Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01) asks the U.S. House to consider all perspectives during the upcoming debate on healthcare reform:

What goes up, must come down.

Obama’s popularity in Virginia is now down below 50%, reflecting a trend that started in Ohio.

A new Public Policy Polling survey looking at how likely voters for this fall’s election view Barack Obama finds his approval rating at just 48%, with 46% disapproving.

Obama’s reviews are highly polarized with 95% of Democrats but only 9% of Republicans giving him good marks. His overall numbers are weak due to poor numbers among independents- 52% of them say they disapprove of Obama’s performance with only 38% giving him favorable ones.

(h/t: Examiner.com)

The NRCC is calling for a debate between admitted supporter of the cap and trade bill, Rep. Glenn Nye, and admitted opponent of the cap and trade bill, Rep. Glenn Nye.

The event location? The Waffle House.

Politico piles on.

E-Mail #1 “You will be pleased to know H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, passed the House of Representatives on June 26th, 2009. The American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is a comprehensive approach that charts a new course toward a clean energy economy”

E-Mail #2 “You will be pleased to know I voted against H.R. 2454, the American Clean Energy and Security Act, because we do not need another tax on American families during this time of economic hardship,”

I always look forward to elected officials engaging in a strong clash between two different opinions on issues. I just never expected the two different opinions to be both Glenn Nye’s.

Unless, he was only trying to curry favor with constituents on both sides of the issue and wasn’t really being honest……now, he wouldn’t do that, would he?

The latest poll in the gubernatorial race has come out and it shows a 12-point swing towards Republican candidate Bob McDonnell since the Democratic primary a month ago.

McDonnell, in the latest Public Policy Polling poll is found to lead Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democrat, 49-43%, has a 3-point lead in favorability, and leads among independents 54-33%.

“Several polls conducted immediately after the primary had shown Deeds moving into the
lead but it appears his bounce has worn off,” said the polling group.

Clearly, the post-primary bounce has evaporated in the June and July heat.

As the healthcare debate begins, all sorts of interesting schemes and ideas are going to come to light. The one most recently brought to my attention is to make it tougher for U.S.-based companies to compete overseas, which might cost the U.S. jobs here at home.

The Obama administration wants to increase taxes on U.S. business who profit by also doing business abroad. The proposed increase in taxes has prompted some, including Microsoft, to state that the measure would move jobs out of the U.S.

Why does Obama want to raise taxes on businesses to the tune of $200 million?

Of course, to pay for Universal Healthcare!

Not only will the universal healthcare plan, because it is government subsidized, cause small business to chuck existing plans (some which are better), but now we want to pay for it by pushing U.S. jobs overseas?

How, exactly, is this plan going to be good for the U.S. worker again?

State Sen. Ken Stolle’s senate seat won’t be vacant until he wins election in November as Virginia Beach’s next sheriff, but already this coveted Senate seat is drawing some fierce competition between Jeff McWaters, a local businessman and Rosemary Wilson, Virginia Beach councilwoman.

The nomination fight (which we still don’t know whether it will be mass meeting, primary, canvass, et al.) recently gained some attention with a Facebook attack on McWaters.

According to VPAP, McWaters once gave $500 to Democrat Anthony Williams campaign for DC mayor and Pilot on Politics reported that he gave a $225 gift to then Gov. Mark Warner. Other than that, he’s donated over $100k to Republican causes.

Let’s hope this campaign, as it moves forward, sticks to the issues and doesn’t devolve into pettiness.

First off, I love Michael Jackson’s music and think he was an incredible entertainer. Probably the first time since Princess Di’s death that I can actually understand the media hype around a celebrity. That being said, another Jackson (not in the 5) is calling on Congress to recognize Jackson as a “global humanitarian” through the Committee on Foreign Affairs. But Rep. Shelia Jackson-Lee (D-TX) is running into opposition led by Rep. Peter King (R-NY) who thinks the Moonwalker is a “lowlife”.

