Roanoke On The Right

I'm Back- Live report from the 5th

2010-06-08T14:50:00.005-04:00

First off I'd like to apologize to all my readers for my absence. I needed to take a break from blogging for a number of reasons but now I'm back.

Well, today is June 8. PRIMARY DAY in Virginia and many other places.
Here are my predictions, looks like it should be a good day for me everywhere but out in California (I am supporting bolded candidates in today's primaries):
VA-05
Hurt 40%
McKelvey 20%
McPadden 13%
Ferrin 12%
Morton 9%
Boyd 3%
Verga 3%

First three are obvious in my opinion, Ferrin will do better than expected because he had billboards and was on the radio, Morton gets nine after the implosion, Verga gets three, and Boyd gets three doing well up north but terrible everywhere else.

VA-11
Fimian 54%
Herrity 46%

SC Governor
Haley 52%
Barrett 22%
McMaster 16%
Bauer 10%

Bauer's political career is over, hopefully he takes Mike Huckabee with him.

VA-08
Berry 56%
Murray 44%

CA Senate
Fiorina 51%
Campbell 30%
DeVore 19%

CA Governor
Whitman 58%
Poizner 42%

Nevada Senate
Angle 42%
Tarkanian 30%
Lowden 28%

I am registered in to vote in the 5th now because that is where I go to school. I drove from Roanoke to Farmville to vote today.
Signs on 460:

-McKelvey definitely had the most signs, lots of 4×8s and yard signs.
-Hurt close second, a ton of 4×8s and a few yard signs.
-McPadden lots of yard signs a few 4×4s
-Ferrin billboard
-one Feda 4×8
-one Verga yard sign

I was voter #57 at the Hampden precinct at the Hampden-Sydney College Fire Department. Low turnout but signs for all candidates outside.

UPDATE:

I didn't make at prediction in the VA-02 race because I don't believe I have followed that race closely enough to make one, but I do want to encourage anyone in the 2nd District to vote for Bert Mizusawa. He kind of jumped into the race late but has gained some momentum and will probably come in 2nd today, but if he wins that would be great. If he doesn't win we will without a doubt have a mediocre nominee running against Nye. If Regill wins I will definitely support him but we could have definitely recruited someone much better. So I am going to talk Bert up a bit last minute and hopefully get him some more votes. All info per his website.

"I believe that lower taxes give Virginians more money to use where we need it most, and they allow small businesses to create jobs. High taxes only stifle real economic growth, create big government, and kill jobs. Our nation’s debt is growing exponentially and is being fertilized by the Democrats’ dream of big government. We must reduce and eliminate our debt to improve the value of the dollar and attract business investment.”

“We have access to the cleanest and most affordable energy resources in the world. However, special interests have successfully created a bureaucracy that works at the expense of the taxpayer and against common sense. That red tape makes it time consuming and financially exhaustive to access and use these resources. I support the proven success of offshore drilling and nuclear power to bolster energy alternatives and independence, and I will support incentives to accelerate the development of wind, solar, nuclear, geothermal, and other energy sources. I firmly oppose a national cap and trade tax because of the increased costs families and businesses will be forced to pay.“

Bert Mizusawa is 100% pro-life and will vote that way in Congress. As a husband and father, Bert knows that we must protect the sanctity of human life.

Israel lives every day under the threat of terror and is our closest ally in the Middle East. It shares with America a commitment to democratic ideals, a respect for faith, and a commitment to peace in the region. Bert Mizusawa supports US policy to protect Israel and her citizens from terrorist attacks.

#1 Graduate, West Point
Army Airborne Ranger
Harvard Law School
Harvard MacArthur Fellow
Financial Attorney
Brigadier General, USAR
Decorated Combat Veteran
Silver Star recipient
Small business president
Senior defense official
US Senate professional
First in family to college
Husband & Father

And I'd like to leave you all today with something I posted back in December. I was looking back at some older posts a while back and thought this would be something for us all to think about after the results are announced in the various primaries today. I had originally geared this specifically to VA-05 but can go for all of today's primaries- VA-02, VA-11, VA-08, SC Governor, California Governor and Senate, Nevada Senate etc.

Just some good food for thought as we move on to the general election.

In this post on RedState Chuck DeVore's Communications Director Joshua Trevino puts to rest the conflict between their campaign and the National Republican Senatorial Committee. DeVore, a California Assemblyman, is seeking the Republican nomination and has been involved with what is a similar conflict to the conflict many of the GOP candidates for Congress in the 5th District seem to have with the National Republican Congressional Committee. The NRSC went out early and recruited Carly Fiorina, the former CEO of HP who is a VERY VERY moderate candidate (much more so than Robert Hurt mind you), and un-officially endorsed her candidacy for the US Senate from California over DeVore and has been accused of favoritism in various forms. Well the conflict has been put to rest and candidates in the 5th really need to consider what the DeVore campaign has decided to do here.

Trevino says in the post:

Mission-driven conservative warriors have a penchant for wanting to clean the Augean stables. But it turns out King Augeas has more than one stable. You, the activists who read and sustain this site, can and should focus your energies on the Augean stable that is our national-Party establishment. Here in California, we’ve got our own Augean stable to clean: the mess that Democratic governance and left-wing ideologues have created, bringing to ruin what by right ought to be the most prosperous spot on the planet. The impoverishment of California is the greatest act of policy-driven vandalism since the Fourth Crusade, and the human suffering that results is the sole moral burden of Democrats — of whom Barbara Boxer is the witless archetype.
That’s our fight. That’s Chuck DeVore’s fight. That’s the fight we at DeVore for California focus on every single day. And fighting that fight — not the fight with D.C. Republicans — is how we’ll win. We must earn the right to lead this fight in 2010, by beating Fiorina for the right to take on Boxer. You can help us do exactly that. What role the NRSC wishes to play in this is its choice. It may continue as it has, and that would be a pity, but also beyond our control.

While our state is in a much better situation than the state of California candidates for Congress in the 5th shouldn't focus their campaign and their message on supposed wrongs by the NRCC, Robert Hurt, and the 5th District GOP Committee. Like it or not, what has happened in the past happened. There will be a primary on June 8, 2010. Like it or not, it's happening. Let the activists and bloggers, the donors and grassroots work out the wrongs done by the NRCC and 5th District Committee. There will be an election for 5th District Chairman this spring and if you don't like the way Tucker Watkins has done things, then vote for someone else. The candidates need to stop attacking the NRCC and the 5th District Committee and focus on the issues important to the citizens of the 5th District.

