SWAC Girl has this about the Southern Republican Leadership Conference and Mike Pence’s appearance there. Pence is starting to get noticed as a darkhorse candidate for 2012. My like for Pence is pretty well known. This video demonstrates why:
Rep. Mike Pence: Administration Solutions: Spend, Tax, Repeat from RNC New Media on Vimeo.
I’ve been paying attention to the Republican Study Committee and the legislation that its members have been proposing with some degree of satisfaction. The RSC bills itself as “The Caucus of House Conservatives.” If you are like me, there are particular programs that you would like to see eliminated. The RSC Sunset Caucus exists to undertake that very objective. My personal program that I’d like to see done away with is NASA. For thirty plus years, it has done little to nothing to justify its expenditures. Please click the link above to make a recommendation as to a program you’d like to see eliminated.
According to The Hill, the RNC raised $5.7 million, of which the vast majority came from individual contributions. This is significant for the GOP for two very important reasons:
1.) The GOP outraised the DNC for another month. This places cash on hand for the RNC at $24.3 million versus $9.8 million for the DNC. This is HUGE. The GOP is putting the full court press on the DNC and Governor “Timmy”.
2.) Perhaps as important, the majority of this influx of cash came from individual contributors. This means that the GOP is starting to understand the importance of grassroots fundraising again. Whether this will translate to votes in 2009 for the GOP, that remains to be seen. However, it does indicate a stronger party than what many pundits give it credit for being.
NOTE: I appreciate the comment and the wide variety of blog posts on Mr. Muldoon’s candidacy. I want to reiterate that I support Bill Bolling and that he IS a friend of conservatives across the Commonwealth. I just felt the need to speak my peace about Mr. Muldoon I intended no personal attacks against any who oppose him.
I’ve read and heard things said about Mr. Muldoon that range from mean spirited to indifferent. I want to clarify my position.
He’s a hard worker and in some ways, he’s a good campaigner. I worked with his campaign in 1996. I’ve seen him connect with people in Southwest Virginia who don’t even bother with politics. We took the better part of a full day and travelled to Lee County. We attended the morning livestock sale. The man can relate to people. During the whole time we were there, he mentioned that he was running for Congress from the outset and then talked cattle with the farmers there. He knew what they were doing and what they cared about.
I support Bill Bolling. He is the incumbent and carries all the advantages of that.There is no doubt that he has been a friend to conservatives across the Commonwealth. That said, if Mr. Muldoon were so insignificant, why do all the blogs dedicate posts and pixels to him and his candidacy? How did he gather the petitions to be included on the Convention ballot? I’ve heard the standard line about comic relief, etc. I wonder what really drives this visceral reaction that Patrick Muldoon seems to elicit?
If the man has lied, then call him out on it. Provide proof, like Krystle did at C3. It is one thing to run the man into the ground with reason, but its totally different to do it when all it is is “comic relief.” Before anyone starts, yes, I do feel a personal loyalty to the man. We worked and campaigned together. Yes, I did consider supporting him in his run. However, I know that the purpose of running candidates for office is to actually WIN those elections. Bill Bolling has won, and will win this time with the grace of God.
One of my favorite blogs in Virginia, Citizen Tom, has this post up about his meeting with Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli. I believe that CT has done an excellent job laying the case for Senator Cuccinelli.
With three candidates in this race, the nomination will come down to grassroots organizational skills. I believe Senator Cuccinelli has the advantage with this. It’s about to wind up and start getting ready for the General Election campaign.
If you are a Republican, you might want to pay heed to this post from Anonymous Political Scientist (or from now on APS). These are very fundamental ideas that Republicans would be wise to pay attention to.
Bill Bolling’s post at Bob McDonnell’s blog shows a dedication to not only his own re-election but to electing Bob McDonnell as our next Governor. Check out the campaign’s blog and donate to his campaign here.
Bill Pascoe, at CQPolitics, reports that Tom “RINO” Ridge refuses to back Toomey over Specter. Why doesn’t this surprise me?
Ridge, a pro-choice Republican, has not been a favorite of conservatives in the GOP for a while. I would suspect that Snarlin’ Arlen and Ridge are buddies from the Old Guard of the GOP and want to keep things on the down low. I would not be surprised if Ridge endorses Specter outright in the coming months.
Also, here for a thorough take on the situation by Greg at BVBL
John Brownlee's Inaccurate Rhectoric
VS.
The Cuccinelli Record
Dear Delegate,
As I have stated numerous times in previous emails - at some point in this campaign, one of my opponents would launch mischaracterizations of my record. I expected as much. Given the record of the last year I'm not surprised that such attacks would come from John Brownlee. John has on more than one occasion taken inaccurate liberties with the truth in mischaracterizing my record.
