Roanoke Conservative

Republican Shrimpfest, Friday Aug. 13 in Vinton

2010-07-27T13:46:00.004-04:00

THE ROANOKE COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

You are invited to

21st Annual GOP SHRIMPFEST

FRIDAY AUGUST 13

6:00 P.M.

VINTON SENIOR CENTER

(Next to Vinton War Memorial)

814 E. WASHINGTON AVE. VINTON VA

Special Guests:

Governor George Allen

Congressman Bob Goodlatte

plus

many other invited guests

TICKETS: For more information call

$25.00 per person Trixie Averill 890-6519 gopgirl2@aol.com

$30.00 at the door Polly Johnson 375-6465 loqaut@aol.com

$13.00 Kids 5-12

Kids Under 5 Free

P.O. Box 20923 Roanoke, VA 24018

Authorized and paid for by the Roanoke County Republican Committee

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

Trixie Averill

Congratulations to 5th dist. Republican nominee Robert Hurt

2010-06-09T10:31:00.002-04:00

Senator Robert Hurt won the July 8 Republican Primary in the 5th Congressional district of Virginia.

He will need our help to beat liberal Democrat Tom Perriello. Despite Perriello being wrong on the issues, the Democrats are giving him big money to try to keep Nancy Pelosi as head of the US Congress.

I encourage you to visit Senator Hurt's website, sign up for his email alerts and donate money!

http://www.roberthurtforcongress.com/

RPV Chairman Pat Mullins issued the following statement:

"I want to offer my heartfelt congratulations to Senator Robert Hurt for winning the Republican nomination in Virginia’s 5^th Congressional District. I know that Robert will be an excellent Congressman, and will represent the 5th District well in the coming years," Mullins said. "But I also want to thank the other six candidates for their efforts."

"There were times when Virginia Republicans didn't have a very deep bench to work from — sometimes it wasn't a bench, it was a stool," Mullins joked. "But that's certainly not the case in the 5th District. When faced with disastrous leadership in Washington, D.C. and a Congressman who has blatantly voted against the will of the people time and time again, an unprecedented number of candidates answered the call to public service. To all of them, I offer my sincerest thanks."

"Any one of these men and women would have been better for the 5th District than Tom Perriello," Mullins said. "From his first day in office, Perriello has shown himself to be inseparable from Nancy Pelosi and her liberal agenda. Whether it was Obama's red-ink soaked budget, cap and trade, the GM bailout or the $1 trillion 'stimulus' we've borrowed from China and our grandchildren, Perriello has been there every step of the way, digging the hole deeper with every vote. He voted not once, but twice for the federal takeover of our healthcare system despite overwhelming opposition to it in his district."

"Now, the voters have spoken, and Republicans all across the 5^th District will stand united behind Robert Hurt as he moves on to November, when we will finally pink slip Tom Perriello," he said. “The Republican Party of Virginia is looking forward to being a partner with Robert Hurt in the months ahead, pink slipping Perriello, and replacing Nancy Pelosi as Speaker.”

Congratulations to Trixie and Morgan

2010-05-22T17:41:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to Trixie Averill, new chairman of the 6th Dist Republican Party...elected in Lynchburg by a vote of 871 to 326 (weighted votes).

Also a big congratulations to Morgan Griffith, our new 9th district Republican nominee for the US Congress. Morgan was elected today in Ft. Chiswell, VA at the 9th district Convention.

Morgan needs our support and help to beat Slick Rick Boucher!!

Visit Morgan's Website to register for email updates!

http://morgangriffithforcongress.com/

Local Republican Units elect new Committee Chairs

2010-04-25T20:08:00.002-04:00

Congratulations to the committee chairs of these local Republican units:

Roanoke City: Jim Delong (new)

Roanoke County: Mike Bailey (re-elected)

Salem City: Kjersten Croke (new)

Botetourt County: Christine Broughton (new)

A big THANK YOU to outgoing chairs Adam Boitnott (Roanoke City), Greg Habeeb (Salem City) and Doug Gimbert (Botetourt County).....thank you for the hard work you have done to build our local parties!!

Roanoke County Mass Meeting Election Results

2010-04-16T09:19:00.000-04:00

Roanoke County Republican Committee Chairman Election Results

Thank you to everyone who participated in tonight's Roanoke County Republican Mass Meeting. Special thanks goes to all of the volunteers that did the tough work that allowed for an orderly mass meeting with 200+ enthusiastic Republicans!

Congrautulations to Mike Bailey who was elected Chairman of the Roanoke County Republican Committee by a 152-52 vote.

For 6th District Chairman: Trixie Averill

2010-02-05T18:11:00.003-05:00

Fellow Republicans,

Living in the Roanoke Valley, I have had the opportunity to watch both candidates for 6th district chair. Both have chaired local units here and both candidates are good organizers and great people.

After careful consideration, I have decided to endorse Trixie Averill for the 6th district chair.

I believe Trixie Averill is clearly the better candidate for the following reasons:

EXPERIENCE - I have admired Trixie's leadership since joining the party in 1993. Nobody has worked harder and put in more long hours up and down the Valley than her.

ENERGY - Trixie is the ultimate cheerleader for her candidates. We need that enthusiasm and positive attitude in our Chairman as well.

TIME - Trixie is retired and since her kids are grown and have left home, she can do the job of 6th district chairman full time. We need a full time chair.

A UNIFIER - This is a critical role. I believe Trixie is respected by just about all members of the district and people feel they can work with her. Trixie and I have supported different candidates in the primary before. I can say she always treats every Republican with respect and dignity. I have never seen her trash any of our candidates, even those she did not support during the primary.

Trixie is respected and liked across the state by many people. That is why the State Central Committee voted her the Vice Chairman of RPV for Western Virginia.

Greg Habeeb has served the past year as City of Salem chair. He has grown that committee admirably. I sat down with Greg earlier this week. I told him that I believe his skills and demeanor are better suited for running for public office. Greg's aggressive nature is ideal for facing a Democrat opponent. For our 6th district chair, however, we need a person who can unite us.

As a member of the 6th district committee, I have witnessed a certain amount of pain and division among our ranks recently. The most immediate job our incoming 6th district chairman will have is unifying our party. We MUST have somebody with the temperament and fair-mindedness to do that.....they must be respected by all and not approach this job with a political agenda. Our chairman must be somebody who will put the district ahead of any personal agenda or resume-building, as well.... Somebody who can work well with our elected leaders but equally well with our grassroots workers and stand up for them.

Quite frankly, being on the RPV state central committee, I would have preferred not to endorse in this race. Taking a stand is sometimes a hard thing to do when you like all the candidates. However, the 6th district chair is a very critical role right now. We must choose the right person.

I have faith and confidence that Trixie Averill is the right leader we need as 6th district chairman. I urge you to consider supporting her as well.

Important information on race for 6th dist chairman

2010-01-25T17:34:00.004-05:00

My recent note to some fellow Republicans is below.....I have endorsed nobody, yet. I want to step forward to encourage ALL who run for this important seat.....we need unity, not somebody who divides us. The 6th district committee has had our challenges lately and we must put this behind us.

I urge all candidates: The person we choose must put the needs of the district ahead of their personal agenda for future office, or resume-building.

This is a servant's position.....Check your ego at the door.

I hope we can get somebody who is a fiscal and social conservative...the full package. But this election should be about the exchange of ideas, not who is most aggressive or shouts the loudest or pressures you to support them.

To all who live in the 6th congressional district, I encourage you to participate!! The convention is May 22 in Lynchburg.

To register, you have to go to your local Republican unit (city or county) and follow their rules to sign up. Most of them have unit mass meetings in Feb. - April.

Roanoke City has a mass meeting on Feb. 17 at 6 pm, but that meeting is to nominate candidates for city council. Like the other units, their mass meeting for the 6th dist. convention will be later.

Some units will allow you to register for the May 22 convention in Lynchburg without attending the local Mass meeting. Each can set their own rules, so check it out.

The good news here: You, the registered voter has an EQUAL vote with anybody. You don' t have to be a member of your local party. You can shape the direction of the party by attending and voting! I hope you will consider doing just that.

*************************************************************************************

Dear Fellow Republican,

The 6th district chairman seat will be up for election at the May 22 6th district meeting in Lynchburg.

Fred Anderson plans to step down and has planned to announce that at our Feb. 6th dist meeting....Salem Chair Greg Habeeb has already announced he is running for that seat.

18 years in local politics has taught me one thing "KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY" and don't jump the gun.

My advice to all 6th district Republicans is to ENDORSE NOBODY, yet. The election will not be held until May 22, so there is plenty of time.

