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perseverando

Even If Kilgore Said It, "Illegal Is Illegal!"
Monday, February 27, 2006

Here is a first, (and hopefully a last) I agree with Jeff Frederick and his bill that authorizes the Governor to enter into an agreement with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that would give 50 state troopers the ability to detain illegals based on their immigration status.

The Washington Times reports,

"The governor clearly already has that authority, and he doesn't need the General Assembly to tell him to do that," said Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle, chairman of the Courts of Justice Committee. "It's a message bill, and that's not a message that I want to send."

The Virginia Beach Republican said he also opposes the policy because police should be enforcing criminal laws, not civil laws. In addition, state troopers are short-handed as it is, he said.
If I may digress for a moment, "Troopers are short handed as it is..." Yet we are willing to place the burden of financing Virginia's transportation crisis in their laps. They are too over burdened to enforce the laws on the books, but not too over burdened to kick up their pursuit of abuser fees!

Jeff Frederick responded,
"It sends a clear message to the governor and to the public that the General Assembly wants something done about the illegal-immigration issue," he said. "He's right that the governor can do this already, but the governor hasn't. The people want us to do something."

Mr. Kaine, who took office last month, has said he thinks most Virginians are not very interested in immigration issues, compared with transportation, health care or education.

The governor said last week that Virginia taxpayers should not be picking up the cost of the federal government's shirking its duties.
If Tim Kaine thinks this isn't an issue he is either crazy or receiving very bad poll numbers. I know for fact that in Southwest Virginia, this issue polled at 87% thinking it was a critical issue just last fall.

This truly seems like a no-brainer to me. If you are breaking the law, you should be stopped. How can you argue with that?

A similar argument would be to say that curbing prostitution hurts the economy. Those prostitutes, I would assume, spend that money on something.

I fully recognize the human tragedy that lies behind this issue. I am not advocating amnesty or deportation. I'm not sure there is a black and white answer there. But what I am sure of is that when someone is breaking the law, and they are caught, they should be dealt with.

If you disagree with the law in the first place, that is fine--work to change that law. To pick and choose which laws you enforce is a big step down a slippery slope. Law enforcement officials should not have the power to play judge and jury in that manner no more than they should be allowed to exact punishment.

I do not know of any law enforcement officer at any level that takes an oath to only enforce local laws.

The Times reported, "Mr. Stolle predicted Mr. Frederick's bill would not pass his committee when it is heard on Wednesday, even though it passed the House 77-22." I cannot help but wonder if Brandon Bell will hold a press conference then calling for a fair hearing.

While this bill authorizes something that the Governor can do already, it does send a message that this issue needs addressing. Each year we pass hundreds of resolutions and proclamations. I can

Finally there are two or three little facts in this story that caused me to raise an eyebrow...
"Mr. Frederick, Prince William County Republican, who is the legislature's only Hispanic member..." Really?

Allen Dudley, known harborer of illegal aliens is a co-sponsor of this legislation.

Ken Stolle has accepted thousands in donations from the Commercial Development PAC, and the Homebuilders Association of Virginia. Both organizations represent individuals and businesses who stand to profit from an undocumented workforce.

posted by Libertas @ 11:57 AM, , links to this post




When Your town Could Easily Be Mayberry...
Sunday, February 26, 2006

DON KNOTTS
1924-2006
It's not political, or even pertinent really, but when you come from down here, and you grow up watching Andy Griffith everday with your grandparents, you feel like you may have lost one of the funniest ever.

posted by Libertas @ 12:41 PM, , links to this post




"When you wish upon a star..."
Friday, February 24, 2006

I will be keeping vigil out in the yard this evening. You see, I am looking for the first star to make a wish upon. My wish is a secret, but I'll give you a hint (see left).

Oh, what I wouldn't give for the chips to fall in place and see the esteemed Congressman from Rocky Mount placed in cuffs!

With Virgil's sugar daddy pleading guilty, and Duke Cunningham being fitted for a orange jumpsuit, one can only hope that Virgil is a little uneasy tonight.

Virginia's number one pseudo-populist has somehow taken this scandal and turned it into a boon for himself. Fifth District Democrats need to stop worrying about where Ewert and Weed stand on the issues. Neither has the ability to beat Virgil themselves. His numbers are way to high. If Virgil is defeated, it will be at his own doing. This scandal could very well develop into that scenario if Democrats can make it stick.

I recently heard Al Weed say that while "Virgil is not necessarily the problem, he will never be a part of the solution." I don't know what you have to do to be considered a problem, but this sounds pretty dirty to me!

NOTE: Don't know who they belong to, or who this site is run by, but here is a little gem I found while snooping around. It is Virgil and Mitchell Wade at the opening of the MZM headquarters in Martinsville. PLEASE WATCH THE VIDEO CLIP. Wade actually jokes that he paid people to say nice things!

posted by Libertas @ 7:38 PM, , links to this post




World's Greatest Democrat

Over the course of the past few days, the blogosphere has been filled with accusations of individuals not being "good democrats" or "real democrats."

Some of the remarks have been levied at me and some at the guys over at Raising Kaine. If Ben Tribbett had a nickel for every time he was accosted, he could afford hair restoration surgery for his namesake. Chap Petersen gets hit as does Phil Puckett, and now James Webb is the target.


So the question begs to be answered, what is a "Democrat"?

