Don’t Let Virginia Foxx off the Hook

Today North Carolina GOP Congresswoman Virginia Foxx tried to walk away from her claim yesterday that the circumstances surrounding the death Matthew Shepard were a “hoax”. Her office issued this statement:

It has come to my attention that some people have been led to believe that I think the terrible crimes that led to Matthew Shepard’s death in 1998 were a hoax. The term “hoax” was a poor choice of words used in the discussion of the hate crimes bill. Mr. Shepard’s death was nothing less than a tragedy, and those responsible for his death certainly deserved the punishment they received. I am especially sorry if his grieving family was offended by my statement.

Virginia Foxx Launches Lying Contest with Michelle Bachmann

North Carolina GOP Congresswoman Virginia Foxx has apparently launched a competition with Minnesota GOP Congresswoman Michelle Bachmann to see who can lie more. Here is Rep. Foxx’s latest entry, which I think beats Rep. Bachmann’s entry where she blamed the Great Depression on FDR. Yes, what Rep. Foxx said is a BIGGER lie than that.

What Changes with Arlen Specter

So today Senator Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) announced that he was becoming a Democrat in preparation for his reelection bid next year. I use the phrase “becoming a Democrat” because he said that he’s not leaving the Republican Party as much the GOP left him. In a lengthy news conference Specter candidly explained that he looked at the polls and it looked unlikely he could win the GOP nomination. Sen. Specter was quick to point out that he wouldn’t be changing his positions on any issues.

100 Days of No

Let’s review the Republican “Party of No”approach during President Obama’s first 100 days.

Eric Cantor: for High Speed Rail and against it, too

Check out this editorial in the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star praising GOP Rep. Eric Cantor and his support for bringing high speed rail to Fredericksburg, Va. Do the writers of the editorial and Congressman Cantor believe the people of Fredericksburg are that stupid?

Dear Mr. McAuliffe: You’re Pretty Slick on Oil

Dear Mr. McAuliffe:

Your campaign consultant Mo Elleithee and some of your supporters are unhappy with my questions about your position on whether or not there should be drilling off the shore of Virginia Beach.

They have accused me of “false attacks” and “Rovian” tactics. I’ve been accused of “misrepresenting” your position. I’ve also been fingered as a supporter of your opponent Brian Moran. I am not. (At this point, I’m still trying to decide whether or not I will vote for Mr. Moran or Creigh Deeds.)

For reasons I’ve stated elsewhere on this blog and Twitter, I am strongly opposed to your candidacy. If you are our party’s nominee, I will not vote for you or Bob McDonnell.

That said, you may very will be the nominee of my party and you very well may become my governor.

That’s why I am writing you.

The Macker’s Biggest Backer

Though I joked with you on April Fool’s Day that former President Bill Clinton was endorsing Creigh Deeds over Terry McAuliffe and Brian Moran in Virginia’s governor’s race, this week, the McAuliffe campaign made it official. The former president will appear at a series of rallies across the state for the ultimate FOB (Friend of Bill), McAuliffe.

In October, the President appeared at several rallies for then-Sen. Barack Obama after Obama won the presidential nomination. Leading up to those rallies, the Washington Post had a very compelling analysis of the value of a Clinton endorsement in Virginia. I urge you to re-read it as you gauge the value of the latest Clinton rallies.

Offshore Drilling: Where Do Deeds and McAuliffe Stand?

Earlier this month, I posted a lengthier piece on why I am opposed to drilling off the shore of Virginia. After reading the environmental reports, I’ve concluded that the risks to our tourism and commericial fishing industries far outweigh the potential gain.

From what I’ve been able to tell Brian Moran is clearly against offshore drilling, while Bob McDonnell clearly supports it. I’m not sure where Creigh Deeds and Terry McAuliffe stand, but here’s a new YouTube video which uses McAuliffe’s new energy ad airing in Hampton Roads and questions his stance on offshore drilling.

I’d welcome comments from all the candidates to provide policy statements here. Frankly, I’d like to hear more from all the candidates on this issue, even Brian Moran, who shares my view. Are McAuliffe and Deeds aligned with Moran on this or McDonnell?

Meanwhile, what do you think about off shore drilling?

The Blind Love of the Macker Backers

Virginia, I’ve touched a raw nerve.

My recent posts complaining about Terry McAuliffe’s fundraising in his race for governor have caught the attention of his supporters and they aren’t happy. Some fellow Virginia Democratic bloggers have removed their links to my blog in solidarity with McAuliffe. (Horrors!)

Other pro-McAuliffe commenters have called my argument “flawed” and accused me of a “baseless smear”.  (Ouch!) 

Bob McDonnell Said, “No” to Virginia’s Unemployed

By now you’ve heard that Bob McDonnell and the Republican legislators rejected $125 million in jobless benefits from the Federal government. With this act, they said, “No” to the nearly 300,000 Virginians who are unemployed.

The Stand Up for Virginia team is traveling across the Commonwealth and listening to unemployed Virginians. If you’re out of work, look for them in your town soon so you can tell McDonnell and the GOP what you think of their decision.

Who will Terry McAuliffe answer to if we elect him? Not Virginia.

I’ve just reviewed a list of cities and counties where Terry McAuliffe has raised money for his gubernatorial run of Virginia. After looking at this list, it’s hard for me to believe that McAuliffe will care more about Virginia than his friends who don’t live here and can’t vote for him.

The Budgetary Games of Boehner and Cantor

Let me get this straight. In 2001 when he left office, President Bill Clinton left President George W. Bush and a Republican Congress budget surpluses as far as the eye could see. Then the GOP racks up huge budget deficits and runs our economy into a ditch with corporate tax loopholes, tax cuts for the richest among us and a war in Iraq waged because of lies about WMD or faulty intelligence — pick your poison.