I have it on good authority that 2 other people (including a well-liked conservative) are considering running for that seat...so I recommend you wait and see who the candidates are before locking yourself into just one person.

Craig announces Roanoke City Council run

2010-01-19T12:37:00.002-05:00

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Brian Gottstein, gottstein@makeitpositive.com, 540-309-8255

Craig announces Roanoke City Council run

ROANOKE (January 19, 2010) – Retired Marine Corps colonel and long-time citizen watchdog over Roanoke City Council, Robert (Bob) Craig has announced his campaign for city council. Craig says he is concerned about the precarious position of the city’s finances after 10 years of what he considers ill-conceived spending that has compromised the ability of the city to fund its core government functions.

Craig’s concerns about Roanoke include:

· Financial responsibility – the city government does not prioritize its spending, ends up buying “nice-to-have” items (an amphitheater, civic center expansions, etc.), then has little left to fund its core functions, such as storm water drains and schools. The taxpayers should not be hit up for more taxes or face service cuts every time the budget comes up short.

· Stopping the proposed new storm water utility fees – they will further burden citizens and businesses already strapped by a tough economy. This excessive tax will kill more jobs in Roanoke than the recession, and – unlike the recession – it will return year after year to exact its toll.

· Better financial support for the school system – city schools have improved their performance and efficiency during the last few years. Yet, when the schools run efficiently and save money, the city penalizes them by counting that savings against them in the following year’s budgeting process, rather than allowing them to use that extra money to improve programs.

Craig’s entire working career has been in leadership and financial management. He commanded four artillery units in Vietnam, and spent his last 17 years on Marine Corps active duty as a financial manager, including serving as the chief financial officer of two Marine Corps bases with budgets the size of Roanoke’s.

Following his military career, Craig was a senior financial executive with the U.S. Treasury Department and an adjunct faculty member in financial management and organizational management at several colleges and universities in Hawaii, Mississippi, and Maryland.

His campaign web site is www.BobCraigforCouncil.com

Craig can be reached at rcraig06@cox.net.

Roanoke Abortion Memorial

2010-01-16T12:55:00.002-05:00

These crosses are placed on the front of Rainbow Forest Baptist Church Property facing 460, east of Roanoke.

Each cross represents one baby that was aborted in our district (over 700)

Thousands protest global warming

2010-01-06T11:42:00.001-05:00

New GM car to honor Obama's policies

2009-12-28T22:54:00.003-05:00

This is one of the newer GM cars made since the Federal Government took over GM. This model was designed to reflect Obama's clear policy directions.....

And, no, this is NOT a photoshop job...this is a real car that is actually driven on the street!

Obama Debt Star

2009-12-10T17:31:00.002-05:00

Most Americans Prefer 'Merry Christmas' To 'Happy Holidays'

2009-12-02T15:00:00.002-05:00

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Amidst all the holiday shopping craziness, most Americans at this time of year want to see holiday signs that wish them a "Merry Christmas."

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that 72% of adults prefer "Merry Christmas," while 22% like "Happy Holidays" instead.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/public_content/lifestyle/holidays/november_2009/most_americans_prefer_merry_christmas_to_happy_holidays

******************

I have to wonder...who are these 22% who don't like Christmas? Liberals? People who hate tradition?

Sarah Palin in Roanoke Today!!

2009-11-22T23:19:00.004-05:00

Sarah wowed them in Roanoke today. We got there and were greeted by a huge line of over 1000 people. Many people camped out overnight.....how many liberals would draw that kind of fan enthusiasm? The first lady in line had waited there since 8 am on Saturday morning!

When we got our 2 books signed, we were taken by Sarah's warmth and charm...and how she connects to people....amazing.

I was glad to see her youngest son Trig with her...and her mom and dad as well!

Politico.com had some great video coverage here:

http://www.politico.com/click/stories/0911/palins_roanoke_visit.html

School Choice Support Widespread in Virginia

2009-11-18T12:08:00.001-05:00

The Family Foundation today joined several other organizations in releasing a survey conducted on behalf of the Friedman Foundation showing widespread support for a variety of school choice proposals. The survey, conducted in October, shows that while Virginians support public schools, they also support education freedom and choice.

The survey results found broad support among Democrats, Republicans and Independents for tax-credit scholarship programs and school vouchers. Democrats indicate support for tax-credit scholarships (64%) and school vouchers (53%). They are more likely to favor rather than oppose these policies by +43 percentage points and +15 percentage points, respectively.

Interestingly, while the survey found that 62% of Virginians believe the public school system is “good” or “excellent,” when given the choice between sending their child to a public school or an alternative (private, charter or homeschooling) 54% said they would choose the alternative. Among parents with children currently attending a public school, 40% would keep their children there while 39% would choose an alternative. Currently, 90% of Virginia’s school children attend public schools.

Another interesting note from the survey found that younger Virginians, those just out of school or in parenting years, are more supportive of education choice than older Virginians. In other words, those closest to the public schools are less likely to want their kids to attend them.

Not surprisingly, 65% of those surveyed also drastically underestimated how much Virginia spends to educate public school children. While 28% believed the cost to be between $3001 and $6000 and 19% believed it to be less than $3000, the actual 2007 school year figure was nearly $12,000 per student. It’s no wonder that polls show Virginians support more funding for public education when two-thirds underestimate it by two or three times the actual number.

Clearly Virginians want education freedom. The issue of school choice is not a public vs. private debate, it is simply about the best opportunity for every child and parents’ rights to make that choice.

As I told our Gala audience last month, while charter schools are certainly a widely supported idea and Virginia’s charter school law needs changing, we can’t stop there. Virginia’s kids deserve the best education possible – public or private or home or charter – and they deserve it now. It’s time for the education establishment to stop being obstructionists and instead join the fight for education freedom in Virginia.

Read Our Latest Blog Posts @ www.familyfoundationblog.com

Sign Up for Our Twitter Updates @ www.twitter.com/TFFVA

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Great pictures from Roanoke 40 Days for Life event

2009-11-09T10:16:00.001-05:00

Many people recently stood for life on Peters Creed Road, outside of the Planned Parenthood Abortion Clinic.

This was part of the 40 days for life campaign locally and nationally.

Check out this great slide show from the Roanoke event, on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=znDg_x2AkfU

Thanks to all who stood for life!

http://www.40daysforlife.com/roanoke/

Cause and effect

2009-11-05T09:39:00.002-05:00

Obama 08 = McDonnell 09, Bolling 09, Cuccinelli 09, Cleaveland 09, Griffith 09, Elswick 09, Flora 09, Altizer 09, Johnson 09 and many, many others.

It's a great day to be a Virginia Republican!! Join us!!

http://www.roanokerepublicans.com/

My choices for Tuesday, Nov 3 election

2009-11-01T21:09:00.002-05:00

Fellow Virginians,

I urge you to vote this Tuesday for the following candidates:

- Bob McDonnell for Governor

- Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor

- Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General

http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/ for Governor

http://www.billbolling.com/ for Lieutenant Governor

http://www.cuccinelli.com/ for Attorney General

I have personally known these gentlemen for many years. They are each good public servants and they will make you proud to be a Virginian.

Check out the Family Foundation voter guides on these 3 statewide races at this location...compares all candidates on issues that are important to the family.

http://www.tffaction.org/images/VA_State_Final.pdf

For House of Delegates, 17th District - Bill Cleaveland

http://billcleaveland.com/

Family Foundation has published a voter guide comparing the 17th HOD candidates... http://www.tffaction.org/images/HD_17_Final.pdf

Bill has strong conservative values for this seat, replacing Republican William Fralin. His opponent, Gwen Mason, is a pro-abortion liberal on Roanoke City Council.

