2014 Va General Assembly: It's a new day in Richmond

Headlines and blogs are blaring the news from Richmond's General Assembly: Democrats wrest control of state senate from GOP. And it all began here: RTD: GOP State Central wrong reversing to convention.

The rest, as they say, is history....

Va Republicans invade Homestead this weekend to reflect, lick wounds

 The Homestead Resort, Hot Springs, Va. December 2013

It's Christmas in Virginia's western mountains and, as it has for centuries, The Homestead Resort is decked out for the season. This weekend it has braced itself for an invasion of Republicans from throughout the Commonwealth. Vehicles pulling under the portico to unload laptops and overnight bags sport candidate bumper stickers and specialty "G" series license plates.

It's the celebration of the 30th annual Donald Huffman Republican Advance. After the thumping Republicans took in November, the big celebration for the big anniversary is overshadowed by a party that seems to have lost its way in four short years.

In 2009 the atmosphere at the Advance was jubilant as we met in Williamsburg and celebrated sweeping the top three spots for the first time in 12 years, and the fact that we had found our footing in new media and other areas after the 2008 loss to Barack Obama and the Democrats. Bob McDonnell had swept into office as governor in an historic landslide by running on "Bob's for Jobs," helping to boost the GOP spirit after some crucial losses between 2005 and 2008. By winning the governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general positions, Republicans were poised to take the leadership reins in the state and ride the wave of popularity after Obama's disappointing first year in office.

Before the 2009 election, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling had taken one for the team and avoided an internal blood bath that the Republican Party of Virginia didn't need. He stepped aside so McDonnell could run unopposed for governor and, instead, sought re-election as lieutenant governor while temporarily setting his goal for governor on the shelf. With an ambitious Ken Cuccinelli winning the attorney general spot, some nervous politicos asked the "Cooch" if he planned to run for governor in 2013 and his answer over and over was "no." It seemed the good blood in the Republican Party would continue beyond 2009.

But something happened between 2009 and 2013. Cuccinelli, who had said in an AG debate at The Homestead in 2008 that he would run for two terms as attorney general to avoid challenging Bolling -- but later tried to explain it away by basically saying it depended on what the meaning of "is," is -- announced one day before the 2011 Advance that he was running for governor.

A shock went through the Virginia GOP or, at least, a shock went through part of the GOP. The Cuccinelli supporters were enthusiastic at this announcement that came as a total surprise to not only Governor McDonnell but also to Lieutenant Governor Bolling who was in Florida at the time attending a national lieutenant governors meeting.

I was sitting in the Great Hall of The Homestead two years ago today when the Bolling family arrived. It was barely 24 hours after they had heard of the challenge from the GOP attorney general -- reportedly not from the mouth of the AG but through the news. As they walked past on the way to their room with serious looks on their faces, we watched as the Cuccinelli supporters stood at the front door of the Homestead's Great Hall in Cuccinelli t-shirts and tried to sticker everyone with Cuccinelli lapels.

The message was clear: it had been planned and calculated for the best shock value. Mission accomplished. Not only had Bill Bolling been slammed upside the head but so had thousands of long-time Republican volunteers who were being out-muscled and removed from the GOP rolls.

Six months later the majority of the eleven congressional districts saw a turnover of leadership and, a few months later, the newly-minted Cuccinelli state central committee voted to overturn the already-voted-on primary for 2013 and changed it to a closed convention. That's how we got what happened in Richmond in May. Meanwhile, local committees throughout the state saw a turnover as Cuccinelli supporters won key leadership positions and purged long-time volunteers.

The final results of it all came last  month when Republicans lost the top three spots to the Democrats leaving many Republicans in disbelief. Historically in Virginia the gubernatorial office goes to Republicans when Democrats own the White House, and vice versa. Many touted Democrat Terry McAuliffe as a poor candidate. The GOP win was supposed to be a sure thing. What had happened? A short four years earlier we had swept all three offices on a deliriously happy election night in downtown Richmond. This year the candidates weren't even together on election night. With Cuccinelli at the helm, both E.W. Jackson and Mark Obenshain went down (Democrat Mark Herring won the AG race with 165 votes so a recount will take place later this month).

