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Annotations & Elucidations

Back From Break

The four day Thanksgiving break is universally good for everyone. With so many events converging in November, it’s good to hit the breaks, take a rest, then gear up for the non-stop onslaught that is December (Christmas season and preparing for the General Assembly) and January and February (which is all General Assembly all the time).

One wouldn’t think there’d be much news over the break, but there is. The Richmond Times-Dispatch profiles Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, who is ready and eager for his new job (to the horrors of liberals). Virginia’s financial woes continue to make news as the commonwealth borrows more to meet its unemployment insurance obligations, but it may just yet reap a windfall (see the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot and Washington Post, respectively). Speaking of the GA, ethics reform will be big this year, per The Daily Press. Speaking of ethics, the State Board of Elections is demanding some answers this week from a group that wanted to mail you information about your neighbors voting habits. Only certain people can obtain Voter Vault lists, such as elected officials, so the supplier (or willing supplier) to the Know Campaign is a case for the curious. The Virginian-Pilot has the details. In some good news, because we believe the more people can understand that the Founding Fathers intended America as a land of limited government and religious liberty, it’s now easier than ever to read their words as they wrote them (see the T-D).

Nationally, more fallout from the leaked e-mails documenting the “global warming” hoax, the GOP looks for more orthodoxy, a boycott of Gap and Old Navy ends, a Hollywood superstar calls President Obama a “socialist,” while said POTUS leaves out God in his Thanksgiving proclamation. Finally, speaking of Hollywood, the latest “feel good movie of the year,” Blind Side, has some troubling aspects about public education and government influence on families that shouldn’t go unnoticed, as writes Star Parker. Whoa! Told you it’s full steam ahead. Hope the break got you ready for what’s coming at us.

News:

Cuccinelli digs in to set course for AG’s office (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

GOP to hold firehouse primaries for both open Senate seats (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Va. to borrow $1.26 billion for depleted unemployment funds (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

U.S. sitting on $17 billion in unclaimed war bonds (Washington Post)

Lawmakers expect focus on ethics reform in wake of Phil Hamilton (The Daily Press)

Officials tell nonprofit to reveal voter history data source (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Founding Fathers’ papers go online (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News:

Global-warming data sets ’simply made up’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Divided Senate opens health care debate (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

GOP purity test proposed (OneNewsNow.com)

AFA ends boycott of Gap, Old Navy: Best Buy and Dick’s Sporting Goods make AFA’s “Naughty” list (American Family Association)

Commentary:

Obama Doesn’t Use ‘God’ in Thanksgiving Proclamation (Bryan Fischer/Focal Point Right, Rightly Concerned Blog) 

Angelina Jolie Thinks Obama Is A Socialist (Elijah Friedeman/The Millennial Perspective, Rightly Concerned Blog)

Obama invites a nightmare (Peter Heck/OneNewsNow.com)

‘The Blide Side’ should trouble as well as inspire (Star Parker/OneNewsNow.com)

So Much For Obama’s Pledge to Remove the Influence of Lobbyists (Bryan Fischer/Focal Point Right, Rightly Concerned Blog) 

Annotations & Elucidations

Will Dave Marsden’s Quick Move Move Him To The Senate Or Backfire?

News in the two Virginia Senate special elections is heating up. In the 37th district, which is open due to the election of Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, Democrat Delegate Dave Marsden is being pressured to resign his House seat now that he is officially campaigning for the Senate. The reason: If elected, he will leave the 41 district delegate-less in the House for a good portion of the 2010 General Assembly while yet another special election is called. Marsden refuses, but there is another twist: Marsden doesn’t live in the Senate district, so he is taking a room in the home of a supporter who lives in an overlapping  precinct. It gives new meaning to carpetbagging. It may solve (cheesily) the technical residency requirement, but it’s brazenness may alienate voters.

In Commentary, Thomas D. Segel looks at a doctor shortage that will get worse under Obamacare, Star Parker writes about D.C.’s new homosexual friendly city council, and Henry Lamb weighs in on property rights. Meanwhile, the AP’s Tom Raum analyzes the Federal Reserve’s massive liquidity policies that are cheapening the dollar and sinking the economy further, faster.

News:

Kaine: ‘Not out of the woods yet’ on economy (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Officials seek ways to deal with budget shortfall (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

GOP asks Marsden to resign House seat (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Health care divides Senate hopefuls at GOP forum (Norfolk Virginian-Pliot)

8th Senate District GOP primary may go nasty — and quick (BearingDrift.com)

National News:

FBI: More anti-religious, anti-gay hate crimes reported (AP/Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Schumer: Dems ready to go-it-alone on health care (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Senate Democrats at odds over health care bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Mammogram guidelines spark debate over health bill (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Palin dines, prays with Rev. Billy Graham in NC (AP/GOPUSA.com)

RI bishop asked Kennedy in 2007 to avoid Communion (AP/GOPUSA.com)

Analysis:

Fed under fire as public anger mounts (Tom Raum/AP/GOPUSA.com) 

Commentary:

Where Have All The Doctors Gone? (Thomas D. Segel/GOPUSA.com)

U.S. Capital Going The Way Of Sodom (Star Parker/GOPUSA.com)

They’re Still After Your Water (Henry Lamb/GOPUSA.com)

Give Me Character Over IQ Any Day (Doug Patton/GOPUSA.com)

If you cannot be in Washington today or tomorrow (maybe you were there last weekend) for the annual Values Voter Summit, the American Family Association and FRC Action have made it possible to view all the great speakers live via Webcast! Don’t miss a litany of great conservative, pro-life, pro-family leaders speak, including Gary Bauer, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee (our Gala speaker), Phyllis Schlafly, Star Parker, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Bill O’Reilly, Ken Blackwell, Bishop Harry Jackson (who has spoken at several of our events) and many more.

