tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80866573223533101732023-11-16T02:02:08.289-05:00The Virginia DemocratUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger169125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-39135351776926348842011-03-25T23:44:00.013-04:002011-03-26T13:35:47.800-04:00I've Left the Virginia Democratic Party...<span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Cross-Posted at DailyKOS and the HokieGuru blog</span><br /><br />And not because I don't have progressive views about the future... the Virginia Democratic Party has left me.<br /><br />The Virginia Democratic Party has been "leaderless" for almost two years. We've had hit rock bottom. Let's talk about some of the things that need to be fixed for me to come back into the fold (e.g out of Independent status)... let's start at the top:<br /></span><ol><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Barack Obama - I love you, Mr. President, but no one knows what you stand for. You've been AWOL in the federal budget fight, you accept whatever cuts the House Republicans want, and we are now in a third war (and we are borrowing from China to finance those operations). I don't see you standing up for the party members, either... I see you talking in generalities, but there is no positive message from you on how your policies (or lack there of) are going to make the nation better off.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Tim Kaine - Dude, please quit playing drama queen and get off your "fence" about running for Senate. You have ruined the chance that other candidates (much better candidates, I might add) will run for the federal political office that impacts every Virginian's life. After your tenure and the DNC (and the substantial electoral losses... pretty much wiping out our 2006 and 2008 House and Senate gains), why anyone would want you to run for Senate is beyond me. It's kind of like banging your head against the wall repeatedly and stopping because it feels so good (e.g. insanity). Please do us all a favor and take the ambassador position in Madrid.</span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Jim Webb - Jim, I understand why you are leaving (Senate Dems are going to be in the minority in 2012). However, this is a time when we need your leadership in the Senate. We can no longer endure draconian budget cuts and during your last few weeks, we need you to stop caving... we also need you to talk some sense into Tim Kaine.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Jim Moran - You have lost your only chance to be a House committee chairmen... won't ever happen for you... as a committee chair, you would have the authority to send resources to Alexandria and Arlington, part of the economic power engine in the State of Virginia. It's time for you to retire. We need new blood in your seat... someone that is in touch with the district and it's needs... someone that has a chance to lead. You've been a back bencher for years and it's time for you to end that charade.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Creigh Deeds - You did nothing to reach out to younger voters (that's why Barack Obama won... reaching out in Northern Virginia would have been a good idea). The downslide in the Virginia Democratic Party really began with you, man. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Your 2009 Virginia Governor campaign was the worst I have ever seen in politics. It might have brought the Virginia Democratic Party to pre-1993 levels. </span></span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Brian Moran - Dude, seriously, where do I start? I have no idea how you are the Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. Hello, you run for Governor, you can't even win your own home precinct, and you get this important leadership role? WTF. Really? Dude, seriously... what are you doing to build the Democratic Party in Virginia? I see no strategic message or positive message for the future originating from your office... you need to lead the efforts in this area... as a party, we can't say, don't vote for the other party because they suck... we have to say this is why our polices are going to make your life better... a strong positive message about the future is what we need. Who is in charge of strategic communication, anyway? It is bad enough that you support a proprietary educational industry that eats at the tax payer trough.<br /></span></li><li><span style="font-size:180%;">Dick Saslaw - Dude, you are my Senator... I've voted for you a couple times, but I'm not donating just because you say Cooch sucks. You can only play the firewall role so long. Where is your positive vision for the future? How are you going to make life better for Virginia (and more specifically, Alexandria) residents? I see nothing coming out of the Virginia Senate "leadership."</span></li></ol><span style="font-size:180%;">You notice here that I've consistently talked (several times above) about a positive message for the future... this is what people respond to... how do you plan to make Virginian lives better? What can we do better than Republicans? This is a conservative state... not gonna get away with trashing the other party... must make a case as to why we are better. How will people benefit from our policies? None of those seven people above are doing that.</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-size:180%;"> I've never seen a party so lost in the wilderness.<br /><br />And that's why I'm now an Independent voter and have left the Virginia Democratic Party. I may be back in the fold in November 2012... but you have to win me back... with a positive message about the future.</span><br /></span>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-3105401696589978382010-02-09T09:36:00.005-05:002010-02-09T09:55:18.859-05:00Governor Bob McDonnell - Don't Rob Higher EducationUnfortunately, I can't blame Bob McDonnell for this entirely, <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/235875">however</a>:<br /><br /><em><blockquote>A little-known provision in former Gov. Tim Kaine's final budget bill currently working its way through the General Assembly proposes something unheard of in higher education: taking a portion of mandatory student fees paid to universities and depositing that money in the state's bank account.<br /><br />Higher education officials and advocates say it's not only an unfair "backdoor tax" on students and families, but that it could set a dangerous precedent for education funding.<br /><br />This is completely different from taking general fund money [away]. This is private student money never intended to go to the state that the state is taking," said Steven Jones, executive director of Virginia21, a Richmond-based youth advocacy group. "It's a matter of the public trust."</blockquote></em><br /><br />Nice... not... the proposal would also dip into university reserve funds, including the interest that accrues on those accounts. Colleges around Virginia use those funds for capital projects, including dorm renovations, new student housing, and other projects. <br /><br />At a time when workforce reductions and tuition increases are happening at every college in the state, Virginia cannot afford to rob higher education anymore. Remember, this is only the beginning... if Bob McDonnell gets away with this, he'll try this same tactic with elemetary and secondary education.Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-89639319158393233302010-01-21T18:26:00.002-05:002010-01-21T18:31:57.044-05:00Is Bob McDonnell considering a tax increase?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://community.detnews.com/blogs/media/users/mhappy/cold_day_in_hell_200.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 141px;" src="http://community.detnews.com/blogs/media/users/mhappy/cold_day_in_hell_200.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />In the State of the State address the other night, the governor had this – and only this -- to say about taxes:<br /><blockquote>The budget that was waiting for me at 12:01pm on Saturday requires $4 billion in cuts. <br /><br />Some say taxes must be raised – it’s unavoidable. Here’s what I say. I will work with you –Democrats, Republicans and Independents. We will meet and negotiate; there will be disagreements, and there will be compromises. <br /><br /> Virginians are struggling with the worst economy in generations. We will not turn our economy around by taxing Virginians more. To do so would ignore the indisputable truth that the fiscal fortune of any government is tied to the economic prosperity of its people. Therefore, if you pass a bill in this recession that raises taxes on the hardworking families of Virginia – I WILL VETO IT. And if you pass a budget embedded with those same tax increases – I WILL NOT APPROVE IT. </blockquote><br />I find it hard to believe that McDonnell would seriously consider raising taxes. Given the choice between responsible, constructive governing and blind adherence to an ideology that teaches that taxes and government are always bad, a Republican that dreams of a future in his/her party will choose ideology every time.<br /><br />And yet, McDonnell’s specificity of language is intriguing. Would he approve a tax that was not imposed on “the hardworking families of Virginia” – say, a gas tax, or an increased sales tax, or additional taxes and fees on business. Of course, ultimately, those taxes hit hardworking families, but one could at least argue that they are taxes actually levied on others.<br /><br />After all, if the Governor meant all taxes were off the table, there was a more direct and clear way to say so, like “Read my lips. No new taxes!” <br /><br />But he chose not to do so.<br /><br />Could he be telling the General Assembly he would support a tax incre…er….revenue enhancement of some sort, if could be argued that the burden does not, somehow, fall on families.<br /><br />I’m sure I’m off base. My Republican friends in the Commonwealth might be misguided and dangerous ideologues, but they are not stupid enough to fall for this. <br /><br />But there is a $4 billion budget gap that McDonnell needs to close, and I am eager to see how the Governor solves this puzzle over the next couple of months by expense cuts alone, consistent with the promises of his campaign.