Friday News: Clinton-Sanders Debate; Webb Not Running; Louise Lucas Goes Off on Dick Saslaw, Tommy Norment

by Lowell

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, February 12. Also check out the video of the PBS Democratic debate last night.

• U.S., Russia agree to a halt in Syrian civil war (Let's hope this leads to a real ceasefire, a transition government and rebuilding of that tragic, war-ravaged country!)
• Ore. wildlife refuge siege ends after dramatic negotiation (Good, now lock up the leaders for decades.)
• Clinton, Sanders spotlight their fundamental fault line (The more I watch these two, the more I'm with Hillary Clinton -- a pragmatic progressive like me. Also, Sanders is too negative for my tastes; I prefer Hillary's more positive, yet not at all rose-colored, outlook.)
• Winners and losers from the debate ("The former secretary of state had her best debate of the election, but the senator from Vermont sounded like a broken record. And Henry Kissinger didn't fare too well either.")
• Bernie Sanders needs to get serious on foriegn policy (That's a major problem with Sanders, as much as like the guy; he's simply not serious about foreign policy. And no, constantly saying, like a broken record, that you voted against the authorization of force in Iraq back in 2002, does NOT tell me much of anything about your foreign policy expertise or ideas about the world TODAY.)
• Yes, America is being changed — but by whom? ("Marco Rubio is right that American exceptionalism is being threatened. But he blames the wrong person." Rubio's a nincompoop.)
• Donald Trump is the alpha male — and he’s on the rise ("His campaign is a phenomenon, and it’s not clear what will stop it.")
• Einstein's gravitational waves found, with help from William and Mary physicist (So cool; Einsten's Theory of Relativity keeps getting more and more confirmation; absolutely amazing that a human being figure this stuff out, let alone a century ago!)
• The Top 10 Moments From the Clinton-Sanders Milwaukee Debate
• Donald Trump’s white America is revolting: New numbers show just how noxious the GOP front-runner’s coalition is ("Exit poll date proves it: Trump is the candidate of voters who resent African-Americans and immigrants")
• Marco Rubio’s Tax Plan Is a Grotesque Gift to America’s Plutocrats
• Bernie Sanders Is Trying to Distract You ("His strange Henry Kissinger detour in the PBS debate was just another diversion from his lack of a plan to confront today’s foreign policy challenges.")
• Webb won't run for president as independent
• House votes to undo McAuliffe's ban on guns in state buildings
• Editorial: Lawmakers choose their jobs over voters ("Once again, lawmakers in Richmond ensure that they choose their voters rather than the way democracy demands.")
• Sen. Louise Lucas says black lawmakers are “not listened to”
• Legislative notebook: Religious freedom bill moves in House
• General Assembly Notebook: Bill to allow state inspections of interstate gas pipelines moves forward
• Roanoke mayoral candidates share much common ground
• Gov. Terry McAuliffe calls Portsmouth sheriff-mayor car-chase "insane"
• Bus Rapid Transit studied for possible use on the Peninsula
• Virginia Beach Mayor says he is leaning toward seeking re-election
• McAuliffe to open Clinton's Richmond office Friday; Sanders office open here
• Editorial: Celebrating progress this Black History Month
• Prince William County police chief retires after 34 years in department
• Snow showers may impact the evening commute as frigid air dives in for a weekend visit

Reason #GazillionandOne Why Sen. Tommy Norment (R) and Sen. Dick Saslaw (D) Both Need to Go

There are a gazillion reasons why both Virginia State Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R) and Minority Leader Dick Saslaw (D) need to go. Actually, make that a gazillion and one.

Both are corrupt slimeballs, of course, with Norment literally in bed with a lobbyist and Saslaw arguing in crude language why ethics laws aren't even necessary! As an added "bonus," Saslaw is completely incompetent as "leader," having managed to lose control of the State Senate under his hand-drawn lines, repeatedly missing major problems in his caucus, heavily tilting the scales -- for absolutely no good reason -- against a highly-qualified Latino candidate (Jaime Areizaga-Soto in 2011), a highly-qualified Muslim-American candidate (Atif Qarni in 2015) and a highly-qualified female candidate (Emily Francis in 2015), etc, etc. Saslaw also managed to throw away hundreds of thousands of dollars on a hopeless special election in a 2:1 Cooch district, in a kamikaze mission to save Sen. Phil Puckett's seat for the Dems, after totally failing to prevent Puckett's bug-out in the first place. We could go on and on all day.

