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Annotations & Elucidations

The Turkeys Amongst Us

We’ve beaten everyone to the punch with some political leftovers. If you didn’t hear already, Governor Tim Kaine is talking the same way on the way out as he did on the way in — tax increase! That a way to leave a legacy, Excellency! Playing politics to the very end. Oh, well. It is, thankfully, the end.

In National News, the Catholic Bishop of Rhode Island, Thomas Tobin, has reluctantly become the foil to the most famous member of his flock: pro-abortion-on-demand Democrat Congressman Patrick Kennedy, son of the late senator. The congressman has made public private letters written to him by the Bishop explaining why abortion is evil and that his support for it endangers his soul. Leave it to a Kennedy to politicize private religious counseling. Speaking of Catholic Bishops, Real Catholic Blog reports on Richard Viguerie’s concern that the U.S. Bishops, despite directly cutting off ACORN, indirectly may still be funding it. Also, Mitt Romney’s presidential ambitions are sinking as “health care reform” rises in the public consciousness, the AFA calls a temporary cease fire with the Gap, and Republicans in Congress want an investigation into leaked e-mails from the organization the U.N. takes its “climate change” info from. You see, the e-mails admit “the science” is junk.

In Commentary, Chuck Norris chimes in on loss of freedoms, Matt Friedeman writes about a man in a coma for 23 years, who was able to hear but not communicate (so much for the euthanasia argument), and Friedemen discusses one brave clergyman not afraid to take on fellow evangelicals for modern day indulgences (”Prosperity Gospel”). But, today, as the News Stand wishes everyone a fantastic four day break from the serious, it’s all about Michelle Malkin’s “Turkeys of the Year” — a great figurative appetizer to the real deal meal Thursday. Enjoy. 

News:

Kaine doesn’t say no to possibility of a tax increase (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine hints of Virginia tax hikes (Washington Times)

Kaine: New taxes possible (Roanoke Times)

Elections board certifies Virginians’ votes (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Villanueva certified as 21st District winner (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

Kennedy abortion debate puts politics, religion back in spotlight (CNN.com)

CCHD Still Funding ACORN? (Real Catholic Blog)

Mass. healthcare undermines Romney’s GOP support  (OneNewsNow.com)

Gap boycott on hold (OneNewsNow.com)

GOP opens probe into climate science e-mails (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Turkeys of the year (Michelle Malkin/OneNewsNow.com)

Loving Life That Doesn’t Seem Very Alive (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Fighting The Prosperity Gospel (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Thankful for fading freedoms (Chuck Norris/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Obama Approval Index Hits New Low (Elijah Friedeman/The Millenial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations

Breaking News: Next Budget Shortfall $3.5 Billion!

Breaking news this evening: Senate Finance Committee analysts told that committee’s members this afternoon that the next two-year budget will be $3.5 billion short, not to mention the current budget lacking another $209 million.

In other news, Governor Tim Kaine told the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he has concerns with some of Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s positions. He is afraid the new governor will sign certain bills he vetoed, not continue his executive order banning “sexual orientation discrimination” in state government hiring, and fears meat ax budget cuts (apparently only Mr. Kaine knows how to cut spending correctly). He also said he’s not afraid of being unpopular. Good thing. 

Speaking of cuts, one state budget analyst told the House Appropriations and Finance Committees yesterday the commonwealth of overbuilt for prisons and that perhaps construction and maintenance costs could be pared for the time being. A harmless cut, manna for pols!

In national news, the Senate showdown on health care approaches and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius tries to put out a fire by now saying, of course the administration wants women to get mammograms by age 40. Uh-huh, right. Meanwhile, the public embraces common sense proposals, such as tort reform, but no one’s listening, and the president has hired another tax cheat at the Treasury Department.

In Commentary, Larry Kudlow, Michael Barone and Michelle Malkin take on different aspects of President Obama’s bowing and tripping Asia excursion, Walter E. Williams excoriates the horrendous moral relativism taught to our students, and Christopher Adamo explains the GOP-Palin disconnect.