Reality shows us that Rep. Tom Perriello had 21 town hall meetings with his constituents over the summer. In these town hall meetings the people voiced serious opposition to the health care reform bill which came before the House as well as general opposition to any serious government intervention into our health care system as well as any general cuts to Medicare. Despite his constituents expressing these views in his town hall meetings Perriello voted in favor of the health care reform bill which passed in the House of Representatives. Evidence shows us that "Cap and Trade" legislation will kill jobs in the 5th District which is an area that has already suffered greatly due to the economic crisis. Despite this evidence Perriello voted for the "Cap and Trade" bill. Evidence showed us that the economic stimulus plan would not help citizens of the 5th District and would only cause our nation to go into greater debt which the future citizens of the 5th District would have to pay off in exorbitant taxes. Despite this evidence Tom Perriello voted in line with Nancy Pelosi in favor of the economic stimulus package. This is the reality we are facing in the 5th District.

The candidates for the GOP nomination shouldn't worry about the intra-party fighting that is going on. Leave that to the party activists and drop that from your message. Tell us what solutions you will bring to Washington that will put people back to work, empower the free market, cut spending, rid us of burdensome government intervention and regulation, and protect life and liberty. I hope Robert Hurt, Feda Morton, Michael McPadden, Ken Boyd, Laurence Verga, Ron Ferrin, Jim McKelvey, and all their staffs can take a lesson from Chuck DeVore.

UPDATED: Griffith makes it official

2010-02-26T13:44:00.003-05:00

From the Roanoke Times:

State Del. Morgan Griffith’s campaign for Congress became official this morning when the Salem Republican filed as a candidate for the GOP nomination in the 9th Congressional District.

Griffith said he sent a letter and $500 filing fee this morning that will make him a candidate for the Republican nomination, which will be decided at a May 22 convention. Griffith already had formed a federal campaign committee and has been lining up support from party leaders in the sprawling district.

Update- Here's the statement from the Griffith campaign:

Griffith Statement on Filing of Candidacy
House Majority Leader files statement declaring intention to seek Republican Congressional nomination for Virginia's 9^th District
Richmond, Virginia, 26 February 2010: House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) today issued the following statement regarding his filing of a statement with the 9^th District Republican Congressional Committee, indicating his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Congress:
"Earlier today, Michelle Jenkins, Chairman of the 9^th District Republican Committee, received a signed statement from me declaring that I will be a candidate for the Republican nomination for Congress from Virginia's 9^th District. She also received from me the candidate filing fee, as required by the Convention Call issued by the Committee.
"The acceptance of this form and fee means that I am qualified to seek the Republican nomination for Congress at the 9^th District Republican Convention on May 22 at Fort Chiswell High School in Max Meadows.
"The General Assembly is scheduled to be in session for another two weeks, so my duties as Majority Leader will delay a formal public announcement of my candidacy until after we have adjourned for the year."
House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) represents the Eighth District in the Virginia House of Delegates. The Eighth District is comprised of the City of Salem and portions of Roanoke County.

Cross-posted @ VA Social Conservative

The Health Care Summit: Paul Ryan and the GOP steal the stage from Obama

2010-02-26T00:34:00.001-05:00

For those who thought today's Health Care Summit at the Blair House would be Obama, Reid, and Pelosi's show you were proven wrong. Today belonged to the GOP proving that we are not the party of "no" but a party with solutions. Specifically Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin took the day in what could be remembered as the day he really and truly became on of the GOP's brightest young stars.

From Erick Erickson at Red State:

Many Republicans thought that after the President overshadowed the GOP at their Baltimore retreat last month, going to Blair House yesterday would just be another PR disaster.
It was anything but.
The GOP won the day so convincingly that even the traditional media had to praise the party for talking issues.

For those who didn't see this portion, which came in the afternoon session, Ryan launched a full on assult on the bill more or less talking about how the bill will greatly increase the deficit which is something the Dems have lied about time and time again. Additionally he hits on the fact that medicare is broke, how this bill will hurt seniors as well as future generations, and quoting a budget chairman who said this bill was a "ponzi scheme that would make Bernie Madoff proud".

In regards to what Ryan had to say there the Weekly Standard had this to say:

Obama didn't even bother questioning Ryan's presentation. He changed the subject to Medicare Advantage. The expression on the president's face as Ryan made his case was absolutely priceless. Simply put, he looked like someone who realizes he's met his match.

Here's Ryan from earlier in the day where he talks about the essential difference in philosophy between the Dems and Republicans as they go about trying to achieve health care reform.

John McCain also had a great day today really getting into it with Obama. McCain wanted to address issues in regards to the process and what went wrong there but Obama wasn't having it telling him "the election is over".

A.B. Stoddard from The Hill sums up the GOP's preformance pretty well:

“I think we need to start out by acknowledging Republicans brought their ‘A Team.’ They had doctors knowledgeable about the system, they brought substance to the table, and they, I thought, expressed interest in the reform. I thought in the lecture from Senator John McCain and on the issue of transparency, I thought today the Democrats were pretty much on their knees.”

All in all it was a great day exposure wise for Republicans. Was a lot accomplished? No, not at all. But we have to ask ourselves: Would the GOP have been able to put forth their proposals and let the American people hear them if we hadn't done this? No not at all. If this had been done on the House or Senate floor or in some closed door meeting on Capitol Hill the GOP would not have recived much media coverage at all. It also proved to the American people the the GOP is not just the party of "NO". Sometimes it is good to say no, especially at times like these we need to be saying no on things like spending etc., but in order to regain the trust of the American people we needed to show them our solutions which is what we did today. Today was a step abet a small one, but a step none this less and that is what we needed.

Cross-posted @ VA Social Conservative
Cross-posted @ RedState

More News in the 9th

2010-02-25T11:39:00.001-05:00

From Larry Sabato's Center for Politics:

VA-9 (Rick Boucher-D)
Rating Change: Safe D to Likely D
When an incumbent member of Congress who has represented the same district for 28 years draws a challenger who does not even live in the district should he be worried? If the incumbent is Virginia Democrat Rick Boucher then yes. Boucher’s district is coal country, comprised of the entire southwestern tip of Virginia and bordered by West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina. While Boucher voted against the health care bill, his vote for cap-and-trade is already causing him headaches. Adding to his pains, Virginia’s state House Majority Leader, Morgan Griffith, has all but announced he will challenge Boucher. Griffith is a top tier candidate and has been recruited by the NRCC, but he lives in the 6th District instead of the 9th. This could complicate his bid against the entrenched Boucher, although Griffith’s supporters point out that his home is only “feet” from the district’s border and redistricting may render the point moot after this year’s election. While Griffith’s bid would be legal, since congressmen in Virginia only have to live in the state and not in the district they represent, politics is perception and a Republican argument that Boucher is out of touch with his district could be weakened by a messenger who does not even live there. Still, Boucher will be in for one of the tougher fights of his decades-long career as Republicans put another entrenched Democrat on their target list. (emphasis mine)

It's not going to be easy to take down Boucher, but based on the developments of the last few days it looks like the GOP is ready to put up one hell of a fight. Should be fun.

