According to the Washington Post, Del. Marsden is packing up his bags and moving to the 37th Senate District. Marsden's desperate move seems to come all too late. With the GOP pickup across the state, it looks as though Marsden will do anything to try and salvage the Democratic Party, even if that means moving. His move will startle residents, especially moving this late in the election. Is this the right move for the Democrats? Well, with Tim Kaine at the throne, the Democrats can control the special election date, thus giving Marsden enough time to become an eligible resident of the 37th.
Thursday, November 19, 2009
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Kaine Bashes Deeds
In a Washington Post article, Kaine told reporters that Deeds ran without his base. He also stated that Deeds lost his campaign for governor because he was unable to energize his base, falling into a Republican trap that led him to shrink from the president and his policies.
Kaine after coming under fire for leaving the state during a State of Emergency, to attend a DNC fundraiser in Arkansas, is now more worried with his political image as DNC Chairmen more than ever. This statement to the Washington Post is seen as distancing himself from his fellow Democrat to further help his future political career. It appears once again Virginia is run by the DNC and not the Governor.
However Kaine was not all negative. He did express optimism of the special election in the 37th Senate District. He believes that Democrats will extend their one-vote majority in the state Senate by winning a special election to replace Sen. Ken Cuccinelli. However the Democrats have yet to announce a single candidate. The only strong candidate that the Democrats could put forward in the area is Delegate Marsden, but many Democrats forget the fact that Marsden does not live in the 37th district. The special election now seems more likely as a pickup for the GOP, with their three formidable candidates running in the firehouse primary; Steve Hunt, Marianne Horinko and Will Nance.
Washington Post Article-http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/16/AR2009111603533.html?hpid=newswell
Kaine after coming under fire for leaving the state during a State of Emergency, to attend a DNC fundraiser in Arkansas, is now more worried with his political image as DNC Chairmen more than ever. This statement to the Washington Post is seen as distancing himself from his fellow Democrat to further help his future political career. It appears once again Virginia is run by the DNC and not the Governor.
However Kaine was not all negative. He did express optimism of the special election in the 37th Senate District. He believes that Democrats will extend their one-vote majority in the state Senate by winning a special election to replace Sen. Ken Cuccinelli. However the Democrats have yet to announce a single candidate. The only strong candidate that the Democrats could put forward in the area is Delegate Marsden, but many Democrats forget the fact that Marsden does not live in the 37th district. The special election now seems more likely as a pickup for the GOP, with their three formidable candidates running in the firehouse primary; Steve Hunt, Marianne Horinko and Will Nance.
Washington Post Article-http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/16/AR2009111603533.html?hpid=newswell
Friday, November 13, 2009
Is It Too Late to Impeach Gov. Kaine?
Where is Tim Kaine?
Governor Tim Kaine declared a State of Emergency on Wednesday night in response to the anticipated effects of the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida and the coastal Nor'easter hitting Hampton Roads as well as other portions of the Commonwealth.
"With the National Weather Service indicating that eastern Virginia could experience flooding and storm surge comparable to the affects of a Category 1 hurricane, it's critical that Virginians make the necessary preparations," said Governor Kaine
But did Kaine back up his own words? The answer is no. While Hampton Roads was getting battered by the 8 foot storm surge and winds of over 60 mph, Kaine was preparing for a DNC fundraiser , and not overseeing the preparations for the clean up and relief efforts. Instead of visiting the flooded regions of the Commonwealth to better acess the damage, he flew to Little Rock, Arkansas to raise money for the DNC. Why would a Governor leave the state during a state of emergency? What will it take to get Kaine’s attention?
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Governor-Elect Announces Transition Staff Appointments
RICHMOND- Virginia Governor-elect Bob McDonnell announced a number of appointments to his gubernatorial transition staff today. McDonnell made appointments in the areas of policy, personnel and administration.
The transition appointments are listed below:
Janet Polarek- Deputy Director, Personnel and Administration
Polarek was Chief Operations Officer in McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. She was Director of Administration in the Office of the Attorney General, and before that managed McDonnell’s 2005 campaign for Attorney General. Janet also has worked on Capitol Hill as a Press Secretary and has run numerous campaigns in Virginia.