The Democratic Party of Virginia defines a Democrat as

Section 2.1 Membership
Every resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia who believes in the principles of the Democratic Party is hereby declared to be a member of the Democratic Party of Virginia.
I know that isn't good enough for some folks. So lets take a minute here and define what a "real and good Democrat" is exactly. I'm looking for what a Democrat is, not what they aren't--I hope we will avoid the temptation to bash others.

posted by Libertas @ 12:38 PM, , links to this post




Rock Star Warner Stumps for Lesser Star
Wednesday, February 22, 2006

The WaPo has noted the Mark Warner will be the honored guest at an upcoming fundraiser for Harris Miller in campaign against James Webb for the Democratic nomination to challenge George Allen.

According to the invitation, "Friends" who want some intimate time with the ex-governor can contribute $500, "Sponsors" may give $1,000, "Benefactors" may offer "$2,100" and "Co-Hosts" can provide Miller's campaign with"$4,200.
Can you even give $4200 at once? I thought it was $2100 in the primary cycle and $2100 in the general. Honestly though, that isn't even what bothers me about this fundraiser. My problem lies with Warner and his intentions--which I perceive to be self serving.

Whether you like how his campaign is starting out or not, James Webb is heads and tails a better candidate than Harris Miller. James Webb can actually win this thing. Not just spouting off here, look at the numbers where Allen succeeds, and ask yourself, "Culturally, which candidate can eat into the base better, Miller or Webb?"

But here is Mark Warner, the rockstar, throwing his support behind Harris Miller. In a sense I understand that. I would imagine that a man whose greatest struggle in life was his decision to go into business rather than practice law would find it hard to shine next to a man who served with the Fifth Marine Regiment in Vietnam, where as a rifle platoon and company commander in the infamous An Hoa Basin west of Danang he was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, and two Purple Hearts.

What Warner is telling us here is that he is for politics as usual. He thinks the Commonwealth is better served by a lobbyist who "pays to play" rather than a REAL AMERICAN HERO famous for speaking truth to power. This all causes me to question Warner's sincerity. In the next two years he is going to appear before various Veterans groups, and crowds of men and women who offered their best for us all. Do you think he will have the courage to tell them that when he was offered a choice, he chose the other guy, the lobbyist?
Ellen Qualls, a spokeswoman for Warner, said the former governor -- who is busy thinking about running for president -- has not formally endorsed either Virginia candidate.

"Harris is a longtime friend of the governor's and he promised to help with a fundraiser before Jim Webb got in the race," Qualls said. "It should not be considered a formal endorsement."

Well, now Webb is in the race. So when is Mark gonna pony up and help all Democrats, not just those who make him look better when standing next to him?

As I said in an earlier post, I guess thats why the Backstreet Boys would never open for the Rolling Stones. Simply put, its the difference between ego and the real thing. Besides, I imagine lobbyists laugh harder at that stale cell phone "Ka-ching, ka-ching" joke.

posted by Libertas @ 12:27 PM, , links to this post




Speaker Howell and the Smithfield Lady...
Tuesday, February 21, 2006

In a move that surprises no one in Virginia, the Senate and House proposed two very different budgets this past Sunday. Speaker Bill Howell of Stafford wasted no time in applying "lipstick to the pig" that his chamber submitted.

Howell called the House proposal a "balanced, well-constructed state budget," he then went to justify fixing the transportation crisis in Northern and Eastern Virginia and sticking the bill on the whole state.

According to the Roanoke Times, "The House Appropriations Committee's plan would increase transportation funding by $1.2 billion over the same period, relying on a combination of revenue from the state's general operating fund and increased fines for driving violations. Roughly half of the transportation spending in the House budget is a one-time payment from the state's general fund, some of which is diverted from items in Warner's proposed budget."

This is a serious diversion from the system where transportation and education funds are kept separate.

The Washington Post aslo highlights the House budget proposal and some of the politically targeted items they cut.

But they cut spending for many of the smaller programs that Warner had started, including many he is using as evidence of his success in what could become a bid for the presidency.

The GOP eliminated $409,000 for a Warner program that uses NASCAR imagery to encourage adults to finish high school. They deleted $4.37 million to help poor youths pay for Advanced Placement tests. They cut $143,000 for Warner's program to train principals to be "turn-around specialists" in troubled schools. And they cut $6 million that would have paid for bonuses to encourage teachers to work in difficult schools.

They cut $12 million for a fire department program that matches state money with federal funds and cut $6.7 million for a project Warner backed to encourage creation of electronic health records.

Democratic caucus chairman, Brian Moran said, "not because of objective analysis but merely [because of] a political reaction."

A spokesman for Morgan Griffith, the House Majority Leader said, "'Stripped out' is such a harsh word," he said. "Why not say 'redirected'?"

The Senate Finance Committee, comprised mainly of moderates, endorsed a package that will increase transportation spending by $1.8 billion over the next two years, largely through a combination of tax and fee increases that would include a 5 percent sales tax on gasoline. Gov. Tim Kaine also has proposed tax increases to create new, dedicated funding for transportation.

The Richmond Times Dispatch reports,

The finance committee leader, Sen. John H. Chichester, R-Northumberland, again challenged House claims that long-term funding for transportation is somehow possible without a second huge tax increase since 2004.