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-83593695941003717422010-01-15T16:46:00.002-05:002010-01-15T16:49:58.633-05:00EXTRA! EXTRA! McDonnell renegs on transportation promises<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://collateraldamage.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/rains5a.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 252px;" src="http://collateraldamage.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/rains5a.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Well, Gov-elect McDonnell has <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/01/14/AR2010011404626.html">reneged on his promises</a> to fix Virginia’s transportation mess.<br /><br />I’m shocked, shocked I tell you, that this has happened!<br /><br />Not that it matters much. McDonnell’s “plan” for transportation was always clearly intended as so much campaign fodder, and never intended as an actual and practical solution for the Commonwealth’s transportation issues.<br /><br />Still, Bob McDonnell is responsible for his own actions, and reneging on a promise so central to his election before he is even sworn in is, frankly, inexcusable, even in these cynical times. But it won’t be the last promise on which McDonnell reneges, unfortunately, as most of his campaign was premised on presenting an image of himself completely at odds with the reality of who Bob McDonnell really is.<br /><br />The trick for McDonnell, of course, will be to maintain his viability as a national candidate while delivering on his “Manchurian Candidate” role to remake Virginia in the image of Pat Robertson (it’s all laid out there in his thesis). To accomplish this, I suspect that much of the dirty work in the social arena will fall to Ken Cuccinelli, with McDonnell simply not interfering with Cooch and instead playing the role of “Moderate Bob” insofar as most citizens are concerned, with a healthy dose of winks, nods and coded language to the teabaggers he will need as he reaches for national office. <br /><br />That’s what’s up, it appears, with McDonnell’s low key demeanor and overtures to Democrats heading into his inauguration.<br /><br />Progressives are at an inherent disadvantage compared to Republicans when it comes to acting as an opposition party. Because we believe in the capacity of government to act as an agent of progress in society, we try to find areas of constructive compromise and cooperation with political opponents when they operate the levers of power, even at the expense of supporting policies we know to be wrong because they possess some good aspects, and even if short –term political objectives are impaired in the process.<br /><br />While the reasons were certainly more complex, it was this general approach to governing that allowed Democrats to seek common ground with President Bush throughout most of his presidency, notwithstanding his record of lying and incompetence. It was only following Katrina that common sense took hold, although it was too late by then, and Democrats realized that they were doing long-term damage to the country by supporting Bush policies.<br /><br />For Republicans, however, being obstructionist is not only entirely consistent with their philosophy that any government action is inherently bad, quite apart from the objectives and means of implementation of that action itself, but it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. This strategy, of course, has the added virtue of providing the opposition with short-term political gains, as people turn on the party in power because of its inability to deliver. <br /><br />I’m curious to see how Virginia’s Democrats respond to the McDonnell/Cuccinelli Administration in Richmond and to their inevitable sacrifices of education, health care, and public safety at the altar of tax cuts, much as we see McDonnell toss transportation to the wolves. And I’m curious to see the response to Cuccinelli’s efforts to reverse what little progress Virginia has made in social areas, whether the right for a woman to control her own body, gay rights and other civil liberties as he pursues his narrow Evangelical vision of society. <br /><br />I do not have high hopes.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-72452267399626252612009-11-10T22:48:00.002-05:002009-11-10T22:52:58.303-05:002009-2010 Virginia Tech Men's Basketball Preview<p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht98eVsJsFNSz2gz67KkQVsfVlpHZqQkTEPVbtwjpHO_loV4eKrmY6ozo1YCm__STCADbBoAP7WKTV66BRF6fLneLGVFGHEwaN2c4hh1mj5iYLdc-_TaBDmF_AOk3XuOOYpC7l0nxh2vg/s1600-h/delaneyjump.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 383px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht98eVsJsFNSz2gz67KkQVsfVlpHZqQkTEPVbtwjpHO_loV4eKrmY6ozo1YCm__STCADbBoAP7WKTV66BRF6fLneLGVFGHEwaN2c4hh1mj5iYLdc-_TaBDmF_AOk3XuOOYpC7l0nxh2vg/s400/delaneyjump.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402300465928763554" border="0" /></a><em>Thanks to aznew for letting me guest post the 2009-2010 Virginia Tech Men's Basketball Preview. The Hokie Guru is an editor for <a href="http://vt.bb.fanfoc.us)">VT Fan Focus's Men's Basketball section</a>, and was one of the founding members of <a href="http://firebryanstinespring.blogspot.com/">Fire Bryan Stinespring</a>. He's a season ticket holder, and definitely has his finger on the pulse of the program right now. Here it goes:</em></p><br /><hr id="system-readmore" /><p>This is my 2nd year as a season ticket holder (and I’ve watched Hokie Men’s hoops since the mid 1980’s...I remember the big upset of Memphis in 1985). We’re looking to build on a 2008-2009 season that had our Hokies finish in a three-way tie for seventh in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Jason King from Yahoo Sports has it right when he says talent wise, we were an <a href="http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/basketball/news;_ylt=AlMm11YHxZN6H8OJ1_TNq3revbYF?slug=jn-accrank082109&prov=yhoo&type=lgns)">NCAA tournament team last year, but inconsistency kept us out of the Big Dance</a>. Subsequently, we had to settle for a second round appearance (and quick exit) in the National Invitational Tournament. This year, the ACC media picked the <a href="http://www.theacc.com/sports/m-baskbl/spec-rel/102509aab.html">Hokies to finish in 8th place</a> considering that our big time scorer, A.D. Vassallo graduated. The Hokies will definitely miss Vassallo for his offense, but definitely not his defense.<br /><strong><br />Reports from Practice</strong><br /><br />Reports from 2009-2010 practices are limited, but tweets from Malcolm Delaney on Twitter (<a href="http://twitter.com/foe23">@foe23</a>) show that Virginia Tech beat Charlotte and GEORGETOWN in official scrimmages. While it’s hard to take much from those results, this is a good sign. Further, there's quite a bit of buzz that our D is stronger this year. There has been an increased emphasis on overall team defense with Greenberg's squad, not unlike the mentality of our football team.<br /><strong><br />New Facilities</strong></p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90OtvNThvzTHCoUPBzA0CzCS1QgRA5h2pLzjdQml2gAnsT89166A4nVun4heVafo-XJOUBuVbDRxFtC9A3266G2LVJyHQuksFvkha1gSOGlrDf8nnFILfd5avqlCEWau2IZVmudxrrd0/s1600-h/washingtonpaulus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 370px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj90OtvNThvzTHCoUPBzA0CzCS1QgRA5h2pLzjdQml2gAnsT89166A4nVun4heVafo-XJOUBuVbDRxFtC9A3266G2LVJyHQuksFvkha1gSOGlrDf8nnFILfd5avqlCEWau2IZVmudxrrd0/s400/washingtonpaulus.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402299667280815858" border="0" /></a><br />Arguably the biggest news of the offseason was the <a href="http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/TECH10_20090809-215606/285091/">completion of a brand new $21 million basketball practice facility</a> in Blacksburg. Seth Greenberg expects the facility to provide a “wow” factor that will help level the playing field in terms of recruiting against the traditional ACC powerhouses. The building is impressive, and certainly improves the perception of the program with respect to recruits as well as rivals. Hokie fans will also enjoy the fact that we pay homage to Greg “Teabag” Paulus in the form of a <a href="http://deadspin.com/5333819/greg-paulus-is-the-biggest-legend-in-virginia-tech-history">two-story poster in the entrance of the facility</a>. From what I’ve heard, the players LOVE the facility and the current players have had more opportunity for practice shots this year than in the last three years combined.<br /><strong><br />A New Assistant Coach</strong><br /><br />Seth Greenberg made what many in the media say was a great off-season hire in assistant coach, Bill Courtney. Courtney is considered an excellent recruiter, especially on the East Coast, which is particularly important in the ACC. When he was an assistant at Virginia, he recruited Sylven Landesburg, the Cavaliers' best player. While at George Mason, he recruited every player on the Patriots' Final Four squad. You can see more about Courtney <a href="http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/sports/college/college_basketball/article/TECH24_20090623-221203/275883/">here</a>. I'd say we’re lucky to have him. Welcome to Virginia Tech, Bill.<br /><br /><strong>The Schedule</strong></p><br /><p><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZXlJhAgUiUanjSiBmXiV1nDz0HpsDgzUJofa-Ww7XJi-psqE6jvIYzwJLjbe1k13MAEx3ZWhc52nLICf0C1FqUW7wWZlhUT13Pp7clg5zfH-uI1j4LE4WWCH3zH8qdnVd1UrOCo_x90/s1600-h/VTMDbball.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoZXlJhAgUiUanjSiBmXiV1nDz0HpsDgzUJofa-Ww7XJi-psqE6jvIYzwJLjbe1k13MAEx3ZWhc52nLICf0C1FqUW7wWZlhUT13Pp7clg5zfH-uI1j4LE4WWCH3zH8qdnVd1UrOCo_x90/s400/VTMDbball.