News:

State facing $3.5 billion shortfall in next budget (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Virginia’s road budget slashed another $851.5M (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

State transit plan faces $851.5 million cut (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Analyst proposes putting corrections projects in Va. on hold (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gov. Kaine cites concerns on Virginia’s budget, roads (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gov. Kaine wants ethics probe of ex-delegate Hamilton to continue (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Federal grand jury subpoenas Hamilton documents (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Study highlights tax burden disparity (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

The GOP: Luddites or high tech? (Washington Post Politics and Policy Blog)

National News:

Senate girds for historic debate on health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Thousands cheer Palin in Mich. for book tour (AP/GOPUSA.com)

AP Poll: Support for curbs on malpractice lawsuits (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Another Obama (Treasury) nominee runs into tax problems (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Sebelius: Women should get mammograms by age 40 (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

President Zero Sum Goes to Asia(Larry Kudlow/GOPUSA.com)

Obama Bows, but the World Refuses to Bow Back(Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Excused Horrors (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s Doubletalk On Political Dissent(Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Palin, Conservatism, And The Disconnected GOP (Christopher Adamo/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations 

A Nice Deep Breath

Computer problems hamper today’s blog offerings, but I’ve managed to eek out a News Stand. Wasn’t much going on statewide — it’s a good time to take a deep politics breath and relax after the last several months. One item of note is that Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli announced his transition plans. Otherwise, we found an article from Politico.com about the robo call Chuck Colson made for us (hear it here) — lil’ ol’ us in a major national blog like that! We have a few pre-election leftovers and lots of great commentary about the election results from around the country, as well as ongoing health care “reform” coverage. Take it all in . . . and breathe easy . . . for a while, anyway.

News:

*Colson urges vote in VA (Politico.com)

Cuccinelli transition team includes onetime McDonnell legal adversary (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Court order issued to stop review of Beach absentee ballots (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

GOP House gains intensify competition in N.Virginia (Washington Post)

Democrats doubt depths of Amiral’s private pockets (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Kaine to teach law, leadership after term (Washington Times)

Long-distance call from Alaska? (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Liberty University students head to the polls (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National News:

Southern Dems cast wary eye over election results (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Democrats’ concerns over abortion may imperil health bill (Washington Post)

‘Kill the bill’ protesters target health care (AP/GOPUSA.com)

House health care vote set for Saturday (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate blocks census citizenship question (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Democrats fear triple blow on Election Day (Christian Science Monitor)

Commentary:

Is the Republican Party Going RINO Hunting? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Written off by the Media, Republicans Win Big! (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Wow! Look At What the Establishment ‘Republican’ Just Did (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Republican Leaders Seeing the Light and Going Conservative? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

White House Postelection Arrogance (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

The Death Of Deliberative Democracy (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Blueprint For GOP Victories (Linda Cahvez/GOPUSA.com)

NY23: What It Meant And What It Didn’t Mean (John Ellis/GOPUSA.com)

Better Or Worse? (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

A Stomach Ache For Our Sponsor (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Late And Washington Post Poll Edition

The big news was from the Washington Post this afternoon, when it releases its latest poll showing all three Republicans — Bob McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and Senator Ken Cuccinelli — leading their respective races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general by nine points. The other big news today concerning the statewide races is that Cuccinelli’s opponent for attorney general, Democrat Delegate Steve Shannon, tried to emulate his gubernatorial ticket mate Creigh Deeds in question dodging (see Tertium Quids below). Who does it better? You watch. You decide.

Other than that, the debt is at third world levels, the CBO says BaucusCare is nearly as expensive, the Supreme Court hears a religious liberty case, and a more ineffective “jobs programs” is on its way. The good news is that we have some superior insights from Larry Kudlow, Michelle Malkin, Bobby Eberle, Michael Barone and Lisa Fabrizio on ObamaCare, his Olympic flame-out and political weakness, and how to create real and plenty jobs.  

