Jeff McWaters has received the endorsement of Virginia Beach Sheriff-elect and soon-to-be former State Sen. Ken Stolle, who is vacating the seat. In an email today to supporters, Stolle writes:

“In this election there are two Republicans vying for the seat, both have served the community of Virginia Beach for many years and both are good people. For me the choice is clear. Jeff McWaters is the best candidate for the job.

“Jeff has proven his leadership in business and has a record of creating jobs, both nationally and right here in Virginia Beach. The company Jeff started was based on conservative Republican principles of cutting costs and saving states and taxpayers money, while promoting efficiency in government. This is exactly the type of person we need representing us in Richmond.”

But Rosemary Wilson, not too be dissuaded, came out with her own list of endorsements which includes almost all the Republicans in city elected office. Wilson was endorsed today by:

• The Honorable Harvey Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable John Atkinson, Treasurer, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Tina Sinnen, Clerk of the Court, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Leo Wardrup, former member of the Virginia House of Delegates
• The Honorable Louis Jones, Vice-Mayor, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Bob Dyer, Councilmember, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Jim Wood, Councilmember, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable John Uhrin, Councilmember, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Glenn Davis, Councilmember, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Harry Diezel, Councilmember, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Dan Edwards, School Board Chair, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Rita Sweet Bellitto, School Board Vice-Chair, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable William Brunke, School Board Member, City of Virginia Beach
• The Honorable Patrick Salyer, School Board Member, City of Virginia Beach

One notable exception is Mayor Will Sessoms who has endorsed McWaters.

Yesterday, the Jeff McWaters’ campaign for State Senate released a very interesting campaign email that seems like they might know something the rest of us don’t.

Chris LaCivita (who recently aided Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli and was the media advisor for Swift Boat Veterans for Truth) appealed to voters about potential negative campaigning from Rosemary Wilson.

“In her most recent campaign update, Rosemary attacked Jeff McWaters with patent falsehoods. While I won’t bore you with the poorly written fiction, I will tell you that she claims Jeff supported tax increases and that he supports government controlled health care,” writes LaCivita. “Rosemary Wilson is resorting to desperation and to printing and sending out outrageous falsehoods.”

LaCivita goes on to appeal for assistance from voters to report to the campaign any “attack mail”, “attack phone calls”, “attack radio”, and “attack emails.”

While I’d like to think this is merely a reaction to the Wilson update, I sense LaCivita is too smart to be reactive and that this mailer is preemptive.

Which led me to look for potential pitfalls for McWaters.

I discovered via Google two potential story-lines McWaters may have to respond to, if Wilson pursues them (I have no problem sharing them because if I can find it, Wilson already has and McWaters already knows it).

First, McWaters, as CEO of Amerigroup in 2007, was embroiled in a legal proceeding that resulted in liabilities of more than $300 million and a civil penalty of more than $190 million against the company and its affiliate.

At the time, U.S. District Judge Harry D. Leinenweber said the companies’ actions “constituted a several years long, institution-wide goal to fleece defendants’ pockets at the expense of the government, the Medicaid system and the avoided pregnant women” and others with expensive health conditions.

The lawsuit was filed against Amerigroup because the company was accused of not paying healthcare costs for individuals, including pregnant women and those with “expensive health conditions.”

Second, McWaters’ church, Trinity, which he helped found and where he is an elder, does not permit women to hold the position of elder.

As an elder, McWaters’ helped write the church’s official position:

“In searching Scriptures, we found that both men and women were integrally involved in various leadership positions in the church, including the teaching ministries. But it also seemed plain that the qualifications for Elders/Pastors presumed that those roles would be filled by the men of the church while the roles for Deacons and other leaders were not limited in that way.”

The potential argument is this is not an inherited interpretation from a long-standing church; it is a “modern” scriptural interpretation that relegates women in the 21st century, despite no precedent to do so.

I am not saying that either of these issues is devastating or damaging to McWaters, but Wilson may attempt to use them to her advantage.

There are less than two weeks remaining in a campaign that will be decided by name recognition and voter turnout. Will negative campaigning also become part of the equation – from either campaign?