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402299379994295202" border="0" /></a><br />The knock on our Hokies in previous seasons is that we did not have enough quality wins (non-conference and ACC) to make the Tournament. This year, we have an opportunity to pick up some <a href="http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/schedule/">strong wins before the ACC season begins</a>. The highlights include Temple in the Philly Hoop Group Classic, Iowa in the Big 10/ACC Challenge, Georgia at home, Penn State on the road (when I first heard that game announced, I thought it was for football and I was massively excited). Hokie fans should still be excited about the basketball matchup, and I will be travelling to Happy Valley to witness it in person. The Hokies will also take on Seton Hall south of the border in Mexico. In ACC play, we have a pair of home and road games with North Carolina, Boston College, North Carolina State, Miami, and Virginia. The Hokies have single home games against Clemson, Wake Forest, and Maryland. The Hokies go on the road for games against Florida State, Duke, and Georgia Tech. I wish we could play Maryland and Duke twice (so I could boo both teams off the court and yell “Teabag Paulus” and “General Greivis Vasquez” for the hell of it), but this is the way ACC scheduling works out this season. In short, we have some good opportunities for quality non-conference and conference wins. If we come out of the blocks hard, we should have a good chance to be undefeated by the time the ACC season begins.<br /><br /><strong>The Roster</strong><br /><br /><em>Backcourt</em></p><br /><ul><li><em>Malcolm Delaney (Junior, G, 6’3”, 190 lbs) – </em>The best player we’ve had at Virginia Tech since Dell Curry (some would argue that Ace Custis should be rated higher than Malcolm… I disagree). He is the undisputed team leader and we need him to be more vocal this year. Delaney is preseason First Team All-ACC and is the leading scorer among all returning players in the conference. Malcolm is listed in Rivals.com <a href="http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1008669">Top 25 Point Guards</a> as well. Delaney is a combo guard (e.g. he can play point and shooting guard) but his natural position is shooting guard. To improve his game, Delaney participated as a player and counselor at LeBron James’ Nike Summer Basketball camp in Cleveland. Delaney has the best jump shot (think rainbow) I’ve seen at Virginia Tech. Towards the end of the season last year, fatigue might have been a factor with Delaney...let’s hope that’s not the case this year. Look for him to have A GREAT YEAR that might bounce him into the NBA draft.</li><br /><li><em>Dorenzo Hudson (Junior, G, 6’5”, 220 lbs) –</em> A possible candidate for third scorer on this team. Towards the end of the season last year, Hudson starting scoring a bit more, averaging 6.8 points per game in the final two months of the season. We need him to step up and be a defensive stopper.</li><br /><li><em>Terrell Bell (Junior, G/F, 6’6, 205 lbs) –</em> A player who is “challenged” offensively...but on this team, he won’t have to score points. We'll need him to be our defensive shutdown guy this year, which could include a major role off the bench.</li><br /><li><em>Erick Green (Junior, G/F, 6’4, 185 lbs) – </em>One of the new recruits...a pure point guard and someone I have high hopes for. We need him to eat up 15-20 minutes per game by the middle of the season so that Delaney can move to the shooting guard (and get some rest on the bench). Erick can run the offense and can play solid defense (he’s also a taller point guard). He won't play Deron Washington defense (ha), but pretty good defense nonetheless. Green can score when he’s asked to, but he’s not a Delaney-type in that area of his game. I’ve heard reports from practice that he is very athletic, but needs to be more aggressive. Green’s development could be the key to our season. If he progrresses, he could take over a starting role by January. He is the first true "pass-first" point guard that the Hokies have recruited in the Seth Greenberg era.<br /></li><br /><li><em>Ben Boggs (Freshman, G, 6’4”, 200lbs) – </em>A guy who will be asked to spell Delaney and Green...if he plays good defense, he will see some time on the court.</li><li><em>Paul Debnam (Senior, G, 6’3”, 195lbs) – </em>A fan favorite who will never see the court, except in mop-up duty.</li><br /></ul><p><em>Frontcourt</em></p><ul><li><em>Jeff Allen (Junior, F, 6’7”, 250lbs) – </em>Perhaps the best front court player we’ve had a Virginia Tech since Ace Custis. The Hokies will count on Allen for major scoring and rebounding this year. Allen has <a href="http://www.roanoke.com/sports/vtbasketball/wb/224239">worked hard in the offseason</a> and we need him to be a force this year. Allen is listed as one of Rivals.com <a href="http://collegebasketball.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1011283">Top 25 Power Forwards</a>. He was also a counselor at LeBron James’ Nike Basketball Camp with Delaney.</li><br /><li><em>Lewis Witcher (Senior, F, 6’9”, 218lbs) –</em> Lew is only senior on the team. He's a guy who we are going to need strong leadership from this season, along with scoring points and being aggressive on the boards. He's a borderline starter, but if he is not aggressive on the boards, he will be coming off the bench for his final season.</li><br /><li><em>J.T. Thompson (Junior, F, 6’6”, 210lbs) –</em> J.T. is always that player who can provide a spark off the bench...the problem is that he isn’t big enough to handle most strong forwards and isn’t quick enough to hang with most speedy forwards, but he's got the work ethic. He is a fan favorite because he plays hard to the whistle every time he is on the floor, and he is a leader. He may or may not start this year considering his size, but he’s beast on the boards. It would be nice if he could be third scorer, but he does many of the little things well (like working for loose balls) so I’ll take that for now.</li><br /><li><em>Victor Davila (Sophomore, F, 6’8”, 245lbs) –</em> A guy that was originally on Rivals' list of top 125 players that was also recruited by Wake Forest. When Davila gets the ball down low on the block, he’s pretty hard to stop from scoring (he could be a great one). He needs to be more aggressive in defensive transition and active on the boards, which are two things that might keep him out of the starting lineup. He’s a young, talented player that I hope we see some aggression from this year. He has a very good chance to be a starter, especially against teams in the ACC where we'll face off against bigger, more physical power forwards.</li><br /><li><em>Cadarian Raines (Freshman, F, 6’9”, 238lbs) – </em>A big guy who is going to take up some space down low, but it will take him a while to get back in the swing of things <a href="http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20090923aaa.html">because he fractured his foot</a> in the offseason. We’ll need his big body for the ACC season.</li><br /><li><em>Manny Atkins (Freshman, G/F, 6’7”, 200lbs) – </em>One of the new guys…reports are that he’s a lights-out shooter. We need one of those in Blacksburg.</li><li><em>Gene Swindle (Freshman, C, 6’11’, 260lbs) –</em> A center project who will never see the court, except in mop-up duty.</li><br /><li><em>Allan Chaney (Sophomore, F, 6’9”, 235lbs) – </em>A transfer from the University of Florida who figures to fit well in Seth Greenberg’s scheme of one post man, two wings, and two guards. Chaney will be eligible in the 2010-2011 season and will likely play the “three spot.” Unfortunately, he is <a href="http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20091023aaa.html">undergoing shoulder surgery</a> and cannot practice with the team as a result.</li><br /></ul><p><strong>Projected Starting Lineups</strong><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm133pcoNbkgJJsclIlvNKIsdkwymcTYvb-fehRORnSvUIa5Xaks3LoZYXJmTESBf4q6lvRI2M9Edy5yuggTxxMQcQj8nE3uJWLXz3RtZRcxXKmQCRxOW99YnPsIkbAoA2-YTE13r3bRM/s1600-h/malcolmdelaneyjeffallen.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 296px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm133pcoNbkgJJsclIlvNKIsdkwymcTYvb-fehRORnSvUIa5Xaks3LoZYXJmTESBf4q6lvRI2M9Edy5yuggTxxMQcQj8nE3uJWLXz3RtZRcxXKmQCRxOW99YnPsIkbAoA2-YTE13r3bRM/s400/malcolmdelaneyjeffallen.jpg" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402300997309152802" border="0" /></a>The Hokies will likely have two different starting lineups: one against small teams (that will require our quicker players on the floor) and one against bigger ACC teams (to provide a little more physicality). Here are my projected lineups:<br /><em><br />Projected Starting Lineup – vs. Small Teams</em></p><br /><ul><li>Malcolm Delaney</li><li>Dorenzo Hudson</li><li>Lewis Witcher</li><li>Jeff Allen</li><li>J.T. Thompson</li></ul><p><em>Projected Starting Lineup – vs. ACC Teams</em></p><br /><ul><li>Malcolm Delaney</li><li>Dorenzo Hudson</li><li>Lewis Witcher</li><li>Jeff Allen</li><li>Victor Davila</li></ul><p><strong>Closing Rebounds </strong></p><br /><ul><li>Offensive and defensive rebounding must improve this year. We must get better on defense.</li><li>Virginia Tech needs a third scorer in every game, even if it’s by committee.</li><br /><li>Our front court guys Witcher and Davila, really need to be more aggressive this season.</li><li>This might be the last year we see Malcolm Delaney (and maybe Jeff Allen) at Virginia Tech. I’m selfish though, and would love to see Allen and Delaney stick around for another year.</li><br /><li>Hokies still have season tickets available, <a href="http://www.hokiesports.com/mbasketball/recaps/20091103aaa.html">so grab them here</a>. </li><br /></ul><p><strong>Season Outlook </strong><br /><br />I believe that we’re going to do better than the ACC media predicted. That’s generally the way things work with Virginia Tech football and men’s basketball…when expectations are high, we have some issues, and when they are low, we do well. This is an experienced team who has fought in the ACC trenches and knows what to expect in key ACC road games. If the team plays with consistency on defense night-in and night-out, we should finish in the top half of the ACC and grab a bid to the NCAA Tournament. <br /><br /><strong><span style="color: #ff6600;">GO HOKIES!!!!</span></strong></p>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-50032927588081515412009-11-02T13:23:00.005-05:002009-11-02T13:34:45.521-05:00Of course the polls are right - Just ask President Dewey...or Joe AbbeyJust back from the campaign rally in C'ville. Lots of energy, and a steadfast belief that this election is still in the hands of the voters, not the pundits or pollsters.