Support the VA Property Rights Amendment

This Tuesday, Virginians will have the important opportunity to enshrine Property Rights as a fundamental right in VA.  There are a couple FAQs to know about the Property Rights Amendment.
  

Q. What are my property rights? Why aren’t these enough? 
A. Currently, Article I, Section 11 of the state Constitution provides that “just compensation” must be paid when property is taken or damaged for public use. But the current Constitution leaves it to the Virginia General Assembly to define “public use.” Accordingly, government officials in Virginia have been able to confiscate property for uses that are not truly public (such as economic development). And when they do take land, they have been able to force property owners to accept less as compensation than what they are losing.
  
Q. Why is the proposed Property Rights Amendment better?
A. It does three things to stop government overreaching when it takes land, and from underpaying property owners. First, it clarifies that government can take private property only when the land will be for projects the public will actually use (such as transportation and schools – not private projects that will only benefit developers) – it makes the words “public use” mean what they say. Second, it will end the systematic shortchanging of Virginians who lose their business to a condemnation or see their property’s value severely diminished when their highway access is cut off. And third, it enshrines the right of private property ownership as a fundamental right, recognizing that it has the same status in the eyes of the law as the rights of freedom of speech or religion. 

You should also watch this video from Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli on why this is an important issue.


Two other great resources for learning more about the amendment are from the VA Family Foundation, and Mark Obenshain-the senator who sponsored the amendment. Remember, when you go to vote, don't stop with the elections.  Make sure you Vote Yes on the first amendment on the ballot.

Tommy Norment Least "Family-Friendly" Republican in the General Assembly

Last week the Virginia Family Foundation released their report card for the last session of the Virginia General Assembly. The scorecard ranks legislators based on a large number of votes that the Virginia Family Foundation was tracking during the last session. Forty members of the House of Delegates received a 100% and 9 members of the State Senate received the same score. All of these members were Republican. The highest rated Democrat was Del. Joe Johnson with a 95%, an the highest rated Democrat Senator was Sen. Phil Puckett with a 92%. These were the only two Democrats to receive a score above 90%.

On the other hand, the lowest rated Republican was Sen. Tommy Norment with a 65%. If this were a grade in college, he would have scored a solid D. No either Republican in either body scored below 70%. (Del. Morgan Harvey was the second lowest Republican with a 72%.) If Tommy Norment were just a normal senator, this wouldn't be as big a deal. However, he is currently the Republican Leader in the Senate. The prospect of installing Tommy Norment as the majority leader if the Republicans take back the senate should not excite any values voters. Taking back the State Senate is only worth it if we have a pro-life chairman in charge of the Health and Education Committee in the next session. This will not happen if Tommy Norment is the majority leader. As we move forward with the senate races, values voters need to put their efforts behind senate candidates who will work to change the Republican leadership in the Senate. Unless the leadership is conservative it won't matter if we retake the majority, or even if the majority of the caucus will vote as conservatives on legislation.

Ask Gov McDonnell to Regulate Abortion Clinics

According to our Attorney General, the state of VA could enforce higher standards on abortion clinics in Virginia. Planned Parenthood says if these standards were enforced, 17 of their 21 abortion clinics in the state could close. The Governor has not done this yet and is hesitant to do so.

Can you help me encourage the Governor to do the right thing? We want Gov. Bob McDonnell to instruct the state Board of Health to enforce the regulations on abortion clinics that the Attorney General says is within the Governor's power to do.

You can read the Attorney General's opinion here.

So please:

1. Contact your GOP Delegates and state senators ask them to tell the Governor to take a stand on this by instructing the state Board of Health to enforce the regulations on abortion clinics. Find and contact your state reps.

2. Contact the Governor

3. Write letters to the editor of you local paper & call in to radio talk shows

4. Pray

5. Ask other believers to do steps 1-4 - re-post this note.

Remember tell them you want Gov. Bob McDonnell to instruct the state Board of Health to enforce the regulations on abortion clinics.

Thank you for taking the time to speak up for those who can not make their voices heard.

Morgan Griffith the Pro-Life Choice for Congress

There comes a time when tenacious commitment to ideological purity makes you at best detriment to the cause you claim to support, and at worse an enemy of that which you are trying to protect. Virginians for Life, and their Executive Director, Kellie McHugh, have definitely reached this point. This blog is unashamed to call out Republicans when they don't stick to their principles. What Virginians for Life has done here is not one of these occasions.

