Raising Kaine is a community forum to discuss political issues of interest to Virginians. The opinions expressed by users of this website do not necessarily reflect the views of Raising Kaine management or the Raising Kaine PAC.
Democrats in the 5th Congressional District on Saturday nominated political newcomer Tom Perriello of Albemarle County to challenge U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Rocky Mount, in the November general election.
Perriello gained the nomination without opposition at a district convention held at Nelson County Middle School.
Perriello, who grew up in Albemarle County, will try to unseat a six-term incumbent who has won elections as a Democrat, an independent and a Republican -- all with solid majorities. Goode was nominated for re-election at the GOP's 5th District convention last month.
"I pledge to work a double shift every day in Congress to bring jobs and economic fairness to the 5th District," Perriello said after his nomination Saturday.
I'm very happy for Tom Perriello, as he is a great guy with a tremendous story to tell. I know many will disagree with me on this, but I believe that Tom has a legitimate shot of, at least, giving Virgil Goode a strong run for his money. I'm very much looking forward to this race. Go Tom!
Tom Davis was interviewed on Bloomberg this past week, and gave a pretty damning description on the future of the GOP. But there was on hidden gem that I especially liked -- Davis implying that he didn't vote his conscience in all those years in the House preceding a re-election campaign:
MR. HUNT: You mentioned earlier, suggesting it was probably a mistake to walk the plank on the children's health insurance. Right now there's a battle going on over a housing bill that was passed. The president says he's going to veto it. Should Republicans go along with the president on the housing?
REP. DAVIS: Well, I think individuals have to make their own decision. I'm not running for reelection, though, so I had the ability to vote my conscious [sic] first ...
Good, glad we got that straight. Thanks for all the conscience-free representation for over a decade, and putting politics and self-preservation first for 12 out of 14 years in the House. Leslie Byrne can't get elected fast enough.
is the title of today's Parade Magazine cover story, written by our own Jim Webb. Let me offer just a couple of snippets to whet your appetite.
When you have personalized death, looked into the eyes of innocent people as the life drained out of them, watched lives torn apart not once but hundreds of times-friends, enemies and those caught in between-it brings not only sadness but also an oddly stubborn wisdom. When you have watched an enemy fight with ferocity and often with honor, you tend to conclude that on some level you have more in common with those you were trying to kill than you do with people who view wars only as an intellectual debate. And when you have served among good people, fellow Marines, some of whom you came to love with the same intensity as you do your own family, there are few others you will meet in your lifetime who can ever gain that same level of trust and respect.
As the colonel intimated in his talk, a sense of accountability is the burden of leadership, whether in combat or on Capitol Hill. When you have the authority to make decisions, you inherit the responsibility to accept the consequences and the obligation to use your authority for the common good.
What has this got to do with the politics of today?
Everything.
What, then, must we do?
In one form or another, this question is asked daily in every community and in almost every household around the world. In authoritarian societies, it's whispered; in others, it is debated. In America, we quite frankly find ourselves doing a little of both.
Our challenges lie in improving the way we've been selecting our leaders. To the American voters, I offer this advice: Be as shrewd and ruthless in your demands on our leaders as the wizards running campaigns are in their strategies to get your vote. Do your part to send to Washington people who truly want to solve the problems of this country from the bottom up.
Don't forget - Jim is on Meet the Press (10:30 AM in DC) and his book is officially released tomorrow.
Peace.
UPDATE by Lowell: If you want Jim Webb to be Barack Obama's running mate, please sign the petition. Thanks.
There were about 150 people in attendance last night at the Prince Willicam County Democratic Committee's 29th annual Jefferson/Jackson Dinner. Eric and I were there with Jon Bowerbank, who has filed paperwork to run for lieutenant governor in 2009. [Full disclosure: Eric and I are being paid by the Bowerbank campaign for consulting, photography, video and other services]
Others in attendance included 2009 Democratic gubernatorial contenders Creigh Deeds and Brian Moran; 10th CD Democratic primary candidates Judy Feder and Mike Turner; 11th CD Democratic primary candidates Leslie Byrne, Lori Alexander, Doug Denneny and Gerry Connolly; Sen. George Barker; Del. Paul Nichols; Supervisors John Jenkins and Frank Principi; and Bruce Roemmelt.
Jim Moran was the dinner's keynote speaker. Moran talked about how we are at a turning point in America's history and how it is time to call upon the Democratic Party to solve our problems. Today, our priorities our "out of whack" - for instance, China holds a large chunk of our enormous debt, and could crash our economy simply by saying it would rather hold Euros than dollars. According to Rep. Moran, if that were to happen, he doesn't know if we'd ever recover. Moran said that George W. Bush's America -- growing income inequality, torture, loss of international respect, subsidies to oil companies making record profits -- is "not what America's all about" and it's time for a new direction under Democratic leadership.
