Back in 2007, when Ralph Northam was running for Senate for the first time, I wrote about how he provided medical care to a boy who had just been hit by a car. Yesterday, the senator found himself in another situation that allowed him to use his medical training: ... the Norfolk Democrat used his … Continue reading Northam: doctor, citizen redux
Rep. Robert Hurt statement on the budget (his website) I will show what Hurt wrote in his release today, then, in bold italics, I will provide my translation of what he said. Of course, all opinions are mine. The Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 requires that the President submit a budget to Congress no … Continue reading Robert Hurt, Translated
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. It has always bothered me that until a state issue hits the national news, far too many in Virginia were unaware of the issue. Sometimes, like the electoral vote scheme, the state and local media has been covering the topic from the beginning. I wrote … Continue reading Are Virginians paying attention?
... you might want to rethink using the same kind of information that cost your party's nominee the presidency. On the pages sent the Post’s way, Cuccinelli uses language akin to Mitt Romney’s famous “47 percent” comment. The Republican presidential candidate had suggested that a share of the electorate was so dependent on government hand-outs … Continue reading If you’re going to write a book …
How should we honor those whose past includes negative things? Senior Justice Harry Lee Carrico died Sunday and the governor has ordered that flags be flown at half-staff until his burial. The Richmond Times-Dispatch has an obituary for the judge, calling him "a central figure" in the battle over interracial marriage: In 1966, Mr. Carrico … Continue reading Opinion, please: Honoring those with a past
My latest op-ed appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. The subject, obviously, is the power grab of Senate Republicans. But those who follow Virginia politics recognized that something else happened Monday, something that will forever change us: the Virginia Way is no more. I have to say that witnessing the Monday's actions has shaken my faith … Continue reading The death of The Virginia Way
This comment on Waldo's post captured by sentiments exactly: Without saying that what the Senate Republican caucus did with this vote was justified or invited, I must point out that the Democrats fail to learn from their mistakes. Virtually the same thing happened last year with SB924, which turned into the “regulate abortion clinics like … Continue reading A message for Senate Democrats
Senate Republicans pulled a fast one this afternoon with a "technical corrections" bill in which they completely redrew the Senate districts. As this map shows (click to enlarge) the red lines represent the plan that was approved in 2011, after the redistricting. The green lines represent the districts approved by the Senate 20-19. The power … Continue reading This is no ‘technical correction’
Senate Republicans just passed a bill that changes the lines that have already been agreed upon by the Justice Department. The bill, only available in paper form, passed on a party-line 20-19 vote. Democratic Sen. Henry Marsh was absent today, attending the inauguration. It seems the bill would eliminate Sen. Creigh Deeds' seat, as a … Continue reading Senate Republicans’ power grab
I participated in a panel discussion last night entitled "The State of the Dream," a reference to the now famous "I Have A Dream" speech of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The event, held on the campus of Old Dominion University, was sponsored by the Virginia Beach chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority … Continue reading The State of the Dream
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 