Chichester depicted as irresponsible financing highways with a surplus -- "by its very definition . . . unpredictable and unreliable" -- and forcing the state to retreat from its long-standing practice of supporting from separate cash boxes transportation and services such as education.

Kevin Hall, Kaine's press secretary said, "Except for one-time, upfront money, the House plan simply authorizes a credit card for Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, but sends the bill to the rest of the state."

WAPO reports,

"I don't think it produces enough dollars that are reliable and long-term to meet the magnitude of the transportation challenge we have," Kaine said of the House budget, which was approved Sunday by the Appropriations Committee.

The governor said the House committee's refusal to consider tax increases for road and transit spending led it to cut "really good, important programs" in the state's operating budget.

"You just have to look at things like school breakfast programs, school efficiency reviews," Kaine said. "Drinking water funds for southwest Virginia. These are necessary programs."

House leaders rejected Kaine's comments about their spending proposals. They said their transportation plan would pay special attention to Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads, places where traffic congestion is acute, while helping other regions.

It will be interesting when this comes to a vote to see how the following Delegates vote. They are all from rural districts in Central, Southwest, and Southside Virginia.
Abbitt, Bell, Byron, Carrico, Cline, Crockkett-Stark, Dudley, Fralin, Gilbert, Griffith, Hogan, Kilgore, Landes, Lohr, Nutter, Putney, Saxman, and Wright
Democrats should begin today recruiting opposition for anyone of them who votes in favor of the House proposal.

posted by Libertas @ 4:21 PM, , links to this post




Lauren O'Neil Awarded Trent Lott Scholarship

Lauren O'Neil (pictured above with the all white College Republicans from Virginia Tech) is quoted in today's Roanoke Times, "The college campus is a place for diversity of ideas, not diversity of ethnicity."

Her comment comes in response to Virginia Tech experiencing a decline in those applicants willing to indicate their ethnicity. The Director of Admissions indicates the pattern may be due in part to "white students who are afraid their ethnicity will hurt their chances of being accepted."

While those fears are unfortunate, I suppose they are the natural product of some hateful rhetoric. This argument that a less qualified minority will succeed is cut from the same cloth of Jim Crow and separate but equal. While the indication of ethnicity is an option, what should not be an option is the continued behavior of Ms. O'Neil. Those of you who happen to read Not Larry Sabato will remember the discussion of her behavior at the recent CPAC Convention in DC.

This is where Ms. O'Neil allegedly made crank phone calls and the list of her victims grew to include Jerry Falwell, and Mayor George Fitch. Here is a copy of her phone call.

Ms. O'Neil is guilty of at least one of three things here- ignorance, racism, or both.

The sad statement this really makes is that apparently Virginia Tech offers no courses in 20th Century American History. The other hard part to believe, is that of the 24 College Republicans pictured above, they all seem to think she is the best person to represent them.

In honor of Ms. O'Neil's comments and her continued leadership of the monochromatic College Republicans, we are proud to bestow upon her the Trent Lott Memorial Scholarship.

posted by Libertas @ 12:00 PM, , links to this post




I’m an Old Testament kind of guy... Blue Laws, Stoning, and Animal Sacrifices.
Saturday, February 18, 2006

"I support the death penalty. I’m an Old Testament kind of guy. I understand that often the legal representation isn’t what it needs to be…but if somebody killed my wife or killed my kids not only would I wanted to see them executed, I’d flip the switch… Criminals need to be treated for what they are, as criminals. I know a lot of people in the Democratic Party don’t necessarily agree with that…"

- Harris Miller


Of course Harris Miller didn't mean to also defend blue laws, stoning, or animal sacrifices. I assume he is also not in favor of stoning those who have been tattooed, much less pierced. I have also made note that in addition to these discrepancies, Mr. Miller shaves his beard and his suit appears to be a fiber blend.

All of these "transgressions" and more are addressed in the laws of the Old Testament. My reading of Leviticus leaves me with the impression that things are black and white-either you're Old Testament or not!

Is this an unreasonable analysis of his statement? Not really.

There are numerous reasons to be in favor of capital punishment (none of which I agree with). If the only reason you can muster is Leviticus 24:20-21, then you are wrong. The simple fact is no matter how often it is done, you don't get to pick and choose what verses you like.

The scripture is pretty clear on a multitude of sins. My Bible didn't come with a disclaimer or color coding that told me what was important and what could be cast aside.

I don't think for a second that Harris Miller has such a Bible either.

Harris Miller simply has some consultants trying to paint him as a man of faith. They'd love to be able to talk about his year as a missionary. Ignoring the facts behind Kaine's victory, Democrats will now apply the faith formula universally.

Before they start quoting the Bible however, they may want to read one. While Leviticus 24:20 justifies the death penalty, Leviticus 19:18 states "Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD."

Hollow rhetoric like this makes Miller look neither spiritual nor strong.

For the record, someone might want to point Miller to Leviticus 5:4, "Or if they make a rash vow of any kind, whether its purpose is for good or bad, they will be considered guilty even if they were not fully aware of what they were doing at the time."

posted by Libertas @ 3:41 PM, , links to this post




Duplicit Democrats Shock Internet Activists
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

So, in a "disappointing decision" Paul Hackett has left (read forced) the race for Democratic candidate in Ohio's closely watched Senate race. Hackett stated, "This is an extremely disappointing decision that I feel has been forced on me." He said he was outraged to learn that party leaders were calling his donors and asking them to stop giving and said he would not enter the Second District Congressional race.

