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Sunday Talk Shows And A Special Time Of Year

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell is still basking in the electoral landslide after glow, already a national figure, as he made the Sunday national talk show circuit yesterday. Meanwhile, the media is busy outlining what it thinks will be his challenges and goals starting in January. But . . . we’re not done with campaigning, yet. Two major special elections are forthcoming: One, in Fairfax, to fill the seat of Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, and one to fill the seat of Senator Ken Stolle, elected last week as Virginia Beach Sheriff. The Washington Post’s Virginia Politics Blog has much of the scoop on the former. 

While there are plenty of Republicans who are seeking the position, the Democrats can’t find one. At least one who lives in the district. Party leaders leaned on Janet Oleszek, who bumblingly opposed Cuccinelli in 2007, not to run again. It looks like Delegate Dave Marsden (D-41, Fairfax) will run, but he doesn’t live in the district, and it’s not like he won so convincingly last week. Voter fatigue may be the biggest factor in both of the special elections.

News:

McDonnell opposes Va. participation in health-care bill’s public option (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Obstacles await McDonnell administration (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Governor-elect McDonnell: Putting his plan in motion (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell on Sunday morning talk shows (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McDonnell pegs his win to Va. issues, not national (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Va. unlikely to put charter schools on fast track (Washington Post)

GOP hopes to keep Cuccinelli’s seat (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Oleszek and Bulova out for senate, Marsden possibly in for Cuccinelli seat (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Republicans still hard-pressed for minority support (Washington Post)

After bad fall, Democrats looking to bounce back (Washington Post)

Weakened Virginia Democrats seek strategy for comeback (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National:

Abortion an obstacle to health-care bill (Washington Post)

Commentary:

Governing with 2013 in mind (Jeff Schapiro/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Topping the news today is the Iowa Supreme Court’s decision to void that state’s same-sex marriage ban. We’ll have a little more to say in a subsequent post. Topping the political news is the confirmation by Senator Ken Stolle (R-8, Virginia Beach) of the speculation that he will run for Virginia Beach sheriff this year. What came as a surprise was his announcement that he suffers from Parkinson’s Disease. We’ll also comment on his political decision in a subsequent post.

We can’t go too far without tooting our horn: Two national news organizations mention us and our role in the successful effort to get the benefits of marriage taught as part of Virginia public schools’ Family Life Education curriculum (see here). Those stories top the news section.  

A few interesting others to point out: The commentary on “spineless” pastors who won’t speak out on the major cultural issues of the day; and articles about a bill in Congress that would prohibit abortion based on sex and race; how churches are doing more charitable work now than ever — for non-parishioners; and how financial supporters to the California Marriage Amendment campaign are getting targeted . . . ah, yes . . . yet more tolerance in the Age of Obama. 

News:

*Virginia Gov. Approves Law Requiring Schools to Teach Benefits of Marriage (The Christian Post.com)

*Virginia To Teach Students Benefits of Marriage (OneNewsNow.com Blog)

Stolle confirms he’ll run for sheriff, says he has Parkinson’s (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

VDOT bonuses, salary increases assailed, defended (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

‘More toll roads,’ says Va. House speaker (Washington Times)

State’s Economic Problems Emerge as Major Force in Campaign(Washington Post)

Huckabee and McAuliffe in war of words (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gubernatorial hopeful McAuliffe calls for a payday-lending ban; other Democrats follow suit (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

State GOP chairman faces crucial party showdown (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

National News:

Iowa court: Ban on same-sex ‘marriage’ unconstitutional(OneNewsNow.com)

Prop. 8 supporters persecuted for donations (OneNewsNow.com)

Abortion based on race, gender labeled ‘barbaric’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Churches Do More Good Now Than Ever (OneNewsNow.com Blog)

Bill Lets Moms-To-Be Kill To Save Baby (KOCO-TV)

Opinion:

The silent, spineless clergy (OneNewsNow.com)

Topping the news today is Delegate Clark Hogan’s (R-60, South Boston) decision not to seek re-election. He follows another young House Republican member, Delegate Bill Fralin (R-17, Roanoke), in surprising observers with the such an announcement. Not only that, but Senator Ken Stolle (R-8, Virginia Beach) may leave the Senate — if he runs for and gets elected Virginia Beach Sheriff. Interesting, as ever.

Hogan not running for re-election, plans to focus on business (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Stolle considers run for Virginia Beach sheriff (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Va. Optimistic On Revenue (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Area now a battleground for governor (The Daily Press)

Democrats Target McDonnell As Va. Smoking Ban Is Signed (Washington Post) 

Obama’s Order on Stem Cells Leaves Key Questions to NIH (Washington Post)