Center for Public Integrity Land Use Project Launches
August 7, 2008
Loudoun Insider
The Center for Public Integrity, a non-profit investigative journalism organization, has finally launched its Land Use Accountability Project website (link here), with Loudoun County being one of its major focal points. Former Leesburg Today reporter Dusty Smith is responsible for the Loudoun material, which is pretty balanced with both sides represented well. Only the introductory background info is up right now, with more to come - check in frequently.
Delegate Breaks Law?
August 6, 2008
Too Conservative
From the window of a Delegates office in Emporia.
Anyone know more?
This is for sure a violation.
Gerry Connolly MIA on energy and gas prices
August 6, 2008
VA Blogger
A post I wrote was called out by Anonymous is a Woman, which transitioned into a complaint that Keith Fimian never responded to a letter sent by Democratic women in Fairfax hoping to pigeonhole him on a cultural issue. I take it, then, that AIAW won’t be supporting Gerry Connolly, who doesn’t just refuse to answer questions, he berates people that dare ask him!
But while we’re on the topic of candidates for office ignoring issues, let’s take a look at the most recent Fimian press release, asking Connolly to come out of hiding on drilling:
“America is having an energy crisis. Everyone is talking about solutions, except Gerry Connolly. I support a comprehensive plan including more domestic drilling, expanded nuclear power and faster development of alternative sources like wind, solar, and bio-fuels. Gerry Connolly is stuck in the past with his refusal to address the issue of high energy gas prices.”
Fimian not only offers forward-thinking solutions, he clearly cares about energy as an issue, as you can see it’s placement on his website. Contrast that with Connolly, who doesn’t mention it at all. Fimian’s press release claims Connolly’s only solutions were solar and wind power; I can’t find mention of Connolly’s position anywhere. I’m not sure if he even has one.
In fact, I’m not even sure if Gerry Connolly thinks gas prices are too high, given that he supported the Senate Democrats proposal to raise the gas tax. Talk about out-of-touch with the concerns of his potential constituents, most of whom spend their life in traffic every day!
Meanwhile, Keith Fimian and Democrats like Mark Warner and Jim Webb agree that offshore drilling is a necessary part of a comprehensive plan to address the energy crisis in this country. Will Connolly come out of hiding and tell us if he agrees? Or does he still refuse to consider it an important issue?
EDIT: In addition to AIAW, it’s been front-paged by NLS and RK.
Plowman - Tate Just Won’t Go Away
August 6, 2008
Loudoun Insider
As many have certainly noticed (especially those who have asked me to be more of a “team” player) I have laid off Jim Plowman for some time. But the issue of how the Mark Tate prosecution happened still leaves a bad taste in my mouth and many others. As I’ve said many times before, if he took such an interest in other skeevy campaigns last cycle I’d have a better opinion.
Yesterday in a hearing before Judge Horne, Tate’s attorney and numerous press organizations argued to have Plowman testify in open court, rather than in a closed deposition. Horne certainly seems to be in favor of open court. Garren Shipley at NV Daily provides the most comprehensive analysis here. Leesburg Today and LTM also have stories, along with the Winchester Star. The Tate team is convinced they have Plowman caught in several lies, and several bar complaints have been filed against Plowman.
This is not going to go away without a lot of pain for all sides involved. I just can’t shake the influence of politics in this case in my mind, especially given the lack of investigation into candidates from the dark side. Tate was obviously singled out for special treatment in my opinion. I once again issue my call for a Special Prosecutor to investigate ALL campaigns in Loudoun County from last cycle.
My Choice for Vice-President
August 5, 2008
Too Conservative
(If it can’t be Huckabee or Cornyn)
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin. If you don’t know enough about her….read more here.
She’s got a great story, a great family, and can talk energy.
Obama “attacks” on energy
August 4, 2008
VA Blogger
Obama is out with a new ad promoting his punitive “windfall tax” on oil companies. Two things stand out to me:
1) A windfall profits tax that punishes American companies for being successful exemplifies everything that is wrong and anti-capitalist about the Democratic Party. It demonstrates Obama’s lack of economic comprehension: when more people buy your product you make a profit, regardless of the fact that the profit margin for oil companies is lower than most other industries (demolishing any ridiculous “price gouging” complaints). And such a tax is more likely than not to be passed onto the consumer at the end of the day.
