Virginia Politics Blog

Kaine: Church may set bad example

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:53:20 -0500

Gov. Tim Kaine criticized the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington today for saying it would have to end its contracts to operate social service programs for the District government if the city approves gay marriage, as is expected. "I'm Catholic and I think it's wrong,'' Kaine said. "I don't think you take your ball and go home. ... In any kind of group organization ... in a family, in a business, in a government entity, there's going to be points where you don't completely agree. But I don't think that 'if I don't agree with everything I'm going to take my ball and go home' strategy makes any sense." Kaine appeared with fellow Democrat Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley on the "Hands Across the Potomac" program on WTOP radio. Both governors are Catholics and share the same view on the issue. Listen to the full audio of the show below.

Updated: House releases Hamilton report. Sort of.

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:01:36 -0500

In recent days, the House of Delegates has come under criticism for failing to complete and disclose the conflict-of-interest inquiry into Phil Hamilton, the once powerful Republican lawmaker now under federal investigation. In direct response, House Speaker Bill Howell (R-Stafford) "voluntarily" released today the report of the House Ethics Advisory Panel. The only problem? There is no report. The five-member House Ethics Advisory Panel, led by Judge William Sweeney, did not turn over the testimony or documents it collected before it halted the investigation after Hamilton resigned last week . Howell's office says that even the Speaker and his staff do not have access to the confidential information collect by the ethics panel. Instead, Howell released the letters in which he called for the investigation and encouraged the panel to complete its inquiry as soon as possible and not take the full 120 days alloted to them (which would have

Janis possibly, maybe being considered for AG's office

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:38:03 -0500

Will Del. Bill Janis become chief deputy attorney general after Sen. Ken Cuccinelli's Jan. 16 Inauguration? It's been one of the most persistent personnel rumors in recent days in Richmond, and not just because the chief deputy traditionally plays an exceptionally important role in making sure the trains run on time and setting the agenda in the state attorney general's office. Choosing Janis also would send a signal -- as if any more were needed -- about the kind of activist, feisty office Cuccinelli would be planning to operate. According to interviews with both Cuccinelli and Janis in recent days, the answer is officially "maybe." "I've heard that rumor too," Cuccinelli said recently. "We haven't interviewed anyone for the position yet. The field is open."

Updated: State Board certifies Villanueva winner

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 17:44:14 -0500

The Virginia State Board of Elections certified Republican Ron Villanueva the winner in a House of Delegates seat in Virginia Beach at a lengthy meeting this afternoon in Richmond. Villanueva, a Virginia Beach City councilman, defeated Democratic Del. Bobby Mathieson by 14 votes out of more than 15,000 cast. It was the closest election in the state this year. Mark Henson, Mathieson's campaign manager, said he will ask for a recount. Mathieson has 10 days to ask for a state-funded recount, which he is entitled to because he lost by less than one half of one percent. Republicans picked up six House seats and now have a hefty advantage in the chamber. They hold 61 seats, including two independents who caucus with the GOP, to the Democrats' 39 seats Update: Mathieson's campaign sent out the following statement: "Bobby will continue to fight to ensure every single legally cast ballot gets

Deeds sits out Senate Democratic caucus

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 15:05:38 -0500

When the 21-member Democratic caucus of the Virginia Senate met Friday and Saturday for a two-day retreat to strategize for this January's legislative session, one member was not among them: Sen. Creigh Deeds. We're hearing that the former Democratic gubernatorial nominee did not make the trek to Portsmouth from Bath for the meeting. Which might have made it a bit less awkward for other members of the group to talk through why Deeds was defeated by Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell by almost 18 points. Deeds failed to excite black voters, we're told one senator suggested. Deeds failed to excite white ones either, another senator responded.

Republican PAC asks Marsden to resign House seat

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:30:38 -0500

Republicans are calling on Del. Dave Marsden (D-Fairfax) to resign from the House of Delegates as he runs in a special election for the state Senate seat being vacated by Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli. OurVirginiaNow, a new state political action committee that aims to help Republican candidates get elected across the state, is encouraging district residents to contact Marsden and ask him to resign. "I think Marsden ought to resign his House seat immediately,'' said Paul Miller, president of OurVirginiaNow. "He owes us that. He was elected to produce results for his constituents, not continue to seek other elected positions he may deem more attractive for his career." If Marsden wins the Jan. 12 election, the governor would have to call a special election to fill his House seat, which would leave the 41st District without representation for some time when the General Assembly reconvenes Jan. 13. OurVirginiaNow also complains

Updated: Kaine, McDonnell meet with economic advisers

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:32:05 -0500

Gov. Tim Kaine (D) is meeting with his economic advisers behind closed doors this morning to review the state's revenue estimates as he continues to write the state's next budget. Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell (R) and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) are also attending the packed meeting on Capitol Square. This afternoon, Kaine and McDonnell will meet privately -- their first in-person meeting since McDonnell defeated Democrat Creigh Deeds on Nov. 3. State officials learned last week that they may need to cut up to $2.9 billion more from core services, such as education, law enforcement and health care, by mid-2012 in response to Virginia's financial crisis. Kaine will introduce his proposed two-year budget in December, a month before he leaves office. The General Assembly and McDonnell will use that as a blueprint, but will make changes based on their priorities and the economic forecast. (And, yes, in case you were

