FamilyFoundationBlog.com

Our string of providing complete, start-to-finish coverage of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s health care lawsuit news conferences took a bit of a hit yesterday because of some technical glitches. But we do have most of it and still more than anyone else has posted. So, here it is in two video blocks, joined in progress after Mr. Cucinelli’s opening remarks before taking questions (click here for a transcript of the entire statement, which is a good read). To make up for the glitch, we have sound bytes from the opening statement via Fox News’ Special Report with Bret Baier (as well as the subsequent panel discussion). In addition, so you can get the virtual effect of being at all the festivities yesterday, you can click on the links below to hear the oral arguments of the Liberty University and Virginia cases against the federal government and then watch the post-hearing news conference in the exact order in which they occurred.

Liberty University v. Timothy Geithner (1:24)

Commonwealth of Virginia v. Kathleen Sebelius (:49)

It’s not about health care. It’s about liberty.

We are about to set up at the Attorney General’s office and will post later this afternoon Ken Cuccinelli’s entire news conference. It starts at 2:00 and is expected to last 45 minutes. We believe we will be the only organization anywhere to do this, as we have his previous health care lawsuit news conferences (see here and here). Please visit later today for the entire story!

Last night, Client No.9, the former New York attorney general and governor, Eliot Spitzer, tried a typical elitist tactic when debating Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on the CNN program Parker Spitzer. Not having any constitutional basis on which to debate Mr. Cuccinelli, he relied on the patently immature “virtually every constitutional scholar says you don’t have a case” assertion. First, it’s not true. Second saying it over and over won’t ever make it true.

Not that Client No.9 didn’t try a legal argument. He did, but it was mission aborted from twin malfunctions of indecipherable run-arounds and a simple thing called the constitution (not to mention an incredible misunderstanding of the bill’s provisions). Attorney General Cuccinelli simply cited reason, history, the law, precedent and the constitution. Which is why he filed the lawsuit against the federal government’s health care law — it is so brazenly beyond the widest stretches ever imagined of the constitution (see Cuccinelli news conference).

Then it was time for Spitzer’s sophomoric, “well, my dad said,” exclamation. What the Left means when they say that is: We know more than you, so just go home and mind your business. You’re an idiot for wasting your time. Arrogance is the one thing they are good at.

So, who are these constitutional scholars? They are never named. Maybe the line should be modified to “every liberal constitutional scholar.” The fact is, there are plenty of constitutional scholars who say Virginia’s case against Obamacare is sound. Here’s eight, in one quick search, courtesy of Hadley Heath at healthcarelawsuits.org. Besides, we’ll take Madison, Hamilton and Jayover any liberal law school dean any day of the week.  

While Mr. Spitzer wasn’t as obnoxious as he was to Senator-elect Rand Paul (R-Ky.), he was condescending. That said, what else does he have to go on? Since more people saw Client No.9 during his legal troubles (zennie62.com) than watch his show (wonkette.com) — and only slightly more than 100 have viewed the video on YouTube as of this posting — we thought we’d bring it to you.

Spitzer’s legal incoherence was easy for Cuccinelli to take apart. Client No.9 amazingly thinks there are no checks on Congress.

Speaking of constitutional court cases, please log on to Family Foundation Blog tomorrow as we will be at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, where the Office of Attorney General will argue against the federal government’s motion to dismiss the lawsuit filed by Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli against the federal health care law. The AG also will hold a news conference afterward and numerous national media are expected to attend. We will have all the details.

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

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)