On foreign policy, Moran called the Bush Administration's approach to Iran "the most juvenile possible," as "mature adults don't give other people the silent treatment, they sit down and talk to them." With regard to Iraq, Moran drew applause by calling for a timetable for withdrawal. He drew a loud "YES!!!" from Gerry Connolly as he talked about helping the Iraqis only so long as they do their part. He said we should close Gitmo, and that 95% of the people there have never engaged in a hostile act against the United States, but actually were turned in for cash reward by warlords from rival tribes. Finally, he called for America being a "moral guidepost" for the rest of the world again, and for ushering in a "new progressive era" where we "lead by example" and "believe in ourselves."
Following Jim Moran, candidates for the 10th and 11th CDs, plus 2009 candidates, had a chance to speak for 2 minutes or so. My notes on those speeches are on the "flip."
With the Presidential race for the nomination still unresolved, we too often forget the importance of maintaining a strong majority in Congress. The Democrats have the majority in the House and are likely to keep it. However, with so many freshman Democrats, the Republicans are aiming to get back some of what they lost in 2006. Still, the Republicans are the ones who likely will lose seats. The NRCC has already told GOP candidates they won't get as much support as they did in 2006. Over 25 GOP seats are open seats, and another GOP rep seems to retire every couple weeks. Far fewer Democratic seats are open. The GOP already lost 3 seats so far this year alone. In fact, if you account for the three seats Republicans already lost, the Democratic list would be 27 instead of 30.
Below is an overview of some key seats of contention in 2008. The Democrats have 30 seats that may be vulnerable (including the three seats they picked up in 2008), with 16 seats that are clearly vulnerable, while the Republicans appear to have 41 seats that may be vulnerable, with 26 that are clearly vulnerable. Among the 26 that are clearly vulnerable is Virginia's 11th District. Virginia's 2nd District and Virginia's 10th District are slightly vulnerable for the Republicans at this point. Virginia's 5th District is a race to watch. There are no vulnerable Virginia Democratic Congressman.
Sen. Ted Kennedy is rushed to a hospital in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, a Democratic source tells CNN.
CNN reports Sen. Kennedy, 76, has been transferred to Mass General Hospital in Boston after suffering "stroke-like symptoms."
UPDATE: The Cape Cod Times has more details, but it's not clear what condition Sen. Kennedy is in. CNN reports Sen. Kennedy had surgery last fall for a blocked artery.
UPDATE 12:36pm: Sen. Kennedy's office confirms he's "under evaluation" at Mass General, but still no word on his condition.
UPDATE 4:02pm: Sen. Kennedy's office - "It appears that Senator Kennedy experienced a seizure this morning. He is undergoing a battery of tests at Massachusetts General Hospital to determine the cause of the seizure. Senator Kennedy is resting comfortably, and it is unlikely we will know anything more for the next 48 hours."
...18 months after his surprising triumph in Virginia, Webb, 62, is pulling political levers that almost surely will put him in the top tier of potential Democratic nominees for vice president, whether the ticket is led by Barack Obama or Hillary Rodham Clinton.
Webb's tenacious advocacy of a new GI Bill, which would give every veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan a chance to go to college, has strengthened his ties to a national network of veterans groups and activists and is getting rave notices on blogs and newspaper editorial pages.
In other words, Webb is doing great work in the U.S. Senate on a highly-visible issue at the same time that his new book, "A Time to Fight," is hitting the bookstores (and Webb is hitting the talk shows to promote it). But what does Webb think of being the 2008 Democratic presidential nominee's running mate?
crossposted from Daily Kos - the link on Webb is to the dailykos version of that piece
We have had quite a few analyses of how Obama did in Appalachia, and why. But consider this:
Clinton said in her victory speech on Tuesday night that no Democrat has won the White House since 1916 without taking West Virginia. True. But they all could have won without it. The margins of victory in those races ranged from 23 to 515 electoral votes. West Virginia has five.
That quote is from Skirting Appalachia, an op ed in today's NY Times by Charles Blow that I believe is well worth the brief time to read, and to examine the maps he provides. Come along for a further examination.
As TysonsTunnel.org president Scott Monett says, "It's Not Over 'Til It's Under." Let's build Metro to Dulles, but let's do it the right way not the wrong way. This Monday night in McLean, you can find out the latest news on this project and have your questions answered by Chap Petersen and John Foust in McClean. Check it out.
We will be providing an update on the project and TysonsTunnel's strategy. We will be joined by two key TysonsTunnel supporters - state Sen. Chap Petersen and Dranesville Supervisor John Foust - who will answer your questions.
