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A debate where Barack Obama acted Presidential and didn't spend the entire time taking pot shots at Hillary Clinton.
Good job by both candidates tonight. Can Obama keep up this positive tone when he doesn't have to say it to Hillary's face?
I doubt it. But I hope he does.
I've got to give Tim Craig a lot of credit for this article. It tells us all we need to know about why Democrats retook the Virginia Senate with professional top rate campaigns under the leadership of Dick Saslaw, while Democrats in the House under the leadership of Ward Armstrong ran embarassing campaigns that have left the House polorazied and Democrats embarassed.
Check it out, this is something everyone should read.
Shame on you, Ward, and congratulations to Senator Saslaw for shining once again.
Guest Column by Pete in Williamsburg
In December 2007, Bill Clinton said "When is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?" It's a legitimate question. However, does that kind of specific experience matter?
Hillary Clinton has seven years as a US Senator plus a slew of various commissions and public service endeavors. Does that public service background make her more qualified? What if a candidate never served in public office but instead founded a business that employs thousands? What if a candidate was a popular media pundit but had never served in an elected office? Could such a person be an effective president? I believe the answer is yes.
I support Barack Obama. Governor Kaine's endorsement had some influence on me. Mostly, I like his message of unity. Bipartisanship is barely a punchline these days. A few candidates will say it, but I believe Obama is the only one who means it. And, I'm beginning to think he's the only one who could actually achieve it.
Whenever I hear the suggestion that Obama does not have enough experience, I would ask you to think of it this way:
If the country called on you, fellow blog-reader, to take over as president beginning noon tomorrow, could you do it?
You're reading this blog so you probably follow current events and have a modicum of intellectual curiosity. You don't know how to route a bill through a congressional subcommittee, but can't you learn that on the job?
I think you could.
Apparently George Barker and David Bulova are environmental frauds.
Good for RK for noticing!
First of all, I told you so.
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Bob McDonnell issued the best press release on the Tom Davis retirement. It's really (unintentionally) hysterical. Maybe even a violation of Virginia's sodomy laws? Check it out. I bolded my favorite words:
“Today, my good friend Congressman Tom Davis announced he will not seek re-election this fall. I am saddened by this decision. The citizens of the 11th District, and all of Virginia, are losing a tireless advocate in the halls of Congress. After more than two decades of public service, I know this was a very difficult decision for Tom to make.”
“Tom Davis was one of the most effective members of Congress we have ever sent to Washington. Since first being elected in 1994, Tom Davis has been a stalwart defender and promoter of the people of the 11th Congressional District. He represented the citizens of his district with distinction. He worked tirelessly on the Wilson Bridge project, and other transportation priorities in the district. He led the fight to close Lorton Prison and redevelop the area. He played a leading role in attracting new businesses and high-tech interests to Northern Virginia, thus contributing greatly to Virginia’s 21st Century reputation as “The Silicon Dominion.” And Tom was appreciated for his statewide travels to advocate the principles of good and effective government”
“Tom earned a national reputation in Washington as one of the smartest, and most innovative, members of the House of Representatives. He constantly sought new ways to reduce federal spending, and to eliminate outdated and unnecessary programs. As Chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, Tom demanded fiscal responsibility and accountability from the federal government. Tom also emerged as a critical voice on homeland security issues, leading on an issue of immediate importance to all the residents of Northern Virginia. As one of the shrinking number of veterans serving in the United States Congress, Tom brought crucial insights to the efforts to keep our nation safe and secure.”
“I commend Tom for a career of exceptional achievement. His uncanny political knowledge, his terrific love of Virginia, and his sense of humor are admired by all. He has served the citizens of Virginia well. I count Tom Davis as a personal friend, and as a great friend of democracy. I wish Tom the very best, and I know he will continue to play a leading role in the life of our Commonwealth and our country. I sincerely hope Tom Davis’s departure from public service is only temporary.”
The Virginia for Obama site has a link in the footer to the company that developed it: Vevo Designs. This link takes you to this. On the front right side of their site is a quote from Eddie Ratliff (of draft warner fame and va for obama): "Months ago, I began collaborating with James Leckenby of Vevo Designs, to build a top-notch website that would reflect well on the Obama Campaign. I will be collaborating on future projects with the company, to continue creating quality websites for presidential campaigns. Thanks from VirginiaForObama.com!"
But something is funny about this developer’s website… hmm lets look at the contact page:
What’s their address??? 1 Camberley Drive Brandon Durham United Kingdom DH7 8TD
The Virginia For Obama campaign OUTSOURCED their website to a company OVERSEAS. It’s bad enough that they don’t have volunteers doing it, but that they are paying a firm that isn’t even in the US.
Meanwhile, I see Hillary's Virginia campaign isn't having to go to the Brits to get a website and instead built one here in Virginia.
Perhaps someone needs to let Obama know about another war called the American Revolution...
Developing...
Column by Not Gretchen Bulova:
Edwards dropping out. Of course the big question is, who does this help? His change message seems to go along with Obama, but his blue-collar support seems to be more Clinton. It will be interesting to see.
117,599 voted in Nevada
239,000 voted in Iowa
284,194 voted in New Hampshire
530,422 voted in South Carolina
(Total Voted 1,169,125)
Yet according to the Obama people- those are the only states that matter so far. How does Florida's "meaningless" primary compare?
Florida Turnout- 1,683,566 (with 98% of precincts in).
We are headed to a crossroads here. Do we allow these almost 1.7 million people's voices to be heard at the Democratic National Convention through Delegates? Hillary says Yes, Obama says No.
Why is Obama so determined to tell 1.7 million people who voted in a Democratic Primary that their votes don't count?
If Obama is nominated by refusing to seat Florida and Michigan at the National Convention, he will not only lose to the Republicans, but he will destroy the Democratic Party in the process.
To paraphrase Obama, there are not Clinton states or Obama states, there is only the United States. And in the United States- all 50 states get to vote and be represented at the national conventions.
More people voted today than have voted in all the states that Obama wants to seat at the convention combined so far.
After Obama's huge national ad buy that included Florida, HILLARY STILL STOMPS HIM AND HIS CAMPAIGN IS ON THE ROPES!!!!
HILLARY WAS THE NUMBER ONE VOTE GETTER OF THE NIGHT!!!!! Hillary gets more votes than McCain or Romney and Obama gets less than both major Republicans. Preview of November results?
McCain's victory tonight makes him the undisputed GOP frontrunner. As I said earlier in the week, this bodes very well for Hillary.
