Cranwell, Plum, Lucas McEachin Condemn Cuccinelli [UPDATED]

I just got off a conference call by the Democratic Party of Virginia on Ken Cuccinelli's latest outrage. Here are the highlights.

DPVA Chair Dick Cranwell pointed to the irony of these "less government people using government to further a social agenda" and to "micromanage the entire state of Virginia." Cranwell remarked that this is "not in [Cuccinelli's] job description" and recommended that it's time for Bob McDonnell to "rein him in." Cranwell said that Cuccinelli should be focusing on how to hold down the cost of tuition rather than micromanage the college system "from the Attorney General's office." Cranwell added that Cuccinelli's refusal to confirm or deny his own memo is not exactly a sign of "open government." Cranwell concluded, "who knows what Cuccinelli is going to do next?"

Del. Ken Plum predicted that this is going to end up costing Virginia jobs. For instance, Northrop-Grumman has strong corporate policies for GLBT employees, and Cuccinelli's actions are not going to make Virginia more attractive to that company. Also, piling a social agenda on top of our colleges will not motivate any big corporations who are thinking about relocating here.

Sen. Donald McEachin said that we aren't surprised about Cuccinelli's actions, that essentially he is "living the thesis...governing by the thesis."

Sen. Louise Lucas said that we've known for a long time what Cuccinelli's legislative priorities were. So, although this is not surprising, she is "totally upset" by it. Lucas agreed with Plum that "this is going to cost us a lot of jobs."

UPDATE: Add Mark Warner to the list of Cooch condemners:

I am puzzled why the Attorney General would authorize our public colleges and universities to discriminate.

A decision on whether to hire, promote or offer admission should be based on whether or not the individual is qualified – period.

I believe the Attorney General’s advice will hurt the ability of our colleges and universities to attract the very best faculty, staff and students, and damage the Commonwealth’s reputation for academic excellence and diversity.

UPDATE #2: See Rich Anthony's condemnation here.

UPDATE #3: The Virginia Young Democrats weigh in as well.

In just the first two months of the McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli administration, we have gotten the message again and again that members of the LGBT community are no longer welcome in state employment,” said Sean Holihan, president of the Virginia Young Democrats. “Instead of playing politics with jobs, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bowling, and Ken Cuccinelli should focus on actually creating them.”

“The McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli administration have it backwards: meddling in our universities’ internal affairs hurts Virginian schools," said Lauren Gilbert, College Caucus Chair of the Virginia Young Democrats. "Allowing our colleges to hire the best talent - regardless of sexual orientation - makes our schools better. Between scaring away good professors and cutting the higher education budget, McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli are putting their personal prejudices ahead of what’s best for Virginia schools."

UPDATE #4: A few more quotes from Democratic State Senators.

Mary Margaret Whipple: "Virginia is the proud home to world class colleges and universities who can determine appropriate discrimination policies for themselves. Our schools and our state should welcome the best and brightest from all over the world without discriminating based on race, gender, sexual orientation, or any other characteristics."

Dick Saslaw: "The Attorney General’s actions are unconscionable. It's this kind of misguided behavior that can cost Virginia high-paying jobs with companies that value diversity."

John Edwards: "Attorney General Cuccinelli is turning the clock back on civil rights in Virginia. His advice to Virginia’s colleges and universities has no basis in the law."

DPVA: McDonnell Corporate Board Policy "blatantly inappropriate"

The DPVA hits McDonnell hard on this one, as well they should.

MCDONNELL ALLOWS APPOINTEES TO PUT PROFITS AHEAD OF VIRGINIANS

~Governor-elect will allow Commerce and Trade Secretary Nominee to sit on corporate boards while serving Commonwealth~

Before even taking office, Bob McDonnell has already given Virginians reason to question just whose interests will be served by his administration. McDonnell plans to let his cabinet secretaries serve corporate interests while serving the public.