In their most recent e-mail entitled, "Cuccinelli Endorses Pro-Abort," Virginians for Life calls Morgan Griffith (Republican congressional candidate in VA-9) a "pro-abortion Republican" without giving any evidence to support this claim. It also claims that Ken Cuccinelli "sold out again" by endorsing Morgan Griffith. To conclude an e-mail of baseless accusations, the group decides to ask for money, and asks you to call Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and ask him to stop supporting "pro-abortion Republicans."

Since no evidence was given as to why Morgan Griffith is a "pro-abort," I decided to do my own research. In his issues page, Morgan Griffith's second issues is that he believes in the importance of the sanctity of life. He was endorsed in his bid for the 9th congressional seat by the National Right to Life because he "supports pro-life legislation, and opposes the use of federal funding for elective abortion." As a result of his strong commitment to support families, Morgan Griffith received a perfect score from the VA Family Foundation in their 2009 Report Card. This is not the record of a "pro-abort." In most people's minds an endorsement from the Virginia's pro-life champion would at least insure that the person is at least not a "pro-abort." This is the record of someone who has consistently worked for and advanced pro-life legislation as Majority Leader in the VA House of Delegates. May he have cast one vote that Virginians for Life disagrees with? Possibly. Calling a Morgan Griffith a "pro-abort" is a lie. Doing it without providing evidence is inexcusable.

Morgan Griffith's opponent Rick Boucher is most certainly a strong supporter of abortion. During the healthcare debate, he opposed the Stupak amendment, an attempt to make sure federal healthcare money would not fund abortion. His votes in the last congress earned him a 25% approval rating from the Family Research Council on family issues.

Not only is it a lie to call Morgan Griffith a "pro-abort" the timing of this e-mail is very troubling. Virginians for Life pretends like this is a recent development that Ken Cuccinelli endorsed Morgan Griffith. Cuccinelli actually endorsed Morgan Griffith in a Cuccinelli Compass e-mail sent out on May 20th. This summer Virginia Republicans participated in competitive nomination contests in five congressional districts: 2, 5, 8, 9, and 11. Ken Cuccinelli chose to endorse candidates in two of those nomination contests: Keith Fimian and Morgan Griffith. If Virgians for Life were actually upset about Ken Cuccinelli's endorsement they would have sent this e-mail out in May when Ken made the endorsement.

Choosing to send this baseless attack out the weekend before the election serves only one purpose, suppressing pro-life votes for Morgan Griffith. I do not know the intentions of the person who sent the e-mail, but it is the only possible result. Normally baseless smear attacks a couple days before an election are reserved for your political enemies. It is unimaginable to use such tactics on your friends. Under the guise of supporting life, Virgians for Life are helping reelect an enemy of family values, and the unborn, Rep. Rick Boucher.

The race in Virginia's fighting 9th will be a close race. If you believe in family values, look at the records, and vote for Morgan Griffith on Tuesday.

Victoria Cobb Declares War on the State Senate

At the Family Foundation Gala tonight, Victoria Cobb declared that the next step in making Virginia a family values friendly state was putting a conservative majority in the State Senate. She made a point of not just wanting a Republican majority in the State Senate. She noted that Republicans lead by Russ Potts consistently killed bills relating to abortion and choice in education in the Senate Health and Education Committee. Victoria talked about the impact the Winning Matters campaign had on the statewide and House of Delegates races in 2009, and believes that a similar strategy will significantly impact the senate races in 2011. Hopefully the Family Foundation and other conservative groups succeed in this goal, and Steve Martin or Steve Newman hold the chairmanship of the Senate Health and Education Committee. When that happens Virginia will be the leader in all of the important battles of our time.

Cuccinelli Follows the Law, While McDonnell Follows the Polls

Last week it was revealed that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli sent a directive to the state universtities informing them they were stepping outside the bounds of the law to have non-discrimination policies that include sexual orientation. This created an immediate firestorm from both sides of the aisle. All the usual suspects yelled bigot, and turning back the clock, and sadly even Republicans came out against the Attorney General's call to obey the rule of law. A prominent College Republican leader (Cole Usry of Christopher Newport University) organized early protests against the Attorney General, and prominent Republican blogs have come out against the Attorney General. One blog even suggested he could kiss future political aspirations good buy as a result of this. Honestly the reaction to the Attorney General's decision has been heavily based on emotion. To my knowledge no one has made the case that Ken Cuccinelli is incorrect in his interpretation of the law. All this blowback resulted because Ken Cuccinelli made good on his campaign promise to "enforce the rule of law."