Needless to say, McWaters hiring LaCivita in the waning weeks strikes me as a manager bringing in the most intimidating “closer” he has in the bottom of the ninth - you know, the guy who throws strikes, but isn’t afraid to put one in your ear from time to time. (Ed. update: according to the McWaters campaign, LaCivita has been consulting the campaign since before July.)

If this campaign does go negative, we will find out very soon. With next week being the Thanksgiving holiday, and the following week being the last few days before the election, we may find out as early as this weekend.

With the Democrats effectively abdicating this race, there is the potential for this primary to go nuclear…and in a hurry.

New York Packet
Tuesday, November 20, 1787
[Alexander Hamilton]
To the People of the State of New York:

ASSUMING it therefore as an established truth that the several States, in case of disunion, or such combinations of them as might happen to be formed out of the wreck of the general Confederacy, would be subject to those vicissitudes of peace and war, of friendship and enmity, with each other, which have fallen to the lot of all neighboring nations not united under one government, let us enter into a concise detail of some of the consequences that would attend such a situation.

War between the States, in the first period of their separate existence, would be accompanied with much greater distresses than it commonly is in those countries where regular military establishments have long obtained. The disciplined armies always kept on foot on the continent of Europe, though they bear a malignant aspect to liberty and economy, have, notwithstanding, been productive of the signal advantage of rendering sudden conquests impracticable, and of preventing that rapid desolation which used to mark the progress of war prior to their introduction. The art of fortification has contributed to the same ends. The nations of Europe are encircled with chains of fortified places, which mutually obstruct invasion. Campaigns are wasted in reducing two or three frontier garrisons, to gain admittance into an enemy’s country. Similar impediments occur at every step, to exhaust the strength and delay the progress of an invader. Formerly, an invading army would penetrate into the heart of a neighboring country almost as soon as intelligence of its approach could be received; but now a comparatively small force of disciplined troops, acting on the defensive, with the aid of posts, is able to impede, and finally to frustrate, the enterprises of one much more considerable. The history of war, in that quarter of the globe, is no longer a history of nations subdued and empires overturned, but of towns taken and retaken; of battles that decide nothing; of retreats more beneficial than victories; of much effort and little acquisition.

In this country the scene would be altogether reversed. The jealousy of military establishments would postpone them as long as possible. The want of fortifications, leaving the frontiers of one state open to another, would facilitate inroads. The populous States would, with little difficulty, overrun their less populous neighbors. Conquests would be as easy to be made as difficult to be retained. War, therefore, would be desultory and predatory. PLUNDER and devastation ever march in the train of irregulars. The calamities of individuals would make the principal figure in the events which would characterize our military exploits.

This picture is not too highly wrought; though, I confess, it would not long remain a just one. Safety from external danger is the most powerful director of national conduct. Even the ardent love of liberty will, after a time, give way to its dictates. The violent destruction of life and property incident to war, the continual effort and alarm attendant on a state of continual danger, will compel nations the most attached to liberty to resort for repose and security to institutions which have a tendency to destroy their civil and political rights. To be more safe, they at length become willing to run the risk of being less free.

The institutions chiefly alluded to are STANDING ARMIES and the correspondent appendages of military establishments. Standing armies, it is said, are not provided against in the new Constitution; and it is therefore inferred that they may exist under it.1 Their existence, however, from the very terms of the proposition, is, at most, problematical and uncertain. But standing armies, it may be replied, must inevitably result from a dissolution of the Confederacy. Frequent war and constant apprehension, which require a state of as constant preparation, will infallibly produce them. The weaker States or confederacies would first have recourse to them, to put themselves upon an equality with their more potent neighbors. They would endeavor to supply the inferiority of population and resources by a more regular and effective system of defense, by disciplined troops, and by fortifications. They would, at the same time, be necessitated to strengthen the executive arm of government, in doing which their constitutions would acquire a progressive direction toward monarchy. It is of the nature of war to increase the executive at the expense of the legislative authority.