"For me, this is a second betrayal," Mr. Hackett said. "First, my government misused and mismanaged the military in Iraq, and now my own party is afraid to support candidates like me."

Hackett has long been the darling of internet activists. His fame rose exponentially last year when his House campaign in a conservative Cincinnati-area district raised $850,000 in two months, $500,000 of it through blogs. Hackett went on to lose his campaign but garnered 48% of the vote. He is also the first Iraq war veteran to seek national office.

To Mr. Hackett, and those shocked that Democrats could do this to other Democrats, I would simply ask, "How does that coffee smell?"

I suppose it easy for a candidate in a special election to be led up the garden path on party funding. The reality is that when you are the only gig in town--every one shows up!

General elections are whole other story. There are a million spineless, analysts who lack the ability and willingness to get out there and run for themselves. These self-appointed naysayers make a living handicapping races and pulling resources form "less-viable" candidates. Instead of working for change, much less making a case for it, our future is determined by a few self-defeating acronyms-DCCC, DSCC, DLC, and most hideously NCEC. Of course these organizations have good track records, they are prognosticators of self-fulfilling prophecies.

This pattern of self-flagellation is visible at the state level as well. We have only to look back at the 2005 General Assembly races to see this type of inner-party subterfuge.

Two prime examples are Bruce Roemmelt in the 13th District and Eric Ferguson in the 9th. Both candidates ran "give'em hell" campaigns that took no prisoners. Both were viable candidates who ran towards the mainstream. At every turn, the state organization tried to pull their legs out from under them.

Of course, the House caucus had done their homework. They knew if they poured money into Hilda Barg and Greg Werkheiser, they would win.

Here is the breakdown (cash only) ...

Hilda Barg
23,000 Democratic House Caucus
50,000 Warner's One Virginia
She garnered 48% of the vote.

Greg Werkheiser
50,000 Democratic House Caucus
30,000 Warner's One Virginia
He garnered 48% of the vote.

Eric Ferguson
3,000 Warner's One Virginia
He garnered 48% of the vote.

Bruce Roemmelt
5,250 Democratic House Caucus
5000 Warner's One Virginia
He garnered 44% of the vote.

What could $100,000 have done for Bruce or Eric? A post election analysis by the Roanoke Times answered that question for Eric Ferguson.

This type of circular firing squad is also evident in James Webb's see-sawing commitment to seeking the Democratic nomination to run against George Allen this fall. Political insiders say Webb received numerous phone calls from the Mark Warner camp telling him not to run. Of course the calls didn't come from Mark Warner himself (suppose Nextel has limited coverage in NH.) It would be interesting to see Mame Reilly's phone logs though. I suppose Warner is against Webb for the same reason U2 doesn't open for the Rolling Stones.

Sadly for Paul Hackett, politics is a contact sport. Sadly for us Democrats, the hits usually come from within. Hell, even Howard Dean agrees with that, "I think there was some skullduggery in Washington, that was going on, which I don't approve of. And I frankly think that's a shortcoming of the Democratic Party."

UPDATE: I missed a 5k donation to the Roemmelt PAC in May of 2005. I have updated the post to reflect that. I do not feel that 5k makes up for the vast difference in support.

posted by Libertas @ 2:40 PM, , links to this post




Smoke Gets in Your Eyes- Deal With It

With the Senate's passing of SB648, Indoor Clean Air Act, logic would have you believe that we would now work to clean up the other things that are harmful to us, and that as individuals we have no control over. I have compiled a list so that we can get started today!

New Car Smell - Researchers in Australia say the smell of new cars can be toxic and can even cause cancer. A two-year study by an Australian government research organization found gases from vinyl and plastic materials in new cars cause headaches, nausea and drowsiness. The chemicals involved include benzene - a known cancer-causing agent - which was found in one case at five times the recommended exposure limit.

Wood Stoves - Women in developing countries who cook over a wood stove for years and inhale the smoke can develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and experience the same clinical characteristics, diminished quality of life and increased mortality rates as tobacco smokers. These findings from a Mexican study appear in the second issue for February 2006 of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, published by the American Thoracic Society.

Perfume - Fragrances can enter the body through the nose by inhalation, the mouth by ingestion, or the skin by absorption. Fragrance chemicals can affect the lungs, nose, skin, eyes, and brain. Studies have shown that shortness of breath or asthma-like symptoms have been caused by fragrances. Most of the fragrance chemicals consist of volatile organic compounds, which are known to be respiratory irritants. More than 5,000 different fragrances are in products that are used on a daily basis. These products include health and beauty aids, household cleaners, laundry aids, drugs, paper products, plastics, industrial greases, oils and solvents, and even foods.

Nuts - Allergic reaction to nuts can progress rapidly to anaphylaxis. Peanut allergy is responsible for more fatalities than any other type of allergy. If you suffer from a nut allergy, strictly avoiding nuts, including peanuts and tree nuts like cashews and walnuts, and food containing nuts is the only way to prevent a reaction. But, it is not always easy to avoid these foods since many unsuspecting products contain nuts.