For House of Delegates, 8th District - Morgan Griffith

http://www.delegatemorgangriffith.com/

Morgan has been a strong leader for all of SW Virginia. His position as Majority Leader helps this area a lot. People would be nuts to support his opponent, Radford teacher Carter Turner. Turner has no experience in elected office, a poor trade for the House Majority Leader position!! Morgan scored a top rating of 100% in the Family Foundation report card, that ranks all delgates and senators on their votes that support the families of Virginia.

http://www.tffaction.org/images/Report_Card_Final.pdf

For House of Delegates, 11th District - Troy Bird

http://www.troybirdfordelegate.com/

Troy has the conservative values we need in the 11th house district. His opponent, Onzlee Ware, has a poor rating of 20 on the Family Foundation report card.

http://www.tffaction.org/images/Report_Card_Final.pdf

Local races:

Board of Supervisors, Vinton -- Mike Altizer http://www.roanokecountyva.gov/Departments/BoardOfSupervisors/BoardMembers/aMichaelWAltizer.htm

School Board, Vinton -- Jason Peters

Board of Supervisors, Hollins -- Richard Florahttp://www.roanokecountyva.gov/Departments/BoardOfSupervisors/BoardMembers/dRichardFlora.htm

Board of Supervisors, Windsor Hills -- Ed Elswick http://www.edelswick.com/

Sheriff, Roanoke City -- Octavia Johnson http://www.octaviajohnson.com/

Revenue Commissioner, Roanoke City - Douglas Walker http://douglaswalker2009.com/

Steve Shannon's Deceptive Campaign for Attorney General

2009-10-21T09:49:00.001-04:00

Steve Shannon's Deceptive Campaign for Attorney General

By NRVNews

Steve Shannon, the Democrat candidate for Attorney General, is conducting a very deceptive campaign. He is trying to convince voters he is a conservative. He is also strongly implying the job of the Attorney General is to prosecute criminals. The truth is very different.

Shannon’s record reveals he is definitely not a conservative.

He voted to put the Marriage Amendment on the ballot, then actively campaigned against it. This constitutional amendment, approved by Virginia voters, requires marriage only to be between one man and one woman – not between two men or two women. Shannon’s opponent in the Attorney General race, Ken Cuccinelli, campaigned for the Marriage Amendment.

Shannon voted against requiring public schools to involve parents in their childrens' decisions to participate in after-school activities. He would be an Attorney General who opposed commonsense parental rights.

Shannon voted against a bill that protects from discrimination a public school student’s voluntary expression of a religious viewpoint on a subject permitted by the school. This candidate for Attorney General voted against religious freedom.

Shannon supports state funding of abortions.

Shannon opposed protecting private home owners – especially those who are middle class and poor – from governmental abuse of eminent domain laws that permit local and state governments to take private property.

Ken Cuccinelli, Shannon’s Republican opponent, took the opposite positions on these issues.

Shannon’s portrayal of the Attorney General’s responsibility is false, and he knows it. It is not only or primarily the prosecution of criminals.

At the web site for the Virginia Attorney General, we read:

“The Office of the Attorney General is the Commonwealth's law firm. Its clients are the Virginia state government and the state agencies, boards and commissions that compose that government.

“The full time staff includes a chief deputy attorney general, six deputy attorneys general and about 150 assistant attorneys general, 40 additional full time lawyers appointed as special counsel to particular agencies, and 140 legal assistants, legal secretaries and other professional support staff. The Office of the Attorney General is structured very much like a private law firm, with sections devoted to legal specialties.”

Note in the previous paragraph: “The Office of the Attorney General is structured very much like a private law firm, with sections devoted to legal specialties. “ It is appropriately not structured like a prosecutor’s office.

A long list of the duties and powers of this office is posted, showing prosecution of criminals is not the only or even the major duty of the Attorney General. And prosecutions are almost always handled by staff members. Mark Earley and Bill Mims are two of Virginia’s recent, excellent Attorney Generals who had no previous experience as prosecutors.

Furthermore, the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police is not endorsing Shannon. It is endorsing Ken Cuccinelli.

Shannon is a typical liberal candidate for public office in Virginia – deceptively trying to hide the fact that he is a liberal.

BOLLING HANDILY WINS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR'S DEBATE

2009-10-20T08:36:00.001-04:00

Wagner's support for higher taxes, record of fiscal mismanagement and dishonest, negative campaign is exposed-

-Bolling clearly outlines record of accomplishment and New Ideas for a Better Virginia-

SALEM - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling handily defeated Jody Wagner in the Lieutenant Governor's debate tonight at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. The debate was sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the Virginia Bar Association, moderated by WSLS reporter Jay Warren and broadcast live on the WSLS website.

Throughout the debate, Bolling clearly outlined his record of accomplishment during his 18-years of public service and his plans to create new jobs, grow the economy, restore fiscal management to state government and provide solutions to the education, energy, transportation, public safety and health care challenges facing Virginia.

Many times appearing flustered, Wagner was repeatedly put on the defensive for her consistent and habitual support for higher taxes, including her proposal to increase of the gas tax, her record of fiscal mismanagement as Secretary of Finance, which has caused over $7B is budget shortfalls and the loss of more than 2,000 state jobs, her lack of positive ideas and plans to solve the challenges facing Virginian and her dishonest, negative personal campaign attacks on Bolling.

Throughout the debate Bolling connected Wagner to her running mate Creigh Deeds plans to raise taxes and his dishonest, negative personal attacks.

Wagner has embraced Creigh Deeds' plans to raise taxes on Virginia families and business, including higher job-killing gas taxes, even in a bad economy. Additionally, Wagner has supported every major tax increase during her eight years in state government, including increasing the sales tax by 20%, imposing higher taxes on small businesses and seniors and higher taxes on home and car sales.

When discussing their respective records, Bolling summed up the differences between himself and Wagner best when he said, "She has worked for people who have accomplished things. She has accomplished very little."

As a State Senator and Lieutenant Governor, Bolling has a long record of accomplishment. Some highlights include:

Kids First legislation to crack down on dead beat parents
Establishing the children's health insurance program in Virginia, which is currently covering over 100,000 low-income children
Expanding the Governor's Economic Opportunity Fund to make incentives available to small businesses in economically depressed regions of Virginia
Eliminating hundreds of unnecessary and redundant regulations as chairman of the Regulatory & Government Reform Task Force
Providing the first state funding to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, which is cracking down on internet sexual predators
Streamlining the regulatory process to position Virginia as the nation's leader in advancing wind and solar projects

As Lieutenant Governor, Bolling promoted numerous initiatives that focused on important health care issues. Through his Steptember program, Ending Cervical Cancer In Our Lifetime initiative, Helping Virginians Breath Easier campaign, and the Lieutenant Governor's Challenge: Your Heart Is In Your Hands program, Lieutenant Governor Bolling has helped focus public attention on important health care issues like obesity, cervical cancer, asthma and cardiovascular health.

Bolling also clearly outlined his innovative and plans to create jobs, grow the economy and restore fiscal responsibility to state government and address the education, energy, transportation, health care and public safety challenges facing Virginia.

The Manassas News & Messenger called Bolling's proposals "comprehensive and extensive plans to deal with transportation, education, public safety and more".

Earlier today, The News & Messenger joined the Arlington Sun Gazette as the second Northern Virginia newspaper to endorse Lieutenant Governor Bolling.

Bolling has also been endorsed a long list of other organizations including National Federation of Independent Business/ Virginia, Virginia Association of Realtors PAC, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation's Virginia AgPAC, Virginia Credit Union League, Associated Builders and Contractors, Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce, National Rifle Association - Political Victory Fund, Fraternal Order of Police and Police Benevolent Association.

Somehow....we all knew.....

2009-10-14T08:26:00.001-04:00

That this is where our tech support calls really go......

Roanoke Valley Realtors endorse Bill Cleaveland for Delegate

2009-10-01T09:19:00.001-04:00

RVAR Endorses Candidate

Bill Cleaveland

RVAR’s Board of Directors has endorsed Bill Cleaveland (R) for the 17th District seat and authorized a $2,500 RPAC contribution to his campaign. Personal interviews were conducted with Mr. Cleaveland and his opponent, Gwen Mason (D). Questions focused on: basing the grantor’s tax on sales price instead of assessed value; how to fund statewide infrastructure needs such as Virginia’s highways; creating a Virginia homebuyer tax credit and the Dillon Rule.

Thanks to the Interview Panel: Kathy Nunnally, Henry Scholz, Joe Sutliff, Tom Turner and Todd Wampler. More interviews will be held in October.

Realtor website

Fmr. Gov. Doug Wilder (D) Refuses To Endorse Creigh Deeds (D) For Governor

2009-09-25T11:42:00.001-04:00

This is a big development! Why would a party Democrat like Wilder refuse to endorse fellow Democrat Creigh Deeds? Both are social liberals.

What does Wilder know about Deeds that we do not??