Cross-posted @ RedState

Bill Stanley's Plan for the 5th District

2010-02-24T18:56:00.000-05:00

So as many of you may have heard the race for Chairman of the 5th District Republican Committee is shaping up. The announced candidates thus far are Bill Stanley, Chairman of the Franklin County Republican Committee and Christian Schoenewald, Chairman of the Albemarle County Republican Committee. I threw my support behind Stanley earlier in the year when he announced:

Many of you know Bill Stanley from his unsuccessful bid for RPV Chair last May as well as his work as Chairman of the Franklin County GOP Committee. As a local unit chair Bill has without a doubt distinguished himself and his committee as one of the best in the state and was named "Unit Chair of the Year" for the 5th District two years running. In Franklin Country, under the leadership of Bill Stanley, the GOP Committee has seen their fundraising and membership increase greatly. I worked on Bill's campaign for RPV Chairman and I can think of no better person to lead the 5th District GOP or RPV for that matter. Youth is something the RPV and GOP as a whole needs desperately. Like Greg, Bill will bring much needed youth to the leadership of the 5th District Committee. Additionally, there is much tension between Republicans in the 5th District at the moment as you may well be very familiar with via the massive amount of news media and blog coverage. The Republicans in the 5th District need an experienced leader with enthusiasm as well as new and innovative ideas who can bring the party back together to work for our common goals. That experienced leader is Bill Stanley.

Here is Bill's plan for victory in the 5th District:

- The 5th District should serve and answer to the Party’s activist and volunteer base.
- The 5th should provide the grassroots organizational structure for each local unit in the 5th necessary to help elect its nominees at every level of government.
- The 5th District should never be conformed to the image of any single candidate, campaign, or elected public official. Candidates, campaigns, and elected public officials come and go, but the Party has a responsibility to endure, reflecting the values and principles of its activist and volunteer base.
- The 5th District should ensure that nomination contests are fair, open and properly conducted, and it should never take sides in party nomination contests (even when incumbents are challenged for the nomination).
- The 5th District should reflect the values and principles of its conservative base, and should never shrink from, apologize for, discount, or diminish their positions on any given issue.
- The 5th District should focus its efforts on training our activists and volunteers at the Unit level, building the structure at every level that will both foster and elect conservative candidates.
- The 5th District should provide an effective, modern (including internet and social networking) structure of communications with the both the activist base and the public.

Raise Money

If elected, I would immediately set in motion significant fund-raising efforts in order to raise at least $250,000.00, to be used by the committee in its efforts to defeat Tom Perriello in 2010, and to strengthen the local units.

Meetings

Because this year is so critical in returning the congressional seat in the 5th District back to conservative hands, the 5th District committee must agree to meet on a more regular basis than in years past. This committee must be dedicated to the process of victory, and this process will take the best and most dedicated efforts and strengths of all of its unit chairmen and members in order to be achieved. I believe that this requires regular planning sessions, strategy meetings, and a regular and consistent interaction between the units.

Establish a Plan for Victory

Make no mistake, Tom Perriello is no pushover, and his funding and campaign organizational skills caught us off-guard in 2008. I personally met more people from Connecticut and New York at local polling places in my county during the last congressional election than I ever care to meet again. We must expect the same tactics, and we must be prepared. In order to win, we must out-prepare, out-organize, out-work the democrats, and execute a cohesive political strategy to beat our opponent. We are Virginians, we don’t need help from outsiders to determine the future of our region. To quote a famous line in the movie “Rudy”: No one, and I MEAN NO ONE, comes into our backyard and pushes us around. We will not allow this to occur in 2010. Therefore, we must establish a specific plan for victory that utilizes all of our best resources and organizational skills in a manner never before seen in 5th District politics. And, we need to do this now.

Education of the Grassroots Volunteers/Local Candidates

The 5th District Committee owes to each of its units a fundamental obligation to train the membership, future local candidates and grassroots volunteers in order to achieve success at the local ballot box. As chairman, I will ensure that the 5th District establishes an educational and training program for both local candidates and grassroots activists. We must raise a well-trained army of Republican volunteers that not only utilizes each individual’s talents to be used throughout the District, but also we must prepare and equip them with the skills necessary to defeat Tom Perriello at each polling place. If elected, I promise that each unit will have all the necessary resources needed to win. There must not be a polling place within the 5th District that goes unmanned, there will not be a door that has not been knocked on, nor a call not made; we will not fail because of a lack of effort in 2010.

Assist Local Units in Fundraising Efforts

If elected, I will implement programs of joint partnership with the local units to raise funds for the operations of each unit. A well-funded local committee, is a successful committee that fosters the growth of local conservative candidates. The candidate that each unit develops and supports is a potential conservative that will lead us in the future on the state level. We must support the autonomous growth of our party’s future leaders within each unit.

Public Relations/New Media

For too long, our units within the 5th have acted independently, and without a cohesive message. We must be able to come together, as one unit, with one voice, and with the singular goal to defeat the well-funded incumbent Tom Perriello. If elected, I will implement a Public Relations strategy that gets our conservative message out to the constituents and to the media on a constant basis. This will involve a focused effort on traditional media outlets, as well as a complete utilization of new media. We must establish a new method of having each committee in the 5th communicate on a real time basis with other units, in order to create a cohesive and seamless political operation.

Strengthen College Republicans

We have a great resource of colleges throughout the 5th District that must be tapped into. Not only are these members the future of our party, they are an excellent volunteer resource. The Committee needs to foster and grow its relationship to these clubs at every college within the 5th, and we must integrate them fully into 5th District political operations.

New Member Outreach

The 5th District must energetically enact programs and establish objectives to double the membership of each unit in 2010. We need to reach out to the disaffected, the disenfranchised, the youth, ethnic groups, conservative organizations, and the young professionals. The Republican Party is a big tent, and we must continuously strive to bring new and energized activists into our local ranks.

Voter Registration

It is our obligation to register new voters during each election cycle. Last year, I along with other Republican leaders in the 5th and RPV, established a target-specific voter registration drive of those unregistered voters in our District that held hunting, fishing and concealed-carry permits. This is an unregistered group of in excess of 15,000 citizens in our District alone. Although the registration effort was started with little time before the 2009 election, we were able to register a significant number of new voters within our district; the second amendment is an important issue in light of the democrats’ recent efforts to limit our right to bear arms. If elected, I will continue this voter registration drive in the 5th District, and will pledge to have our committee lead the effort in registering 10,000 new conservative voters before the 2010 election.

Create a Level Playing Field in all Elections

It is the responsibility of the 5th district to guarantee a level playing field for all Republican candidates who run in contested primaries. I pledge to you that all candidates who have the courage to run for public office, in both the upcoming congressional election and future elections on the local and state level, will be afforded an equal opportunity to reach voters in the units within the District; that they will be treated with respect, and that we will guarantee that they will have their message heard by all of the members of our community. This is critical for us to provide every voter with a full and complete opportunity to decide for themselves, free from the influence and without the interference of the party apparatus, just who is the best candidate to represent the Republican Party in each and every election, whether it be local, state or national.