2) This should be repeated ad naseum: Obama voted for the Bush-Cheney Energy Bill. McCain voted against it. Said McCain at the time:
“This bill does little to address the immediate energy crisis we face in this country. The handouts to big business and oil companies are irresponsible and will be disastrous for the people of Arizona. I cannot in good conscience vote to pass legislation that does not adequately address issues related to energy efficiency, security, and energy independence.”
Sounds like leadership to me. There are precious few issues this election where McCain is both 1) absolutely correct, and 2) on the same side of the majority of the electorate. It strikes me as odd that Obama would choose to bring up this issue by highlighting his own incompetence then pointing out how closer he is to the Bush Administration than John McCain on energy policy.
Frederick Overreaches, WaPo Overreacts
August 4, 2008
Loudoun Insider
Personally, I have no doubt that voter fraud exists. But RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick went too far in his big pronouncement with very little to back it up in the way of proof. This was irresponsible and ended up making him look foolish and paranoid.
Frederick’s grandstanding resulted in the predictable MSM overreaction and charges of “voter intimidation” and “voter suppression”, as epitomized by today’s WaPo editorial “Fear Mongers” (link here). What a bunch of reactionary baloney. How in the world does asking about the sanctity of the voter process amount to intimidation and suppression? Give me a freaking break - many of these people signing up to vote are obviously not at all clued in to the political scene and are not going to be intimidated or suppressed by the RPV Chairman’s statements.
Unfortunately this incident further emphasizes the predicament that RPV finds itself in, where the registration of large numbers of new voters causes RPV concern. You would think that the traditional GOP themes of lower taxes and a smaller and more accountable government would be a draw to new voters. Unfortunately the self appointed conservative “leaders” of the once Grand Old Party seem to have lost sight of the big picture and damaged the GOP brand through their rigidity, unlikability, and often corrupt hypocritical behavior. Dark times loom for the GOP brand, and its largely the party’s own fault.
Vice-President Cantor?
August 3, 2008
VA Blogger
I like Congressman Cantor a lot, and he’s proven himself as one of the best political guys in the House GOP Caucus. He does add to a ticket with John McCain, but if we’re being honest, I don’t consider him to be a national heavyweight just yet. Though Cantor’s addition to the short-list is interesting for a variety of reasons, at the end of the day I’m hoping McCain picks someone else. And since geography is obviously a factor here, does a representative of the most conservative one-eleventh of the state bring in any votes in Virginia that John McCain doesn’t already pick up?
LCRC Party Building Event Sunday Afternoon
August 1, 2008
Loudoun Insider
Yes, there’s always going to be a little strife in the LCRC as evidenced by the post below. But what family doesn’t have a little strife now and then? Trust me, the LCDC has its own share of intra-party troubles.
If you are interested at all in joining and forging a new path to victory, please attend and meet a diverse group of Loudoun Republicans. There’s something for everyone!
July 30 LCRC Meeting Balloon - Joe McCain Blows It Up, The Old Guard Pops It
July 30, 2008
Loudoun Insider
Wow, what a contrast - the new and the old LCRC on full display in one evening. Glen Caroline is the best speaker and leader the LCRC has seen in some time. He set the stage for a meeting and LCRC agenda purely focused on the upcoming elections. Joe McCain then delivers an impassioned plea to support his brother. With more press present than usual the LCRC was really putting on a good strong united front for the world to see.
Then came more of the expected BS from the nitpickers from the prehistoric days of the LCRC. In trying to maintain some sense of a new day and striving to maintain some semblance of party unity I won’t call out the offenders by name. But the incessant ramblings of those who chose to make a mountain out of a molehill on a simple procedural issue brought the high spirits of the evening to a crashing halt. This crew has tried to make Glen Caroline’s tenure as difficult as possible for him, and it was obvious by their lopsided loss in two votes that many of those who once supported their worldview are now sick and tired of their ongoing vendetta. Thanks for attempting to ruin the welcome efforts of Joe McCain to fire up the crowd and motivate the party faithful. To those who attended - just do your best to wipe those unfortunate moments from your memory banks - focus on the positive message of Joe McCain.