Carpet - Carpet is usually made from synthetic fibers, such as nylon, which are produced from petroleum, a non-renewable resource. Petrochemical processes for synthetic fiber production require high inputs of energy and water and produce harmful air emissions (hazardous air pollutants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that contribute to smog). Carpet production itself is energy and water intensive, and toxic dyes have been used to produce the attractive colors we demand, which sometimes end up in streams. Carpet has also been identified as a contributor to indoor air pollution, particularly from adhesives used for installation. Finally, old carpet has been typically disposed of in landfills, taking up valuable landfill space and wasting resources that could be reused or recycled. The carpet industry continues to address each of these major environmental impacts with different approaches depending on the company and the type of carpet being manufactured.

Of course, this isn't everything that we need to be protected from but if the GA will work on these things first, it should take them through the March 11 adjournment.

On the other hand, we could decide that life in itself is terminal and that we all have choices to make, including dining at Ruby Tuesdays or throwing back a few shots at Buffalo Wild Wings.

When the government takes on the role of nanny, where does it stop? Moreover, where is the consistency?

Our legislators are constantly lowering air and water quality standards. Then they turn and put some silly bill in to stop an individual from taking a drag on a cigarette. I don't know about you, but I would much rather someone exhale a little stinky smoke than for me to guzzle down mercury laden water.

Brandon bell and the other Senators who voted in favor of this bill aren't fooling anyone. If you want to take on public health and public safety, do it with a modicum of sincerity-do something that matters.

UPDATE/DISCLAIMER: For the record, let me state that not only do I not smoke, I hate going to smoking establishments. It is a nasty habit...but so is driving a Hummer.

posted by Libertas @ 11:29 AM, , links to this post




Getting Around to the Virginia Blog Carnival
Monday, February 13, 2006

The latest edition of the Virginia Blog Carnival is up and ready at Bruce Roemmelt's Getting Around. Give it a onceover..there are some good posts.

posted by Libertas @ 3:19 PM, , links to this post




Cheney Asks Libby and Abramoff To Go Hunting
Sunday, February 12, 2006

Vice-President Dick Cheney has invited former aide, Scooter Libby to go quail hunting with him in Texas. Also invited to attend was lobbyist Jack Abramoff.

In a completely un related story, Lewis "Scooter" Libby, has told a federal grand jury his superiors – not mentioning anyone by name – authorized him to leak information to reporters as part of a justification for invading Iraq.

Additionally, the White House on Sunday acknowledged the authenticity of the first photograph made public that shows President Bush and embattled lobbyist Jack Abramoff, while stressing it does not mean the two had a personal relationship.

posted by Libertas @ 3:37 PM, , links to this post




Congratulations to Brian Patton

Brian Patton was duly awarded the Ninth Congressional District's Grassroots award last evening. It was great to see him and his fiancee Jane. Congratulations to Brian, one of the most deserving recipients in recent memory. Not to take away from the other awardees, it just happens that I am familiar with Brian's work and he exemplifies everything that is good about rural demcrats and has a very bright future ahead of him!

posted by Libertas @ 2:50 PM, , links to this post




JJ Dinner Review


I attended the annual JJ Dinner in Richmond last night. Because of snow, I was unable to attend Patron Reception and actually after the dinner skipped Miller's JJ After Dark reception.

I did however get to make the rounds in the lobby prior to the dinner and catch up with some old friends and some new ones from the past election cycle. I was also very disappointed in the lineup of 2006 Democratic Candidates and their showing last night.

Bern Ewert had an unattended table with some photocopies spread out and a couple of ink-jet signs pinned to the table. There was no one there to greet folks or glean supporter information. On the other side of the lobby was Al Weed's table (shared with Harris Miller.) Weed did have someone there to greet people and had some folks wearing stickers and buttons. I didn't see any one gathering info though. Unwise on both counts as you were in a room with 1000 people willing to $150 plus for a dinner.

Harris Miller certainly had a presence. He had a table with Weed where you could get some stickers and rally signs. I didn't see Miller in the lobby, but it was crowded. Webb had a great bluegrass band playing for him, but to little effect as there was a sad little sign next to the band that said "George Allen's Worst Nightmare!" and included a picture of James Webb in Vietnam. You had to be within two feet of it to read it though. Webb had a bevy of zealous young men attmepting to place stickers on folks. They seemed to be directed by Lowell Feld who wandered around eyeing people and "receiving" folks. He was the only person I saw wearing a name badge. I suppose he wanted us to know he was.

I want to support Webb, I really do, but he needs to get his act together. I understand he was recovering form surgery. But his letter was read poorly by Viola Baskerville, and simply not suitable as a counter to his absence. A vast web of eager supporters is no substitute for a well coordinated effort. These guys pushing him may do well in the "Golden Crescent," but will not be well received in the Blue Ridge. He needs some professional advice and must come to this with the presence of a US Senator.

In addition to the victorious folks from 2005, I noticed Bruce Roemmelt, Greg Werkheiser, and Eric Ferguson all in attendance. Roemmelt and Ferguson were seen talking. Werkheiser kept pulling people to the side to have very serious conversations. Warner was noticeably absent, but for the better. Whenever he is there, Kaine looks like his inept little brother. Kaine is Governor and won in his own right. It is his time to shine. On that note, he does love to talk about how he won.

Ed Rendell gave a great speech hitting all the partisan points.

Rendell praised Kaine's successful campaign for governor last fall.

"He did not let the Republicans pre-empt moral and religious issues," he said.

