On The Spot

Spotsylvania and Stafford County, Virginia November 3, 2009 Election Results

2009-11-03T17:34:00.010-05:00

Final Results listed as "Unofficial" on Nov 4, 2009

SPOTSYLVANIA COUNTY, VIRGINIA ELECTION RESULTS November 3, 2009:

Board of Supervisors:
Spotsy-- Battlefield District: Yakabouski v. Pitts = 45.57% v 54.28%
Battlefield: 328 v 623
Brents Mill: 526 v 525
Fairview: 715 v 711

Spotsy-- Lee Hill District: McGuire v Skinner = 42.26% v 57.57%
Summit: 769 v 1068
Frazers Gate: 456 v 553
Lee Hill: 491 v 694

Spotsy-- Berkeley District: Marshall- unopposed

School Board:
Spotsy-- Battlefield District: Braswell v Weiland= 49.45% v 50.31%
Battlefield: 369 v 523
Brents Mill: 499 v 461
Fairview: 716 v 636

Spotsy-- Lee Hill District: Blalock- unopposed

Spotsy-- Berkeley District: Seaux- unopposed

State Offices:
Governor: McDonnell v Deeds
17,685 v 8,128 SPOTSY 68.42% v 31.44%
19,139 v 9,207 STAFFORD 67.40% v 32.42%

Lt. Governor: Bolling v Wagner
17,079 v 8,454 SPOTSY 66.81% v 33.07%
18,275 v 9,751 STAFFORD 65.15% v 34.76 %

Attorney General: Cuccinelli v Shannon
16,733 v 8,753 SPOTSY 65.58% v 34.30%
18,215 v 9,860 STAFFORD 64,82% v 35.09%

Delegate Cole-- unopposed

Delegate Peace-- unopposed

Delegate Orrock-- unopposed

STAFFORD COUNTY, VIRGINIA ELECTION RESULTS November 3, 2009:

Board of Supervisors:
Stafford-- Aquia District: Milde v Ortiz v Egan 50.73% v 33.53% v 15.57%
1,958 v 1,294 v 601

Stafford-- Garrisonville District: Dudenhefer v Sellers 62.73% v 36.88%
1,835 v 1,079

Stafford-- Falmouth District: Osborn v Filler v Stimpson 21.84% v 28.04% v 50.05%
1,057 v 1,357 v 2,422

Stafford-- Hartwood District: Snellings v Brito v Goss 54.58% v 36.38% v 8.71%
2,673 v 1,782 v 427

Delegate Cole-- unopposed

Delegate Bill Howell v Craig Ennis = 76.44% v 22.98%
12,093 v 3,636

Why VRE, As Offered, is a Bad Deal for Spotsylvania by Supervisor Candidate Chris Yakabouski

2009-10-27T15:58:00.000-04:00

Fitz Johnson’s op-ed “How can Republicans be trying to derail VRE?” (op-ed, Oct 22) offers a self-absorbed perspective on VRE that is typical of those who will enjoy a special benefit if Spotsylvania taxpayers bail out VRE. As a candidate for public office, my perspective on this issue is grounded entirely on what is in the public interest.

On August 18, 2009, the Spotsylvania County Board of supervisors voted to join VRE but left it up to the new Board to ratify or reject this deal after the election. I will vote to reject this deal because VRE is dealing from the bottom of the deck and the role of sucker was assigned to Spotsylvania taxpayers. This “deal” is forever. There is no escape and no way to modify its terms regardless of how harmful it is to the County and its residents.

The “deal” touted by Supervisors Pitts and Skinner, unless stopped, would be the most lopsided anti-taxpayer agreement ever entered into by Spotsylvania. Some of the people sounding off are claiming the language of the deal says what it doesn’t say and many of the loudest proponents will personally profit at the long-term expense of the taxpayers of Spotsylvania. I am all for free enterprise and maximizing profits but I absolutely will not stand for people unfairly doing so at the risk and expense of working Spotsylvania families.

After I hear about all the wonderful virtues of VRE, I find myself thinking why not? Sounds ok! What’s wrong with commuter rail? Who wouldn’t want free money for local roads? Who wouldn’t want to bring high paying jobs home to Spotsylvania? Those are the promises and they sound great. But before signing on the dotted line, lets look at what we are getting into and see whether those promises are real or just more pie-in-the-sky offered up by people who stand to make a lot of money at taxpayer expense or who think leadership is figuring out a new way to separate taxpayers from yet another dollar. So let’s have a look, shall we?

The first promise is that joining VRE will miraculously spur economic growth in Spotsylvania. According to the VRE visionaries, high-tech businesses will sprout like mushrooms if only Spotsylvania will impose a new gas tax and pay millions to subsidize VRE. Of course, this pie-in-the-sky promise is easily refuted by simply looking at VRE’s impact on economic development in nearby communities over the past 20 years. Obviously, the dilapidated Fredericksburg VRE station has attracted nothing but problems. VRE’s presence couldn’t even save a struggling restaurant located on top of the VRE station! Look North to Lorton in Fairfax. Several years back Lorton prison closed and the land cleared for development. There was already a VRE station nearby and so one would expect tons of these wonderful businesses to locate in this virgin area. Business parks must dot the landscape where the prison once stood, right? No. Only houses. Lots and lots of houses and lots and lots of people and as much traffic congestion as anyone could want. Lorton is much closer to D.C. than we are, but the high paying jobs didn’t materialize.

Ok, let’s look at Leeland Station in Stafford. This station is located in southern Stafford and had little development around it -- no houses, strip malls, and barely any traffic. This location is very similar to what we have around the proposed VRE station site in Spotsylvania. If you believe Supervisors Pitts and Skinner, Stafford surely must have attracted a huge first class business park with high paying jobs and associated benefits. Drive through sometime. No businesses, just more houses. Promises are one thing, reality another.

