My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. The legislative session starts in just under eight weeks. And, of course, we have the 100-member House of Delegates plus the three statewide offices up for election next year. Yes, the two are connected: watch the number of "brochure bills" that will be introduced next … Continue reading ICYMI: Follow the legislature in action
Sens. Mark Warner and Chris Coons introduced legislation today aimed at voting reforms. The FAST Voting Act of 2012 "creates a competitive grant program to encourage states to aggressively pursue election reforms. It would provide incentives for states like Virginia to invest in practices and technology designed to expedite voting at the polls and simplify … Continue reading Warner co-sponsors voting reforms legislation
So Mitt Romney claims he lost because of "big policy “gifts” that the president had bestowed on loyal Democratic constituencies, including young voters, African-Americans and Hispanics." According to a recording of the call, partially aired by ABC, Romney actually said: What the president, president's campaign did was focus on certain members of his base coalition, … Continue reading Where’s mine?
It's not often that people from both sides of the aisle are in agreement but that's exactly where we are today. The Washington Post's editorial board and Virginian-Pilot columnist Kerry Dougherty both argue that something should be done - and soon - to free Jonathan Montgomery, a man serving a prison sentence for a crime … Continue reading Free an innocent man
With the election last week and all that entailed, I didn't get a chance to write my weekly op-ed for its usual Wednesday publication. I got in done in time for Friday's paper. In it, I addressed the long lines that voters experienced last Tuesday. As a political observer, I don't recall a previous time … Continue reading ICYMI: Those long, unnecessary lines
One of the characterizations of America that I have difficulty with is that we are a center-right nation. Results from last Tuesday should disabuse us of that notion once and for all: With 120,871,984 votes cast, President Barack Obama received 62,088,847 votes and Mitt Romney received 58,783,137. Some have argued that the president is really … Continue reading Myth: “We are a center-right country”
My friend, Coby Dillard, has posted a rather lengthy screed on his Facebook page about the lack of Republican outreach to the black community. My response to him is far too long to post there, even if I wanted to. So here it is. I believe Coby missed a much larger point in his missive, … Continue reading Race and voting
I'll do a roundup post later but for now, congratulations to all of last night's winners and my condolences to all of those who were not successful. (UPDATE: The roundup post is here.) Most of all, my thanks to all who voted. And for those of you who doubted my predictions, I'll be collecting those … Continue reading Congratulations to all
Election Day is here. I hope everyone takes the opportunity to participate in our democracy by casting a ballot for the candidates of their choice. I have to say that I've not been bombarded with the phone calls and mail that others have. I think I've received less than 10 pieces of mail this entire … Continue reading Go Vote!
Opening remarks from Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim, Congressional candidates Paul Hirschbiel (2nd) and Ella Ward (4th) and Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd). And from Sen. Mark Warner, Sen. Jim Webb, and soon-to-be-Senator Tim Kaine.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 