Statement from Wilder on refusal to endorse

NEW ANTISEPTIC

2009-09-17T09:38:00.000-04:00

Sept. 22 Fundraiser for Ken Cuccinelli in Roanoke

2009-09-04T14:52:00.002-04:00

Members of the Roanoke Valley Republican Party

cordially invite you to attend a reception

Honoring

Ken Cuccinelli

Republican Candidate for Attorney General

Tuesday, September 22nd

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Individual tickets are $35 per Person and Sponsorship levels are available

Check should be made to "Cuccinelli for Attorney General"

Please mail to 101 E. Cary St., Richmond, VA 23219

RSVP to Janet Neal

Phone 804-344-8081 Email janetneal@bandfllc.com

Authorized by Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General

Congressman Goodlatte to hold 3 Heathcare Townhalls

2009-09-01T11:55:00.001-04:00

(Note: this is a chance to THANK CONGRESSMAN GOODLATTE for standing AGAINST Socialized Medicine)

I want to take the opportunity to invite you to attend one of my upcoming town hall meetings which will take place at the following locations:

Thursday, September 3^rd from 7-9 p.m. at Hidden Valley High School in Roanoke

Saturday, September 5^th from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at Turner Ashby High School in Bridgewater

Saturday, September 12^th from 2-4 p.m. at Holy Cross Regional Catholic School in Lynchburg

Additionally, last week I held the first in a series of telephone town hall meetings on health care reform. With thousands of 6^th District residents on the line, we had a very productive discussion regarding the current proposals being considered by Congress.

The majority of my constituents seemed to have the same questions and concerns that are being raised at town hall meetings across the country. As I took unscreened questions at random, I overwhelmingly heard folks express their opposition to the Democrats’ health care reform proposal. Below is a brief sample of some of the comments made by my constituents on the line…

“We are strongly opposed to the health care program proposed by the Democratic Party.”

“As a senior citizen I am really concerned about this bill going through. I am concerned about the rationing [of care] they are considering for older people.”

“I keep hearing that they are going to reduce a lot of the funds for Medicare which will definitely affect the seniors… I am very concerned about that.”

Roanoke County Rep. Shrimpfest, Sat. Aug. 29

2009-08-20T09:24:00.003-04:00

GOP SHRIMPFEST

SATURDAY, AUGUST 29

6:00 P.M.

VINTON SENIOR CENTER

(Next to Vinton War Memorial)

814 E. WASHINGTON AVE. VINTON VA

Special Guests:

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (invited)

Senator Ken Cuccinelli – Candidate for Attorney General

Former Congressman Virgil Goode

Local Elected Officials

Candidates for House of Delegates

Candidates for Board of Supervisors

TICKETS: For more information call

$20.00 per person Trixie Averill 890-6519

$25.00 at the door Polly Johnson 375-6465

$10.00 Kids 5-12

Kids Under 5 Free

P.O. Box 20923 Roanoke, VA 24018

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

Authorized and paid for by the Roanoke County Republican Committee

ROANOKE TEA PARTY ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING, Sat. Aug 15

2009-08-11T22:28:00.000-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Event Organization: Christy Bowles
E-mail: criscof@msn.com
Education/Website Coordinator: Chip Tarbutton
E-mail: purplerapture06@yahoo.com
Web site: Roanoketeaparty.com

ROANOKE TEA PARTY ANNOUNCES ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING

Roanoke, VA--August 10, 2009--On August 15, 2009, Roanoke Tea Party is holding a mass meeting at the Roanoke Civic Center in the Special Events Building at 1:00 P.M.
Event Organizer, Christy Bowles, is asking patriots from across the valley to come together to develop strategies to help counter the fiscally irresponsible and Constitutionally questionable policies espoused by Washington. Programs like Cap and Trade and Socialized Medicine violate the basic tenets of the Constitution and we must oppose these assaults on our country.

The purpose of the up-coming meeting is to gather together citizens from across the area to educate neighbors, mobilize for rallies, hold voter registration drives and other efforts to hold our elected officials accountable for their policy decisions.

Chip Tarbutton stated, "The level of frustration amongst my neighbors and friends has reached a boiling point! We bristle at the assertion that a political party funds us, or that we represent a special interest group. The Roanoke Tea Party is a non-partisan group and does not support any political party. Few of us have ever been actively involved in politics but we fear the way our nation is headed and feel obligated to act now to protect our country."

No matter your political affiliation; no matter what party you represent, we need your involvement if you agree with the core principles of The Roanoke Tea Party:

1. Rule of Constitutional Law & National Sovereignty
2. Limited Government based on 10th Amendment Federalism
3. Private Property & Free Market Economics
4. Individual Liberties

Bowles states that she is "excited about the opportunity to harness the energy and passion of local citizens to make a real impact on the political situation. This organizational meeting will be the springboard that will allow this movement to have a broader affect on local, state and federal issues.

Large group rallies in Downtown Roanoke to Oppose Socialized Medicine

2009-07-30T17:57:00.003-04:00

A large group of concerned citizens gathered in Downtown Roanoke today, to Oppose the Federal Governement takeover of our Healthcare system.

The PATIENTS FIRST bus rolled into Roanoke today at about 3 pm. Speaking to the Crowd, Ben Marchi (VA director of Americans for Prosperity) asked people to call their elected leaders, immediately from their cellphones. He then gave out phone numbers of the local electeds.

Another speaker, Dr. Lawrence Hunter of The Social Security Institute spoke against Obama's plan to ration healthcare and how it will hit our oldest citizens the hardest....and the provisions in the bill for mandatory "Death counseling" at age 65 and every 5 years after that.

Our local Senator, Ralph Smith, also addressed the crowd and spoke of his opposition to the Govt. plan.

I hope that Senators Warner and Webb, and Congressment Boucher and Perriello are listening! We the people expect them to OPPOSE this horrible plan for Federal Control of America's Healthcare system.

For more information, see http://www.joinpatientsfirst.com/

Democrat/Obama Health Plan

2009-07-29T12:19:00.001-04:00

CHART ILLUSTRATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF HOUSE DEMOCRAT HEALTH CARE PLAN
(Click Picture for full sized image)

MORE PROVISIONS (Added as I go through them):

Section 113 b-1 Page 22: Mandates an audit of all employers that self-insure to "ensure that the law does not provide incentives for small and mid-size employers to self-insure".

Section 123 Page 30: A government Health Benefits Advisory Committee will recommend what treatments and benefits are available. Once accepted and adopted by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, there is no appeal.

Section 141 & 142 Page 42: Establish a "Health Choices Commissioner" appointed by the Prresident who will establish qualified plan standards for the insured, establish a "Health INsurance Exchange", will administer "Health Insurance Credits" and determin who is eligible, will ensure compliance, conduct audits, administer penalites and remedies.

Section 152 Page 50: All healthcare services will be provided without regard to "personal characteristcs" which is not defined within the document as is understood to include immigration status.

Section 1173A a-2-D Page 58: Calls for a National Health Plan Beneficiary Identification Card for every person and the ability to determine a persons indivual financial responsibility and eligibility prior to, or at the time of service.

Section 1173A a-4-C Page 59: Requires the ability to have electronic funds tranfer from insured account to the federal government automate reconcilliation of health care payment.

Section 164 Page 65: Taxpayers will subsidize a retiree reinsurance health fund up to 10 billion dollars to assist participating employment-based plans (unions, community organizers, etc.) with the cost of providing health benefits to retirees and to eligible spouses, surviving spouses and dependents of such retirees

Section 294 b-7 Page 91: Government mandates culturally and linguistically appropriate communication and health services for all.

Section 205 a-1 Page 95-96: The Government will etsablish an outreach program to inform, educate, and enroll participants, directed at "vulnerable" populations and to be accomplished in person at "community locations", by mail, telephone, or electronically. Tailor made for ACORN and Americorps.

Section 205 C-3-3 Page 102: If you do not enroll in a "National Health Exchange Plan" and are eligible for Medicaid, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicaid. You have no choice in the matter.

Section 223 f Page 124: There will be no administrative or "judicial review" permitted for payment rates established under the National Health Care Plans.

Section 224 b Page 125: The Secretary shall design and implement the payment mechanisms and policies under this section in a manner that — (1) seeks to (B) reduce health disparities (including racial, ethnic and other disparities).

Section 312 a-4, c-2 Page 145-148: An employer MUST auto-enroll employees into a government approved plan, either the public plan or another plan, unless an employee makes an affiormative decision to opt out.

Seaction 312 b-3 Page 146-147: Employers MUST pay pro-rated healthcare contribution for part-time employees AND their families.

Section 313 b-1 Page 150: Any employer with a payroll of $400K or more, who does not offer the public option, pays an 8% tax on payroll, $350+-400K it is 6%, for over $300+-350K it is 4%, for $250+-300K it is 2%.

Roanoke Tea Party, July 4

2009-07-16T14:29:00.002-04:00

Democrats, Republicans, Independents and Libertarians all have one thing in common. They all attended that Roanoke Tea Party in Elmwood Park on July 4^thand most of them brought signs stating their opinions on various matters important to them.