Another promise is free money for roads. But if you look at where this free money comes from, it disappears. First, the VRE agreement requires a new gas tax to be forced upon our taxpayers -- teachers, deputies, retired folks, stay at home moms, single moms and dads, those who have lost their jobs, as well as everyone else who drives a car. But at least our roads will be improved, right? Not so much. Every dollar raised by the gas tax is earmarked for VRE, period. There is no language in the proposed agreement protecting the taxpayers of Spotsylvania County. There is no minimum amount Spotsylvania is slated to receive. Instead, the County doesn’t get a dime until the full VRE fee is paid for. Spotsylvania gets the crumbs if anything is left, a huge bill if the tax falls short. And, the dirty little secret Pitts and Skinner try to hide is that if the gas tax falls short, Spotsylvania County would be legally required to raise taxes or cut services to pay the bill.

VRE sounds great. So do flying cars. But neither is a good thing upon which to bet the farm. I am all for improving traffic, and when I served on the Board of Supervisors the county received millions of dollars of traffic funds because of the many good projects which were approved. But in each of those cases, the development benefitted both the developer and the county – all were specifically designed to increase business development and solve traffic problems at the same time. For example the continuous turn lane off Route I-95 at the Spotsylvania exit was paid for, and built from a proffer by the Silver Companies. These are real improvements.

The lofty promises made by the VRE cheering squad hide a bad deal for the citizens of Spotsylvania. And the truth is, I am not opposed to joining VRE if it is a good deal for the taxpayers of Spotsylvania. In the middle of a recession, a mandatory gas tax coupled with a no-escape deal sounds like a terrible idea. As an elected official it is my responsibility to make sure our county is better off when I leave office than when was elected to office. I do not think this current agreement is in the best interest of all our citizens.

—Chris Yakabouski

The writer is the Republican Candidate for the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors in the Battlefield District

Fmr. NY City Mayor Rudy Giuliani to Visit Fredericksburg Promoting Bob McDonnell's Candidacy for Governor This Coming Wednesday!

2009-10-24T00:50:00.000-04:00

WHEN: Wednesday, October 28, 2009 8:30am

Former presidential candidate and New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani will make a campaign stop for/with Bob McDonnell at the Spotsylvania joint-GOP Headquarters located at 7 Butler Road Stafford, VA 22405 (the corner of Route 17 (aka Warrenton Road, aka Butler Road) and Route 1 just north of the Falmouth Bridge.)

Be there bright and early to cheer Bob to victory November 3rd!

Bookmark this blog if you want Spotsylvania County, VA election results on November 3, 2009

2009-10-24T00:36:00.000-04:00

We'll be live blogging from the polls with up to the minute voting results (we plan to anyway!) Check back here to see how Spotsylvania County blazes the trail for conservative Republican financial values for the whole state!

Steve Shannon Dodges Questions at Debate and Doesn't Know Answers to Simple AG Questions!

2009-10-16T11:08:00.001-04:00

This guy wants to be our Attorney General?? What an ass! He gets his supporters to shoot flashes into a guy's video camera! That could easily blow the circuitry and they know this. Coward!

Steve Shannon. Epic Fail!

Creigh Deeds Promises on Camera to Raise Our Taxes If Elected

2009-09-27T18:46:00.000-04:00

HR3200/Obamacare Explained re: Euthanasia for Grandma- It's in there!

2009-09-15T12:09:00.002-04:00

Author Michelle Malkin Attacked by CRAZY Liberal Shouters: "9-11 was an inside Job"

2009-09-12T21:48:00.002-04:00

"Kill Michelle Malkin"
This is how liberals really act at peaceful protests, busted on video. They always accuse us of what they do themselves. This is reflective psychology and why it's about damn time we stand up for ourselves! How is this not assault? How anyone helping Ms. Malkin kept their cool under this guys attacks is beyond comprehension. This occured at the DNC in 2008.

Here's another take and has face time with Michelle:

Virginia Tea Party Rally: Taxpayer March on Washington, September 12, 2009 Meetup

2009-09-05T13:53:00.000-04:00

TEA PARTY RALLY IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

Several local area citizens including Republicans, Independents and yes, some Democrats too, are organizing a bus from Spotsylvania County, VA on Saturday, September 12 to Washington, DC so we can attend the Taxpayer March on Washington.

We will gather at the VDOT commuter lot behind Ukrops off Route 3 (Plank Road) about 2 miles west of I-95 off Exit 130, at 7:00AM.

Once in DC, we will be able to take part in the march (about 1 mile) and then attend the rally. Our goal is to return to the commuter lot no later than 7PM.

The cost is only $30 per seat and we currently have 22 seats remaining as of Tuesday, Sept 5.

Tell your friends!

If you are interested in going or need more information, contact Scott Mellott at 540-847-6017 or scottmellott@verizon.net . Info about the march: http://www.912dc.org/ .

Democrats Healthcare Flowchart when ObamaCare is Forced Upon Us

2009-08-20T16:59:00.005-04:00

Banner ads for McDonnell, Bolling, Cuccinelli, Cole, Orrock, Peace, Yakabouski, McGuire and Golfing with the GOP September 18 at Lee's Hill Golf Club

2009-08-01T19:15:00.009-04:00

Click banner ad to visit web sites:

Former Democratic Gov. Doug Wilder Praises Bob McDonnell, Cautions Creigh Deeds

2009-07-30T10:31:00.003-04:00

"It's beginning to look a lot, like, Christmas..."

From The Washington Times
Former Democratic Gov. L. Douglas Wilder said Wednesday that his party's gubernatorial nominee, R. Creigh Deeds, is at risk of becoming the "me, too" candidate, and complimented GOP opponent Robert F. McDonnell on his efforts to reach out to Virginians who don't traditionally vote Republican.

"I would have to say Bob seems to be very aggressive in going out and strongly seeking the support of everybody," Mr. Wilder said.

The comments were made during an interview with The Washington Times in which Mr. Wilder, 78, the nation's first elected black governor, said Mr. McDonnell has been able during the campaign for November's election to set the agenda on several issues.

{read more}

Is VRE viable partnering in Spotsylvania’s transportation Plan?

2009-07-24T10:13:00.004-04:00

by Gary Bullis, Spotsylvania GOP Member

I attended the VRE Summit, hoping to learn the facts about VRE. Should Spotsy partner with the northern counties and join VRE? The panel members were all articulate and advocates for VRE. It was clear that the panel members representing the northern counties wanted Spotsy to join to spread the cost.