And so we all gather at The Homestead, not to celebrate victory but to lick our wounds. And try to figure out where we go from here. And how to heal the civil war raging within the party.

But the visions of previous wins dance in my head -- the years when George W. Bush was president and we won with his example of an inclusive party that reached out to all. The Republican Party is at a crossroads. We can either adjust with the changing times ... or become irrelevant.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
December 5, 2013

Déjà vu in Virginia attorney general drama

Eight years ago my phone rang bright and early the day after the 2005 election. I was still sleeping after a hard-fought campaign that saw Bill Bolling elected as lieutenant governor, Jerry Kilgore lose as governor, and Bob McDonnell in a tight down-to-the-wire race for attorney general. I was needed at the Augusta County Government Center to witness the vote canvas, the beginning of a process that eventually led to my participation in a mid-December recount that saw McDonnell prevail with a mere 360 votes over his Democratic challenger, Creigh Deeds.

Fast forward to last week's election that saw Democrats Terry McAuliffe and Ralph Northam winning the governor and lieutenant governor spots. The end of the day, however, showed a tighter-than-a-tick contest between Republican Mark Obenshain and Democrat Mark Herring that fluctuated back and forth as a variety of events took place over the next seven days. When all votes were finally tallied, Herring was ahead by 163 votes in a contest that was probably headed to recount.

However, as happened in the 2005 race, recounts rarely change the final numbers by much. If Herring prevails, Virginia Democrats will have swept the top three offices that were won in landslide victories four years earlier by Republicans McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli.

NBC 12 has a report on the final count.

Election 2013: Governor McDonnell congratulates Terry McAuliffe

Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement Tuesday night regarding the election of Terry McAuliffe as the 72nd governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“I want to congratulate Terry McAuliffe on his election as the next governor of Virginia. There is no higher honor than serving in the same office once held by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Virginia is a Commonwealth of tremendous history and opportunity; this is the place where America began. The privilege of serving as governor carries with it immense responsibility, and I know Terry McAuliffe will act in the best interests of the more than 8 million people who call Virginia home.

“Elections are long, tough, hard-fought affairs. But they have an end date. For the 2013 campaign, that date is today. Now, the signs, stickers and ads must be put away. In their place must come comity, cooperation and a commitment to working together, across party lines, to continue to improve the quality of life of all Virginians. That’s what we’ve tried to do over the last four years.

“Virginia has been named 'America’s Best State for Business.' Our unemployment rate is the lowest in the Southeast, and the third-lowest east of the Mississippi River. Our colleges are more affordable and accessible. Our state pension system has been fixed. Our K-12 system is innovative and productive. Our transportation system finally has the long-term, sustainable funding and reforms it has long needed. We’ve posted four-straight budget surpluses, held the line on general fund spending and our Rainy Day Fund will soon grow to over $1 billion. This is the direct result of bipartisan cooperation in the service of making life better for the people of Virginia and getting results. I’m confident that Governor-elect McAuliffe will continue this great progress.

“Four years ago the people of Virginia honored me with their votes and this office. I can never thank my fellow Virginians enough for the trust they placed in me. Immediately after winning, then-Governor Tim Kaine reached out personally and offered the full assistance of his administration in our transition. The Kaine administration could not have been more helpful in the two months that followed. They made the transition as seamless and smooth as it possibly could have been. Now, we look forward to doing the same for Governor-elect McAuliffe and his team. I have already spoken to the Governor-elect and let him know that we are ready to assist with the transition and prepared to offer all the help his team will need as they prepare to lead our great Commonwealth forward for the next four years.

