Join us on the bus to Richmond, Thurs. Mar. 6

AMERICANS FOR PROSPERITY DAY AT THE CAPITOL

Thursday March 6

Bring your best friends and join your fellow fiscal conservatives for a day in Richmond at the General Assembly. Meet with Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, Paul Harris, Del. Ben Cline and other state officials of AFP and our member legislators.

Free bus transportation and lunch is included, as well as tours of the newly remodeled Capitol and passes for the House and Senate galleries. Don't miss this great opportunity to take our message of lower taxes and spending right to our lawmakers - while they are debating the budget!!

Just climb on the bus at the following locations and leave the driving to us!!!

ROANOKE -- 5:45am (bus departs at 6am) from Exit 150B (Troutville exit) Park and Ride

LEXINGTON -- 6:45am (bus departs at 7:00am) from WalMart Shopping Center parking lot on Rt. 11

WAYNESBORO -- 7:45(bus departs at 8:00am) Exit 94 off of 64 in the new Target/PetSmart shopping center (used to be the old outlet mall).

CHARLOTTESVILLE -- 8:45am (bus departs at 9:00am) Exit 124 off 64 in the Giant Shopping Center on Pantop Mountain

Space on the bus is limited so to reserve your seat, or for further info, reply via email or call:

Trixie Averill

gopgirl2@aol.com
540-890-6519

Americans for Prosperity Foundation (AFP) is the nation's premier grassroots organization committed to advancing every individual's right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP believes reducing the size and scope of government is the best safeguard to ensuring individual productivity and prosperity for all Americans. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth, and returning government to its constitutional limits. AFP Website

Why we have an illegal immigration problem

R.I.P. William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008)

William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008)

Kathryn Jean Lopez

I’m devastated to report that our dear friend, mentor, leader, and founder William F. Buckley Jr., died this morning in his study in Stamford, Connecticut. He died while at work; if he had been given a choice on how to depart this world, I suspect that would have been exactly it. At home, still devoted to the war of ideas. As you might expect, we’ll have much more to say here and in NR in the coming days and weeks and months. For now: Thank you, Bill. God bless you, now with your dear Pat. Our deepest condolences to Christopher and the rest of the Buckley family. And our fervent prayer that we continue to do WFB’s life’s work justice.

National Review

Top Psychiatrist Concludes Liberals are Clinically Nuts

(Folks, we've really known this all along...now here is scientific proof.....)

Top Psychiatrist Concludes Liberals are Clinically Nuts

Eminent psychiatrist makes case ideology is mental disorder

Posted: February 15, 2008© 2008 WorldNetDaily

WASHINGTON  Just when liberals thought it was safe to start identifying themselves as such, an acclaimed, veteran psychiatrist is making the case that the ideology motivating them is actually a mental disorder.

"Based on strikingly irrational beliefs and emotions, modern liberals relentlessly undermine the most important principles on which our freedoms were founded," says Dr. Lyle Rossiter, author of the new book, "The Liberal Mind: The Psychological Causes of Political Madness."

"Like spoiled, angry children, they rebel against the normal responsibilities of adulthood and demand that a parental government meet their needs from cradle to grave."While political activists on the other side of the spectrum have made similar observations, Rossiter boasts professional credentials and a life virtually free of activism and links to "the vast right-wing conspiracy."For more than 35 years he has diagnosed and treated more than 1,500 patients as a board-certified clinical psychiatrist and examined more than 2,700 civil and criminal cases as a board-certified forensic psychiatrist. He received his medical and psychiatric training at the University of Chicago.

