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Near the end of an already extraordinarily long annual “Veto Session” last night, at around 10:00, after intense debate and several failed parliamentary maneuvers by opponents, the Virginia General Assembly handed pro-lifers and Governor Bob McDonnell another big victory. After passing the House of Delegates by a comfortable margin, the Virginia Senate — whose committees long have been the burial ground for commonsense bipartisan pro-life legislation, deadlocked 20-20 on the governor’s amendments to HB 2434 — to restrict Virginia’s health insurance exchanges (when and if ObamaCare takes effect) from publicly funding abortions except in the cases of rape, incest, or life of the mother — allowing Lt. Governor Bill Bolling to break the tie and send the bill back to Governor McDonnell for his signature.

We long have stated that if certain measures could get to the floor, they would pass. This victory, another vote last night to restore the abstinence education funding eliminated by former Governor Tim Kaine, as well as the landmark vote the last week of the regular session to regulate abortion centers (all by 21-20 margins with Lt. Governor Bolling casting the tie-breaking vote each time), vindicates us. As represented by their legislators in Richmond, Virginians are decidedly pro-life.

The hard work began as lawmakers returned to the capitol Monday. Family Foundation lobbyists hit the ground running, going door to door to sure up votes and answer questions from legislators. Preceding that were efforts well before the reconvened session to educate lawmakers and their constituents. While the House looked secure, the Senate was always going to be close, with perhaps one or two senators leaning one way or another, but not fully committed.

Meanwhile, opponents in both chambers used several procedural motions to derail the votes. House members yielded their time from member to member in an attempt to control the debate and even moved to break up the governor’s amendments into separate votes. While that succeeded, all four passed. The bill then moved down the hall where Senator John Edwards (D-21) challenged the germaneness of the governor’s amendments. When Lt. Governor Bolling ruled them in order, opponents attempted to overturn the decision by a floor vote, but lost 21-19 (see vote).

After intense debate, the Senate voted 20-20, with all 18 Republicans and pro-life Democrats Chuck Colgan (D-29, Manassas) and Phillip Puckett (D-38, Tazewell) voting yes. Interestingly, Senator Roscoe Reynolds (D-20, Martinsville), who voted to sustain Lt. Governor Bolling’s ruling, voted no. When the clerk read the result, The LG decisively announced that “The chair votes aye.” Thus, the making of a law (see vote).

Despite the late vote, an early morning event may have had the most impact — the first ever meeting of the Virginia Legislative Prayer Caucus (more on the LPC in a future post). More than 500 Virginians, including many delegates and senators of both parties, gathered at the steps of the historic capitol to pray for God to shower His blessings on our Commonwealth. As Governor McDonnell reminded attendees, Matthew 19:26 says, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The Family Foundation gives its overwhelming appreciation to Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling, all 20 Senators who voted for this pro-life amendment, and to all who contacted their senator to urge their support. If you don’t think this has the grassroots excited, see our Facebook page!

While some Republicans, in Virginia and nationally, think the time has come and passed on “social issues” (i.e., preserving life and marriage), and that elections can be won only from the “center,” Governor Bob McDonnell has some news for you. Social issues matter and they are worth the fight.

Charlottesville television station NBC29′s RichmondReport conducted an interview (read here) with the governor and posted the video online today. He was asked if there should be a “truce on social issues,” perhaps in response to Indiana governor and potential GOP presidential candidate Mitch Daniels, who created headlines last year when he said there should be a “truce” on social issues (i.e., throw in the towel, traditional marriage supporters and pro-lifers). Last week, Governor Daniels reiterated that position unapologetically in The Hill.

Equally unequivocal, Governor McDonnell said that while people tend to think first about jobs and fiscal issues during a tough economy, there are certain issues that must always be discussed because they go to the core of our founding, most especially life. He added that issues regarding the family are a significant aspect of public policy and government has a place in looking for solutions to problems affecting families and in making them stronger.