“Election nights are emotional times. For the winner there is the thrill of victory, combined with the recognition that the hard work preceding this moment is but a prelude to the tremendous effort yet to come. For those who fall short, there is the sadness of seeing such exertion, passion and time not produce the hoped-for result. With that in mind, I wish my friend Ken Cuccinelli the very best as he moves forward from tonight. I hope Ken will continue to stay involved in the public life of our state, and I thank him for serving our administration well as attorney general, and giving his all to public service and the campaign. I also congratulate Mr. Sarvis for running, with limited resources, a good and strong campaign.

“Again I congratulate Governor-elect McAuliffe, and I pledge to work in partnership over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition of power that is in keeping with the grand history of our beloved Commonwealth, and that best prepares the Governor-elect and his team for their public service over the next four years.”

Election Day in SWAC area ... ongoing updates

It's Election Day 2013 in Virginia. The polls are open ... voters are voting, candidate supporters are greeting them, and volunteers are sending them out the door with "I Voted" stickers.

The weather is good ... a cold, frosty start to the day with temps in the 20s is expected to lead to a high in the 50s under overcast skies.

What an odd year it has been with some newspapers refusing to endorse anyone for governor while others encouraged write-in votes for Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Many are happy to see this election cycle finally come to an end.  For many, it marks the finish of the daily barrage of campaign emails, robocalls, and television ads.

Virginia is being considered a bellwether for the country. The tea party and Libertarian wings of the Virginia Republican Party have their dream team of candidates in Ken Cuccinelli, E.W. Jackson, and Mark Obenshain for governor, lieutenant governor, and attorney general. Four years after the Republican team led by Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling swept into office with historic leads, will it happen again?

This is a notoriously red area of the Commonwealth so what's going on in the central Shenandoah Valley area that includes Staunton, Waynesboro, and Augusta County? I'll pass along news as I hear it.

10:15 a.m.: Churchville precinct had light but steady turnout. The voting location within Churchville Elementary School had been moved with only one table for check-in as opposed to the usual two. About half a dozen people were in line to sign in; two machines were in use. Interestingly, there was a card table set up with a McAuliffe sign and materials but no presence from the Republicans.

2:00 p.m.: Wilson Precinct. Steady, light turnout continued.

7:10 p.m.: Polls have closed and the wait begins for returns to be posted and announced.

And then there were 5: News-Virginian endorses no one for governor

Conservative Shenandoah Valley newspaper The News-Virginian has declined to endorse any of the three candidates for governor in the 2013 Virginia campaign.

That now makes five newspapers who have passed on this endorsement: Richmond Times-Dispatch, Roanoke Times, News & Advance, and News Progress and, today, the News-Virginian to that growing list.

Addressing the campaign, the News Virginian wrote:

It’s ... been one of the nastier ones in recent memory, with both Democratic and Republican nominees focusing too much time on attacking their opponent and too little on talking up their own plans for the Commonwealth. If that’s an indication of how their administration would be, we can’t endorse any of the candidates in this year’s race. We’ve seen too much bickering and attacking in Washington. It just takes up time and accomplishes little.

This is notable because the News-Virginian is a relatively conservative newspaper in the conservative Shenandoah Valley, one of the reddest parts of the Commonwealth, with conservative representatives who often go unchallenged. Indeed, in 2013 the three local delegates for the House of Representatives who represent the SWAC area, have no opponents as noted by News-Virginian political reporter Bob Stuart earlier this week in his article, "Local House members face clear path to re-election."

Reflecting the sour mood of the electorate in this election cycle, two newspapers -- the Daily Progress and Roanoke Times suggested writing in Republican Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

Election 2013 has, indeed, been an odd one.

McDonnell, Bolling, Warner, Kaine to honor fired AP reporter Bob Lewis

Virginia's top politicos plan to honor fired Associated Press reporter Bob Lewis at a reception on November 18, according to the Huffington Post. Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine will be on hand to honor the 57-year-old respected wordsmith.