In response to this firestorm Governor Bob McDonnell is trying to placate the left by issuing "Executive Directive #1." First of all an executive directive is different from an executive order. This is a legally nonbinding statement reminding state agencies that “employment discrimination for any reason other than merit and ability has no place in state government”. The reaction to the Executive Directive has been generally positive, especially from the left. However the VA Family Foundation sent out an e-mail expressing their concern with the directive and noted as troubling the positive statements the ACLU made about it.

Probably the most stinging rebuke to the Governor came from a long time supporter, and social conservative leader, Dr. Mike Farris. Dr. Farris gave the Washington Post a very blunt statement on the issue.

"I think this action is incredibly disappointing, to the point of being shocking," said Michael P. Farris, the chancellor of Patrick Henry College, a private Christian college in Loudoun County. "The deeper message it sends is that people who think homosexuality is a sin are wrong. They are irrational."

Farris, a lawyer and constitutional scholar who ran for lieutenant governor in 1993, said he thinks McDonnell's policy statement will be used in courts to help challenge Virginia's constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, which McDonnell supported. "I don't think the people advising him were doing anything other than reading polls," Farris said.

I am proud of Ken Cuccinelli for standing up for the law no matter how politically incorrect it may be. I also have to side with Dr. Farris in expressing my disappointment in Governor McDonnell. If you can't stand up for traditional values when the law is on your side and the General Assembly is with you, when can you?

Let's hope the governor will follow through on his promise to defund Planned Parenthood. That is something he can do single handedly, and if he doesn't do that this year, can social conservatives ever hope he will fight for us?

UPDATE:: As always Tim Boyer, a good friend of this blog, is willing to call it like it is, and has some similar thoughts on this topic along with some thoughts on the possible political reasons for McDonnell's actions.

Protecting Life – At Every Stage

Victoria Cobb, President
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Information Alert: Protecting Life – At Every Stage

While we send you many email alerts when the General Assembly is in session and try to keep you informed of what is happening in Richmond, there is far more going on each day than we could possibly tell you about. Yesterday was a day, however, that I think tells a little bit of the story of what we do to protect our values and your family on issues that don't normally grab the headlines or get a great deal of attention. Late last week we were notified of a bill regarding Advanced Directives (legal documents that you can have that communicate your desires regarding end of life care) that was not as innocuous as it seemed at first glance. Often complex in their make up, bills that deal with these types of situations can be confusing and sometimes have unintended consequences. After a review of the bill by our policy team, we determined that the bill made it much easier for a hospital to stop end of life treatment on an incapacitated patient who has no advance directive and no family member advocating on their behalf. We then contacted lobbyists representing the groups promoting the legislation to let them know of our concerns. The bill had passed the Senate 40-0, so we had to stop the momentum. The bill was assigned to a House Committee on Health, Welfare and Institutions subcommittee.

Yesterday morning just as the subcommittee was beginning, we negotiated a series of amendments to appease our concerns. The nine page bill was debated for an hour and a half as our concerns and those of several subcommittee members came to light. Because of the problems, in an unusual move, the subcommittee met again last evening. Again, we were in the room to ensure that the end of life issues we were concerned about were addressed. Even as we kept a watchful eye on the committee, a sub-committee member attempted to elevate the role that a “life partner” might play in end of life decisions. While the committee had little appetite for introducing new controversial issues into the mix, had they seriously considered this notion, we would have stepped in to ensure marriage continues to be an elevated institution in our public policy. After another hour of debate and discussion, a much improved (at least where we were concerned) piece of legislation that included amendments fixing the issues we were worried about was passed onto the full committee. Again, there were no TV cameras in the room and odds are the bill will never be noticed by the general public. But it is these bills that often times go unnoticed that can be most damaging to our values even if the intent of those involved isn't bad. We try to catch every one, but with over 2,400 hundred bills in the system, we miss one now and then. But when we don't catch them often times other legislators or lobbyists will let us know because they can count on us to stop a bill in its tracks and ensure it gets fixed. At our Richmond Gala last fall, Governor Mike Huckabee noted that it is the staff at The Family Foundation that does the work that few want to do. We read and review hundreds and hundreds of bills. We sit in subcommittee and committee meetings that can run for hours, negotiating and lobbying to make sure the bills do no harm to our values and our families. Not very glorious, but the reason we exist as an organization. Yesterday was a day where we were successful in our mission. Today begins another day.