The expedients which have been mentioned would soon give the States or confederacies that made use of them a superiority over their neighbors. Small states, or states of less natural strength, under vigorous governments, and with the assistance of disciplined armies, have often triumphed over large states, or states of greater natural strength, which have been destitute of these advantages. Neither the pride nor the safety of the more important States or confederacies would permit them long to submit to this mortifying and adventitious superiority. They would quickly resort to means similar to those by which it had been effected, to reinstate themselves in their lost pre-eminence. Thus, we should, in a little time, see established in every part of this country the same engines of despotism which have been the scourge of the Old World. This, at least, would be the natural course of things; and our reasonings will be the more likely to be just, in proportion as they are accommodated to this standard.

These are not vague inferences drawn from supposed or speculative defects in a Constitution, the whole power of which is lodged in the hands of a people, or their representatives and delegates, but they are solid conclusions, drawn from the natural and necessary progress of human affairs.

It may, perhaps, be asked, by way of objection to this, why did not standing armies spring up out of the contentions which so often distracted the ancient republics of Greece? Different answers, equally satisfactory, may be given to this question. The industrious habits of the people of the present day, absorbed in the pursuits of gain, and devoted to the improvements of agriculture and commerce, are incompatible with the condition of a nation of soldiers, which was the true condition of the people of those republics. The means of revenue, which have been so greatly multiplied by the increase of gold and silver and of the arts of industry, and the science of finance, which is the offspring of modern times, concurring with the habits of nations, have produced an entire revolution in the system of war, and have rendered disciplined armies, distinct from the body of the citizens, the inseparable companions of frequent hostility.

There is a wide difference, also, between military establishments in a country seldom exposed by its situation to internal invasions, and in one which is often subject to them, and always apprehensive of them. The rulers of the former can have a good pretext, if they are even so inclined, to keep on foot armies so numerous as must of necessity be maintained in the latter. These armies being, in the first case, rarely, if at all, called into activity for interior defense, the people are in no danger of being broken to military subordination. The laws are not accustomed to relaxations, in favor of military exigencies; the civil state remains in full vigor, neither corrupted, nor confounded with the principles or propensities of the other state. The smallness of the army renders the natural strength of the community an overmatch for it; and the citizens, not habituated to look up to the military power for protection, or to submit to its oppressions, neither love nor fear the soldiery; they view them with a spirit of jealous acquiescence in a necessary evil, and stand ready to resist a power which they suppose may be exerted to the prejudice of their rights.

The army under such circumstances may usefully aid the magistrate to suppress a small faction, or an occasional mob, or insurrection; but it will be unable to enforce encroachments against the united efforts of the great body of the people.

In a country in the predicament last described, the contrary of all this happens. The perpetual menacings of danger oblige the government to be always prepared to repel it; its armies must be numerous enough for instant defense. The continual necessity for their services enhances the importance of the soldier, and proportionably degrades the condition of the citizen. The military state becomes elevated above the civil. The inhabitants of territories, often the theatre of war, are unavoidably subjected to frequent infringements on their rights, which serve to weaken their sense of those rights; and by degrees the people are brought to consider the soldiery not only as their protectors, but as their superiors. The transition from this disposition to that of considering them masters, is neither remote nor difficult; but it is very difficult to prevail upon a people under such impressions, to make a bold or effectual resistance to usurpations supported by the military power.

The kingdom of Great Britain falls within the first description. An insular situation, and a powerful marine, guarding it in a great measure against the possibility of foreign invasion, supersede the necessity of a numerous army within the kingdom. A sufficient force to make head against a sudden descent, till the militia could have time to rally and embody, is all that has been deemed requisite. No motive of national policy has demanded, nor would public opinion have tolerated, a larger number of troops upon its domestic establishment. There has been, for a long time past, little room for the operation of the other causes, which have been enumerated as the consequences of internal war. This peculiar felicity of situation has, in a great degree, contributed to preserve the liberty which that country to this day enjoys, in spite of the prevalent venality and corruption. If, on the contrary, Britain had been situated on the continent, and had been compelled, as she would have been, by that situation, to make her military establishments at home coextensive with those of the other great powers of Europe, she, like them, would in all probability be, at this day, a victim to the absolute power of a single man. It is possible, though not easy, that the people of that island may be enslaved from other causes; but it cannot be by the prowess of an army so inconsiderable as that which has been usually kept up within the kingdom.

