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Friday, we posted what several national media now are saying: The Obama administration and its liberal Congressional ideologues will unveil and push through what was thought to be dead — a nationalized health care plan. If this, and the entire federalized health care idea concerns you, then consider attending this very special event.

Thursday, February 25, The Family Foundation and The Heartland Institute are co-hosting a complimentary forum and panel discussion concerning the future of health care in America. The panel consists of our president, Victoria Cobb; Peter Fotos, director-Government Relations, Heartland Institute; Ben Domenech, managing editor-Health Care News; and Peter Ferrara author of The Obama Health Plan: Rationing, Higher Taxes, and Lower-Quality Care. Also confirmed are Delegates (and doctors) Scott Garrett (R-23, Lynchburg) and John O’Bannon (R-73, Henrico).

The Heartland Institute is a natioanlly recognized nonprofit research and education organization. Based in Chicago, it promotes free-market solutions to the issues of health care, school choice, the environment, and government bureaucracy. It is an honor that it has chosen us to partner with on this very informative and important forum. So, we hope you can make it to Richmond to attend; or if you live in the area, make arrangements to spend three hours with us.

The panel discussion will be held in Richmond from 9:00 a.m. until noon in The Family Foundation’s 12th floor conference room located at 830 East Main Street (the corner of 9th Street and Main Street). Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Those wishing to register should contact Robin Knox at The Heartland Institute at (312) 377-4000 or rknox@heartland.org. We hope you will be able to join us for this informative discussion.

Probably not too many of you have heard the name of Erroll Southers, but he is President Barack Obama’s nominee to head up the Transporation Safety Administration (see Federal Times). As it turns out, once upon a time, Southers used his access to government records to spy on his ex-wife’s boyfriend (see Washington Post). Unfortunately, that makes him a natural fit for the Obama administration. Not only does he have the Obama requisites of cheating and government Big Brother control, but he’s not committing to rule out unionization at the TSA. So he has the radical ideological pedigree, too. That issue alone flipped the U.S. Senate to Republican control in the unprecedented 2002 mid-term election.

It’s not surprising that in an era when the treasury secretary cheated on his taxes (and a sycophant Senate cowed) and the president hired an avowed communist for his White House staff (Van Jones), among the many Maoists (Anita Dunn) and other controversial appointments, that this incident from Southers’ past practically fails to register. After all, the only thing at stake is national security and individual liberty. Maybe if the administration cared more about real security threats than about appointing people with dubious backgrounds, President Obama’s government would be less dysfunctional.

We’re accustomed to liberal attempts to redefine the natural order of life. However, in the Age of Obama, those attempts no longer come through persuasion, but through power accumulated from corruption and incompetence purported to be the “best and brightest.” 

This coming Monday, October 5, is the last day to register to be eligible to vote in the November election. If you are not registered, or if you have recently moved, be sure to go to your local voter registrar’s office and register to vote. You may also download the Virginia voter registration from the State Board of Elections’ Web site by clicking here.

All eyes are on Virginia and New Jersey this November, as the only two states with statewide elections. The outcomes will be crucial and it is vital that your voice is heard. Will Virginia continue down the path of secular progressivism, the seeds of which are being planted by the Obama Administration, or will we say, “enough is enough,” and return to the proven principles of freedom, respect for life, traditional marriage and smaller, limited government? We are blessed in this nation to be able to choose our governmental leaders. We must do all that we can to ensure that we elect men and women who understand that the greatness our nation is in its Judeo-Christian foundation and that we must uphold those principles if we are to remain a great nation.

If you already are registered to vote, make sure your friends and family members also are registered. Offer to take them to the registrar’s office or help them download the registration form (you can also register at places such as libraries and the DMV). If possible, hold a voter registration drive in your church this Sunday.

Four years ago, the Attorney General’s race was decided by just 360 votes. Every vote counts!

