FamilyFoundationBlog.com

In the 1980s, when Virginia was an electoral lock for Republican presidential candidates, and when the GOP won the presidency three successive terms, Virginia Republicans weren’t nearly as successful. In fact, they lost three gubernatorial elections on the trot.

One rhetorical tactic the GOP tried during those campaigns was to tie the Democrat to the rampant liberalism personified by big spenders, culture relativists, moral equivalency types and foreign policy weaklings such as Tip O’Neil, Patsy Schroder, Teddy Kennedy, Jim Wright, Tom Harkin and the whole motley crew.

The Dems here inevitably replied that “Virginia Democrats are different” and Chuck Robb, Gerry Baliles and Doug Wilder certainly lent that persona, if not actual substance, and the public seemed happy enough with them. All of which has come full reverse cycle in this year’s campaign. That is to say, Democrat gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds won’t say where he stands on what the “D.C. Democrats” are doing. Those are national issues he says, although a governor must be prepared to defend against federal the encroachment that inhibits his state’s right of self government and to be a laboratory of innovation.

But Senator Deeds won’t even say whether he supports or opposes “cap and trade” which would close the largest employer in his senate district! He won’t comment, either, on socialized medicine, card check,  government control of the Internet and radio, or mandated abortion on demand, all of which are, or have been, put forth by the Obama administration and its uber-liberal allies in Congress.

But waaaaaaaaaaaaaaait just one minute!

He will comment on former President George W. Bush. That’s right, Senator Deeds has new radio and television ads attacking the former president. So, who’s he running against? Oh, and by the way, where’s the mention of Governor Tim Kaine in those ads? Until a few months ago — when the governor’s popularity began to plunge — Senator Deeds was fond of saying that he would continue the Kaine model. (Being Democrat National Committee chairman kinda debunks the whole “bi-partisan” thing.)

So, apparently, not even state issues are on the Deeds itinerary. Let’s see: Senator Deeds won’t talk about the last four years in Virginia and he won’t talk about the last eight months in Washington. Guess that “Hope and Change” ain’t working to well for him, either.

Virginia Republicans will gather in Richmond Friday and Saturday for its state convention to nominate candidates for the statewide campaign this fall. The nomination campaign for attorney general is very competitive. Who’s your choice? Vote here between now and 10:00 a.m. Saturday and click on the headline to leave us your comments as to why you support your candidate.

I just got home after a long night of welcoming in the Christmas season — there was the grand illumination of downtown Richmond, open houses at historic buildings, carriage rides, art gallery openings, and lots of hot apple cider and hot chocolate. So I was in no position to report this until now:

We know Governor Kaine and Virginia Democrats are still exuberant over the commonwealth voting its 13 electoral votes for Barack Obama, the first Democrat to win Virginia since 1964. A job well done on the Dems’ part, congratulations and all that.

But is that any reason for the capitol Christmas Tree to be decorated in all blue lights? Not so subliminal gloating, perhaps? This brings a whole new meaning to the expression “holiday blues,” which, no doubt, certain Republicans are still seeing themselves through.

Last Friday evening Planned Parenthood of Southeast Virginia held an annual fundraiser, earnestly mocking Christians in Virginia with particular vitriol for Pat Roberston. All this was done in the name of raising money for a new “health” facility to be built in Virginia Beach. Health for everyone except the mothers and the babies that enter, of course.

According to reports, Democrat candidate for Lt. Governor Jody Wagner was in attendance, lending her public support to the most extreme pro-abortion group in the country. Remember, it was current Lt. Governor Bill Bolling who cast the tie breaking Senate vote earlier this year that would have ended Virginia taxpayer subsidies of Planned Parenthood. The budget amendment Bolling supported was later stripped by budget conferees. No doubt that issue will be a part of next year’s race for Lt. Governor.

But Wagner wasn’t alone Friday. The crowd included Glenn Nye, Democrat candidate for Congress running against second district Congresswoman Thelma Drake; third district Democrat Congressman Bobby “Ban Christmas” Scott, and Delegate Bobby Mathieson (D-21, Virginia Beach).