But in a way, the latest episode -- as reported this afternoon by the Washington Post (note to Post editors: note what I just did there? yep, it's called "credit" and a "link," aka "journalistic ethics") and Virginian-Pilot -- takes the cake. In short, State Sen. Louise Lucas talked to reporters at both papers and vented her frustrations with Dick Saslaw, as well as her appalling treatment by both Saslaw and (worst of all?) Tommy Norment. First, check out this excerpt from the Post article about Dick Saslaw.



Great, eh? Just one point here: both the Post and Virginian-Pilot headlines try to make this about Democrats in general treating African American lawmakers badly, when as far as I can tell, it's just Dick Saslaw (the same guy who treated Jaime Areizaga-Soto and Atif Qarni like crap; sensing a pattern here?!?).

Now, check out this unbelievable, can't-make-this-s***-up scene with Tommy Norment and Louise Lucas. It's like "stereotypes come to life" when it comes to Norment. Great job by Lucas, though, in shoving it right back in his arrogant, obnoxious face!



"Prevarication?" Cmon, tough guy Tommy, why don't you just come right out and call Louise Lucas a liar?!? But seriously, you expect us to believe someone who literally is in bed with lobbyists (yourself) over Louise Lucas? Riiiight.

BREAKING: Jim Webb NOT Running for President as an Independent Candidate

by Lowell

A wise decision, among other reasons because Webb would never have had the money to run a viable third-party race for president.

Former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb, who dropped out of the Democratic presidential race last year, ruled out an independent White House bid Thursday. 

 “We looked at the possibility of an independent candidacy. Theoretically it could be done, but it is enormously costly and time sensitive, and I don’t see the fundraising trajectory where we could make a realistic run,” Webb said during a speech to the World Affairs Council of Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas, according to his spokesperson.

By the way, I'd been guessing at this for a few weeks, as Webb had largely disappeared from view -- TV, his Facebook page, Twitter, etc. Plus, I never saw a Webb bid for president as viable, whether as a Democrat or (especially) as an independent. The combination of Webb's lack of financial resources (or willingness/ability to raise money), his lack of interest in actually campaigning, and his iconoclastic (to be charitable) political stances would have made such a run utterly doomed from the start.

Personally, what I'm hoping is that Webb now goes back to what he's best at -- writing. Or if he wants to stay involved in politics, to talk about the main themes he made the center of his 2006 U.S. Senate campaign against George Allen. In particular, I'd love to hear Webb talk during 2016 (and beyond) about the rise of income inequality (as he said, the rich getting richer, the poor getting poorer and the middle class getting squeezed) and what he thinks we should do about it! Also, if he's got a bit of spare time, he might want to sit down with climate scientists like Michael Mann and get himself a quick tutorial on why it's time for a transition off of fossil fuels and onto clean energy -- ASAP.

New Poll of Virginia: Strong Support for Medicaid Expansion, LGBT Rights; 55%-41% Favor Gun Control Over Gun Rights

New poll this morning from the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University. Note majority support in Virginia for Medicaid expansion, LGBT rights, gun control, independent redistricting, restorating of felons' rights to vote, etc. As for 2017, "Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam, who is widely regarded as the favorite for the Democrats’ nomination for governor in 2017, has a very high share of voters who don’t know enough about him to express an opinion (64%), and a low net favorability rating of +1 (12-11)." Finally, "By a 2-1 margin, self-identified Republicans, independents who lean Republican, and independents opposed the statement of party affiliation that was until last week going to be a requirement for voting in the March 1." - Lowell

Voters favor hospitals’ bid to pay for Medicaid expansion, reject ‘religious freedom’ case for denying service to gays; Gun control continues to move voters in swing-state Virginia

NEWPORT NEWS, Va. – A strong majority of Virginia voters say the General Assembly should expand Medicaid eligibility under Obamacare, and they like private hospitals’ offer to pay the state’s share of that expansion, according to poll results released today by the Wason Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University.

“The hospitals’ offer definitely made Medicaid expansion more appealing -- softening resistance among Republicans and conservatives in the survey who otherwise most strongly oppose the expansion,” said Dr. Quentin Kidd, director of the Wason Center.

“At the same time, some supporters, especially women, say they share opponents’ worry that the federal government may not put up its full share.” 

Here’s a sample of the survey results on some other issues before the current legislative session: 

• On LGBT rights, 57 percent oppose a proposal to allow businesses to refuse services to gay and lesbian couples based upon religious beliefs. “The Virginia electorate has moved dramatically on same sex marriage since voters banned it by approving the Virginia Marriage Amendment in 2006,” said Kidd.
• On gun laws, a small but significant majority (55%) say it is more important to control who can buy guns than it is to protect the right to own guns (41%). “Candidates who campaign on gun control in Virginia will depend upon key elements of the electorate showing up to vote: women, minorities, independents and voters under 45,” Kidd said. “That’s why Democrats are more eager to talk about gun control these days.”
• On redistricting, a majority (51%) backs creation of an independent commission to draw election district boundaries, but the responses show a partisan gulf, with Democrats in support and Republicans opposed. However, majorities of Republicans (53%) and Democrats (52%) agree that partisan voting data should be banned from the process of shaping legislative districts.

