stake this November: “If elections are not fair they are not free.”

In case you missed it, Governor Bob McDonnell appeared on the Fox News Channel morning show Fox & Friends yesterday to tout his State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday night and Virginia’s budget surplus. He also took the opportunity, when the opening was given, to take a polite shot at some of his Democrat colleagues who’ve raised taxes in their states over the last year.

Friendly interview: Governor McDonnell had a receptive forum for his message — cut spending, don’t raise taxes.

What were liberals saying about Virginia’s lawsuit against the federal government’s health care law — that it was a waste of time, that it had no chance, that it was . . . frivolous? Client Number 9 spoke for them all and said “no judge or legal scholar” thought Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli had a snowball’s chance in August. The AG told him and all of critics they were wrong. Since March he has taken undignified shots from radical leftists — many granted cover as mainstream by, of course, the mainstream media and Washington elitists — and on Monday he was vindicated.

As expected, there’s been a media crush on the Attorney General Cuccinelli, with the suddenly awaken press wanting to know what this case was all about after all. One telling interview is below, with long-time Washington media stalwart Bob Schieffer of CBS News, who admitted that Mr. Cuccinelli gave him the best explanation of the issue than anyone has ever given him. Amazing! Maybe that conservative whack job really does know the constitution! Bob, you need to get out more. The issue isn’t that complex and smart people don’t exclusively live in D.C. 

Below, are two more interviews, one each with Attorney General Cuccinelli and Governor Bob McDonnell on Fox News Channel with Greta Van Susteran. In addition to the video, here is a great interview the attorney general gave to National Review Online.

Although it is the first of many court decisions he faces, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli this week became the first person to successfully challenge President Obama’s federal health insurance scheme. U.S. District Court Judge Henry Hudson ruled a key component of the plan — the “individual mandate” — unconstitutional.

In his opinion, Judge Hudson concluded:

Neither the Supreme Court nor any federal court of appeals has extended Commerce Clause powers to compel an individual to involuntarily enter a stream of commerce by purchasing a commodity in the private market. In doing so, enactment of the Minimum Essential Coverage Provision exceeds the Commerce Clause powers vested in Congress under Article I.

He added that the individual mandate “is neither within the letter nor the spirit of the U.S. Constitution.” That letter meaning this: “Regulate” during the days of the constitution’s adoption meant, “to make regular.” Far from taking over entire industries, the federal government instead was to ensure that states didn’t discriminate against businesses from one state to the advantage of one from another.

The Obama administration argued that the constitution’s Commerce Clause gives the government broad authority to order Americans to purchase health insurance because not doing so adversely affects commerce. Of course, this unprecedented attempt to force Americans to purchase a product was predicated on labeling inactivity (not buying insurance) “interstate commerce.” Stranger than fiction, we know.

While the Obama administration will appeal Monday’s decision to the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Attorney General Cuccinelli would prefer an expedited appeal directly to the U.S. Supreme Court. He was in talks with the Department of Justice about a joint motion to that affect, but it now appears DOJ wants no part of it (better to delay until more and more parts of the law go into affect). However, Mr. Cuccinelli told Fox New Channel’s Greta Van Susteren Monday night he may go forward on that by himself and also may appeal Judge Hudson’s refusal to place an injunction on the health care law (see video). He has 30 days from last Monday to make that appeal. Regardless of how or when, ultimately Obamacare’s fate will be determined by the U.S. Supreme Court.

While there are dozens of reasons to oppose Obamacare (see Obamacare411), the provision that requires otherwise free Americans to purchase health insurance or face penalties is the most egregious — but it is also the financial linchpin of the entire law. Without the mandate, much of the rest of the law is untenable.

Earlier this year, The Family Foundation supported the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act, the basis for the Commonwealth’s lawsuit against the federal government. It protects Virginia citizens from being compelled to buy insurance against their will. We applaud the Attorney General and his staff for their commitment to protecting the freedom of Virginians. For a great perspective on the hearing and Judge Hudson’s ruling, view Mr. Cuccinelli’s post-decision news conference (click here). We are the only news or Internet site that recorded and posted the entire news conference.

Two days remain to buy tickets to see Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) deliver the keynote speech at The Family Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Gala, this Saturday, October 9, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. Winner of the recent 2012 presidential straw poll at the Family Research Council’s Values Voter Summit (see video for a preview of what to expect Saturday), Congressman Pence has been turning heads as a rising star in the conservative movement. So much so, in fact, we just learned that Fox News Channel intends to cover the gala!

Last weekend, Congressman Pence, the third ranking member of the House Republican Conference, traveled to Iowa — not by accident, he joked — where he spoke to the Faith and Freedom Coalition dinner (Iowa Independent). A hero among social and fiscal conservatives, Congressman Pence’s remarks were enthusiastically received (see Kathie Obradovich at The DesMoines Register’s Iowa Politcs Blog). In short, he is rising to the top of the 2012 GOP presidential field.

