Category: Politics

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 →

ICYMI: After the ruling on the Voting Rights Act

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. While there has been a lot of hand-wringing over the Supreme Court's ruling last week, in which the court threw out the coverage formula in section 4, which affects the preclearance rules of section 5, little attention has been paid to the other sections of … Continue reading ICYMI: After the ruling on the Voting Rights Act →

And the hits just keep coming

As I was looking for my birth certificate this morning (don't ask), I ran across a business card from Bob McDonnell. The card has no date on it, but it goes back to the time when we first met, when he was serving in the House of Delegates representing the 84th district. He was assistant … Continue reading And the hits just keep coming →

NC, TX, and, of course, VA: All Politics is Local

Let's see: NC - voter ID, an end to early voting, Sunday voting and same-day registration. Plus kicking people off unemployment and reducing the benefits for those who remain. TX - a second special session to consider an abortion bill that would close nearly all of the clinics in the state. Plus implementation of a … Continue reading NC, TX, and, of course, VA: All Politics is Local →

ICYMI: Perched in the soul

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Friday. While the topic is DOMA, the title is derived from this Emily Dickinson poem included in it: Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words And never stops at all. Virginia is among the states … Continue reading ICYMI: Perched in the soul →

DOMA is Dead

Quite a day yesterday! For those living in the 13 states - I'm including California in that number - and the District of Columbia, a hearty congratulations on federal recognition of your marriage! Now, get ready for the marriage penalty on your joint federal returns 🙂 And don't wait until next April to figure out … Continue reading DOMA is Dead →

Political theater, Texas style

High drama in Texas last night as Texas State Senator Wendy Davis filibustered an abortion bill. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. Also, doctors would be required to have admitting privileges at … Continue reading Political theater, Texas style →

Who’s running: House of Delegates

All 100 seats in the House of Delegates will be on the ballot this fall. Here are the Hampton Roads candidates. * = incumbent 21st District (Parts of Chesapeake and Virginia Beach) Susan Hippen (D) Ron Villanueva* (R) Virginian-Pilot endorsement 64th District (Parts of Suffolk, Franklin as well as the counties of Prince George, Surry, … Continue reading Who’s running: House of Delegates →

Who’s running: Virginia Beach

Here are all of the local candidates, with links where I have them (will be updated as more come available). Note that statewide offices as well as the House of Delegates races will be on your ballot. Note also that references to party will not appear on your ballot. * = incumbentCommissioner of the Revenue … Continue reading Who’s running: Virginia Beach →