In addition, the military deadline is approaching as well! If you are a Virginia resident serving in the military outside of the commonwealth or have a son or daughter deployed who needs to register, military personnel may use the Federal Post Card Application to register to vote and apply for an absentee ballot both at the same time. The application must be received by the local registrar by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, October 5. There is a provision for these to be faxed or e-mai as well as through the U.S. Postal Service. For more information, click here for the Virginia State Board of Elections page on the military.

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Return Of The Editorial Comic/Twisted Tax Logic

When a friend sent me a comic today today, I thought it would make a good addition to the blog. Then I remembered that I used to provide a link to one or more editorial comics each week. So, enjoy. You don’t even have to click a link to get to it.

The big news in the campaign today is Democrat Creigh Deeds’ continuing saga of twisted tax logic. He put up a television ad, then pulled it because he realized it didn’t make much sense for Mark Warner to talk about Deeds lowering taxes yet continuing his (Warner’s) policies (which raised them considerably). Yes, not too clear (see here).

Nationally, the Supreme Court will hear a case about Crosses in the Mojave desert. In Commentary, we have the excellent Thomas Sowell writing on the Obama administration’s reputed brilliance, Bobby Eberle about the same’s indoctrination of our children, and Bart Hinkle about property rights (or, the government trying to take them away). But, in what may be the most entertaining piece today, aside from the comic, is an article from the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot about socialists — who say they are misunderstood. Let them talk to the Obama administration.

News:

GOP candidates tout controlled spending, budget reform (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Jindal boosts McDonnell; Linwood Holton backs Deeds (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Howell decries Deeds’ tax plan for roads (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Deeds New Ad Makes Mark Warner a Liar, Quickly Takes it Down (BearingDrift.com)

Deeds gambles on riding Obama’s coattails (Washington Times)

Campaign issue No. 1 (Virginia Business Magazine)

House candidates face off during evening forums (The Daily Press)

Socialists say their true beliefs are being misconstrued (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

The Old Secular Cross? (Washington Post)

Public plan debate could pit Democrat vs. Democrat (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

Roanoke: Eminent-Domain Case Looks Like Kelo Redux (Bart Hinkle/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

The Brainy Bunch (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

O.K. kids . . . Today’s lesson: Sing Praises to Obama (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

Editorial Cartoon:

Annotations & Elucidations

Setting Trends

The News Stand is back after a bit of a late summer break. After all, nothing happens this time of year, anyway, right? So, we’re getting right back into it with a pretty large News Stand. Leading off is an interesting bit of news breaking about the Democrat gubernatorial candidate, Senator Creigh Deeds. Seems back in the day, oh, about 10 years ago, he wrote some of his own thoughts on homosexuals. Uncovered by The Weekly Standard and reported by our friends at Bearing Drift.

But that’s not all. Senator “Not Going To Run A Divisive Campaign” seems to have some out-of-control staff in Hampton Roads. Bearing Drift, again, with the details. Is this negativity a trend?

In fact, we have been e-mailed some pictures of dirty tricks in Buena Vista during the Labor Day Parade and we hope to have them up today.

Bearing Drift also has an update on several House races — let’s not forget the House campaign — with a report on a negative mailer (yes, a trend) and interesting polling numbers on a seat held by a liberal Democrat in a district the GOP carries in statewide races, but which it has not been able to find traction on at the House level. Almost given up on, unexpectedly, it’s back in play. A GOP pickup there would be huge. At the least, the numbers might dictate a reallocation of campaign dollars by state Dems to protect an incumbent, which would hurt their chances in other targeted districts. (By the way, congrats to BD — it’s the first blog to lead off the News Stand.)

Oh, other than that? How about the budget cuts by the DNC Chairman, Governor Tim Kaine? Furloughs and layoffs for state employees and education cuts. Is this what the unions voted for four years ago?