Attendees were urged to join “The Other 700 Club,” a group of 700 people donating $1,000 toward a new facility. The shot at Robertson and his “700 Club” television ministry was a nice touch, don’t you think? Very tolerant.

We discovered this quote today in last Friday’s Washington Post. It’s from House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith (R-8, Salem), responding to Governor Tim Kaine’s threats to raise money to campaign against House GOP candidates in the fall of 2009 if they don’t acquiece to his tax increase demands during their last chance to do during the next regular General Assembly in January 2009. 

“No doubt Governor Kaine and his fellow Democrats will continue to blame Republicans for obstructionism, as was their intention from the outset,” House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) said. “No doubt, too, they will continue to privately disparage Virginians for selfishly clinging to their hard-earned tax dollars, just as they demean regular folks for clinging to their guns and to their religion.”

He was referring, of course, to U.S. Senator and Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama’s infamous “bitter” remarks in April, during the primary campaign, belittling us regular folk in flyover country. Since the governor seems intent to do nothing but campaign against Republicans, instead of governing the state, it gives new meaning to the phrase “that he’s ’bitterly’ determined to take our money from us.”

Yesterday, familyfoundationblog.com posted the first of a two-part interview with former House of Delegates Majority Leader and current Chairman of the Democrat Party of Virginia Dickie Cranwell. You can read it here.

Previously, we posted an interview with Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Hager (click here for part one and here for part two) as well as one with Delegate Jeff Frederick (R-52, Woodbridge) who is challenging Mr. Hager for the RPV chairmanship. (Click here to read that interview.) With this interview, the three men who will lead Virginia’s two major parties into the 2008 and 2009 elections are on record on this site.

Here is the conclusion of our interview with Chairman Cranwell. We look forward to your comments to what we think are some interesting responses to our questions.

familyfoundationblog.com: What is the biggest family-value issue facing Virginia today and how do Virginia Democrats propose dealing with it?

Chairman Dickie Cranwell: The economy — Democrats want (1) to fix the mortgage crisis; (2) tax cuts for middle class; (3) let the Bush tax break for the wealthy 1% of Americans expire; (4) end the war and use the money tied up by the war and tax breaks for the wealthy to rebuild America’s infrastructure creating tens of thousands of jobs, and, last but not least (5) get gas prices down to realistic levels so working people can survive.

familyfoundationblog.com: What and who are/were your political and philosophical influences? What was it that influenced you to go into public service?

Chairman Cranwell: Thomas Jefferson and Harry Truman. My mother (Republican) and father (Democrat) both felt we as Americans are obligated to give back to our community, state and country. Hopefully I have honored their wishes and their memory with my 30 years of public service.

familyfoundationblog.com: What do you think the Democrat Party of Virginia should stand for and why do you think it best represents the interests of Virginians?

Chairman Cranwell: The Democratic Party of Virginia stands for the working family — men and women who work every day, pay their taxes and their dues — we stand for a decent wage for the working man and woman to support their family, a world-class education for their children, and fiscal responsibility. Virginia Democrats produced a balanced budget every year during the almost 150 years they controlled the Virginia General Assembly, without having to extend the legislative session as the Republicans have done repeatedly since they have been in power. Democrats best represent Virginia’s interest because, as our Democratic leaders have shown, Democrats put people before politics.

familyfoundationblog.com: Have you sent your congratulations to Chairman Hager on his impending inclusion into the Bush family? Has he invited you to any weekends in Crawford or Kennebunkport yet?

Chairman Cranwell: I have not sent John Hager congratulations on his son’s marriage to George and Laura Bush’s daughter. I know that John knows I wish them all the best. I consider John Hager a friend and enjoyed my years of service with him in the General Assembly. He is a good, decent, hard-working man who the Republicans would be smart to re-elect as party chair. I have no invitation to Crawford or Kennebunkport and I expect none, however, I expect the wedding party will be great fun and will be the source of some fond memories in the future for both the Bush and Hager families.

We are pleased to post here our interview with former House of Delegates Majority Leader Dickie Cranwell, chairman of the Democrat Party of Virginia. We will post it in two parts, concluding tomorrow. The questions and answers appear exactly as submitted. We think you will find his comments very interesting and worthy of discussion and debate. We look forward to your feedback.