John is out of bounds in his attack that I am somehow against E-Verify (a program established to ensure illegal aliens don't get hired). His attack is patently false - and like other attacks, John Brownlee also implies that I'm somehow soft on illegal immigration.
It's pathetic especially since it's aimed at me, the one State Senator in Virginia who has been more successful than any other State Senator in getting legislation passed at curbing illegal immigration - but folks - desperate campaigns in desperate situations - well, they do desperate things. It sure would be nice to run positive, issue oriented campaigns and when you have issue differences, to accurately state them. Unfortunately, John Brownlee isnt doing that.
For the record - I do not oppose any effort to verify the status of someone's legal residency. Unlike John Brownlee, I have a proven record in the State Senate opposing illegal immigration. No where in my comments did I say I opposed E-Verify. But don't believe me - long time party activist, VFRW member and party leader Helen Blackwell was there - and this is what she said:
"No where in Ken's comments Saturday did he say he opposed E-Verify. In fact, he recited his record supporting E-Verify in the State Senate. Ken said that they have not yet been able to get E-Verify out of Committee in the State Senate, and he suggested that an approach he would support would be to have the state government go first, then require private employers to use E-Verify. Ken said generally that he believes that the government should first impose requirements on itself before imposing those requirements on business."
Amazingly, John Brownlee's lack of research has missed an important point. Working with then Attorney General Bob McDonnell, I actually PASSED legislation REQUIRING that all state government contractors hire only legal residents of the United States and for the first time, giving the Commonwealth the ability to FIRE contractors not in compliance. As simple and straight forward as that sounds - this was an enormously difficult bill to pass in the Senate. John didn't mention that in his email. Another case of false rhetoric versus the actual record.
Our campaign is moving into an unbelievable level of activity with growing support statewide (hence the attacks). We are focused on our winning message - a message for conservatives, and a message for all Virginians. I'm in this race to protect Virginia's families from the continued oppressive federal government that seeks to rule every aspect of our lives - and our pocket books. To stop the waste in Washington from trickling down to Richmond. To end the tax and spend - and spend and tax - and to keep Virginia's working families safe.
To learn more on my record, and the facts, explore this website.
Sincerely,
Ken Cuccinelli II
I have known Helen Blackwell (a woman of integrity) for over a decade now. I’ll wager if Helen said Ken didn’t oppose it, he doesn’t oppose it. I’m sorry, but playing a little fast and loose with the truth is no way to get elected in my book!!!
If you look at Sam Brownback's campaign website, you'll see an almost morbid preoccupation with Mitt Romney. Mike Huckabee is mentioned once as well. Where is your coherent plan for a safer America, Mr. Brownback? Where is your proposal for winning the War in Iraq? You seem to be spending an inordinate amount of time on Mitt Romney, but you've lost sight of your purpose. The most important question I have for you is why did you support amnesty for illegal immigrants? (Granted, no one from the Brownback campaign will read this blog.)
While most of the conventional wisdom will discount even declared candidates such as Duncan Hunter, Ron Paul, and Mike Huckabee, it is perhaps notable that perennial candidates like Alan Keyes provide needed perspective in a race that is beginning to look like a traveling carnival. I have the greatest respect for Ambassador Keyes. I would encourage his entry into the race for the nomination simply because his presence would sharpen and clarify most of the other candidates (Rudy McRomney) positions. I still support Duncan Hunter, but would welcome an Alan Keyes candidacy.
We should be so lucky to have a candidate in the 9th District like Duncan D. Hunter. This is Duncan Hunter's son and although we cannot vote for him, we can support him. A man who has served two tours in Iraq as a Marine knows a thing or two about the War in Iraq.
GOP In the 21st Century: Back to The Future
Social Issues
The Republican Party recognizes that social issues are an important part of our party's platform. We reaffirm our commitment to the following:
a. We believe that life begins at the moment of conception. This is nonnegotiable. We affirm our commitment to the life of the unborn in all circumstances. We also resolve to support the Partial Birth Abortion Ban signed by the President. We intend to promote adoption as a preferable alternative to any abortion procedure.
b. We believe that marriage is a union between one man and one woman. We do not recognize civil unions or gay marriage as legitimate alternatives to traditional marriage. Therefore, we resolve to support and reintroduce the Federal Marriage Protection Amendment.
c. We believe that the family is the fundamental unit of all society regardless of race or nationality.
d. We believe that the flag of the United States is a symbol that has withstood the test of time. This symbol has rallied troops from Gettysburg to Mount Suribachi and has created a sense of unity in times of crisis. We therefore reaffirm our support for a constitutional amendment protecting this hallowed symbol of our nation.
e. We believe that religious liberty is a fundamental right granted under our Constitution. All citizens of the United States may practice whatever religion they see fit, provided said exercise does not present a “clear and present danger” to others. We affirm the right of all citizens to be secure in the protection of this free exercise. This includes the display of Nativity scenes in public parks.