Rossiter says the kind of liberalism being displayed by the two major candidates for the Democratic Party presidential nomination can only be understood as a psychological disorder."A social scientist who understands human nature will not dismiss the vital roles of free choice, voluntary cooperation and moral integrity as liberals do," he says. "A political leader who understands human nature will not ignore individual differences in talent, drive, personal appeal and work ethic, and then try to impose economic and social equality on the population as liberals do. And a legislator who understands human nature will not create an environment of rules which over-regulates and over-taxes the nation's citizens, corrupts their character and reduces them to wards of the state as liberals do."Dr. Rossiter says the liberal agenda preys on weakness and feelings of inferiority in the population by:

• creating and reinforcing perceptions of victimization;
  
• satisfying infantile claims to entitlement, indulgence and compensation;
  
• augmenting primitive feelings of envy;
  
• rejecting the sovereignty of the individual, subordinating him to the will of the government.

"The roots of liberalism and its associated madness can be clearly identified by understanding how children develop from infancy to adulthood and how distorted development produces the irrational beliefs of the liberal mind," he says. "When the modern liberal mind whines about imaginary victims, rages against imaginary villains and seeks above all else to run the lives of persons competent to run their own lives, the neurosis of the liberal mind becomes painfully obvious."

Louis Farrakhan heaps praise on Barack Obama

Nation of Islam minister Louis Farrakhan says Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is the "hope of the entire world."

Associated Press reports that Farrakhan, addressing some 20,000 people Sunday at the annual "Saviours' Day" celebration in Chicago, never explicitly endorsed Obama but spent most of a nearly two-hour speech praising the Illinois senator. AP says Farrakhan compared Obama to Nation of Islam founder Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father. He suggested that Obama "could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."

According to the Chicago Tribune, Farrakhan spoke about the war in Iraq, the nation's economic problems, and the increase in natural disasters, saying the world was in a perilous state and Obama could help it recover. "This young man is the hope of the entire world that America will change and be a better place," he said.

The Tribune reports that Obama's people moved quickly yesterday to try to downplay the praises of Farrakhan, who has a history of controversial remarks -- particularly regarding the Jewish people. The newspaper quotes Obama spokesman, Bill Burton, who said that "Senator Obama has been clear in his objections to Minister Farrakhan's past pronouncements and has not solicited the minister's support."

Onenewsnow.com

"White people are potential humans…they haven’t evolved yet."
Philadelphia Inquirer, 3/18/00

ROANOKE VALLEY GOP LUNCHEON

ROANOKE VALLEY GOP LUNCHEON

FRIDAY MARCH 14

THE PLANTATION AT SUNNYBROOK
7342 Plantation Road

with Special Guests
ATTORNEY GENERAL BOB MCDONNELL
Senator Ralph Smith
Delegate William Fralin

Buffet lunch - pay at the front desk - $11.46 per person, including gratuity.

PROGRAM: The Attorney General and our local legislators will present a summary of the completed General Assembly session and update us on the status of both new and old laws, and how they will affect us. This is an excellent time to invite someone new to come and meet our Republican elected officials.

Please join us and bring a friend!!
PLEASE RSVP to Trixie by Wed March 12
at GOPgirl2@aol.com or 890-6519
(We really need a count for the restaurant)

The place to be and the people to be with!!

McDonnell, I.C.E. Announce Arrests of Criminal Alien Sex Offenders in Virginia

McDonnell, I.C.E. Announce Arrests of Criminal Alien Sex Offenders in Virginia

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Puts 171 Sex Offenders into Removal Proceedings

Attorney General Requested Review of Sex Offender Registry; Offers it as National Model

RICHMOND - Virginia Attorney General Bob McDonnell, joined by leaders of U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Virginia State Police, today announced a major law enforcement action to remove 171 convicted criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia. The joint action will serve as a model for other states. ICE called this "Operation Cold Play," and said it was a component of "Operation Predator," which is a multi-year effort targeted at sex offenders nationwide. Today's announcement concludes Phase I of this ongoing operation.

