Bill Stanley for State Senate

Bill Stanley is a rising conservative star in Virginia. He passionately believes in our core conservative principles, and will fight for them in whatever position he holds. Whether it was as Franklin Co. or 5th District Chair, or in his run for Party Chairman, Bill Stanley has a record marked by accomplishment and conviction. His hard work as Franklin Co. Chair lead to overwhelming support in his bid for 5th District Chairman. As chairman of the 5th District Bill Stanley was able to unite conservatives around Robert Hurt as Republicans took back the 5th District. In his bid for Party Chairman in 2009, Bill Stanley showed that he was willing to fight for things that looked impossible, and was not willing to be bought off.

Most importantly as a pro-lifer and a fiscal conservative, Bill Stanley will work make a pro-lifer chairman of the Senate Health and Education Committee, and will not vote to raise taxes.

Conservative State Senators Mark Obenshain, Steve Newman, Steve Martin, Ralph Smith, and Jill Vogel all endorsed Bill Stanley as they look forward to another conservative coming to the state senate. Ken Cuccinelli, Bob Marshall, The Lynchburg Tea Party, Gun Owners of America, and Bearing Drift have also endorsed Bill Stanley.

If you live in the 19th Senate District, help put a conservative majority in the state senate by voting for Bill Stanley on November 23rd.

Cuccinelli Supports Making Conventions Financially Viable

The State Central meeting at the Advance this weekend will be about one thing. Conventions. Cuccinelli is proposing party plan amendments to make conventions more financially viable. These have been debated and discussed by party activists since they were first unveiled in the summer. As a supporter of conventions, I support Cuccinelli's efforts. Bill Bolling and Bob Marshall along with others are opposing them.


The other issue is that it seems Mike Thomas and others have decided to force a vote for a primary at the meeting. Bob Marhsall who seems inexplicably on a warpath against conventions is also supporting the vote for a primary, even though that will insure that he loses if he runs for U.S. Senate. Apparently he has a proxy and will be voting for a primary at the meeting on Saturday.


I will post more about the primary vote later. For now, here is Ken Cuccinelli's statement on the party plan amendments he is proposing.

MEMO – PARTY PLAN AMENDMENTS TO BE VOTED ON AT 2010 RPV ADVANCE
From: KEN
CUCCINELLI
TO: MEMBERS OF RPV STATE CENTRAL COMMITTEE

This memo is intended to share my perspective on the content and purpose of the two party plan amendments being proposed that will increase the financial viability of conventions as a method of nomination for statewide offices. These amendments to the party plan are being proposed in light of the 2009 convention, which left RPV with lingering financial obligations.

1. The first proposal being put forward is to allow the party to charge up to a $25,000 filing fee for candidates for all statewide offices.
2. The second is to allow the party the option of charging pre-file fees to delegates to attend conventions. The number being put forward is no more than $50 per delegate.

My reason for supporting these concepts may seem counter-intuitive. When you think of an entire nomination process - including the campaign itself, not merely the nomination election day - a very large convention filing fee, e.g., $25K for a candidate for statewide office will cost much more than a primary filing fee (approximately $4,000), but running a convention campaign can be done for a fraction of the cost of running a primary campaign.If you compare the cost of the 2009 Cuccinelli/Brownlee/Foster convention to the candidates – about $1 million total, to the cost of the 2005 McDonnell/Baril primary to the candidates – about $5 million total, it’s clear that even with significant filing fees, conventions provide the lowest cost access to a realistic, competitive nomination.

By increasing the likelihood that conventions will end up in the black financially, they will be even more viable as a nomination option. Following this page are some questions I’ve encountered about the need for these proposals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are these fees helpful?

In an ideal world, we would not have to charge fees at all in order to run for public office. Personally, I am in favor of keeping the bar to entry for candidates to enter nomination contests as low as possible. However, because the 2009 GOP Convention resulted in a financial loss for RPV, it would be helpful to make changes so that the State Central Committee can vote for conventions without serious concern that it will send the Party into the red.

Won’t these fees make it more expensive for longshot or low dollar candidates?