This is the 2^nd Tea Party held in Roanoke, the 1^st being on tax day, April 15^thof this year. The purpose of the Tea Parties is to give everyone a voice, to let all opinions be heard, to make sure that everybody matters.

Over 1,000 people came to enjoy the sunshine, the company and the music as well as to hear speakers from all walks of life. House of Representatives Morgan Griffith said, “Today is not called dependence day. It is not about the money, it is about the right to tax with representation. Government spending is out of control and that brings about dependence, not independence for its citizens. How we spend our money is as valid today as it was on December 16, 1773.”

Jeff Bowles from the Libertarian party talked about Thomas Jefferson and how “the founder’s realized that government was necessary but dangerous so they contained it within the constitution.” Jackie Bledsoe of fairtax.org explained exactly what the Fair Tax is and how it would work in today’s environment of excessive spending and taxes. “It is a revenue neutral plan with a retail sales tax on new goods and services only”, and the country would be able to abolish the Internal Revenue Service altogether.

Bill Cleaveland, running for the 17^th House of Delegates seat stated, “Your voices are the pulse of this country. If your voice is quiet, this country will die. I am angry like you and I hope you are angry about the tax situation as it is. Make your voice heard in November.”

Ken Cuccinelli, the Republican nominee for Attorney General, got the crowd fired up when he said; “Conservatives in Northern Virginia should be under the Endangered Species Act since there are so few of us left. We need to take back our constitution and make sure this Cap & Trade bill is not passed. Even Greenpeace is against Cap & Trade and you know how liberal they are.”

After the invited speakers, the microphone was opened up to the public. Any one who chose to speak could have 5 minutes and many in attendance took advantage of the opportunity to be heard. Topics ranged from abortion, freedom, limited government, Cap & Trade, free speech, liberalism, thanking veterans and prayer.

Organizers say they plan to have another Tea Party in Roanoke this fall.

By Carla M. Bream

Class lesson on Socialism

2009-07-10T11:24:00.001-04:00

An economics professor at a local college made a statement that he had never failed a single student before,

but had once failed an entire class.

--------------------------------------------

That class had insisted that Obama's socialism worked and that no one would be poor and no one would be rich, a great equalizer.

The professor then said, "OK,

we will have an experiment in this class on Obama's plan".

All grades would be averaged and everyone would receive the same grade so no one would fail and no one would receive an A.

After the first test, the grades were averaged and everyone got a B.

The students who studied hard were upset and the students who studied little were happy.

As the second test rolled around, the students who studied little had studied even less and the ones who studied hard decided they wanted a free ride too so they studied little.

The second test average was a D!

No one was happy.

When the 3rd test rolled around, the average was an F.

The scores never increased as bickering,

blame and name-calling all resulted in hard feelings and no one would study for the benefit of anyone else.

All failed, to their great surprise, and the professor told them that socialism would also ultimately fail because when the reward is great, the effort to succeed is great but when government takes all the reward away, no one will try or want to succeed.

Could not be any simpler than that.

Upcoming Events in Roanoke

2009-07-01T11:13:00.003-04:00

Flag Raising Ceremony - Friday, July 3, 2009 @ 10:00 a.m. - 325 Elm Ave, S.E., Roanoke, VA -Come join fellow patriots, active military members and veterans, local political leaders, law enforcement and civic leaders as we celebrate the 233rd anniversary of the Independence of the United States. Email Carla Bream for more information. cmbream@cox.net

Roanoke Tea Party - Saturday, July 4, 2009 @ 5:00 p.m. - 7 pm (Music starts at 3 pm) Elmwood Park, Downtown Roanoke - Celebrate freedom, listen to music and let your voice be heard. Special guest speakers include House Majority Leader Morgan Griffith and State Senator and our next Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Click here for more information on the Roanoke Tea Party Website.

The Cow and the Ice Cream

2009-06-19T08:50:00.000-04:00

ONE OF THE BEST EXPLANATIONS
OF WHY OBAMA WON THE ELECTION

From a teacher in the Nashville area

"We are worried about "the cow"
when it is all about the "Ice Cream"

The most eye-opening civics
lesson I ever had was while teaching
third grade this year. The presidential
election was heating up and
some of the children showed an interest.
I decided we would have an
election for a class president.

We would choose our nominees.
They would make a campaign speech
and the class would vote.

To simplify the process, candidates
were nominated by other class
members. We discussed what kinds
of characteristics these students
should have. We got many nominations
and from those, Jamie and Olivia
were picked to run for the top spot.

The class had done a great
job in their selections. Both
candidates were good kids. I thought
Jamie might have an advantage because
he got lots of parental support.
I had never seen Olivia's mother.

The day arrived when they
were to make their speeches.
Jamie went first.
He had specific ideas about
how to make our class a better
place. He ended by promising to
do his very best.
Everyone applauded and
he sat down.

Now is was Olivia's turn to speak.

Her speech was concise.
She said, "If you will vote for me, I will
give you ice cream." She sat down.
The class went wild. "Yes! Yes! We
want ice cream."

She surely would say more.
She did not have to. A discussion
followed. How did she plan to
pay for the ice cream? She wasn't sure.
Would her parents buy it or would
the class pay for it. She didn't
know. The class really didn't care.
All they were thinking about was
ice cream.

Jamie was forgotten.
Olivia won by a landslide.

Every time Barack Obama opened
his mouth he offered ice cream and
52 percent of the people reacted
like nine year olds. They want
ice cream.
The other 48 percent know
they're going to have to
feed the cow and clean
up the mess."

Remember, the government cannot give anything to anyone ---
that they have not first taken away from someone else.

Congratulations to Bill Cleaveland and Ed Elswick

2009-06-11T13:17:00.003-04:00

Congratulations to Bill Cleaveland for winning the 17th House of Delegates Republican Nomination. It was a race that featured 5 good Republican candidates. Now, Bill takes on a Democrat opponent in November.

Congratulations also to Ed Elswick who won the Republican nomination for Windsor Hills Board of Supervisors.

The Democrat party filed 2 candidates very late, to challenge our Supervisor candidates....so all local candidates have Democrat opposition.

Folks, we need to get behind all our candidates, donate money and volunteer.

Our new Headquarters is a good place to start. Visit us at the corner of 419 and Ogden Rd. or call 725-1045 and ask how you can help. Right now, we need people to man the phones!!

For information on election results, see this link below.

SBE results for Roanoke area

Roanoke Republican HQ to open Monday, June 8

2009-06-04T10:45:00.004-04:00

Please Join Us for the Grand Opening of the

ROANOKE VICTORY FIELD HQ

Monday, June 8^th

6:00pm – 8:00pm

2706 Ogden Road

Roanoke, VA 24018

(Next to Tanglewood Mall and Panera Bread)

Pizza & Soft Drinks will be Served!!!!!

Good Times for All!!!

Let’s Start this Campaign off with a BANG!!!!

RSVP to Brent Perrin at 804-814-1720

or Trixie Averill at gopgirl2@aol.com

Join Republican candidates in Roanoke, Monday June 1

2009-05-31T19:13:00.000-04:00

Please join

Bob McDonnell

Bill Bolling

KEN CUCCINELLI

and RPV Chairman, Pat Mullins

For a GOP Ticket Rally

Monday, June 1^st

10:15 am

Roanoke Airport

(Landmark Private Terminal)

5202 Aviation Drive

Roanoke, VA 24012

RSVP to Brent Perrin at brentperrin@yahoo.com

or Trixie Averill at gopgirl2@aol.com

For Attorney General, Ken Cuccinelli

2009-05-26T17:01:00.003-04:00

As a long-time Republican activist, the position of Attorney General of Virginia is very important to me. We must have the best candidate in order to beat the Democrats, who will be well-funded this year.

For Attorney General, I strongly endorse KEN CUCCINELLI for the following reasons:

· Ken is the only candidate with a solid record of Conservative Votes in the Virginia Senate….anyone can claim to be a conservative, but Ken has the record to prove it

· Ken is the ONLY candidate who has won state-level office in an election, multiple times….beating Democrats in liberal Northern Virginia

· Ken has been the top champion for pro-life in Virginia, getting the endorsement of Republican National Coalition for Life

· Ken is endorsed by the NRA, GOA and VCDL-PAC as the strongest supporter of our 2^nd Amendment rights

· Ken is endorsed by conservatives I trust, like Don Huffman, Senator Fred Thompson, Governor Mike Huckabee, Senator Mark Obenshain, Delegate Brenda Pogge, RedState Blog and many others

· Only Ken has extensive experience working with VA Senators and Delegates, something the AG has to do very often, to get his legislative package passed

· Ken is part of a well-balanced ticket for the 3 population centers of Virginia….Bob McDonnell from VA Beach, Bill Bolling from Richmond and Ken Cuccinelli from Northern VA

Bottom line: Ken Cuccinelli has the best chance of beating Democrat Steve Shannon for Attorney General

VA Sales Tax Holiday - May 25-31

2009-05-26T10:22:00.001-04:00

It’s smart to get ready for hurricane and flash flooding season, which arrives June 1st. And it’s smart to save money.