In an interesting revelation, the Huffington Post wrote:

The McAuliffe campaign responded immediately after Monday's firing to say they did not push for actions to be taken against the journalists and noted having a "professional relationship" with Lewis, Potter and the AP's Virginia. (The Washington Post reported Tuesday night that Ken Cuccinelli, his Republican challenger in the Governor's race, passed the bogus tip to both the AP and the Post.) [emphasis added]

Indeed, the Post wrote about the tip:

Several journalists, including some at AP, said the McAuliffe story was pushed to news organizations by the campaign of McAuliffe’s rival, Ken Cuccinelli II (R). The Washington Post was among those that received a tip about it from Cuccinelli’s campaign, but The Post passed on the story after checking it.

When the news hit that night, many were quick to jump on it. Within two hours the story had been retracted. Response to Lewis' firing has come from all sides of the political aisle, a testament to the man who has long covered Virginia politics. The reception by top leaders is further evidence of that.  Here's hoping my invitation is in the mail....

Rasmussen: McAuliffe +17 points - UPDATED

Rasmussen Poll released October 22, 2013

Terry McAuliffe (D): 50%
Ken Cuccinelli (R): 33%
Robert Sarvis (L): 8%

Election Day is in two weeks.

Update: Quinniapiac Poll out October 23:

McAuliffe: 46%
Cuccinelli: 39%
Sarvis: 10%

Quinnipiac seems more in line with other polls than yesterday's Rasmussen.  Real Clear Politics has McAuliffe's average at +9.6%.

Gov. McDonnell's popularity remains high with 55% approval

A new poll is out today from NBC4/NBC News/Marist Poll that finds Governor Bob McDonnell with a 55 percent approval rating with registered voters in Virginia. Among the poll's findings:

- +23 among registered voters in the Commonwealth
- +20 among independents at 54 percent
- +20 among women voters
- +16 with African-American voters
- +28 with young voters

Governor McDonnell is popular in every region of the state:

- +17 in the Washington suburbs
- +28 in Tidewater
- +14 in Western Virginia

Virginians like the direction the state is headed under Governor McDonnell's leadership, with 54 percent of likely voters saying Virginia is on the right track, a margin of +14.

Among other poll questions were the following:

Virginia Governor Race:
Terry McAuliffe 46 percent, Ken Cuccinelli 38 percent

Washington Redskins:
The poll also discovered that 78 percent questioned do not want the Washington Redskins to change their name.

Obama approval:
52 percent of Virginians disapprove of his job performance while 45 percent approve.

Check out the poll for cross tabs and other questions.

Boyd, Mudcat ... 2013's odd political climate in Virginia

The political climate in Virginia continues to get curiouser and curiouser on an almost daily basis and, today, it clouded yet again.

Two weeks ago, that ground shift you felt under your feet was the GOP reacting as longtime veteran Republican strategist Boyd Marcus endorsed and moved over to work for Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe for governor. Conservative to the core, Boyd's move had some calling him a RINO, a moderate, and excoriating him for daring to step over the political line even as the Washington Post noted, "Democrats and even some Republicans see Marcus’s move as emblematic of a deep rift within the party: Marcus had been aligned with pragmatic establishment figures and repelled by the resolute tea party style...."

Interesting, then, that in another twist of this continuing drama, the Washington Post reported today that longtime Democratic strategist Mudcat Saunders had sorta-kinda joined the Cuccinelli campaign even though he didn't formally endorse him. Mudcat's reason? He doesn't agree with "corporate" types. That made me wonder if he meant he doesn't agree with capitalism. He was all over the map with thoughts about the campaign but seemed to zero in on southwestern Virginia and the coal industry, something Democrats and liberal environmentalists seem determined to destroy: “Once my party starts caring for the people at the bottom of the mountain as much as they care for the trees at the top of the mountain, I’ll join the conversation."

So was Mudcat piqued that McAuliffe didn't turn to him to consult his campaign, perhaps ticked that a Republican was hired instead? Or did the Cuccinelli campaign begin overtures to Mudcat after Boyd went to McAuliffe? Or could it be that the rural-leaning Mudcat just didn't like the globe-trotting McAuliffe who is closely associated with the Clintons?

