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Last week we announced that we and The Heartland Institute were hosting and sponsoring, respectively, a roundtable discussion on the Future of Health Care In America. It takes place tomorrow from 9:00 a.m. to noon in the 12th floor conference room at One Capitol Square, 830 East Main Street (the corner of 9th and Main Streets), in Richmond. Here’s an update on the topics that will be discussed and the presenters:

The Mega Trend Movement to Consumer-Driven Health Care: Paul L. Kitchen, President and CEO, nHealth, Inc.

Update on Free Market Activities in Virginia: Victoria Cobb, President, The Family Foundation of Virginia

Health Reform at the Federal and State Level: Ben Domenech, Managing Editor, Health Care News

Update from the Commonwealth of Virginia: Dr. Bill Hazel, Secretary of Health and Human Resources; Delegate John M. O’Bannon, M.D. (R-73, Henrico); and Delegate T. Scott Garrett, M.D. (R-23, Lynchburg)

The True Costs of Health Care: Peter Fotos, Director of Government Relations, The Heartland Institute

With the liberal Congress and administration ignoring recent election results and public opinion, and again threatening to ram through nationalized medicine (see U.S. Chamber update), this event is a can’t-miss. It’s complimentary, too, and refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Those wishing to register should contact Robin Knox at The Heartland Institute at (312) 377-4000 or rknox@heartland.org. We hope you will be able to join us for this informative discussion.

Friday, we posted what several national media now are saying: The Obama administration and its liberal Congressional ideologues will unveil and push through what was thought to be dead — a nationalized health care plan. If this, and the entire federalized health care idea concerns you, then consider attending this very special event.

Thursday, February 25, The Family Foundation and The Heartland Institute are co-hosting a complimentary forum and panel discussion concerning the future of health care in America. The panel consists of our president, Victoria Cobb; Peter Fotos, director-Government Relations, Heartland Institute; Ben Domenech, managing editor-Health Care News; and Peter Ferrara author of The Obama Health Plan: Rationing, Higher Taxes, and Lower-Quality Care. Also confirmed are Delegates (and doctors) Scott Garrett (R-23, Lynchburg) and John O’Bannon (R-73, Henrico).

The Heartland Institute is a natioanlly recognized nonprofit research and education organization. Based in Chicago, it promotes free-market solutions to the issues of health care, school choice, the environment, and government bureaucracy. It is an honor that it has chosen us to partner with on this very informative and important forum. So, we hope you can make it to Richmond to attend; or if you live in the area, make arrangements to spend three hours with us.

The panel discussion will be held in Richmond from 9:00 a.m. until noon in The Family Foundation’s 12th floor conference room located at 830 East Main Street (the corner of 9th Street and Main Street). Refreshments will be served. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. Those wishing to register should contact Robin Knox at The Heartland Institute at (312) 377-4000 or rknox@heartland.org. We hope you will be able to join us for this informative discussion.

We’ve staged a coup. Unfortunately, to the liberal collective’s the sigh of relief, we didn’t stack the Supreme Court with Matt and Victoria Cobb.

However, the four top ranking members of Virginia government, conservatives all — certainly to the chagrin of the liberal collective — Governor Bob McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and House Speaker Bill Howell, all will speak at this year’s Family Foundation Advisory Council Legislative Briefing on Wednesday, February 17.

This is an exclusive annual event for our Advisory Council members. However, it shows how important Virginia’s top officials view The Family Foundation and its most generous donors (click here for the complete benefits of Advisory Council membership).

Our Advisory Council is more than just perks; its instrumental partnership significantly funds the work of the organization during the General Assembly session and year round: The legislative call to action and subsequent victories, The Truth Project training, Pastors For Family Values, local grassroots networks, your voice in the mainstream media, and much more.

For more information about The Family Foundation Advisory Council, The Advisory Council Legislative Briefing, or any of our development activities, contact Dan Thompson at 804-343-0010 or at dan@familyfoundation.org. To donate to The Family Foundation at any level, you may click here.

One of our intrepid lobbyists was in the General Assembly Building the other day, minding her own business, waiting for a certain bill to come up in the very laborious House Courts of Justice Committee. These committee meetings can be very hard to sit through — lots of legal minutia to deal with. So, many people mingle in the lobby and peek in from time to time to see where there bill is on the docket, often to find that the bill on the docket an hour ago is still getting the treatment.