<br /><br />According to Joe Abbey, the polls are severely undercounting potential Democratic, and if we "get to the polls, we can yet do a Dewey beats Truman in this race."<br /><br />We'll see what happens tomorrow, but I continue to believe that Virginians do not want to go backwards, and do not want Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli, and the cultural, social and economic regression that they represent, running the Commonwealth. As a result, I continue to believe that there is potential for a last-minute voter surge that the polls are not seeing.<br /><br />I spoke with a local political observer/blogger at the rally, and asked what he thought about the polls. He was fairly confident that Creigh would do better than the polls were predicting, and he made the point that given the registration surge in 2008, there are enough Democratic voters who may be under the radar to stage an upset.<br /><br />Every vote will count.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-67867928575719697522009-11-01T20:47:00.001-05:002009-11-01T20:50:22.280-05:00How to prevent McDonnell, Cooch bait & switch on Virginia? Vote. Just vote.Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli are pulling a bait and switch on Virginia.<br /><br />These two guys have been cultural warriors their entire public lives. How can anyone believe that once they find themselves in power that they are going to change their stripes?<br /><br />Indeed, no sooner did they feel assured of victory than they began to show their true colors. As <a href="http://starcityharbinger.com/2009/10/30/virginia-gop-reignites-the-culture-wars-days-before-the-election/">this article </a>clearly demonstrates. Bob McDonnell contradicted a promise he made at a debate within 48 hours concerning both protecting a woman’s constitutional right to choose and non-discrimination against homosexuals. And in the last week, McDonnell has simply reaffirmed these positions.<br /><br />Bob McDonnell is spitting in all of our faces. In the faces of all Virginians.<br /><br />The only question is whether we will let them get away with it.<br /><br />Democrats and moderates in the Commonwealth have the power to stop them.<br /><br />All we need to do is vote.<br /><br />That’s it. Just vote.<br /><br />Vote.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-75273053070608795752009-10-31T18:51:00.001-04:002009-10-31T18:53:04.477-04:00Sleeping GiantsAs Democrats fret over polls showing Creigh getting clobbered, my eye caught something Joe Abbey recently told <a href="http://www.c-ville.com/index.php?cat=121304062461064&ShowArticle_ID=11802610090935034">C’ville Weekly</a>, Charlottesville’s weekly alternative periodical.<br /><br />Here is what the paper wrote:<br /><blockquote>Deeds’ campaign is optimistic that polls are wrong because the pollsters don’t consider those who voted for the first time in 2008 as likely voters.<br /><br />“We’ve been calling them our sleeping giants,” said Deeds campaign manager Joe Abbey. “They’re not showing up in the polls, but if they show up at the polls on Election Day, then it will be game over.”</blockquote><br />Jus' sayin'.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-22701328825307457242009-10-29T18:05:00.004-04:002009-10-29T18:09:15.128-04:00McDonnell promises to defund planned parenthoodSo much for Bob McDonnell's promises that he will not impose his exreme, Conservative, Pat Robertson social values on the entire Commonwealth.<br /><br />From Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:<br /><blockquote>On Tuesday, Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell revealed plans to single out and de-fund Planned Parenthood upon entering office as Governor of Virginia.<br /><br />Speaking to conservative radio host Laura Ingraham, McDonnell was asked, "Can you promise that as Governor you'll use the veto pen to ensure that Virginians' tax dollars are not used to fund Planned Parenthood or abortion?" McDonnell responded by saying, "Yeah, I've said that I would do that...that'll be part of what we'll get done." (<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kBvASG2BbQ">Watch here</a>)<br /><br />"McDonnell has tried to hide his ideological background throughout this campaign. However, with the polls favoring him to win the Governor's race, he reveals his true colors on conservative talk radio," said Jessica Honke, Director of Public Policy for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV). "The fact is Bob McDonnell is out of step and out of touch with voters and the wrong choice for Virginia. As Governor, he will continue the anti-choice and anti-women's health policies he's pushed since his first day in public office." <br /><br />McDonnell's plan to defund Planned Parenthood is an attack on basic, preventative health care. If Planned Parenthood were defunded, tens of thousands of women and families would lose access to prevention services, including pap smears, cancer screenings, gynecological exams, family planning counseling and services, HIV and sexually transmitted infection testing and treatment and a host of community education programs emphasizing healthy relationships and lifestyles. Furthermore, McDonnell's statement is factually inaccurate; no state funding goes to the provision of abortion-related services. In 2008 and 2009, an amendment to defund Planned Parenthood was defeated. <br /><br />As a legislator, McDonnell sponsored over 35 pieces of legislation designed to chip away at a woman's right to choose. He is opposed to reproductive choice, even in cases of rape or incest, voted to allow pharmacist to refuse Emergency Contraception and supports Bush-era abstinence-only policies that are medically inaccurate and dangerous to teens. <br /><br />Additionally, he voted against common-sense legislation that would help ensure women could access contraception at their local pharmacy, voted against a bill declaring that contraception was not a form of abortion, voted against allowing public universities to distribute Emergency Contraception, and voted against requiring discussion in schools of the importance of post-rape medical help. <br /><br />"McDonnell has repeatedly jeopardized women's health through divisive attacks on Planned Parenthood," said Honke, "At a time when more and more families in Virginia are uninsured and under financial strain, we can't afford to elect a Governor who will create more barriers to affordable health care. Virginians are looking for solutions, not politics as usual."</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-23739118673424689102009-10-27T20:08:00.003-04:002009-10-27T20:11:51.786-04:00McDonnell Position on Opt Out Now Poses Real Danger to VirginiaNow that it looks as though the U.S. Congress is going to pass health care reform with a public option that will include an opt out provision for individual states, the stakes are higher in Virginia’s gubernatorial race, and it is worthwhile to examine the respective positions of each candidate on this critical issue.<br /><br />While it is true that Creigh’s position on this – when asked about it hypothetically, he said he would look at what was passed and make a decision on whether to opt out based on whether it was good for Virginia – is less that I would like, Bob McDonnell’s position – a blanket promise that under his leadership Virginia would opt out of any public option – was irrational.<br /><br />In the absract, I suppose, this was merely yet another case of ideology trumping facts and common sense when it comes to Bob McDonnell’s worldview. Take a look at McDonnell’s views on the environment, where he has politically declared off shore drilling environmentally safe despite much conflicting evidence, or on transportation, where he has put any new revenue source off limits despite abundant evidence that it will be necessary, or on climate change, where he has simply refused to recognize the irrefutable science.<br /><br />Bob McDonnell might not be a member of the Flat Earth Society, but he is damn close.<br /><br />Still, on each of these issues, the consequences to average citizens of McDonnell’s ideological positions seems speculative or remote. It’s tough for folks in, say, Charlottesville to appreciate how they will be hurt by off-shore drilling, and even the consequences of climate change seem like science fiction to most people. Furthermore, the negative effects of all of these will likely be gradual, so people will have the opportunity to adapt and time goes on.<br /><br />Perhaps a few weeks ago, given the uncertainty of health care reform in Congress, the hypothetical opt out issue debate between Creigh and McDonnell was similar -- fodder for debate among policy wonks and political nerds, but no immediate practical consequence for Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public. <br /><br />Given Sen. Reid’s comments yesterday, however, that is no longer the case. A public option with an opt out for states looks more probable today than two weeks ago, and so the candidates’ positions on this critical issue is more significant than it was.<br /><br />And in light of that, Bob McDonnell’s position has gone from merely irrational to irresponsible, if not disqualifying him from the office he seeks.<br /><br />Here’s why.<br /><br />As far as Bob McDonnell is concerned, it doesn’t matter whether the public option would ultimately be good or bad for Virginians. He will just opt out.<br /><br />But in this issue, lives are at stake, literally, and there is nothing abstract about that. At the very least, Virginia deserves a Governor who will honestly and intelligently evaluate the facts in front of him and come to a reasonable and considered decision, not simply be driven by an ideology, no matter how sincerely believed, that government is bad. <br /><br />Evaluating the facts, the benefits versus the liabilities, is exactly what Creigh says he will do. It is exactly what Virginia needs.<br /><br />It is, also, the exactly what Bob McDonnell says he will not do. He has made his decision, facts be damned.<br /><br />Look, I don’t think McDonnell is callous or doesn’t care about people. I do think, however, he is a prisoner of an ideology from which he cannot break loose, and that it leads to ill-considered decisions that have serious consequences, intended or not.