Nationally, actress Patricia Mauceri claims she was fired from her long standing role because of her objection to her character becoming homosexual; the new civil rights movement, education choice, is drawing more attention in dramatic ways (as rights movements usually do); and the Obama administration’s health care “reform” numbers are torn apart by the AP. Commentary features the always great Walter Williams and a thought-provoking piece on self-hate by Lisa Fabrizio. Meanwhile, Michael Barone and Bobby Eberle check up what passes for truth by the POTUS as well as his arrogance. 

News:

Deeds: “No Special Rights for Gays” (BearingDrift.com)

Deeds staff involved in sign defacement in Newport News? (BearingDrift.com)

Kaine: 593 layoffs, up to 15 percent college cuts (The Daily Press)

Kaine announces 593 layoffs, 2 prison closings, furloughs (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Virginia to lay off nearly 600, Kaine says (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

House Update: Amiral tied with Miller in 87th; Comstock, Hugo, Scalley, McConville, Hyland updates (BearingDrift.com)

Mathieson negative at Labor Day — must be desperate (BearingDrift.com)

Deeds campaigns at VUU; Minn.’s Pawlenty helps out McDonnell (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds TV ad pegged to McDonnell’s thesis (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Scrutiny Spreads to ‘03 McDonnell Remarks (Washington Post)

National News:

Soap Actress Says She Was Fired Because of Religious Beliefs (FoxNews.com)

Voucher advocates face up to police (Washington Times)

Opposition to Health-Care Reform Revives Christian Right (Washington Post)

Obama disapproval on health care up to 52 percent (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Be quiet America, Washington knows best (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

The Convenient Fantasies Of President Obama (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

FACT CHECK: Obama uses iffy math on deficit pledge (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

Inflation And Deficits (Walter Williams/GOPUSA.com)

The Limits Of Self-Hate (Lisa Fabrizio/GOPUSA.com)

Obama and The Joker  . . . So Much More than a Poster (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

In the 1980s, when Virginia was an electoral lock for Republican presidential candidates, and when the GOP won the presidency three successive terms, Virginia Republicans weren’t nearly as successful. In fact, they lost three gubernatorial elections on the trot.

One rhetorical tactic the GOP tried during those campaigns was to tie the Democrat to the rampant liberalism personified by big spenders, culture relativists, moral equivalency types and foreign policy weaklings such as Tip O’Neil, Patsy Schroder, Teddy Kennedy, Jim Wright, Tom Harkin and the whole motley crew.

The Dems here inevitably replied that “Virginia Democrats are different” and Chuck Robb, Gerry Baliles and Doug Wilder certainly lent that persona, if not actual substance, and the public seemed happy enough with them. All of which has come full reverse cycle in this year’s campaign. That is to say, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds won’t say where he stands on what the “D.C. Democrats” are doing. Those are national issues he says, although a governor must be prepared to defend against federal the encroachment that inhibits his state’s right of self government and to be a laboratory of innovation.

But Senator Deeds won’t even say whether he supports or opposes “cap and trade” which would close the largest employer in his senate district! He won’t comment, either, on socialized medicine, card check,  government control of the Internet and radio, or mandated abortion on demand, all of which are, or have been, put forth by the Obama administration and its uber-liberal allies in Congress.

But waaaaaaaaaaaaaaait just one minute!

He will comment on former President George W. Bush. That’s right, Senator Deeds has new radio and television ads attacking the former president. So, who’s he running against? Oh, and by the way, where’s the mention of Governor Tim Kaine in those ads? Until a few months ago — when the governor’s popularity began to plunge — Senator Deeds was fond of saying that he would continue the Kaine model. (Being Democrat National Committee chairman kinda debunks the whole “bi-partisan” thing.)

So, apparently, not even state issues are on the Deeds itinerary. Let’s see: Senator Deeds won’t talk about the last four years in Virginia and he won’t talk about the last eight months in Washington. Guess that “Hope and Change” ain’t working to well for him, either.