If we are wise enough to preserve the Union we may for ages enjoy an advantage similar to that of an insulated situation. Europe is at a great distance from us. Her colonies in our vicinity will be likely to continue too much disproportioned in strength to be able to give us any dangerous annoyance. Extensive military establishments cannot, in this position, be necessary to our security. But if we should be disunited, and the integral parts should either remain separated, or, which is most probable, should be thrown together into two or three confederacies, we should be, in a short course of time, in the predicament of the continental powers of Europe — our liberties would be a prey to the means of defending ourselves against the ambition and jealousy of each other.

This is an idea not superficial or futile, but solid and weighty. It deserves the most serious and mature consideration of every prudent and honest man of whatever party. If such men will make a firm and solemn pause, and meditate dispassionately on the importance of this interesting idea; if they will contemplate it in all its attitudes, and trace it to all its consequences, they will not hesitate to part with trivial objections to a Constitution, the rejection of which would in all probability put a final period to the Union. The airy phantoms that flit before the distempered imaginations of some of its adversaries would quickly give place to the more substantial forms of dangers, real, certain, and formidable.

PUBLIUS

1. This objection will be fully examined in its proper place, and it will be shown that the only natural precaution which could have been taken on this subject has been taken; and a much better one than is to be found in any constitution that has been heretofore framed in America, most of which contain no guard at all on this subject.

(h/t: Constitution.org)

We’re in the middle of the worst recession in a generation with unemployment in double digits, and the number one priority for Democrats throughout the entire first quarter of Obama’s Presidency has been a government takeover of health care.

Whatever problems exist in health care, they pale in comparison to recession, unemployment and economic stagnation.

I think independent voters are screaming, “It’s the economy, stupid!” and the longer Obama wastes time trying to complete a century-old effort to centralize health care in the Federal Government, the less patient independent voters will be with him, and the Congress he’s leading down a dead end path.

Coming soon to the 37^th State Senate district…Dave Marsden. It appears Marsden has established a web appearance showing that he is running for the Democratic nomination. Is this the best candidate that the Democrats could recruit? He nearly won re-election by 209 votes for his House of Delegates seat.

Aside from this, there are some ethical concerns stemming from Marsden’s run for the open State Senate seat that need to be examined closely. For starters, the domain to his State Senate site was purchased on November 17, 2009. He has not filed to run for the seat or even moved into the district yet. Wouldn’t Marsden need to file before spending any money on the race? Also, this would technically be breaking the law, wouldn’t it?

According to the Virginia State Board of Elections, a candidate for elected office in Virginia becomes subject to the provisions of the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act once any of the following occurs:

a. the candidate receives ANY money towards his candidacy;
b. the candidate spends ANY money towards his candidacy; and/or
c. the candidate files a Certificate of Candidate Qualification or a Declaration of Candidacy form;

Once a candidate accomplishes any one of the items listed above, that individual must file a Statement of Organization for a Candidate form within 10 days of receiving and/or spending monies toward his candidacy OR filing a qualifying form.

H/T Riley at Virginia Virtucon

This could end up spelling big trouble with Marsden’s run for State Senate, along with carpetbagging charges. As a resident of the 37^th District, I want someone who is actually involved and living in the district to represent me in the State Senate, as they experience similar issues when it comes to transportation struggles, etc.

If you were to listen to the Virginia Education Association on school choice, you would think that it’s the worst thing in the world.

“I really believe there is an underlying bigotry at the bottom of it all,” said VEA President Kitty Boitnott earlier this year.

If that is the case, then most of Virginia’s families are bigoted, according to a new survey.

The “School Choice in the State” survey, conducted by Braun Research (a firm which has conducted polling for Newsweek, Gallup, Pew, etc.), found that two-thirds of Virginians think public schools are good or excellent, which is fantastic compared to other polling in other states. But also from the survey 6 in 10 Virginians favor tax credits, vouchers, and charter schools.