<br /><br />I am amazed how, in light of this, any reasonably informed Virginian can cast a vote for Bob McDonnell.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-442063973610359952009-10-24T11:05:00.004-04:002009-10-24T11:19:22.806-04:00Showing UpJudging by the backbiting and recriminations that have spilled over to the pages of the Washington Post, Democrats are stoically steeling themselves for a tough defeat on Nov. 3 by building the foundation to blame someone else.<br /><br />Indeed, this argument has been going on in the blogs since June, when Creigh won the primary. Of course, memes move faster and more intensely in cyberspace.<br /><br />In my view, there is still an election to be had, however, and as long as that is the case, anyone who cares about what will happen in the Commonwealth of Virginia for the next four years, at least, should focus on the question of what they can do to help Creigh win this election, because if recent elections have shown anything, they have shown that Republicans can no longer beat Democrats in Virginia; Democrats can only beat themselves.<br /><br />The other day, conservative blog Bearing Drift carried <a href="http://bearingdrift.com/2009/10/21/a-word-on-polls/">a very interesting post</a> about Bob McDonnell’s lead in the polls. Pregressives should listen. Here is what they had to say:<br /><blockquote>Polls are not strictly predictors. They do not foretell exactly what people are going to do. Rather, they are snapshots. They tell us what the results are likely to be should people show up on Election Day in the same numbers as the particular poll presumes they will.<br /><br />In other words, the reliability of a poll is dependent upon the actual electorate closely resembling the pollsters’ sample. That is why it is important to look beyond the top-line results of these polls to understand what these polls are telling us about the potential electorate. That is also why the accuracy of a particular poll does not necessarily carry over from election to election. Quite simply, human beings are rather unpredictable.<br /><br />[snip]<br /><br />If Republicans are to win this election, however, it is going to take more than simply hoping the other side decides not to show up.</blockquote><br />But, you know, the fact is that all Bob McDonnell does have for him in this election is hoping Democrats do not show up. Look at every poll – they go Bob’s way because the composition of likely voters is disproportionately heavy with Republicans and Conservatives compared to recent statewide Virginia elections.<br /><br />Indeed, it seems sometimes that is how Republicans and Conservatives see the path to victory in every race: deter the other side from showing up to vote. Sometimes, they use sleazy tactics, like caging, and sometimes they use blatantly illegal ones, likie giving voters false information. GOP opposition to motor voter laws, or their insitance on picture IDs to register to vote, are all aimed at depressing turnout and voting rights.<br /><br />So, leaving aside all the crap in the papers and the blogs about campaign strategy, and leaving aside all the parsing of policy, in the end we will be left with a choice between two people with very different worldviews and outlooks on the role of government in our lives.<br /><br />if we show up, Creigh will win and Bob will lose – simple as that.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-39497113053724364732009-10-23T08:25:00.007-04:002009-10-23T10:22:06.614-04:00Hey, Virginia: WAKE UP!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoDgK4BF90CHz47J8_diaIXhgCNT_oagyS-kshpke-2bYeiy3iVNwtsAT3nCGVyfKGjTtHjazAmKSoPWIxSSzpzjoJXK7mIvnZFFUbn7DpMDd-rJajlYh1jIk7xVYkpXtpPqxwJf0VPL_/s1600-h/Bush_Holding_bob.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 153px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYoDgK4BF90CHz47J8_diaIXhgCNT_oagyS-kshpke-2bYeiy3iVNwtsAT3nCGVyfKGjTtHjazAmKSoPWIxSSzpzjoJXK7mIvnZFFUbn7DpMDd-rJajlYh1jIk7xVYkpXtpPqxwJf0VPL_/s200/Bush_Holding_bob.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395772152811031986" /></a><br />A while back, I wrote <a href="http://virginiademocrat.blogspot.com/2009/08/meet-bob-dubya-mcdonnell-will-we-get.html">a post about how Bob McDonnell’s gubernatorial campaign resembled that of George W. Bush’s for president in 2000,</a> in the sense that in each case the candidate’s success in the media and polls seemed to be based more on the perception that he was a good guy rather than a meaningful assessment of what kind of chief executive he would make, based on an analysis of their lifelong records and the substance of their political positions.<br /><br />In retrospect, of course, it was all too clear by the Fall of 2000, or should have been all to clear to any reasonable person, that if elected that George W. Bush would fubar the country as badly as he did.<br /><br />I’ll leave it to historians and the many millions of people smarter and more astute than I to analyze exactly what happened and why during the Bush presidency, but long before he became president, George W. Bush had a clear record of incompetence and failure in virtually everything he had attempted as an adult. <br /><br />Why on Earth was anyone surprised when he turned out to be a failure as President also, leaving the rest of us to grapple with the insecurity, fear and difficulty of living through the worst economy since the Great Depression<br /><br />So, what do we learn about Bob McDonnell from this?<br /><br />More than anything else, Bob McDonnell’s past tells us that the most lasting historical legacy of his administration, should he be elected, will probably be the implementation of extremist social policies. Bob McDonnell has always been, and still is, first and foremost a culture warrior.<br /><br />Need proof? A day after suggesting at a debate that he would not focus on pursuing his conservative social agenda were he elected governor, but would focus on jobs and the economy, Mr. McDonnell gave a speech at Liberty University where, perhaps feeling confident of victory on Nov. 3, he let his guard down and, to loud cheering, defiantly asserted that marriage is between a man and a woman, and that as governor he will tirelessly protect the unborn. <br /><br />(BTW, lets none of us get into an argument over semantics and pretend that we don’t know what Mr. McDonnell means, i.e., that gay people will burn for all eternity in Hell on account of their deviant sexual practices and that official government discrimination against such people is not only acceptable, it is encouraged. Indeed, Bob McDonnell pursued this exact policy, to the extent he could, as Attorney General. As for abortion, I suspect we will see some of the strictest limitations in the U.S., especially if Ken Cuccinelli is Attorney General. Why would anyone think that two politicians who have spent their entire public lives espousing extreme pro-life positions would finally get into office and not act in a manner consistent with the tenets that have guided them their entire lives? Does that make sense to anyone?)<br /><br />Mr. McDonnell has praised the economic record and policies of George W. Bush and suggested he would follow a similar policy, were he elected Governor – presumably, tax cuts for the wealthy, reducing government regulation of the financial sector and generally favoring big business at the expense of workers. In the conservative ideology, it does not matter if these policies produce poor results. Lower taxes and smaller government are the goals themselves, and as an ideological matter, low taxes and less involved government are always virtuous, without regard the actual effect such policies may have on the lives of actual people.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bluevirginia.us/2009/10/californication-of-virginia.html">Lowell at Blue Virginia has a great post up </a>about looking to California as a predictor of what Virginia might look like as a result of a McDonnell administration following such economic policies:<br /><blockquote>If Virginia elects [McDonnell], they can look to California as an example of what happens when conservative "starve the beast" economics meets a transitioning 21st century economy: start with gross, across the board underinvestment in public education, from pre-K to city colleges & public universities. Pile on deficits because the government needs to spend on is going to be debt-financed. Watch wages stagnate and unemployment climb even in up business cycles, and then shoot up when the business cycle goes flat, because all the tax cuts and resulting mountains of debt prevent counter-cyclical public sector spending. Don't forge the massive, always-growing inequality (and the resulting increases in political polarization) because the tax cuts are always somehow tilted towards either rich individuals or corporations, or both. </blockquote><br />So, when I hear people say they are not excited about voting for Creigh, or that there is an enthusiasm gap, or that they just won’t vote, I just want to tell them to think about it this way:<br /><br />When you vote, it is not for the sake of the politicians running for office, it is for your own sake.<br /><br />Get out and vote for Creigh. Not for Creigh’s benefit, but for your own sake.<br /><br />If Creigh is going to win this race, it will not be because of some magical canvassing or phone-banking operation that we haven’t yet seen; <br /><br />If Creigh is going to win this race, it won’t be because he is suddenly going to become a smooth orator;<br /><br />If Creigh is going to win this race, it won’t be because he will suddenly adopt the kinds of Progressive positions that many on the left would like to see;<br /><br />And if Creigh is going to win this race, it won’t be because the mass of low-information voters out there who are getting their news from the MSM and who are tilting this race McDonnell’s way are suddenly going to get a new flood of information to change their minds.<br /><br />Creigh will win this race because each of us on our own will have taken it upon ourselves to get out and vote, to get our friends and family out to vote. <br /><br />It will be because each of is taking personal responsibility for the future of the Commonwealth.