"If you read the Old Testament and New Testament, there is very little about gay marriage and abortion," Rendell said. "There is a lot about healing the sick and feeding the hungry."

He encouraged Democrats to run on the issues that made us the majority for so many years. It is a point that many Democrats have made, now it is time to do it.

posted by Libertas @ 1:56 PM, , links to this post




Allen Protects Paycheck with Rubber Stamp
Friday, February 10, 2006

In another "Profiles In Courage" moment, George Allen suggests that Congressional paychecks be withheld if congress fails to pass approrpiations bills by the start of the new fiscal year. According to Allen, it is "absurd" that "full-time legislators can't get their job done on-time by October 1 -- then several months later -- all kinds of unknown, unchecked spending occurs." Allen commented that his pay check penalty "provides powerful incentives for senators and congressmen to perform their jobs on time, with discipline."

The funny thing that Allen fails to remind voters of is that he voted in favor of every single appropriations bill last year and the most recent "omnibus" appropriations bill in November 2004.

Of course, Allen's announcement before the CPAC convention has nothing to do with the recent announcement of James Webb seeking the Democratic nomination to unseat the fine Senator.
Roll Call reported that "one GOP strategist aligned with the Allen campaign acknowledged that the Senator would have to spend more on his re-election than once anticipated but still maintained that the outcome would be the same."

“They found themselves two people who, yes, will force George Allen to spend more money on a campaign in Virginia instead of anywhere else, whether that’s helping other candidates or on something in the future,” the source said.

The Hotline points out that "because Allen can't travel too often, he is more likely to attempt attention-grabbing gambits like this one, hoping to generate buzz among conservatives and party donors."

I don't think it is the hat or the horse that causes folks to think he is a cowboy as much as it is the incessant smell of manure!

On a side note, I admire Allen's courage in finally acknowledging that things are so bad economically that even US Senators live paycheck to paycheck.

posted by Libertas @ 1:12 AM, , links to this post




Faith and Values Remain Constant
Thursday, February 09, 2006

The Hotline discusses a recent poll in their Margin for Error section that surveys church attendance and importance of religion. Interestingly enough, yet not really surprising is that attendance and importance of faith have remained steady over the past 30 years.

In spite of all the talk about values and the importance of faith today, results of the survey have changed little in 30 years—dropping from 79% of respondents saying religion was an important part of their life in 1978 to 77% in 2004.

For me, the most noticeable difference in polling occurs in the denomination of respondents. In 1978, 65% of respondents identified themselves as Preotestant and 10% other. While in 2004, 55% identified themselves as Protestant and and full 17% identified themselves as other.

Hotline's Aoife McCarthy says,

So what do these numbers show us? Well first, more women vote than men. No shocker here, especially since they make up more of the general population. In regards to income, the more affluent are also the more prolific voters. But keep in mind that the ANES groupings are not evenly divided. Consider the bottom two brackets together to make up the low end of the spectrum (24% based on '04 breakdowns), the middle group stands alone (30%), and finally the top two groupings comprise the final 34%.

The most interesting demographic in this first installment of our electorate watch is the prominence of religion throughout the electorate. In '04, 77% say religion is an important part of their lives. In addition, 35% attend services weekly or almost weekly with another 15% attending once or twice a month, bringing the total of regular/semi-regular church goers to 50%. This is not something that Dems can ignore -- again that is. Looking back at the summer of '04, when it was still anyone's game, the Dems misstepped in a way they are coming to terms with today -- that is, they failed to address the the moral conscious of the nation.
What Dems missed in 2004, Governor Kaine will never forget, as he starts every speech/conversation/interpersonal greeting with, "As a young missionary in Honduras..."

The fact that Dems needed a poll to know that spirituality and faith are still universal concepts is particularly troubling. I personally believe it is evident, however, in their abandonment of Southwest and Southside Virginia. What they still seem unable to grasp is that for much of the Old Dominion's hinterlands, faith isn't measured by taking a year to find yourself when you are 21. If you are 21 and lost in Dickenson County, you just might end up finding yourself in a mine.

This isn't a swipe at Kaine, but an expression of amazement that our party leaders have divided Virginia geographically and continue to play a zero sum game at the expense of those furthest from Richmond.

Further, it isn't like the faith issue takes a theology degree to crack. In fact, you can learn most of what you need about faith in Virginia's hinterlands by watching some old episodes of the Walton's and perhaps a couple Ralph Stanley tracks.

It isn't that Dems can't break through the culture of the region, it is that they don't even try. While Kaine won, what about Deeds and Byrne. Neither ran with a scenario that included SW or South Side and both came very close. How many votes could either candidate have turned just by making an effort.

I'm digressing, so let me bring this truck around. I recently heard someone say that while Deomcrats constantly talk about leading people, Republicans talk about representing. And yes, there is a difference. Down in the Blue Ridge, we have all sinned and come short of the glory...

posted by Libertas @ 12:03 AM, , links to this post




VA's Mudcat on Carlson
Wednesday, February 08, 2006

In order to write this post I have to admit publicly that I sometimes watch Tucker Carlson on MSNBC. In my own defense, it comes on at eleven and it allows me to skip Mikki Spencer drawing numbers for the Virginia Lottery. Anyone who has seen Miss Spencer knows exactly what I am talking about.

But I digress.