Many questions remain.
(1) What is the benefit to the 120,000 Spotsylvania citizens who do not ride the VRE? Potential to attract jobs to the area. The Fredericksburg rep was asked that question and he said that Fredericksburg was already built out and there was no measurable benefit for luring high paying jobs to the area. He noted that approximately 900 Spotsylvania residents ride daily, which one could argue takes 900 cars off the 95 corridors but still impacts local rush hour traffic.

(2) How is it paid for? According to the "Master Agreement," the cost of commuter rail service shall be borne by the PARTICIPATING JURISDICTIONS. A minimum of 50% recovery of operating cost will come from fare revenue. The difference will be funded from a gas tax of 2%, which is soon to be 2.1%. This means that non riders will be required to subsidize those who ride up to 50% of the cost. If this tax increase still proves to be insufficient the balance will be funded from the county general fund. Most employment in the area is with the federal government or contractors, who are already subsidizing their employees to ride VRE with federal tax dollars. In addition, the VRE COMMISSIONS seek funds from the taxpayers of the Commonwealth and federal government in the form of grants. That's a lot of subsidizing. The cost for parking lots, stations, and other capital cost items remain the responsibility of the PARTICIPATING JURISDICTION (i.e. Spotsylvania County taxpayers)

(3) What are the transportation options? According to a regional transportation needs study by the Fredericksburg Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (FAMPO), numerous options to VRE are available and are already in place.
a. Carpools registered - 130. This does not include unregistered carpools.
b. Vanpools Registered – 366. This does not include unregistered vanpools.
c. Private Commuter Bus Runs - 27.

The estimated total number of vehicles removed daily via a, b, & c already equals 5,462. This is at no cost for the taxpayers with the added benefit of thousands of dollars from fuel taxes paid.
Too often, mass transportation does not go where you need to go. If you don’t work within walking distance to the station, the public will choose another alternative. According to a regional study done by the FAMPO, "Transit is most effective in densely developed areas with concentrated development. In the George Washington Region, development is of a very low-density nature."

"Various research efforts have shown that productive, traditional; fixed-route transit requires at least 3 households per acre or at least 4 jobs per acre. In terms of how "transit supportive" areas are, those with 3 to 10 households per acre or 4 to 20 jobs per acre generally have a medium level of transit supportiveness, and those with higher levels generally have a higher level of transit supportiveness. In the George Washington Region, relatively few areas currently have these densities. As the Region's grow, some existing areas are projected to develop more densely, but most new development patterns are expected to be similar as at present and to sprawl into new areas."

According to The Heritage Foundation and The Political Economy Research Center, rail transit in Portland and St. Louis, which have been widely promoted as light-rail success stories, accounts for less than 2.5 and 1 percent respectively, of new travel. This light rail development has been heavily subsidized. Portland’s planners had predicted that development would increase along the transit corridor while growth slows outside the corridor. Does this sound familiar? The facts show that this did not happen. Rail transit is not a substitute for carpool, vanpool, or bus commuting because it is structurally incapable of taking enough people where they want to go. Rail transit is more costly, requiring subsidies from the more than 120,000 non-riders thru an additional 2.1% gas tax as well as other tax subsidies. I urge the Board of Supervisor to consider these facts and join together as our community leaders in opposition to joining VRE during these difficult economic times.

Under Obama's Healthcare Plan, Mom Dies. Hear it from his own lips!

2009-07-20T22:58:00.001-04:00

Priceless! Obama really has no respect for life at all. Not the preborn, and not the elderly. How selfish can one man be?

Planned Parenthood is so proud of Obama. This is the type of thing that great pro-life organizations like American Life League fight against all the time. Being pro-life isn’t just about being anti-abortion, it’s about human rights at all ages and the dignity that all life deserves, not the least of which is the right to life itself!

Cross posted at: Rappahannock Red

Higher Energy Costs: Democrats Plan to Have YOU Pay for Bike Paths and Rickshaws Overseas

2009-07-18T15:50:00.004-04:00

What the bill does:
The federal government will provide free carbon emission allowances to foreign governments, NGOs or private entities, who would in turn sell these allowances to utility companies and use the proceeds from the sales to support projects in developing countries.

It is expected that entities like domestic utility companies will raise their rates on American consumers to fund the purchase of these carbon emission allowances. (H.R. 2454, Sec. 441, p. 1212)

What this means for Americans:
Under the Democrats’ national energy tax, entities like utility companies will spend an estimated $58 billion in the year 2020 alone to purchase carbon emission allowances that will go to fund international projects. These companies will collect this money through higher energy costs imposed on American families and businesses.

That money will be used to support international clean technology programs. USAID’s international clean energy technology activities have included projects like the integrated bus rapid transit and bike path plan in Senegal , and the development of a hydrogen rickshaw in India .

With 14.7 million American workers unemployed, raising electricity prices on American households to fund bike paths and rickshaws overseas is the height of absurdity.

Is this the change and hope you voted for?

[LEARN MORE ABOUT LIBERAL ENERGY SCHEMES HERE]

Keep American money in America- vote for a Republican in 2009 and 2010!

60 is a Dangerous Number for Our U.S. Senate

2009-07-08T14:08:00.003-04:00

Will this be the number of United States Senators who vote in lockstep with their Fuhrer und Frau anti-woman, anti-life Nancy Pelosi? Or, will some remain loyal to their country and vote their actual conscience? At the very least, will some remain loyal to their CONSTITUENTS who are made up of BOTH Democrats and Republicans.

Time will tell.

Records will be recorded.

Votes will be affected in 2010.

The Cap-n-Trade Eight; GOP Turncoats were Exactly the Number Needed to Make Your Taxes Higher!

2009-07-05T10:00:00.008-04:00

U.S. Congress: Responsibility. Accountability and Experience Wanted!