While I disagree with King on his views on the King, I do not think Congress should pass this resolution or any resolution for that matter. The only effect resolutions have is officially getting the US government involved in matters they have no business being in. I know resolutions make politicians feel warm and cuddly and make them feel like they accomplished something but we have real problems to address in the Capitol so let the citizens express their emotions in their own creative styles while Congress actually tries to get real work done.

I’ve been busy getting caught up on things the last couple of days when I came across this rather enlightening post by D.J. McGuire.

I hadn’t realized that Sen. Creigh Deeds, on June 24, 2008, managed to find 13 new taxes palatable enough to impose on the people of the commonwealth.

Two of the bills never made it to the floor in time for debate and another died in the House.

That’s gotta be a record. Thirteen new taxes in one day?!

Oh, really, Mr. President? Is that how it was?

The Cold War reached a conclusion because of the actions of many nations over many years, and because the people of Russia and Eastern Europe stood up and decided that its end would be peaceful. - Barack Obama

Crediting the USSR with ending the Cold War, Mr. President, is that not a little like thanking Germany for ending the Holocaust?

The end of the cold war was very good for the people of Russia and Eastern Europe - because they were trapped under the tyranny of communism. And they were freed from its tyranny because President Reagan and PM Thatcher knew that that the hard work, ingenuity and efficient resources allocation fostered by capitalism would outperform communism. We grew our GDP to free them under the leadership of a remarkably visionary American leader. It was President Reagan who said: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.”

See President Obama’s full speech at the New Economic School in Russia, July 7, 2009.

Better yet, remember the way the Great Communicator reached out around the world with a grand vision of freedom - liberty for the whole world:

What’s Glenn Nye’s campaign slogan going to be? “Don’t vote for a Republican - he’ll vote just like me!”

Glenn Nye’s first six months in office has got to have Democrats wondering why they worked so hard to replace Thelma Drake.

Although Nye voted for the Obama stimulus package that promised to keep unemployment under 8% (It’s now 9.5%), Nye voted with Republicans to send the bill back to committee for a rewrite and to delay the vote on the stimulus plan.

Nye also voted against Obama’s budget, and he voted against the massive cap-and-trade bill (UPDATE) Nye even went as far to send out different emails on cap and trade, one touting the bill’s passage, and one touting his vote against it.

Judging from his recent comments, he doesn’t seem ready to vote for the Democrats’ health care takeover.

2010 has no President on the ballot. No Senator either. Can Nye win the 2nd if his base stays home, figuring that the voting records of Nye and his Republican opponent would likely be not that different?

Guess that depends a lot on his Republican opponent. And there are plenty. Drake announced she wasn’t running, but Chuck Smith has been for months. Smith says all the right things, and is probably hoping to be the Creigh Deeds of the nomination process - wait for the others to self-destruct and say “I’m still here” at the right time.

Energy is abounding for Scott Rigell of Freedom Automotive, who is quietly gaining support and endorsements from his years of supporting Republican candidates. Rigell’s Achilles’ heel is a $1,000 check to Barack Obama, not exactly the recipe for taking on the Obama administration. Some Dems may actually think the Republican has supported Obama more than the Democrat if this race gets down to Nye vs. Rigell.

Former Navy SEAL Ed Maulbeck, Naval Academy graduate and current naval reserve captain Ben Loyola, current VB GOP chair and ex-military himself Ken Golden, and former Councilman Richard Maddox all have made varying statements expressing interest.

And it’s only July. Anyone’s race at this point, but if the GOP nominates someone that doesn’t inspire turnout, and Nye keeps voting like Thelma Drake, this may be the lowest turnout election in recent memory.

Inside NoVA (Potomac News and Manasses Journal Messenger) is calling on Creigh Deeds to actually campaign for Governor and join Bob McDonnell in 10 debates throughout Virginia.

“McDonnell’s proposal would have the first debate happening at the already agreed upon Virginia Bar Association debate on July 25, and ending at the University of Virginia on October 20.