Eric Finkbeiner- Director of Policy
Finkbeiner served in both the Wilder and Allen administrations before joining McGuireWoods Consulting. He is an attorney who served as executive director of Governor Allen's Commission on Parole Abolition and Sentencing Reform and advised Governor Allen on transportation, environmental, and anti-crime issues. Eric also served as communications director for Governor Douglas Wilder’s Task Force on Violent Crime.
Melissa Laughner- Assistant Director for Policy
Laughner served as Policy Director for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to the campaign she was Special Assistant for Governmental Affairs in the Office of the Attorney General.
Mike Reynold- Assistant Director for Policy
Reynold was a Deputy Campaign Manager for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He was Virginia State Director for McCain for President in 2008. Prior to that Mike was the Executive Director of McDonnell for Virginia. He received his law degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
Jasen Eige- Counsel
Eige was Counsel to McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, Eige served as Chief of Staff and Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General.
Dave Rexrode- Director of Community Outreach
Rexrode was a Deputy Campaign Manager for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He has held high-level positions in Virginia campaigns for over a decade, including serving as a Campaign Manager for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Delegate Chris Saxman and Senator Mark Obenshain.
Monica Block- Scheduler
Block served as scheduler for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. She has previously worked on campaigns for former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis and former Virginia State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis.
Adam Zubowsky- Aide
Zubowsky served as Fairfax Field Director for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He has worked on campaigns for Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf (R) and the National Fraternal Order of Police Legislative Center
The transition appointments are listed below:
Janet Polarek- Deputy Director, Personnel and Administration
Polarek was Chief Operations Officer in McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. She was Director of Administration in the Office of the Attorney General, and before that managed McDonnell’s 2005 campaign for Attorney General. Janet also has worked on Capitol Hill as a Press Secretary and has run numerous campaigns in Virginia.
Eric Finkbeiner- Director of Policy
Finkbeiner served in both the Wilder and Allen administrations before joining McGuireWoods Consulting. He is an attorney who served as executive director of Governor Allen's Commission on Parole Abolition and Sentencing Reform and advised Governor Allen on transportation, environmental, and anti-crime issues. Eric also served as communications director for Governor Douglas Wilder’s Task Force on Violent Crime.
Melissa Laughner- Assistant Director for Policy
Laughner served as Policy Director for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to the campaign she was Special Assistant for Governmental Affairs in the Office of the Attorney General.
Mike Reynold- Assistant Director for Policy
Reynold was a Deputy Campaign Manager for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He was Virginia State Director for McCain for President in 2008. Prior to that Mike was the Executive Director of McDonnell for Virginia. He received his law degree from The Pennsylvania State University.
Jasen Eige- Counsel
Eige was Counsel to McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. Prior to joining the campaign, Eige served as Chief of Staff and Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General.
Dave Rexrode- Director of Community Outreach
Rexrode was a Deputy Campaign Manager for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He has held high-level positions in Virginia campaigns for over a decade, including serving as a Campaign Manager for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, Delegate Chris Saxman and Senator Mark Obenshain.
Monica Block- Scheduler
Block served as scheduler for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. She has previously worked on campaigns for former Virginia Congressman Tom Davis and former Virginia State Senator Jeannemarie Devolites Davis.
Adam Zubowsky- Aide
Zubowsky served as Fairfax Field Director for McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign. He has worked on campaigns for Virginia Congressman Frank Wolf (R) and the National Fraternal Order of Police Legislative Center
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
GOP Sweeps the Ticket and Gains More Ground in the House
A Great Tuesday to be a Republican
McDonnell-58.64% Deeds-41.23%
Bolling-56.53% Wagner-43.53%
Cuccinelli-57.56% Shannon-43.34%
With the results in it is evident that Virginia voters feel that Republicans are best suited to fulfill their needs. Not only did the Republicans sweep all three state-wide positions, the GOP gained a number of seats in the House of Delegates.
Heading into the election , Republicans held 53 seats and Democrats held 45. The two independents generally vote with the Republicans. Picking up 8 seats, the GOP gained major ground through the state.