In 2006, Attorney General Bob McDonnell worked with the Virginia General Assembly on numerous improvements to Virginia's Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry. In addition, the Attorney General assisted in securing 45 new state trooper positions to ensure compliance with Registry regulations and investigative violations. In July of 2007, with the additional investigative resources dedicated to the Sex Offender Registry, the Attorney General requested that the Virginia State Police check the birthplace of each individual on the Virginia Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry, and share this information with ICE. The Virginia State Police compiled the list and turned it over to ICE in July of 2007. The original list consisted of 527 names.

ICE agents ran the list against two different federal databases. The process led to the following findings and action:

84 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders on the list had already left the country or been deported

135 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders were incarcerated in the Commonwealth of Virginia (state and local facilities) and are now being processed for removal from the U.S. upon completion of their incarceration

36 Convicted criminal alien sex offenders have been recently taken into federal custody through a joint action involving ICE and Virginia State Police and have been put into removal proceedings.

"This is a milestone in our effort to remove criminal illegal aliens from the Commonwealth," McDonnell said. "Using the data from our improved Sex Offender Registry, and the additional manpower of the troopers assigned to the new State Police Sex Offender Investigative Unit, we were able to get specific information to ICE and remove dangerous criminal alien sex offenders from Virginia. We have the resources in place to make significant progress in removing criminal aliens from our Commonwealth. Public safety demands that we utilize these resources."

McDonnell continued, "I trust all Virginians agree that there is no place in Virginia for criminal alien sex offenders. We must take every possible step to remove these dangerous criminals from our Commonwealth and nation. Criminal aliens threaten our citizens and our communities, and they undermine the rule of law. I thank the dedicated officers at ICE and the Virginia State Police for their important, and continuing, work on this public safety initiative. Virginia will be safer because of what we have accomplished today."

"Since the establishment of the Sex Offender Investigative Unit in 2007 and with the assistance of Virginia Probation and Parole, the Virginia State Police have made significant progress in the maintenance and enforcement of Virginia's Sex Offender Registry," said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. "Working with ICE is one more partnership the state police utilizes to enhance the safety of our communities throughout Virginia."

"Operation Cold Play is a joint effort between the Commonwealth of Virginia and ICE. This kind of team work among law enforcement agencies ensures a successful outcome," said Vincent Archibeque, Acting Field Office Director for ICE Detention and Removal. "Aliens who commit crimes like this in our communities will not get another chance to victimize our citizens. We will continue to work towards our shared goal of removing these predators from our communities.

"ICE will continue its efforts in Phase II of this initiative to include a review of the remaining convicted criminal alien sex offenders on the initial list and a review of any recent additions to the list.

Nationalities, Localities and Offenses of Recently Detained Criminal Aliens*Due to Federal Privacy Act Provisions, Names Cannot be Provided

Nationality Locality Criminal Offense

Bolivia Alexandria, VA Sexual BatteryEthiopia Alexandria, VA Rape; Failure to Register

India Alexandria, VA Use of Communications System to Contact a Minor

Peru Alexandria, VA Attempted Aggravated Sexual Battery

El Salvador Alexandria, VA Indecent Exposure; Indecent Exposure; Indecent Exposure

Honduras Alexandria, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Alexandria, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13-15Argentina Arlington, VA Rape

Laos Beaverdam, VA Rape; Assault

Mexico Blacksburg, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Burke, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Iran Burke, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Cuba Chester, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian

Honduras Clifton Forge, VASexual Battery

Honduras Culpeper, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13-15; Failure to Register

Mexico Dumfries, VA Lewd/Lascivious Acts with Child under 14

Peru Fairfax, VA Lewd/Lascivious Acts with Child; Failure to Register

Mexico Front Royal, VACommunicate with Minor for Immoral Purposes

Thailand Harrisonburg, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Scotland Lorton, VA Sexual Battery

Germany Manassas, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian; Aggravated Sexual Battery

El Salvador Manassas, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Guatemala Manassas, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13 to 15 years old

El Salvador Manassas, VA Carnal Knowledge of Child 13 to 15 years old

India Norfolk, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

Mexico Purceville, VA Taking Indecent Liberties with Children

El Salvador Richmond, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery

Cambodia Richmond, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery; Aggravated Sexual Battery, Failure to Register