From the interview:

I believe that’s very much what the focus ought to be on right now, but to say we’re not going to discuss any social or values issues because they’re controversial, I don’t think is the right thing to do. …

There are (issues) regarding life and marriage and family that there are public policies that I think the government needs to set. …

No truce here, carry on: Governor McDonnell affirms the importance of life, marriage and other “social issues” in public policy that some politicians prefer to ignore.

This morning the House Privileges and Elections Committee voted to report the Repeal Amendment (HJ 542) to the floor by a vote of 15-7. All 14 Republicans were joined by one Democrat, Johnny Joannou (D-79, Portsmouth). The resolution, patroned by Delegate James LeMunyon (R-67, Chantilly) and heavily supported by House Speaker Bill Howell (R-28, Fredericksburg), did not go through sub-committee.

It was the only legislation heard in the committee and discussion lasted more than an hour — some of it enlightening and, inevitably, some very disappointing, including opponents’ injection of race into the debate. While opposition lawmakers tried to raise incendiary, irrelevant and inconsistent points, committee proponents and a plethora of witnesses (including The Family Foundation) underlined the necessity of rebalancing power with Washington, D.C., and the necessary re-establishment of our founding system of federalism. That’s where we get our Quote of the Day, from Delegate Bill Janis (R-56, Henrico).

Responding to Delegate Mark Sickles’ (D-43, Fairfax) contention that while Washington, D.C., doesn’t do things efficiently, much less perfectly, it eventually gets it right, Delegate Janis replied, in part:

Washington, D.C., is 100 acres of fantasy land surrounded by reality.

The Repeal Amendment should be on the House floor early next week. If passed, it will go to the Senate where a version there was defeated earlier this week. The amendment, if approved by three-fourths of the states, would authorize a constitutional convention to adopt the Repeal Amendment into the U.S. Constitution. The Repeal Amendment would, with two-thirds of the states concurring, repeal any federal law or regulation in U.S. Code.

Recently elected U.S. Representative Scott Rigell, from Virginia’s second Congressional district, has wasted no time in using his newly gained prestige by endorsing Hampton City Councilman Chris Stuart today for the 91st district House of Delegates seat which opened with the retirement of Tom Gear in late December. The GOP will nominate its candidate in a canvas Tuesday, January 18. The special election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 8.

Also running for the GOP nomination are Teresa Vanasse Schmidt, a day-care assistant director from Hampton; attorney Chad Green, the second vice-chairman of the York County Republican Committee; and Poquoson Mayor Gordon C. Helsel, Jr., made it four when he threw his hat into the ring last Thursday (see The Daily Press). Gear is backing Schmidt for his old seat.

In a statement, Rigell said:

Republicans have four fine candidates running to fill the seat vacated by my friend, Tom Gear, in the Virginia House of Delegates. All would make fine Delegates, but I am personally supporting . . . Chris Stuart. Chris is a proven job creator and a respected leader in our community and I believe he is the right candidate to fight for our shared conservative values in Richmond. Chris is committed to fighting for lower taxes and less regulation. …

Governor Bob McDonnell today set March 8 as the date for the special election to fill the 91st district House of Delegates seat suddenly vacated last week when Delegate Tom Gear (R-Hampton) resigned for health reasons. Delegate Gear’s multiple sclerosis is worsening and his wife and sister both have cancer (see Rosalind Helderman at the Washington Post’s Virginia Politics blog). That date ensures that 91st district voters will not be represented in the House of Delegates this 46-day session. The earliest the election could have been set, by law, was 45 days after Delegate Gear’s resignation. 

We will miss Delegate Gear. Quick witted and always genial, his great sense of humor frequently was on display, especially in the small chat world of General Assembly Building elevators and waiting areas, and often timely to relieve certain stress over upcoming committee votes those elevators were taking us to. An unwavering conservative, he is a public servant committed to principle. We wish him and his loved ones well and the restoration of their health.