There's no knowing for sure but it certainly adds to the mystique and entertainment of those watching this eclectic campaign season play out. With six weeks left until election day, it will be interesting to see who may next trip over party lines.

Cross-posted at Virginia Politics On Demand

Schapiro exposes negative campaigning ... Bolling again calls for positive messaging

In his column in Sunday's Richmond Times-Dispatch, political reporter Jeff Schapiro wrote:

What Terry McAuliffe and Ken Cuccinelli say, to whom and how they say it, speaks to the direction of the gubernatorial campaign. Some of it is noise. A lot is dog-whistle politics: shrill, high-frequency babble tailored to the ears of targeted voters.

All the negativity hasn't been lost on Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling who wrote on Facebook:

Jeff Schapiro does a pretty good job capturing the essence of this year's gubernatorial campaign, which is characterized by way too much negativity and way too little substance. I still believe the candidate who can project a positive message in the final weeks of the campaign is the candidate who will win.

A positive message from our 2013 candidates? What a novel idea.

Bolling, Sabato hit Twitter, FB with Va gubernatorial frustrations

Virginia's gubernatorial campaign took another interesting turn on Friday as two powerful political pundits took to social media to express frustration with the candidates and the state of both campaigns.

Sinking further into the muck, the past week saw the Cuccinelli campaign accusing McAuliffe of saying something he didn't while news broke that McAuliffe's former GreenTech company has come under SEC scrutiny.

It was almost possible to hear the exasperation in University of Virginia Professor Larry Sabato's voice Friday afternoon as he tweeted:

Just re-checked my VA Constitution. Requirements for GOV do NOT include being controversial or seedy.
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) August 2, 2013

Sabato immediately followed that tweet with another referring to Virginia's Lieutenant Governor:

Bill Bolling goofed big-time. #VAGOV
— Larry Sabato (@LarrySabato) August 2, 2013

Friday night the Lieutenant Governor himself took to Twitter and Facebook here and here (he has two FB pages) to express frustration about the current state of Virginia's governor's race. Bill Bolling posted:

I'm very frustrated by the current direction of the gubernatorial campaign. Instead of spending millions of dollars calling each other names, I'd like to see the candidates actually talk about the important issues facing our state. The people of Virginia deserve better than they are getting, and that's a bipartisan criticism.

By Saturday morning he had received hundreds of thumbs ups from around the Commonwealth and, presumably, there were many more who did not publicly give their approval but were thinking it.

Dozens left comments, some noting that they would be writing in Bill Bolling's name on the November ballot, a recurring theme that has come up in letters to the editor and conversations on the street. This comment from a supporter named Bill echoed those sentiments:

I will be writing in Bill Bolling and I have lots of friends here in Goochland that will be doing the same.

Another supporter pleaded:

Bill, it's not too late. Give us another choice. PLEASE!!!!!

Commenter John looked at the election in a different light:

If this were a job interview for a corporation, I was the hiring manager, and I was down to the two party's respective candidates as my final applicants, I would tell my Human Resource Department to leave the job posted, as I haven't found the right hire.

That was the tone of most of the comments as voters expressed concerns, even suggesting Bolling 2017. The naysayers stopped by, too, like James who quipped:

It might be helpful if you constructively supported your party's nominee....

To which Chris responded:

Well, it would have also been nice to have gotten to vote in a primary too, but that didn't happen either.

Bottom line: there is definitely dissatisfaction among voters, something picked up on in Sunday's News & Advance editorial, Cuccinelli, McAuliffe and the Split in the GOP. With that said, we are still three months away from election day 2013.