Jamaica Spotsylvania, VA Sexual Battery

Haiti Stafford, VA Use of Communications to Contact a Minor

El Salvador Sterling, VA Sexual Battery

Honduras Waynesboro, VA Rape

Turkey Williamsburg, VA Use of Communication System to Contact a Minor; Attempted IndecentLiberties with Children

Guatemala Woodbridge, VA Indecent Liberties with Child by Custodian

Philippines Woodbridge, VA Sexual Abuse

Egypt Woodbridge, VA Aggravated Sexual Battery


The following was released this morning from the Office of the Attorney General:

COMMONWEALTH of VIRGINIA
Office of the Attorney General
Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell
900 East Main Street,
Richmond 23219
For Release: February 20, 2008
Contact: J. Tucker Martin or David Clementson
Email: tucker.martin@oag.state.va.us or dclementson@oag.state.va.us
Phone: 804-786-2071
Website: www.vaag.com

U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Ernestine Fobbs
Phone: 202-514-2648
Email: Ernestine.Fobbs@dhs.gov

Meet The Obamas

As the Obama juggernaut continues to press on, I thought it would be useful to continue our look at the Democrat frontrunner and the would-be first lady, Michelle Obama, as both are making headlines. First, the candidate and his record.

National Journal, a respected non-partisan political magazine, recently published its 2007 Vote Ratings. The ratings employ computer-assisted analysis to examine and rank congressional votes. And you may be surprised to know who came in as the most liberal member of the U.S. Senate. Hillary Clinton? Nope. Ted Kennedy? No. John Kerry? Wrong.

According to National Journal's rankings, which analyzed 99 key Senate votes, the most liberal senator in 2007 was Barack Obama, who took the liberal position on 65 of the 66 key votes on which he voted.

On Campaign for Working Families' Congressional Scorecard, Obama has cast only one conservative vote out of 48 key votes we have tracked since he joined the Senate in 2005. That would give him a 2% pro-family score with CWF! Hillary is only marginally better, at 5%, with four extra years of service.

The release of National Journal's scorecard was well-timed coming as Obama was comparing himself favorably to President Ronald Reagan, and as some conservatives are even praising Obama for his charm and vision. I suppose these qualities are refreshing when Obama is compared with his primary rival, Hillary Rodham Clinton!

Folks who listen to Obama speak may feel uplifted and inspired, but there is rarely anything substantive in his speeches. Obama often does not go into detail about his political views or public policy record, preferring instead to present abstract visions of unity and hope for the future. If he did go into detail, he would surely put off most Republicans, not to mention many Independents and moderate Democrats. In fact, we may see blue collar Democrats coming back to the GOP this year, as they did in 1980 and 1984.

Polls indicate Barack Obama's chances of winning the Democrat presidential nomination are on the rise, and he may well be that party's nominee this fall. It is therefore high time that voters look beyond the rhetoric and take a good look at the record of the U.S. Senate's most liberal member.

Michelle Obama And America

Michelle Obama, wife of Democrat frontrunner Barack Obama, shocked a lot of people over the weekend when she said this: "For the first time in my adult lifetime I am proud of my country." Wow! That takes my breath away. Mrs. Obama is 44 years old, so for over roughly 24 years of "adulthood," taking her at her word, she has never been proud of our nation. Is there a theme here? You may remember that last year Senator Obama said he refused to wear a flag lapel pin because it represented a "substitute for true patriotism." And what precisely is true patriotism? According to Senator Barack Hussein Obama, it is opposing the war in Iraq.

Apparently nothing America did from 1982 to 2008 caused her heart to swell with pride. Not our successful effort to defeat Soviet communism and liberate millions of people in Eastern Europe? Not our relief efforts around the world, through which we spent billions to help the downtrodden? Not anything?