No, exactly the opposite. While these fees represent a significant increase from the 2008 and 2009 conventions, they are still significantly lower than the cost of running a statewide primary. For example, in 2005 McDonnell/Baril primary cost both candidates a combined total of around 5 million dollars, whereas in 2009, the convention contest for the same office cost less than 1 million dollars.Conventions are, by far, the cheapest method of nomination for statewide office. By far.If conventions are not more reliably financially viable – the alternative (primaries) will shut out many candidates who otherwise would have had a realistic shot in a convention.

Won’t delegate filing fees keep people from attending the convention?

While charging a fee for delegates to attend a convention is undesirable in some circumstances, it doesn’t mean it will substantially lower the turnout. For example, the 1978, 1993 and 1994 GOP conventions were the largest conventions in Virginia’s history, yet in all three the Party charged a pre-filing fee for delegates.

Will the Department of Justice approve these changes to the Party Plan?

Maybe. This is something that we will only know when an approved party plan amendment is submitted to the DoJ. Based on a case that arose in Virginia, the courts have said that delegate fees would have to be pre-cleared by the Justice Department under the Voting Rights Act. This is one of those that we just won’t know until we try.

Is there any alternative to charging delegate and candidate fees?

At the moment I believe these are the two simplest alternatives. Voluntary contributions to the party to help offset the cost of conventions are the other most obvious alternative; however, it may be dicey to rely upon that approach to generate the necessary revenue to pay for the event.It is important to remember
that these proposals are to allow RPV to charge the fees if you all feel they are necessary to pay for the conventions. If we come up with an alternate revenue source in the future – the fees may not end up being necessary, and thus don’t need to be charged. This is simply a vote to allow RPV SCC the discretion to charge the fees if they feel they are necessary.ant to remember that these proposals are to allow RPV to charge the fees if you all feel they are necessary to pay for the conventions. If we come up with an alternate revenue source in the future – the fees may not end up being necessary, and thus don’t need to be charged. This is simply a vote to allow RPV SCC the discretion to charge the fees if they feel they are necessary.

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.

VIRGINIA CAN REGULATE ABORTION CLINICS TO PROTECT WOMEN

Virginia's Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli issued an opinion that "the Commonwealth has the authority to promulgate regulations for facilities in which first trimester abortions are performed, as well as for providers of first trimester abortions, so long as the regulations adhere to constitutional limitations."

"This is a victory for women and children across Virginia," said Delegate Bob Marshall. It is my hope that the Governor will issue health regulations as soon as possible."

Delegate Marshall had asked for the Attorney General's opinion earlier this year. Virginia's Department of Health had regulated abortion clinics until Chuck Robb became Governor and ended the practice.

"We should do everything possible to ensure that every woman's life and health and their future pregnancies are protected by the Commonwealth of Virginia. To do otherwise is to shirk from government's first responsibility," Delegate Marshall explained.

Delegate Marshall added, "The National Library of Medicine has hundreds and hundreds of peer review medical articles documenting the immediate dangers of first trimester legal abortion to women and subsequent pregnancies."

Marshall concluded, "I have asked that Governor McDonnell issue regulations identical to those approved by the Fourth Federal Circuit Court in Richmond upholding South Carolina's medical and safety regulations for first trimester abortion providers as referenced by the Attorney General in his opinion."

**************************************************************************

Letter from Delegate Bob Marshall to Governor Bob McDonnell

The Honorable Robert F. McDonnell
Office of the Governor
Patrick Henry Building
1111 E. Broad Street, 3rd Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
[Via E-mail]

Dear Governor McDonnell:

I would like to request that you implement the abortion clinic regulations available to the Commonwealth under the Attorney General’s opinion issued August 20, 2010 which I requested which states in part, “the Commonwealth has the authority to promulgate regulations for facilities in which first trimester abortions are performed, as well as for providers of first trimester abortions, so long as the regulations adhere to constitutional limitations.”

I urge you to craft clinic regulations to meet the limitations set out in the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals 2002 decision in the Greenville Women's Clinic v. Commissioner, South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control case (see attached).

Virginia previously regulated abortion clinics under our inherent health, safety and welfare powers. I hope that you will do what you can to ensure that the women of Virginia are protected from dangers such as out of state physicians whose licenses are suspended or revoked elsewhere or not having hospital admission privileges in Virginia and, sending women to hospitals in private vehicles and other unsafe conditions which compromise public health that occur at some abortion clinics in Virginia.

