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We borrow today’s QOD from the The Daily Press’ Shad Plank Blog. It happened yesterday, and actually I was in the room when it happened, but not paying attention. Glad I was alerted to the particulars. It features a QOD regular. It goes like this:

Del. Joe Morrissey was testifying before the House Commerce and Labor Committee Thursday when he made a slip of the tongue as he addressed the panel chairman Del. Terry Kilgore.

The Scott County Republican is the twin brother of former Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry Kilgore and a emerging power broker in his own right especially on business issues. Morrissey, D-Henrico, was attempting to make a point about his bill on gift cards when he stumbled on his words and inadvertently nominated Kilgore for the top spot in the House of Delegates.

“Mr. Speaker…” Morrissey said before recognizing the mistake and trailing off.

“Not yet,” Kilgore quickly replied, drawing a round laughter from the packed hearing room.

Annotations & Elucidations

Looking For A Legacy

After a lull in state news, it all came bursting out today with Governor Tim Kaine (contact) trying to steal his successor’s thunder — and continue to leave himself a peculiar legacy. Before the Thanksgiving break he hinted he would include tax increases in his last budget. He confirmed that today with proposals to repeal certain tax credits. Bad enough. But then he moved on to the social side and wants to extend state benefits to domestic partners. As we noted last week, he’s going out as he came in. It wasn’t a pretty picture then, it’s not now, either.

Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, on the other hand, who opposes these measures, proceeded to announce the first several appointments to his administration, including Governor Kaine’s finance secretary. At least for now, until the budget is dealt with. Meanwhile, The Daily Press previews what will amount to a GOP victory weekend celebration party in Williamsburg this weekend at its Annual Advance. But the campaigns aren’t over. Robert McCartney of the Washington Post takes a look at the 37th Senate District special election, and wonders — hopes — Dave Marsden can excite Northern Virginia liberals to the polls. He doubts it.

Nationally, as we mentioned Tuesday, same-sex marriage bills are meeting resistance in, of all places, New York and New Jersey. Yesterday, the New York Senate officially killed it with amazing bi-partisan support. But, as we all know, no one cares about the “social issues.” Elsewhere, ClimateGate continues to unfold in unpleasant ways for the left, while two other horrendous bills are flying under the radar in Congress, both of which we should all be concerned about: a “cyber security” bill, that could curtail individual liberty, and the “Non-Discrimination Act,” which is anything but, of course.

News:

Gov.-elect McDonnell opposes Kaine tax break repeal in next budget (AP/WSLS.com)

Va. budget to test McDonnell’s stance (Washington Post)

Kaine proposal: extend state benefits to domestic partners, other adults (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot) 

Gov. proposal offers state’s coverage to more adults (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell announces first round of appointments (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Kent likely to get chief of staff nod Thursday (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

McDonnell keeping Kaine’s financial chief, temporarily (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

McDonnell expected to fill two positions (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Virginia GOP huddles in Williamsburg (The Daily Press)

National:

NY traditional marriage supporters celebrate (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

‘Cyber threat’ bill a threat itself (OneNewsNow.com)

UK University to probe integrity of climate data (AP/OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

In Va. Senate race, Democrats get another chance (Robert McCartney/Washington Post)

The discriminatory ‘Non-Discrimination Act’ (Matt Barber/OneNewsNow.com)

ClimateGate: NPR sees silver lining (Larry Elder/OneNewsNow.com)

2012: Is the Sky Really Falling? (Dave Sterrett/Rightly Concerned Blog)

They Call It Fiscal Responsibilty; We Call It Socialism (David Limbaugh/Rightly Concerned Blog)

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 

Which Is It?

As election day nears, the media starts to pay closer attention to the House of Delegates campaigns. Accordingly, we have articles on four of them today. Sounds like Ward Armstrong (D-10, Martinsville), the House’s top Democrat, is a bit rankled.

In a case study as to how people see the same object differently, the Washington Post claims Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Fairfax) is bringing much more attention to the office (attorney general) that gets the least coverage every four years. On the other hand, The Daily Press offers the more traditional afterthought coverage. Which is it? The Post article is amazingly fair and perceptive. It does the senator right.