While 44 Democrats were smart enough to know that the Pelosi-pushed, Waxman-Markey Bill, aka American Clean Energy and Security Act, aka Cap-n-Trade, aka ACES, aka Safe Climate Act, aka H.R. 2454, was a raw deal for taxpayers and will likely result in the failures of energy companies (like regional electric and gas) across the nation, apparently these eight Republicans In Name Only (RHINO's) didn't get the message that our party is the one of *LESS* Government and *MORE* free-market.

This bill passed in the US Congress last Friday by a vote of 219 to 212.

This bill is supposedly aimed at reducing the "ficticious" greenhouse gases and "ficticious" global warming effect that the Democrats (most of them anyway) cling to as the 21st Century's elusive boogeyman now that George Bush is gone from office.

Even Greenpeace opposes this bill! Naturally, they want it MORE restrictive, but for "good" reasons that reduce the big industry's influence on the government for example.

This bill is nothing more than a power grab and further loss of your rights and control over your government as we hand it over to special interests groups.

The costs have to measure up to the benefits. This bill is ambiguous and ridiculously expensive to implement! The estimated total effect of this single bill is projected as high as $3,000 PER FAMILY PER YEAR.

Vehicles that are over 25 years old are exempt from emmisions standards for example. So a truck older than 1984 can belch anything into the air I guess. Most neighborhood UPS trucks are from the 1960's by the way! SUV's have to get a whopping 18 MPG- many already do- "Where's the Beef?"

The reality is that the REST of the world will not censure anything and they are growing at a 5:1 pace compared to the USA in both population and industrial polluters (pollution= bad for the environment, air quality, toxins in water and other things that Republicans ARE in fact fighting to fix.)

And even IF the whole world did these energy production mandates, it is estimated that the net effect at the END of the 21st Century would be ... two-tenths of one degree Celsius!

The cost to your family in the first year in electric bills alone? The EPA says up to $140 and we know where their loyalties lay.

You know what else outpaced us 5:1? The number of Democrats breaking from their caucus to vote against this bill! Had the eight listed below simply done the right thing, we wouldn't have this ADDITIONAL liberal headache looming in our children's future.

Hate the Cap-n-Trade bill? Blame a Republican this time.... Vote them out in November 2010 so that these turncoat Republicans can go the way of the Dodo bird just as fast as your family's savings accounts dwindled when Obama's out-of-control spending plans launched our children into $35,000 EACH in debt to pay companies like AIG, Chrysler, GM and the rest of the crooks in corporate America who propped up this novice into office for their personal gain.

Source: http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2009/roll477.xml

The RHINO Cap-n-Trade Eight:

Bono Mack (CA) 202-225-5330
Castle (DE) 202-225-4165
Kirk (IL) 202-225-4835
Lance (NJ) 202-225-5361
Lobiondo (NJ) 202-225-6572
Chris Smith (NJ) 202-225-3765
McHugh (NY) 202-225-4611
Reichart (WA) 202-225-7761

The ONLY thing you can do now to stop this is to CALL YOUR SENATOR and DEMAND that they oppose the bill! Democrats control the US Senate- maybe some will caucus with the GOP again and save this from happening! YOU can make the difference! Call your Senator's office NOW!

Akaka, Daniel K. - (D - HI)
141 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6361
Web Form: akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Alexander, Lamar - (R - TN)
455 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4944
Web Form: alexander.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Barrasso, John - (R - WY)
307 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6441
Web Form: barrasso.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs...

Baucus, Max - (D - MT)
511 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2651
Web Form: baucus.senate.gov/contact/emailForm.cfm?subj=issue

Bayh, Evan - (D - IN)
131 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5623
Web Form: bayh.senate.gov/contact/email/

Begich, Mark - (D - AK)
144 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3004
Web Form: begich.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Bennet, Michael F. - (D - CO)
702 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5852
Web Form: bennet.senate.gov/contact/

Bennett, Robert F. - (R - UT)
431 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5444
Web Form: bennett.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Email

Bingaman, Jeff - (D - NM)
703 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5521
Web Form: bingaman.senate.gov/contact/

Bond, Christopher S. - (R - MO)
274 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5721
Web Form: bond.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactUs.Con...

Boxer, Barbara - (D - CA)
112 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3553
Web Form: boxer.senate.gov/contact/email/policy.cfm

Brown, Sherrod - (D - OH)
713 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2315
Web Form: brown.senate.gov/contact/

Brownback, Sam - (R - KS)
303 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6521
Web Form: brownback.senate.gov/public/contact/emailsam.cfm

Bunning, Jim - (R - KY)
316 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4343
Web Form: bunning.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Burr, Richard - (R - NC)
217 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3154
Web Form: burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Conta...

Burris, Roland W. - (D - IL)
387 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2854
Web Form: burris.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Byrd, Robert C. - (D - WV)
311 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3954
Web Form: byrd.senate.gov/contacts/

Cantwell, Maria - (D - WA)
511 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3441
Web Form: cantwell.senate.gov/contact/

Cardin, Benjamin L. - (D - MD)
509 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4524
Web Form: cardin.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Carper, Thomas R. - (D - DE)
513 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2441
Web Form: carper.senate.gov/contact/

Casey, Robert P., Jr. - (D - PA)
393 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6324
Web Form: casey.senate.gov/contact/

Chambliss, Saxby - (R - GA)
416 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3521
Web Form: chambliss.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Coburn, Tom - (R - OK)
172 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5754
Web Form: coburn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSena...

Cochran, Thad - (R - MS)
113 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5054
Web Form: cochran.senate.gov/email.html

Collins, Susan M. - (R - ME)
413 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2523
Web Form: collins.senate.gov/public/continue.cfm?FuseAction=Contact...

Conrad, Kent - (D - ND)
530 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2043
Web Form: conrad.senate.gov/contact/webform.cfm

Corker, Bob - (R - TN)
185 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3344
Web Form: corker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInfo...

Cornyn, John - (R - TX)
517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2934
Web Form: cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Crapo, Mike - (R - ID)
239 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6142
Web Form: crapo.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

DeMint, Jim - (R - SC)
340 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6121
Web Form: demint.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Home

Dodd, Christopher J. - (D - CT)
448 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2823
Web Form: dodd.senate.gov/index.php?q=node/3130

Dorgan, Byron L. - (D - ND)
322 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2551
Web Form: dorgan.senate.gov/contact/contact_form.cfm

Durbin, Richard J. - (D - IL)
309 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2152
Web Form: durbin.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Ensign, John - (R - NV)
119 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6244
Web Form: ensign.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Enzi, Michael B. - (R - WY)
379A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3424
Web Form: enzi.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInform...

