Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, February 11. Also check out President Obama's speech to the Illinois state legislature. Among other things, Obama talked about: "a poisonous political climate that pushes people away from participating in our public life. It turns folks off. It discourages them, makes them cynical. And when that happens, more powerful and extreme voices fill the void. When that happens, progress stalls. And that’s how we end up with only a handful of lobbyists setting the agenda. That’s how we end up with policies that are detached from what working families face every day. That’s how we end up with the well-connected who publicly demand that government stay out of their business but then whisper in its ear for special treatment."
- Fiery GOP race heads to S.C., known for nasty political brawls
- Democratic contest turns sharply into a fight for black and Hispanic voters
- Bundy patriarch arrested as Oregon occupiers say they will surrender (Lock him up for a loooong time!)
- New Hampshire voters bite back at the elites
- Warning: The dirty tricks are about to start ("In South Carolina, a viper's nest awaits, especially on the GOP side.")
- The utter ugliness of Donald Trump’s campaign should scare us all
- Jeb Bush is not dead ("At the very least, he lives to be awkward another day.")
- Congressional Black Caucus to formally endorse Clinton today
- Rubio Eyes Brokered Convention After NH Setback ("It's a worst-case scenario for Rubio and many Republican officials alike who hoped to avoid a prolonged and painful nomination fight in 2016.")
- Here's the Latest Ohio Anti-Abortion Bill On Kasich's Desk (Remember, Kasich is supposed to be the relatively "mainstream" one in this insane, extreme Republican 2016 field.)
- The climate change election: The Supreme Court just underscored the high stakes of the presidential race ("SCOTUS' decision against the Clean Power Plan highlights how massively important 2016 is for climate change policy")
- The GOP Establishment Will Not Find Salvation in South Carolina ("The only candidate who can beat Donald Trump is Ted Cruz, and vice versa. ")
- Is Donald Trump a Fascist? (" The use of ethnic stereotypes and exploitation of fear of foreigners is directly out of a fascist’s recipe book...Then, there’s a second level, which is a level of style and technique. He even looks like Mussolini in the way he sticks his lower jaw out, and also the bluster, the skill at sensing the mood of the crowd, the skillful use of media.")
- After Abandoning Moderate Views, Chris Christie Abandons Presidential Campaign (Utter disgrace.)
- Carly Fiorina was briefly a Republican primary star. Now she’s dropping out of the race. (Utter disgrace AND pathological liar AND complete failure in everything she ever touches.)
- On Virginia’s loyalty oath, who got it right: Ken Cuccinelli or Chap Petersen? (Not sure I'd go to Ken Kookinelli as a source on what's unconstitutional. Having said that, I don't think Chap Petersen's approach to party "loyalty oaths" is the way to go at all. Instead, just institute party registration.)
- Virginia moving forward on 'Clean Power Plan' (All states should, purely for economic reasons, aside from the obvious environmental benefits.)
- Town: Va. needs a safe, long-term solution for coal ash
- Editorial: Making a mess of Virginia's judiciary ("If you needed proof that the General Assembly has no business appointing judges in Virginia, the latest ruckus over a Supreme Court seat provides plenty.")
- Gun compromise legislation easily passes Virginia House
- House passes bill to bring back the electric chair as Virginia's default method of execution (No. Just no.)
- Howell, McAuliffe on Senate's aborted judge deal (McAuliffe: "I think (Lucas) had some issues with the (Senate Democratic) caucus, totally unrelated to me." Great job as always - not! - by Dick Saslaw.)
- Bipartisan deal may break roadblock over tolls on Interstate 66
- River association challenges utility's coal ash permit
- Panel tables Del. Sam Rasoul's bill to ban use of bullhooks on elephants (WTF, that should have passed unanimously! God, these people suck.)
- Senate finally passes Sturtevant's first bills
- House passes bill to allow regional construction of new Richmond coliseum
- Painfully cold and windy today but the weekend promises even colder