"When the rubber hits the road, can Bob McDonnell ensure his nominees serve the best interests of the people of Virginia, and not the corporations that pay them," said C. Richard Cranwell, Chair of the Democratic Party of Virginia. "The only way for Virginians to be sure is for McDonnell to not allow his Secretary of Commerce and Trade to serve both."

Corporate board members are legally bound to maximize profits of their company. Cabinet nominees are expected to do the best for Virginia's citizens. When the time comes for appointees to decide which master they will serve, who will they choose?

Virginians expect their Governor to hold his cabinet appointees to a higher standard than this. They deserve to know that state government is working for them, not the bottom line of a private business or corporation. They also deserve cabinet nominees that can make tough decisions in order to serve the public.

The Roanoke Times called the practice a "blatant conflict" on today's editorial page and the Manassas News-Messenger expressed serious concerns about the arrangement. This policy has already drawn fire from independent watchdog groups and good government advocates.

"This policy is so unacceptable because, at a minimum, it allows for an appearance of impropriety, and at the worst a true conflict of interest," said Cranwell. "This practice is so blatantly inappropriate even the federal government prohibits it."

Rumors on the DPVA Chair and Other Matters

I'm hearing all kinds of rumors from Democratic sources on the Democratic Party of Virginia chair situation and other matters. With regard to the first issue, current chair Dickie Cranwell was reelected (for another 4-year term) in June, but after Virginia Democrats got crushed a couple of weeks ago, there are questions out there about "what next for the DPVA?" Here's some of what people - all "D"s - are telling me.

DPVA Chair
*Cranwell has no intention of stepping down as chair.
*Cranwell says he has no intention of stepping down, but actually would step down, as long as someone to his liking takes over the job.
*Brian Moran's interested in being chair, but only if Cranwell steps down.
*Brian Moran's not interested in being chair, because he wants to focus on his new job at the CCA (or various other possible reasons why not).
*Terry McAuliffe's not interested in the job at this time, as he's focused right now on building green energy businesses in Virginia (the latter part of this is definitely not a rumor, as he told me so himself).
*Jim Webb, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner are worried about next year and beyond, and are trying to get some strong leadership in there.
*Webb is starting to get worried about 2012, as it looks like Tom Davis - who would be a potentially super-strong opponent - is going to run against him.
*Kaine is supposedly pushing Jody Wagner for the job, but so far she hasn't taken it (if it's even available, that is).
*Another strong possibility I've heard mentioned is Del. Jennifer McClellan, a DNC member and vice chair of the DVPA.
*A few other names I've heard bandied about for chair include former LG candidate Mike Signer (not sure if he's interested), recently-defeated-for-reelection Del. Joe Bouchard (sounds like he's not interested) and Virginia Secretary of Administration Viola Baskerville (no clue if she's interested).

Governor 2013
*The Democratic names I'm hearing are, in no particular order: Terry McAuliffe, Chap Petersen and Gerry Connolly. Anyone else hearing other names? Brian Moran, perhaps?

State Senate
*Sen. Edd Houck will almost certainly take a job in the McDonnell administration, although Majority Leader Dick Saslaw is scrambling to keep him from doing so. If Houck takes the job and Democrats don't hold his 17th District seat (which is highly likely given the district's rightward lean), the Republicans will effectively take control of the State Senate.

*Houck's main motivation is to get the higher salary and "high-three" years for his pension.

*Another possible Democratic Senator who Bob McDonnell might be trying to woo is John Miller, who used to be a Republican and who will need a job after June, when his funding at CNU apparently runs out.

*Internal polling on the 37th State Senate district - which Ken Cuccinelli will vacate due to his election as Attorney General of Virginia - indicates that this is going to be a tough one for Democrats to hold, but that (supposedly) Dave Marsden was the "least weak" possibility for the seat. How good are polls like these? My guess is, not good at all.

*Dick Saslaw is the one who "chose" Marsden over other possible candidates in the 37th, like Janet Oleszek (who lost to Cooch by 101 votes in 2007) or Del. Chuck Caputo (who just lost his reelection bid).

Anyone else hearing anything interesting out there?