In addition to other issues now before the General Assembly, the survey tested voters’ opinions about several Republicans and Democrats considered prospects for the 2017 gubernatorial election. 

The Wason Center survey was based on interviews with 804 registered voters, conducted January 18-19. The margin of error overall is +/- 3.5%.

More findings on the "flip," including approval/disapproval ratings for Gov. McAuliffe, LG Ralph Northam, AG Mark Herring, etc.

Thursday News: GOP Moves on to the SC "Viper's Nest"; "Is Donald Trump a Fascist?"; Virginia Moves Ahead on Clean Power Plan

by Lowell

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

Rep. Don Beyer: Gov. McAuliffe's I-66 Proposal Changes Longstanding Understanding; "I remain dubious about additional asphalt"

by Lowell

I'm 100% with Rep. Don Beyer on this one (see his statement below); VERY dubious about additional asphalt, not pleased about forcing a road widening through Arlington County, which should be a regional model for smart growth and transit. I'm also in full agreement with Greater Greater Washington (GGW) that "McAuliffe's original tolling proposal had already been significantly compromised," so this is a worse compromise on an already less-than-ideal compromise. I further agree with GGW on this: "This new compromise is a blow to Arlington, which has long supported investments like transit, cycling, and transportation demand management as alternatives to widening I-66. It is also a blow to Virginia's moves toward a more data-driven transportation decision-making process, as the lawmakers pushing for widening ignore data saying it's not necessary." And, as GGW points out, $140 million doesn't just come from nowhere; where's that money coming out of exactly?!? On the positive side, "the majority of toll revenue will still be dedicated to transit and other multimodal improvements," but that should always be done regardless, as building more roads - and de facto encouraging more sprawl, more fossil fuel consumption, more pollution, more global warming, etc. - is exactly the wrong way to go for a whole host of reasons.

Arlington County had a longstanding agreement that I-66 would not be widened inside the Beltway. Today’s announcement by Governor McAuliffe changes that understanding, and with no public input so far.

My initial reaction is one of concern for Northern Virginians who have worked - many of them for decades - for an alternative approach to big highways. But I continue to learn details of the proposal and to listen to constituents on all sides of this issue.

Early conversations with elected officials who represent Arlington County indicate that Arlington is more open to this partial I-66 widening than in the past, and that the potential benefits from I-66 tolls will bring important transit and multi-modal benefits to the surrounding corridor. I remain dubious about additional asphalt, and await input from my Arlington and other constituents about today’s proposal.

P.S. See after the "flip" for the Coalition for Smarter Growth's - and several environmental groups - critical reaction to this deal.

Video: Virginia Del. "Sideshow Bob" Marshall Condescendingly Calls ACLU Attorney, Women's/LGBTQ Rights Lobbyist, "Miss ACLU"

The following video is from a hearing Monday in a Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee, at which legislators were (in the words of NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia) to "vote on several #antichoice bills, including a 20wk ban," and to vote on a "bill to repeal [Virginia's] mandatory ultrasound" law and other womens'-health-related measures.

According to Gail Deady, a "Women's/LGBTQ Rights lobbyist and litigation attorney" at the ACLU: Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas) "called me "Miss ACLU" at a hearing today. Upgrade from that time a judge called me "little missy" in court. #EverydaySexism." This sexist outburst by Marshall, by the way, was apparently triggered by Deady's testimony that the "medical studies" Marshall was citing weren't peer reviewed or double blind.

Sadly, this kind of garbage isn't surprising when it comes to rabid anti-choice Republicans, like Marshall. As if that wasn't bad enough, "Sideshow Bob," as I like to call this extremist freakazoid, discussed his "bid to require doctors to give women seeking an abortion medically inaccurate information," and to "force doctors to lie to [women] seeking abortion by telling them that #abortion leads to preterm birth." Clearly, as Planned Parenthood of Virginia Executive Director explained, "this...is about shaming & coercing women - not 'informing' them." Then, as Progress Virginia put it, "Del Marshall decide[d] to add a little sexism to his anti-abortion diatribe, describ[ing] attorney in opposition as 'Miss ACLU.'"

Fortunately, in the end, "Committee [did] not report or defeat Bob Marshall misinformation bill - it stay[e]d in committee." Which made the nutjob mad, apparently: "Del. Bob Marshall is getting angry. Challenges VCU physician's medical expertise: "I hope you aren't going forget med school'." Stay classy, Sideshow Bob, stay classy!