Annotations & Elucidations

Close Of Business Summer 2009

It’s the close of business for the summer, politically speaking anyway, as this week the statewide campaigns hit full gear, shifting from organizational mode and pin pricking for ideas and issues that will stick, and go into full bore general election speed, with ads flying and campaign visits multiplying. No one can ever predict the twists and turns that inevitably happen when the pace gets fast. It’s like running full speed while balancing dishes — something’s bound to fall, you just don’t know when. If nothing falls, that’s a surprise as well. One thing is for sure. It won’t be boring.  

Nationally, the AP reports that a “health care compromise” is losing steam at the same time it says that the Congressional Budget Office again is shows that the legislation is not what it says it is. Meanwhile, Thomas D. Segel wonders where we’ll find the medical professionals if this “reform” passes. If that isn’t enough to scare you, Bobby Eberle takes a look at how the Obama administration wants to look in your inbox with its proposed “supervision of the Internet” — in crisis situations, of course. But isn’t everything a crisis with the Obama administration?

Events become crises when you can’t get to the truth. Supervision of the Internet would further ”crisis” claims by stifling the free flow of information, creating the crises liberals thrive on to create more government — government being the answer, always, of solving emergencies. However, fortunately for us, Star Parker isn’t afraid of the truth, and she says it’s time to discuss it about abortion. So, that’s where we stand, at the close of business, summer 2009.

News:

At Richmond fundraiser, GOP upbeat about statewide ticket (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Labor gears up for key governors races (Politico.com)

‘89 Thesis A Different Side of McDonnell (Washington Post)

McDonnell’s graduate thesis adds new twist to campaign (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Deeds Talks Health Care (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Deeds vows to tame state’s computer agency (Washington Times)

Shannon reports plan to combat gangs (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Local GOP activists still standing by their man (The Daily Press)

Required HPV vaccine for 6th-grade girls is optional (The Daily Press)

GOP interest runs high in 5th District (Lynchburg News & Advance)

State Board of Elections OKs registration changes for college students(Roanoke Times)

Board of Elections OKs new voter residency rules (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

Chances of health compromise continue to fade (AP/GOPUSA.com)

CBO: House bill could raise drug costs for some (AP/GOPUSA.com)

57% Would Like to Replace Entire Congress (RasmussenReports.com)

New GOP tactic: The counter-town hall (Politico.com/Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Commentary:

What’s next . . . Obama to control your inbox? (Bobby Eberle/GOPUSA.com)

A Time For Truth On Abortion (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

Where Will We Find Healthcare Professionals? (Thomas D. Segel/GOPUSA.com)

If you haven’t heard it by now, and you want a good laugh, listen to Democrat lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner’s interview this morning with WRVA’s Richmond’s Morning News host Jimmy Barrett (click here).

Barrett gets right to the point and asks the former Kaine administration finance secretary about her missed revenue projections, which have resulted in consecutive budget deficits and multiple budget cuts. I’ll give her some credit for her answer — she’s at least learned something from the Obama administration, and that’s the one thing it’s good at: blame, blame and pass the buck, with a litany of boilerplate liberal excuses:

» It was the Bush administration’s fault (at least twice);

» At least Virginia isn’t as bad off as some other states (that’ll make people feel secure);

» Passed the buck to economic forecasting agencies, business leaders and groups, and General Assembly leaders (how about that, Dick Saslaw?);

» But the 6.6 percent revenue growth projection in a slowing economy never gave her pause, even as many in the General Assembly warned the Kaine administration it was too high (she emphatically was “not overly optimistic”); and 

» Repeatedly said, “Let’s be clear,” (to the point where Barrett mockingly repeated it himself).

Not to mention her defensiveness when Barrett tried to loft her a softball about her campaign — she thought he was trying to blame her for the recession, for which she blamed George W. Bush (again).

All these excuses inevitably led to contradictions. Follow this bit of illogic: If it’s the federal government’s fault when things are bad, she must then credit it when things are good; if so, we have no reason for state government. So why is she running? She also got defensive when Barrett mentioned the recession came into focus a year ago, and rudely interrupted him to say she wasn’t in office then, as well as when he simply asked how forecasts might be improved in the future.