We don’t care where or how these debates happen; we just want to see them happen…So, we hope to see the real character of the gubernatorial candidates at a series of 10 debates. Gentlemen, make it happen.”

Creigh Deeds, the ball’s in your court.

I choose to live in Arlington County because it offers an urban lifestyle I enjoy and appreciate with easy access to shopping and entertainment. However, many of my married friends prefer to live in Fairfax County for the space and the schools (Arlington schools are still pretty good btw). Both counties have high incomes but Fairfax is much larger in square mileage (400 vs 26) and has more transportation issues to deal with. Due to restrictions in Virginia state law, counties do not have as much taxing authority and control over roads as cities do and therefore County Executive Anthony Griffin is suggesting Fairfax become a city. If this was to happen, Fairfax would become the 10th largest city in the nation.

While Fairfax is dealing with its identity crisis of urban village or upscale rural, I’m not immediately dismissive of the conversion of county to city. Of course I want the people to be taxed as less as possible but at the same time I believe the taxes paid should be as localized as possible. Would Fairfax as a city enable Northern Virginia to deal with its transportation problems without have to send money to Richmond only to beg for it back with the scorn of the rest of the State? If the responsibility for local issues was retained locally would it not require elected officials to address the issues without having a faraway power to scapegoat? Residents of Fairfax unhappy with the cost-benefits of the new tax structure can somewhat reasonably un-elect officials from office or move to Loudon or Arlington. Then of course there is that city across the river which can’t figure out how to synchronize traffic lights so maybe it is a bad idea!

I think so. Resigning as Governor in 2009 for a Presidential contest in 2012 didn’t make much sense to anyone. Resigning to run in a 2010 primary? Not so crazy.

Everyone had the White House and 2012 in their sights when Sarah Palin surprisingly announced her resignation days ago, but I guess they didn’t look at Palin’s record.

Sarah Palin became Governor through a primary challenge of a sitting GOP Governor, Frank Murkowski, who appointed his daughter, Lisa Murkowski to his US Senate seat when he became Governor, before winning election outright in 2004.

And I think there’s another primary against a Murkowski in Palin’s future.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski must think so, too, since she’s already launching attacks on Palin.

“I am deeply disappointed that the Governor has decided to abandon the State and her constituents before her term has concluded,” Murkowski wrote. (Huffington Post)

Why launch an attack on the most popular Republican in Alaska, and perhaps America, who is likely to be campaigning and fundraising gold, who has publicly said she’d support you, unless you anticipate a primary faceoff soon.

Murkowski is pro-abortion, favored filibustering conservative judges, supports government health care, and has been fending off Palin challenge rumors for months in Alaska.

I think Palin, free of the Governor’s title, can blast out a book, go on a speaking tour, raise a bucket of cash in literally a few months. She then can launch her bid for a national spotlight from the US Senate, whether she’s thinking about 2012, 2016 or 2020. And she could start it the same way she became Governor.

A primary against a Murkowski.

We celebrate today our nation as a nation of laws. Our ability to have equal treatment under that law. Our ability to achieve our dreams unencumbered by discrimination by an overbearing government or by a despotic democracy.

“Nature, which has established in the universe a chain of being and universal order, descending from archangels to microscopic animalcules, has ordained that no two objects shall be perfectly alike, and no two creatures perfectly equal. Although, among men, all are subject by nature to equal laws of morality, and in society have a right to equal laws for their government, yet no two men are perfectly equal in person, property, understanding, activity, and virtue, or ever can be made so by any power less than that which created them; and whenever it becomes disputable between two individuals or families, which is superior, a fermentation commences, which disturbs the order of all things until it is settled, and each knows his place in the opinion of the public.” -John Adams

It is by our diversity and inequality in outcome that makes us great.

While we look upon our brothers and sisters with hope and well-wishes - and we endeavor to help them individually when circumstances require it - it is not the role of government to “level” the playing field. It is the role of government to maximize liberty, check power, and ensure all people have the opportunity to compete and succeed.