In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, U.S. Reps. J. Randy Forbes (R-VA04) and Rob Wittman (R-VA01) offer their immediate thoughts and commentary on the president’s State of the Union Address.
Congressman Forbes spoke about our soaring debt and out-of-control spending and how it is imperative to reign it in and Congressman Wittman spoke about energy, health care, and earmarks.
Clearly, from listening to this podcast, you’ll note that there is still a wide gap between Republicans and the president, despite the president’s soaring rhetoric. That sentiment might be best represented by Congressman Forbes: “Tonight the President had an opportunity to answer the call, and he missed it.”
Additionally, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA06) released this statement:
“I welcome the President’s call for fiscal discipline and hope that it represents a turning point away from the job-killing, tax-and-spend agenda pushed by the Democrat controlled Congress. I am, however, concerned that a freeze of current government spending levels, which are up more than 80% in the past two years, is going to simply lock in the out of control deficit spending levels that have been enacted, and not force Congress and the President to make the truly tough decisions to cut this excessive spending that these times call for.
“Restraining federal spending is perhaps the most critical step to addressing our nation’s unemployment crisis and restoring confidence in our economy. I remain committed to working with the President and Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to focus on real solutions that will create American jobs and restore confidence in our economic future.”
And, just for fun, even though he’s not a Virginia Congressman, Governor Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, a potential 2012 rival to the president, had this to say:
“While I disagree with his proposed direction, I agree with President Obama that education, health care and the deficit are critical challenges for our country. Our nation’s debt is a growing crisis that puts the country’s security at risk. Freezing some spending won’t solve the crisis – we need to actually cut spending. If we set priorities, make tough choices and reject tax hikes, we can create jobs without continuing to run up irresponsible debt.
“In the long run, our schools simply must do a better job of educating children if America is going to remain competitive. That’s why I’ve pushed to hold teachers accountable with a groundbreaking performance-pay system in Minnesota – reforms that I hope the President will push nationwide.
“Minnesota has also led the way on health care, passing reforms to move the system towards paying for and achieving better health care outcomes. Democrats should listen to voters, stop pushing a government-takeover of health care, and join with Republicans to pass reforms that will cut health care costs.”
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
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After last evening’s forum sponsored by the Eastern Shore GOP, Scott Rigell, Ben Loyola, Scott Taylor, Ken Golden, and Bert Mizusawa took a few minutes each to answer some additional questions about the debate, their opponents, and other issues.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, former Governor George Allen, Del. Brenda Pogge, State Sen. Mark Obenshain, Phil Cox (Bob McDonnell’s campaign manager), Tim Phillips (Director of AFP), Ben Marchi (State Director of AFP) and Congressman Bob Goodlatte all spoke at an Americans For Prosperity rally at the Marriott Richmond today.
The theme – keep it up!
AFP played a huge role in helping organize and activate grassroots initiatives to inform the general public and petition representatives regarding government overstretch, such as Cap-and-Trade and Health Care.
AFP is committed to educating citizens about economic policy and mobilizing those citizens as advocates in the public policy process. And AFP DirectorTim Phillips, has seized on President Obama’s success by calling this activism “community organizing.”
Bolling, who’s free event on Thursday drew over 1000 people (including a 93-year-old woman who had volunteered for the GOP for sixty years but couldn’t afford to go to inaugural ball), recognized the importance of the grassroots. He said candidates most certainly can’t get elected on their own – but it’s the grassroots volunteers who make “a day like today possible.”
He also was sober to the fact that this weekend is fun, but it will be all work on Monday trying to fix the state budget.
Challenges certainly continue with health care and Governor Tim Kaine’s proposal for a 1% income tax increase, but according to an extremely enthusiastic Goodlatte, another tea party is brewing in Boston that might shock the world again on Tuesday.
Goodlatte, who was the most animated I’ve ever seen (and it was a good thing), said that the sweep by Republicans in the November elections in New Jersey and Virginia can certainly be continued in Massachusetts in their special election for U.S. Senate.
