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.

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.)

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.

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.