“Virginia voters say you can support public schools and at the same time support access to more alternatives,” said Paul DiPerna, Research Director for the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice, in a recent conference call with bloggers. “It’s not one or the other, as some have suggested.”

DiPerna also said that this is not a partisan issue, and the survey results back him up. Specifically:

First, there is the level of support:

* Tax-credit scholarships D: 64%; R: 68%; I: 66%
* School vouchers D: 53%; R: 67%; I: 58%
* Special needs school vouchers: D: 81%; R: 79%; I: 76%

Second there is the favorability gap:

* Tax-credit scholarships D: +43; R: +46; I: +44
* School vouchers D: +15; R: +39; I: +22
* Special needs school vouchers D: +67; R: +64; I: +60

“This is certainly not an ‘us versus them’ issue,” said Del. Chris Saxman, head of School Choice Virginia. “This is about doing what’s right; about ensuring that parents have options for their kids; about doing what’s in the best interest of the child.”

But the survey also found several key disconnects.

For example, 40% of respondents would choose to send their children to public schools, but 90% do. 35% would prefer to send their kids to private schools, but only 9 percent do. 8% would like to send their kids to charter schools, only three exist in the state serving 190 kids.

Also, the public greatly underestimates the cost of public school. Less than 1 in 10 voters were able to accurately estimate how much it costs to send a child to public school. So, what is accurate? According to the National Center for Education Statistics in March 2009, the 2007 estimate had per pupil costs at$11,663.

And, where you live plays a big part in how favorable you view the public schools. For example, 70% of Northern Virginians have a positive view of the school system and 67% of suburbanites share that view too. However, in Hampton Roads, only 53% view the schools as positive and in urban areas or small towns, while public schools are viewed about ten percent less positive than their suburban counterparts.

There also is a key point to be made about how recent graduates and child-age families feel about the public school system. The Family Foundation points out from the survey:

“Younger Virginians (those just out of school or in parenting years) more supportive of education choice than older Virginians. In other words, those with the most recent experience with public schools are less likely to want their children to attend them.”

Ultimately, proponents of school choice are looking to the General Assembly – both Republicans and Democrats – to see the results of this survey for what it is: a clear sign from the public that they want more options and they want something done.

“School choice is a win-win for the state, the public school system, and the general public,” said Saxman. “But the ultimate beneficiaries are the kids.”

Cross-posted at Washington Times’ “Virginia Battleground”

Clark Clifford coined the phrase by calling Ronald Reagan an “amiable dunce.”

Clifford, a former Secretary of Defense for LBJ during the Vietnam era, helped Jimmy Carter deal with Iran’s taking of 52 American hostages while America stood by helpless, and left this world under indictment for fraud, conspiracy and taking bribes.

If that’s the choice, we could use a few more amiable dunces.

Reagan caused the left to go looney. They attacked his stance against environmental extremism, his views against nuclear freezes and capitulation to Communism, and his theories on tax policies, but not on the substance of them, per se.

The left (the media, side 2 of the two-headed coin) called Reagan stupid for even thinking that way.

Hollywood had no shortage of resentment either, especially after this “amiable dunce” won re-election by winning 49 states in 1984. Classic scene from Back to the Future set in 1955, talking about what the 80s are like:

“So tell me, Future Boy, who’s President of the United States in 1985?”

“Ronald Reagan.”

“Ronald Reagan? The ACTOR?!”

The amiable dunce???? How silly! How stupid? Certainly, there are smart liberals who could never lose to….to…an actor!

In fact, I have not seen a Republican since Reagan do two very important things, both of which I think are related.

I’ve never seen a national Republican since him beloved enough to draw huge crowds that break traditional political molds. And I’ve never seen a national Republican so viciously attacked not as evil or wrong on issues, but as…well, as a dunce.

What is it about Sarah Palin that scares the left so?

How different is “I can see Russian from my house” to “trees cause pollution“???

Same playbook. Same attacks. Same fear.