That was the case with my colleague, who decided to take a seat in the lobby next to three oblivious pro-abortion activists who were in the midst of a major gripe session. The cause of their angst? It seems, our very own, Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb — and her husband, Matt. As my colleague tells it:

Three women, who by their conversation were clearly pro-abortion, were making plans for their upcoming lobby day. They praised the recent NARAL report that fabricated allegations against pregnancy resource centers, saying they had read it cover to cover and felt it was very well done. They spoke about remembering when NARAL recruited volunteers as undercover “investigators” and wished they had been available to volunteer. They talked about the PRC bills killed the previous night — within an hour of each other — in both a House and a very liberal Senate sub-committee, and lamented their defeat.

Then I heard Victoria’s name from Woman Number 1 and something about how she just couldn’t stand Victoria and her “anti-choice ways.” She said something to the effect of, “ There are some crazy people out there who think that way, but she’s just deplorable.” Then, it went like this:

Woman Number 2: Oh, but have you heard about her husband?

Woman Number 1 and Woman 3 shook their heads no.

Woman Number 2: He’s been appointed Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Resources by McDonnell (see Norfolk Virginian-Pilot).”

Woman Number 1 and Woman Number 3: No!

Woman Number 3: They’re taking over the world! Do they have any children?

Woman Number 1 and Woman 2 shrugged, shook their heads in disgust, and continued on with their gripe, no doubt wondering what good a working for a lefty Senate is when they can’t even get their priority bill out of a Senate sub-committee.

Family Foundation of Virginia President Victoria Cobb was interviewed by Roanoke station WDBJ-TV/7 after the NARAL news conference today at the capitol in Richmond. She refutes the fiction produced by NARAL and its liberal ally lawmakers, who are attempting to suffocate pregnancy resource centers in Virginia through outrageous legislation and other tactics.

Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb gets a little equal time to set the record straight concerning the manufactured allegations against pregnancy resource centers by NARAL and its legislative allies.

Annotations & Elucidations

Brit And Tiger, Lisa And Isabella

The News Stand had an unexpected return to hiatus the last two days because of a sudden illness. The News is dominated by Governor-elect Bob McDonnell’s cabinet — who he picked, how much salary they’ll make (his as well), and what they’ll be allowed to do in their off-time.  

In political news, the Washington Post looks at the issue of Delegate Dave Marsden’s residency in the 37th Senate district special election (January 12). Delegate Marsden, who is running against Republican Stephen Hunt, moved into the district only a few weeks ago and lives in a room in a friend’s house. Hunt, meanwhile, is hoping to hold the seat vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli, and is expected to be the only candidate to appear tonight at the Fairfax Family Forum candidate forum. Meanwhile, values and faith issues occupy the National News and Commentary sections: The Isabella Miller custody case has the attention of Richmond Times-Dispatch columnist Michael Paul Williams, who quotes our president, Victoria Cobb, and Fox News Channel’s Brit Hume has raised the hackles of some with his comments on Tiger Woods . . . specifically, how he can save his spiritual life through Jesus.  

News

Va. state Senate candidate Marsden faces residency issue (Washington Post)

McDonnell announces three more Cabinet choices (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell picks N.Va. executive for technology post (Washington Post)

McDonnell, Cabinet to take unspecified pay cuts (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell will reduce salaries (The Daily Press)

McDonnell vows to cut his own pay (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell OK with secretary on boards (Roanoke Times/Norfolk Virginian-Pliot)

Sledd defends keeping corporate board seats (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell to let Va. Cabinet heads serve on corporate boards (Washington Post)

Public can weigh in on state budget today (The Daily Press)

Two GOP lobbyists switching firms (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Loudoun County’s nondiscrimination policy expanded to protect gays (Washington Post)

Businessman Scott Rigell launches congressional campaign (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Contempt citation sought in same-sex custody case (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National News

Comments on Buddhism, Tiger Woods upset faithful (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Gay-marriage foes slam plans to televise Prop 8 trial (Washington Times)

Commentary

*Custody case defies ideology in some ways (Michael Paul Williams/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Persecution for the Brit Hume Witness (Peter Sprigg/FRC Blog)

Annotations & Elucidations

Even On New Year’s Day . . .

The News Stand is back after a Christmas/New Year’s break. Not much comment today. With a new administration and two months of General Assembly upcoming, there will be plenty of news upon which to comment in the days and weeks ahead. For now, take a look at some articles of interest to ween you back into the Virginia political mindset: The Wall Street Journal’s Brendan Miniter profiles Governor-elect Bob McDonnell while the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Roanoke Times bid adieu to Governor Tim Kaine; the Washington Times examines McDonnell’s call to eliminate the governor’s one term limit; the Washington Post looks areas of the Virginia budget that may no longer be sacrosanct from cuts; and the AP reports that 13 attorneys general, including outgoing Virginia AG Bill Mims, are  threatening a lawsuit over the pending nationalized health care legislation — and they are not all “red” state AGs, either. We anticipate that Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli will continue Virginia’s participation in the proceedings should the legislation become law.  

But, just to show you it’s always something around here, in case you missed it, CNN called us for a New Year’s Day interview regarding the Isabella Miller custody case. So, below, we posted the video of the report which includes reporter Mary Snow’s interview with Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb.

News:

Back to GOP Basics (Wall Street Journal Online)

Parts of Virginia’s budget may no longer be off-limits (Washington Post)

Kaine had wins but took some lumps as governor (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

A term of crisis: Gov. Tim Kaine exit interview (Roanoke Times)

Va. GOP names new executive director (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va.’s McDonnell seeks end to term limit (Washington Times)

Va. mom fails to hand over daughter in custody dispute (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National:

13 attorneys general threaten suit over health care (AP/Roanoke Times)

Video:

*Lesbian Custody Battle (2:13) (CNN.com)

Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb speaks to CNN on New Year’s Day about Lisa Miller apparently running away with her daughter, Isabella. 

On Tuesday, the Virginia Crime Commission decided to recommend no legislative remedies regarding “sexting,” an obscene and predatory version of text messaging. The same day, The Family Foundation participated in a Capitol press conference (see coverage at  Richmond Times-Dispatch) with Attorney General Bill Mims, Enough is Enough and the Interfaith Center for Public Policy to announce a joint venture to educate churches on Internet safety.

The Internet is an expanse of exploration and offers a joy of discovery and learning, but it also has a dark side populated by hardcore pornography and sexual predators. Keeping children safe while they explore the Web is a full time job. To help parents, Enough is Enough produced “Internet Safety 101,” a DVD program that helps parents understand the dangers of the Internet and how to protect their children.

As technology advances, the threats to children have moved far beyond chat rooms and My Space, to cel phones and even game systems like PS2 and Xbox. Unfortunately, too few parents are equipped to monitor everything that their children see online, or on their cel phone. “Internet Safety 101″ provides the tools necessary for child protection.

At the news conference (see WHSV.com), we announced a joint effort between ourselves, the Attorney General’s office, Pastors For Family Values (our pastors outreach ministry), and the Interfaith Center for Public Policy, where we will distribute 1,000 Internet Safety kits, upon request, to churches across Virginia. Churches can then use the material to train their congregations to better understand the threats that exist and how to combat them. We also will conduct a joint training for pastors and other church leaders on Thursday, March 4, 2010, in Richmond.

Here’s a quote from Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb from the news conference (see WTVR.com/CBS6):

Over the years, The Family Foundation has urged the General Assembly to pass stronger penalties for child pornography and to do as much as possible to protect our children and our families on the Internet, but with the freedom that exists on the World Wide Web, we know that this goes far beyond anything government can really do. We as parents must take the necessary steps to protect our families. With the assistance of churches, we can educate and inform thousands more families, protect thousands more children, and hopefully, even save some lives. The materials produced by Enough is Enough are timely, they are effective, they are powerful, and they will absolutely help families in Virginia deal with the dangers that lurk on the Internet.

Clearly, these issues go beyond simply passing new laws (see WWBT/NBC12.com). We as parents, families and churches must do more to ensure that the experiences our children have on the Internet are safe. Our hope is that churches in our network will take advantage of these free resources and help their congregations learn the ins and outs of Internet safety.

If you’d like more information about this material for your church please call John Smith in our office at 804-343-0010 or e-mail him at john@familyfoundation.org.

(Photo courtesy of the Office of Attorney General.)