With this interview, all three men who are, or will be, leading the Commonwealth’s two major parties for the next year are on record on this blog. Previously, we posted an interview with Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Hager (click here for part one and here for part two) as well as one with Delegate Jeff Frederick (R-52, Woodbridge) who is challenging Mr. Hager for the RPV chairmanship. Click here to read that interview.

familyfoundationblog.com: You’ve had a distinguished career as an attorney, legislator — the House Majority Leader, in fact — and party chairman. With the Democrats making so many gains in Virginia over the last few years, why retire as party chairman now?

Chairman Dickie Cranwell: I never sought the position of Chair of the Democratic Party. Governor Warner asked me to fill the unexpired term of Kerry Donley. I agreed to serve until a new Governor was elected. Governor Tim Kaine’s vision for restructuring the Democratic Party agreed with mine so I agreed to stay on until Donley’s term expires in 2009. Hopefully the changes in the Democratic Party which have occurred during my tenure have made the party stronger and more candidate friendly.

We have taken back the State Senate, elected the last two governors and a U.S. Senator. And, I anticipate Virginia will elect Mark Warner as its next U.S. Senator and at least one new Democratic member to the House of Representatives this year. I also believe Virginia will be in play in the Presidential race, something that has not occurred since Lyndon Johnson.

The party is in good shape and I have boys, ages 8 and 10, so there is a lot of baseball and soccer to occupy my time. I am just stepping down. I am not retiring from the field of battle. There is a wealth of talented people in the party who can carry on the work of the Chair. I look forward to those folks’ continued success.

familyfoundationblog.com: U.S. Senator Barack Obama has said we are now entering a post-partisan era. Does that mean that parties no longer will be partisan? Do you agree, and if so, what does that mean for political parties? (For example, what will it mean for the parties’ ability to organize, recruit candidates and fund raise?) If not, what are the parties’ role in policy debate in general?

Chairman Cranwell: I believe you either misstated or do not understand Senator Obama’s message. He says we have to get beyond the Beltway mentality; that Democrats and Republicans need to work together to rebuild a shattered economy, end an ill-conceived war, save working people’s homes from foreclosure, rein in the oil companies to drive down the price of gasoline and stop the hemorrhaging of debt inflicted on us by the Bush Administration which has mortgaged the future of every child in America.

Senator Obama’s message is that we are Americans first and foremost and, if we work together, nothing is beyond our reach. I believe in the two-party system and believe it will continue to serve America well, but the parties must be willing to work together for the American people.

Governor Mark Warner proved this by working with the Republican majority in the General Assembly during his term. As a result, a $6 billion hole in the budget was fixed. 

Along the way, Warner chaired the National Governors Association, leading a national high school reform effort to meet the challenges of a global economy. He was named among Governing Magazine‘s “Public Officials of the Year” in 2004, TIME Magazine‘s “America’s 5 Best Governors” in 2005, and Newsweek‘s “Who’s Next” issue in 2006.

While Warner was governor, Virginia was named “the best managed state in the nation by Governing Magazine, and the “runaway winner” in the new “Best State For Business” ranking done by Forbes, based on the tax structure, education system, and bipartisan fiscal management the Warner administration had put in place. Education Week Magazine named Virginia as the best place for a child to be born in terms of educational opportunity during Warner’s tenure as Governor.

familyfoundationblog.com: We see Senator Obama and Senator Clinton trying to answer the concerns of values voters, a demographic Republicans typically win. What do Democrats in Virginia and nationally have to do to appeal to people with concerns over abortion, marriage and pro-family issues?

Chairman Cranwell: Voters who are pro-family should be flocking to Democrats. Democrats understand that having a good paying job is central to any family. Democrats understand that we must act to protect the largest investment of most families (their homes) from foreclosure. Democrats want world-class health care and education for every American. Families want to know that if their home and life is destroyed by natural disaster, their government will not take years to help them rebuild their communities. They know they can count on Democrats to make FEMA really work for the working man and woman.