You think Democrats want to campaign against a Republican who creates this?

That’s the line at 6 AM in Michigan for Sarah Palin’s book signing that was scheduled for over 12 hours later that night.

Read this except from Christopher Hitchens about Ronald Reagan:

“The fox, as has been pointed out by more than one philosopher, knows many small things, whereas the hedgehog knows one big thing. Ronald Reagan was neither a fox nor a hedgehog. He was as dumb as a stump. He could have had anyone in the world to dinner, any night of the week, but took most of his meals on a White House TV tray. He had no friends, only cronies. His children didn’t like him all that much. He met his second wife—the one that you remember—because she needed to get off a Hollywood blacklist and he was the man to see. Year in and year out in Washington, I could not believe that such a man had even been a poor governor of California in a bad year, let alone that such a smart country would put up with such an obvious phony and loon.” (Slate, of course)

Is that different from the media shellacking of Sarah Palin over the past 2 years?

Reagan had a way to go beyond the media elites and touched something very American that no one has been able to replicate since. Seriously, Reagan’s electoral victory in ‘84 was 538 to 13. In ‘80, he won 489 to 49. Obama’s 365 to 173 victory looks absolutely puny by comparison.

There’s an old saying that Republicans’ biggest failing is that they don’t know what they’re doing, and the Democrats’ biggest failing is that they do. That holds true in the typical attacks each side launches.

But I’ve never seen the repeated, sustained and personal attacks to demean a political figure since Reagan like I have seen with Palin.

The stuffed shirts at Newsweek plant a leggy photo of Sarah on the cover, and it’s not just to sell magazines. It’s a vicious sexist attack that the left pretends to abhor, but easily excuses when they are the predators. Someone in Congress should add Newsweek’s recent shot to the latest hate crime legislation.

If Sarah Palin was so unqualified and so lacking in Presidential gravitas, why would anyone on the left attack her? They should be loving her, praising her, and easing her way to the national ticket where they can coast to some easy victory.

The fact that they aren’t tells me all I need to know.

The left is scared to death of Sarah Palin.

Today I have been greatly honored with the nomination of the Republicans of Virginia’s 79th district, and I hereby accept, with all the humility I can manage, your trust in me to run for and, voters willing, represent the 79th district in the United States House of Representatives!

How surprised I was by your nomination, and how my mind whirled as I drove down from Richmond to make this acceptance, crossing out of the 7th Congressional District where I live, and into my beloved (adopted) 79th. What a fantastic and challenging district! From its easternmost reach, on the beautiful Virginia shoreline, where if I am elected we will almost be able to see the hundreds of oil platforms that I will see to it are put out there; to the rugged beauty, only a stone’s thorw away from West Virginia, of the dairy cow covered pastureland that you see just before you pass the entrance to what will be, if I am elected, the world’s largest unobtainium mine; this district, the longest and narrowest in our Commonwealth, gerrymandered into a precarious existence yet so beloved by the diverse and good people who live there; this district can lead the Commonwealth into a better 21st century!

But first, jobs. There are so many people hurting. I think of Boyd Turlock, one of the first residents of the 79th I ever met. Oh, he took one look at my prepped-out Richmond clothes and decided I was just another politician. But I listened. Yes, that’s what people want - they want someone to listen to them. So I listened. And I learned. First I learned how to get back on Route 64. But then I learned that Boyd’s father had fought in World War II, then come back to the farm. He built a good life. But Boyd could see the frustration as his father dealt with the rules and regulations that big government put on his farm. He saw Boyd’s friends losing their factory jobs. Boyd worries that his children will have a hard time getting good jobs.

Boyd is also puzzled that with the tremendous natural resources of the 79th district we somehow aren’t allowed to use them. Do we not have offshore oil? Do we not have vast unobtainium deposits? Then why do we not use them, to benefit Virginia and the United States? Don’t we want to be more energy-independent? Don’t we want more jobs? Of course we do. Democrats will say that… but in vote after vote they vote the other way! Virginia, it’s time to elect someone who will fight for jobs and energy independence!