UPDATED: What is the NRA's deal?

2010-02-24T16:02:00.003-05:00

News has now come out that the NRA has endorsed Rep. Rick Boucher for his bid for re-election today.

From the Roanoke Times:

The National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund has endorsed Rick Boucher in his re-election bid, according to Boucher’s campaign office.

The endorsement comes with an A+ rating based on Boucher’s voting record on the Second Amendment.

“I am pleased to again have the endorsement of the NRA. Throughout my service in Congress, I have strongly supported gun owners’ rights and have worked closely with the NRA and sportsmen in Southwest Virginia to ensure that those rights are protected,” Boucher said.

I find this a complete and utter injustice to the NRA's typical endorsement procedures. The GOP nominee has not been decided and will not be decided until the 9th District GOP Convention on May 22.

If you recall there was much controversy surrouding the NRA endorsement last fall in the 8th House of Delegates district which also surrounded someone involved in the 9th race- Delegate Morgan Griffith. If you missed this catch up here, here, here, and here.

My understanding is that standard procedure for the NRA Institute for Legislative Action/NRA Political Victory Fund endorsement is after the nominees have been set for both the GOP and Dems that a questionaire is then sent to both candidates, they fill it out, send it back, its graded and they make their endorsement. They do make endorsements in primaries at times, like last year when Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli was endorsed leading up to the GOP State Convention. I get that this is a big race but why change your typical procedure now? And why endorse Boucher when he is mostly likely getting ready to recieve a challange from someone who has also consistantly recieved an A+ rating from the group.

An A+ is described by the NRA as:

A legislator with not only an excellent voting record on all critical NRA issues, but who has also made a vigorous effort to promote and defend the Second Amendment.

I also understand the NRA likes Boucher, but it seems kind of messed up to me that you turn your back completely on someone who you spent $5,231 on in independent expenditures on to ensure he was re-elected to the House of Delegates less than six months ago and in addition have contributed a total of $24,200 to get him elected since 1996.

If the NRA was to endorse Boucher in August or September I would have said oh well. But something really smells funny about this endorsement given the fact that it was given in February as well as the fact that Boucher is about to be challanged by somone who has also recieved an A+ rating from the NRA in the past and the NRA state association has had things like this to say about him:

Delegate Griffith is reliable friend of gun owners in the Virginia General Assembly. As a member of the House Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee, he is one of the "go-to" legislators when we need to kill a bad bill and when a good bill needs to be moved out of committee.

UPDATE- Response from Griffith camp:

Griffith issued a response this afternoon, congratulating Boucher on the endorsement but questioning his commitment to Democratic leadership that has received much lower NRA ratings.

“The NRA has endorsed Congressman Boucher based on specific votes he has taken in Washington on issues of importance to sportsmen and gun owners,” Griffith said. “There is, however, one vote taken at the beginning of each Congress that the group does not compute into its ratings. And on that vote, for Speaker of the House, he has been placing in a position of power Nancy Pelosi, who clearly does not have a commitment to protecting the Second Amendment rights of Americans.

“I commit to the voters of the 9th District, I will never vote for a Speaker of the House who does not share my strong support for the Second Amendment.”

Griffith also touted the consistent “A” rating he’s received from the NRA during his tenure in the House of Delegates.

House Majority Leader Del. Morgan Griffith forms campaign committee

2010-02-23T17:20:00.005-05:00

From the Roanoke Times:

State Del. Morgan Griffith of Salem has taken a formal step toward becoming a Republican candidate for the congressional seat held by U.S. Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Abingdon, forming a campaign committee and releasing a statement of support from Republican state legislators in the 9th Congressional District.

Griffith said this afternoon that he has not made a final decision to get in the race, but acknowledged that "clearly, I'm on the edge of a decision."

Statements of support for Griffith's candidacy were issued in a press release with the heading, "Morgan Griffith for Congress." Griffith also said he has taken the steps to form the committee. But he said he wants to speak with more unit chairman in the 9th District before fully committing to running for the seat.

Update:

Here's the press release:

9th District Legislators Declare Support for Griffith for Congress

Griffith wins early backing from General Assembly members representing Southwest

Richmond, Virginia, 23 February 2010: House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) received strong support to make the race for Congress today, as members of the General Assembly representing the 9th Congressional District in the Virginia General Assembly threw their support behind his possible candidacy.

“Morgan has been a strong voice for Southwest in Richmond, and the values of the people of Southwest would be better represented if he were their voice in Washington,” declared Delegate Charles W. “Bill” Carrico (R-Grayson). Carrico was the Republican nominee against incumbent Congressman Frederick C. “Rick” Boucher (D-VA09) in the 2006 election.

“Morgan is the best candidate to represent our values in Washington,” said Delegate Terry G. Kilgore (R-Scott). “He’ll make a great nominee and he’ll be a great congressman. He will bring common sense to Washington.”

“I’ve lived in Southwest Virginia all my life, and my father and I have fought for the values of the people of Southwest,” noted Senator William C. Wampler Jr. (R-Bristol). “I know that Morgan is the best opportunity for the 9th District to have a voice that reflects their values in Washington.”

“Southwest needs Morgan in Congress,” said Delegate Anne B. Crockett-Stark (R-Wythe). “He’s been looking out for the people of our region in the House of Delegates, and he’s demonstrated time and again his effectiveness as a strong leader and effective representative for Southwest Virginia.”

“Morgan and I both represent parts of the 9th Congressional District, and we work closely together on a host of issues that are vital to Southwest,” remarked Delegate Charles D. Poindexter (R-Franklin). “Morgan has been able to make a real difference in Richmond, and when he goes to Washington the people of Southwest will have a representative that will vote their interests on the key issues of jobs, energy, and government spending.”

“Coal is the lifeblood of Southwest, and Morgan Griffith will stand up for coal and against the job-killing cap-and-trade scheme that would cripple our industry,” noted Delegate James W. “Will” Morefield (R-Tazewell).

“Morgan understands how essential Virginia Tech and Radford Universities are to job creation, research and the economic viability of Southwest Virginia,” noted Delegate David A. Nutter (R-Montgomery).

“Virginia is the best state to do business because we work to keep taxes low, and Morgan has been a consistent opponent of higher taxes,” said Senator Ralph K. Smith (R-Botetourt). “He has been a fighter for conservative principles.”

House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem) represents the Eighth District in the Virginia House of Delegates. The Eighth District is comprised of the City of Salem and portions of Roanoke County.

New Young Cons Video: The Problem

2010-02-12T11:45:00.000-05:00

Nice shout outs to Marco Rubio, Allen West, and Michelle Malkin. Also like the Regan between verses.