You can do both by shopping for such products as batteries, food storage containers, generators, first aid kits, bottled water, radios and more between May 25 and 31. When you do, you won’t pay sales tax on many useful products that cost up to $60 or on generators costing $1,000 or less. That’s a savings of 5 percent.

A complete list of exempt items is available at www.tax.virginia.gov/salestaxholiday.

For First Time, Majority of Americans in Gallup Poll Identify as Pro-Life

2009-05-22T11:29:00.003-04:00

By Dave Andrusko

"With the first pro-choice president in eight years already making changes to the nation's policies on funding abortion overseas, expressing his support for the Freedom of Choice Act, and moving toward rescinding federal job protections for medical workers who refuse to participate in abortion procedures, Americans -- and, in particular, Republicans -- seem to be taking a step back from the pro-choice position. However, the retreat is evident among political moderates as well as conservatives.

"It is possible that, through his abortion policies, Obama has pushed the public's understanding of what it means to be "pro-choice" slightly to the left, politically. While Democrats may support that, as they generally support everything Obama is doing as president, it may be driving others in the opposite direction."
From Gallup Poll, May 15

Last Friday Gallup released the results of its latest abortion poll and revealed that, for the first time since it began asking the question, a majority of Americans self-identify as pro-life.

As reported/interpreted by Gallup's Lydia Saad, we learn that 51% of Americans describe "themselves 'pro-life' on the issue of abortion and 42% 'pro-choice.'" A year ago the numbers were virtually reversed: 50% were pro-choice and 44% pro-life. Gains were especially pronounced among Republicans. But there was majority pro-life sentiment expressed by both sexes as well as by Protestants and Catholics, according to Saad, reflecting similar strong gains.

To give some context, when Gallup first asked this question in 1995, a whopping 56% said pro-choice to only 33% who said pro-life.

Respondents were also asked which abortions they thought should be legal. Remarkably, as many Americans said they oppose all abortions (23%) as said they support all abortions (22%).

Rarely mentioned in press accounts is that of the 53% in the middle who say abortion should be "legal only under certain circumstances," more than two-thirds of them (37%) support abortion only "in a few cases."

This is the latest survey evidence that Americans are rethinking their position on abortion. (See below.) But why the dramatic shift?

In one of the great understatements of recent times, Saad writes, "It is possible that, through his abortion policies, Obama has pushed the public's understanding of what it means to be 'pro-choice' slightly to the left, politically."

Think of it this way. The Media Establishment works overtime to portray Obama as a raging moderate, a middle-of-the-roader who is no more interested in promoting abortion (or "starting a culture war") than he is bankrupting the American economy.

But people aren't stupid. Equally important, they have access to the truth from places like this, and hundreds of other blogs. They are beginning to grasp that there is total disconnect between Obama's can't-we-all-just-get-along rhetoric and his policies which can have no other result except to vastly multiply the number of abortion.

Increasingly, if this is the face of "pro-choice," Americans are taking the immortal position of the legendary film producer Samuel Goldwyn to "include me out."

So what do these results from Gallup's survey (conducted May 7-10 of 1,015 national adults, aged 18 and older) tell us? Let me address six major points.

1. The massive turnaround means pro-life self-identification surpassed 50% for the first time ever. Previously, Saad writes, "the highest percentage identifying as pro-life was 46%, in both August 2001 and May 2002."

2. As mentioned above, when given options about which abortions they believe should be legal, 23% said abortion should be illegal in all circumstances (previously 17%) as compared to 22% who said it should be legal under any circumstances (previously 28%).

This in line with a recent national survey by the Pew Research Center which "recorded an eight percentage-point decline since last August in those saying abortion should be legal in all or most cases, from 54% to 46%," Saad writes. "The percentage saying abortion should be legal in only a few or no cases increased from 41% to 44% over the same period. As a result, support for the two broad positions is now about even, sharply different from most polling on this question since 1995, when the majority has typically favored legality."

3. But the fascinating numbers are ones that rarely get teased out from the data. 53% said abortion should be "legal only under certain circumstances." But what does that really mean?

Gallup probed this 53%, asking, "Do you think abortion should be legal in most circumstances or only in a few circumstances?" It turns out that 37% said only in a few circumstances while only 16% responded in most circumstances.

This means that 60% believe that abortion should be illegal in all circumstances (23%) or legal in only a few circumstances (37%).

4. Who is changing their expressed view? According to Saad, "The percentage of Republicans (including independents who lean Republican) calling themselves 'pro-life' rose by 10 points over the past year, from 60% to 70%, while there has been essentially no change in the views of Democrats and Democratic leaners." But there are other changes that are more significant.

5. "A year ago, Gallup found more women calling themselves pro-choice than pro-life, by 50% to 43%, while men were more closely divided: 49% pro-choice, 46% pro-life," Saad write. "Now, because of heightened pro-life sentiment among both groups, women as well as men are more likely to be pro-life." Specifically, women now self-identify as pro-life 49%-44% while men self-identify 54% 35%.

6. Obama's commencement address at Notre Dame was part of his ongoing attempt to divide and conquer the Christian community. But according to Gallup, there has been a seven-point pro-life gain among Catholics (from 45% to 52%), and an eight-point gain among Protestants (from 51% to 59%). Were the figures broken down still further to analyze the opinion of very regular church attendees, the percentage of self-identified pro-lifers would be higher.

And Obama is just getting started. As explained by NRLC, "Democratic congressional leaders, who are currently in control of both houses of Congress, are working with the Obama White House behind closed doors to craft 'health care reform' bills -- legislation that Barack Obama has already pledged will incorporate expansive pro-abortion provisions." And although he made the usual "moderate"-sounding noises yesterday, Obama has set his sights on the right of physicians not to be involved in abortion in any way.

It'll take a while, but sooner rather than later, most Americans will understand that Planned Parenthood and NARAL never had a friend in the White House like Barack Obama. And as they do, the number of self-identified pro-life Americans will continue to mount.

http://www.nrlc.org/News_and_Views/May09/nv051809part2.html

Lunch With New RPV Chair - Pat Mullins (5/21/09)

2009-05-19T10:58:00.002-04:00

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE

ROANOKE COUNTY GOP LUNCHEON

THURSDAY May 21, 12 noon, The Plantation at Sunnybrook

7342 Plantation Road

Program: PAT MULLINS, RPV State Party Chairman

Come meet Pat and hear his plans to grow the party and win elections this November! Pat will be up for re-election at the May convention and wants to meet YOU!

Full Buffet lunch includes drink, tax, and tip - $13.25

Pay at the door on your way in please!

Please RSVP to gopgirl2@aol.com or call 890-6519 for a reservation

PS -- Save the date for the SHRIMP FEST - Aug 29!!

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

The National Rifle Association Endorses Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General

2009-05-16T13:42:00.003-04:00

Great News! I have received the endorsement of theNational Rifle Association for Attorney General.

As many of you know, getting the endorsement of theNRA is definitely not a given. But based on my years of proven experience defending the rights of sportsmen and hunters, the NRA has given me a rare A+ rating!!

In their letter, the NRA said:

"Your exemplary record of past service in the Virginia Senate clearly illustrates your commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen. Based upon your proven record and firm pledge to continue to serve as an advocate for Virginia's law-abiding gun owners, you have earned an A plus rating from the NRA-Political Victory Fund."

I am very pleased that the NRA has endorsed my candidacy based not only on my future commitment to the 2nd Amendment but also my proven legislative track record.

Earlier in the year I was pleased to receive the endorsement of Gun Owners of America, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, as well as the support of former Senator Fred Thompson, Governor Mike Huckabee and thousands of Virginians who have filed as delegates to the Republican convention.

Look for more updates as the endorsements and momentum keep building.

I'll see you in a few weeks at the Convention!