Jeffrey Feldman suggests, "For joking about the assassination of Sen. Obama, Mike Huckabee should be removed from the rosters of all the various cable and network stations on which he regularly appears." What do you think? Does this remove Huckabee from any consideration as John McSame's running mate or was it just a (not funny at all) joke?
P.S. Huckabee's joking about killing people appears to be bipartisan, as he said something similar about Mitt Romney.
Huckabee last night issued a statement of apology: "I made an off-hand remark that was in no way intended to offend or disparage Senator Obama. I apologize that my comments were offensive. That was never my intention."
Doug Wilder announced today that he won't seek a second term as Mayor of Richmond. At 77, that likely signals his retirement. With a major lack of support recently in Richmond, how will he be remembered - embattled mayor or historic governor?
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, announced Friday that he would not seek re-election as Richmond's mayor, likely bringing his storied political career to a close.
The 77-year-old grandson of slaves announced his plans to retire during a meeting with Richmond city department directors, then issued a news release. He didn't disclose his future plans.
"I've done everything you can do," Wilder said in a brief, televised comment. He declined requests for interviews.
It looks like Jim Webb will be practically ubiquitous the next few days as he promotes his new book, out Monday.
Sun, May 18: Meet the Press (NBC)
Mon, May 19: CBS Early Morning
Mon, May 19: Fresh Air (NPR)
Mon, May 19: Late Show with David Letterman (CBS)
Tues, May 20: Countdown with Keith Olbermann (MSNBC)
Tues, May 20: Lou Dobbs (CNN)
Also, I'll have a review of the book on Monday. For now, since I heard some idiot on the radio this morning claiming that Barack Obama wasn't "patriotic" because he didn't routinely wear a flag pin, I'll leave you with this quote from page 155 of "A Time to Fight": "It seemed that every lapel now sported an American flag pin, as if this conscious display were mandatory to ward of accusations of disloyalty."
By the way, Jim Webb -- Navy Cross, Silver Star, Bronze Stars, purple hearts, etc. -- does NOT wear a flag pin. According to John McCain and George W. Bush, he must not be "patriotic." Oh, and Jim Webb thinks we should negotiate with Iran. He must be an "appeaser" too. Yeah, that's how I always thought of war hero and American patriot Jim Webb, an unpatriotic "appeaser." And George W. Bush the "chickenhawk?" Oh, he's a superpatriot who would never EVER talk to anyone he didn't like. Only people like this and this.
As usual, George W. Bush is doing a "heckuva job." This time, it's his pathetic, demeaning groveling and begging to the Saudis on oil prices. Believe it or not, this groveling even includes an offer to "help [Saudi Arabia] in developing peaceful nuclear energy." Wait a minute, the country that supplied 15 of 19 hijackers on 9/11 -- not to mention Osama bin Laden himself -- and which finances anti-western, anti-Christian, anti-Semitic fundamentalist "madrasas" all over the world gets nuclear assistance from the United States? And the Saudis give us...what exactly? Well, this morning they told Bush where to shove the oil pump, essentially.
...Saudi Arabia, the world's largest oil producer, does not see enough demand from customers to increase oil production, the White House said Friday morning. President Bush was in the oil-rich Gulf kingdom in part to lobby for an increase in crude output.
As if on cue, oil prices "surged more than $3 Friday, shattering a previous record in a spike near $128 a barrel, as prices at the pump pushed to new highs of their own."
And, as if all that wasn't enough, Goldman Sachs increased its forecast for light, sweet crude (West Texas Intermediate) during the second half of this year by $34 per barrel, to $141 per barrel. That would add around 80 cents per gallon at the gasoline pump, so get ready for $4.50 per gallon later this year if Goldman Sachs is correct. Oh, and enjoy the Bush-McSame economy! :)
P.S. USA Today nails it on oil prices. In short, "As gratifying as it is to point fingers elsewhere, the mirror is the main place to look for the reasons that oil prices are hovering around $125 a barrel."
I received this photo, along with the explanation below, from a reader. It's nice to know that Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has his priorities right -- hair over hardhats! :)
Here is a photograph of when Bill Bolling visited Clintwood a couple of weeks ago. Bolling showed up for a groundbreaking for a new building that he had absolutely nothing to do with. The best part, though, was when they offered him a hard hat he declined because he did not want to mess up his hair.
Today's Washington Post brings us an article that ostensibly might raise some questions about Gerry Connolly, his supposed opposition to the Iraq war, and his employment at SAIC. Only one problem: it doesn't actually do any of that, except very briefly, followed by the use of multiple column inches applied to slamming the entire issue. That's right, this is a typical Amy Gardner-penned, pro-Connolly/Davis love fest. Here's a breakdown/deconstruction of the article, paragraph by paragraph, to explain exactly what I'm saying.