Please forward this e-mail to friends and family who you think are interested in issues affecting traditional values and encourage them to sign up for alerts at www.familyfoundationblog.com/?page_id=162

Virginia's Crisis Pregnancy Center's Are Under Attack

A friend recently forwarded this e-mail to me.

Blue Ridge Women's Center rarely mentions political matters, but two bills currently under consideration in Virginia would directly impact our Center, and we'd appreciate your help.

Last week the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation announced that, after a year-long undercover investigation into pregnancy centers like ours throughout the commonwealth, legislation is being proposed to further regulate our work (see this report from the Family Foundation: http://www.familyfoundationblog.com/2010/01/20/naral-general-assembly-allies-attack-apolitical-pregnancy-resource-centers/). Would you help keep Virginia centers free from the burdensome regulations of SB 188 and HB 452? Contact your legislators (http://www.familyfoundation.org/legislator.html ) and recommend that they vote against these two bills. And please do so quickly—we just found out that the subcommittee hearing is scheduled for this afternoon.

We are, as always, grateful for your support, your prayers, and your concern for the women and children of our community. Below you'll find our press release responding to the NPCVF report.

Blue Ridge Women's Center today responded to charges by the NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Foundation that the majority of crisis pregnancy centers in Virginia provide "medically inaccurate information" and therefore represent "a threat to public health" rather than benefiting women who face unplanned pregnancy.

Blue Ridge Women's Center issued the following statement in responseto last week's NPCVF report:

"Women who face unplanned pregnancy need reliable information, practical resources, and emotional support. Blue Ridge Women's Center, which has been a trusted part of the local community service networkfor over 25 years, understands this and stands behind its services to the women of the Roanoke Valley.

"Numerous other local organizations—including physicians, hospitals, clinics, social-service providers, schools, and churches—refer clients to Blue Ridge Women's Center, depending on us to provide them with free pregnancy testing and pregnancy verification, parenting and life skills classes, maternity clothes and baby items. Our peer counseling services have helped thousands of women to navigate the challenges of unplanned pregnancy. We value the trust placed in us by our communityand are committed to providing quality care in a safe, confidential, non-judgmental environment.

"While the NPCVF report cited no specific examples of 'medicalfalsehoods' perpetuated by Blue Ridge Women's Center nor quotes purported to have come from our Center, our name is included on the list of pregnancy centers that they allegedly investigated, and they indicate that they contacted us by phone on four occasions. Due to the undercover nature of NPCVF's actions, we cannot confirm that such telephone contact took place.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center has medical professionals on its paid and volunteer staff, including a Medical Director who is a practicing, board-certified OB/GYN. We conduct regular reviews of our literature and medical services to ensure that any information distributed to our clients is consistent with current research findings and accepted medical protocol.

"In addition to this, Blue Ridge Women's Center and many of the other pregnancy centers in Virginia voluntarily comply with a set of industry standards upholding accuracy and excellence in client care and communications. As an affiliate of CareNet, NIFLA, and Heartbeat International, Blue Ridge Women's Center annually reaffirms a written 'Commitment of Care and Competence,' and requires its client-services staff and volunteers to participate in continuing education to keep their knowledge and skills current. NPCVF has provided no evidence that our Center has either violated this 'Commitment of Care and Competence' or supplied misinformation to our clients.

"Blue Ridge Women's Center provides free support services to hundreds of women annually, and has served more than 14,000 women and families since 1984. We encourage anyone concerned about the quality of our work to consider the testimony of our clients, who indicate a high level of satisfaction with the Center on their exit interviews.

"'I would recommend friends, family, or acquaintances who have unplanned pregnancy to come here for support,' one of our clients writes, and she's not alone in that recommendation. Last year over half of our clients came to us through referrals from family members or friends.

"With the continuing support of its donors and volunteers, Blue Ridge Women's Center remains committed to providing quality care to the women of our community regardless of their age, race, religion, income level, or circumstances.

"Regarding the funds from the Choose Life license plate campaign to which the NPCVF report refers, Blue Ridge Women's Center does not receive any financial support from the federal or commonwealth government, and has neither requested nor received any funds from the sale of Choose Life license plates.

