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“Barry from D.C.” truly has brought change to the White House. First, it was advisers and “czars” who professed admiration for communist murderers, such as Mao, and a general affinity for Marxism. Now, despite the administration’s admonitions of conservative hyperbole and the left-wing mainstream media’s apologies for conservative over reaction to such appointments, we have the ”anointed one” himself glorifying such scoundrels on the White House Christmas tree. Not only that, but ornaments glorifying himself.

BigGovernment.com broke the news yesterday, that the White House Christmas Tree has ornaments of Chinese communist dictator Mao, “legendary transvestite Hedda Lettuce” (that she autographed!), and even a bulb with Barry himself superimposed on Mount Rushmore. The White House had Simon Doonan, the noted designer of Barney’s of New York, do up the decorations, but the First Lady’s office says “community groups” were chosen to decorate the tree (see Special Report’s Political Grapevine on FoxNews.com). Community groups? As in community organizers? No doubt! What next? ACORN staffing the Situation Room?

It all makes for a very Barry Christmas. Obama style. As the debasing of our country’s traditions and values continues.

Thanks to the alert by our friend Tea Party Jim, we now know the winner of the Public Option Please propaganda, graffiti, Obama adoration, uhh, “art” contest. As Jim writes us:

The sickness of this kind of thinking is what is destroying this country. The thought that Washington, D.C., is the lifeblood of the nation is simply idiotic, but not surprising.

And apart from the misattribution of the quote, the doublespeak of the supposed Jefferson quote is nearly hilarious. “Without Liberty no happiness can be enjoyed by society” as the money quote to sell government rationed health care is simply Orwellian.

I can’t add much more to that. Well stated, Jim. Gabriel Malor has something to say, too, at Ace of Spades HQ.

The winners are (although we thought liberalism doesn’t have winners and losers, and that it makes everyone equal and happy):

First place and People’s Choice winner, to an Amy Martin, with the perfectly understandable idea that our country is great because of Washington, D.C.:

Second Place, to Tatyana Fazlalizadeh (there’s always a Tatyana involved in socialism, isn’t there?), but lacking nothing in staged propaganda heart strings, and a bone to underappreciated photographers out there:

Finally, a disappointing, I’m sure, third place to the POTUS, represented by a Michael Cuffe, but it’s my personal favorite, as well, and takes second to nothing in human adoration, if that’s any consolation to him. After all, the bronze here is better than what he got at got at on his Olympics bid:

Annotations & Elucidations

Left Wing “Science”

Left-wing ideology masquerading as science has been in the news a lot this week, with word of the leaked East Anglia e-mails proving the climate change hoax. But one hoax that’s been around longer is that of embryonic stem cell research, which, according to the left, will provide miracle cures that will make the lame jump up and walk in an instant. However, there has not been one medical breakthrough from such research, while there have been hundreds from adult stem cell research. The difference between the climate alarmists and the culture of death crowd is that the latter actually has implemented its goals into policy, while Cap-and-Tax still has a way to go. This week, the National Institute for Health initiated the process for the destruction of embryos for (futile) research. There is coverage of it below in National News.

Also: Governor Tim Kaine demonizes the Tea Party movement, CBS corrupts Frosty The Snowman, a call for Al Gore to give back his Academy Award (because of the false information his movie was based on), the Manhattan Declaration is discussed, another misnamed Orwellian bill (this time to allow homosexuals a backdoor into the military), a 90-year-old Virginia World War II hero struggles to fly his flag, and an inopportune time for media-hungry President Obama to appear on the cover of Golf Digest.

News:

Kaine plans to extend health benefits to same-sex partners (Washington Post)

McDonnell adds five to administration’s team (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell names four to state posts (Washington Times)

Deeds’ losing campaign ends up in the black, but just barely (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine: Tea Party movement ‘devouring’ GOP (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National:

New Stem Cell Lines Open To Research (New York Times)

Embryonic stem-cell funding — an incentive to kill (OneNewsNow.com)

Pro-life group faces Senate in uphill healthcare battle (OneNewsNow.com)

House establishes permanent ‘death tax’ branch (OneNewsNow.com)

Cornwall Alliance keeps climate change ‘folly’ in spotlight (OneNewsNow.com)

‘Honest and Open’ Act a misnomer (OneNewsNow.com)