Cross-posted at Va Political Pineapple

The race for Governor: The silly snark over Rt. 58

"Instead of wasting time with snarky videos and scripted statements of indignation from surrogates, maybe both candidates should spend a week traveling U.S. 58 to see it for themselves. ... It’s about time for them to run campaigns worthy of the title [of Governor]." -- Roanoke Times editorial (Stuck on the side of the road)

Observations at the Homestead gubernatorial debate

The Homestead early Saturday morning.

We arrived early at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs for the Virginia Bar Association (VBA) gubernatorial debate between Democrat Terry McAuliffe and Republican Ken Cuccinelli after leaving home at 8:00 Saturday morning for the leisurely, one-hour drive over the mountains.

Everyone and his brother has written about the debate and there's not really much more I could add to that so I'll pass along some out-of-the-way observations....

Ken Cuccinelli ... walking in George Allen's boots? Were those cowboy boots he was wearing with that lawyer suit on Saturday?

Chris LaCivita, part of the Cuccinelli's entourage for their pre-debate mike check, dropped his name tag in the hallway. Yellow ... all access ... hmm. Wonder if I could get away with it? Tried to get his attention as he hurried away so retrieved the name tag and handed it off to Cuccinelli campaign  manager Dave Rexrode in the ballroom. With an all access pass ... oh, the places I could go?

Pre-debate was a flurry of activity as media worked to get set up. This is a community where many knew others as they called greetings to one another.

Mike Stark

Cue the "Twilight Zone" music ... sitting at the table in front of me was Mike Stark. If you don't recognize the name, you weren't blogging in 2006. We've jostled on the blogging front lines -- liberal Democrat versus conservative Republican -- throughout the years so I asked to get his photo to prove his presence to my fellow SWAC bloggers. He was congenial as we discussed issues like energy and Obamacare ... kind of a surreal feeling.

Brian Coy with the McAuliffe campaign came by press tables to meet everyone and hand out a fact sheet. A young man with America Rising, the Republican youthful outfit, stopped by with an information sheet and introduced himself.

Bob Brown, photo-journalist, Richmond Times-Dispatch

As always, I enjoyed sitting with local political reporter Bob Stuart from the Daily Progress/News-Virginian. Look for his article about the debate in Sunday's paper. Bob Brown, longtime photo-journalist from the Richmond Times-Dispatch, was there -- love his work so stopped by to say hi and chatted a moment with him. There was no sighting of the TD's political writer Jeff Schapiro. His bow tie was missed.

Ellen Qualls

Bob pointed out Ellen Qualls, who kind of made her name working with Mark Warner and is now a consultant to the McAuliffe campaign, was standing nearby. State Senator Creigh Deeds was seen in the audience.

The debate began with introductions of the candidates and then intro of Judy Woodruff, co-anchor of the "PBS NewsHour." There was a slight hiccup when Ms. Woodruff offered the podium to McAuliffe to begin opening statements, only to be told by Cuccinelli that he was to be first. She apologized and tossed it over to him. Later in the debate, Cuccinelli again corrected Woodruff's question rotation. Awkward.

Afterward, both candidates offered a brief interview opportunity for the media. In the middle of the cluster pictured above was Terry McAuliffe.

As I was leaving the ballroom after the debate, Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis was outside the doors greeting folks. I got his photo and talked briefly with him, asking how he felt about not being included in the debate and if he hoped to be in future ones.  He was upbeat and said he's working to make that happen.

Just down the hall stood Greg Letiecq in the hallway talking with someone so I patted him on the arm as I passed. NoVa was in the house....

Heavy media coverage. Extra tables were brought in after all seats were taken.

Someone's cell phone went off at 12:25 on Republican side of ballroom -- it was playing some kind of country song that went on for several seconds while Cuccinelli was speaking -- another awkward moment.

Many thanks to Marilyn Shaw with the VBA who does a great job year after year of communicating with the press and including bloggers. The Homestead was gorgeous, as always. Another year, another VBA debate tucked away into the archives. It's less than four months until election day.