I was watching last night and up pops Dave "Mudcat" Saunders, Virginia's own political pundit and a bit of a lightining rod for criticism himself.

He is on the show giving a preview of his upcoming book with Seve Jarding, Foxes In The Henhouse. It was a great interview, very entertaining. Mudcat called New York rednecks "Vinnies" and then went on to talk about Hillary Clinton. The entire transcript is up on their new blog.

Here is my favorite bit...


SAUNDERS: Right. And there is not 50 cents difference in (INAUDIBLE) in New York in southwest Virginia and Iowa. The Gallup poll that‘s out that said that 51 percent of Americans said that under no circumstances would they vote for Hillary Clinton.

CARLSON: Yes.

SAUNDERS: You know, I believe that they believe that, but nobody knows anything about Hillary Clinton. I mean, all they know is they don‘t like her. And, you know, I do my own little focus groups amongst my hunting buddies, and such, and the neighbors. And, you know, you ask somebody about Hillary Clinton in the South, the first thing that comes of their mouth is she‘s a bitch.

CARLSON: Yes.

SAUNDERS: And you say why? And they said, “Well, because she is.” And then you get to talking to them a little bit more, and they say, “Well, you know, she tried to fool with health care.” And then you say, “Well, shouldn‘t somebody be fooling with health care?” And then when you get down to the bottom of it, what they don‘t like about her is that she‘s—they say she‘s got big ankles. And then they come back...

CARLSON: And what can you do about that?

(CROSSTALK)

SAUNDERS: Well, I‘ll tell them exactly this: She‘s not running for Miss America; she‘s running for president of the United States.

That is some funny stuff!!

posted by Libertas @ 2:58 PM, , links to this post




Webb Is In...Let The Circular Firing Squad Take Aim

The Washington Post, Richmond Time Dispatch and The Roanoke Times all carried stories today about James Webb throwing his hat into the ring for US Senate to challenge to George Allen.

All three stories noted that Webb is a former Republican and Navy Secretary under Ronald Reagan.

Of course, one can only expect Democrats to be split on the two men-a battle between lobbyist Harris Miller(left) and former Republican James Webb(right).

If there is indeed a national trend to "throw the bums out," I'm not sure Virginians are willing to replace a special interest influenced Senator with a special interest lobbyist. I don't think the the majority of voters really give a damn about what a "loyal Democrat" Miller has been. To most folks concerned with influence and corruption in the halls of Congress, either you are a part of the problem or a part of the solution. Try as I might, I fail to see how a lobbyist can be spun into the solution.

On the other hand, Webb is a new comer to the Democratic Party and once served as a Reagan appointee. Again, these are two facts that I think Joe Voter couldn't care less about. There are an awful lot of Virginians who identify their politics with Ronald Reagan. To have a like minded candidate come forward and say that George Allen and today's GOP aren't what they once were is powerful. After all, that is what Reagan said when left the Democrats.

Webb also has a resume that only a character played by Robert Redford could live up to. He was awarded every medal possible, shy of the Congresional Medal of Honor, for his service in Viet Nam. He has roots in Southwest Virginia and understands the culture that can put him across the finish line this fall.

In short, James Webb appears to be everything that George Allen wants you to belive he (George) is.

Rumors around this story have prominent players in the Democratic Party trying to squash Webb's candidacy. Rumors have Mark Warner backing Miller while he sicks Mame Reilly on Webb. Apparently Miller and Webb are going after some of the same talent to build their campaign teams. I suppose Warner is against Webb for the same reason the Backstreet Boys will never open for the Rolling Stones.

The Washington Post quotes Steve Jarding as saying about Webb, "He's fearless and a tremendously exciting candidate. I'm unbelievably impressed with him. He's got the perfect profile to run against George Allen."

Considering that Jarding has worked for some of the best bona-fide Dems around, that is enough for me.

posted by Libertas @ 1:13 PM, , links to this post




Jimmy Carter Once Again Serves as the Conscience of A Nation
Tuesday, February 07, 2006

Along with President Bush and former Presidents Clinton and Bush, Jimmy Carter made an addres at the funeral of Coretta Scott King today. He has been criticized for his reamrks and their overt political tone.

President Carter praised the Kings for their ability to "wage a fierce struggle for freedom and justice and to do it peacefully."

Carter brought up the government response to Katrina, saying, "We only have to recall the color of the faces of those in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi" to know that inequality exists. He also noted that the Kings once were "victims of secret government wiretapping" — echoing Bush's domestic spying program.

Oddly enough, there were those who once condemned Reverend King for politicizing the gospel. Thank goodness we had folks like MLK and thank goodness we still have folks like Jimmy Carter.

posted by Libertas @ 6:29 PM, , links to this post




Star City Sees Lackluster Dem Performance

Over at Not Larry Sabato there is an interesting post on Roanoke and recent GOP surges in the region.

Some plausible points are made but I disagree-wholeheartedly-with any excuses made for statewide dems and their failure to campaign in and around the region.

NLS says, "Tim Kaine lost 3,163 votes in these localities from Mark Warner. It's hard to beat Tim up for this, he clearly figured out early on that he could not be Mark Warner in this area, and correctly focused his resources elsewhere. "

Lackluster Dem preformance in this region is cyclical. Statewide Dems feel they would have to run too close to center here, so they bypass the area. Because they are not on the ground here, there is little excitement for statewide Dem candidates, and thus it continues in cycles.