To register for free, click here or click here! 

The summit also will feature a health care town hall meeting with members of U.S. House of Representatives that you will not want to miss. The Values Voter Summit is the largest meeting of social conservatives this year and doesn’t end until Saturday evening. So, please, register and log on to the (virtual) Values Voter Summit and forward this link to family and friends.

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)

Tomorrow is the big day across Virginia and America. Hundreds of Tax Day Tea Parties are going on and millions are expected to attend. Kind of makes today’s news tame by comparison. That does raise a question, though: How will the Mainstream Media cover these Tea Parties, if at all? Look for the angry, right-wing wacko slant, especially from the national media.

As for today, Democrat gubernatorial candidate T-Mac offers the quadrennial liberal bow and scrape to the teachers’ union, while one of his primary opponents, Senator Creigh Deeds of Bath, outlines a plan to make higher ed more affordable. Meanwhile, House races are heating up in Hampton Roads and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell reports on his fundraising as a new ad is launched targeting him.

Nationally, the Kansas abortionist George Tiller may have walked in his trial, but his legal troubles aren’t over; a new “hate crimes” bill in Congress would stifle pastors’ free speech; and if you think Virginia Republicans have chairman trouble, wait to you read what the Massachusetts chair told a homosexual publication. (Hint: She’s not into the culture wars.)

Finally, please read why Star Parker thinks Christian conservatism, contrary to its proclaimed demise by national pundits, is only getting started. Stay dry today and we’ll see you tomorrow. Bring the tea. 

News:

McAuliffe wants to give teachers a raise, help with loans (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Deeds unveils plan to make college more affordable (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

NBC’s Andrea Mitchell to moderate Va. Democrats’ debate (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell reports fundraising for gubernatorial race (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

TV Ad Evokes Va. Tech to Challenge McDonnell on Gun Sales (Washington Post)

House of Delegates campaigns shaping up in Hampton Roads (The Daily Press)

Kaine takes up for Virginia’s jobless (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. Lawmakers Split on What’s Best for Workers, Employers (Washington Post)

National News:

Mass. GOP leader ‘insults’ conservative Republicans (OneNewsNow.com)

Clergy in the crosshairs (OneNewsNow.com)

Tiller’s legal troubles not over yet (OneNewsNow.com)

Opinion:

Christian conservatism just getting started (OneNewsNow.com)

Today in Washington, D.C., there is a meeting of the vast right wing conspiracy. Big surprise, The Family Foundation is in the midst. Although the left might prefer we were the only ones in the room, we are not. The Values Voter Summit hosted by the Family Research Council Action has drawn more than 2,000 people to the historic Washington Hilton. Speaking to this energized crowd is quite a line up of thinkers and doers including CNN host Lou Dobbs, Joe Gibbs, Newt Gingrich, Michael Medved, Stephen Baldwin, Alveda King, Michael Steele, Star Parker, Dr. Bill Bennett, Laura Ingram, Ben Stein, Chuck Colson and many more. 

Casual conversations with folks indicate that they really wish Governor Sarah Palin was joining us but they respect the fact that she is in Alaska deploying her son and since she just drew 23,000 people in Farfax this week, they’ll cut her some slack. Michael Steele told us what he has told the media this past week, “I know Sarah Palin and you don’t want to mess with Sarah Palin. She shoots moose, what do you think she is going to do to a donkey?” 

The leadership of all of the family policy councils around the country have been here much of the week pow-wowing about marriage amendments on the ballots in Ariz., Calif., and Fla., and much more. A smaller segment of the group is discussing not just issues, but tactics. In particular, a conclusion has been reached by those of us that aren’t 50+ year old white men (no offense to those that are) that our movement has not yet grabbed the tools and terminology needed to reach the ever important 18-29 year old voting block. While we don’t have all the solutions, I’ve heard that the first step is acknolwledging the problem. 

Lou Dobbs encouraged conservatives in the room to diversity our issues. Although his comments were aimed at the fiscal issues, closed door meetings have discussed not allowing the left to claim the issues of poverty and social justice. Indeed the greatest efforts toward giving every citizen a shot at the American dream are those that go straight to the root problem — solutions that secure and stablize a nuclear family. A bunch of brainiacs shared some embargoed research with a small group of us yesterday and it continues to be clear that if we want men, women and children to succeed in any way (financial, education, etc.), we must stop the out of wedlock births, cohabitation and divorce. If we want our young men to grow up and not end up on the street or in our prison system, they need their dads! That’s not a moral opinion, its a social science fact. Clearly, we need to be a part of making sure we love our neighbor by making sure they know where their next meal comes from, but working to solve poverty runs so much deeper than a bunch of government programs. 

Interestingly, Dobbs acknowledged that FRC President Tony Perkins has been instrumental in his “conversation” to believing that values voters matter and need to have a voice in the public square. Dobbs hasn’t always believed that way and said he was used to pursuading people to his point of view, but Tony turned the tables on him.

One thing is for sure, the energy level among values voters has received a monumental shot of adreneline with Sarah Palin joining the Republican ticket. These people are ready to go home across the nation and go to work. That impact will no doubt be felt election day.