Many thanks,

Rev. Phil Holsinger (Coach), President/CEO

Court Upholds Ban on Partial Birth Abortion

Victoria Cobb, President

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Victory Alert: Court Upholds Ban on Partial Birth Abortion

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The U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals this afternoon upheld Virginia’s long sought ban on partial birth abortion. The law, passed in 2003, has been blocked by courts ever since.

Substantially similar to a federal ban that was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court last year, Virginia’s law could face one more hurdle should pro-abortion advocated appeal to that court, but the hope is that the Supreme Court won't hear the case because of its decision last year (retiring Justice David Souter voted against the law.)

But today, we celebrate the Fourth Circuit’s decision!

Honestly, I still have vivid memories of the courtroom last fall where this case was debated. Those of us who were there can remember the lawyer from the Center for Reproductive Rights arguing against the ban making her case that, should the Virginia statute as it currently reads be upheld as constitutional her client, a doctor who performs abortions, could potentially face prosecution. During the course of her explanation, she actually described a potential situation in which the doctor fully delivers the child, who is then separated from the mother, and placed on a nearby table to…“expire.” Not, die. Expire. Born alive, and left to die.

The coldness of that statement and the complete lack of compassion for human beings in their most vulnerable stage were palpable in that room. These were people who were advocated for the killing of a child, a fully developed child just days from birth. Thank God the majority of the court rejected their argument.

All pro-life Virginians owe a debt of gratitude to Delegate Bob Marshall (R-13, Manassas), the original patron of the legislation, for his passionate advocacy for the unborn on this issue, and to former Attorney General Bob McDonnell and his office for their skilled defense of the law throughout the process.

(This was not in the Family Foundation e-mail, but here is Bob McDonnell's response to the decision.)

Why I Support Bob McDonnell for Governor

I was looking over my blogposts and realized I have not written much about why I support Bob McDonnell. This is largely a result of the fact that he had an uncontested nomination and did not need any support or defending in the lead up to the convention. However, I think it is important that we as conservatives rally behind Bob McDonnell for governor. He has a track record that while not perfect is very impressive. Below I seek to highlight Bob McDonnell's record as a social conservative.

As a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, Bob McDonnell was responsible for some of Virginia’s key family values legislation in the 1990’s. By 1995 attempts to pass a parental notification law had failed in the state senate Virginia for 18 years. As a result of Bob McDonnell’s leadership and hard work it became law. As a delegate Bob McDonnell also helped pass Virginia’s partial birth abortion ban, a resolution upholding marriage as between one man and woman, and fought hard for home schoolers and choice in education. As a result of his hard work Bob McDonnell was named the VA Legislator of the year in 1998 and 2001 by the Virginia Family Foundation

As Attorney General, Bob McDonnell has continued his record of fighting for traditional values. When the Virginia Marriage Amendment was up for a vote in 2006 Bob McDonnell actively supported it and published a brief which refuted many of the criticisms of the amendment. In May of 2008 the US 4th Circuit Court of appeals ruled the Virginia partial birth abortion law unconstitutional. Instead of simply yielding to the judiciary, Attorney General Bob McDonnell successfully filed a brief asking the court to review its decision. On the issue of religious freedom HSLDA has worked hard to pass a Religious Freedoms Restoration Act in Virginia. For a couple years it was unsuccessful, but when the Attorney General’s office testified in favor of it, it passed. Not only has Bob McDonnell fought hard for traditionally social conservative issues, Bob McDonnell has also fought to limit the size of government. Bob McDonnell established the Attorney General’s Task Force on Regulatory and Government Reform. This group created a list of over 250 specific regulations and policies Virginia should cut in order to reduce the size of the state government. As Attorney General Bob McDonnell continued what he did in the House of Delegates, working hard for the values that we hold dear.

Bob McDonnell does not claim to be a conservative because it is politically convenient; he has a proven track record of fighting hard for our shared values. If you believe in the sanctity of life, strong families, religious freedom, homeschooling, or limited government, I hope you will join me in working hard to see Bob McDonnell elected our next governor over the next five months. We have an opportunity in Bob McDonnell to gain ground on many important conservative issues. With Bob McDonnell as governor we will have a friend in the governor’s mansion who will work tirelessly on behalf of the issues we hold dear.