The Virginian-Pilot offers up a poll which shows Virginians decidedly againsta tax increase for transportation. Sorry, Creigh. Expect the aforementioned House (Democrat) candidates to sprint like Usain Bolt away from that proposition.

Speaking of the Post and The Daily Press, each endorsed a candidate this weekend. The Post predictably stuck with the guy it brung to the dance, Creigh Deeds, despite his attempts to avoid using the T word. Rumors are that he’s buying up stickers to slap on yard signs in Northern Virginia that say, “Endorsed by Washington Post,” just as he did in May shortly after it sponsored endorsed him in the Democrat primary. It was what gave him the edge then. The Daily Press, on the other hand, was not so predictable. It endorsed Tim Kaine four years ago, but now endorses Republican Bob McDonnell. It had no dog in the hunt it seems, and went with its best judgment.

Finally, the Post runs an opinion piece by a local teacher, Patrick Welsh, who offers common sense not often seen in those pages or in the D.C area: It’s the parents, stupid, not the race.

News:

McDonnell, a poised presence, could lift the GOP (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell moored by conservative values (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell and Deeds: The men who would be Va. Governor (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Attorney general hopefuls offer stark contrast (The Daily Press)

Cuccinelli’s bid puts focus on a job often off the radar (Washington Post)

Deeds seeks to beat the odds (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

Deeds fights to hold Obama’s Va. Coalition (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Hopefuls Summon Spirit of ‘08 Race (Washington Post)

Va. Lt. Gov. candidates spar over job records (The Daily Press)

Lohr, Hart Spar On Social Issues (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

94th House District: A civil disagreement between Oder and West (The Daily Press)

A rocky path for 11th District candidates (The Roanoke Times)

Armstrong questions 10th District opponent (The Roanoke Times)

Analysis:

Poll: Fix roads, but don’t raise taxes (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Commentary:

Editorial Page Endorsement: Mr. Deeds for Governor (Washington Post)

Editorial Page Edorsement: Budget discipline and executive experience make Bob McDonnell the right choice in difficult times (The Daily Press)

Making the Grade Isn’t About Race. It’s About Parents. (Patrick Welsh/Washington Post)

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Debate Review Edition

The headlines say it all about last night’s gubernatorial debate. Or at least say what the individual reporters say is all. They range from Democrat Creigh Deeds’ continued haranguing of the “the thesis” issue, to both he and Republican Bob McDonnell going after each other equally, to it was a snoozer. That’s pretty much it today — lots and lots of debate coverage, but that’s what happens when there are so few and so few televised this late in the game. It becomes a media focus. Even the New York Times weighs in, again, on the campaign, it’s third article in short succession. In other news, The Daily Press takes a look at Senator Tommy Norment’s (R-3, Williamsburg) arrangement with William & Mary, Liberty University does its part for representative democracy, ObamaCare isn’t popular in Virginia, and some ministers have something to say on same-sex marriage. All that and more, below.

News:

Deeds accuses McDonnell of ‘lying’ in Virginia Gov debate (Washington Times)

Deeds blasts McDonnell on thesis (The Daily Press)

Deeds sticks to his campaign script (Politico.com)

Candidates for governor clash on taxes, Obama (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Barbs Traded on Taxes, Traffic in Prime Time (Washington Post)

Televised debate generates a few sparks (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell and Deeds give personal takes on social issues (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Deeds, McDonnell tread softly in first televised debate (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Little new ground in debate (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

GOP Fervor Mounts As McDonnell Leads (Washington Post)

Gubernatorial candidate profile: Creigh Deeds shaped by rural roots (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell: A Razor-Sharp but Selective Memory (Washington Post)

Second Thoughts in Battle for Virginia (New York Times)

State employees appear in ad for McDonnell (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

In delegate race, incumbent Bell touts record as Neff presses reform (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

Get out the vote: Liberty U. cancels Election Day classes (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Sen. Norment part of unique legal setup at W&M (The Daily Press)

Poll: Nearly half in Virginia oppose Obama’s plan for health-care reform (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. ministers protest ban on gay marriage (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Wonder why Virginia’s senior U.S. senator, Jim Webb, hasn’t scheduled any town hall meetings across the commonwealth for constituents? He doesn’t think we, the people — the voters — can add much to the health care “reform” debate. Nevermind that most people who attend these meetings have read more of the bill than most lawmakers (see John Conyers’ admission, here). In fact, he calls us a bunch of “screamers.”