Thank you for your time and consideration. If you have any questions please contact me on my cell phone at (703) 853-4213.

Sincerely,

Delegate Bob Marshall

Audio File of Delegate Marshall's Comments

Attorney General's Opinion

Join AG Cuccinelli for an informational webcast on June 16th

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli filed a lawsuit on behalf of Virginia to overturn the federal health care mandate following the passage of the national health care bill in March. After weeks of waiting for the federal government to respond, federal officials filed a reply in the U.S. District Court on May 24th with a motion to dismiss the suit, which is what the Attorney General's office expected would happen. Cuccinelli's office responded, and is now waiting on the U.S. to file its reply brief by June 22nd, and then the oral arguments on the motion to dismiss will take place on July 1st at 10 a.m. - one hour for each side.

If Virginia's case is not dismissed and moves forward, a summary judgment hearing is scheduled for October 18th.

On June 16th, Attorney General Cuccinelli will hold a webcast to discuss where his team is on the case, what you can expect going forward and the constitutional issues involved. To join the webcast, you must register on the AG's website. The webcast is free and open to the public, but is not paid for at taxpayer expense.

Remember to register and click here for more details on the June 16th webcast!

Republican Party of Virginia
Chairman Pat Mullins
115 East Grace Street
Richmond, VA 23219
www.rpv.org
804-780-0111

One of our own makes the 2010 Rising Stars list!

Campaigns & Elections’ Politics magazine released it's list of 2010 Rising Stars yesterday. Among many consultants, campaign managers, grassroots organizers and fundraisers, we see Meredith Quillen ... Now, her name may not ring a bell or mean much to you - but when you look at who she is and what she has accomplished, you'll see why this is such a big deal.

Meredith is considered, by many, one of the big reasons Ken Cuccinelli was elected. She served as his campaign manager in his run for Attorney General in 2009 and has either consulted or run every single one of his races before that! We are all very proud of her and her dedication to getting conservatives back in office.

"Campaigns & Elections Rising Stars are people less than 35 years old who have already made a significant mark in political consulting, campaigning or advocacy. The 2010 class includes 15 Democrats, 15 Republicans and 11 nonpartisan or international leaders chosen from a pool of hundreds of nominees. The Rising Stars will be honored in the June issue of Politics."

Meredith is one of two Virginians featured on the list.

Cuccinelli tweeted this morning: "Truth is, she's not 'rising,' she's been a star awhile now!" Congratulations, Meredith, and thank you for your hard work!

"As soon as the ink is dry..."

Cooch pledges to file suit against the healthcare bill "as soon as the ink is dry..."

"Why file so quickly? Gottstein: 'It's more cost efficient to start the process of challenging the bill as soon as possible. There are significant costs in implementing the healthcare law, so if it is going to be found unconstitutional, then we can save taxpayer money and trouble by making that determination sooner rather than later.'"

Cross posted @ WCTRC

OpEd on Cuccinelli

Kudos to Cuccinelli

The global-warming crowd is acting like members of a farcical religion, complete with a priesthood threatening planetary doom on those who refuse to render sacrifice. The sacrifice being demanded of Virginia is her economy, so I'm relieved that state Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is asking the priesthood for a little hard science before he binds that offering to the altar ("Cuccinelli fights the EPA," Opinion, Feb. 22).

In December, the federal Environmental Protection Agency issued a finding that global warming poses a threat to human life. In so doing, it opened the door to new regulations that could drop a staggering burden on Virginia's already limping economy.

The EPA based its finding on core data provided by the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Not long after the EPA published its findings, "Climategate" broke, and we learned that the research undergirding global warming has long been doctored and scientific dissent silenced.

What's more, the IPCC itself admitted to a "very small number of errors." Among its mistakes: A pronouncement that the Himalayan glaciers will disappear by 2035 is off by about 300 years, and the fear of North African crop production being cut in half by 2020 has no basis in fact.

