After much pondering and deep thought (about 5 minutes, at least), I've come up with the definitive Raising Kaine list of crazy-ass Republicans in the Virginia House of Delegates. Yes, I realize it's a crying shame to limit this list to only eight. On the other hand, I think "Crazy 8's" is extremely (emphasis on "extreme") appropriate. Also, I loved the card game when I was a kid. Ha. Anyway, here they are, the craziest first and the least crazy of the "Crazy 8's" last.1) Bob Marshall (R - 13th): I didn't nickname him "Sideshow Bob" for nothing. This guy's a complete fruitcake. For instance, in September he said that "In Virginia abortions are now performed in a more unsafe fashion than when abortion was illegal." Oh. Kay. Meanwhile, Marshall's obsession with gay sex continues, with his apparent attempt to make homosexuality illegal ("Most people would agree that state legislators have, or ought to have, the authority to regulate or prohibit activities that have killed 450,000 Americans and will kill at least 1 million more in just a few years."). Hey, 13th century paging Bob Marhsall, are you there?
2) L. Scott Lingamfelter (R - 31st): Another one obsessed with the supposed assault on Christianity. Lingamfelter says, "There is now a poisoned environment for religious expression that the founders never, never desired." He has backed Carrico's proposed constitutional prayer amendment. Lingamfelter pushed for a "Traditional Marriage" license plate in order to defend the institution from assault by those crazed, radical homosexuals. I'll tell ya, those people are EVERYWHERE! Where's Pastor John when you need him? Heh.
3) Leo C. Wardrup, Jr. (R - 83rd): Who said of an African-American woman running for re-election to the Virginia Beach City Council, "We had taken dead aim on Louisa. She was a rising Democrat and that?s clearly enough for us to lock and load." In addition, Wardrup had this to say about Gov. Mark Warner, who rescued Virginia from fiscal insolvency, "No one has done more to destroy the Triple-A rating than the governor. ? I?m sorry governor, but the gloves is off.? I love that last line, by the way, "the gloves is off." Sounds like Leo Wardrup's auditioning for a role in Goodfellas, Part II.
4) John A. Cosgrove (R - 78th): (In)famous for being "blogflogged" and humiliated by Maura Keaney of Democracy for Virginia. In early 2005, under pressure from the investigative journalism of Keaney, Del. Cosgrove withdrew a bill that would have required women who had failed to report fetal deaths to the police within 12 hours of the delivery to face a possible misdemeanor sentence. What, is stoning next? Unbelievable. But there's more: Cosgrove also is chief sponsor of an anti-gay constitutional amendment Great stuff, huh? I say, John Cosgrove for Ayatollah! Draft John Cosgrove!
5) Jeff Frederick (R-52nd): Member of the Council for National Policy (CNP), a shadowy far-right extremist group whose goals are "to propagate the idea of transforming the United States back to it?s ?godly? heritage? [plus] a raw capitalist and expansionist policy coupled with an aggressive authoritarian approach to governance.? Nice. In addition, CNP members include Christian Coalition founder Pat ?God Almighty does not hear the prayer of a Jew? Robertson, Iran-Contra convicted felon Oliver North, anti-feminist and anti-gay right-wing activist Phyllis Schlafly, ?cult of? Amway founder Richard DeVos, Chuck Missler (an anti-Muslim bigot and ?Idaho radio host who has predicted an imminent invasion of Jerusalem by forces guided by the Antichrist?), anti-Catholic Bob Jones University President Bob Jones III, John Ankerberg (?who believes that biblical prophecies were literal promises and are coming true?), Rutherford Institute founder John W. Whitehead, Rev. Jerry ?Tinky Winky is Homosexual? Falwell, Tom DeLay, and the Rev. Sun Myung Moon. This is the group that Jeff Frederick proudly belongs to. Craaaaaazy!
6) Charles W. Carrico, Sr. (R - 5th): See here for his latest craziness. In short, Carrico believes that Christianity in America is "suppressed" and "oppressed", and wants to amend Virginia's constitutional guarantees to freedom of religion - written by Thomas Jefferson himself - to explicitly recognize a right to pray in public places, including schools. Hey, maybe Carrico and Jo Ann "Candy Cane" Davis should hook up? They'd get along great, I'm sure!
7) Joe T. May (R - 33rd): Another one in the Carrico/Lingamfelter camp. His comment on the proposed Carrico amendment to the constitution: "No words are entirely golden or sacrosanct. We've been steadily adapting the constitution over the years."
8) Dave Albo (R - 42nd): Actually introduced a bill in the 2004 session that would reduce the penalty for raping one's own child from a felony to a mere misdemeanor (HB 1054). Perhaps this shouldn't be surprising for a drunk driving lawyer who is sponsored in large part by money from the booze industry.
A runner-up to the "Crazy 8" includes William Janis (R - 56th), also a big fan of the "traditional marriage" license plates. Also, let's not let this opportunity pass without mentioning how much we're going to miss Dick "baby pesticides" Black and Brad Marrs, who criticized his opponent for accepting money from a ?wealthy homosexual businessman.? Yeah, the Virginia House of Delegates won't be quite as crazy without those two guys roaming the halls. Still crazy enough though, with the eight guys mentioned above!
[UPDATE: Ben Tribbett has a pertinent comment...see below.]