Of course,  just because he resigned doesn’t mean he’s gone inactive. There are three Republicans running to succeed him in a largely GOP district (no word on whether the Democrats will field a candidate) and he’s already thrown his endorsement to Teresa Vanasse Schmidt, a day-care assistant director from Hampton, calling her “a rock-solid conservative. She’s pro-life. She’s big on the Second Amendment. And she doesn’t believe in raising taxes” (see the Post). 

Also running are Hampton City Councilman Chris Stuart, who owns a security company, and attorney Chad Green, the second vice-chairman of the York County Republican Committee. Stuart today released a statement announcing that he is the first of the three to sign the Americans for Tax Reform “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” which states that a candidate will never vote for a tax increase.

The sadly ironic touch to Democrat Congressman Jim Moran calling his 8th district Republican opponent Patrick Murray a ”strawman” is that it has been documented that liberals have, in fact, set up “independent TEA Party backed” candidates to draw away votes from Republicans. There are documented cases in Florida and elsewhere, including, apparently in Virginia — particularly in the Southwest’s 9th Congressional district and in the Southside-Central 5th Congressional district.

While Jeff Clark polls around 1 percent, incumbent Democrat Congressman Tom Perriello has run television ads promoting Clark as the true conservative in the race to blunt Republican Robert Hurt’s appeal to independent voters. (Unfortunately, most media have played along the last three months, prefacing his name with “TEA Party backed.”) 

While Mr. Perriello has acknowledged paying for those ads per the law, direct mail pieces promoting Clark without a disclaimer have flooded the district (see Danville Register & Bee). But a little detective work has uncovered some telling clues as from where they originated — namely, that the bulk mail permit is the same as that of the Maryland company that handles Mr. Perriello’s constituent newsletter.

The pieces also have a union label and the company in question is a union shop. Don’t think too many Virginia TEA Party candidates are using Maryland union shops for their direct mail campaigns (read the evidence here).

Any mailer or advertising without a disclaimer is afoul of election law. We thought liberals were all for campaign finance and disclosure reform? Surely, it’s a last ditch desperation roll of the dice for Mr. Perriello. Win or lose, his campaign should be investigated for his double standard if not for potential illegalities.

This ad by Citizens Against Government Waste is getting rave reviews by people of all political stripes. It scored in the 90s among Republicans and around 75 among Democrats in a Dr. Frank Luntz focus group, the highest ever bipartisan approval he’s ever seen for a political ad. It goes to show how massive, incomprehensible debt (in the multi trillions of dollars)scares everyone but the most left wing of the electorate — and rightly so.

If all good humor must contain at least a grain of truth, then all credible looks into the future must have a seed of realism, which is why this ad soars — unlike the futuristic dud produced recently by the left wing pressure group MoveOn.org (starring a big name Hollywood actress, no less). It also may be a metaphor for this election.

It’s no longer Halloween, but consider this our horror story for the ocassion. Released on October 20, already nearly 900,000 people have viewed it. Will it scare people across the country to the polls?

 Not so nutty Chinese professor. What would’ve seemed impossible a a few years ago will be on our door step shortly if we don’t elect the leaders who will take corrective action now. 

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.

Sinking in the polls and facing the largest wave election since 1946 (a GOP gain of 55 House and 12 Senate seats, see Ashbrook.org), the Obama administration reportedly isn’t waiting for October. Instead, as several sources report, the president is planning an August surprise and deal a ”fairness card” (again, turning the language on its head); a Main Street bailout rather than a Wall Street bailout (which he engineered, though he blames it on Republicans).

The reported plan is that Barack Obama will instruct Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which he the federal government now owns, to forgive up to 20 percent of underwater mortgage balances (see Liz Peek wowOwow’s sheconomics blog). Forget redistribution of wealth and spreading the wealth around. Just outright order it to be given away. 