Mr. Cuccinelli - trained as an engineer as well as a lawyer - has filed a petition requesting that the EPA restart the regulatory process and conduct its own research rather than rely on the IPCC's tainted data. Rather than bashing Mr. Cuccinelli as regressive and anti-science, Virginians should give the attorney general credit for challenging the agency and demanding objective data.

After all, we've got time. The Himalayan glaciers aren't going anywhere for a while.

WILLIAM C. DEUTSCH
Chesterfield, Va.

(A Washington Times Op-Ed written by a friend.)

Cuccinelli: A Man For the People

As we've watched people, from both sides of the aisle, participate in the bashing and accusations that have been hurled at Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli because of his involvement in "discrimination", most of us have been appalled. But let me make something clear - Ken isn't the kind of person to enact any legislation for personal gain. He listens to his constituents and follows the law. Below is his letter addressing the accusations -

"I firmly believe that the commonwealth's colleges and universities comprise the best public university system in the nation. A proud product of that system, I feel that the controversy over my recent statement of Virginia law as it relates to nondiscrimination policies at our state institutions of higher learning deserves to be addressed.

While it is understandable that some are angry or confused about that statement of law, it is important to recognize it for what it was and remains. It is my permanently and long-held belief that government should not single out anyone for negative treatment.

Each day, more than 200 dedicated attorneys and staff work in the Office of the Attorney General to provide guidance, advice, and counsel to agencies impacting every aspect of the life of Virginians, from transportation to health care to public safety to education. Part of that job is advising state agencies that might be inadvertently taking actions not authorized by the law of the commonwealth. Much like local governments that are subject to the so-called Dillon Rule, public colleges and universities have only the powers granted to them by the General Assembly.

Over the past six weeks, I received a number of inquiries about the inclusion of sexual orientation as a specially protected class in the nondiscrimination polices of our colleges and universities. A review of the law and the opinions of no less than five of my predecessors -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- demonstrated that any decision regarding the creation of a specially protected class belongs exclusively to the General Assembly. A public university simply lacks the power to create a new specially protected class under Virginia law.

While our colleges and universities are governed by Boards of Visitors with broad rights and powers, those powers are not unlimited. Virginia's public universities are, at all times, subject to the control of the General Assembly. They have no authority greater than that which has been granted them by the General Assembly. As the attorney for the public colleges and universities, and for the commonwealth as a whole, I provided legal advice reflecting the law as it is.

As a legal matter, this statement of Virginia law has not been seriously challenged. While issues related to sexual orientation are among the most emotional and controversial, they do not change this fundamental proposition of Virginia law. My now well-publicized letter simply stated the current state of Virginia law; it did not advocate for any particular legislative position. Should the General Assembly change the law, my advice will be consistent with it.

The General Assembly has considered and defined the protected classes for purposes of nondiscrimination statutes. It has specifically defined unlawful discrimination at educational institutions. The Virginia Human Rights Act states that it is the policy of the commonwealth to "safeguard all individuals within the Commonwealth from unlawful discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, or disability, in places of public accommodation, including educational institutions." In addition to this affirmative statement, the General Assembly has on numerous occasions, including this session, considered and rejected creating a protected class defined by sexual orientation. No state agency can reach beyond such clearly established boundaries.

Nothing I have said or written authorizes unconstitutional discrimination against any person. My letter in no way addresses the legislative issue of including sexual orientation in non-discrimination policies. I believe that our colleges and universities do not illegally discriminate against any class of persons. Likewise, I do not believe they can or will after my restatement of Virginia law.

The people of the commonwealth, through their elected representatives, determine Virginia's laws. I cannot bend the law to fit a particular outcome, no matter what a person or group might wish, myself included. I have simply stated what is and is not currently permissible under the laws of Virginia. That is my job as attorney general."

[Emphasis mine]

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Combating Identity Theft

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in the United States, and Attorney General Cuccinelli, along with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission and 34 other states have taken action against LifeLock Inc, an identity theft protection provider that was not able to provide the security it promised its customers. Lifelock reached an agreement this week with the Virginia, FTC and other states after the company was investigated for allegedly purposefully misleading consumers.

The states and the FTC began jointly investigating LifeLock amid allegations that the company made a range of deceptive claims that misled consumers to believe its services were a "proven solution" that would protect against all forms of identity theft, including criminal, mortgage and child identity theft. The settlement also resolves allegations that the company misrepresented the nature of specific services it provided to protect or alert consumers when their personal information was compromised.