When she learned with all the rest of us how her fellow citizens on United Flight 93 bravely fought back against jihadist hijackers and prevented another disaster on September 11th, did she not fill up with pride? As Americans of all races and classes rallied together in defense of our nation in the aftermath of September 11th, did her spirit not jump with love for her homeland? Apparently not.

The Obamas are living examples of the American Dream. Both Michelle Obama and her husband have Ivy League degrees. They make a joint income of over one million dollars a year. They live lives that most ordinary Americans can only dream of. Yet, Mrs. Obama, who wants to be first lady, has been unable to find the pride in America that millions of ordinary Americans feel every day.

Sadly, her attitude is not rare among leftwing American elites. We are "educating" millions of Americans to be globalists first and foremost, and we are doing precious little about educating our children to be proud and unashamed Americans.

The Obamas are flying high politically right now, but I don't believe many Americans will want to cast their votes this November for a couple so out of touch with traditional American values.

Paid for by Campaign for Working Families and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

Campaign for Working Families
2800 Shirlington Road Suite 930
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone:703-671-8800
Fax: 703-671-8899

What Does the "Stimulus" Package Mean for You?

Yesterday, President George W. Bush signed into law H.R. 5140, the so-called Recovery Rebates and Economic Stimulus for the American People Act. Better known as the economic stimulus package, this bill includes several provisions that Congress and the President claim will help jump-start our economy and head off a possible recession. So, what are the details and what does it all mean for you? Read on.

The Details:

The stimulus package totals roughly $170 billion, about $120 billion of which is comprised of rebates for low- and middle-income individuals. The remaining $50 billion is accounted for by changes to relieve some of the tax burden on businesses. It also includes an expansion of loan limits for the Federal Housing Administration and government-sponsored enterprises.

During debate about the package, your National Taxpayers Union (NTU) urged Congress to think beyond this approach. Though the individual tax rebates may not be the worst idea leaders could have come up with, they simply amount to a redistribution of dollars that have already been taxed out of the economy. The business tax provisions are beneficial but only temporary, and the loan limit increases could raise risks to taxpayers in the future.

NTU led a coalition of 25 groups across the country that told lawmakers in a recent ad, "If Congress seeks true stimulus that is economically sound, it ought to reduce tax rates and avoid bailing out the housing market. Making the lower capital gains tax rate permanent and reducing inordinately high corporate taxes would have a much more stimulative effect than any rearrangement of existing tax revenue."

What It All Means for You:

Virtually every low- and middle-income American will receive a rebate check. However, as with everything in Washington, the details differ based on your 2007 adjusted gross income (AGI), which consists of your annual salary minus certain deductions (e.g., IRA contributions, alimony payments, health insurance spending, etc.) and other adjustments. The checks should begin mailing in early May.

Those who had a 2007 AGI between $3,000 and $75,000 ($150,000 for couples) will receive a minimum of $300 ($600 for couples) and a maximum of $600 ($1,200 for couples). For those who have individual income tax burdens that fall in the middle of these ranges, their check would be issued for the actual amount of their burden (e.g., if you have a tax burden of $418, your check would be $418).

There is also a rebate of $300 for every child below the age of 17.

The story is different for those with an AGI over $75,000 ($150,000 for couples). They will receive rebate checks reduced by a 5 percent "phaseout rate" for income earned above the threshold. For example, a childless individual with an AGI of $80,000 would have his or her $600 check reduced by $250 ($5,000 over threshold x 5% = $250), for a final payment of $350.

Childless individuals making more than $87,000 ($174,000 for couples) will see their rebates completely phased out. For those with one child, the total phaseout point is $93,000 ($180,000 for couples). For those with two children, that point is $99,000/$186,000 for singles and couples, respectively.

Small-business owners with up to $800,000 in revenue can write off as much as $250,000 of equipment purchases made this year. Previous law for 2008 would have allowed a $125,000 deduction for firms with up to $500,000 in revenue.

