Two of the three candidates for governor squared off at The Homestead this morning. Although the third, Libertarian candidate Robert Sarvis, will appear on the ballot and has garned support in recent polls, he was not included. So we had a slugfest between the two major party candidates, Republican Ken Cuccinelli and Democrat Terry McAuliffe. … Continue reading Quick thoughts on first gubernatorial debate
Category: Local
ICYMI: Opaque and antiquated disclosure laws
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. No, it's not about Bob McDonnell. Rather, it's about the lack of transparency in financial reporting for those running for local offices.When I prepared the post on the 7/15 financial reports, it had been my intention to do one on the contested races in the … Continue reading ICYMI: Opaque and antiquated disclosure laws
Polls X 3
In the last couple of days, three polls have been released which cover Virginia and the contests here. Public Policy Polling led the way Tuesday with its results. It surveyed 601 registered voters 7/11-7/14 and has a margin of error of +/-4.0%. The toplines: Gov: McAuliffe 41%, Cuccinelli 37%, Sarvis 7%. Key quote: "... more … Continue reading Polls X 3
7/15/13 Financial reports
Financial reports for the fall's contests were due at 5pm Monday. The reporting period covers 5/30/13 to 6/30/13. Of course, the statewide races are the ones most are interested in. The numbers for the gubernatorial race: Ken Cuccinelli (R) - total receipts this period $1,139,296 (includes $185,397 in-kind), cash on hand $2,652,568 Terry McAuliffe (D) … Continue reading 7/15/13 Financial reports
The verdict
It's not often that I find myself in agreement with Joe Scarborough but his opinion on the George Zimmerman case was pretty close to my own reaction. Shortly after the verdict was announced, I had to turn off the TV and shut down Twitter and Facebook. I just couldn't take it. Most of what I … Continue reading The verdict
ICYMI: Echo of an awful time
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. It was in response to this article, which appeared on the front page last Sunday. You'd think we still lived in the days that the cartoon here shows. There was so much in the article that simply disgusted me, like this: As police gathered evidence, … Continue reading ICYMI: Echo of an awful time
If we could be so lucky
Reason 9,999,8756 why elections matter: Just look to PA.Pennsylvania attorney general Kathleen Kane will not defend the state in a federal lawsuit filed this week challenging the constitutionality of the state’s ban on same-sex marriage, lawyers involved in the case said.The ACLU is filing a similar suit here in Virginia. Our current attorney general, Ken … Continue reading If we could be so lucky
A flood
For a while, the revelations of Gov. Bob McDonnell's financial non-disclosures were like the drip, drip, drip of a leaky faucet. The spigot was opened a bit with the revelation of the $6,500 Rolex watch and even wider with the Final Four trip. Last night's bombshell Washington Post report, carried in both The Virginian-Pilot and … Continue reading A flood
Who knew LWV & AARP were “left-wing” organizations?
Virginia AG and gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli, speaking in Norfolk yesterday, was asked why he turned down "The People's Debate," sponsored by the League of Women Voters of Virginia and the AARP: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxbqpRRKMlY Apparently, Cuccinelli is referring to the proposed moderator of the debate, CBS This Morning host Norah O'Donnell, who used to work at … Continue reading Who knew LWV & AARP were “left-wing” organizations?
Quick hits: 07/08/13
Just a few things that caught my eye: OPM extends benefits to all married couples. The key part of this guidance is that "marriage" is based on the place of celebration, not the place of residency. Will other agencies follow? Rape victim further victimized by Norfolk Police. I thought this stuff had stopped years ago. … Continue reading Quick hits: 07/08/13