Webb, Warner vote for health-care debate

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:00:35 -0500

Virginia Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner voted with their fellow Democrats last night to bring to the floor a bill that would overhaul the nation's health-care system. The 60 to 39 vote was on a procedural motion to begin debate, which Senate leaders hope to wrap up by Christmas. "I will only support a final bill if I am convinced it will lower the deficit, drive down health care costs over the long term, and improve the value and quality of the health care Virginians receive,'' Warner wrote in a statement released last night. The GOP's national chairman, Michael Steele, used Republican Bob McDonnell's recent landslide defeat over Democrat Ceigh Deeds to show that Americans do not want "a government-run health system." "As recent elections in Virginia and New Jersey showed, Harry Reid's health care scheme is exactly what voters do not want," Steele said. The House passed a

Candidates mingle at bloggers conference

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:56:58 -0500

Did you know there's a Republican New Media Caucus in Congress? Neither did we. But one of the group's chairmen -- Virginia's own U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman (R) -- was on hand to speak to dozens of bloggers today at the Blogs United conference at Christopher Newport University in Newport News. Also at the conference, a slew of congressional candidates, mingling with bloggers and others, as they try to kick off their 2010 campaigns: Five candidates in two of the state's hottest races turned out: Republicans Scott Rigell , Ken Golden, Scott Taylor and Ben Loyola are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye (D) in Hampton Roads while Michael McPadden is one of the many Republicans looking to unseat U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello (D). Also on hand: Democrats Scott Robinson and Krystal Ball looking to replace Wittman and Republican Coby Dillard running against U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D) in

Palin's book tour comes to Virginia

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 14:00:27 -0500

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin will travel to Virginia this weekend for the seventh stop of her national tour to promote her book, Going Rogue: An American Life. Palin, the 2008 vice presidential nominee, will appear at a Barnes & Noble in Roanoke at 10 a.m. Sunday -- the first Virginia stop on the much ballyhooed tour. She's expected in Fairfax County in a couple weeks. Check out the Post stories on Palin's first two stops in Michigan and Indiana where crowds lined up early to catch a glimpse of the possible presidential hopeful and get their books signed. The Roanoke Times reports that more than 1,000 people are expected to turn out. Local Republican officials are expected to attend, but no statewide officials. And yes, that includes Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, who distanced himself from the controversial conservative figure during his campaign.

Fimian: Game on, and Stewart is with me

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:26:43 -0500

Republican Corey A. Stewart, chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors, is not running for Congress next year. We know this because Stewart and three other Prince William Republicans just announced that they are supporting Keith S. Fimian, who is preparing for a rematch against Democrat Gerald E. Connolly next year. The others are: Supervisor Mike May and delegates L. Scott Lingamfelter and Robert G. "Bob" Marshall. It's probably not a coincidence that Fimian is publicizing these endorsements today, the same week that Fairfax County Supervisor Pat S. Herrity said he is considering a run for the Republican nomination. If Herrity does get in, don't expect Fimian to step aside quietly.

McDonnell phones Senate Dems

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:01:04 -0500

Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell placed a call to the Senate Democratic Caucus today, which is holding meetings in Portsmouth in connection with the Senate finance committee retreat. McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin confirmed that McDonnell made the call this afternoon, as did Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw. "He said he hoped we could cooperate and work together," Saslaw said. "He wished us a Happy Thanksgiving. It was all very general." The Democratic-held Senate is the only piece of government in Richmond that could hold up McDonnell's agenda, given the Republicans 61-seat majority in the House of Delegates. The relationship between McDonnell and senate Democrats -- in particular their irascible leader Saslaw -- will be fascinating to watch. So far, everyone has made noises about working together in bipartisan fashion. We'll see how long that lasts.

Cox to head new McDonnell PAC

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:19:58 -0500

Quite a number of folks in Richmond have speculated that Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell's campaign manager, Phil Cox, might become chief of staff in McDonnell's administration. After all, a number of people have noted that he is very much playing the role of McDonnell's chief of staff during the transition, acting as door-keeper for McDonnell and having an important hand in the paper flow of the transition office. But no. We can confirm that Cox will not be joining the McDonnell administration but will instead become the executive director of McDonnell's new political action committee "Opportunity Virginia." Cox told our colleague Amy Gardner of his plans a few days ago. A political pro, running the PAC would allow Cox to keep his hand in McDonnell's political operation. It would also let him maintain his current residence in Northern Virginia -- chief of staff would require a move to Richmond.

Howell has no plans to fiddle with committee rules

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:38:47 -0500

Of all the many rumors flying around Richmond at the moment, here's one we can actually put to rest: House Speaker Bill Howell plans to honor current rules of proportional representation as he reorganizes House committees in the wake of the Nov. 3 election results. That means Howell will add one Republican to each committee, in line with the GOP caucus' growth from 55 to 61 members. He will not be adding two Republicans, as has been widely rumored, according to Howell chief of staff Paul Nardo. "The speaker is committed to proportional seating and will continue to abide by his commitment to fairness to all members through proportional seating in the chamber and on the committees," Nardo said.

McDonnell forms 'Opportunity Virginia' committee

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:04:21 -0500

Gov. Mark Warner had "One Virginia." Gov. Tim Kaine had "Moving Virginia Forward." Now it looks like Gov. Bob McDonnell will have "Opportunity Virginia," a committee established to advance McDonnell's political goals, including by raising money and contributing to other Republican office seekers. Via the Virginia Public Access Project comes word that the paperwork organizing the new PAC was filed with the State Board of Elections Thursday, with McDonnell's campaign office listed as the committee's address and McDonnell staffer Jane Wortham listed as treasurer. According to the form, the committee could take part in statewide, local and General Assembly elections. "Opportunity Virginia will enable the governor-elect to assist other candidates and leaders who share his positive vision for creating jobs, keeping taxes low and providing new opportunities for all citizens," McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said.