Feingold, Russell D. - (D - WI)
506 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5323
Web Form: feingold.senate.gov/contact_opinion.html

Feinstein, Dianne - (D - CA)
331 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3841
Web Form: feinstein.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactU...

Gillibrand, Kirsten E. - (D - NY)
478 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4451
Web Form: gillibrand.senate.gov/contact/

Graham, Lindsey - (R - SC)
290 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5972
Web Form: lgraham.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Em...

Grassley, Chuck - (R - IA)
135 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3744
Web Form: grassley.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Gregg, Judd - (R - NH)
201 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3324
Web Form: gregg.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Cont...

Hagan, Kay R. - (D - NC)
521 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6342
Web Form: hagan.senate.gov/?p=contact

Harkin, Tom - (D - IA)
731 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3254
Web Form: harkin.senate.gov/c/index.cfm

Hatch, Orrin G. - (R - UT)
104 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5251
Web Form: hatch.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Offices.Cont...

Hutchison, Kay Bailey - (R - TX)
284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5922
Web Form: hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Inhofe, James M. - (R - OK)
453 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4721
Web Form: inhofe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Inouye, Daniel K. - (D - HI)
722 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3934
Web Form: inouye.senate.gov/abtform.html

Isakson, Johnny - (R - GA)
120 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3643
Web Form: isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Johanns, Mike - (R - NE)
Class II
404 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4224
Web Form: johanns.senate.gov/public/?p=ContactSenatorJohanns

Johnson, Tim - (D - SD)
136 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5842
Web Form: johnson.senate.gov/contact/

Kaufman, Edward E. - (D - DE)
383 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5042
Web Form: kaufman.senate.gov/services/contact/

Kennedy, Edward M. - (D - MA)
317 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4543
Web Form: kennedy.senate.gov/senator/contact.cfm

Kerry, John F. - (D - MA)
218 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2742
Web Form: kerry.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Klobuchar, Amy - (D - MN)
302 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3244
Web Form: klobuchar.senate.gov/emailamy.cfm

Kohl, Herb - (D - WI)
330 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5653
Web Form: kohl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Kyl, Jon - (R - AZ)
730 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4521
Web Form: kyl.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Landrieu, Mary L. - (D - LA)
328 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5824
Web Form: landrieu.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Lautenberg, Frank R. - (D - NJ)
324 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3224
Web Form: lautenberg.senate.gov/contact/index1.cfm

Leahy, Patrick J. - (D - VT)
433 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4242
Web Form: leahy.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Levin, Carl - (D - MI)
269 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6221
Web Form: levin.senate.gov/contact/

Lieberman, Joseph I. - (ID - CT)
706 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4041
Web Form: lieberman.senate.gov/contact/

Lincoln, Blanche L. - (D - AR)
355 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4843
Web Form: lincoln.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Lugar, Richard G. - (R - IN)
306 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4814
Web Form: lugar.senate.gov/contact/

Martinez, Mel - (R - FL)
356 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3041
Web Form: martinez.senate.gov/public/?p=EmailSenatorMartinez

McCain, John - (R - AZ)
241 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2235
Web Form: mccain.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

McCaskill, Claire - (D - MO)
717 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6154
Web Form: mccaskill.senate.gov/contact/

McConnell, Mitch - (R - KY)
361A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2541
Web Form: mcconnell.senate.gov/contact_form.cfm

Menendez, Robert - (D - NJ)
528 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4744
Web Form: menendez.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Merkley, Jeff - (D - OR)
107 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3753
Web Form: merkley.senate.gov/contact/

Mikulski, Barbara A. - (D - MD)
503 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4654
Web Form: mikulski.senate.gov/Contact/contact.cfm

Murkowski, Lisa - (R - AK)
709 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6665
Web Form: murkowski.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactM...

Murray, Patty - (D - WA)
173 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2621
Web Form: murray.senate.gov/email/index.cfm

Nelson, Ben - (D - NE)
720 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6551
Web Form: bennelson.senate.gov/contact-me.cfm

Nelson, Bill - (D - FL)
716 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5274
Web Form: billnelson.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Pryor, Mark L. - (D - AR)
255 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2353
Web Form: pryor.senate.gov/contact/

Reed, Jack - (D - RI)
728 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4642
Web Form: reed.senate.gov/contact/contact-share.cfm

Reid, Harry - (D - NV)
522 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3542
Web Form: reid.senate.gov/contact/index.cfm

Risch, James E. - (R - ID)
483 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2752
Web Form: risch.senate.gov/webform.cfm

Roberts, Pat - (R - KS)
109 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4774
Web Form: roberts.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactInf...

Rockefeller, John D., IV - (D - WV)
531 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6472
Web Form: rockefeller.senate.gov/contact/email.cfm

Sanders, Bernard - (I - VT)
332 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5141
Web Form: sanders.senate.gov/comments/

Schumer, Charles E. - (D - NY)
313 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6542
Web Form: schumer.senate.gov/new_website/contact.cfm

Sessions, Jeff - (R - AL)
335 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4124
Web Form: sessions.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Constitue...

Shaheen, Jeanne - (D - NH)
520 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2841
Web Form: shaheen.senate.gov/contact/

Shelby, Richard C. - (R - AL)
304 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5744
Web Form: shelby.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSena...

Snowe, Olympia J. - (R - ME)
154 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5344
Web Form: snowe.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=ContactSenat...

Specter, Arlen - (D - PA)
711 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4254
Web Form: specter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Co...

