Obama approval ratings in the tank

Rasmussen reports today that Democratic President Barack Obama's approval ratings are tanking at 42%.

Obama's "recovery summer" has not recovered his favor with the majority of the American people. Now he faces 9.6% unemployment figures and unrest across the nation as we head into the November elections....

More jobs for Virginia

Governor Bob McDonnell has announced 128 new jobs for Virginia from MeadWestvaco. "Bobs for Jobs" is getting the job done....

Also check out the latest about the 6th District Convention over the weekend. Congrats again to Trixie Averill for winning the chairman position with 73% of the vote.

TODAY: Bob Goodlatte's Job Fair in Harrisonburg

Jobs and the economy seem to be on the minds of everyone these days. Nowhere is that more evident than in the Shenandoah Valley where businesses have been hit hard the past several years with numerous layoffs and closings.

Today, just one week before seniors graduate from James Madison University, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-6th CD), who represents western Virginia from Winchester to Roanoke, will hold a Job Fair at the JMU Convocation Center in Harrisonburg. Representatives from local businesses, corporations, and federal agencies will be available to speak with those who attend.

The timing may be just right for a Job Fair.

While many graduates search online for jobs, it is more important than ever to use every available resource while looking for employment, according to Mike Helsen, vice president of student services at Baker College's Muskegon campus. He suggested, "Make direct contact with an employer, use family and friends and people you meet to develop leads."

Fox Business reported that 2010 college graduates will still face a highly competitive job market but with a slightly improved chance of employment and higher wages.

Looking to bring more jobs to Virginia, Congressman Goodlatte believes in helping small businesses expand so they can hire more workers. Eliminiation of the capital gains tax could encourage firms to hire and retain workers, and keeping taxes low could encourage families to invest and save. Unemployment benefits should not be taxed, in his opinion, because that money could be used to pay the rent and put food on the table.

In addition, Congressman Goodlatte would like to see federal spending reined in and the budget balanced, and he has introduced bipartisan legislation that would amend the United States Constitution, forcing Congress to cut spending and balance the budget.

Similar job fairs have been held in other parts of the Commonwealth by Congressman Eric Cantor (R-7th CD) and U.S. Senator Mark Warner (D).

Many local businesses will be represented next week including Massanutten, Wintergreen, and Bryce ski resorts, The Homestead Resort, James Madison University, Eastern Mennonite University, Rockingham Memorial Hospital, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, and RR Donnelly. All participating companies can be found at the website which will be updated as additional companies sign on.

The Job Fair is free and open to the public and will be held Friday, April 30, from 9:00 am until 4:00 pm, at the James Madison Convocation Center on University Boulevard in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Contact Congressman Goodlatte's Harrisonburg office for more details at (540) 432-2391.

"Bob's for Jobs" ... Virginia lands Northrop Grumman

Check out my latest writing in the Washington Examiner's Opinion Zone -- "Bob's for Jobs" ... Virginia lands Northrop Grumman.

McDonnell brings jobs for Virginians ... Democrats go negative

Gov. Bob McDonnell and Republicans are focused on bringing jobs and a positive direction to Virginia. Democrats and liberal bloggers appear to be more interested in going negative. Case in point:

"[Former chairman of the Democratic National Committee Terry] McAuliffe says the new governor, who just marked his 100th day in office, isn't making it any easier to attract new jobs to the state by getting bogged down in controversies over his Confederate heritage proclamation and resisting legal anti-bias protections for gay Virginians." -- Richmond Times Dispatch, April 26

While McAuliffe was talking, Governor McDonnell was working. While Terry McAuliffe was playing politics, Governor McDonnell was in Martinsville announcing a the creation of 110 new jobs. Six hours later, he landed a Fortune 500 company, on his 101st day in office. See Washington Post: McDonnell, Northrop [Grumman] confirm company has chosen Virginia for headquarters, April 27.

Bottom line: Bob McDonnell talks the talk and walks the walk.

MGW hopes to bring 40 new jobs to western Augusta

Deerfield, that crossroads in western Augusta County that many pass on the way to Highland County, may see new jobs, thanks to MGW Communications.

Vice President Craig Smith announced the company hopes to expand their telephone and internet service, currently serving western Augusta, Bath, and Highland counties, by adding a call center and technical support, according to the Waynesboro News Virginian:

Smith said the new operations will serve a variety of electric, cable and other companies in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina.

Smith said the operation in the Deerfield Community Center could mean 10 to 15 jobs by the end of the year and as many as 20 to 40 jobs later.

“We are trying to breathe some life into this area,’’ Smith said.

This is indeed good news for an area that has been hard-hit by the loss of industry and a sagging economy.

George Allen: "Coal jobs vital for Virginia, America"

Former Gov. George Allen has responded to a claim made by Democrat blog Blue Virginia that cited the Washington Post's account that coal mining made up only "2 percent of employment in central Appalachian region." Blue Virginia wrote:

From this morning’s Washington Post comes a factual response to those who claim, against all evidence to the contrary, that the highly mechanized form of coal extraction known as “mountaintop removal” is a major employer in Appalachia (or anywhere else). As Justin Maxson, president of the Mountain Association for Community Economic Development, explains, it’s not.

Here is the Governor's response.

Coal Jobs Vital for Virginia, America
By George Allen

It is wise to diversify job opportunities in the Coalfields of Southwest Virginia and elsewhere in Appalachia. But these writers, who are against or unfriendly to coal, are concocting misleading facts to diminish the positive attributes of American coal.

The reality is that coal mining provides very good-paying jobs for those involved directly in mining as well as for people who manufacture and supply mining equipment and those who transport coal to electric power plants, steel mills and our Virginia Ports. A job is important to all men and women whether in retail or mining. These writers miss the fact that coal-related jobs pay more than retail jobs.

All of us who use electricity benefit from American coal, which by all measurement is the most available, reliable and least expensive source of power. Beyond the hundreds of thousands of American jobs related to American coal, the coal severance taxes in Southwest Virginia actually help fund the attraction of new businesses via the Coalfields Economic Development Authority.

As a country, we are blessed with plentiful coal resources. Rather than become more dependent on foreign, more expensive or intermittent energy sources, let’s creatively and cleanly utilize our American coal.

Unemployment rate highest in 25 years

Jerry Fuhrman at From On High hits the nail on the head with this post. Job losses are higher than they've been in 25 years ... Obama-mainstream media continue to try and put a hopeful spin on it.

The positive spin of the MSM was MIA during the Bush years when there actually was something to be positive about. 'Nuff said.