Rubio continues to rise while Charlie Crist is still hanging with Obama

2010-02-02T13:47:00.003-05:00

As you can see FL Gov. Charlie Crist (to the right of the Naval Officer) is still hanging out with President Obama. Obama meanwhile bowed to the Mayor of Tampa, Pam Iorio.

This all occurred last Thursday when Obama made another campaign stop in Florida.

Then yesterday:

BAM!

Former state House Speaker Marco Rubio has now jumped to a 12-point lead over Governor Charlie Crist in Florida’s Republican Primary race for the U.S. Senate.
A new Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of likely GOP Primary voters in the state finds Rubio leading Crist 49% to 37%. Three percent (3%) prefer another candidate, and 11% are undecided.

The new numbers mark a stunning turnaround. Crist was the strong favorite when he first announced for the Senate seat, and Rubio was viewed as a long-shot challenger.
But Crist’s support fell from 53% in August to 49% in October. By December, the two men were tied at 43% apiece.

In Florida's Senate general election contest, Crist and Rubio both hold a double-digit lead over their likely Democratic opponent, Congressman Kendrick Meek, in the latest Rasmussen Reports polling of likely voters in the state.

Above is the latest graph of the polls from the Senate Conservatives Fund

Just a reminder to you all that haven't heard. As we try to finish Crist off the Senate Conservatives Fund is holding a moneybomb for Marco next Wednesday February 10, which happens to be the one year anniversary of the day Crist appeared with Obama in Florida to promote the stimulus. Click here to pledge to donate. This primary is truly the battle for the heart and soul of our party not VA-5 as some of you may think. Charlie Crist is a moderate and that has been proven time and time again. We must defeat Charlie Crist. And all that aside the GOP needs new, diverse, well educated, well spoken, and younger leadership with new ideas if we are going to beat the Dems and get off this socialist track. It would be a crying shame if Marco Rubio wasn't given the opportunity to be a leader for the GOP in the US Senate.

And for all of you who are going to CPAC Marco will be giving the keynote address! See ya there!

PS Marco Rubio for US Senate

Watching the State of the Union?

2010-01-27T18:57:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Americans for Tax Reform you can play a little game of "State of the Union Bingo" while you watch:

Awesome video- Marines Invade Hati

2010-01-27T16:49:00.000-05:00

State Senate votes to raise taxes, Sen. Ralph Smith updates constituents

2010-01-27T16:20:00.003-05:00

Dear Friends,

Today I voted for Virginians' retention of their right to decide if taxes should be raised on food and beverages. Unfortunately, the majority voted against that right.

This afternoon the Senate passed SB 280 by a 25-15 vote. If SB 280 passes the House of Delegates and is signed into law by the Governor, every county government in Virginia will be able to raise their local tax on food and beverages as high as they like if a simple majority of the Board of Supervisors agrees. Current law requires that such tax increases be approved by county voters through a referendum. Five counties, including Roanoke and Montgomery, are allowed to increase this tax through a unanimous vote by the Board of Supervisors.

Proponents of such tax increases argue the current thresholds are too high and make it too difficult to raise taxes. Several do not believe that taxpayers should have a direct say on the level of taxes that they pay. It should surprise no one, that I believe it should be difficult to raise taxes and they certainly should not be raised during a recession.

I strongly urge you to contact your Delegate and let him know that this legislation is on its way over and you would appreciate his opposition. You can use this website, to check your Delegate's most recent contact information.

Electric Bills

Several bills addressing Virginia's rising electric rates are currently before the Senate. I give especially serious consideration to these bills because of the potential for unintended consequences that could aggravate the situation. While studying the issue, I have come to find that the facts and the statements made by utility representatives are not always the same thing.

I have decided to take an informal and unscientific survey of constituents to verify some facts. I would appreciate it if you could take a look at your last electric bill and then reply to this email with the following information:

1) What electric company or co-op does your family use?

2) What was the cost of your last electric bill?

3) What was the billing period for this payment and how many days were included?

4) How many kilowatt hours did your family use during this period?

I thank you all in advance for your participation. This information will help me verify some information, answer questions, and better serve you in Richmond.

In future emails, I will update you on the state's budget situation, the progress of my legislative initiatives, and the status of other bills that could affect our region. If you would like to express an opinion on a matter before the Senate, I hope you will not hestitate to contact me at my Richmond office. I can be reached there at

804-698-7522, this email address, and on Facebook.

Sincerely,

Ralph K. Smith
Senate of Virginia
District 22

Rubio rising, takes lead from Crist

2010-01-27T16:11:00.000-05:00

From an AP Report (emphasis added):

"The horse race numbers are not a fluke," said Peter Brown, assistant polling director for Quinnipiac in Connecticut. "Rubio's grassroots campaigning among Republican activists around the state clearly has paid off."

The latest survey marks a stunning turnaround for the 38-year-old Rubio, a conservative who trailed Crist by 31 points in a Quinnipiac survey taken in June.

From the Miami Herald (emphasis added)

Crist has struggled as the economy nose-dived and unemployment surged. His jobs programs haven't worked. He raised taxes last year. He has to return money when his biggest contributor, Scott Rothstein, was accused in a Ponzi scheme.

Crist's biggest mistake might have been his decision to stump with Barack Obama for the stimulus package loathed by the Republican base that will decide this contest.

At the time Crist appeared onstage with Obama in February, it seemed like good politics, with the president enjoying sky-high approval ratings. A full 64 percent of Floridians approved of the job he was doing with only 23 percent disapproving, according to a February Quinnipiac poll.

No more.

Now, 49 percent of Floridians disapprove of the way Obama's handling his job, while 45 percent approve.

The big story, though, is Crist. With approval ratings that were once in the 70s, Crist looked like a shoo-in in the U.S. Senate race, which is viewed by some as a national bellwether of tea-party activists and anti-incumbent sentiment.

Recent highlights from the Rubio campaign (via Senate Conservatives Fund):

11/05 - Family Research Council endorses Rubio
11/09 - Club for Growth endorses Rubio
11/19 - Research 2000 poll shows Crist 47%, Rubio 37% (Crist +10%)
12/15 - Rasmussen Reports poll shows Crist 43%, Rubio 43% (TIED)
1/26 - Quinnipiac University poll shows Rubio 47%, Crist 44% (Rubio +3)

Virginia's Crisis Pregnancy Center's Are Under Attack

2010-01-26T19:27:00.000-05:00

The following was posted by SWVA Activist at VA Social Conservative. I am reposting one because I was asked to on behalf of a good friend and two because after reading the letter I found that this is a serious injustice which any and all Virginians who hold the sanctity of life dear should fight.

A friend recently forwarded this e-mail to me.

Blue Ridge Women's Center rarely mentions political matters, but two bills currently under consideration in Virginia would directly impact our Center, and we'd appreciate your help.