Sam Nixon Campaign Office Grand Opening

Dear Friend,

This is a reminder of the Grand Opening of the Campaign Headquarters for the Nixon, McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli campaigns for Chesterfield. We are pleased to now have Senator Cuccinelli's campaign on board as part of our team for 2009!

As a reminder, the opening begins at 6:00 PM on Monday, June 8. The address of the office is 9503 Hull Street Road, Suite D, Richmond, VA 23236. I hope to see you there!

Sincerely,

Sam Nixon

If you live in CHesterfield Co. I hope you will join Delegate Sam Nixon for the Chesterfield Victory Office grand opening, or atleast frequent the office regularly to volunteer. It is an honor to be represented by Sam Nixon in the Virginia House of Delegates. He cares about his constituents, sticks to his principles (He rceived a perfect score from the Virginia Family Foundation), and is focussed on getting things done in the General Assembly. You can also click here to hear him discuss the state convention and the upcoming election.

If you don't live in Chesterfield please volunteer at your closest victory center as we work to sweep all three executive races this fall and increase our seats in the General Assembly.

New Bolling Endorsements

A few days ago the Bolling campaign sent out an e-mail in which the Republican leaders in the 9th Congressional District came out in support of Bill Bolling. These are the people who know Patrick Muldoon best. They called on Patrick Muldoon to stop his "slash and burn" campaign tactics. By this they mean that Muldoon never lays out his record on the issues but simply attacks Bolling. Nomination contests are meant to be a clash of ideas not an opportunity to attack a party leader.

Today, exactly two weeks out from the convention, Bill Bolling announced a new set of endorsements. The e-mail included endorsements from Mike Farris, the NRA, Virginia Society for Human Life, and a quote by Victoria Cobb of the VA Family Foundation.

"I am pleased to endorse Bill Bolling's re-election as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. Bill has been a clear and consistent voice for the conservative values we believe in. Bill knows that we need to improve the quality of the educational opportunities we provide to our children, and he has been a strong supporter of educational choice and the rights of parents to home school their children. I am pleased to give Bill my support, and I encourage you to do the same." Mike Farris, Homeschool Lawyer

“On behalf of the over 100,000 members of the National Rifle Association in Virginia, I am pleased to announce your NRA-PVF endorsement for the 2009 Virginia Republican Convention. Your exemplary record of past service in the Virginia Senate and as Lieutenant Governor clearly illustrates your commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen. Based upon your proven record and firm pledge to continue to serve as an advocate for Virginia’s law-abiding gun owners, you have earned an “A+” rating from the NRA-PVF.” Andrew Jennison, NRA-ILA Virginia State Liaison (May 11, 2009 Letter to Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling)

“The Virginia Society for Human Life Political Action Committee (VSHL PAC) is pleased to endorse you for reelection to the office of Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
During your term as Lieutenant Governor, you have advanced and defended pro-life principles. We particularly appreciate the deciding vote you cast on the amendment to the 2008 Virginia budget that would have banned taxpayer funding for Planned Parenthood, which operates the largest chain of abortion facilities in the United States.” Holly Smith, Chairman, Virginia Society for Human Life PAC (May 14, 2009 Letter to Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling)

“I can honestly say that no elected official in Virginia did more to encourage the passage of the [Marriage] Amendment than you. Your willingness to participate in va4marriage.org events and fundraisers was critical to our success, as was your personal contribution of radio ads across Virginia. Your passionate advocacy for traditional marriage clearly contributed to our victory.” Victoria Cobb, Executive Director, Family Foundation of Virginia (Nov 10, 2006 Letter to Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. The Family Foundation does not endorse candidates for elected office.)

It is great to see these conservative groups and leaders coming out in strong support for Bill Bolling. I hope you will join the conservatives from across this state in supporting Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor at the convention, and throughout the long campaign season afterwards.

Bolling for Lieutenant Governor - Setting the Record Straight on the Life Issue

Earlier I wrote about the attacks on Bolling's record and why I support Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor. Attorney General. In a recent e-mail, Mark Obenshain responds to yet another e-mail from the Muldoon campaign and lays out Bolling's record on social issues. Coming from someone who has worked with Bolling for years in the state senate I think it is definitely a must read article. I hope you will join with me in voting for Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor at the RPV state convention on May 30th.

Friends,

You may have recently received an email from Patrick Muldoon, who is running against Bill Bolling for the nomination for Lieutenant Governor. That email is full of so much inaccurate information that I felt compelled to write and set the record straight.