Sincerely,

Ken Cuccinelli II

(Note...this is not just a good rating...but the HIGHEST rating of A + and an ENDORSEMENT......) Blog Moderator

Many local legislators score well on TFFA report card

2009-05-12T12:30:00.002-04:00

The Family Foundation Action, a non-profit pro-family group in Richmond, has just released their 2008/2009 Legislative Report Card. This document ranks our state senators and delegates on how they voted, according to issues that are important to the family.

A special congratulations to our local elected leaders who scored 100%!

This includes:

- Senator Ralph Smith

- Senator Steve Newman

- Senator Mark Obenshain

- Delegate William Fralin

- Delegate Morgan Griffith

- Delegate Lacey Putney

- Delegate Charles Poindexter

- Delegate Chris Saxman

- Delegate Ben Cline

- Delegate Kathy Byron

Check out this link to view a PDF copy of the report card, or you can download or print your own.

http://www.tffaction.org/images/Report_Card_Final.pdf

Townhall Blog endorses Ken Cuccinelli for Atty. General

2009-05-08T09:17:00.002-04:00

My heart is with conservative state senator Ken Cuccinelli and I join RedState.com in endorsing this leader for the Commonwealth of Virginia. With the Virginia Republicans still rebuilding, I believe that Ken will fill the void the leadership void created when Senator George Allen lost in 2006

(Excerpted....see link below for article)

http://townhall.com/blog/g/2c1dbbe3-1220-455f-8f53-909d10084fb5

Roanoke County Republican meeting, Sat. May 16

2009-05-06T09:37:00.008-04:00

As Chairman of the Roanoke County Committee of the Republican Party, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Graham Leonard, do hereby issue this call for a Mass Meeting to be held at the Community Room at 4428 Pheasant Ridge Road, Roanoke, VA 24018 starting at 10:00 AM local time on Saturday May 16, 2009

UPCOMING EVENTS:

May 21--12 noon, GOP Luncheon at Plantation, new RPV Chairman Pat Mullins to speak

May 29 through May 30--Virginia GOP Convention in Richmond

June 4--7 p.m.Roanoke County Republican Committee Meeting (More information pending the release of the call)

June 9--Republican PrimaryPolls open 6 a.m. until 7 p.m. at your regular polling location. Republicans in House of Delegates District 17 and the Windsor Hills magisterial districts will be electing nominees in these respective districts.

June 13--4 p.m.Roanoke Valley Republican Barbecue Republicans from across the Valley will gather at Fallon Park for a great event that will include music, food, great fun, and entertainment for the children. More details will be provided as they become available.

Aug. 29-- 6 pm Annual Roanoke County Shrimpfest Fundraiser

Fred Thompson Endorses Va. Sen. Ken Cuccinelli for Va. AG

2009-04-23T12:54:00.003-04:00

Former GOP presidential candidate and United States Senator Fred Thompson announced his support this week of State Senator Ken Cuccinelli for the Republican Nomination for Attorney General of Virginia. In his endorsement, Senator Thompson said: "...one candidate stands out as the person dedicated to the First Principles on which our nation was founded. That candidate, Ken Cuccinelli, is the best choice for all citizens of Virginia to serve as the chief legal authority for the coming four years."

Thompson continued: "At a time in our nation when fundamental, Constitutional rights and protections are often ignored and twisted theories are contrived to circumvent the clear mandates of our founding documents, Virginia needs an Attorney General grounded in his faith and adherence to the core principles. Ken Cuccinelli is the person best suited to accomplish this for Virginia."

"We at FredPAC strongly endorse Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General and urge all Virginians, regardless of Party or political persuasion, who value individual liberty and constitutional government to support his campaign."

Coming off a series of fundraisers held last week by former Arkansas Govenor Mike Huckabee, the Cuccinelli for Attorney General campaign has continued to build momentum as it nears the state convention on May 30th, in Richmond.

Reacting to the endorsement, Senator Cuccinelli said "I am humbled to receive the support of such a great leader as Fred Thompson. I am proud of all the support we have received spanning the Commonwealth, from unit chairmen to precinct captains to newcomers in the political process from every part of Virginia, all this support points to a winning effort in May and November."

Getting "both" sides of the story

2009-04-22T10:28:00.003-04:00

Today's mainstream media paradigm of "getting both sides of the story"....

Roanoke Tea Party a smashing success !!

2009-04-16T18:30:00.002-04:00

Wow...we had over 500 people at the Roanoke Tea Party, held Wed. April 15 at 5 p.m. on Wiley Drive near the footbridge and the Roanoke River.

Thanks goes to organizers Sharon Nicely and Elena DeRosa for their hard work and planning to make this happen.

The speakers started a little after 5 p.m., due to problems with the bullhorn. Kudos to the young man in the red Tshirt who donated his good bullhorn for the cause. Many groups were represented there...I spoke to several independents and Libertarians.

Spending and deficits were the #1 topics among the speakers. Most were upset at the Obama Administrations’ putting our future generations in mountains of debt. One speaker told a young girl that her share of the debt is $186,000. Several spoke of taxes out of control and excessive debt.

Many in the crowd were Fair Tax supporters and the Fair Tax people held a concurrent rally at the Downtown Post Office from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., speaking with those filing their taxes at the last minute.

I hope people will take the next step and call or write Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner, asking them to REJECT the inflated Obama budget. I understand Obama’s 5 year budget will add $11 Trillion in debt to America. Obama alone will add more debt that ALL OTHER President’s before him, COMBINED!

Did you know that Obama’s stimulus bill of $1.2 Trillion is more money that the ENTIRE 1982 Federal budget??

Please join me in keeping the Tea Party spirit alive and stop the Democrats in leadership from bankrupting America!!

Sen. Mark Warner click here for his webmail form
202-224-2023 in DC

Sen. Jim Webb click here for his webmail form
540-772-4236 in Roanoke

866-507-1570 Toll free to DC

Roanoke Tea Party website

Roanoke Tea Party Facebook page

Tea Party story in the Roanoke Times

Tea Party story coverage on WSLS 10

Roanoke Tea Party, Wed April 15, 5 - 7 pm

2009-04-13T10:52:00.003-04:00

I plan to be there....will you? Time for Washington to quit piling mountains of debt on our future generations!!

Virginia House rejects $125M in Federal Cash

2009-04-09T12:08:00.004-04:00

I understand that Gov. Kaine is upset that the Virginia House REJECTED some federal stimulus cash, which would have gone to unemployment compensation.

As somebody who has recently been laid off, and thus would qualify for this cash, I have a comment to the House of Delegates.......

BRAVO! You did the right thing. Yes, I could be self-focused and want the cash...but we must look beyond the quick fix and look to what is best for Virginia.

Should Virginia become dependent on federal handouts and the corresponding strings attached? NO!

We need to work with business and lower the corporate tax rates...to attract business to Virginia and CREATE MORE JOBS. We have to take the long-term view of what is best for our country, for Virginia and for our children and grandchildren.

Burdening our future generations with millions of dollars of debt is the WRONG approach. America will soon be owned by our debtors, including the Chinese, under Obama's plan.This country was found on independence, Christian values and freedom. We cannot bow to any foreign power if we want to keep our freedom.

Obama is clearly taking us in the wrong direction, toward bankruptcy and massive debt...from which we cannot emerge.

It is time for all Americans, regardless of their party, to fight to take back our country. Fellow citizens, please get active now, while we still have time.

After he signed the Declaration of Independence, a woman asked Benjamin Franklin, "Mr. Franklin, what have you given us?" He replied "A Republic.....if you can keep it."

Friends, lets join the fight to keep it!!

Delegate Pogge endorses Ken Cuccinelli for AG

2009-04-05T20:37:00.003-04:00

The following is the text of a letter I am sending to Convention delegates in my area in support of Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General:

Dear Delegate,

As you know by now, you will have the opportunity to make history by voting to determine the Republican Party's nominees for statewide office this May in Richmond. The last few election cycles have been tough for Republicans, but it's time to fight back, and 2009 is the perfect opportunity to begin rolling up our sleeves and rolling back some of the damage that the Democrats have done in Virginia. I'm glad you've decided to get involved in this effort.

With Bob McDonnell for Governor and Bill Bolling for Lieutenant Governor, we already have a strong ticket. But we can make it even stronger by nominating State Senator Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General. Let me share a little with you about why I'm supporting Ken Cuccinelli. Ken is, first and foremost, a principled conservative. He has stood up time and time again for the values we believe in as conservatives. Ken is 100% pro-life. He was one of only two legislators to actively campaign for the marriage amendment in Northern Virginia. Senator Cuccinelli has also been a preeminent leader in the State Senate on 2nd Amendment issues, defending our constitutional rights from assaults on the Left. That's why every 2nd Amendment group in this race has endorsed Ken. And on private property rights, Ken fought to strengthen the protections in Virginia's eminent domain laws and will continue to fight to make sure those protections are written into the state constitution - where they should be.

