Conviction overturned. Dustin Turner, convicted of murder in 1995 but who has steadfastly proclaimed his innocence, had his conviction overturned. A three-judge panel of the VA Supreme Court voted 2-1. Whether this will be appealed to the full court remains to the seen. Turner remains in jail.
DPVA FOIAs records on Hamilton/ODU. The Democratic Party of Virginia filed a Freedom of Information request for records relating to the relationship of Del. Phil Hamilton (R-93) and Old Dominion University. Word is that even Republicans think Hamilton is in serious trouble over this and other issues and that Democratic challenger Robin Abbott’s campaign is surging.
VB considers real estate tax hike. The City of Virginia Beach is considering a 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate to help pay for certain projects. I suspect other Hampton Roads cities to follow suit. Most interesting fact: none of the council members oppose the idea, because each one gets a project for their area. How will Republican challenger Ron Villanueva, who is running against incumbent Bobby Mathieson, work that angle on the campaign trail?
Jesse Jackson says let Mike play. In a phone call to The Virginian-Pilot, the Rev. Jesse Jackson says Michael Vick should be allowed to play football immediately. In the meantime, the hometown celebration for Vick has been postponed indefinitely.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Hamilton would be in trouble if it weren’t for Abbott’s caustic, abrasive style. Between her and her campaign manager, they have managed to alienate, most of the people, who would normally vote for her. Has Hamilton done anything illegal? Doesn’t appear so. On a personal level, its hard to dislike Hamilton, and I’m a Democrat. Its very, very, very hard to like Abbott, who can’t stop long enough to listen, while telling you how wonderful she is. Sorry, but even as a Democrat, I can’t agree that his is going to give Abbott a surge. Just talk to the folks who run the party in Hampton for some inside on Abbotts style. Its put off more than just a few of us. The real battle in Hampton is to get Gear out and that is where most of the effort is being focused.
Mark,
I am sorry you feel that way. You obviously feel strongly about some experience you had to have posted it on multiple blogs (not larry sabato) under multiple IDs. I admit to a vulnerability to your assertion that I am biased – I am Robin’s law partner and our firm – a consumer advocacy group – is committed to her campaign (and other candidates concerned about consumers). But of all the arguments I have heard to date – the “Robin is caustic” statement is the strangest. I would have more likely expected the claim that “Robin is to damn nice to be a professional politician.”
Geez – she spends her law practice staying up late working on briefing to try and save foreclosure victims and defend defrauded servicemembers or going after crooks like this guy (sucessfully) – http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-7078456_ITM
http://www.leatherneck.com/forums/showthread.php?p=71198
She is as ‘nice’, kind and caring as they come.
As for your statement that “Its hard to dislike Hamilton”, you will not hear a response. Robin has continued to insist that her campaign and supporters stay above personal insults. And whatever a person’s impression of Phil, he has been in public service and has served his state for some time. And we are Dems – which means we respect even those we oppose. We may disagree with Hamilton’s priorities and – over the last five or six years – slavish fidelity to the Republican House leadership. But whether or not he is “caustic” or “nice” is a topic neither candidate needs to get into.
Regards,
Len Bennett