While I always welcome competition as a method to strengthen our party, and
while I believe that we must hold our public officials accountable for their stances, it cannot be at the expense of the truth.

I’m sad to say that a small group, determined to derail our victory in November, appear to be attempting to smear and falsely attack a man who has been a faithful friend to our conservative cause, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.

I have known Bill Bolling and served with him in the Senate for years, and I can tell you that his opponent is not telling the truth about Bill’s record.

Let me set the record straight, point by point.

Claim: Bill did not oppose making the Plan B Morning After pill available to minors.

Truth: Bill Bolling has consistently opposed making the morning
after pill available to minors.

While his opponent has no record on Plan B, as a member of the State Senate
Bill Bolling:

• Voted to require parental consent before minors can get Plan B
• Voted against allowing Plan B to be distributed over the counter without a
  physician's prescription
• Voted against allowing Plan B to be distributed on Virginia's college
  campuses

Claim: Bill supported mandatory HPV vaccinations for grade-schoolers.

Truth: Bill Bolling has never supported mandating HPV vaccinations
for grade-schoolers, or anyone else for that matter.

In fact, when legislation to mandate the HPV vaccine was introduced in the General Assembly Bill publicly stated his opposition to that legislation and he fought for the no-cause parental opt-out that was ultimately included in the legislation that passed the Senate 40-0. Bill’s position was consistent with the position of The Family Foundation and the Catholic Diocese of Virginia: that parents should be made aware of the link between HPV and cervical cancer, but the vaccination should be a choice that each parent makes for themselves.

Claim: Bill campaigned around the state supporting the HPV vaccine in exchange for contributions from its manufacturer, Merck Pharmaceuticals.

Truth: Bill has never encouraged anyone to get the HPV vaccine.

In 2007, Lieutenant Governor Bolling and his wife, Jean Ann, participated in a bi-partisan national effort called “Ending Cervical Cancer in Our Lifetime.” This program was sponsored by the National Lieutenant Governor’s Association and was aimed at helping women make the connection between the HPV virus and cervical cancer. The program encouraged women to go to their doctors for regular cervical cancer screenings. It did not encourage anyone to get the HPV vaccine. And by the way, the last campaign contribution Bill recieved from Merck was $500, and that was six years ago!

Claim: Bill supports a “hook-up cultural agenda” of promiscuity and unprotected sex, and he is a “favorite Republican” of Planned Parenthood.

Truth: This one is simply laughable.

Bill Bolling is one of our most consistent conservative leaders. He is a family man, a dedicated Christian and a Sunday School teacher. He fought Tim Kaine’s attempts to eliminate state funding for abstinence education. He cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of denying state funds to Planned Parenthood. But there are probably two statistics that sum it up best:

Bill Bolling has a 100% lifetime rating from the Virginia Society for
Human Life.

Bill Bolling has a 0% lifetime rating from NARAL/Planned
Parenthood.

It is unfortunate that Patrick Muldoon feels the need to mangle the record of a good man in order to further his campaign, but the sad truth is that he has no positive record to stand on. By contrast, Bill Bolling’s record speaks for itself:

• 100% pro-family voting record from The Family Foundation
• Endorsed by the Virginia Society for Human Life (2005)
• Supported parental notification and consent legislationSupported a ban on
  partial birth abortions
• Supported higher patient safety standards for abortion clinics
• Cast the tie-breaking vote to deny state funding to Planned Parenthood
• Fought to restore abstinence education funding that Governor Kaine stripped
  from the budget
• Led the fight to pass the Marriage Amendment

That’s a solid conservative record that we can be proud of.

A little over a year ago Bill Bolling put aside his personal ambitions and decided not to seek the Governor’s Mansion. Our party has benefited greatly from Bill’s sacrifice. Perhaps others should follow his example.

If we are going to win in November, we have no time for the politics
of negativity and personal destruction.

I’m proud to support Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and I urge you to do so as well.

Senator Mark Obenshain

Harrisonburg, Virginia

Cuccinelli on the Issue of Life

The second in a series of issue positions

from the Cuccinelli for Attorney General Campaign

Ken Cuccinelli is unabashedly Pro-life. It's a position he has always had - and a belief that's based on more than just words.

It's one thing to say you're "pro-life" as a candidate for nomination to public office - everyone that wants a Republican nomination says it. It's completely different if your words are backed with action and an actual record.