Last week the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation announced that, after a year-long undercover investigation into pregnancy centers like ours throughout the commonwealth, legislation is being proposed to further regulate our work (see this report from the Family Foundation:http://www.familyfoundationblog.com/2010/01/20/naral-general-assembly-allies-attack-apolitical-pregnancy-resource-centers/). Would you help keep Virginia centers free from the burdensome regulations of SB 188 and HB 452? Contact your legislators (http://www.familyfoundation.org/legislator.html ) and recommend that they vote against these two bills. And please do so quickly—we just found out that the subcommittee hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.

We are, as always, grateful for your support, your prayers, and your concern for the women and children of our community. Below you'll find our press release responding to the NPCVF report.

Blue Ridge Women's Center today responded to charges by the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation that the majority of crisis pregnancy centers in Virginia provide "medically inaccurate information" and therefore represent "a threat to public health" rather than benefiting women who face unplanned pregnancy.

Blue Ridge Women's Center issued the following statement in responseto last week's NPCVF report:

"Women who face unplanned pregnancy need reliable information, practical resources, and emotional support. Blue Ridge Women's Center, which has been a trusted part of the local community service networkfor over 25 years, understands this and stands behind its services to the women of the Roanoke Valley.

"Numerous other local organizations—including physicians, hospitals, clinics, social-service providers, schools, and churches—refer clients to Blue Ridge Women's Center, depending on us to provide them with free pregnancy testing and pregnancy verification, parenting and life skills classes, maternity clothes and baby items. Our peer counseling services have helped thousands of women to navigate the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. We value the trust placed in us by our communityand are committed to providing quality care in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment.

"While the NPCVF report cited no specific examples of 'medicalfalsehoods' perpetuated by Blue Ridge Women's Center nor quotes purported to have come from our Center, our name is included on the list of pregnancy centers that they allegedly investigated, and they indicate that they contacted us by phone on four occasions. Due to the undercover nature of NPCVF's actions, we cannot confirm that such telephone contact took place.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center has medical professionals on its paid and volunteer staff, including a Medical Director who is a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN. We conduct regular reviews of our literature and medical services to ensure that any information distributed to our clients is consistent with current research findings and accepted medical protocol.

"In addition to this, Blue Ridge Women's Center and many of the other pregnancy centers in Virginia voluntarily comply with a set of industry standards upholding accuracy and excellence in client care and communications. As an affiliate of CareNet, NIFLA, and Heartbeat International, Blue Ridge Women's Center annually reaffirms a written 'Commitment of Care and Competence,' and requires its client-services staff and volunteers to participate in continuing education to keep their knowledge and skills current. NPCVF has provided no evidence that our Center has either violated this 'Commitment of Care and Competence' or supplied misinformation to our clients.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center provides free support services to hundreds of women annually, and has served more than 14,000 women and families since 1984. We encourage anyone concerned about the quality of our work to consider the testimony of our clients, who indicate a high level of satisfaction with the Center on their exit interviews.

"'I would recommend friends, family, or acquaintances who have unplanned pregnancy to come here for support,' one of our clients writes, and she's not alone in that recommendation. Last year over half of our clients came to us through referrals from family members or friends.

"With the continuing support of its donors and volunteers, Blue Ridge Women's Center remains committed to providing quality care to the women of our community regardless of their age, race, religion, income level, or circumstances.

"Regarding the funds from the Choose Life license plate campaign to which the NPCVF report refers, Blue Ridge Women's Center does not receive any financial support from the federal or commonwealth government, and has neither requested nor received any funds from the sale of Choose Life license plates.

Many thanks,

Rev. Phil Holsinger (Coach), President/CEO

When will Obama get it?

2010-01-24T17:17:00.003-05:00

Verga hasn't voted in 21 of last 27 elections

2010-01-24T14:59:00.000-05:00

The Lynchburg News and Advance is reporting that Laurence Verga, candidate for Congress in Virginia's 5th District hasn't even voted in 21 of the past 27 elections.

Laurence Verga — a real estate investor from Ivy and one of seven Republicans seeking the party’s nomination against Perriello — skipped the presidential elections of 1992, 1996 and 2000, as well as many other high-profile votes going back to the early ’90s.

Verga, 46, said he did not often participate in the political process until recently, as he found himself growing increasingly dismayed at the direction of the country under the Democrats.

How are you qualified to represent the citizens of the 5th District if you have barely voted in your life? People like this, who refuse to participate in the political process, have ZERO right to complain about what is being done in government. ZERO.

Verga, who moved from California to Virginia in 2004, chose not to cast a ballot in the 2005 election in which Democrat Timothy M. Kaine was elected governor and Republican Bob McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds for attorney general by a mere 323 votes. Verga also sat out the 2003 and 2007 elections in which all the seats in the General Assembly were up for grabs.

He did not vote in Virginia’s Republican presidential primary in 2008. Neither did he participate in the 2005 statewide GOP primary that chose the party’s nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general.

An internal Republican Party of Virginia voting history database shows every candidate in the 5th District GOP primary is designated as either a “Hard R” or a “Republican Prospect” with the one exception of Verga, who is listed as “Unidentified.”

Verga is just a bored Californian who thinks he can come to Virginia and buy his way into Congress when he has minimal qualifications to represent such a large and diverse constituency and has blatantly refused to exercise his right to vote. I hope Verga will realize this and that he immediately drops out of this race. He has given democracy and the right to vote the middle finger and the 5th District of Virginia deserves better than that.

Chris LaCivita, strategist for Robert Hurt, a Republican state senator from Chatham and another leading candidate in the 5th District GOP primary race, said Verga’s voting participation should be a cause for concern.

“With a voting record like that, he wants 5th District voters to now vote for him so he can represent them in Washington?” LaCivita said. “That may be the way they do things in San Francisco, but it’s not the way we do things here in Virginia.”

Rest Stops are reopening!

2010-01-21T13:50:00.000-05:00

From the Washington Post:

Gov. Bob McDonnell visited the Commonwealth Transportation Board this afternoon this afternoon to ask that the board vote to reopen the 19 highway rest stops ordered closed by former Gov. Tim Kaine to save $9 million. And, unsurprisingly, the board voted to do just that. Unanimously.

YAY!

Greg Habeeb for 6th District GOP Committee Chairman, Bill Stanley for 5th District GOP Committee Chairman

2010-01-18T21:07:00.003-05:00

As some of you may have heard Salem GOP Committee Chairman Greg Habeeb has announced his candidacy for Chairman of the 6th District GOP Committee and Franklin County GOP Chairman Bill Stanley has announced his candidacy for Chairman of the 5th District GOP Committee. Both Bill and Greg have been hands down two of the best, if not the two best, unit chairs in the Republican Party of Virginia over the past few years and both were named "Unit Chairman of the Year" by their respective congressional district committees.

