New Poll is Great News for Ken Cuccinelli

Today the first poll of all three statewide races was released by Public Policy Polling. On the CRFV Blog I posted about the good news this is for the whole Republican ticket. I would take a moment to analyze what this poll means for Ken Cuccinelli.

The poll reports that Ken Cuccinelli leads Steve Shannon 45%-38% overall and 44%-26% among independents. (Ken also enjoys the support of 85% of Republican voters compared to Shannon who only has 80% from his own party.) While this is great news (especially since Shannon is well funded and had no primary contest) when you analyze the undecideds the poll gets even better. Independents have the largest percentage of undecided voters with 30%. Since Ken seems to do well among these voters there is more room for his lead to grow their. Interestingly 14% of Democrats are undecided. If they are undecided this far into the campaign season their has to be a possibility Ken can pick up some of these votes as well.

The person who some people say is too radical to win in Virginia is leading in the first poll, and even leading among independents. Let's continue to work hard and make sure Ken and the rest of the ticket win this fall.

The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy is Growing

In a poll released yesterday Gallup found that almost 40% of Americans have become more conservative. Out of all Americans 39% consider themselves more conservative while only 18% consider themselves more liberal. 47% of conservatives consider themselves more conservative, as well as 37% of independents and 34% of liberals. This does seem like the year to be running as a conservative.

Happy 4th of July from Bob McDonnell

Bob McDonnell sent a message to his supporters remnding them of the importance of Independence Day tonight.

If you don't have 4th of July plans made yet come on up to the Conservative Soiree hosted by Leadership Institute. There will be conservative speakers (including Adnan Barqawi), food, and fun for the family. If you can't make it or already have plans, please take the time during the festivities of the day to read the Declaration of Independence and consider the principles this nation was founded, and what has gone into preserving our freedoms.

McDonnell Calls for Series of 10 Statewide Gubernatorial Debates

Formal Series of Debates to Run July 25th - October 20th

McDonnell: "This series of ten gubernatorial debates statewide from July through October will reinvigorate political discourse in Virginia, and ensure that this race is marked by a serious discussion of the major issues facing the Commonwealth."

RICHMOND- Bob McDonnell, Republican gubernatorial nominee and former Attorney General of Virginia, today proposed a formal series of ten gubernatorial debates, taking place statewide, between himself and Democratic nominee Creigh Deeds. McDonnell proposes that the debates begin with the already agreed to Virginia Bar Association debate taking place in Deeds’ home county on July 25th, and conclude with a final debate at the Rotunda on the grounds of Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia on October 20th, exactly two weeks prior to Election Day. This proposal has been formally presented to the Deeds campaign in a letter from McDonnell Campaign Manager Phil Cox which was sent this morning.

Speaking about the invitation to Creigh Deeds to participate in ten formal debates focused on the pressing issues facing the citizens of the Commonwealth, McDonnell stated, “With unemployment over 7%, and Virginians facing significant challenges from job creation to transportation to education, we need a gubernatorial campaign focused on the issues. Virginians are tired of sound bite campaigns. They want to know where the candidates stand on the issues of today. And they want to hear this directly from the candidates. This series of ten gubernatorial debates statewide from July through October will reinvigorate political discourse in Virginia, and ensure that this race is marked by a serious discussion of the major issues facing the Commonwealth.”

McDonnell continued, “It would be an honor to travel the state from late July through late October debating Creigh on jobs, transportation, education, economic development, health care, the environment, public safety, taxes and spending in front of audiences in every region. I anticipate that each debate will be available to voters statewide online and through radio, print and television outlets. These debates would keep the focus of this campaign where it belongs: on the issues. I hope Creigh will agree that Virginians deserve to hear from the two candidates for Virginia’s highest office directly, and together, as often as is possible. I look forward to receiving Creigh’s positive reply to this proposal for a formal series of ten gubernatorial debates.”

In proposing this debate schedule the McDonnell campaign incorporated various invitations received in recent weeks. The campaign has not received a formal debate invitation from any organization in Southwest Virginia, but believes it is important the region play host to a debate as part of this series. Any organization wishing to host a Southwest Virginia debate is encouraged to submit a proposal to the McDonnell and Deeds campaigns.

The below proposed debate schedule is a suggestion of dates for this formal series of 10 debates. The McDonnell campaign will work with the Deeds campaign and all debate organizers to ensure that the dates, and locations, for the 10-debate series work for all parties.

The Virginia Bar Association Debate

July 25th

The Homestead Resort in Bath County

Confirmed

Cox Communications-Hampton Roads Debate

August 5th

Cox Studios- Chesapeake

Formal Series of Debates to Run July 25th - October 20th

Southwest Virginia Debate

August 28th

Sponsor and Location TBD

Fairfax County Chamber of Commerce Debate

September 17th

Fairfax

Radio One/Richmond Crusade for Voters/The Chesterfield Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc/ Rho Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Community Forum Debate onRichmond Radio Stations: WCDX 92.1FM, WKJM 99.3FM and WKJS 105.7FM (simulcast), WPZZ 104.7FM, WTPS AM 1240

September 22nd

Radio One Studios- Richmond

CNN "State of the Union Virginia Governor’s Debate"

September 27th

CNN Studios- Washington D.C.

YouTube/Politico/WJLA Statewide Televised Debate

October 6th

WJLA Studios- Arlington

WSLS Statewide Televised Debate

October 9th

Roanoke

League of Women Voters/AARP/PBS/WTVR/WTKR/WDBJ Statewide Televised Debate

October 12th

Richmond

NBC 29/University of Virginia Center for Politics Statewide Televised Debate

October 20th

The Rotunda on the Grounds of the University of Virginia- Charlottesville

Dave Foster: Post Convention

Last night I attended my first meeting of the Loudon County Republican Committee. Probably one of the most significant things that happened at the meeting was hearing from Dave Foster. Throughout the nomination contest Dave Foster told Republican activists that they had three great candidates to choose from, and that he would wholeheartedly support whoever the convention chose as its nominee. Last night he made good on his promise. Dave Foster addressed the LCRC, thanked his supporters, made some of his trademark humor, praised Ken Cuccinelli, and pledged to do anything the Republican ticket wanted him to do. As part of his efforts to elect Ken Cuccinelli, he announced he will be hosting a fundraiser for Ken by the end of July at his D.C. law office.

Dave Foster also hinted at a possible future run for office. While I'm not sure what office he would run for (maybe the 8th congressional district?) his bid for attorney general has only improved his chances for future elected office. He improved his statewide name recognition, has supporters across the state, earned the respect of those who did not support him, and did little to get people upset at him through his bid. Dave Foster joked in his speech how Ken referred to him as the "nicest candidate in the race." He was definitely a very nice candidate. He was an honorable candidate to campaign against, and I will be excited to see what he does in the future.