This is what he told The Daily Press today:

As to why he hasn’t had town hall forums on the issue, he said, “Frankly, I don’t see a lot of views being exchanged. I see a lot of screaming. I see a lot of YouTube moments.”

Now, that’s productive . . . and the pols want to know why the people are so frustrated at the ramming of unwanted legislation down our throats. To his credit, however, the senator wasn’t all praise for President Obama, either.

. . . Webb said he was disappointed with how the health-care debate has shaped up. He said the administration should have put forward its idea and then followed that up with hearings. Because that hasn’t happened, “We have five different versions bubbling up from five different committees.” 

That’s a good point. We wonder, however, who will take Webb’s criticisms better: his constituents or the president?

Whadaya know? We lead off the news with two articles and a radio interview about TFF Action’s General Assembly Report Card (click here to order, download or print). The WRVA interview marks the News Stand’s first radio audio. The Charlottesville Daily Progress article is via the AP and is a little misleading when it says banning funding for embryonic stem cell research failed. It was not banned in a budget amendment, which is the vote recorded for the Report Card. But separate language, as part of another bill, did ban it. (To see more about the Report Card, click the following links for TFF Action’s news release, statement and video.)

In national news, California’s Marriage Amendment (”Prop. 8″) is under attack while a study shows abstinence education does better than so-called “comprehensive sex education,” contrary to the liberal spin. Medical professionals conscience protections remain under assault by those who claim to promote “choice” and David Limbaugh offers his insights on the importance of understanding the role of abortion semantics in the public debate (we had our own take yesterday).

Finally, check out an interesting cultural item from OneNewsNow.com: Christianity may have a role in American Idol voting.

Audio:

*Victoria Cobb Interview: Saturday Morning With The Lee Brothers (4:52)(WRVA-AM/LeeBrothers.com)

News:

*Va. GOP fares best in Family Foundation scorecard (Charlottesville Daily Progress)

*Conservative group ranks regional legislators (Roanoke Times)

McAuliffe, Moran spar over support for Obama (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Moran rolls out “aging czar”; Deeds pushes energy plan (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Democratic primary: Voters won’t have to wait this time (The Daily Press)

National News:

DOMA, Prop. 8 under attack in Calif. (OneNewsNow.com)

Abstinence ed ‘outperforms’ comprehensive sex ed (OneNewsNow.com)

The fight to preserve conscious laws (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

Abortion Doublespeak Part Of Pattern (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Is Christianity a factor in ‘American Idol’ voting? (OneNewsNow.com Blog)

The News Stand isn’t the only one returning today: Looks like the missing Musketeer, Senator Creigh Deeds of Bath has finally poked his nose out in the Democrat gubernatorial primary campaign. He garners two headlines around the state today and prominent mentions elsewhere. Perhaps he’s been there all along and we just didn’t know it, as the Washington Post and Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star attest to the lackluster campaign thus far. But maybe Terry McAuliffe’s comment on a Richmond radio station will perk things up. Dems also tell The Post they think dreariness and fatigue are what led to some Republican wins in their NoVa bastion as of late.

In national news, the current governor’s boss, the president, appears poised to take a page from Tim Kaine’s policy book and eliminate abstinence education funding. Then there are the tales of two states and approaches to education: A California Senate committee passed what’s being called “Gay Day” legislation for schools’ curriculum where parents, according to one report, can’t opt out their children. By contrast, Texas officials chose a prominent historian to restore basic and traditional lessons, that have slowly evaporated over the years, to its public school curriculum.  