(From Pat Mullins March 12th, Chairman's Update)

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.

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli Defends the Scientific Process as he Challenges the EPA

In light of the recent climategate scandal Ken Cuccinelli is challenging the EPA to use scientifically verifiable data in its global warming regulations. Many are saying Cuccinelli opposes science, he is actually defending science by requesting that the EPA use the scientific method before imposing draconian regulations that would devestate Virginia's economy.

The Power of Ken Cuccinelli's Endorsement Part II

Some reason I feel like this story may have a lot of parts to it by the time the year is out...

In January we saw the importance of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli's endorsement when his endorsement of Howie Lind in the 10th District Chairman Race lead to Jim Rich dropping out.

This past week we saw it in the LCRC Chairman race. Days before the vote the endorsement went public, and then he and his staff agressively contacted Loudoun voters on behalf Mark Sell. While Mark's team worked very hard, Ken's endorsement plaid a very big role in a close race that saw the sitting chairman and most of the executive board actively backing Candace Strother.

Ken Cuccinelli's endorsement is one that matters in party races and primaries, because he actively helps those he endorses and it pays off. If people want his endorsement in the future they need to stand with him now as he comes under attack for fighting for conservative principles. Standing with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is the right thing to do and the politically smart thing to do.

Mark Sell Becomes LCRC Chairman as Loudoun Voters Reject the Politics of Demonization

I would like to take a moment to congratulate Mark Sell on winning the race for LCRC Chairman this past Saturday. He and Candace Strother ran very clean campaigns built around continuing to advance conservativism and continue the winning momentum in Loudoun. They were able to get almost 1,000 people to vote in the election and both campaign structures will be very useful in the years ahead.

Mark Sell is a committed conservative of both the fiscal and social variety. He worked very hard to pass the Marriage Amendment in 2006, and has attended as many Tea Party events as possible over the past year. He constantly volunteered with the door to door effort this past fall as he does every year for the Republican ticket, and received Ken Cuccinelli's endorsement. He knows how to campaign and recruit volunteers, and is committed to our conservative values. He will make an excellent chairman.

While Glen Caroline and Candace Strother have been very gracious in their congratulations to Mark Sell, some of Candace's supporters are very reluctant to unite behind Mark Sell after the vote. Some are taking a we will support him if... approach, (which I respect and understand) while one of Loudoun's most prominent bloggers has continued to show nothing but vitriol and hatred for Mark Sell and his supporters following the election.

The blogger I am talking about is Loudoun Insider. Following the election he wrote one of the most vile and divisive posts in his history. The day before the election he said that if you voted for Mark Sell you would be sending the LCRC back to the dark ages. In a comment on another post that day he called Mark a woman, and after the results came in he called Mark a name I will not repost on this blog. Using this kind of rhetoric about Mark and his top supporters does nothing to build the party. We can and should debate the merits of electing different people, and dig into what they believe, but name calling and ad hominem attacks of this sort have no place in the political dialogue. If you want to argue this party should be a big tent and an accepting party, then you are a hypocrite to demonize people who have worked hard in it over the years.

I am thankful to the voters of Loudoun for rejecting the politics of demonization, and I am thankful that Mark Sell's supporters refrained from this kind of personal mean spirited politics.

Kerry Bolognese Rally at FCRC Headquarters

Dear Fellow Virginians,

Please join me tomorrow, Saturday February 27th from 10-11AM at FCRC Headquarters 4246 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax 22030 at a rally for Kerry Bolognese.

It is essential that we work this weekend to elect our outstanding candidates in the March 2nd (next Tuesday!!) special elections. Kerry Bolognese (41st House of Delegates) and Samantha Rucker (Mason District School Board) are both principled conservatives, but they need our support in order to win.

By attending the rally and volunteering afterward - we can ensure that we increase our majority in the House of Delegates.

Don't forget, if you live outside Fairfax, you can help by calling from home. Please visit Fairfax GOP today to find out how you can help.

Thank you, and please respond to this email and let me know if we can count on you attending the rally tomorrow!