1. Headline: the word "complicates" is pretty much neutral, doesn't really tell us anything.
2. The subheading says "Antiwar Democrat Running for Congress," presumably referring to Connolly and agreeing with his argument that he's opposed the war since the start. Is this a straight "news" article or an editorial? Very confusing.
3. First paragraph quotes a Connolly campaign flier attacking the "Bush-Cheney Defense Department."
4. The second paragraph raises the question of SAIC -- ok, maybe something interesting coming now?
5. The third paragraph immediately dismisses any Connolly involvement in "SAIC's more controversial contracts," explaining that Connolly's job was all about "community activities and charitable events." Wait, if that's the case, what's the point of this article again?
Oil investor T. Boone Pickens' Mesa Power LLP said on Thursday it ordered 667 wind turbines from General Electric Co as part of the $2 billion first phase of a planned Texas wind farm. It said the turbine order was the world's largest for a single-site wind power development.
The 667 turbines are capable of generating 1,000 megawatts of electricity, enough to power more than 300,000 average U.S. homes, Mesa said in a release. The four-phase Pampa Wind Project would be the world's largest wind energy generator, with more than 4,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for 1.3 million homes, when completed in 2014, Mesa said.
OK, so let's compare the planned energy investments for Virginia and Texas:
Virginia: $1.8 billion for a 585 megawatt coal-fired facility in Wise County. Short-term jobs during construction: 800. Long-term jobs during operation: 75. Estimated increase in operation costs if carbon capture and storage becomes viable: 30-60%. Without CCS, estimated annual cost of carbon permits in 2030 for 5.4 million tons of C02: $108 million.
Texas: $2 billion for a 1,000 megawatt wind power facility. For full 4,000 megawatt facility, short-term jobs during construction: 1,500 jobs. Long-term jobs during operation: 720. Added cost of operation under climate legislation limiting carbon emissions: $0.
It's not too late to make the smart investment. Tell Gov. Kaine to make thoughtful appointments to the Virginia State Air Pollution Control Board as it reviews permits for polluting facilities such as the proposed Wise County plant and the Mirant plant in Alexandria.
This is great news, especially if you support the troops like most of us do. Wait a minute, you mean there are people out there who don't support the troops? Like maybe the 159 Republicans who voted "nay" on the GI Bill today? People like Tom Davis and Frank Wolf and Virgil Goode and Thelma Drake and Bob Goodlatte and Rob Wittman and Randy Forbes and Eric Cantor? Gee, I could have sworn that these were the people who support the troopswartroopswar troops the most. Hmmm.
WEBB'S POST-9/11 GI BILL WINS BIPARTISAN VICTORY IN HOUSE, MOVES TO SENATE
Veterans of the Wars in Iraq & Afghanistan One Step Closer to Realizing Comprehensive Educational Benefits for their Service
Washington, DC-The House of Representatives today passed a historic provision to provide post-9/11 veterans with comprehensive educational benefits, introduced by Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) seventeen months ago on his first day in office. The measure-cosponsored by Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), John Warner (R-VA) and a strong bipartisan majority of their colleagues-is expected to receive another successful vote next week when the Iraq War emergency supplemental spending bill is introduced in the Senate.
The instantly famous Tom Davis memo is now available. Enjoy it, including Davis' constant misspellings of the Democratic presidential nominee as "B-A-R-R-A-C-K."
Memorandum
To: Republican Leadership
From: Tom Davis
Re: Where We Stand Today
The loss of three straight special elections, in once solidly Republican districts cannot be explained simply by "bad candidates", or by being out-organized. They are canaries in the coal mine, warning of far greater losses in the fall, if steps are not taken to remedy the current climate.
These races were not in New Jersey or New England, where Republican erosion has taken place over the last decade. They were in the heart of the Bible Belt, the social conservative core of our coalition. These are areas John McCain will win easily, in November, but a Congressional GOP brand tied to George Bush is struggling.
According to the 
Tom Davis was interviewed on Bloomberg this past week, and gave a pretty damning description on the future of the GOP. But there was on hidden gem that I especially liked -- Davis implying that 
There were about 150 people in attendance last night at the Prince Willicam County Democratic Committee's 29th annual Jefferson/Jackson Dinner. Eric and I were there with 
This just in
Over at the 
As usual, George W. Bush is doing a "heckuva job." This time, it's his pathetic, demeaning 
Today's Washington Post brings us 
This is great news, especially if you support the troops like most of us do. Wait a minute, you mean there are people out there who don't support the troops? Like maybe the 
The instantly famous Tom Davis memo is 