I never tire of the drive to the Homestead on the back roads of western Virginia. Those who know me know I have to post the obligatory rural photo, this one taken near my home as I started out on my morning journey to Hot Springs. Hay bales, mountains, chicory ... serenity.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

Va Bar Association gubernatorial debate -- photos 2

Photos courtesy of Rick Sincere.
Virginia Politics On Demand

Virginia Bar Association gubernatorial debate at The Homestead - 1st photos

Ken Cuccinelli, Terry McAuliffe, Judy Woodruff

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
July 20, 2013

PBS' Judy Woodruff to moderate VBA gubernatorial debate at Homestead Resort

The Virginia Bar Association (VBA) announced Friday that PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff will be the moderator for their 123rd summer meeting's Gubernatorial Debate between Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe and Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli. The event will take place on July 20 at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.

Ms. Woodruff has covered politics and other news for more than three decades at CNN, NBC and PBS. She regularly co-anchors “PBS NewsHour,” a program she rejoined in 2007. Previously she worked at CNN for 12 years, during which time she anchored the weekday “Inside Politics” program. Woodruff served as chief Washington correspondent for PBS “NewsHour” and for NBC’s “Today Show."

The award-winning broadcast journalist also appears monthly on the Bloomberg Television program “Conversations with Judy Woodruff.”

“We’re absolutely thrilled to have the co-anchor of ‘PBS NewsHour’ – and someone with Judy Woodruff’s experience in political coverage – as our moderator,” VBA President Tom Bagby said. “This debate is likely to receive national attention and certainly will be one to attend.”

Woodruff’s appearance as moderator for the 2013 VBA debate follows that of CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley. Crowley took The Homestead stage last July with U.S. Senate candidates Tim Kaine and George Allen. Not long after that, Crowley became only the second woman to moderate a presidential debate, and the first woman to do so in 20 years.

Polls of the 2013 Virginia governor’s race show Republican Cuccinelli and Democrat McAuliffe closely matched in voters’ minds several months ahead of Election Day. A sizable percentage of adults have not decided who will get their vote. Pundits have dubbed the match-up one of two marquee gubernatorial races in the nation this year.

By sponsoring debates and inviting news media coverage, the nonpartisan VBA seeks to educate the public and its members about candidates’ views, and to stimulate voter interest and participation in the election process.

Founded in 1888, the VBA (www.vba.org) is the state’s oldest and largest voluntary organization of lawyers, judges and legal educators. As the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, it advances the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service.

Cuccinelli and Snyder and $$$

An interesting email landed in my in-box this morning. Sometimes if things don't work out one way, they will work out another, and that appears to be true for Pete Snyder and Ken Cuccinelli.

Snyder, who was runner-up for the Lieutenant Governor nomination at the Virginia Republican Convention in May, and whose financial contacts had others salivating at the thought of him on their team, has now joined the Cuccinelli campaign as co-coordinator of its Finance Committee. Visions of dollar signs are dancing in some heads ... and visions of future political office are dancing in others'.

The email announcement:

The Cuccinelli For Governor Campaign today announced that Virginia entrepreneur Pete Snyder will serve as Co-Chairman of its Finance Committee. In his new volunteer role, Snyder will help lead the campaign's fundraising efforts, both in the Commonwealth and nationally.

"Pete Snyder is a true entrepreneur, great grassroots campaigner and one of the best fundraisers in our party. It's rare in this business to find people who are real team players and that's one of many reasons I am proud to have Pete join our campaign," said Ken Cuccinelli. "I'm grateful for Pete's continuous effort to advance our party and our Commonwealth."

"There is only one candidate in the race for governor with a clear plan and the right experience to strengthen and grow Virginia's economy and that is Ken Cuccinelli," said Snyder, the CEO of Virginia-based Disruptor Capital. "I'm honored Ken asked me to pitch in on this critical effort. The single most important thing Virginians can do to ensure that we grow our economy and remain a right-to-work state is to elect Ken Cuccinelli as our next governor." He is also a World Championship certified BBQ judge. Pete and his wife Burson reside in Fairfax County.