News:

After GOP Wins, Democrats Are Worried About Fatigue (Washington Post)

Delegates urged to attend meeting (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

In the Race for Governor, a Drizzle of Ads Portends a Deluge (Washington Post)

Dems’ primary appears lackluster (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Ousted GOP chairman takes aim at ‘insiders’ (The Daily Press) 

Deeds: Education, technology key (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Facing uphill battle in governor’s race, Deeds still presses ahead (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McAuliffe touts green energy (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

Democrat to challenge incumbent in 6th District (Roanoke Times)

National News:

Obama would ax abstinence-only funding (OneNewsNow.com)

History scholar hopes to revamp Texas curriculum (OneNewsNow.com)

‘Gay Day’ Bill Passes California Senate Committee (CNSNews.com)

Looks like the the governor got a little jealous of his boss in Washington and issued his own threat assessment, which demonized several groups, as did the federal manifesto. A college professor often told us, “Never generalize. It’ll get you in trouble some day.” Some never learn from even the most basic of life lessons. The report knocked the gubernatorial campaign off the radar a bit, which probably didn’t win Governor Kaine any thanks from his would-be Democrat successors. But below we have some reports on the increasing acrimony of the Dem candidates toward each other. Are they a threat to anyone (other than the taxpayer)?

But the Kaine administration report is very appropriately timed as people increasingly are concerned about the total takeover and make over of the country by the Obama administration, and you dare note complain. For example, read about how the very 1984 so-called “hate crimes” bill looks destined to get ram-rodded through the House, and possibly into law. Sandy Rios writes in detail about the totality of the liberals’ grand scheme. 

The Miss USA debacle continues to be discussed. Andrew Breitbart has a blunt commentary about the viciousness of homosexual activists who are anything but the tolerant they say they are, or who want anything but the tolerance they say they seek. Meanwhile, a pro-life leader, herself a former Miss Delaware, says she’s proud of Miss California, Carrie Prejean (who attends a Christian college). We also have an article and video of D.C. ministers rallying in favor of traditional marriage and against same-sex marriage, which the D.C. government is contemplating.

Lastly, the much publicized polling that says evangelical Christians are all of a sudden tree-hugging-greenies has been debunked. A study of the phrasing of the questions proves they were designed to provoke answers to fit the pre-conceived template of the organization sponsoring the poll.  

Admin’s note: The News Stand may be intermittent the next 10 days or so as the Communications Department, who compiles the articles that make up much of the News Stand, takes a well-deserved vacation.

News:

Kaine orders investigation of report on terrorism threats (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

State terrorism report concerns university officials, rights watchdogs (The Daily Press)

Va. Democrats debate words vs. actions (Washington Times)

Democrats’ Digs Deepen as Forums Continue (Washington Post)

Major Front in Va. Race Is Online (Washington Post)

National News:

‘Hate crimes’ bill likely to pass House, thanks to Dems (OneNewsNow.com)

Climate-change report on evangelicals debunked (OneNewsNow.com)

Pro-life leader proud of Miss California (OneNewsNow.com)

Commentary:

We’re here, we’re queer and we’re hypocrites (Andrew Breitbart/Washington Times)

American Left attempts a bloodless coup (Sandy Rios/OneNewsNow.com)

Video:

Ministers Lead Protest of D.C. Legislation (Washington Post) 

The Washington Post today picks up on something we wrote about quite extensively last week — namely, former Delegate Brian Moran’s all out adoption of the homosexual lobby’s agenda in his bid for the Democrat gubernatorial  nomination. It may work for the short term (the primary) but surely will blow up on him in the general election, if he gets that far.

But the big campaign news — as usual, wherever he goes he sucks up all the attention — was former President Bill Clinton’s swing through Virginia yesterday in support of Terry “T-Mac” McAuliffe’s candidacy for the Democrat gubernatorial nomination. By the way, isn’t there a third Dem candidate?

Also, there are two commentaries below. One, by David Limbaugh, is especially timely given how Congressional liberals are trying to rush through and cram down our throats ”hate crimes” legislation. Now, who is it that legislates morality? Who limits freedom? Does this remind anyone of the Sedition Act? The other, a OneNewsNow blog comment, reviews how super model Kathy Ireland came to be pro-life and what Planned Parenthood told her.

News:

Brian Moran Gambles on Same-Sex Union Issue (Washington Post)

Bill Clinton campaigns for McAuliffe in gubernatorial primary (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

McAuliffe Will Create Jobs, Bill Clinton Says (Washington Post) 

Clinton lends political clout to McAuliffe’s bid for governor (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Del. Tom Gear: 91st District voters will have three choices (The Daily Press)

Commentary:

Beware Abhorrent Hate Crime Legislation (David Limbaugh/GOPUSA.com)

Supermodel Kathy Ireland Lashes Out Against ‘Pro Choice’ (OneNewsNow.com blog)