What It All Means for the Economy:

Congress and the President avoided some mistakes with the stimulus package. For example, leaders did not include money for pork-barrel infrastructure projects, as some misguided policy makers had suggested. Yet it is not certain whether the provisions that were signed into law will work as intended. During the mid-1970s, targeted federal rebates had little to no effect on America's economic woes. However, in the 1920s, 1960s, 1980s, and earlier in this decade, solid tax-rate reductions (not included in the current package) helped to keep the economy growing. You can count on NTU to continue pushing for the meaningful government budget discipline and major tax reform Americans deserve.

National Taxpayers Union

Decision Time for Conservatives

February 12, 2008

Decision Time for Conservatives

By Oliver North

Just four hours after former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney's pragmatic decision to suspend his campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, Sen. John McCain stood before the annual Conservative Political Action Conference and asked the assembled activists to support his bid for the White House. The "maverick" acknowledged differences he has had over the years with many in the room, offered a spirited defense of his 24-year record in Congress, and made an eloquent, self-effacing appeal for conservatives to unite in the "urgent necessity of defending the values, virtues and security of free people against those who despise all that is good about us."

Reaction was swift -- and predictable. Both Sens. Clinton and Obama, locked in a slash-and-burn contest for Democratic dollars and delegates, quickly dispatched dueling news releases, each claiming dominance over the presumptive Republican nominee. Earlier in the day, Howard Dean, their party's chairman, warned that delay in choosing a standard-bearer could jeopardize Democratic hopes in November: "The idea that we can afford to have a big fight at the convention and then win the race in the next eight weeks ... is not a good scenario." Regrettably, some of my conservative friends seem unwilling or unable to grasp that the same applies to the GOP and appear disposed to squander an obvious advantage.

My "colleagues" in the so-called mainstream media gladly roll their cameras and recorders for those who assert that "McCain is not a real conservative" or who say, "I can never support him," and the ones claiming, "I just won't vote this year." It is, for me, a disheartening display because I have, as we say in the Marines, "been there -- done that."

After I won the 1994 Republican nomination for a U.S. Senate seat in Virginia, I naively assumed that all in the GOP would pull together behind my conservative candidacy. I clearly don't know much about politics. If I did, I'd be writing this from my U.S. Senate office instead of my home in Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains. But at the trade school John McCain and I attended in Annapolis, Md., they did teach me how to count. I lost by a narrow margin in a three-way race. Some of those who were with me then are among those who now say they won't support John McCain.

Worse still, since this election cycle began last year, the Democrats have raised more money than the GOP, and in the primary balloting that began last month, Democrats have turned out more voters. These numbers matter because they reflect the energy and commitment of the opposing parties in this year's presidential contest.

Neither John McCain nor anyone in his campaign asked me to write this column. But I cannot sit silently while my fellow conservatives do to John McCain what GOP "moderates" did to me. Today the stakes for our country are far higher, and the implications for the future are far greater than who sits in one of 100 U.S. Senate seats. Now our nation is at war against a vicious foe. We need a president who has proved how to win it.

During the course of the past six years, I have made a dozen protracted trips to cover U.S. soldiers, sailors, airmen, guardsmen and Marines defending us against a jihad hostile to all that we hold dear. In the dark days when Iraq's Anbar province was the bloodiest place on the planet, John McCain was one of the few in Congress brave enough to venture into that cauldron. I know because I saw him there.

During those trips, he listened to bright, brave young Americans wearing flak jackets and flight suits and became a steadfast supporter of a winning strategy for ending this long and costly conflict. But the senator's commitment goes far beyond political rhetoric. One of his sons is a student at our alma mater; the other is a Marine Corps lance corporal serving in harm's way. Thanks to John McCain's vision and resolve, a few weeks ago, my cameraman and I walked in shirt sleeves down streets in Ramadi and Fallujah, where we used to dodge bullets, IEDs and RPGs.

