Should I be Worried about Reps. Nye and Perriello?

I was very proud to support the election of Virginia Democratic Congressmen Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye. They share my values and I think both are doing a great job as freshmen congressmen.

But I am worried about their future political views.

Both men are 34 years old and as Bob McDonnell will tell you, political views “evolve” over time starting at age 34. (What one believes as a 34 year old will be repudiated over the next 20 years if McDonnell’s life is the norm.)

So Congressmen Nye and Perriello, please don’t evolve on me. I like you just the way you are.

Thanks!

God Bless Barney Frank!

What the Republicans don’t realize is that by failing to call out the the crazy people who agree with them, their own credibility is being permanently damaged.

What the GOP needs is some members like Barney Frank who are willing to stand up to what he calls “vile, contemptible nonsense”.

8 GOP Sens. Stand Up to Paleoconservatives and Back Sotomayor

While the Republican National Committee, the insurance lobby and their astroturf allies from Teapartyland are seeking to shout down any reasonable discussion of health care reform at this month’s Congressional town hall meetings, the Senate held one last day of votes before leaving town.

By any measure the Senators most important vote yesterday was to confirm the nomination of Judge Sonia Sotomayor to become an Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

My hats off to the following 8 Republican Senators who voted to confirm Judge Sotomayor — the 8 are living proof that the GOP is not completely highjacked by the paleoconservatives. On a whole, they said that the President has the right to nominate the person of their choice; only in the most extreme circumstances should a Senator vote against the President’s nominee.

Richmond Times Dispatch Editorial Bd: Rupert Murdoch Wannabes?

It’s not a very well kept secret in journalism circles that the editorial board of the Richmond Times Dispatch is not entirely independent in their thinking. The RTD is free to endorse whomever they want in local and statewide campaigns but the owners at Media General demand that the RTD toe the GOP line when it comes to presidential politics. This is also the case at other Media General newspapers.

Maybe Marshall N. Morton, President and Chief Executive Officer at Media General think of himself as the Rupert Murdoch of Southern journalism. I don’t know.

Today’s editorial criticizing President Obama and his recent exchange with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is as good an example of any of the GOP double standard that the editorial board exhibits time after time.

Does anyone think the Richmond Times Dispatch would ever have editorialized against former President George W. Bush and his relationship with Saudi King Abdullah?

Remember, the House of Saud and the House of Bush go wayyyyyyy back.

Maybe next Sunday the RTD will write about, “the kiss.”

I’m not holding my breath.

Let’s Vote, Virginia!

A couple of quick details about Tuesday’s Democratic primary elections:

• Polls open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 7:00 p.m.
• To find your polling place, click here.
• All registered voters are eligible to vote in the Democratic primary regardless of whether you consider yourself a Democrat or not. Virginia doesn’t have party registration, so Republicans and Independents may join Democrats in choosing the Democratic nominee. (For what it’s worth, Republicans have already selected their nominees for Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General in a state convention which featured Sean Hannity from Fox News — he’s “fair & balanced” you know. The Republican’s choice of Hannity tells you all you need to know about their slate.)

As for me, I am voting for Creigh Deeds. Here’s why.

In memory of the 149 Virginians killed in Iraq and Afghanistan

This Memorial Day, I wanted to take a moment to remember the 149 Virginians who have given their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan. My prayers are especially with their loved ones. The gratitude of the nation is not enough.

I am particularly praying for the family of Cpl. Ryan C. McGhee, 21, of Fredericksburg. He is the latest Virginian to die in service to our country — he passed awayjust 12 days ago. Cpl. McGhee was on his fourth tour; he died from wounds he received in Iraq and is buried in Arlington Cemetery not too far from where I am as I write.

Words can not express how sorry I am for the loss of his family, particularly his fiancee whom he was to marry next year. My hope and prayer for Cpl. McGhee’s loved ones is that they receive God’s comfort as they grieve this terrible loss.

Washington Post names itself and 6 others Best Va. Political Blogs

Today Chris Cillizza of the Washington Post announced the Post’s list of the nation’s best state political blogs. These blogs were picked by the readers of Cillizza’s blog, The Fix.

Making the list from Virginia were seven blogs:

• Not Larry Sabato
• The Shad Plank
• Blue Virginia
• Blue Commonwealth
• Too Conservative
• Tertium Quids and, the Post’s own Virginia Politics.

I’m sure that Fake Virginia was No. 8 on the Post’s list.

Check out the complete list of blogs from around the country here.

Amy Frederick Launches Campaign for Delegate

Talk about timing.

In a few hours, the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia is expected to fire Del. Jeff Frederick as its chairman. But even if they get rid of him, they will have to contend with his wife, Amy Frederick.

Mrs. Frederick announced her candidacy for her husband’s seat in the House of Delegates on YouTube Friday. That fact was missing from a New York Times story about the kabuki theater which will be held in Henrico County later today.

But enough about the soon to be ex-chairman. I wonder, is Amy to Medvedev as Jeff is to Putin?

McDonnell on Huckabee and Fake Virginia

All three Democratic candidates for Governor in Virginia, as well as the chairman of the Democratic Party of Virginia, condemned the divisive remarks made by former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee on McDonnell’s behalf at a campaign appearance in Tazewell County.

But from McDonnell himself? Silence. Instead he had his spokeman address the controversy.

Pfotenhauer: Global Warming is “Hilarious”

My muse, Nancy Pfotenauer, is back on TV. Recently she appeared on Fox News Channel with noted scientists Sean Hannity and Lou Holtz of college football fame, denying the existence of global warming.

Nancy said:

You know, it’s hilarious. Because when you talk to the scientists, they say you could make the case just as much for global cooling  and that you know —  this stuff  — it’s run amok. But I tell you what with Carol Browner in that White House, buckle up.

Gee Nancy, what other scientific evidence are you prepared to deny? Or better put, what other kinds of junk science are you prepare to accept? Maybe you believe smoking cigarettes is good for you.

The Party of No

I have some free political advice for those attending this week’s Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.:  Watch this ad produced by Americans United for Change. You won’t like it, but it sums up how the rest of the Republican Party, indeed the rest of America, views you and the House and Senate Republicans: you’re the Party of No.

The question you must answer now is, what are you going to do about it?

Kay Hagan Considering Voting Down DC Vote in Congress

Dear Sen. Hagan:

Must you alienate your base this early in your career? Word from the DCist is that you’re considering siding with those who would deny the people of the District of Columbia a vote in Congress.

I hope this rumor is nothing more than that – a rumor.

Isn’t it ironic that the people of the District of Columbia have fought and died so the people of  Baghdad and Kabul can have something the U.S. Congress is willing to deny its own citizens: namely, voting representation in their legislatures?

Sincerely,

Fake Virginia