News:

McDonnell Widens Lead in Virginia Governor’s Race (Washington Post)

WaPo Poll: McDonnell, Bolling, Cuccinelli all +9 (Tertium Quids Blog)

Explicit ‘Banned Book’ Infuriates Virginia Father, Leads to School Review (FoxNews.com)

Democrats beg Deeds for positive message (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Democrats vowing to hold strong in fight for governor (Northern Virginia Daily)

Deeds avoids Obama, embraces Warner (Washington Times)

Videos Highlight Dueling Images (Washington Post)

Meanwhile, at the AG Debate . . . (Tertium Quids Blog)

Delegates candidates speak at Henrico forum (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Contrasting Candidates Enter Final Month In Race For House Of Delegates (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Hurt will seek GOP nomination to challenge Perriello (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News:

Sharp debate at high court over cross on US land (AP/GOPUSA.com)

CBO: Budget deficit triples to record $1.4T in 2009 (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Health bill would cost $829B, cover 94 percent (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Bill increases spending on food stamps, nutrition (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Lawmaker: Cost of presidential copter tripled (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama huddles with Democratic leaders over jobs (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

The Mundell-Laffer Solution (Larry Kudlow/GOPUSA.com)

Weak Himself, Obama Draws Strength From Bush (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

O-lympics (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Couldn’t the ‘Men in White Coats’ Just Take Obama Away? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Spin Doctors For Obamacare (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Obama’s ‘No I in Team Syndrome (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations 

Virginia Borrows Now; IOUs Next?

Who said Virginia isn’t for borrowers? We’ve always prided ourselves on being different than the federales. In Virginia, we balance our budgets. In Virginia, we don’t use gimmicks. Of course, states can’t print money, but they sure can borrow it. In Virginia’s case, it’s more than $1.2  billion worth, or the size of a potential Creigh Deeds tax increase. Whatever happened to the “Best Managed State”? This is what Senator Deeds wants to “continue”? First, it was California-style state employee furloughs. Now it’s federal government-style borrowing. What’s next? Left coast-style IOUs?  

If that wasn’t enough, the Dems in Washington now are considering shielding banks from state laws. So much for federalism and that constitution thing. Finally, be sure to check out Michelle Malkin’s exclusive on the President Obama’s friends and their Olympic connections. Nothing like having a friend in high places lobby your case for the Olympics.

News:

Va. To borrow up to $1.27 billion for unemployment payments (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Bolling Vows Fiscal Reform (Harrisonburg Daily News-record)

Polls find competing results for campaigns (Northern Virginia Daily)

A Tug of War For Women’s Votes in Race For Governor (Washington Post)

Holton backs Deeds; Republicans talk mental health (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds happy with Holton endorsement (Roanoke Times)

Paths diverge over budget, roads in 17th District debate (Roanoke Times)

November election voter registration deadline nears (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

5th hopeful from GOP runs for 5th (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

National News:

More thorny challenges ahead for health overhaul (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Dems debate sheilding banks from state laws (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Virginia’s Regional Divide on the Issues (Jennifer Agiesta/Washington Post Voices Blog)

In Virginia Culture Wars Look Very Much Alive (Stuart Rothenberg/Rothenberg Political Report Blog)

Commentary:

All The President’s Olympic Cronies (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Health Care and the Constitution . . . Remember that Document? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Coming: The Economic “W” (Dick Morris and Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

Is Disagreement With Obam Racism? (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Pittsburgh Protest Promoters (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Annotations & Elucidations 

An All-Star Cast

The last shall be first, right? So, today, I bring up our Commentary section first, because we have an all-star cast, with terrific insight on major issues and events in the news right now that may very well affect everything about the future of the country. The terrific Michelle Malkin looks into the ACORN abomination, where employees at offices all around the country have advocated the breaking several major laws while recorded on tape. The always on target Brent Bozell looks at the two-million person march last weekend, the largest tea party in world history. The insightful and patriotic Bobby Eberle commemorates 9/11,  while the great, and I do mean great, Walter E. Williams, says it all in one word: education. Each one is worth the read as well as RedState.com’s analysis on how a pro-life Democrat will kill socialized medicine if it does not explicitly prohibit abortion coverage. 

In the gubernatorial campaign, it looks like — again, of people — the Washington Post is covering issues again. Finally. A makeup call? All else is the horse race: money and polls.  