Two-term incumbent Democrat C. Charles Caputo lost his re-election bid in his to Republican James M. LeMunyon who took the 67th District with more than 52 percent of the vote. In McLean, freshman Del. Margaret G. Vanderhye (D) fell to Republican challenger Barabara Comstock by fewer than 300 votes. Other important pickups for the Republicans included Scott Garrett, Tag Greason, Chris Stolle, Will Morefield, Rich Anderson, and Ron Villaneva is currently 16 votes up.
This historic election puts the Republican on top with 61-39 in the House of Delegates.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Is This More of A Tsunami Than A Wave???
Rumor has it that Delegate Jim Scott was spotted out walking door to door in his HOME precinct today with clipboard in hand.
Delegate Scott represents one of the bluest districts in Fairfax County and if he is feeling the pressure then maybe the "wave" we are seeing is more like a TSUNAMI! Keep in mind this is the same Jim Scott who won his race by a "landslide" ONE VOTE ... he must be worried that this time he will be on the wrong side of this year's landslide!
His opponent Chris Merola has been working extremely hard this campaign and we need to do everything we can to help him finish strong to de-throne another extremely partisan LIBERAL. Check out his website here ...
Lets make sure Jim Scott stays in his home precinct and out of Richmond for good!
Pelosi Health Care Bill Blows a Kiss to Trial Lawyers
The health care bill recently unveiled by Speaker Nancy Pelosi is over 1,900 pages for a reason. It is much easier to dispense goodies to favored interest groups if they are surrounded by a lot of legislative legalese. For example, check out this juicy morsel to the trial lawyers (page 1431-1433 of the bill):
Section 2531, entitled “Medical Liability Alternatives,” establishes an incentive program for states to adopt and implement alternatives to medical liability litigation. [But]…… a state is not eligible for the incentive payments if that state puts a law on the books that limits attorneys’ fees or imposes caps on damages.
So, you can’t try to seek alternatives to lawsuits if you’ve actually done something to implement alternatives to lawsuits. Brilliant! The trial lawyers must be very happy today!
While there is debate over the details, it is clear that medical malpractive lawsuits have some impact on driving health care costs higher. There are likely a number of procedures that are done simply as a defense against future possible litigation. Recall this from the Washington Post:
“Lawmakers could save as much as $54 billion over the next decade by imposing an array of new limits on medical malpractice lawsuits, congressional budget analysts said today — a substantial sum that could help cover the cost of President Obama’s overhaul of the nation’s health system. New research shows that legal reforms would not only lower malpractice insurance premiums for medical providers, but would also spur providers to save money by ordering fewer tests and procedures aimed primarily at defending their decisions in court, Douglas Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, wrote in a letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).”
Stay tuned. There are certainly many more terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad provisions in this massive bill.
-Posted By Capitol Confidential On October 30, 2009 (12:17 pm)
Section 2531, entitled “Medical Liability Alternatives,” establishes an incentive program for states to adopt and implement alternatives to medical liability litigation. [But]…… a state is not eligible for the incentive payments if that state puts a law on the books that limits attorneys’ fees or imposes caps on damages.
So, you can’t try to seek alternatives to lawsuits if you’ve actually done something to implement alternatives to lawsuits. Brilliant! The trial lawyers must be very happy today!
While there is debate over the details, it is clear that medical malpractive lawsuits have some impact on driving health care costs higher. There are likely a number of procedures that are done simply as a defense against future possible litigation. Recall this from the Washington Post:
“Lawmakers could save as much as $54 billion over the next decade by imposing an array of new limits on medical malpractice lawsuits, congressional budget analysts said today — a substantial sum that could help cover the cost of President Obama’s overhaul of the nation’s health system. New research shows that legal reforms would not only lower malpractice insurance premiums for medical providers, but would also spur providers to save money by ordering fewer tests and procedures aimed primarily at defending their decisions in court, Douglas Elmendorf, director of the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, wrote in a letter to Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).”
Stay tuned. There are certainly many more terrible, horrible, no-good, very bad provisions in this massive bill.
-Posted By Capitol Confidential On October 30, 2009 (12:17 pm)
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