As usual with this misguided regime, there’s a better idea. Writes Capitol Securities Management Chief Economic Strategist and Managing Director Kent Engelke in his daily Early Morning Commentary today:    

There are rumors that on or about August 17 the Administration will propose up to a 20% deduction of any Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or FHA mortgages balances that are underwater. In my view this would cause a political firestorm on both sides of the political aisle.

Instead of taking this radical step, I propose the doubling or tripling of the mortgage interest deduction for all home owners for the next two years. Yes this change would create a revenue shortfall but it will increase the monies in consumer’s pockets which should in turn increase housing prices and stimulate economic demand.

Engelke notes that such tax credits have worked in stemming, or even turning around, previous bubble-caused crises. For example, about eight years ago, the Congress and president approved an “accelerated depreciation schedule for many capital expenditure items purchased between 2001 and 2003,” which accelerated the recovery in the aftermath of the dotcom bubble. 

Something needs to be done — and fast. Families are hurting. Weekly unemployment claims jumped again today, even above an upward revision of last week’s increase (CNNMoney.com)! Yet, the only answers — all devastatingly wrong — from Washington’s liberal, left-wing leadership are more taxes, more borrowing and blowing it all on redistributionist themes. Remember when Nancy Pelosi said unemployment benefits create jobs? (See Neil Braithwaite at American Thinker.)  This new plan exceeds that.

Forget those who struggle and play by the rules and make their payments. Those who don’t apparently will just get it for free, except that nothing is free. Instead, homeowners, already struggling, will have to pay twice.

Annotations & Elucidations

The Left Over The Long Term

Remember Tim Kaine? Barely? Yeah, that’s him. He’s in the news today, throwing it down at the Republicans. As we say in sports, that’s why we play the game. In other news, the guy who succeeded Mr. Kaine, Governor Bob McDonnell, appointed a Family Foundation alumnus to his administration while arrogant academics scream foul at Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Also, the AG speaks frankly about what’s at stake in the legal battle over the government takeover of health care. Meanwhile, Mark Preston and Dick Morris, in Analysis, get the gold medal in telepathy today with almost identical headlines. You’ll have to read their columns to see if they are on the same wavelength about the midterm elections. Christopher Adamo adds his two bits in Commentary.

But there’s more to scare liberals than pending elections. Education reform and freedom is gaining more momentum, yet the Left stubbornly resists to a long-failed ideology and continues to pander to unions. Joshua Mercer at CatholicVoteAction Blog comments on a Michael Steele op-ed and the we also posted the op-ed itself. Worse yet for the Left, long term, the pro-life movement looks bright. More and more young people are involved as the pro-abortion crowd dwindles in numbers and energy — a victim of age and technology. David Bass at The American Spectator explains.

News

*McDonnell announces appointments (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Kaine: Democrats will hold congressional majorities (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Cuccinelli: Federalism itself is at stake in health care debate (Woodbridge/Manassas News & Messenger)

Cuccinelli’s demand for U.Va. decried (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Academics fight Cuccinelli’s call for climate-change records (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News

GOP stops $40 billion in future spending for science bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senators press for National Guard troops on border (AP/GOPUSA.com)

‘Modifying’ Miranda modifies the political debate (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate fails to end debate on bank regulation bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Obama ramps up criticism of Ariz. immigration law (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis

Open season on political incumbents (Mark Preston/CNN.com)

Open Season on Incumbents (Dick Morris/GOPUSA.com)

The Golden Age of Centrism Wasn’t So Golden (Michael Barone/GOPUSA.com)

Commentary

Pro-Choice Twilight Years (David N. Bass/The American Spectator AmSpecBlog)

Another Judicial Power Grab (Thomas Sowell/GOPUSA.com)

Steele: Democrats fail on school program (Michael Steele/CNN.com)

Michael Steele slams Obama for killing DC voucher program (Joshua Mercer/CatholicVoteAction Blog)

Immigration and Liberty (Walter E. Williams/GOPUSA.com) 

May Primaries And The Coming Electoral Tsunami (Christopher G. Adamo/GOPUSA.com)