News:

Deeds on the Defensive Over Collective Bargaining Positions (Washington Post)

Deeds, McDonnell woo lawyers and argue about taxes (The Daily Press)

New McDonnell ad accuses Deeds of misleading attack (Roanoke Times)

At Harbor Park, candidates for governor take a few whacks (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Poll: Gap between McDonnell, Deeds narrows (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell leads Deeds in cash on hand (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds raises more in period, but McDonnell has more cash (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Deeds outraises McDonnell (Washington Times)

Record Haul for Deeds, but McDonnell Has More in Bank (Washington Post)

November Candidates Meet And Greet At The Shenandoah County Fair (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Bell enjoys sizable lead in donations (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

National News:

Dems query Obama’s view on health care for aliens (AP/GOPUSA.com)

THE INFLUENCE GAME: Health interests fund senators (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Abortion is Lethal — Not Only to Babies, but also to ObamaCare  (RedState.com)

Commentary:

ACORN Watch: A ‘Sting’-ing Indictment of Media Hypocricy (Michelle Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

Our ‘Intolerance Festival’ (Brent Bozell/GOPUSA.com)

Education (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Remembering 9/11 (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Here’s the get-you-ready-for-the-weekend version of the News Stand. The Times, the Times and the Times-Dispatch explore the strategies in the waning days of the Democrat gubernatorial primary: The Virginia Dems are going after each other real hard, but hard enough to create hard, stay-at-home feelings among the supporters of the eventual two losers? 

At the same time, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell comes out for state commissioning of charter schools. Right now, only school districts can do it, which is why there only are four in the entire Commonwealth! Norm Leahy at Tertium Quids offers a look. We also bring you Michelle Malkin’s take on the media’s coverage of two recent murders and, in national news, one expert discusses why former Vice President Dick Cheney is wrong in supporting same-sex marriage.

News:

Moran goes after Democratic rivals; McDonnell backs charter schools (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Moran takes ‘path to victory’ in N. Va. (Washington Times)

Voters will decide if campaign attacks were effective (Roanoke Times)

Lesinski Proposes Tax Credits For Small Businesses (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Rutherford Institute co-founder dead at 60 (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Carol Whitehead recalled fondly (Charlottesville Daily-Progress)

National News:

Cheney’s judgment ‘clouded’ on same-gender unions (OneNewsNow.com)

Even Darwinists doubt latest ‘missing link’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Did Someone Say “Charter Schools”? (Norman Leahy/Tertium Quids Blog)

Climate of hate, world of double standards (Michelle Malkin/ OneNewsNow.com)

Religious Right Not Responsible for Tiller’s Death (OneNewsNowBlog.com)

The communications department had a “business trip” today in the northern reaches of the commonwealth — there are conservatives up there? — so we don’t have much of a News Stand today. However, what I have found is good. So, herewith, with some comments by me, is today’s News Stand:

News:

Group seeks more recorded votes (This is very interesting to note. Conservatives are split on the issue of recorded House of Delegates sub-committee votes. Some like the idea of killing of bills quickly and quietly, while others preach the good government/open, transparent government reform mantra. It cuts both ways: Neither side likes to go on the record when they can help it.) (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Election 2009: Governor’s Race Is Wide Open In Virginia (Polling from Rasmussen shows it tight from the get-go. Also, interesting numbers on various issues, including that Virginians are not dying for a tax increase for transportation.) (Rasmussenreports.com)

Opinion:

The Democratic Culture Of Corruption (From Michelle Malkin. I’ve been waiting for someone to write about this, and I still may. By the way, she left off her list Eliot Spitzer — prostitution; Senators Chris Dodd and Kent Conrad — Countrywide loan scandal; Representative Robert Wexler, who had no home in the Florida district he represents until recently; and Representative Tim Mahoney — who tried to use government money to keep his mistress quiet; among others.) (GOPUSA.com)