This quote from that speech is an example of why he is held in such high regard by social conservatives (see Caffeinated Thoughts and its podcast):

To those who say we should focus on fiscal issues, instead of the right to life, I say, “What is more fiscally responsible than denying any and all funding to Planned Parenthood of America?” To those who say that marriage doesn’t matter, I say, “You would not be able to print enough money in 1,000 years to pay for the government you would need if the traditional family continues to collapse.”

In addition to registering online, you can purchase tickets by phone through Friday at (804) 343-0010 by Friday. The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and is preceded by a private sponsors’ reception and picture opportunity with Congressman Pence at 5:15 p.m.

Here’s one more sample of what you’ll get with Mike Pence:

Pence: God planted America’s seeds of liberty.

Party or principle? Politicians are between that rock and hard place every time they must make a decision. However, in the mainstream media, the pundit class and to those inside the circles of power in Washington and state capitals — the “ruling class” — there seems to be a double standard for conservatives.

It’s really peculiar to hear liberal talking heads say what’s good for the Republican Party. You hear them scoff when a conservative wins a nomination because, “only a moderate can win in” certain states. What they mean is that in nominating a “moderate” the Dems can’t lose. Either their candidate wins, or they get someone who will “reach across the aisle” and help them push through their agenda. It’s funny that we never hear about Democrats reaching across the aisle to help usher through conservative legislation.

Although the “ruling class” lionizes most office holders for making decisions based on principle over party, it’s really ostensible praise. When a conservative Republican makes such a decision, especially when he shows true courage (in a certain case, being the only one in his caucus to stand up for a certain candidate), he is branded as destructive to the party. 

Thus, the case of Republican U.S. Senator Jim DeMint of South Carolina. He is not content to be in a Republican majority because, as he says, he was in one once before and the Republicans “embarrassed” themselves. He wants to be in a conservative majority. According to Senator DeMint, it’s not good enough to be Democrat-light. It is an admirable stance but it brings with it the inevitable attacks — from both parties. The Left demonizes him as an extremist while establishment Republicans hammer him as divisive. But if you’re not in it for power or to make influential friends, it’s amazing how much you can do for your country. Senator DeMint’s backing has led to the unheard of defeats of two GOP incumbent defeats in primaries and the victories of several more insurgent conservatives over establishment choices. It gives the lie, as explained yesterday, to the mantra that ”conservatives can’t win,” especially in certain states.

Here’s how he explains it in a mash-up from Politico.com:

Republicans “embarrassed themselves in front of the country” the last time they had a Senate majority.

Here’s a more in-depth interview (5:09) yesterday on Fox News Channel.

DeMint: “Outside of Washington, Republicans have never been MORE united.” While Washington tries to divide us, Americans unite over enduring Judeo-Christian, core American principles.

Since our founding 25 years ago, The Family Foundation has worked to engage pastors in the civic process. With new threats to religious liberty and the rights of the church to proclaim publically the gospel exposed every day, there is no time like the present to get involved.

In that vein, on September 20, our Pastors for Family Values outreach arm is holding its third annual Pastors Summit, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Ramada Plaza Richmond West (directions, information). More than 200 pastors from all corners of the commonwealth already have committed to attending. More are welcome as we have assembled a lineup of extraordinary speakers whose credentials rival that of any national convention, and of which we barely scratch the surface here, including: 

» Historian David Barton, Founder and President of WallBuilders, who appears frequently on cable news channels (see interview with Mike Huckabee on Fox News Channel); 

» Virginia 4th District Congressman Randy Forbes, Founder and Co-chairman of The Congressional Prayer Caucus, whose House floor speech on religious liberty is one of the most watched Congressional speeches ever (see video);

» Bishop E. W. Jackson, Sr., Family Foundation Chaplain and President of S.T.A.N.D., a national organization dedicated to maintaining America’s Judeo-Christian heritage;

» Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel David French, one of the country’s top religious liberty attorneys, (see Fox News interview with Laura Ingraham, here);

» Author and lecturer Bill Federer (see video), President of Amerisearch and frequently quoted in the media; and

» Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb, a recent participant in the 2010 The King’s College Distinguished Visitor Series.

The theme this is, “A Passion to Preserve Our Religious Liberty,” which is timely with new and greater threats to our religious liberty emerging almost every day, coming at us from every direction. It is imperative that pastors are equipped and engaged for the inevitable battles that lie ahead, and the reknown speakers addressing the summit will educate and inspire. 

The event is free for pastors, but registration is required (click here). Summit information, including hotel room discounts, can be found there. If you are not a pastor, but think your pastor should know about the summit, please share this link with him. For more details, please call Roger Pogge at 804-343-0010 or e-mail him at roger@familyfoundation.org. It is vitally important that every pastor in Virginia is informed and encouraged to engage the culture in this very important area of our faith.