As your Congressional representative I pledge to:
1. Fight for jobs for the 79th;
2. Fight to use our natural resources to become more energy-independent;
3. Never phonebank, because I have better uses for your kind and generous campaign donations.
4. Track down the alleged 7 jobs that the Obama administration claims to have created or saved in the 79th district and be sure that everything there is in order.

Finally, I pledge not to go on a listening tour. I already have listened to you, or I wouldn’t be so inspired to run. Instead, with your help, I will go to Congress and MAKE THEM LISTEN TO YOU!

Listening to my friend JP Godsey’s radio show on 670 AM and my jaw hit the floor.

Jeff McWaters just mentioned that he was regional coordinator for Bob McDonnell, but he was the statewide head Finance person for Jerry Kilgore, and McWaters said ‘We raised 23 million dollars (for Kilgore). I don’t know how much McDonnell raised but I don’t think it was that much.’

Meow! This guy really thinks he is the man!

It gets better! Jeff now took credit for the regional transportation conversation about priorities to focus on one priority instead of six projects.

McWaters said “I said to Mayor Fraim, I said to Mayor Sessoms we need one priority.”

WOW! The mayors of Norfolk and Virginia Beach take their marching orders from Jeff McWaters.

Politico is reporting that U.S. Senator Jim Webb does not favor the current Kerry-Boxer cap-and-trade bill being drafted in the Senate.

“In its present form I would not vote for it,” he said. “I have some real questions about the real complexities on cap and trade.”

Instead, Webb is working with Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander on a plan that goes heavy on nuclear power - a safe, reliable, and relatively inexpensive alternative energy. Webb favors doubling its use over the next twenty years.

“Senator Webb has finally listened to the thousands of Virginians who have rejected a cap-and-trade tax that would force them to pay much higher prices for gasoline and electricity and ship what’s left of our manufacturing sector abroad – with no environmental benefit to show for it,” wrote American for Prosperity President Tim Phillips. “Webb has joined a large and growing group of cap-and-trade skeptics who know our already-weak economy can’t afford anything that would raise energy prices and cause more hardship for taxpayers.”

So, this has been a good week for Webb. First, he was right in agreeing with Rep. Frank Wolf about not bringing Kalid Sheik Mohammad to New York…and now this.

I like Webb in his “present form.” Let’s hope he stays this way for awhile.

In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, we recap this week’s news, including Hamilton’s resignation and Mathieson’s potential congressional run.

We also hear from a triumphant, yet realistic, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, as he returns home to a victory celebration in Virginia Beach.

Finally, Jeff McWaters, candidate seeking the GOP nomination for Virginia’s 8th Senate Seat, explains why he’s the best candidate to help Bob McDonnell take on our most pressing challenges in Richmond.

Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.

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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.

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Vivian Paige caught Norfolk’s City Council trying to double the signatures required for citizens to put a referendum on the ballot. Currently, you need at least 4,000. The public hearing to change that minimum to 8,000 is Tuesday. Nice, huh?

That’s almost the entire voting population of Norfolk in the last municipal election. Someone in the city thinks it’s pretty unlikely to get 100% of municipal voters to agree on much of anything, so the move to require all of them to sign a petition isn’t surprising, nor is it out of character.

It is shameful, though. Also up for a vote is elimination of a recall procedure.

Looks like May’s election for Norfolk City Council could be decided by tomorrow’s public hearing. Wonder who on Council will step up and pull these offensive anti-citizen initiatives?

Effective November 15th, Del. Phil Hamilton has resigned from the House of Delegates.

Hamilton lost his effort for re-election a few weeks ago to Robin Abbott, but continued to be investigated by a House committee and a federal grand jury.

My information is that since Hamilton is now no longer a House member, the House investigation will cease.

Retired Roman generals are asked all sorts of questions.  In between some blogging and some small-scale farming, I get the chance to dabble on my estate by planting a few things now and again.

Today’s question hails from an anonymous source:

So, what do I do with my garden these days?  My tomato plants look like brown twigs…my green peppers are still doing well…and my strawberries look good too.  What prep work do I need to do for next spring?