<br /><br />The votes are out there.<br /><br />Here’s a simple idea. Send an e-mails to five friends today who are not politically involved, and remind them how important it is to vote for Creigh.<br /><br />Or the Virginia we have begun to take for granted, one that is moving in a inexorably positive and progressive direction, may be no more.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-55047888696396359292009-10-20T21:52:00.001-04:002009-10-20T21:55:17.802-04:00Creigh's Depressing Comment On The Public OptionThis exchange during tonight’s debate left me deflated:<br /><blockquote><span style="font-weight:bold;">Question:</span> "Mr. Deeds, and would you go against some of your fellow Democrats and against the public plan?"<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Creigh Deeds:</span> "I'm not afraid of going against my fellow Democrats when I think they're wrong...<span style="font-style:italic;">Public option isn't required in my view</span>, I think we have to do two things with health care, we have to reduce costs so more people can afford insurance and we have to increase coverage. I share those broad goals. <span style="font-style:italic;">I don't think the public option is necessary in any plan and I think Virginia...I would certainly consider opting out if that were available to Virginia. </span> We have to find ways to increase competition in order to reduce costs..."<br /></blockquote><br />First, not only is Creigh clearly wrong on this – no health care reform can possibly succeed without some form of government-provided health insurance that provides meaningful competition to drive the cost of health care down – I don’t get the political calculation.<br /><br />Democrats should be championing the public option, not running away from it, for two reasons. First, it is clearly the right policy that will lead to providing affordable health care to the people who are most hurting now – middle class families. If, as Democrats, we are not all about supporting the middle class, then we are in the wrong party.<br /><br />Now, far right-wingers have demonized the public option as government-run health care. Creigh’s answer seems to buy into this bogus criticism. No Democrat should buy into this. We are the party of using government to make the lives of people better.<br /><br />Finally, this was a chance for Creigh to really draw a distinction with Bob McDonnell on a critical issue. By unequivocally stating he would opt Virginia out of the public option were it passed by Congress, Bob McDonnell is saying that he would damage the health of every man, woman and child in Virginia for the sake of his extreme right wing ideology. Further, McDonnell’s critique of the public option was merely a recitation of talking points that are in some cases dishonest and in others simply wrong, but that have been in both cases fully debunked. The bottom line is that the “private sector, market-based solution” is what got us in the mess we’re in.<br /><br />What an opportunity to lead and teach folks on a key issue that would not only be right and moral, but would also tap into to modern populist history of the Democratic Party beginning with Franklin Roosevelt. <br /><br />Instead, Creigh tried to hedge on this critical issue, in the hopes of picking up votes from people who are not going to support him anyway.<br /><br />This was just a blown opportunity to redefine this race around a winning issue.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-89541972073385539512009-10-18T20:56:00.011-04:002009-10-19T07:39:37.911-04:00Does Bob McDonnell Believe in Evolution?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/files/2009/07/1840_DarwinRichmond.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 259px;" src="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/blogs/fromthefield/files/2009/07/1840_DarwinRichmond.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br />Well, now that we know Bob McDonnell is uncertain about whether human activity is causing climate change on our planet, I wonder what Mr. McDonnell's views are on Evolution and the teaching of Intelligent Design in public schools?<br /><br />I would be very curious to know, for example, whether Mr. McDonnell accepts the Theory of Evolution, in the sense that humans evolved into our present form, or whether is he a Biblical literalist like his mentor Pat Robertson, who completely rejects Evolution as an explanation for human existence and contends G-d created the universe in seven days as set forth in Genesis.<br /><br />But even if Mr. McDonnell chooses not to share his <span style="font-style:italic;">personal belief</span> on that score with the voters, he should specifically answer whether as Governor, would Bob McDonnell permit, or even advocate, the teaching of Intelligent Design in science classes along with Evolution, or any place else in Virginia's public schools? Would he limit the teaching of Evolution in any way in our public schools?<br /><br />These are legitimate questions to ask for several reasons.<br /><br />First, it involves the education of our children, and so these questions are not really about Mr. McDonnell's personal beliefs, but the extent to which those personal beliefs would manifest themselves into public policy.<br /><br />Second, given his aforementioned comments about climate change, Mr. McDonnell has demonstrated that he views science through a lends of ideology. That is his right, but voters have an even more powerful right to know what he believes.<br /><br />Finally, and not to beat a dead horse, there is Mr. McDonnell's background at Regent University. His alma mater is steeped in advocating the teaching of Creationism in public schools.<br /><br />1. At a 2007 "Faith, Facts and Evolution Conference" held at the school, for example, seminars included the following, all of which are designed to train participants to create the impression that Intelligent Design is science that is on equal footing with Evolution, and should be taught in schools::<br /><blockquote>- Tools for Resolution: A Scientific Model of Creation – Dr. Hugh Ross<br />- Origin of Life: Comparing Models – Dr. Fazale Rana<br />- Scientific Challenges to the Evolution Model – Dr. Fazale Rana<br />- Scientific Support for the Creation Model – Dr. Fazale Rana<br />- Cosmic Design: Fine Tuning the Universe – Dr. Hugh Ross<br />- Cosmic Design (cont’d) – Dr. Hugh Ross</blockquote><br />2. As for the school's founder, Rev. Robertson's belief in Creationism has gone much further than mere personal belief on his part, and into the realm of advocacy of teaching Creationism in public schools. In 2005, the Rev. Robertson condemned the town of Dover, PA, for example, suggesting G-d might smite it down, for ousting a school board that had advocated the teaching of Creationism as science.<br /><br />3. Finally, consider this <a href="http://74.125.93.132/search?q=cache%3APOFjyaUTpjgJ%3Awww.regent.edu%2Facad%2Fschedu%2Fpdfs%2Fpublications%2Fcox%2FMutated_Thinking.pdf+evolution&hl=en&gl=us">2005 LTE from Dr. William Cox</a>, Professor and Director of the Christian School Program at Regent, to the Virginia Pilot, stating:<br /><blockquote>If intelligent design is banned as theory from discussion on the basis of a “faith” orientation, so should evolution be banned. If evolution is allowed in the classroom, then so must be intelligent design. To do otherwise is to hold a double standard in both science and religion.</blockquote><br />Of course, not all of the beliefs prevalent at Regent should automatically be attributed to Mr. McDonnell, but given his official positions with the school, and the school's mission to train graduates to implement Regent's fundamentalist tenets as public policy, it is fair to ask which ideas he adheres to and which ones he does not. <br /><br />I don't really care what Mr. McDonnell thinks about Evolution privately, or what he chooses to teach his children about it.<br /><br />But I profoundly care what he proposes to teach mine.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-28145922768376646732009-10-18T13:03:00.002-04:002009-10-18T13:09:44.853-04:00Bob McDonnell: Invisible With No Secrets to Conceal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD7T_K8Vfoy63vIPVbKmPRwSyckzO3RhWNlei7eFTFrwg8fpWFmMLKvTRuxWkASO1VHQEeB0KEoBc9OuyLYb4MdReaexespnTFwla_yYI1M-ONIsP-6S59bGKD-TZ5Y4v-gxDNVVJYtdX/s1600-h/creigh.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfD7T_K8Vfoy63vIPVbKmPRwSyckzO3RhWNlei7eFTFrwg8fpWFmMLKvTRuxWkASO1VHQEeB0KEoBc9OuyLYb4MdReaexespnTFwla_yYI1M-ONIsP-6S59bGKD-TZ5Y4v-gxDNVVJYtdX/s200/creigh.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5393988228381308210" /></a><br />The Washington Post’s endorsement of Creigh this morning (see Hokie Guru's post <a href="http://virginiademocrat.blogspot.com/2009/10/washington-post-endorsed-creigh-deeds.html">here</a>) hits the nail right on the head when it comes to articulating why Creigh is the clearly superior choice to Bob McDonnell to be our next governor.<br /><br />While I don’t typically subscribe to the notion that newspaper editorials make a huge difference in voters’ decisions – voters have a nasty habit for reaching their own decisions for their own reasons – I think this one will resonate for the remainder of the campaign and make a huge difference.<br /><br />Not because the WaPo chose to endorse Creigh over McDonnell – that was expected – but because while the right-of-center Post editorial board tried to argue that its differences with Bob McDonnell “are on questions of policy,” they are barely able to hide the clear disdain they feel for the GOP candidate and the campaign he has run. <br /><br />Consider the following characterizations of McDonnell from the editorial:<br /><br />-- “Mr. McDonnell has staked out the intolerant terrain on his party's right wing[.]<br /><br />-- “Mr. McDonnell lacks … political spine[.]”<br /><br />-- “Mr. McDonnell … remains in denial.”<br /><br />-- “Virginians should not confuse Mr. McDonnell's adept oratory for wisdom[.]”<br /><br />And, of course, the worst cut of all:<br /><br />-- “He is a dexterous politician.”