Many of you know Bill Stanley from his unsuccessful bid for RPV Chair last May as well as his work as Chairman of the Franklin County GOP Committee. As a local unit chair Bill has without a doubt distinguished himself and his committee as one of the best in the state and was named "Unit Chair of the Year" for the 5th District two years running. In Franklin Country, under the leadership of Bill Stanley, the GOP Committee has seen their fundraising and membership increase greatly. I worked on Bill's campaign for RPV Chairman and I can think of no better person to lead the 5th District GOP or RPV for that matter. Youth is something the RPV and GOP as a whole needs desperately. Like Greg, Bill will bring much needed youth to the leadership of the 5th District Committee. Additionally, there is much tension between Republicans in the 5th District at the moment as you may well be very familiar with via the massive amount of news media and blog coverage. The Republicans in the 5th District need an experienced leader with enthusiasm as well as new and innovative ideas who can bring the party back together to work for our common goals. That experienced leader is Bill Stanley. I encourage any and all 5th District Republicans to support Bill Stanley to be the new 5th District GOP Committee Chairman.

Bill's website from his run for RPV Chairman is still up and you can click here to access it. While I have not confirmed this, I will be willing to bet that Bill will use many of the same ideas from his run for RPV Chair that you find on the above website if he is elected 5th District Chair.

Greg has done an outstanding job as Salem committee chair and was recognized as "Unit Chairman of the Year" for the entire Republican Party of Virginia in 2008. I fully endorse his candidacy and encourage any other Republicans in the 6th District to attend the 6th District convention and support Greg. He will bring new ideas, enthusiasm, and much needed youth to the 6th District Committee and State Central. I would also like to add that if it was not for the enthusiasm and welcoming attitude of people like Greg I would have been reluctant to get involved with the local GOP in Roanoke during my breaks.

Here is Greg's email to 6th District Republicans:

Fellow 6th District Republicans

It was great to see so many of you in Richmond this weekend for the Inauguration of Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli. We face tough times as a Commonwealth and as a Nation but there is no question that we are now led by the best possible team in Richmond. I wish I could say the same thing for Washington. At least we have a great Congressman, Bob Goodlatte, doing his best to fight back the Obama/Pelosi/Reid agenda.

While this is a great time to be a Republican in Virginia, we must admit that for years our Republican elected officials have grown detached from their constituents and moved away from the fundamental principles on which this Party was formed. We lost our identity, we diluted our brand and we've paid for it electorally. The desire to restore our party to its core principles and rebuild our brand was the driving force behind my deciding to run for Salem Republican Committee Chair a few years back. Over the last 2 years, we have made great strides in Salem. Our Committee has grown exponentially in numbers without sacrificing our principles. We have put an infrastructure in place that has local Democrats panicked and scrambling to catch up. We have raised our profile through traditional and new media. We have raised money and supported our candidates while still holding them accountable. Simply put, we have made our Committee relevant.

Believe me, these efforts by so many on the ground have not gone unnoticed. There is a new buzz about the Republican Party in Salem. We have won elections with record numbers. Elected officials are now reaching out for our support and recognizing the need to stay in touch with those of us in the grassroots. Ultimately, we were humbled to be named the 2008 Unit Chairman of the Year for the entire Commonwealth and the 2009 Unit Chairman of the Year for the 6th District. I say "we" because those awards are a reflection of the work done by dozens and dozens of people.

As I pondered what was next, many of you have approached me about running for Chair in the 6th District. I must admit, this was not initially on my radar screen but, the more I thought about it, the more I believed that we could bring a new energy, purpose and focus to the Committee. We could provide the type of leadership necessary to restore unity where it is lacking in the 6th and build on our already solid infrastructure. Over the last few weeks I have spoken to numerous grassroots and elected leaders in the 6th and I have been humbled by the positive response I have received.

It is for all of these reasons that I am announcing my candidacy for the Chair of the 6th District Republican Committee to be elected at our Convention on May 22nd in Lynchburg.

Over the next few weeks I hope to speak to all of you to let you know some of my ideas and to get feedback from each of you. Until then, know that my goal in running for this position is not power, control or personal gain. I am doing this to support you, the grassroots leaders in the 6th District, and to continue to make the 6th District the strongest Republican District in the State.

Thanks and I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Greg

Cross posted @ VA Social Conservative

Marco Rubio on CNBC's The Kudlow Report

2010-01-14T23:05:00.000-05:00

Hurt raises close to $300,000

2010-01-14T11:55:00.005-05:00

Hurt Raises Nearly $300,000 in Last Two Months of '09
Impressive Debut Performance Demonstrates Broad Grassroots Support
Over 80% of Money Came from Virginia; Over 450 Total Donors
Chatham, VA -- State Senator Robert Hurt, conservative Republican congressional candidate in Virginia's 5th District, announced Thursday he raised $293,408 in his debut fundraising quarter. Hurt only began soliciting donations after November's elections so as not to detract from the fundraising efforts of our state-level GOP candidates. Senator Hurt will also report over $259,000 cash on hand.

The majority of Senator Hurt's money came from the 5th Congressional District and over 80% was contributed by in-state donors. In total, over 450 people donated to his campaign.

Senator Hurt released the following statement remarking upon his strong fundraising report:

"I'm incredibly humbled by and grateful to all of the people who have recognized the importance of this campaign and the promise of my candidacy. I'm proud to announce that we were able to raise nearly $300,000 in less than two months, even during the Christmas holidays. We owe our early success to grassroots Republicans in central and Southside Virginia who believe in our campaign's conservative message. I'm delighted to note that we exceeded our fundraising goals and appear to have raised more money from district residents than any other Republican in the race. Defeating Tom Perriello in November will not be easy, and it will take someone who can persuade hard-working folks from Danville to Charlottesville that this cause is worth their time and investment.

I'm also proud of our ability to attract financial support from over 450 people. A donation is an investment, and I believe it's important to have a broad financial base of in-district support that will translate into votes instead of simply relying on a handful of large contributions. I'm confident this philosophy will serve us well throughout the campaign, and I'm very much looking forward to building on our early strength with everyday Virginians in the year ahead."

Update 1: I was going through the Twitter updates of those that I follow and I came across this tweet from @Verga4Congress:

Hurt's finance report only confirms that I am only conservative that can beat NRCC-bckd moderate

This is possibly the most ridiculous statement I have ever heard. According to this CQ Politics report of $287,604 that Laurence Verga raised in 2009, all but $11,025 came from loans to the campaign from Verga himself. This campaign report proves the exact opposite of what Verga is trying to say in this tweet. Senator Hurt:

1. Raised around $6,000 more than Verga and raised more than any other candidate in this race.
2. Had donations from over 450 individuals which is more individual donors than any other candidate running for the GOP nomination
3. Has more cash on hand than any other candidate in this race.
4. Has the highest number of donors from within Virginia out of all candidates for the GOP nomination.