Dems seeking compromise on public insurance option (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Gore Hit ByAn Inconvenient Truth (Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

When We Should Be Civilly Disobedient (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

90-Year-Old Vet Ordered to Remove Flagpole (Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Frosty Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before (Bryan Fischer/Focal Point, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Woods, Obama Make Golf Digest Cover (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations

The Hunt Is On

Stephen Hunt won the three-way Republican “fire house” primary last night to secure the 37th Senate District nomination in the January 12 special election to fill the term of Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli. Hunt, a former member of the Fairfax County School Board, won the heavy turnout primary handily over his two opponents. He now takes on Delegate Dave Marsden (D-41, Fairfax) who, until several days ago, didn’t live in the district. He is renting a room from a friend who does in order to be eligible. Meanwhile, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell continues his PR offensive. Following up his meeting with House Democrats, he now will meet with leaders of the Senate. More substantively, he’s asked for detailed reports from all state agencies in order to find efficiencies in a deficit-ridden budget. A good start. But ideas, if not money, are in large supply, and the governor-elect is getting them from everyone, from within and outside of his cadre. We post two, from Pat Nolan and Mike Thompson, both of Bacon’s Rebellion. 

Nationally, the left is losing it, and it doesn’t get any better than that as far exposing who they are. Chris Matthews calls West Point cadets the “enemy” and the liberal mayor of Baltimore won’t resign despite a theft conviction. Polls show independents fleeing the Obama/liberal camp, including young voters (ask soon-to-be-former Delegate Shannon Valentine) as Matt Friedeman of Rightly Concerned Blog notes.

But it’s ClimateGate that continues to expose the left, particularly for putting ideology over science. Hmmm. Where have we heard that before? Now, look, it really is true, but it’s the left that’s been doing it all along. Just goes to show you . . . when the other side screams loud accusations at your side, it normally means it is they who are doing that which they accuse you. In other words, they’re cracking up.

News:

McDonnell asks for detailed reports from state agencies (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell to meet with Senate leaders (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Republicans nominate Hunt in 37th senate district (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

‘Firehouse primary’ gets busy turnout (Washington Times)

Houck says localities will feel pinch (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Analysis:

Common Sense Prison Reforms Will Help McDonnell Close Budget Gap (Pat Nolan/Bacon’s Rebellion)

Huge Opportunities for our Incoming Governor (Mike Thompson/Bacon’s Rebellion)

National News:

‘ClimateGate’ deception continues to unfold (OneNewsNow.com)

Global warming e-mail scandal prompts resignation (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Tempers flare as Senate debates healh care (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

After police killings, Huckabee defends clemency for suspect (Washington Post)

In D.C., a rift over plights for civil rights, gay rights (Washington Post)

Baltimore Mayor found guilty of stealing vows to stay on (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

All the president’s Climategate deniers (Michelle Malkin/OneNewsNow.com)

Chris Matthews Calls West Point ‘Enemy Camp’ (Elijah Friedeman/The Millennial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Young People Waking Up, Turning on Democrats (Matt Friedeman/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Polls Show Democrats Are in Trouble (Elijah Friedeman/The Millennial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations 

Election Eve Edition

Will tomorrow be the dream come true for exiled Virginia Republicans? Or will the vaunted Democrat machine of Obama, Warner & Kaine pull a dramatic upset? The Mason-Dixon Poll, the Gold Standard of Virginia political polls, has always called the winners, usually with remarkable accuracy. In 2006, it called it for Jim Webb by one percent. Yesterday’s results, in the Times-Dispatch, have it 53-41 for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell. It also has his running mates, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, and attorney general candidate Senator Ken Cuccinelli, up by double digits. 

What of the House of Delegates? Only months ago, Democrats were hopeful of a takeover. Now, projections run anywhere from a two to 12 seat gain for the GOP (see the Washington Times below). Expect at least one shocker. Maybe two. Today, of course, the News Stand (even the National and Commentary sections) is all about  the election.