<br /><br />As this race has wound down to its final weeks, the question hanging heavy in the air for Democrats is whether Creigh can win it, in light of the numerous polls showing McDonnell beating him. The state’s Republicans are already filling Cabinet posts.<br /><br />They should wait.<br /><br />I’m not interested in arguing about the methodologies or results of these polls, and I don’t quibble that their internals are consistent with the overall results, although I would argue that this consistency is derived from the potential flaw all these polls share.<br /><br />The question surrounding these polls is the extent to which their likely voter screens are accurately predicting who will show up on Election Day. In that regard, these polls do not so much show a persuadable electorate that is choosing McDonnell over Creigh as much as they suggest an electorate that has been stacked against Creigh from the start. <br /><br />On the one hand, these polls may be accurate gauging an electorate ready to turn on Democrats as a result of various political and social forces largely beyond the control of either candidate in the race, and capturing the vicissitudes of the national discussion and political scene.<br /><br />But given Virginia’s recent electoral history demonstrating a clear trend towards Democrats (even discounting 2008 as an once-in-a-lifetime election), and the circumstances of this specific race, the evidence suggests that that these polls are wrong because they are flying in the face of common sense. <br /><br />It is not that I am unaware that many of my fellow Virginians simply see the issues and candidates from a different, more conservative perspective, than I do. There are loyal Republicans and Conservative ideologues that would vote for McDonnell even if it were proved he regularly engaged in bestiality.<br /><br />I don’t even argue with Republicans comprising a larger share of likely voters than Democrats, even though this is not consistent with the trend either in Virginia or nationally, to the extent that this denotes some sort of enthusiasm gap.<br /><br />Rather, it is the dominance McDonnell is showing in these polls among self-described Independents – even Conservative-leaning ones – that simply doesn’t track with the facts of the race, or the reality of each candidate so adeptly captured today by the Washington Post. <br /><br />According to the Post, McDonnell has run “a disciplined, focused, policy-oriented campaign.” Perhaps. But as the Post makes clear, he has also run a dishonest and cowardly campaign.<br /><br />I think it is hard for voters, confronted with this, to admit that it is really happening. Can any even slightly informed person actually believe Bob McDonnell is a moderate on the issue of choice or gay rights, as he pretends to be? <br /><br />I have faith that when presented with the facts, independent-minded voters will make the right decisions. On issue after issue – transportation, education, the environment, the right to choose, anti-gay discrimination – analysis of the candidates’ positions and records demonstrate that Bob McDonnell will be a disaster for Virginia.<br /><br />That is the fundamental issue in this race. And it is because the Post editorial so clearly explains this truth that it will resonate across the Commonwealth.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-7516600982439949632009-10-17T22:45:00.005-04:002009-10-17T23:04:20.751-04:00Washington Post Endorsed Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Great news... the Washington Post</span></strong> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/10/17/AR2009101701477_pf.html">endorsed Creigh Deeds for Governor of Virginia</a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">And here's what they say about batshit crazy Taliban Bob McDonnell (who hides behind his wife and children in television commercials):<br /></span></strong><br /><em><blockquote>Mr. McDonnell has staked out the intolerant terrain on his party's right wing, fighting a culture war that seized his imagination as a law student in the Reagan era.<br /><br />Yet Mr. McDonnell, champion of a revenue-starved status quo, remains in denial. He professes to feel the pain of Virginians struggling with financial hard times. In fact his transportation policy, a blueprint for stagnation and continuing deterioration, would subvert the state's prospects for economic recovery and long-term growth. And it would only deepen the misery of Northern Virginia commuters who already pay a terrible price -- economic, personal and psychological -- because of the state's long neglect of its roads.<br /><br />As for Mr. McDonnell, he deserves credit for having run a disciplined, focused, policy-oriented campaign. As a candidate, a statewide official and a lawmaker, he has maintained a civil, personable manner. His intellectual agility, even temper and facility with the grit of policy have inspired the respect of colleagues, staffers and rivals. He is a dexterous politician.<br /><br />Our differences with him are on questions of policy. The clamor surrounding his graduate dissertation from 1989, in which he disparaged working women, homosexuals, "fornicators" and others of whom he disapproved, has tended to obscure rather than illuminate fair questions about the sort of governor he would make. Based on his 14-year record as a lawmaker -- a record dominated by his focus on incendiary wedge issues -- we worry that Mr. McDonnell's Virginia would be one where abortion rights would be curtailed; where homosexuals would be treated as second-class citizens; where information about birth control would be hidden; and where the line between church and state could get awfully porous. That is a prescription for yesterday's Virginia, not tomorrow's.<br /><br />Mr. McDonnell has inspired a worthwhile debate over privatizing liquor sales in Virginia, one of 18 states that control the wholesale and retail trade in spirits. But by suggesting the state could use the proceeds of privatization as an ongoing funding source for road improvements, he has played fast and loose with the facts -- first by plucking projected revenue figures from thin air and second by glossing over the question of what state services he would cut if the $100 million currently gleaned from annual liquor sales could be diverted for transportation.<br /><br />Mr. McDonnell has sought to corner Mr. Deeds by focusing on debates in Washington over energy policy, labor union membership and other contentious federal issues. But a governor of Virginia can do little to influence the ideologically charged debates raging on Capitol Hill. Mr. McDonnell also has claimed he would be more effective at creating jobs. Yet while Mr. McDonnell has been an activist public servant, he has no significant record, either as a lawmaker or as attorney general, of promoting policies to encourage job growth. </blockquote></em><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">ON NOVEMBER 3, 2009, VOTE FOR CREIGH DEEDS FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA!!<br /></span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-56072053511443769722009-10-16T23:16:00.002-04:002009-10-16T23:18:04.493-04:00Organizing for Virginia 2009 and President Barack Obama's Visit in Support of Creigh Deeds<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">First, Democrats are making a big weekend push in Virginia to campaign for Creigh Deeds. President Barack Obama's campaign arm, Organizing for America, sent e-mails to thousands of members in DC and Maryland asking for 5000 volunteer hours. If you can get out, please do because this race is about more than Virginia. Deeds will appear at six events with DNC Chairman and Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine and Jody Wagner, the Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, in Northern Virginia. <span style="color:#33cc00;">Anita Kumar from the Washington Post's Virginia Politics Blog</span> has more</span></strong> <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/10/his_push_coincides_with_an.html?wprss=virginiapolitics"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">here</span></a>.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Second, <span style="color:#33cc00;">Rosalind Hilderman (</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">from the Washington Post's Virginia Politics Blog</span><span style="color:#33cc00;">)</span>, tells us that</span></strong> <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/10/obama_confirmed_oct_27.html?wprss=virginiapolitics"><span style="color:#cc66cc;">President Barack Obama is coming to Virginia on October 27, 2009</span></a> <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">to campaign in support Creigh Deeds and the rest of the Virginia Democratic ticket. We'll bring you more details when we have them.</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-22809757195486395102009-10-12T08:22:00.002-04:002009-10-12T08:28:58.504-04:00Ask not what your President can do for youInteresting item, from the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/12/us/politics/12govs.html?hp">Adam Nagourney article in today’s New York Times</a>:<br /><blockquote>A White House that has shown no hesitation to delve into state race [sic] across the country … has been struggling to figure out how to deal with Virginia. Mr. Deeds’ aides have pleaded with the White House to send Mr. Obama into the state; they have yet to agree.<br /><br />“The most precious commodity we have is the president’s time, and we have to appropriate it on a rational basis between now and Election Day,” said David Axelrod, a senior advisor to Mr. Obama.</blockquote><br />Now, that comment is simply hilarious, especially in light of the convincing defenses offered by Mr. alelrod in defending Obama's trip to Copenhagen. <br /><br />Mr. Axelrod, however, apparently believes he can say just about anything and by infusing that quality in Mr. Obama, it will be taken seriously. Here, try this on to see what I mean: “The most precious commodity we have is the president’s sense of fashion when it comes to mixing and matching colors and textures, and we have to appropriate it on a rational basis between now and Election Day,” said David Axelrod, a senior advisor to Mr. Obama.)