Sincerely,

Ken Cuccinelli II

Isabella Miller Custody Case

Dear Friends and Family,

Our children and I went to a court case on Wednesday here in Bedford county, Virginia. Please read on as this case will impact every American by the time it's over. (I'll be as brief as possible.) While the case appears to be about a woman and her child, it's outcome may set a precedence that will allow for every American family to be destroyed by allowing the courts to separate biological "fit" parents from their children merely by request from a stranger who claims to be more"fit" than the current parents. In other words, if someone sees your child or grandchild and feels that he/she would be a better parent for any reason they could petition the court for custody of your own flesh and blood!

You may have heard of this case for Lisa Miller, a former Lesbian who was joined in "civil union" to another woman in Vermont several years ago. While in the relationship, she was artificially inseminated and had a baby girl named Isabella. When the "civil union" ended, all the papers were signed in Vermont to end the relationship and Janet Jenkins (who still lives in Vermont) declined any custody of Isabella. Since the breakup of Janet and Lisa, Janet has since joined under civil union with another woman in Vermont.

Lisa Miller moved back to Bedford, VA with Isabella. Lisa became a Christian and that's when it got interesting. All of a sudden, Janet Jenkins wanted visits with Isabella. The child she was never interested in before had become of great significance now, and the power struggle for custody in the courts began.

This has become a highly charged case for the Gay/Lesbian community as they seek to prove that they are "legitimate" parents. However, the underlying result of the case is the potential to allow strangers to "steal" children, with the help of the courts, from their biological families without any real cause. This case isn't about a Lesbian's right to be a parent, it's about your right to your biological children.

The courts have always favored biological parents over anyone else, even when parents are found to be "unfit" be it from drug addictions, abuse, neglect and so forth (as it should be). The courts are hesitant to give up any biological child unless the biological parents are unwilling to be rehabilitated. Often the courts guard and protect the biological relationships for years. Only as a last resort is the biological child appointed for adoption.

Never before has a case been argued that a court should take a biological child away from a court declared "fit" parent and given to a "stranger" based on the assertion that the stranger be a "more fit" parent than the biological one. This is HUGE!!!!

Should Janet Jenkins and the ACLU win this case, all of our children will be up for grabs from anyone who wants them!

I discussed this with the Dean of Liberty University's School of Law, Mathew Staver, who represented Lisa Miller on Wednesday. He confirmed my assumption of the magnanimity of this case and it's possible effect on all Americans.

1. Please get the word out and educate as many people as you can about this case.

2. Please write to the Governor and Attorney General of Virgina encouraging them to get involved. Virginia has two laws and a Marriage Amendment that are being violated. We can fight Vermont but the leaders need encouragement to stand for our state's sovereignty and all of America's families. We need you to help us encourage them to fight for our "biological" children!

To send an e-mail, contact them through their websites:

Gov. McDonnell

AG. Cuccinelli

Ken also has an e-mail at his Cuccinelli Compass -

KC4AG@cuccinelli.com

Note that the official response from Cuccinelli's office has been that they have very little jurisdiction in this case, as they are to represent the State and its officials, not individual citizens. However, this case clearly is impeding on the very Constitution of Virginia (by allowing VT courts to violate our laws) and thus the state is in jeopardy here, as well as EVERY citizen of VA and ultimately the USA.

3. If you'd like to help out with the cost of the legal expenses of this case against the ACLU please contact, http://www.LibertyCounsel.org

This isn't a case any of us can ignore! Our families are on the line and you can make a difference before it's too late. Please help!

Thanks,

Cheryl Atkinson

The Power of Ken Cuccinelli's Endorsement

This week we saw the power of Ken Cuccinelli's endorsement. Late Sunday night the news was released that he had endorsed Howie Lind for 10th District Chairman. It only took till the middle of the next day for long time 10th District Chairman, Jim Rich, to drop out of the race.

For thoe of you who will argue there is no correlation between the two announcements, are you also willing to say there is no correlation between Scott Brown's victory and the recent Democrat recruitment difficulties nationwide?