The Friday Line: Ten Republicans To Watch (From Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post blog The Fix. He notes 10 Republican rising stars who may make it big nationally. Two are Virginians, House Republican Whip-Elect Eric Cantor, from the 7th Congressional District, and Attorney General Bob McDonnell, seeking the governor’s mansion. Additional interesting picks are two governors Virginia conservatives like very much: South Carolina’s Mark Sanford and Louisiana’s Bobby Jindal. Those not on the list include Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee.) (The Fix/WashingtonPost.com)

Editorial Comics:

“Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s Bar Codes” (Steve Breen, Townhall.com)  

“Obama Prepares To Part The Red Sea” (Chuck Asay, Townhall.com)  

“Having Solved The Affordable Housing Problem Congress . . . “ (Chuck Asay, Townhall.com)  

How about a new national security force and more mind-numbing, societal homogenizing that is beyond your capacity to imagine? If you haven’t read this post yet, look it over and read the accompanying article.

Here are two more articles to read. One, here, is by Michelle Malkin about how a homosexual activist successfully hounded through the courts the Christian online matchmaker eHarhomony.com into offering homosexual dating services, despite the fact that it is a private business and has every right to pursue its own business model. Forget freedom of association, I guess. Who’s going to make the homosexual dating sites alter their businesses? But it’s even worse. Read Malkin’s column then ponder if this is the tip of the iceburg.

The other article, here, is by William Warren of GetLiberty.org about a woman who told an Obama volunteer she was not voting for himand then promptly felt the wrath of Obama’s security team who found her out and visited her home. True story. Remember, he openly campaigned for the establishment of a national security force.

The future is . . . very scary. But please, enjoy your turkey and football this weekend.

Democrat vice presidential candidate Joe Biden earned the nickname “Bishop” for all the whoppers he’s told trying to re-write the Catholic faith. Perhaps because of that, his gaffes on the more mundane political and policy issues seem to have escaped any serious scrutiny by the Mainstream Media. On the other hand, he makes so many gaffes, it’s quite difficult to keep up and sort out.

Jake Tapper of ABC News has a blog called Political Punch, surprisingly somewhat fair. About two weeks ago he tallied up Biden’s gaffes at 29 (click here),although that may have been an undercount. A post by Tapper yesterday (click here) had Biden up to 32 gaffes (still low by our count). Yet all the media can focus on is Governor Sarah Palin’s clothes. However, today, Tapper has a post about how much more accessible Governor Palin is to the media than the bishop.

We’ve wanted to document the bishop’s gaffes but they fly out of his mouth faster than we can write and post the video. Thankfully, Michelle Malkin came along. Today, she published a column on Biden’s gaffes, recounting some of his biggest hits, all the more relevant because Biden has been known to brag about his allegedly high IQ.

Some of our favorite Biden blusters:

» Telling Katie Couric Franklin Roosevelt was president in 1929 and addressed the nation on television about the Great Depression;

» Telling a crippled state senator to “stand up, Chuck!”;

» Telling Kate Snow of ABC News that paying higher taxes is patriotic;

» Admitting that Hillary Clinton would have been a VP better choice than he;

» Just recently telling a crowd that the major issue in the campaign comes down to a “three-letter word: J-O-B-S;”

» Ridiculing Joe “The Plumber” by saying “no plumbers or cops live in my neighborhood,” perhaps because Biden lives in a $3 million house (which misstated Joe’s complaint anyway — Joe’s not rich now, but he wants to buy a business one day and be real successful, which apparently Biden and Barack Obama think only the elites can do);

» Telling an environmentalist in Ohio that he and his running mate are against clean coal technology, while Obama told a crowd in Virginia that they are for it; and

» Admitting that if elected, “five or six” rogue regimes would start international incidents to “test” Barack Obama. Very reassuring.

This is on top of his documented 14 lies during his debate with Governor Palin.

By the way, with all the dislike the Mainstream Media says Americans have for Governor Palin, why has she set records for viewership for her convention acceptance speech (although fewer networks carried it), for the vice presidential debate and for last weekend’s Saturday Night Live? All blew away any number that Senator Obama received. So, to be fair: Since we posted a video of Barack Obama’s gaffes last week, here’s a video of Bishop Biden’s: