Monday quickies

Shannon calls for Hamilton’s resignation. Democratic AG candidate Steve Shannon has called for the resignation of Newport News Republican Del. Phil Hamilton. Shannon is not alone in this: in an editorial Saturday, The Virginian-Pilot suggested the same, and The Roanoke Times minced no words in recommending resignation. Hamilton says Shannon is playing politics. I guess in his mind, the newspapers are playing politics, too. Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican candidate for AG, wants to leave it to the voters.

Unlikely voters in Virginia. Josh Goodman takes a look at the composition of the unlikely voters in Virginia and finds the same thing that others have: Democrats. I can only hope that someone has a plan to get Democratic voters excited about this fall’s races. If not, we’re toast.

Pollster says fix health care. Speaking to the Southern Governors’ Association in Williamsburg, pollster Frank Luntz said, “The public is mad.” I’d say that is an accurate assessment. A quick look through the letters to the editor of any given newspaper and you get the sense that everyone is mad about something. On the issue of health care, Luntz says the public wants it fixed. “They want you to fix it – and not break what isn’t broken,” Luntz said. So if everyone wants it fixed, how come we aren’t making much progress?

Norfolk shuts down Waterside bars. After inviting them to be there, Norfolk Council did a 180 last week and pulled the special exception licenses of two bars in Waterside. The decision was made with little notice to the bar owners. Both bars have been padlocked by the site’s landlord, Waterside Associates, “essentially an arm of the [Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing] authority.” Of course, the case is in court. Friday, there was supposed to be a hearing but the attorneys for the NRHA and Waterside Associates failed to appear. The case has been continued until Tuesday.  I have the feeling that Norfolk taxpayers are going to be on the hook for some serious coin here.