Goodlatte also laid some of the ground work for the 2010 version of the Contract with America, by hearkening back to the 1994 version and pointing out House Joint Resolution 1 – his bill – which is calling for the federal government to balance its budget.
Bringing perhaps the most energy to the stage and the room was former Governor George Allen who absolutely electrified the audience…and he continued to be in form during an interview that I had with him following his speech.
]]>In this video update, I talk about the Dave Marsden victory and what it means in the Virginia Senate. As well as congratulate Senator-elect Jeff McWaters. The Virginia Senate is now 22-18 in favor of the Democrats, which will make it a tad more difficult to pass conservative, fiscally responsible, job creating legislation:
(give the video a minute or two to download…it doesn’t stream…and sorry about the audio delay…not sure what’s going on there)
Also pretty darn good analysis from DJ, laying this defeat at the feet of Walter Stosch.
]]>In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Steve Hunt, Republican candidate for State Senate in Virginia’s 37th District, discusses his campaign, the need for smaller government, greater personal responsibility and liberty, the importance of balancing this year’s biennial budget, the key differences between what Gov. Kaine has proposed and what he would advocate in the Senate regarding the budget, public safety, education, social v. fiscal conservatism, and whether Del. Marsden living in the district really is a big deal or not.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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My Podcast Alley feed! {pca-e0dfa33d2034453cec48aa7875363064}
]]>In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Fred Echols, WVTF host of “All Things Considered” and “Weekend Virginia”, talks about the medium of radio, the news, how the internet is changing media, what’s “public” about public radio, the government’s role in public radio, competition in media, and much more!
Echols, a veteran of radio broadcasting, is one of Virginia’s best. His insight into how the public receives its news is invaluable in this extremely interesting podcast.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Rosemary Wilson, candidate seeking the GOP nomination for Virginia’s 8th Senate Seat, explains why she’s the best candidate to help Bob McDonnell take on our most pressing challenges in Richmond.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, we recap this week’s news, including Hamilton’s resignation and Mathieson’s potential congressional run.
We also hear from a triumphant, yet realistic, Governor-elect Bob McDonnell, as he returns home to a victory celebration in Virginia Beach.
Finally, Jeff McWaters, candidate seeking the GOP nomination for Virginia’s 8th Senate Seat, explains why he’s the best candidate to help Bob McDonnell take on our most pressing challenges in Richmond.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
To listen to any of the previous podcasts, click here.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Shaun and Jim review the 2009 election.
In part one, we review the statewide campaign and discuss some of the House races:
In part two, we talk “lessons learned”, what to expect in 2010, the role of the new media, and our own personal thoughts on this campaign:
To hear the entire podcast with no interruption, click below:
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
To listen to any of the previous podcasts, click here.
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Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
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In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Bob McDonnell, Michael Steele, Barbara Comstock, and Chris Stolle join us for original interviews.
Steele talks about the importance of Virginia to the conservative movement and the Republican Party. Not only do we talk Virginia politics, but we delve into NY-23 and New Jersey as well.
McDonnell discusses how his jobs plan will help the people of Franklin and all Virginians. He also addresses how he will take on the budget and makes one final pitch for voters before they cast their ballot on Tuesday.
Comstock and Stolle – two candidates who potentially could pick-up seats for the GOP in the House of Delegates – describe their campaigns and what they would hope to accomplish if elected.
Finally, Brian Kirwin and Shaun Kenney tell us what they’ll be looking for on election day and give us their predictions.
And this podcast is also your prediction open-thread. Use this thread to submit your thoughts on the campaign and what you think the final outcomes will be. The person who is closest to picking the outcome of the statewide races (percentatges, please) and the right margin of seats between Republicans and Democrats in the House of Delegates will win a gift from the Bearing Drift store.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
To listen to any of the previous podcasts, click here.
To automatically download and sync VPOD with your MP3 player, use this feed.
Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
- Please also visit us on Podcast.com or PodcastPickle.com and help us promote the podcast by writing a review or adding us as a favorite!
Both SurveyUSA and Public Policy Polling has new numbers out and they aren’t looking good for any of Virginia’s statewide Democratic nominees.
Governor
Bob McDonnell: 58
Creigh Deeds: 41Lt. Governor
Bill Bolling: 56
Jody Wagner: 42Attorney General
Ken Cuccinelli: 57
Steve Shannon: 41
SurveyUSA is heavy Central Virginia but still has McDonnell up huge in Northern Virginia. Also of note, McDonnell gets 55% of women and 38% of the voters identifying themselves as “pro-choice” – an audience the Deeds campaign was specifically targeting by focusing on McDonnell’s 20 year old thesis.
The worst showing by any Republican in any region of the state is Bolling with 53% in Southeast Virginia, Wagner’s home area.
Governor
Bob McDonnell: 55
Creigh Deeds: 40Lt. Governor
Bill Bolling: 50
Jody Wagner: 38Attorney General
Ken Cuccinelli: 52
Steve Shannon: 36
PPP also puts Deeds’s unfavorable at 49% while McDonnell enjoys a 56% approval rating. OUCH.
Compare to August 4th, Deeds favorable/unfavorable was 43/32 (+9) before the Thesis, now it sits at 38/49 (-11). McDonnell went from 54/26 (+28) to 56/36 (+20).
Only 28% of those voting for Deeds are voting specifically against McDonnell and 69% for Deeds. McDonnell, on the other hand, has 83% specifically supporting him and only 14% voting in protest against Deeds.
Only 24% of respondents feel the Democrats should have nominated either Brian Moran of Terry McAuliffe, 34% saying no.
Obama’s approval rating is 42% with disapproval at 52%.
The damage these numbers would do further down the ticket could be astounding.
]]>In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, we take a quick look back at the biggest news of the week in politics, including the debates between the LG candidates and the gubernatorial candidates, what Sen. Creigh Deeds thinks about a federal public option in health care, the closing of the International Paper Mill in Franklin, and where we stand in polls and endorsements.
Also, Jim Geraghty, blogger for National Review Online’s “Campaign Spot” gives us a glance as to what this campaign in the commonwealth looks like to those who follow national politics. He also gives his prediction on New York-23, the New Jersey campaign, and what will happen here in the commonwealth.
Finally, I close with a few thoughts about a holiday that will go largely unnoticed this week. However, it’s an event we owe everything to – especially when we talk about freedom.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
To listen to any of the previous podcasts, click here.
To automatically download and sync VPOD with your MP3 player, use this feed.
Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
- Please also visit us on Podcast.com or PodcastPickle.com and help us promote the podcast by writing a review or adding us as a favorite!
In this episode of Virginia Politics On-Demand, Tim Murtaugh, Communications Director of the Republican Party of Vriginia, gives us his analysis on the 2009 campaign and what to expect these last two weeks. We also hear from John McCain and Bob McDonnell who appeared together in Virginia Beach and tune in on the press conference that followed – featuring AP’s Bob Lewis and WaPO’s Anita Kumar – that way you can judge for yourself if it was reported accurately.
Drop me an email at vpod@bearingdrift.com with your thoughts and comments on the show.
To listen to any of the previous podcasts, click here.
To automatically download and sync VPOD with your MP3 player, use this feed.
Opening music “Highway Run” by the Charlie Wheeler Band available through Ariel Publicity.
- Please also visit us on Podcast.com or PodcastPickle.com and help us promote the podcast by writing a review or adding us as a favorite!
It’s now head-to-head on the Eastern Shore between Del. Lynwood Lewis (D-100) and Ms. Melody Scalley, the Republican.
At a debate sponsored by the Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore, John Smith, a third party candidate, took the opportunity to lambaste Lewis and throw his complete support behind Scalley.
In an already close election, this is a surprising turn of events.
]]>Given the repeated desperate begging coming from the Deeds camp and the steadfast refusal from the Obama camp, let’s have some fun! Caption this photo!
My caption: You’re dead to me you mealy-mouth idiot!! Look at him, he’s just sitting there, laughing!!