Interesting....

Va Gubernatorial Race: Debating debates ... 5 or 15?

The issue of Virginia gubernatorial debates has the attention of Jeff Schapiro at the Richmond Times-Dispatch as well as Jim Nolan. Republican Ken Cuccinelli wants 15 debates. Democrat Terry McAuliffe says the already-agreed upon five will be enough and is in line with 2005 and 2009. Whichever it ends up being, political maneuvering will be involved....

McDonnell's years of work lead to voting rights restoration ... Cuccinelli jumps on board

 Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Since 2010, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell has restored the voting rights of 4,843 nonviolent felons, a campaign goal the Republican leader has pursued for years.

Effective July 15, he will automatically restore those rights to nonviolent felons on an individual basis, writes reporter Olympia Meola at the Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Gov. Bob McDonnell today will announce that he is automatically restoring the voting rights of nonviolent felons on an individual basis.

The sweeping administrative action -- while not an instantaneous blanket restoration -- is as far as the governor can go within current Virginia law, administration officials said.
...
Janet Kelly, Secretary of the Commonwealth, added, "We are on the as-soon-as-possible timeline."

Wednesday's announcement is just the latest installment on an issue McDonnell has been working on since the beginning of his administration.

Reporter Meola explained the process:

McDonnell's change applies only to nonviolent felons. Under current procedures, there is a two-year waiting period before a nonviolent felon can apply for restoration of rights. Under the current process, the governor does not have to approve any particular application.

McDonnell is removing the waiting period and the subjectivity. Once the administration verifies that a nonviolent felon has completed his sentence and probation or parole, and paid all fines and restitution, the governor will send the person a letter restoring his rights, provided the individual has no pending felony or misdemeanor charges.

Staff members have said that former prosecutor McDonnell believes in punishment but he also believes in redemption and opportunity.

"Virginia is one of only four states to permanently take away the right to vote from citizens with felony convictions," write Darrell K. White and Mark Croston at the Times-Dispatch.

White, president of the Baptist General Convention, and Croston, president of the Virginia Baptist State Convention, noted that "restoring voting rights sends the message that citizens who want a second chance are welcome as full members of our communities," and added:

Gov. Bob McDonnell understands this. A man of deep Christian faith himself, he has repeatedly called on the General Assembly to pass a constitutional amendment to automatically restore rights to people with nonviolent felony convictions upon completion of their sentences. “Once individuals have served their time, and paid their fines, restitution and other costs, they should have the opportunity to rejoin society as fully contributing members,” McDonnell said in a January statement. “As a nation that believes in redemption, we want more productive citizens and fewer people returning to prison.”
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Unfortunately, the governor’s pleas to the legislature have gone unheeded. The General Assembly has refused to pass several proposals for automatic voting rights restoration, leaving no further legislative options. But there is another way. While Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli recently announced his view that McDonnell does not have the constitutional authority to issue an executive order to automatically restore civil rights for citizens with felony convictions after they have completed their sentences, we disagree with that analysis. The Virginia Constitution makes it clear that the governor has the exclusive power to do so, making a difference for hundreds of thousands of citizens who have paid their debts to society.

Perhaps in a bit of "me, too" campaign enthusiasm, Republican gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli jumped the Governor's planned announcement with one of his own on Tuesday. Virginian-Pilot reporter Julian Walker took a look at Cuccinelli's change of heart:

Time and again during his state Senate service, Ken Cuccinelli opposed attempts to change Virginia’s Constitution so certain nonviolent felons automatically regain their voting rights.

Now, the attorney general and Republican gubernatorial candidate has positioned himself at the vanguard of efforts to improve the state’s rights-restoration process, saying he has had a change of heart.

Governor McDonnell has public opinion on his side as well as the Baptist Assembly, the Catholic Conference of Virginia, the United Methodist Church, and the Presbyterian Church USA, proving once again to be a leader who is willing to fight for the issues that are important for Virginians.