Statewide, elected Dems play to the Golden Crescent. There is no better example in recent history than the campaign of Eric Ferguson for the Ninth District House of Delegates. A lame duck Warner made one twenty minute stop on behalf of Ferguson. Kaine and Deeds both ran in the other direction. Fortunately for Kaine, he ran strongly enough elsewhere.

As for Deeds, you can't tell me there weren't 350 more votes to be had in Franklin County. Ferguson outperformed Deeds in Franklin County by some 828 votes alone.

posted by Libertas @ 1:56 AM, , links to this post




Bush's Budget Bluff
Monday, February 06, 2006

So what does it mean when our compassionately conservative President reveals his 2007 budget and the likewise conservative Cato Institute and Heritage Foundation feel he is way off base?

Forbes Magazine reports the following...

Bush will easily meet his pledge to halve the deficit from a projected peak of $521 billion, or 4.5% of gross domestic product, by 2009, boasts Joshua Bolten, the Administration's budget czar. By that time, the deficit will hover around 1.4% of GDP, he predicts.

Yet in truth, the belt-tightening is quite modest--especially considering that it comes on top of a stretch of profligacy. In the first six years of the Bush Administration, spending excluding defense and entitlements increased by a whopping 42% compared with the first six years of former President Bill Clinton's Administration, according to Brian Reidl of the Heritage Foundation in Washington.

This year, Bush says he will cut the budgets of 141 programs to produce $14 billion in savings. But these "savings" are realized only when skimmed off what discretionary spending was expected to be in 2007--not the actual amount budgeted in 2006. In net terms, argues Stephen Slivinski of the Cato Institute, they amount to a mere $2 billion in cuts.
Perhaps it means that Bush has delivered us another heaping, steaming pile and insists we all take a bite!

posted by Libertas @ 1:39 PM, , links to this post




Paris Thanks You!
Friday, February 03, 2006

In a show of overwhelming support for millionaires, the House passed a repeal of the Commonwealth's estate tax on a 93-7 vote. I feel better knowing that my delegates are out there protecting hard working, salt of the earth types like Paris Hilton.

Most appropriately, the chief patrons of this repeal are named "Tata" and "Welch."

Why shouldn't we repeal the tax, we have a surplus and it isn't like we have any other needs in Virginia. Our roads are fine and our teachers are making plenty. Besides, it's not like those people who inherit less give that much to political campaigns anyway!


ROANOKE TIMES
House opts to repeal estate tax on a 93-7 vote

Legislation that would repeal Virginia's inheritance tax on large estates passed the House of Delegates overwhelmingly on Thursday, and appears likely to become law.

By a 93-7 vote, the House passed House Bill 40, which would end the tax on estates valued at $1 million or more next year. Senate leaders and Gov. Tim Kaine have expressed support.

Supporters have insisted the tax places an unfair burden on family farms and small businesses and forces some heirs to sell off assets to cover their tax liability. They also have said the legislation would allow Virginia to conform its repeal with the 2010 expiration of the federal estate tax.

The tax cut would cost an estimated $144 million in its first full year of implementation and $120 million in each of the following four years.

In fact, I say we bring back the days of primogeniture, and great big turkey drumsticks too!

posted by Libertas @ 10:05 PM, , links to this post




George Allen - Making Us Proud!

The New York Times reported on the nomination of Ben Bernanke for Fed Chairman. Considering the immense influence this position carries and the fact that fortunes were won and lost on Greenspan's every breathe, you'd think that someone running for President might have a clue who he is. Think again.

...here is what Senator George Allen of Virginia, who is considering a bid for the Republican presidential nomination in 2008, said when asked his opinion of the Bernanke nomination.

"For what?"

Told that Mr. Bernanke was up for the Fed chairman's job, Mr. Allen hedged a little, said he had not been focused on it, and wondered aloud when the hearings would be. Told that the Senate Banking Committee hearings had concluded in November, the senator responded: "You mean I missed them all? I paid no attention to them."

November?!?

Well, that was right after Halloween. George was tied up. Literally-he got all twisted up in that noose he keeps in his office. While I don't agree with litmus test issues when running for President. I might just get behind an aptitude test.


posted by Libertas @ 10:02 PM, , links to this post




Virgil Gets His Wings (and a cash bonus)
Thursday, February 02, 2006

Congressman Goode has taken his $90,000 in tainted campaign money and "bought" almost two hundred press releases about his generosity.

So, let's look at the path here. Mitchell Wade (pictured here with Congressman Goode) made a fortune off of pork projects proposed by Virgil. Those pork projects are paid for, of course, by taxpayer money. Mitchell Wade then spreads the wealth (and consequently purchases further influence) by giving heavily to Virgil's campaign fund.

Once Virgil and Wade are caught, Virgil gives the $90,000 to non-profit organizations in his district. However, in an effort to gain as much political capital as he can, he gives $220 to 194 different volunteer fire and rescue squads and all on Christmas eve.

This November, those men and women who provide critical services to Goode's rural district will remember that he sent them a check-let's hope they remember where he got the money in the first place.

If Virgil Goode were focused on serving his constituents rather than himself, perhaps there wouldn't be such a grave need for blankets in his district.

posted by Libertas @ 9:53 PM, , links to this post