Stabenow, Debbie - (D - MI)
133 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4822
Web Form: stabenow.senate.gov/email.cfm

Tester, Jon - (D - MT)
724 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2644
Web Form: tester.senate.gov/Contact/index.cfm

Thune, John - (R - SD)
493 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2321
Web Form: thune.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Email

Udall, Mark - (D - CO)
317 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5941
Web Form: www.markudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Udall, Tom - (D - NM)
110 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6621
Web Form: tomudall.senate.gov/contact/contact.cfm

Vitter, David - (R - LA)
516 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4623
Web Form: vitter.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.Con...

Voinovich, George V. - (R - OH)
524 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-3353
Web Form: voinovich.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact....

Warner, Mark R. - (D - VA)
459A RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2023
Web Form: warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=Contact

Webb, Jim - (D - VA)
248 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-4024
Web Form: webb.senate.gov/contact/

Whitehouse, Sheldon - (D - RI)
502 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-2921
Web Form: whitehouse.senate.gov/contact/

Wicker, Roger F. - (R - MS)
555 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-6253
Web Form: wicker.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.EMa...

Wyden, Ron - (D - OR)
223 DIRKSEN SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510
(202) 224-5244
Web Form: wyden.senate.gov/contact/

Federal GOP Fights to the End to Defend US Jobs and USA's Future from 'An Inconvenient Myth'

2009-06-26T23:41:00.006-04:00

By Associated Press Writers H. Josef Hebert And Dina Cappiello

WASHINGTON – In a triumph for President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled House narrowly passed sweeping legislation Friday that calls for the nation's first limits on pollution linked to global warming and aims to usher in a new era of cleaner, yet more costly energy.

The vote was 219-212, capping months of negotiations and days of intense bargaining among Democrats. Republicans were overwhelmingly against the measure, arguing it would destroy jobs in the midst of a recession while burdening consumers with a new tax in the form of higher energy costs.

At the White House, Obama said the bill would create jobs, and added that with its vote, the House had put America on a path toward leading the way toward "creating a 21st century global economy."

The House's action fulfilled Speaker Nancy Pelosi's vow to clear major energy legislation before July 4. It also sent the measure to a highly uncertain fate in the Senate, where Majority Leader Harry Reid said he was "hopeful that the Senate will be able to debate and pass bipartisan and comprehensive clean energy and climate legislation this fall."

Obama lobbied recalcitrant Democrats by phone from the White House as the House debate unfolded across several hours, and Al Gore posted a statement on his Web site saying the measure represents "an essential first step towards solving the climate crisis." The former vice president won a Nobel Peace Prize for his work drawing attention to the destructive potential of global warming.

On the House floor, Democrats hailed the legislation as historic, while Republicans said it would damage the economy without solving the nation's energy woes.

It is "the most important energy and environmental legislation in the history of our country," said Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts. "It sets a new course for our country, one that steers us away from foreign oil and towards a path of clean American energy."

But Rep. John Boehner, the House Republican leader, used an extraordinary one-hour speech shortly before the final vote to warn of unintended consequences in what he said was a "defining bill." He called it a "bureaucratic nightmare" that would cost jobs, depress real estate prices and put the government into parts of the economy where it now has no role.

The legislation would require the U.S. to reduce carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020 and by about 80 percent by mid-century. That was slightly more aggressive than Obama originally wanted, 14 percent by 2020 and the same 80 percent by mid-century.

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of fossil fuels are rising at about 1 percent a year and are predicted to continue increasing without mandatory limits.

Under the bill, the government would limit heat-trapping pollution from factories, refineries and power plants and issue allowances for polluters. Most of the allowances would be given away, but about 15 percent would be auctioned by bid and the proceeds used to defray higher energy costs for lower-income individuals and families.

"Some would like to do more. Some would like to do less," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in advance of the final vote. "But we have reached a compromise ... and it is a compromise that can pass this House, pass that Senate, be signed by the president and become law and make progress."

That seemed unlikely, judging from Reid's cautiously worded statement. "The bill is not perfect," it said, but rather "a good product" for the Senate to begin working on.

And there was plenty to work on in a House-passed measure that pointed toward higher electricity bills for the middle class, particularly in the Midwest and South, as well as steps to ease the way for construction of new nuclear reactors, the first to be built since the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979.

The bill's controversy was on display in the House, where only eight Republicans joined 211 Democrats in favor, while 44 Democrats joined 168 Republicans in opposition. And within an hour of the vote, both party campaign committees had begun attacking lawmakers for their votes.

One of the biggest compromises involved the near total elimination of an administration plan to sell pollution permits and raise more than $600 billion over a decade — money to finance continuation of a middle class tax cut. About 85 percent of the permits are to be given away rather than sold, a concession to energy companies and their allies in the House — and even that is uncertain to survive in the Senate.

The final bill also contained concessions to satisfy farm-state lawmakers, ethanol producers, hydroelectric advocates, the nuclear industry and others, some of them so late that they were not made public until 3 a.m. on Friday.

Supporters and opponents agreed the bill's result would be higher energy costs but disagreed vigorously on the impact on consumers. Democrats pointed to two reports — one from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office and the other from the Environmental Protection Agency — that suggested average increases would be limited after tax credits and rebates were taken into account. The CBO estimated the bill would cost an average household $175 a year, the EPA $80 to $110 a year.

Republicans questioned the validity of the CBO study and noted that even that analysis showed actual energy production costs increasing $770 per household. Industry groups have cited other studies showing much higher costs to the economy and to individuals.

The White House and congressional Democrats argued the bill would create millions of "green jobs" as the nation shifts to greater reliance on renewable energy sources such as wind and solar and development of more fuel-efficient vehicles — and away from use of fossil fuels such as oil, gas and coal.

It will "make our nation the world leader on clean energy jobs and technology," declared Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., who negotiated deals with dozens of lawmakers in recent weeks to broaden the bill's support.

Pelosi, D-Calif., took an intense personal interest in the measure, sitting through hours of meetings with members of the rank and file and nurturing fragile compromises.

At its heart, the bill was a trade-off, less than the White House initially sought though it was more than Republicans said was acceptable. Some of the dealmaking had a distinct political feel. Rep. Alan Grayson, a first-term Democrat, won a pledge of support that $50 million from the proceeds of pollution permit sales in the bill would go to a proposed new hurricane research facility in his district in Orlando, Fla.