How many times have pro-lifers been disappointed after electing someone who kept insisting that he was pro-life during a campaign?

As a member of the State Senate, Ken Cuccinelli has not just voted right, he has been a leader on initiatives that cover the whole spectrum of the abortion issue and is a recognized leader on the issue of life.

• Ken has introduced legislation to ensure that abortion clinics are licensed and subject to the same regulations as outpatient surgical hospitals;
• Ken authored the Senate version of the parental consent law;
• Ken has led the way with efforts to de-fund planned parenthood of your tax dollars;
• Ken has led the Senate effort to successfully block embryonic stem cell research;
• Ken has led the fight to ban the gruesome procedure of "partial-birth" abortion;
• Ken led the fight on the Senate floor to adopt the "Choose Life" license plate, which was just signed into law. Proceeds from the sale of these plates will go to crisis-pregnancy centers across the Commonwealth.

These are just a few of the reasons why such notable conservative organizations as the Eagle Forum Virginia PAC, and the Republican National Coalition for Life have ENDORSED Ken's campaign for Attorney General.

Additionally, the Family Foundation honored Ken with their prestigious "Legislator of the year award" for 2008 for his efforts to strip planned parenthood of state tax funding.

Action Alert: Ask Governor Kaine to Sign Choose Life License Plate Bill

Victoria Cobb, President Monday, March 9, 2009   Action Alert: Ask Governor Kaine to Sign Choose Life License Plate Bill See Our Latest Blog Posts @ www.familyfoundationblog.com Sign Up for Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA Join Us On Facebook @ www.facebook.com See Our Video Center On YouTube @ www.youtube.com/user/TheFamilyFoundation   Two weeks ago, you heard from us about the Choose Life license plate bill victory (SB 817).  A portion of revenue raised by the purchase of these plates would be sent to pregnancy resource centers.  You may have seen our YouTube video in which Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Centreville) added the Choose Life amendment on the Senate floor or maybe you sent an email to your legislators encouraging them to vote for this pro-life legislation.    Today, I am asking you to participate in the next step of the legislative process.    The hard work and determination of Senator Cuccinelli and those legislators who voted for this legislation could all be void if Governor Tim Kaine chooses to listen to Planned Parenthood and amend the bill to remove the Choose Life plate or veto the entire bill outright.    I am asking you to contact Governor Kaine today to urge him to sign the Choose Life license plate bill.  Your urgent action is necessary!    The Governor is now in the process of deciding what his action will be concerning the bills recently placed on his desk.  Hearing from you and other concerned citizens has a profound impact on this process.  Please take just a few minutes to write a letter to Governor Kaine expressing your strong support of the Choose Life plate in SB 817, the omnibus license plate bill.  Governor Kaine’s contact information is below:   The Honorable Tim Kaine P.O. Box 1475 Richmond, VA 23218   It is preferable that you write a letter since this has the greatest impact; however, if that is not possible for you, please consider a phone call, fax, or email:   Phone:  (804) 786-2211 Fax:  (804) 371-6351   To send an email, click the link below.   While is it our hope that Governor Kaine does sign this Choose Life plate into law, The Family Foundation is prepared to mount an overwhelming grassroots advocacy campaign to put pressure on swing legislators and gather enough votes to override a gubernatorial veto.  However, your letter today can help insure that this effort is not necessary.  Please do your part and send a letter to the Governor today!  Thank you in advance for your advocacy!    ACTION: Urge Governor Kaine to sign SB 817 with no amendments, including the Choose Life License Plate.

Choose Life Licencse Plates Pass the Senate

One of Senator Cuccinelli's main legislative priorities this session was to create a Choose Life license plate.  This plate would both allow people to show their support for the pro-life cause on their vehicles, and fund pregnancy resource centers around the commonwealth.  In preparation for this legislative push, Ken collected signatures in support of the bill, and more than enough preregistrations for the license plates.  

The bill, SB 801, died in committee on a 6-6-2 vote.  However Sen. Cuccinelli did not give up when his bill died in committee.  Victoria Cobb of the Family Foundation put it best when she said, "Never one to surrender easily, today he successfully amended SB 817 to include his Choose Life plate."  Yesterday, on a vote of 20-19, the amendment was approved, and the Choose Life plates are on their way to the House of Delegates where they will more than likely be approved.