To me this shoots to hell the argument that the other candidates have been trying to prove, mainly Verga, throughout the whole campaign. I learned during my early days in politics that large number of donors=grassroots support.

I hope all of you will take the time to read this article about why self-funded candidates are bad for the Republican Party as well as the conservative movement, and that is exactly what Laurence Verga is. His campaign has nothing to say except that Robert Hurt is bad and that they did well fundraising, and they neglect to tell you that it is because Verga made a huge personal loan to the campaign. I've said it before and I'll say it again that whoever wins this nomination will win because they talk about the issues and what solutions they will bring to Washington that will help Virginia and its 5th Congressional district back on track, not how Robert Hurt, the NRCC, and the 5th District GOP Committee are supposedly trying to screw you.

Self-funders are particulary popular among money-addled political insiders for a few key reasons. First, their personal money takes the need for much party money off the table, or so it's thought. Second, they can afford to pay consultants, and lots of them, and for eye-popping amounts. Third, they will often refill the coffers of local parties in a wink and nod exchange for much-needed endorsements.

But the record of self-funders in American politics is notoriously poor. In California alone, about a half dozen of them have spectacularly crashed on the rocks, from the campaign that gave us Arianna Huffington in 1994 to Al Checchi's $40 million gubernatorial campaign in 1998, Jane Harman's effort in the same primary, and Steve Westly's losing 2006 campaign for the Democratic nomination for Governor.

This year, Jon Corzine was unable to put away Chris Christie with his vast personal fortune, ending one of the few self-funding success stories in American politics. And Michael Bloomberg spent $102 million in one city to eeke out a five point victory against bland party apparatchik Bill Thompson. The size of Bloomberg's bank account in reaching for a third term (for which term limits were repealed) was cited as a factor in the last minute closing of the race.

At the federal level, ask Senator Pete Coors how well self-funding works. Or President Mitt Romney.

It's not just that these candidates were running unwinnable races. Often they were way ahead after an early barrage of advertising. But they blew it, despite their money.

Update 2: From "The Scorecard" blog on Politico:

One of his conservative opponents is Laurence Verga, a businessman who loaned his campaign $214,000 but raised only $23,000 in donations. Verga banked $218,000 at the end of last year.

Verga has been railing against Hurt as a moderate establishment type, and has been appearing on talk radio and posting on RedState.com to position himself as the only true conservative in the race.

Urgent- Scott Brown for United States Senate

2010-01-14T10:41:00.003-05:00

This Tuesday an election will be held in Massachusetts to fill the unexpired term of Teddy Kennedy. What was once thought to be a "gimme" in one of the bluest states has turned into a real horse race. Scott Brown, a current state legislator and lieutenant colonel in the National Guard, has an even chance to be the 41st vote against ObamaCare. This is a great opportunity for the Republican Party and the conservative movement.

This past Tuesday in Virginia we lost Ken Cuccinelli's seat in the State Senate because we thought we could win it cheap. Well here's some news: hotly contested races, especially in areas that usually tend to lean blue like Fairfax County, VA and Massachusetts, cost a lot of money and if you aren't willing to spend that money you are hurting your chances of winning that election. Weather it is $5 or $10 or $2400, every little bit will help Scott Brown win this seat. If you truly care about America and our core conservative values please click here and contribute to Scott Brown for US Senate.

Many of you who were involved in the Bob McDonnell for Governor campaign (just a side note- I am looking forward to the inaugural festivities this weekend and I hope to see many of you there) remember the call from home feature for volunteers who maybe didn't have enough time to go to a local victory office etc. etc. Well Scott Brown also has that and it is allowing conservatives from all across the country to help him reach out to voters. Turnout in special elections like this is usually very low and we need to get as many people out there to vote for Scott Brown, so GOTV (Get Out The Vote) efforts are very crucial in this campaign. click here to make calls from home, no matter where you are in our great nation and help Scott Brown win this seat back for the people.

PS: Scott Brown for US Senate

Rep. Bob Goodlatte on visa lottery

2010-01-13T16:47:00.001-05:00

On Monday of this week, I had just returned home from another frustrating experience with big government and burdensome regulations at the Department of Motor Vehicles. I became even more frustrated when I learned while watching Fox News that terrorists could enter our country undetected through this visa lottery program. I was assured though, when my congressman came on the TV and I was once again reminded that I have someone who will fight for what is right and what is in the best interests of the people representing me in Congress. Few Americans are fortunate enough to be able to say that.

Thank you for all your hard work Congressman Goodlatte.

Screw the Internet, get this guy back on TV

2010-01-11T13:29:00.002-05:00

Hope you get as many laughs as I did out of this

Hurt puts to rest debate attacks

2010-01-11T10:11:00.001-05:00

In an email this morning to supporters, State Senator Robert Hurt put to rest claims from other candidates in the 5th Congressional District that he is ducking debates:

I also want to ensure that we are doing all we can to keep our Republican voters in the 5th district as informed as possible as to who is the most capable, serious and experienced candidate to take on Tom Perriello in the fall. Debates are a great way to showcase our individual talents and expertise, and while most of us running for this seat agree on just about everything, debates are time honored tradition that are good practice for the fall.

Finally, as many of you know, I am being referred to as the "front-runner" in this campaign. While I'd rather be the front runner than at the back of the pack - it has come with its fair share of false attacks by some of my opponents. While I am proposing 5 district wide debates and plan on attending many more forums, my opponents are stating that I am somehow "ducking" debates. Apparently, they believe that if you say it loud enough and repeat it enough times that people will believe it.

For more recent news on the 5th District check out our friends over at VA Social Conservative and Bearing Drift.

The Daily Caller has launched

2010-01-11T03:47:00.002-05:00

What has been dubbed the "Right's answer to the Huffington Post", The Daily Caller, Fox News Contributor Tucker Carlson's new web based news site launched just after midnight on Monday. Many on the right (including myself) have been looking forward to the launch of this site and it has definitely lived up to my expectations. The Daily Caller received an enormous amount of hype leading up to the launch (which was pushed back twice) by various news sources and you can easily find them with a simple Google search. But here is one from Howard Kurtz and a podcast with Tucker from Politico.

The site is really great and has Tucker written all over it. Here's the first letter from the editor.

Tucker and the Daily Caller staff have put together a great sites and some of the names should really pop out to you.

Highlights of the launch include:

A great investigative piece by Tucker on the third White House dinner crasher, Carlos Allen.
An anything goes advice column written by Matt Labash of The Weekly Standard.
Guests pieces from Arianna Huffington herself, possible GOP Presidential hopeful Gov. Tim Pawlenty, conservative columnist S.E. Cupp, Democratic strategist and Roanoke resident Mudcat Saunders, Chairman of the Republican Study Committee Rep. Tom Price, and Ford O'Connell and Steve Pearson of Project Virginia.

Very impressive rollout if you asked me. Touche Mr. Carlson.