Ken Cuccinelli Endorses Howie Lind for 10th District Chair

Yesterday our new Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli made news by endorsing Howie Lind for 10th District Chair. Once again Black Velvet broke the story first with an excellent story and the full press release. Ken is a long time activist in the 10th District. He has served as a state senator since 2002 and understands the kind of support our elected officials in all levels of government need to succeed. He consistently won in Northern Virginia when people said he would lose. He won the nomination on one ballot when many were predicting it would take two, and won the general election overwhelmingly when people were saying he was too extreme to win state wide. Ken Cuccinelli understands what it takes to win elections. We need new blood in the 10th District Chairmanship that is willing to work with and listen to everyone, and help elect people at all levels of government within the 10th District.

Ken Cuccinelli believes Howie Lind will make an excellent 10th District Chairman. I hope others across the district will follow Ken's lead in supporting Howie Lind.

If you want to join the team contact Howie Lind and ask how you can help.

Howie Lind for Chairman, PO Box 92, McLean, VA 22101 703-336-3940howie@lindforchairman.com

What Is On The Line In The 41st

Reposted from Mason Conservative because some things just need to be read.


I'm hearing that the state party is going to stay out of Kerry Bolognese's race to flip Dave Marsden's delegate seat, thinking that they already have a big enough majority. I couldn't be more unhappy about that if it true, Bolognese ran a true grassroots, shoe-leather campaign last fall and deserves to finish what he started, and he deserves to have the full support of the entire apparatus of the party. The county committee is firmly supporting Kerry.

What Bolognese needs is money and he needs people. There is more going on here than just a special elections, it effects the remarkable turnaround of Republican fortunes in Northern Virginia, and the upcoming 11th district congressional race that might be the last time we get a chance to take down Gerry Connolly. Losing the Cuccinelli seante seat and the possibly losing the 41st delegate district stifles the momentum we gained by our wins in three delegate districts and the incredible numbers racked up by our statewides.

Also, make no mistake about it, Gerry Connolly is involved in these races and he's working on building Democratic momentum going into his reelection and embarrassing Republicans, particularly Pat Herrity who has many overlapping areas of the 41st, as an attempt to depress Republican activism. I can't say that it will work, given the victories here in Virginia and New Jersey and Massachusetts, Republicans are about as fired up as I've ever seen. But if Bolognese can check the Democrats and flip a delegate seat he almost won by less that 200 votes just a few months ago, I truly believe it will help either Pat Herrity or Keith Fimian in defeating Connolly. We need to prove we can win on his turf, and a Bolognese win would be a body blow to Connolly's reelection and proof that Republicans do have the ground game and the message to win.

GO KERRY! I encourage everyone to go give money, and then maybe some time when you have it. We have to win this!

Welcoming our New Governor!

There’s something special about seeing the person you helped get elected, become inaugurated. I was fortunate enough, along with some friends, to be able to have this experience. After working as volunteers during the morning, we all trekked over to the staff entrance, flashed our passes, then watched as Governor-elect Bob McDonnell was sworn into the highest office in the state of Virginia. The air was buzzing with energy and excitement as 4,000+ people packed into the bleachers and surrounding areas. The 19-gun salute by Howitzers, placed at the south end of Capitol Square, sounded after the oath of office was taken and F22 Raptor jets soared over head to announce the beginning of a new Virginia.

The start of his acceptance speech pointed out the fact that, yes, he had kept his first campaign promise - "I said it would be sunny and warm in Richmond on Inauguration Day!" Indeed it was.

His speech highlighted many of the issues that he ran his campaign on - job creation, opportunity, education, transportation, and community service. However, it did not dwell on the past. Governor McDonnell focused on the future of Virginia -

“Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone... I’ve had people tell me they fear that America may no longer be the land of opportunity it has always been and that Virginia’s history in playing a leading role in the life of our nation may be just that — history,” he declared. “They are wrong.”

He acknowledged the tough tasks that his administration has ahead of them, thanked the Kaine administration for their service, then turned to the thousands of Americans facing him and charged them saying -

"It is right to help one another. It is right to work together to get results and solve problems. It is right to provide opportunities for all. Let us heed the words of the Father of our Country, employ these eternal rules of order and right, and get to work for the good of the people of Virginia. Thank you and God Bless the Commonwealth of Virginia."

You can see the transcript of his acceptance speech HERE.