Bishop E.W. Jackson, Sr., speaking at a Pastors For Family Values event in Norfolk earlier this year, where he underscored the importance of pastor engagement in the public square. 

We’ve mentioned several times recently that Congressman Mike Pence (R-Ind.) is a rising national conservative star and leader. Many tout him as a 2012 presidential candidate and he is the third ranking GOP member of the House, in line to become the majority whip if the Republicans win the House majority in November. He also happens to be the keynote speaker at The Family Foundation’s 25th Anniversary Celebration Gala on October 9 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. (See video invite featuring Congressman Pence, here.)

There is no greater evidence of his standing and stature in the national media and political realm than this: Friday morning after the Labor Department released yet another sad employment number (9.6 percent unemployment rate) and President Obama’s sadder still rationalization and fantasy land pronouncement that the economy is improving, it was Representative Pence who was the in-demand speaker to articulate the opposition view.

Here is the Fox News Channel interview with Congressman Pence that aired live immediately after the president’s propaganda show:

Voice of the opposition: Congressman Mike Pence takes the lead in providing right reason to the Obama-Reid-Pelosi regime program of failure. See for yourself why he commands so much national media attention at our 25th Anniversary Celebration Gala on October 9 in Richmond.

Governor Bob McDonnell was on the highly rated Fox News Channel morning show Fox & Friends today to tout the success in turning Virginia’s budget deficit into a tenuous surplus and the Commonwealth’s recent top-of-the-table business-friendly rankings. He got in his plugs for how he and the General Assembly turned a sour budget situation into a much better, promising one (and better than in many states and certainly better than in Washington). But the name of the segment — “Virginia’s Rags to Riches Story” — might give the wrong impression. While things comparatively might look good here in the Old Dominion, there’s still a way to go.

On the other hand, is this the first time in its 400-year history the Commonwealth has been referred to as “Rags”? (Or maybe that’s a reference to former Governor Tim Kaine?) Either way, it shows that some good things can happen when you get to work and don’t whine about your predecessor.

From Rags to Riches . . . . From Kaine to McDonnell.

As we were one of the first to report this morning, Virginia, through Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (see news release), and despite what almost every liberal pundit and legislator has prognosticated, won round one in his lawsuit against the constitutionality of the new federal health care takeover law. Federal District Court Judge Henry Hudson, of the Eastern District of Virginia, in Richmond, ruled against the Department of Justice’s motion to dismiss the case because Virginia, it alleged on several fronts, has no standing. Judge Hudson rejected those arguments and the case now will go to full trial, on October 18 in Richmond (see Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog).

In his 32-page ruling (see here) Judge Hudson wrote:

Although this lawsuit has the collateral effect of protecting the individual interests of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia, its primary articulated objective is to defend the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act from the conflicting effect of an allegedly unconstitutional federal law. Despite its declaratory nature, it is a lawfully-enacted part of the laws of Virginia. The purported transparent legislative intent underlying its enactment is irrelevant. The mere existence of the lawfully-enacted [Virginia] statute is sufficient to trigger the duty of the Attorney General of Virginia to defend the law and the associated sovereign power to enact it.

Ouch! Quite smackdown to the feds’ several arguments as well as to left-wing pundits and activists who repeatedly said Attorney General Cuccinelli had no standing, no right, no business and no chance in filing this suit. Judge Hudson’s opinion, boiled down, is exactly what the AG has said all along: That he took an oath to defend not only the U.S. Constitution, but the Virginia Constitution and the laws of the commonwealth. Judge Hudson also found that even though the federal insurance mandate doesn’t take effect until 2014, the case is “ripe” because a conflict of state and federal laws is certain to occur. All are obvious reasons to proceed to trial to anyone with commonsense, regardless of political persuasion, except the hyper left.

At issue at the trial on October 18 is whether the federal government can order individuals to buy something (in this case, health insurance) in contradiction to Virginia law, the Virginia Health Care Freedom Act (see text). Then, it will be the AG on the offensive, asking for summary judgment. In the hearing to dismiss on July 1, the Department of Justice said it was not invoking the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, as Congress itself said it was, but rather its taxing authority, which made for some pretty humorous and pretzel twisting arguments from the government’s lawyers.

For what it’s worth: At the conclusion of the hearing on the feds’ motion to dismiss, Judge Hudson promised a decision by the last week of July. When it didn’t come last week, it was widely expected to come this morning. We were notified of the ruling around 10:30. One tip that something was up was a promo last night on the Fox News Channel that the AG would be on On The Record with Greta Van Susteran (hear her commentary) tonight at 10:00. Odds are that it won’t be the only show upon which he will appear.

In the meantime, we were the only media, new or old, to have Attorney General Cuccinelli’s entire July 1 post-hearing news conference. To see it, and hear more of his legal reasoning behind the case, click here.  

As we said from the early days of this past General Assembly session, what Virginia was doing with the Health Care Freedom Act was historic. Today was another new chapter which, most likely, will have several more written.