The election in November will determine how we proceed on the most profoundly important matter confronting our nation: the crucial outcome of an unprovoked war being waged against us by radical Islam. All other issues, as important as they are, pale in comparison to achieving victory over those who seek to destroy our very way of life.

Sen. McCain has pledged to win this war. We must do so, for the consequences of failure would be staggering. But as he has acknowledged, he cannot do that without the support of conservatives who man the phone banks, raise the funds, walk the precincts and turn out the vote on Election Day. I hope my fellow conservatives will decide as I have: We need John McCain as commander in chief.

Copyright 2008, Creators Syndicate Inc.

Update on Feb. 12 Presidential Primary election results

By now you know that John McCain beat Mike Huckabee for the Republican nomination in Virginia by 51% to 40%. In the other race, Obama trounced Mrs. Clinton by 64% to 36%.

Several of my Republican friends told me they were going to vote Democrat, most for Obama. I guess they thought the Republican race was over.

In the 6th Congressional district, Mike Huckabee beat John McCain by 56% to 36%. In Virginia, the 5th, 6th and 9th districts went for Huckabee, while the other 8 went for McCain.

By Unit:

Botetourt went Huckabee over McCain 67% to 27%
Roanoke City went Huckabee over McCain 58% to 34%
Roanoke County went Huckabee over McCain 60% to 33 %
Salem City went Huckabee over McCain 59% to 35%

Some observations:

- Obama beat Mrs. Clinton in every one of Virginia's 11 Congressional Districts, except for one....the 9th District. And their Democrat Congressman Rick Boucher has come out supporting Obama. Might make for some interesting firework between Slick Rick and his supporters.

- In Roanoke County, Mitt Romney (who dropped out) beat Ron Paul, who is still in the race by 236 to 197.

For more information on the results by district, county and city, visit the State Board of Election website.

Mike Huckabee gets great reception in Roanoke

Governor Mike Huckabee visited Roanoke, Virginia last night...the only Presidential candidate to visit Roanoke so far.

He spoke at the O. Winston Link museum, to a standing-room-only crowd that gave him an enthusiastic reception.

Accompanied by supporters Mike Farris (Home School Defense League) and Congressman Duncan Hunter, he spoke of his plans as President, which included abolishing the IRS, limited Government, support for an amendment to protect marriage and support for a Human Life amendment.

Mike Huckabee in Roanoke, VA today

Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee here in Roanoke - Monday Night!

Monday, February 11, 7 pm

Republican Presidential Candidate Mike Huckabee will be here in Roanoke this Monday night at 7 pm at the O.Winston Link Museum on Shenandoah Ave. in downtown Roanoke (across from Hotel Roanoke). Everyone is invited!!

Delegate Ben Cline Elected House Chairman of Conservative Caucas

Richmond -- Delegate Ben Cline, (R-24), announced this week that he has been elected by his colleagues in the House of Delegates to serve as House Chairman of the Joint Conservative Caucus. The Conservative Caucus is made up of self-identified conservative members of the Virginia House of Delegates and Senate. The Senate Chairman is Mark Obenshain (R-26th) of Harrisonburg.

"I am honored to be asked by my colleagues to serve as House Chairman of the Conservative Caucus," said Cline. "The Caucus has an aggressive agenda ranging from fighting for lower taxes and smaller government to advancing legislation that protects life, promotes family, and defends our constitutional rights. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the House and Senate to advance a positive conservative agenda for the Commonwealth."

In his first new act as Chairman, Delegate Cline along with Senator Obenshain unveiled a new website for the caucus, VA Conservative Caucus. The website will serve as a resource for Caucus members and help inform the public about the work of conservatives in the General Assembly during the 2008 Session. The Conservative Caucus 2008 legislative priorities include, but are not limited to, balancing the state budget without increasing taxes, adopting sound fiscal policies that encourage job creation and foster economic growth, defending the right to life and the sanctity of marriage, and upholding the original intent of the Constitution regarding private property rights and second amendment rights.