<br /><br />To anyone who has been paying to attention to Obama’s nine months in office, one thing has become clear to me. This presidency is not about the economy, or energy, or any particular policy. The Obama presidency is about Obama, nothing more, nothing less. Everything else is a means to an end.<br /><br />Thus, Obama does not ask himself how he can help Democrats win in Virginia. Rather, Axlerod’s comments make clear that Obama is concerned with how Virginia will help him.<br /><br />The calculation at this point seems to be that Creigh will lose this race, and if Obama gets too involved, then the Virginia gubernatorial results can be spun as a referendum on Obama. But if the president does not get too involved, then Obama gets to spin the race as a local contest in which Obama was not front and center.<br /><br />Right off the bat, I draw two conclusions from this:<br /><br />Creigh was absolutely correct not to rely on Obama’s Virginia coalition in trying to win this race. He correctly read that Obama would be a follower, not a leader, in the election. Had Creigh relied on Obama, this election would be lost. As it is, Creigh is behind, but the election remains winnable.<br /><br />For all the talk of change and a transformational presidency, Obama is just another typical politician, clinging onto power for power’s sake. I still support him and am in line with his overall goals and governing philosophy, but he is not a Democratic Party leader.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-39852395858119082922009-10-05T20:25:00.003-04:002009-10-05T20:27:05.873-04:00Hat Tip - Blue Virginia - Taliban Bob McDonnell Scares off Meg Whitman<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Meg Whitman apparently thinks that Taliban Bob is too right-wing for reality.</span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"><a href="http://www.bluevirginia.us/2009/10/bob-mcdonnell-toxic-to-national.html">Lowell has more!!</a></span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-73226945353821420402009-10-05T20:21:00.002-04:002009-10-05T20:24:24.396-04:00Bob McDonnell's Macaca Moment - Sheila Johnson<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">It made Hardball :)</span></strong><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LB8knKfYT9k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LB8knKfYT9k&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">George Allen, Bob McDonnell, and Sheila Johnson = Macaca</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-4355600196459485702009-10-05T20:02:00.009-04:002009-10-05T20:16:55.001-04:00Hat Tip - Not Larry Sabato - Sheila Johnson Does the Dirty for Bob McDonnell<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">It is absolute bullsh*t that Sheila Johnson would make fun of a political candidate with a slight speech impairment. That's what she did to Creigh Deeds, an honest, nice, hard-working, intelligent man. <a href="http://notlarrysabato.typepad.com/doh/2009/10/sheila-johnsons-party-foul.html">Not Larry Sabato has more.</a></span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Now, to her credit, <a href="http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2009/10/sheila_johnson_apologizes_for.html">she did apologize later</a>... but...<br /></span><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/IGJE7NyIk9Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IGJE7NyIk9Q&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">No apology from the Taliban Bob McDonnell campaign. Stay classy, Batshit Crazy Bob!!</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-19819633266639925392009-09-23T19:33:00.006-04:002009-09-23T19:41:30.128-04:00VIRGINIA WOMEN BE VERY SCARED OF BOB MCDONNELL!!!<strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Taliban Bob McDonnell is</span></strong> not taking anything back from his batshit crazy Christan Broadcasting Network (CBN) thesis, which depicts his Pat Robertson-esque right-wing views on the role of women on society.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LR_KGwcGOSY&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LR_KGwcGOSY&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">VOTE CREIGH DEEDS FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA!!</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-66137927642331596242009-09-23T19:26:00.007-04:002009-09-23T19:43:01.791-04:00Blue Virginia (Hat Tip): McDonnell "All Porn Makes You Gay" Thesis Story Makes Rachael MaddowApparently, <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Taliban Bob McDonnell</span></strong> thinks that pornography makes young boys gay.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qtRtXfzPmRI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qtRtXfzPmRI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.bluevirginia.us/2009/09/mcdonnell-all-porn-makes-you-gay-thesis.html">Lowell has more</a> on <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Batshit Crazy, Bob McDonnell and the story of his thesis that made Rachel Maddow's television show on MSNBC.<br /></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">VOTE CREIGH DEEDS FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-78317450384452916632009-09-22T22:38:00.003-04:002009-09-22T22:56:17.096-04:00Creigh Deeds Showing Leadership on Virginia Transportation IssuesWell, it takes a lot of courage to come out and say that you'll take a politically difficult position of signing legislation that is the product of bipartisan compromise that provides a comprehensive transportation solution for the State of Virginia... even if it might raise taxes during a recession. And that's what <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Creigh Deeds</span></strong> did <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/22/AR2009092202643_pf.html">today</a>.<br /><br /><blockquote><em>Let me be clear regarding taxes. I will sign a bill that is the product of bipartisan compromise that provides a comprehensive transportation solution. As a legislator, I have voted for a number of mechanisms to fund transportation, including a gas tax. And I'll sign a bipartisan bill with a dedicated funding mechanism for transportation -- even if it includes new taxes.<br /><br />To build a bipartisan consensus to find that new revenue, and to ensure the best chance of passage, all options for funding will be on the table. We will need every legislator committed to finding a solution. In my 18 years in the legislature, I've learned that the best way to reach compromise is to be open to all ideas and get everyone involved.<br /><br />Bob McDonnell has pledged not to sign a transportation bill with new revenue. His approach is to pay for transportation with money from the general fund. As The Post's Frederick Kunkle has reported, "general funds are raised from a variety of sources, such as individual and corporate income taxes. These funds can be spent . . . at the discretion of the General Assembly and the governor. The majority of the money in the general fund goes to education (45.9 percent), with the rest to health and human resources (24.2 percent) and public safety (11.1 percent)."<br /><br />I do not support taking funds from these critical priorities to pay for roads. More important, neither will the General Assembly. Republicans and Democrats are on record opposing McDonnell's funding proposals.<br /><br />McDonnell's idea of using general funds for transportation is not new. In 2007, an editorial in the Daily Press of Hampton Roads said that McDonnell urged "the General Assembly to exploit the gap in state road funding as a rationale for reducing state spending on education, public safety, health care and conservation. That such an ideological purpose lies behind the Republican transportation proposal has been implied all along. McDonnell made it explicit."<br /><br />We can't solve this problem without new revenue. <strong>My opponent is playing political shell games, being dishonest about his revenue projections. And his idea to take funds from education, health care and public safety to pay for transportation is dead on arrival.</strong><br /><br />My approach is honest, straightforward -- and the only one that can succeed. Working together, we'll get Virginia moving again. </em></blockquote><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Creigh Deeds</span></strong> just served <strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">Bob McDonnell</span></strong> some leadership.<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">VOTE CREIGH DEEDS FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA!!</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8086657322353310173.post-66537109422722384132009-09-21T17:02:00.006-04:002009-09-21T17:15:46.486-04:00Women Ain't Happy With Bob McDonnell<strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">Tsk Tsk... <span style="color:#ff0000;">Taliban Bob!!</span><br /></span></strong><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hJInSuBesmo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hJInSuBesmo&color1=0xb1b1b1&color2=0xcfcfcf&hl=en&feature=player_embedded&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowscriptaccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/giHbwmHC-00&hl=en&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/giHbwmHC-00&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;">And yet</span> <span style="color:#ff0000;">Taliban Bob</span></strong> <strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">uses the family as a shield.</span></strong><br /><br /><object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/V3r65_Jh9yI&hl=en&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/V3r65_Jh9yI&hl=en&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br /><span style="color:#3333ff;"><strong>Sad</strong> <strong>state of affairs for the batshit crazy</strong></span> <span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>McDonnell campaign.</strong></span><br /><strong><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></strong><br /><strong><span style="color:#3333ff;">VOTE CREIGH DEEDS FOR GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA!!</span></strong>Hokie Guruhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04337991200808086549noreply@blogger.com1