Annotations & Elucidations

Obamanomics Claims Victim — The ACLU’s Largest Donor

Governor Tim Kaine’s expansion of state employee health insurance benefits to same-sex and other unmarried couples and announcements by Governor-elect Bob McDonnell  dominate the news. Family Foundation President Victoria Cobb is quoted in the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot article on the former. As for McDonnell, he reiterated vows to balance the budget as well as to reject tax increases. He also named two cabinet secretaries: Bob Sledd, former head Performance Food Group CEO, a Fortune 500 company before taken private, will be Secretary of Commerce; and long time McDonnell aide Janet Polarek will be Secretary of the Commonwealth. He also fulfilled a campaign promise by formally announcing that Lt. Governor Bill Bolling will head up all job creation efforts. If you thought he couldn’t attend certain meetings before. …

Meanwhile, U.S. Senator Jim Webb (contact) says he’s not yet decided on how he will vote on health care “reform” (although thousands have asked him to vote ”no”). The Tea Party movement has a message for Republican first district U.S. Rep. Rob Whittman. Nationally, the Washington Post has a feature on the Tea Party movement and whether it will split the GOP. Surely, wishful, but not of the question, thinking. But liberals are not without their divisions, either: The ACLU’s top donor (to the tune of $19 million a year), David Gelbaum,  has stopped cold his donations to that organization, as well as to the Sierra Club and other liberal groups. Guess Obamanomics affects rich liberals, too.

News:

*Log Cabin Republicans back Va. benefits change (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

McDonnell questions Kaine benefits plan (Washington Times)

McDonnell vows not to raise taxes (Washington Times)

McDonnell vows balanced budget (Roanoke Times)

Lt. Gov. Bolling to be named to jobs creation post (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McDonnell to announce Bolling, Sledd to head economic team (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Undecided on health-care vote, says Webb (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Push is on to force lawmakers to reveal government income (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Tea Party group chides Wittman (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

National:

For conservatives, a political surge (Washington Post)

ACLU loses donor, one-fourth of yearly contributions (AP/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Annotations & Elucidations 

The Earthquake Edition

That wasn’t a landslide last night, it was a full blown eruption. Unimaginable margins for the top three elected officials in Virginia and a massive pickup in the House of Delegates, shooting the GOP number there from 55 to at least 60, is no mere landslide. It’s The World Turned Upside Down. Only four years ago, Bob McDonnell eked out the closest election in Virginia history, by 300-plus votes. Now, he’s a national figure.

In a similar way, Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli won re-election to the Senate by 92 votes in 2007. He’s always been the number one target for Democrats, liberal victimization and special rights groups, and left-wing special interests. They didn’t get him when they had the chance. Now, they must be horrified. 

It’s all election coverage and postmortems today, including a late breaking update from Lynchburg where Delegate Shannon Valentine finally conceded to Delegate-elect Scott Garrett, despite his margin of victory being within her right to call for a recount.

Our own Victoria Cobb is quoted in the Washington Post on how Governor-elect McDonnell will govern. That’s at the top. We bookend the News Stand with another social issues story: Maine, of all states, protects traditional marriage. It truly was an earth shattering night.  

News:

*Now, the hard part: Continuing to straddle the center and the right (Washington Post)

McDonnell beats Deeds, wins governor’s race; now it gets harder (The Daily Press)

McDonnell leads GOP sweep of statewide races (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

GOP reclaims Virginia (Washington Post)

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling wins second term (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Bolling defeats Wagner, holds on to No. 2 post (Washington Post)

Cuccinelli elected attorney general (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Cuccinelli’s sound win rounds out GOP sweep (Washington Post)

Republicans retaining control of House of Delegates (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Republicans boost dominance among Va. Delegates (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

UPDATED: Valentine Concedes: Barrett wins in 23rd District (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Liberty delivers votes by the busload (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Republicans keep 17th House of Delegates district on Election Day (Roanoke Times)

Newcomer Robin Abbott beats veteran incumbent Phil Hamilton (The Daily Press)

Sen. Ken Stolle to become Va. Beach’s next sheriff (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Exit Poll: Virginia Voters Older, Energized (FoxNews.com)

Governor’s agenda flagging, but not ratings (Washington Post)

Analysis:

Analysis: GOP sweep shows policies, not parties, are paramount in Va. Politics (Jeff Schapiro/Richmond Times-Dispatch)

National:

Gay marriage vote fails in Maine (Richmond Times-Dispatch)