"There are many critical issues that the Assembly will confront during the 2008 Session, and conservatives must work together to ensure successful enactment of our agenda," said Obenshain. "I am looking forward to working with Delegate Cline and other conservative members, organizations and individuals from across the Commonwealth on behalf of our agenda this Session."

The immediate past House Chairman, Sam Nixon, stepped down when he assumed the Chairmanship of the House Republican Caucus. Delegate Cline was elected to the House of Delegates in 2002. He represents Rockbridge County, portions of Amherst and Augusta Counties, and the Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington. Cline is a member of the House Finance Committee, the Commerce Committee, the Courts of Justice Committee, and the Militia, Police, and Public Safety Committee.

Since his election in 2002, Cline has authored several conservative pieces of legislation that have been enacted into law. These laws include stronger penalties for multiple DUI convictions (HB 1204 from 04 Session), improved privatization of state services (HB 2557 05), establishment of the Back-to-School sales tax holiday (HB 1125 06), a prohibition on the sale of state lottery tickets on the Internet (HB 1129 06), increased penalties for identity theft (HB 1141 06), stronger concealed handgun laws (HB 1577 06), increased penalties for elder abuse (HB 2459 07), and lower taxes for low-income Virginians (HB 3022 07). Delegate Cline has an A+ rating from the NRA and 100 percent rating from the Family Foundation.

Virginia Presidential Primary, Tues. Feb. 12

VIRGINIA PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY

When: Tuesday Feb. 12, polls open from 6 am - 7 PM

Where: Your normal polling place (where you vote each November)

Type: OPEN Primary, Virginia has no registration by party, so ANY registered voter can vote in EITHER the Republican or Democrat primary (but not both). Contrary to an earlier announcement, you will NOT be asked to sign a "loyalty pledge" to vote in the Republican Primary.

The winner of Virginia's Republican Presidential primary will receive all of Virginia's 63 Delegate votes on the first ballot at the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis in Sept. If more than one ballot is necessary, Virginia delegates can vote as they like.

Ballot: For the Republican Party, there are 4 candidates on the Virginia ballot that are still in the race

Congressman Ron Paul
703-248-9115
www.ronpaul2008.com

Senator John McCain
866-775-2008
www.johnmccain.com

Gov Mike Huckabee
501-324-2008
www.mikehuckabee.com

Gov. Mitt Romney
857-288-6400
www.mittromney.com

Welcome Republicans and Conservatives

Greetings to all! This is my first post as blog administrator, so bear with me as I learn this tool. I want to use this tool to share information of interest to local Conservatives.

I have invited a few others to post to this board as authors....so hopefully you will get a little diversity of opinions here.

So, first some basics for those of you who are interested in joining the Republican Party.

First of all, there is a National Republican Party organization, known as the Republican National Committee. There is a state orginization, know as the Republican Party of Virginia. Our national, state and local parties work together but are separate groups.

Locally, we are organized into units by counties and cities. So, we have a Roanoke City Republican Party, Roanoke County Republican party (my unit), Salem City Republican Party and Botetourt County Republican Party. Each has a separate Chair and executive board.

We are all part of the Sixth Congressional district, headed by our WONDERFUL Congressman Bob Goodlatte, whom we will re-elect in November 2008!!

So if you are interested in local politics, you should join your local party, based on where you reside.

In the Roanoke area, you can reach us at P. O. Box 20923, Roanoke, VA 24018 or by calling 776-3199. Also, you can contact one of our unit chairs, below.

Thanks for visiting!!

Botetourt
Mr. Doug Gimbert
540-353-4028
psalm133@aol.com

Roanoke City
Mr. Adam Boitnott
540-797-5010
adam.boitnott@shenlife.com

Roanoke County
Mrs. Trixie Averill
540-890-6519
gopgirl2@aol.com

Salem City
Mr. Bill Bradley
540-389-1821
bbradley11@verizon.net