In the run-up to the vote, Democrats left little to chance.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., confirmed by the Senate on Thursday to an administration post, put off her resignation from Congress until after the final vote on the climate change bill. And Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., who has been undergoing treatment at an undisclosed facility, returned to the Capitol to support the legislation. He has said he struggles with depression, alcoholism and addiction, but has not specified the cause for his most recent absence.

___

On the Net:

American Clean Energy and Security Act: http://tinyurl.com/ph52vs

Now Virginia's Governor Tim Kaine Has Gone Missing!

2009-06-26T01:08:00.006-04:00

RPV HQ: RICHMOND - The Washington Post has uncovered previously undisclosed accounts of Governor Tim Kaine's travel as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, clearly outlining an itinerary that appears to contain political trips occurring almost exclusively during the normal work week. Seven of the nine excursions revealed by the Post took place on weekdays, amounting to nearly 78-percent of his travel.

The known trips are as follows, including one scheduled for Monday of next week:

• May 2 - Durham, NC - Saturday
• May 8 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Friday
• May 20 - Dallas, TX - Wednesday
• May 30 - Miami, FL - Saturday
• June 11 - Chicago, IL - Thursday
• June 18 - Cincinnati, OH -- Thursday
• June 19 - Kansas City, MO - Friday
• June 24 - Philadelphia, PA - Wednesday
• June 29 - New York, NY - Monday

This new information flies in the face of repeated statements by Kaine and his staff that his political activities would be confined to time that would not otherwise be devoted to serving the taxpayers of Virginia.

"Kaine said he will do the DNC job on personal time, evenings and weekends," reported the Associated Press on January 6, 2009 ("Kaine Says He'll Limit Time Spent As Party Leader"). "‘I think it will be an electronic gig anyway, using e-mail and phone and others," Kaine added.

"Even the governor is allowed to have a little fun on the weekends," said Kaine spokeswoman Lynda Tran (Richmond Times-Dispatch, June 20, 2009).

"I think the taxpayers should know when the governor is or is not on duty," said Pat Mullins, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia. "Clearly, Tim Kaine is out of the office rather frequently. We'd like to know when that is and where he's going. By looking at the nine junkets that we now know about, it seems obvious that he's moving about the country an awful lot. How many dozens of times has he been away since January? I think the taxpayers have a right to know that."

On Friday, June 19, 2009, Mullins submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to the governor's office, seeking information pertaining to the daily schedule of the governor dating back to January 2009, when he became chairman of the DNC. It further requested records pertaining to expenses related to the use of the State Police Executive Protection Unit assigned to guard the governor's safety.

Kaine also has denied the Post access to a complete listing of his political travel, despite statements that he would be open about his activities.

"I just think the easiest way to handle it is for folks to ask, and I'll answer it," Kaine said to the media on Tuesday ("Kaine on Travel," Washington Post, Virginia Politics Blog, June 23, 2009).

However, the Washington Post reports that it has repeatedly sought such information, only to be denied each time: "But repeated attempts to review Kaine's schedule -- in Richmond, around the state or across the country -- before and after he became DNC chairman in late January have been unsuccessful. The Washington Post has requested Kaine's calendar through the governor's office, the DNC and his political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward. The requests have been denied or gone unanswered." ("Va. Governor Is Really Going Places," Washington Post, June 25, 2009)

The Post also reported that Kaine at first said he did not believe he could devote adequate attention to his duties as Governor of Virginia if he were distracted by the demands of chairing his national political party: "‘I don't view that, frankly, as consistent with being governor, so I'm going to be governor,' Kaine said in November. ‘I would view it as taking my eye too much off the ball about things that need to happen here.'"

Under Virginia's FOIA law, the governor's office has five working days to respond to the Republican request or can obtain an additional seven days if extra time is needed to compile the requested information. The office can comply completely with the request, issue a partial collection of documents while explaining what legal exemptions allow them to omit others, or deny the request completely while explaining which legal exemptions allow them to refuse the request.

Also on Friday last week, the Republican Party of Virginia unveiled an Internet video spotlighting Kaine's travel schedule and his reluctance to disclose to Virginia citizens where he is at any given moment.

Obama is God Says MSNBC... Above the Earth, Above America- Woah!

2009-06-09T13:02:00.002-04:00

New Media is Here to Stay! More Great Photos from the 2009 Virginia Republican Convention

2009-05-30T23:35:00.003-04:00

See more here: http://rappahannockred.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/more-great-pictures-from-the-2009-virginia-republican-convention-new-media-is-the-future/

GOP Convention is Completed- Winning Ticket for November Emerges! [Photos Here]

2009-05-30T18:35:00.008-04:00

We may never know the final tally of the votes at the Virginia Republican Convention at the Richmond Coliseum on May 30, 2009—but we sure know who won by a massive margin!

Bob McDonnell - Governor
Bill Bolling - Lt. Governor
Ken Cuccinelli - Attorney General
Pat Mullins - RPV Chairman

Though the speeches were a touch long winded and some were as similar as the next, several stood out. One of which was Ken Cuccinelli's. It began with the fanfare of a U2 video release complete with light show and 100 giant waving Gadsden flags in every level of the coliseum.

11,007 delegates checked in to vote and more than 1,000 guests and observers were present to watch some great speeches and take home souvenirs of the memorable day.

I could go on about how great some of the others were as well, but frankly—if you cared to hear about it that much—you would have attended personally and voted yourself. For the interested, but still lazy, the entire program was broadcast on www.rpv.org and via Bearing Drift blog . For the rest of you, I implore you to get off your duffs and come to a county meeting and GET INVOLVED while you still have a country to help out in!

242 Spotsylvanians signed up to be delegates to this convention. 140 actually did. Decisions are made by those who SHOW UP in life—and especially in politics. Thankfully, I witnesses a whole lot of NEW faces this year, so I'm very encouraged by the renewed spirit I'm seeing in our county!

Oh, did I mention Sean Hannity was there and spoke for about 15 minutes? Yeah, he was very cool to hear from. And now the attendees all have a secret; they know the real reason Alan Colmes is no longer on the show with him!