Ted Cruz Surrogate E.W. Jackson Goes on Unhinged Tirade Against "Burn-me" Sanders, aka "Karl Marx"

Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaazy!  But yeah, expect a LOT more of this in weeks and months ahead...ugh.

 

Wednesday News: RoboRubio Self Destructs in NH; "Trump Piles on the B.S."; Virginia Bathroom Bill Flushed

by Lowell 

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Wednesday, February 10. Also, check out the TV ad by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association.

• Trump, Sanders roll to victory ("Kasich takes second as other Republicans battle for third and fourth")
• Jumbled finish could keep GOP field from thinning
• Clinton loss upends Democratic contest, sets up intense race ("The win for the Vermont senator sets the stage for a combative quest for votes in states with larger minority populations.")

• John Kasich’s Second-Place Finish in New Hampshire Is a Nightmare for the GOP (Agreed, that just makes it much harder for the party to stop Trump.)
• Marco Rubio self-destructs in New Hampshire ("His robotic performance kills the momentum he had coming out of Iowa.")
• Analysis: Trump proves GOP establishment can't stop him (Certainly not if the so-called "establishment" doesn't unite around one candidate.)
• Trump’s on the rise and The Marcobot is on the fritz: Why Marco Rubio’s New Hampshire disaster could be the beginning of the end ("Every pundit's favorite Republican was supposed to be poised to become the anti-Trump. Now he's hanging by a thread")
• Donald Trump piles on the B.S.: During New Hampshire victory speech, all he does is double down on extremist nonsense ("Donald Trump was bursting with joy after his New Hamsphire win, reaching new heights of unbelievable drivel")
• Donald Trump, shock-jock candidate: The white nationalist stole his whole shtick from Michael Savage
• Rubio Just Collapsed ("The Florida senator took a drubbing in New Hampshire. Can he really be the GOP establishment’s best hope?")
• Hillary's Time to Fight ("As grim as her New Hampshire defeat was, Clinton's upcoming road looks a lot better.")
• Supreme Court Deals Blow to Obama’s Efforts to Regulate Coal Emissions (My god, this right-wing Supreme Court sucks!)
• Bill targeting 'incumbent protection act' dies in committee
• Gun-control group criticizes McAuliffe in ad
• Hospital group bankrolls ominous-sounding TV ads against regulatory bill
• Democrat bolts party to break impasse in Va. court fight but quickly reneges ("Sen. Louise Lucas says she will not back GOP pick for Supreme Court appointment after all.")
• New grants program gets some Republican push-back in Va. House ("The $40 million effort has support from McAuliffe, most GOP lawmakers and business leaders.")
• Va. Senate passes bill restricting development proffers ("Local officials in Northern Va. say legislation will hamper efforts to mitigate impacts of new development")
• Senate committee votes down restrictions on electronic cigarettes
• OPower to stay in Arlington, promises to hire another 70 over three years
• The constitutional change that could make Virginia more welcoming to charter schools (Hmmmm.)
• Schapiro: Forbes maneuver spotlights his weakness as a politician
• Poll: Forbes has early lead over Taylor in 2nd District
• Editorial: Punishing Virginians and journalists
• Legislative notebook: Bill ups minimum Virginia marriage age to 16
• Bathroom bill dies in General Laws committee (Flushed -- good riddance!)
• Gray: Rasoul is right; don't hurt elephants
• Norfolk council agrees to spend $5 million to entice Fortune 500 company
• Cold through Friday, bitter cold this weekend with below-zero wind chills

Former VA Sec. of Natural Resources Spews Propaganda for Koch-Funded, ALEC-Connected, Climate-Science-Denying, Anti-Environment Front Group

by Lowell

This past weekend, the "Republican Times-Disgrace" (aka, "Richmond Times-Dispatch") published a wildly false, anti-EPA, anti-Clean-Power-Plan screed by former Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech (R). I'm not even going to debunk all the lies, craziness and stupidity in Domenech's op-ed, because it's all been debunked a gazillion times, and I'm not going to waste my time and energy with this trash.

More interestingly, IMHO, is that the Republican Times-Disgrace simply listed Domenech as working for something called the "Texas Public Policy Foundation," without disclosing to readers what that "Policy Foundation" actually is and who it's funded by. That, in and of itself, is wildly unethical for a newspaper to do, but sadly, I'm not even surprised at this point.

Fortunately, the amazing resource SourceWatch - which tracks/investigates corporate PR, front groups, etc. - has a detailed page on this group. Here are some highlights...ok, lowlights about these slimeballs.

• TPPF belongs to the far-right-wing "State Policy Network." According to SourceWatch: