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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)

This from the Washington Post’s Virginia Politics Blog, posted last night by Fredrick Kunkle:

At the Democratic Club meeting in Fairfax County’s Greenspring Village retirement community, there was no hemming and hawing Tuesday about whether Virginia should boost the gas tax to fix Northern Virginia’s roads.

From the mouths of lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner, fellow Democrat Del. Vivian E. Watts, and several folks in the audience, the message was: Bring it on. …

But the thrust of her remarks suggested that she believes not only that higher gas taxes must be part of a long-term solution, but that other new revenues might also be necessary.

Really, there’s nothing to add to such a frank, Mondale-like admission. Oh, wait. There is. Ms. Wagner has forfeited all credibility in calling “negative” the television ads Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is running, which highlight her tax increase pedigree. By her own admission, the ads are, in fact . . . very true!

Jody Wagner calls for higher taxes in front of fellow Democrats, then calls this negative. Go figure.

Welcome to the end of the week. But the news is only beginning. Leading off, we have a Virginia-based pro-life organization, Life & Liberty Ministries, which says it’s been put on a domestic terrorist watch list by the Virginia State Police. Very curious, to say the least.

Also of note, Americans For Tax Reform took notice of the work we did on spending transparency and this blog’s comment on how it all played out, especially with Governor Tim Kaine’s nice veto session surprise (making the bill better). We’re honored such a prestigious national organization took notice and we thank them for the help it provided in the long road it took to get transparency passed and signed into law. When you read in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star how the state paid a company $40,000 just to sit by and wait, you understand why spending transparency is important.

It’s not yet time for the Colonial Downs season, but the horse race known as the gubernatorial campaign is well underway and Republican Bob McDonnell is ahead by a couple of lengths and pulling further ahead — as of now. We have the poll info directly from the pollster, Rasmussen. Enjoy your reading.

News:

Virginia pro-lifers labeled ‘potential terrorists’ (OneNewsNow.com)

Election 2009: Virginia Governor Election — GOP’s McDonnell Pulls Further Ahead in Virginia Governor’s Race (RasmussenReports.com)

Poll gives McDonnell lead in hypothetical governor matchups (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Bill Clinton, Trump among McAuliffe’s donors (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

McAuliffe won’t take Dominion cash, but donations from executives OK(Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Candidates in governor’s race casting wide nets (Norfolk Virginian-Pilot)

Moran Campaign Contributors Have Business Before Brother (Washington Post)

State paid $40,000 in fees for towing firms to stand by (Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star)

VA Transparency Gets Unexpected Veto Session Boost(FiscalAccountability.org Blog)

Del. Shannon Valentine tops in campaign funds (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Concert to benefit Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center in Lynchburg (Lynchburg News & Advance)

Delegates Defend Internet Use on the Floor (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

National News:

Senate Republicans Reply to DHS ‘Rightwing Extremists’ Scaremongering(RedState.com)

ACLU demands schools allow access to gay Websites (Nashville Tennessean)

It’s Monday and that means catching up with all the papers from the weekend which means a large News Stand today. Here’s a breakdown: Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman, Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman, Governor’s race, Jeff Frederick out as RPV chairman and, oh yeah, a item here and there about Tax Day Tea Parties, this week’s General Assembly Veto Session, VDOT bonuses and regulations on fundraising bingo games. Also, a D.C. “tradition” comes to an end.

News:

Tax Day tea parties planned across Va. (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Jobless aid on assembly’s 1-day agenda (Roanoke Times) 

More Than 400 Workers Got Bonuses and Raises Last Year (Washington Post)    

Bingo is big business in Virginia (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Virginia GOP ousts Frederick as chairman (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Va. GOP Ousts Chairman Who Ignored Call to Resign (Washington Post)

Frederick ousted as Va. GOP chairman (Washington Times)

GOP Searches for a New Leader (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)

Deeds: Transportation No. 1 Issue (Harrisonburg Daily News-Record)

Sen. Deeds comes to town (Winchester Star) 

McAuliffe says ‘honest discussion’ needed (Lynchburg News & Advance) 

McAuliffe Takes A Chapter From Obama Playbook In Governor Bid(Washington Post) 

Hopefuls at N.Va. Forum Discuss Unions, Woo Tech Sector Leaders(Washington Post)  

The Guerillas’ Last Call (Washington Post)

We’ve had some technical difficulties today, hope to have some good stuff up tomorrow. Here’s today’s New Stand leading off with — what else? — Jeff Frederick’s fight to keep his chairmanship of the Republican Party of Virginia.

However, the story creating the buzz today is Michael Spencer’s view that Evangelical Christianity is coming to its end. Wow! It’s been picked up by some national media, including Christian news outlets. Read his commentary, linked at the end.

News:

McDonnell Gambles On Frederick (Washington Post Virginia Politics blog) 

McAuliffe reveals business plan for Va. (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Cranwell to seek second term as state Democratic party chairman  (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

Opinion/Analysis:

The coming evangelical collapse (Christian Science Monitor)

Today I scooped the Communications Department by finding some articles of interest that must’ve scooted by him. They are included here as well as in the next few posts. All very interesting and full of intrigue — and controversy. Controversy is everywhere right now!

Not only is the Jeff Frederick controversy continuing to brew, seems Democrat gubernatorial candidate Brian Moran has lost a prominent endorsement. Or did he ever have it? See? Intraparty strife isn’t limited to the GOP. Then there’s the article from a national news organization, linked at the end, that picked up on the state police chaplain prayer — all together now — controversy.

GOP candidates for attorney general each claim the lead (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Moran Loses an Endorsement (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)  

More join call to oust Va. GOP chairman (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

Senators join bid to oust GOP chairman (Washington Times)

Senate GOP Wants Jeff Frederick Removed (Washington Post Virginia Politics Blog)  

GOP delegates endorse McGuire’s House bid (Richmond Times-Dispatch) 

York teacher announces candidacy (The Daily Press)

Road fixes top Va.’s suggestions wish list for stimulus (Norfolk Virginian Pilot)

Senate kills GOP’s D.C. vouchers bid (Washington Times)

The Genesis of a Debate (Washington Post)   

‘Jesus’ banned — so chaplain resigned (OneNewsNow)