Bravo to Fox News for having higher ratings than ALL CABLE NEWS NETWORKS COMBINED this year! In fact, Fox & Friends is #1 for it's 90th consecutive MONTH!

America is LISTENING finally! WE just need to make sure they VOTE now.

I guess the implementation of government socialism and the real threat of putting Americans in jail for freedoms the country was founded on has been a wake up call for some of us.

Now thoroughly unified and back in the swing of putting forth the truly best candidates of the party, Virginia is looking good for the Republicans this year.

We got our teeth kicked in last year, and rightfully so in many races. We were not sticking to our core values like we should have been and were infighting when we shouldn't have been.

On that note, Ideologs and principled Constitutionalists are certainly welcome to debate and challenge the status quo and should be holding our leaders accountable whenever possible—I know I do. But, on behalf of the vast majority of Virginia Republicans who may not be as smart as wise as you but still consider themselves to be more Republican than Democrat at least: please stop acting as obstructionists in the processes of electing the best candidate (directed at some who supported Stanley, Muldoon and Brownlee).

If the GOP has broken parts (and it does), by all means, HELP FIX THEM. But if your sole goal is to attend local and district meetings to disrupt them, then all I can say is: there are other parties that may work better for you and you owe it to your unwaivering, fundamental, constitutional principles to explore your political options and be happy with your lives. You don't have a right to make other people miserable. You know who you are...

The GOP is a big tent and it's not owned solely by your (very small) group(s). Note that this commentary is not necessarily directed at the candidates themselves, but rather some of their vocal and ill-intentioned supporters. Again, you know who you are. All the candidates who did not win the nomination acted very respectfully and accordingly made it very clear that they would work hard to support the winning team now and through November. That's the RIGHT way to handle yourselves.

Thank God, those days are behind us for the moment at least, and we have taken back freedom's battle cry that rightfully belongs to people who want to EARNESTLY govern and HONESTLY represent all Virginians... and YES WE CAN do it!

CHANGE is coming to Richmond in November! The drowsy giant has woken up—and he's wondering where the hell his country went!

Starting with a sweep in November for Republicans in Virginia, America may yet get back on track no matter how much Obama and his private club of baby killers and tax cheats mess things up for us in the mean time.

If you missed it in person, you missed a great time and an exciting day in Virginia history. Get your head in the game from this point forward and GET INVOLVED in your local GOP and GET ACTIVE in campaigning for November!

It's 3am- North Korea Explodes a Nuclear Bomb- Obama Knows Nothing About It. May God Help the USA from This Void in Leadership

2009-05-25T00:33:00.006-04:00

So much for our fearless leader and his iPod diplomacy with terrorists! It's Memorial Day weekend and North Korea just exploded a NUCLEAR BOMB! [no joke]

Did we know about this? According to the White House spokesman, "We're still trying to confirm this."

Hello? Isn't it a little late? Maybe the Richter scales going crazy in Japan can lend a clue!

Maybe Nancy Pelosi, the #3 person in charge of America, can find someone in the CIA to whisper in her ear, what's going on.

Maybe Obama, can ask his teleprompter what to do.

Biden probably gave them the formula to build the damn thing in the first place!

This happens a couple of days after the former South Korean president commits suicide, and we're supposed to say, "what a coincidence," I guess.

I'll bet the South Koreans are on crap-your-pants alert right now while we're going to WalMart to get extra Doritos for the cookout tomorrow. I wonder if Obama's lapdogs MSNBC and CNN will cover this at all.

Keep in mind according to the WaPo:

"We are aware of the reports of a nuclear test by North Korea," a State Department official said late Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the test was not yet confirmed. "We are consulting with our allies. Once we have established the facts, we will have more to say."

The country is believed to have enough plutonium to make six to eight bombs. Last month it said it would reopen its plutonium factory at Yongbyon to produce more.

Here's the story from AP News just moments ago at 12:30am Monday...

SEOUL, South Korea – North Korea announced Monday that it successfully carried out an underground nuclear test, weeks after threatening to restart its rogue atomic program.

The country's official Korean Central News Agency called Monday's test "part of measures to bolster its nuclear deterrent for self-defense."

President Lee Myung-bak convened an emergency security session. His spokesman, Lee Dong-kwan, confirmed that a nuclear test may have been carried out in the North.

Seismologists from the U.S., South Korea and Japan reported earthquakes in an northeastern area, where North Korea conducted a nuclear test in 2006.

A 4.7-magnitude earthquake was registered in northeastern North Korea at 9:54 a.m. (0054 GMT), the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake, measured at a depth of 6 miles (10 kilometers) underground, occurred 40 miles (70 kilometers) northwest of the city of Kimchaek, the USGS said.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also said it detected seismic activity Monday morning. "We are checking whether they were due to a nuclear test," agency official Gen Aoki said in Tokyo.

In Seoul, the Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources reported a 4.5-magnitude quake in Kilju in North Hamgyong Province.

North Korea also carried out a nuclear test in October 2006 in Kilju, a test that drew sanctions from the United Nations and prompted five other nations to push negotiations on a nuclear disablement-for-aid pact with North Korea.

In Washington, State Department spokesman Andy Laine said the U.S. government had no confirmation of a new nuclear test.

"At this point we've seen the reports and we're trying to get more information, but we're not able to confirm at this time," Laine said.

ObamaMan Can!

2009-05-16T15:46:00.005-04:00

h/t to Bob & Tom!

Spotsylvania GM Powertrain Plant to Close Temporarily Amid Sales Lull

2009-05-09T07:46:00.002-04:00

from The Free Lance-Star:

General Motors will temporarily close its GM Powertrain plant in Spotsylvania County from June 1 to July 12.

A national slowdown in the production of GM cars and trucks has trickled down to the Spotsylvania plant, which produces torque converter clutches for automatic transmissions.

Most GM plants in North America will be temporarily closed at some point this year, said John Raut, a GM spokesman in Baltimore.

In April, GM announced that it will produce 190,000 fewer vehicles this year than anticipated.
Assembly plant closings were announced at the time, with information on transmission and Powertrain facilities to follow.

...[READ MORE]