The Best Thing About VPAP ...

Is that on July 15th, THIS LINK, will show us all how much money folks have SUNK into the former Delegate, and more importantly, former Minority Leader Ward Armstrong's campaign.

Yippee!

Lines were approved!

DOJ has pre-cleared the House and Senate district lines. Information to last the next decade!! Special thanks to everyone who worked so hard on the bill.

Below are links to the maps.

http://www.vpap.org/updates/redistricting_maps

http://redistricting.dls.virginia.gov/2010/

Hey Ward, Thank Your Pal President Obama!

Yesterday's article from the American Thinker accurately outlines the connection between the rising energy prices we are seeing across the country and President Barak Obama's Anti-Coal agenda. 

Hey Ward!  Maybe next time you decide to rant and rave about the soaring energy prices in Southside, Virginia you should:

1. Make sure your facts are right (see video below)
2. Attribute the rising prices to the person responsible .... President Barak Obama

Ward Armstong Plans on Spending All of the Democratic Caucus Dollars on ... HIMSELF

Bad news for Minority Leader Ward Armstrong coming out of Southside Virginia...

Delegate Charles Poindexter formally announced his intentions defeat Delegate Armstrong in a campaign press release yesterday afternoon.  Delegate Armstrong is planning on moving from his home, currently located in the 16th House District, into Delegate Poindexter's 9th House District to challenge him for the seat.  Since being elected in 2008, Poindexter has been a tireless advocate for Southside Virginia.  He is a conservative leader with an accomplished track record.  It sure will be fun to watch as Poindexter dismantles the soon to be Former Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

This is a bold move for Delegate Armstrong.  Not very smart or well thought out, but bold.

One would think the leader of the Democratic Caucus would find better things to do with Caucus money that spend it all on HIMSELF.  I would hate to be a House Democrat incumbent with a race this election season ...

Poindexter Welcomes Ward Armstrong into the 9^th Legislative District Race

GLADE HILL, VA – In a statement released today, Delegate Charles Poindexter (R-9th), reaffirmed his candidacy for the House of Delegates from the 9^th legislative district and commented about Delegate Ward Armstrong’s announced entry into the race.

   “I am running for re-election to the House of Delegates,” said Poindexter.  “I have no political ambitions beyond always doing my best to represent the people of Franklin, Patrick and Henry Counties in the Virginia General Assembly.”

   Ward Armstrong, who currently represents the 10^th legislative district, has declared his intention to switch districts and run in the 9^th.

   “State law requires that you must live in the district you represent, so Ward will have to move into the 9^th district to run against me,” Poindexter said.  “We welcome newcomers to the district.”

   Because of population growth in Northern Virginia, Southside Virginia lost a seat in the General Assembly.  As a result of redistricting, Armstrong’s  residence is now in the 16^th district, represented by Delegate Don Merricks.

   “No politician can reserve a seat in the House of Delegates,” said Poindexter.  “Voters determine who represents them.  Ninth District citizens know they can count on me to continue to stand firm and fight for Virginia’s rural and small town conservative values and lifestyles,” Poindexter said.

   Poindexter is a native of Franklin County who farms his own land, as well as family land settled by his Poindexter ancestors in 1792.  He is a former Information Technology (IT) executive in the Department of Defense industry. He served two terms on the Franklin County Board of Supervisors prior to his election to the House of Delegates in 2007.

   “I am proud of my voting record and the work I perform on behalf of our citizens in the House of Delegates. I look forward to discussing issues during the campaign.” 

   In the House, Poindexter serves on the Appropriations Committee,  the Agriculture and Natural Resources and Chesapeake Committee, and the Cities, Towns, and Counties Committee. He is vice-chairman of the State Energy and Environment Commission and serves on the Board of Directors for the Roanoke Higher Education Authority and the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

   Poindexter is an active member of Crafts United Methodist Church, where he sings in the choir and is chairman of the Board of Trustees. He and  his wife, Janet, have six adult children and ten grandchildren. They live at Smith Mountain Lake in Glade Hill near the original Poindexter homeplace.

###

Drum Roll Please ......

I would like to announce the most UN-anticipated and useless legislator ratings to be released in recent memory......... VA FREE's Annual Legislator Ratings

In the past, VA FREE was a respected organization whose ratings actually meant something in Virginia's political landscape.  Year after year, they would put out their Annual Legislator Ratings, and the business community would have an accurate and thorough scale to "grade" state legislators relating to pro-business initiatives.

My how things have changed ....

In today's world, VA FREE is just a shell of its former self.  They select a list of "business issues" that they deem worthy, AFTER the votes have already been taken in the General Assembly.  This allows them to pick and choose the issues that they want to grade legislators on, after the fact.   They are then able to choose bills that can help their friends on the Left and damage those they disagree with on the Right. 

It is no wonder that no one cares at all when these ratings come out.  They mean about as much as an approval rating of Virginia legislators from House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong.

Folks used to actually respect these ratings ... it's a shame that is no longer the case anymore!!! 

Also please check out some photos from the VA FREE luncheon last week.  What you will NOT find in any of the pictures are any members from the House Republican Majority Caucus...