Author: Vivian J. Paige

A former candidate, I've learned a lot about politics, both good and bad. I'd prefer more of the former and a lot less of the latter and I'm trying to do my part!

Blogs United update

In case you missed it, the updated schedule for Blogs United has been posted on the website. Also there is a list of the speakers: Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling Attorney General Bob McDonnell Del. Brian Moran, Chairman, House Democratic Caucus Shaun Kenney, Communications Director, Republican Party of Virginia Donald Luzzatto, Virginian-Pilot Kevin W. Grierson, Esq., … Continue reading Blogs United update →

Report: Norfolk candidates’ forum

I attended a candidates' forum earlier this evening hosted by the Norfolk division of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce. Norfolk is represented in the General Assembly by two Senators - Yvonne B. Miller (D-5th) and Nick Rerras (R-6th) and six delegates - Kenny Alexander (D-89th), Paula Miller (D-87th), Algie Howell (D-90th), Johnny Joannou (D-79th), … Continue reading Report: Norfolk candidates’ forum →

Bloomberg running for president?

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has changed his party affiliation from Republican to unaffiliated, making some folks think he's going to launch a bid for the presidency. Strategists say he could mount a third-party campaign by stressing that he is a two-term mayor in a Democratic city and that he built his reputation as a political … Continue reading Bloomberg running for president? →

Virginia FREE: Lewis & Moran rank high

Virginia FREE (The Virginia Foundation for Research and Economic Education, Inc.) released its annual business scorecard. The ranking given the members of the General Assembly were based on 16 bills voted on this past session. Delegate Lynwood Lewis, Jr. (D-100th) tied for second place with a pro-business score of 81%. Delegates Frank Hall (D-69th) and … Continue reading Virginia FREE: Lewis & Moran rank high →

Opinion, please: contributions to candidates running unopposed

Perusing the campaign finance reports got me to thinking about contributions to candidates running unopposed. In a world in which resources are unlimited, everybody would get campaign contributions. But we don't live in that world. And, given the fact that there is an election in Virginia every year, it would seem that limited resources would … Continue reading Opinion, please: contributions to candidates running unopposed →

Feeding at the public trough: Congressional families

Over at The Shad Plank, they came across this report from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) regarding the ability of some of our Congressional representatives to funnel money to their families. Among the 96 members of Congress -- 41 Democrats and 55 Republicans -- reviewed were some from Virginia, including Jo Ann … Continue reading Feeding at the public trough: Congressional families →

VA voter registration issues

Jim Patrick has an amazing post on the Virginia's attempt to upgrade its voter registration software. The software is assigning voters to the wrong precinct and even worse: eliminating registered voters! There was a problem a couple of weeks ago in Portsmouth regarding voters being assigned to the wrong precinct. (I don't seem to be … Continue reading VA voter registration issues →

New Page: 21/51

I've added a new page to this blog - 21/51 - which includes a listing of all of the Democratic candidates in the Commonwealth. Click on the tab at the top of the blog (next to guestbook) to access it. Of course, the Arlington County Democrats, who came up with that cool 21/51 logo, beat … Continue reading New Page: 21/51 →

Former VM Collins dead at 61

The Virginian Pilot has reported the death of former Norfolk councilman and Vice Mayor Herbert Collins. Collins was the lead plantiff in the suit brought against the city that resulted in the implementation of the ward system. He was elected to council in 1994 and became vice mayor, a ceremonial position, in 1996. Collins made … Continue reading Former VM Collins dead at 61 →

Clinton: bad choice on Hastings

Hillary Clinton has named disgraced former judge Alcee Hastings to be the co-chair of her campaign in Florida. Hastings was convicted of accepting a $150,000 bribe, removed from the bench and impeached by the then Democratically controlled Congress. I'm not sure what Clinton was smoking when she chose such a person for her campaign. It … Continue reading Clinton: bad choice on Hastings →