News:

McDonnell extends advantage in Times-Dispatch poll (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

3 Points in 3 Months: VA Gov Contest Polling Ends Just About Where It Began, with GOP Sweep of VA Races (SurveyUSA.com)

McDonnell maintains large lead (PublicPolicyPolling.com)

Republicans Unleash “McBollinelli” (WTVR.com/WTVR-TV)

Virginia candidates step up efforts in waning hours (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Now it’s a sprint to Tuesday (The Daily Press)

Virginia governor candidates hold last-minute rallies (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell, Deeds push key campaign themes as race nears end (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Welcome to work, governor. It’s time to slash the budget. (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell and Deeds mostly mum on how to fund their ideas (Washington Post)

Virginia Republicans expect to make gains (Washington Times)

Republicans hope to gain House seats (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Palin records calls urging Virginians to vote (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

LU hoping for strong voter turnout on Tuesday (Lynchburg News & Advance)

National:

A few elections, a few clues about our politics (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Scorn for property taxes drives NJ governor’s race (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Third party challenges in NJ, NY are warning sign (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Limbaugh says Obama ‘in over his head’ (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary:

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

Annotations & Elucidations 

No Obama Affect

Looks like there won’t be much of an Obama affect in Virginia. Despite at least a month of radio ads, two weeks of television ads, two appearances by Veep Joe Biden, and now a second campaign stop (not to mention all that DNC cash) for Creigh Deeds, four more polls (Rasmussen, SurveyUSA, Public Policy Polling and VCU’s Commonwealth Poll) show not just a McDonnell landslide, but an unprecedented GOP landslide sweep. (The only other GOP sweep in Virginia history, in 1997, featured a close lieutenant governor’s race won by John Hager over L.F. Payne.) Not that Obama seems to care. His speech in Norfolk was less than Obamaesque and not particularly rousing on the senator’s behalf, with deprecating humor about not wearing his tie straight and something about his hair. It seems the best the POTUS could do was call him “not slick.” About the last question that remains is whether the pending landslide will result in appreciable Republican gains in the House of Delegates. 

Meanwhile, the media hits keep coming from our Annual Gala Monday night. See the national attention we received from CitizenLink.org in our top story below.

News:

*Gov. Mike Huckabee Speaks at Virginia Gala (CitizenLink.org)

McDonnell’s lead grows (Public Policy Polling Blog)

VCU poll gives Bob McDonnell healthy lead (Decision Virginia Blog/NBC12.com)

Polls: Big GOP lead in Va., N.J. tight (Politico.com)

News7 Poll: Republicans hold double digit leads in statewide contests (WDBJ-TV/WDBJ7.com)

Virginia Governor: McDonnell Stretches Lead To 13 (RasmussenReports.com)

Polls: Big GOP lead in Va.; N.J. race tight (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Deeds reaches for ‘Obama energy’ (Washington Post)

Obama rallies for Deeds in Va. (Washington Times)

At Norfolk rally, Obama urges backers to boost Deeds (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Obama makes pitch for Deeds at Norfolk rally (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot) 

Attorney general rivals are worlds apart despite geographic ties (The Daily Press)

GOP adds $40,000 to Gear’s re-election effort (The Daily Press)

Valentine, Garrett rack up campaign donations (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Your voting history could end up in the neighbor’s mailbox (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Diradour drops bid to challenge Cantor (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Hate-crimes bill spurs some worry from religious groups (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

Debating gay marriage (Washington Times)

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)

Annotations & Elucidations 

Story Telling Time For Kaine And Shannon

More of the same in state news today, except for one article, so we added lots of commentary and news on national goings on. A great cadre of writers, from Michele Malkin to Walter Williams to Thomas Sowell weigh in on issues of the day. Malkin and Tasha Easterling take on the White House for taking on Fox News in the digital-era of enemies lists. Dick Morris and Eileen McGann look at the Obama weapon of choice — pessimism. Plus, there are several news stories on health care legislation (children are defined as being as old as 27), praise for homosexuality, opposition to praise for the “Obama song,” Bible verse bans and an update on a girl who has accepted Christ and run away from her Muslim parents. 

Now, about that one article on state news: It seems that DNC Chairman Tim Kaine is at it again, using state time and offices to advance political causes — this time, to help Democrat attorney general candidate, Delegate Steve Shannon, re-write recent history. Either way it’s a Kaine boo-boo: If Kaine’s story is true, he’s helping Shannon in a dubious way. If it isn’t true, then Kaine and Shannon have concocted a story to cover up for Shannon’s lack of depth in understanding the impact of the Melendez-Diaz decision on Virginia, and the need for this summer’s special session.