First, slay a few Caledonians and put down a British revolt for good measure.  Once you accomplish all of these things, here’s some random ideas of which some are good; others not so good.  Paraphrasing Jefferson, I am an old man but a young farmer:

(1) How big is the garden?  If it’s small (square foot gardening) and there’s nothing left, fold everything back into it and put a layer of newspaper then a bunch of leaves over top of it.  Has the added benefit of killing weeds.  Not sure how much longer the peppers are going to last, but if you find some rebar and wrap it in some plastic tarp (so the light still gets through) it’ll last a heck of a lot longer.

(2) With your strawberries, find a bunch pine needles and put them in and around the strawberries like mulch — they love the acid and it’ll protect the roots from any heavy snow (which I imagine you don’t get… but still, they like the acid).

(3)  If you have a rather large garden, find some red clover and sprinkle it over the beds.  Most feed storesy sell it by the pound… it’ll put a small layer of green and add nitrogen back into the soil, plus when it’s time for spring you’re ready to go.  It’ll grow as a very low cover of purplish cover.

(4)  Of course, you can still plant winter stuff.  Garlic in a small patch — just take what you find at the store, put it in the fridge, and in two weeks they’ll sprout green shoots.  Plant those about 2′ deep (if square foot gardening, one for each sq. ft.), dig ‘em up in the spring.  If you have a raised bed, you can take a go at some carrots… just be prepared to cover them up if you get heavy frost.  In your part of Virginia, you might even be able to get away with spinach, onions.and snow peas.

(5)  Just in case… think about building ONE greenhouse.  PVC pipe and plastic tarp is all you need.  Two benefits:  one, if you get a frost or snow, you can cover your winter plants.  Two, you can get a head start on spring plants.  It doesn’t have to be big, and if you’re using the Square Foot Garden method, all it has to be is 4 x 4 or 4 x 8 depending on how ambitious your winter gardening is.  Mine will be 4 x 20, but I have tomato stakes stretched out like a tent.  Old political chloroplast signs work great too for frost protection, especially the big ones that say DEEDS on it… it’s the most use they’ll see all year!

(6)  Composting too.  All those leaves are awesome for a compost heap, or a 3-boxed heap so you can transition them (just 4×4 squares).  Of course, HOAs are sort of particular about what you can and can’t do… but to hell with HOAs.  This is green tech!

(7)  Lastly… if there are any beds that you have given up on — too much work, not enough sun, too much sun, not enough time to work on it — plant some bulbs there.  Crocuses bloom in February, daffodils bloom in March, tulips and such bloom in April, irises in early May.  If you get really aggressive (or if it’s a small plot) you can work on alternating flowers.  Personally I’m a huge fan or columbine… which isn’t a bulb, but needs the winter to germinate and was one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorite flowers.  They like shade too, and don’t need a whole lot of sun.

I till everything… which family argues is bad, but locals near this old Roman general say is great because it kills any mosquito larvae.  Till just before I plant clover, and I’ll till again near St. Patrick’s Day.  Of course, it’s not like I have a whole lot to put a dent in the local mosquito population… but any wet soggy soil is a good place, just like any set of standing water.  If you fertilize (which I just let the clover do), make sure you cover with newspaper or something to help kill weeds for next year.

Here’s some resources:

Most of all, have a bit of fun and time yourself.  If you’re spending more than four hours a week on a garden, you’re probably overworking yourself.  I highly recommend the Square Foot Gardening method for urban areas or suburbia because it’s easy, you get an awful lot out of it, there’s little to no weeding involved, and you don’t have to worry about a lot of space.  Consequently, if you’re in real rural Virginia you can always till up in 4×4 patches and use the square foot as a good idea of  how much to plant and where.

Keep this in mind too… getting started in the winter means you don’t have to worry as much about what you plant in the spring.  Often times, people will plant peas or some other legume to fertilize the soil.  If you aren’t going to worry about winter gardening, some red clover will do.  If so, remember to either fertilize or cycle through your plants for best results.  Water too… not enough to freeze, but enough to help things grow!