But we still haven’t heard the classics from her! Here goes:

On the grossly inaccurate revenue forecasts: 

“If I’m powerful enough to be personally responsible for that, then you want me to be your lieutenant governor.”

Then, the absolute best for last: On the Public Policy Poll (a liberal pollster) that shows all three Democrats behind by double digits:

“The Democratic candidates have not yet begun communicating with the public yet and we will be doing that as the campaign moves along.” 

So, that entire primary thing back in June was a what? Those television ads she ran . . . ? Those campaign appearances and interviews . . . ?

There you have it. It has nothing to do with her previous job performance, but that she and her ticket mates haven’t yet communicated with the public. Don’t worry, though. They plan on it. But with interviews like this, Ms. Wagner may want to delay that communication as long as possible.

Everyone’s heard the expression that explains the sure sign of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The Obama administration finds itself in this nutty circle.

According to American City Business Journals, because several projects in the porkulus bill have come in under bid, the leftover money is getting spent on yet more pork projects!

Yee-haw!

“Bids came in far lower than we expected, but the upside is that because of that, we have been able to fund more projects,” said Paul Prouty, acting administrator for the General Services Administration.

As it happens, Washington, D.C.; and Prince Georges County, Md., as well as other localities across the country, will get a pile of excess funds because they are classified as “Economically Disadvantaged Areas.” What locality isn’t right now and isn’t this continued printing of money going to keep us all “economically disadvantaged” for a long time?

According to the article, one specific example of how the porkulus continues to get spent, even when there are savings, is  the Federal Aviation Administration. It is . . .

an agency that was able to fund more projects — 347 projects instead of its anticipated 301 projects with $1.1 billion —because of the low bids.

That’s great. Instead of returning the money to help balance our mammoth deficit, which would actually help our economy, the Obama administration is spending what savings there are (the only bright light in a horrible bill) on still more pork — even as what has already been spent has failed to stem the rise in unemployment, which is climbing toward 10 percent.

If that sounds crazy, or insane, it is: And it’s the same (debt-ridden) thing over and over and over again.

Among the many threats to our way of life by the Obama administration is its insistence on forcing you to fund abortions with your hard-earned tax dollars as part of its proposed multi-trillion dollar hijacking of our best-in-the-world health care system, proving the lie of  “safe, legal and rare.” Didn’t the president say at Notre Dame and to Pope Benedict recently that he wanted to “reduce abortions”? 

But the monstrosity proposed by the administration and its radical leftist lackeys in Congress goes far beyond making “access” to health care available to all. It includes a sweeping reversal of long held bi-partisan policies that Americans should not be forced against their conscience to fund abortions with tax dollars. Not only that, but this legislation requires pro-life doctors and nurses to choose between their careers and their conscience through government mandated abortions. 

It comes as no surprise, then, that two of the most radically leftist organizations, Planned Parenthood and the National Organization for Women, are the legislation’s primary backers, pushing this provision as if their lives depended on it. With that kind of leftist fanaticism attemping to ram through this bill, it is essential that pro-life Americans rise up!

To learn how you can help stop this tragedy from happening, log on to a one-time-only live Webcast this Thursday — July 23 — at 9:00 p.m. 

The Webcast will feature pro-family leaders, including Focus on the Family’s Dr. James Dobson, Father Frank Pavone of Priests for Life, Tony Perkins of Family Research Council, Dr. Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life, and other national leaders on the front lines fighting for the pro-life cause.

There’s no charge to participate. It will last approximately 70 minutes and viewers will be able to ask questions. To learn more about this important Webcast, and to register for it, click here to visit  StopTheAbortionMandate.com.

We urge you to take the time Thursday evening to participate in this one-time only national event. Help spread the word by forwarding this link to as many of your pro-life friends as possible and ask them to join the fight as well.