News:

McDonnell up by 7 points in poll (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Poll: McDonnell maintains lead in race for governor (Northern Virginia Daily)

Virginia Governor Election: McDonnell 50%, Deeds 43% (RasmussenReports.com)

Governor acknowledges talks with attorney general candidate (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell says he won’t renew ban on discrimination against gays (Lynchburg News & Advance) 

Deeds and McDonnell Target McDonnell Image (Washington Post)

Mudslinging starts in 51st District race (InsideNoVa.com)

National News:

House bill would require ‘kids’ to be covered to age 27 (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Health care legislation back behind closed doors (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Bible verse ban spawns ‘wave of support for Christ’ (OneNewsNow.com)

State custody step for Rifqa “just a guise’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Parents voice opposition to Obama ‘praise song’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Homosexuality not a ‘civil right’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Who’s Behind the White House War on Fox News? (Michele Malkin/GOPUSA.com)

White House Goes After Fox News (Tasha Easterling/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Pessimism: Obama’s Political Ally (Dick Morris & Eileen McGann/GOPUSA.com)

Magic Numbers In Politics: Part II (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Academic Dishonesty (Walter Williams/GOPUSA.com)

Lurching toward Sodom  and Gomorrah (Bryan Fischer/Rightly Concerned Blog)

Wealth Redistribution On Steroids (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

From the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot and Politico.com:

When questioned about the Obama factor and the backdrop in which Deeds is running, a top Democrat shot back: “If I were in their shoes and had a candidate who fumbled the tax question and was stupid enough to write an op-ed saying I’m going to raise your taxes, I’d be complaining about [the political environment], too.”

Annotations & Elucidations

Leftovers

The Communications Department was out today so I scrounged up some articles it passed along last week and some I found as well that I didn’t have time to post last week. But they’re evergreen, mostly.

Some interesting notes: Governor Kaine’s car was hit while at VITA, the agency his administration has mismanaged. Omen? Speaking of the governor, he’s abandoned the “Virginia way” for the that done by California — furloughs?! Oh yeah, more on Creigh Deeds “change” of thought on certain social issues. The Washington Times documents the growing importance of national issues in the gubernatorial campaign, while a study in the Richmond Times-Dispatch provides a demographic look at state legislatures. Meanwhile, that paper’s Jeff Schapiro, of all people, doesn’t quite think the Deeds’ thesis strategy is going to pay off. Funny, how Mr. Schapiro and his colleagues continue to beat the same tone deaf drum.

News:

National issues dominate Va. Race (Washington Times)

State legislatures becoming older, more diverse, study says (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine’s SUV damaged in VITA parking lot (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine’s budget plan includes unpaid day off for state workers (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine to impose furlough for most state workers (Roanoke Times)

Deeds admits change in ideas (Washington Times)

Scott lays out case for health care reform (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Warner walks fine line on health care (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Controversy spreads before Obama’s school speech (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

President’s speech to schools: Pep talk or politics? (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Candidates gather in Buena Vista for Labor Day parade (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Getting to Richmond, By Way of A Parade (Washington Post)

Deeds, McDonnell at Buena Vista Labor Day Parade (Roanoke Times)

Labor Day: Deeds shines at Scott picnic (The Daily Press) 

McDonnell works to move past thesis criticism (The Daily Press)

McDonnell Changes Topic Amid Thesis Issue (Washington Post) 

Deeds uses radio, Internet to attack McDonnell on thesis (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds focuses on McDonnell thesis (Roanoke Times) 

Deeds jumps at opening to blast foe’s 1989 thesis (Northern Virginia Daily)

Deeds sticks to thesis talk (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Democrats Look For ‘08 Magic (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Morrissey to pedal 74 miles through 74th to kick off re-election bid (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Will feds find more e-mails to ODU? (The Daily Press)

Analysis:

Thesis fracas may not give Deeds the boost he needs(Jeff Schapiro/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Video:

Cheers and Jeers (3:53) (Richmond Times-Dispatch.com)

About 50 percent of the crowd at Third District U.S. Representative Bobby Scott’s (D-Va.) health care town hall meeting was against the “reform,” or about 100 percent more than he likely expected.