Which Election are Virginia Republican 2013 Candidates Focused on?

Virginia is the rare state that has important elections every year, and one only two states to elect it's governor the year after the presidential election.  This creates an interesting balancing act for those running for statewide office following the presidential election.  As the 2012 election winds down, it is worth looking at who has focused their attention on which race over the previous year.

The Governor's race features a heavyweight match up between Ken Cuccinelli and Bill Bolling.  The issue of focus has been a minor issue in this election.  Prior to the VA State Convetion, Bill Bolling accused Cuccinelli of being focused on 2013 instead of 2012.  Ironically those of us at the convention couldn't mention the numerous Bolling staff wearing blue Bolling 2013 shirts.  Walking billboards for a man focused on 2012. While both men have been active on the campaign trail for this year's candidates, Cuccinelli has been clearly outworking Bolling.  The way he has gone all in for Romney has been crucial in bringing the far right on board in support of Romney in the state, and he has been a powerful voice for the Property Rights Amendment.  Their FB cover pictures also tell an interesting story.  One person is entirely focused on 2012.  The other wants to make sure the limelight is focused on himself as he supports Romney and Allen.

In the Lieutenant Governor's race, we have five announced candidates, and potentially others on the sidelines.  I'm going to mention those who stand out for various reasons.

Steve Martin wins the award for the most creative way to build name ID for his race while helping elect the Republican ticket in 2012.  Shortly after the Chick-fil-a protest occurred this summer, Steve Martin's campaign came up with a novel idea.  Steve Martin was going to host call parties at VA Victory Centers around the state and serve those who came to volunteer Chick-fil-a dinners.  It simultaneously attracted those who had recently fallen in love with Chick-fil-a, helped the VA Victory effort, and built his named ID around the state.  Steve Martin regularly reports that these call parties exceed the call goals for the victory centers.  Combined with rallies for campaigns and organizations, Steve Martin is easily the most aggressive campaigner this year of all the announced Republican Lieutenant Governor candidates.

Susan Stimpson on the other hand stands out as a pundit and an observer focused on her own race, instead of someone who is working hard to campaign for the Republican ticket.  If you've been on facebook, you've probably seen ads for her fb page.  She's had both the traditional ads, and the new sponsored ads all encouraging people to like her page.  When you view her page, it is full of commentary on the presidential debates, and the latest polling data, as well as her record in Stafford.  What it does not show is her campaigning for the Republican ticket.  Look for the pictures of her at Republican rallies and Victory Centers around the state.  They as well as a steady stream of statuses urging people to get involved in this election do not appear anywhere on her very active fb page.  That is for one reason, she has been the candidate for 2013 state office most absent from the 2012 elections.

One can not talk about Lieutenant Governor candidates working hard in the 2012 cycle without mentioning Pete Snyder.  Rumors abound that the position of VA Victory Director was created to catapult Pete Snyder into the Lieutenant Governor's race.  Only time will tell whether those rumors are true, but if so it will be undeniable which LG candidate worked hardest to elect the Republican ticket in 2012.

The Attorney General's race is quite unique.  Rob Bell and Mark Obenshain sponsored the VA Property Rights Amendment in the House and Senate respectively.  They are both using this opportunity to build their profile around the state by campaigning aggressively for the amendment.  Whichever one wins the nomination, this state will have helped this state because their 2013 race motivated them to campaign extra hard for this important issue.

What are your thoughts?  What did I miss?  Will the way candidates focused on 2012 impact who you vote for in 2013?

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.

Sotomayor: Precedent or the U.S. Constitution?

One of the things that stood out in today's round of Supreme Court confirmation hearings was the absence of the U.S. Constitution. I watched most of the questioning, and for someone who takes an oath to uphold the constitution she hardly mentioned it. She seemed to analyze court precedent when answering questions instead of explaining what the constitution had to say about the issues. She was even asked what criterion she would use to interpret cases dealing with the 2nd ammendment and property rights, and refused to explain that. It is shocking that she is unwilling to explain how she interprets the document she is supposed to uphold.

Also if you would like to get some analysis of the first day of the confirmation hearings go here.

Democrats Trying to Paint Cuccinelli as a Radical Conservative who Attempts to Confuse his Opponents

In a recent NBC 12 interview Ken Cuccinelli answered the charge that he is some radical right-winger. This is something he is regularly being accused of. As soon as Ken joined the ticket after the convention the ticket was called the "most divisive ticket" by the Democrat Party. While he was unafraid to identify himself as a social conservative, Ken reminded viewers that he is the leader in the senate on both mental health issues, and property rights issues. His ability to reach out and work with people is the reason he is able to serve as a state senator from Fairfax County. If he really were a radical wingnut it would be tough for him to win in Fairfax. Instead he has a "complete record" and seeks to find areas of agreement with all voters.

In the middle of the video (about 1:30) Ken makes the comment "If we can confuse them, we're happy to do that." Lowell Feld of Blue Virginia is trying to use this line as a "gotcha moment" with Ken. One other blogger even referring to this as a possible "macaca moment." They are trying to use this to say, "Ha, Ken is out pulling the wool over our eyes." However while you can pull a sentence out of context with any politician, this is not what Ken is saying. In the preceding sentence, Ken says, "There are a lot of issues I have been working on that just don't fall into their carricature of me." It is in this context that Ken makes the "controversial" statement. It is a matter of confusing people into thinking Ken is a radical right-winger. He is fine with letting people mischaracterize him. If they want to attack a straw man of him he is happy to let them remain confuses. He has a record to point to that is one of getting things done on issues important to all Virginians, and it is this record of getting things done that will lead him to victory in the fall.

(Simultaneously posted at VASocialConservative andCuccinelli4AG.)