Ken's low-tax, small government, Jeffersonian philosophy is what Virginia needs in the next four years. With our country's economic future looking more uncertain by the day, we need an Attorney General who will work to create a low-tax, business-friendly environment that will bring new, high-paying jobs to Virginia. Ken will do that. He will work to ensure that Virginia becomes a better place to live, work, and raise a family - but only with your vote on May 30th.

Ken Cuccinelli is also a proven winner. He has won three partisan races is Fairfax County. That's no easy task for a conservative Republican. In all three of his races, Ken has been outspent. But by sticking to his conservative principles and outworking his opponents, he has won each time. If Ken can win in Northern Virginia, he can win anywhere. And by winning in Northern Virginia, he will bring more votes to the rest of the Republican ticket than any other candidate for Attorney General. That's good for Republicans in Virginia.

I have been involved in the conservative movement in Virginia for over 16 years. I have not known the other candidates until this race. But I have known Ken. I've seen first hand his leadership in the General Assembly. He passionately believes in our founding principles, and is willing to stand for them, he isn't afraid to tell the truth to the voters. He isn't the "go along to get along" type. I have even heard him say that he would rather lose than to compromise his principles. We are bankrupt both morally and financially because so many of our elected officials have compromised their principles. They will say anything to get elected, run to the right and then lead to the left. Ken Cuccinelli is different. I think RedState editor Erick Erickson said it best this week when he described Ken as "a rare breed...uncompromisingly conservative."

Finally and I think most importantly, Ken is a Constitutional Attorney who believes in the rights of the individual states and in the 10th amendment of the United States Constitution that guarantees those rights. In the days ahead, we will need an Attorney General who has the backbone to stand up to the liberals in Washington and put them in remembrance of our Constitution and the limitations it contains.

Many of you know me...we have worked side by side for the principles we believe in. I don't trust very many politicians, but I do trust Ken Cuccinelli and that's because he is not a politician, he is one of us. When you go to the convention on May 29-30 in Richmond, I ask that you please join me in supporting Senator Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General. We know Ken, he has a proven record, and he is a proven leader and a proven winner. Let's help elect a slate of conservative Republican candidates that will restore the GOP back as the Grand Ole Party and back to winning on our principles!

Sincerely,

Delegate Brenda Pogge

ps I know some of you have already committed to one of the other Attorney General candidates and I would not ask you to go back on your word to them. However, if there is no clear winner on the 1st ballot, I would ask you to please consider supporting Ken on any subsequent ballots.

Roanoke Republican Lunch, this Friday, April 3

2009-03-31T18:44:00.002-04:00

PLEASE JOIN US FOR THE

ROANOKE COUNTY GOP LUNCHEON

Friday, April 3, 11:45, The Plantation at Sunnybrook
7342 Plantation Road

Program: Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, candidate for Attorney General

Full Buffet lunch includes drink, tax, and tip - $13.25
Pay at the door on your way in please!

Please RSVP to gopgirl2@aol.com or call 890-6519 for a reservation

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

Gov Kaine signs CHOOSE LIFE license bill, vetoes 2nd amendment bills

2009-03-30T19:07:00.004-04:00

Great news, Gov. Kaine signed the CHOOSE LIFE license bill that was passed by the House and Senate. A BIG Thanks to Senator Ken Cuccinelli for sponsoring that bill.

Below is more information on the bill.

Also, be aware that Gov. Kaine vetoed a LOT of 2nd amendment bills, as well. I urge you to contact your delegate and senator and ask them to OVERRIDE the Kaine Vetoes in the upcoming April session. More details below

****************************************************************************
Email from Victoria Cobb, Family Foundation:

Governor Tim Kaine today signed into law legislation that provides for the creation of a “Choose Life” license plate!

Thank you to everyone who contacted the Governor and urged his support of this bill! Thanks also to Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Fairfax) for his tremendous leadership in maneuvering this bill through the General Assembly (If you’d like to thank Senator Cuccinelli, see the action at the bottom of this alert).

Since the fall of last year, pro-life Virginians through several organizations have rallied around the Choose Life plate, acquiring pre-paid applications required by DMV to be able to get the plates created, petition signatures and grassroots support. While Senator Cuccinelli’s original bill was killed in a Senate committee, he deftly amended an omnibus license plate bill on the Senate floor with the Choose Life plate, winning by a single vote (20-19).

Proceeds from the purchase of the plates will go to support pregnancy resource centers. These facilities offer medical, spiritual and physical support to women and families in crisis pregnancy.

Despite an all out assault by Planned Parenthood, NARAL Virginia and the ACLU, the Governor chose to dismiss the fallacious arguments of opponents and signed the bill into law.

These plates serve as an opportunity for both sides of the abortion discussion to come together and find common ground. As I told the media today, while all Virginians do not share the same understanding about exactly how public policy should address matters of abortion, many share compassion for the women and men whose lives are affected by an unplanned pregnancy. We know that those individuals need emotional support and tangible needs met.

In a letter I sent to Governor Kaine earlier this month, I reminded him that the Choose Life plate will provide private sector funding, not tax dollars, to organizations that support families caught in crisis situations. These entities provide STD testing, pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, counseling, classes on career-building, decision- making, parenting and relationship-building and information regarding abortion, adoption and parenting to help women make informed decisions. All of these services are free to clients. These entities reduce the number of women who appear at the doorstep of our tax dollar-funded state and local health centers. Contrary to the allegations of opponents to these plates, many of these centers that would receive funding are in medical facilities and are regulated as such. In many cases they are more rigidly regulated than abortion centers.

ACTION: Please send an email to Senator Cuccinelli by clicking the link below and thank him for his leadership on this issue!

**Click the link below to log in and send your message:http://www.votervoice.net/link/target/vaff30813386.aspx \

********************************************************************************
Email from VCDL, Virginia's pro-2nd amendment group, regarding the veto

Time is short - you need to contact your Senator and Delegate and ask them to override all of the vetoes on gun bills this year.

As usual, we have made this super simple. Click on the links below to send a pre-written message to YOUR Senator and YOUR Delegate. The computer will figure out who your Senator and Delegate are based on your address and your Zip+4.

**The veto override session is on April 8th, so we need to get cracking on this NOW!**
To email your Senator, click here:
http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/reflector.html?REF=MySenator&PRE=09-SenOverRide
or here:
http://tinyurl.com/d3ozr9
-
To email your Delegate, click here:
http://www2.vcdl.org/cgi-bin/wspd_cgi.sh/vcdl/reflector.html?REF=MyDelegate&PRE=09-SenOverRide
or here:
http://tinyurl.com/c3hzln
-
Let's roll - we can do this!

Resources:

Family Foundation Blog

Virginia Citizens Defense League

Upcoming events

2009-03-28T15:14:00.003-04:00

Remember.....the Roanoke City Party Reagan Dinner is tonight at 6 PM at the Hotel Roanoke!

Here are some other upcoming events:

Fri. April 3 -- 11:45 am

Roanoke Valley Republicans Lunch at Plantation Restaurant -

Speaker is Senator Ken Cuccinelli, AG candidate,

RSVP to gopgirl2@aol.com

Thurs April 9 -- 7 pm

Roanoke County Republican meeting, place TBA http://www.roanokerepublicans.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Sat. May 9 -- 10 am

Roanoke County Mass meeting to elected Supervisor candidates http://www.roanokerepublicans.com/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Fri/Sat May 29/30 -- Repub Party of VA, State Convention in Richmond http://www.rpv.org/publications/page/2009-state-convention

Tues, June 9 -- Republican/Democrat Primary across VA, poll open 6 am to 7 pm

Sat. June 13 -- Roanoke Valley Republican BBQ, Details TBA

New talk show in Roanoke, with Brian Gottstein

2009-03-27T16:16:00.002-04:00

Greetings, all! I am taking my political column from the Roanoke Star Sentinel to the airwaves in a new show on WFIR AM 960 called Freedom & Prosperity Radio -- a weekly source for talk about the state and national politics that affect Virginians.

It's on Sunday nights at 8 p.m. in the former Drudge Report slot. The team and I that put the show together talk about the pork, the political moves, and the happenings at all levels of government. We also present positive, free market solutions for issues that are important to Virginians -- solutions for better schools, better roads, lower taxes, and smaller government.

Our guests include news-making politicians, those fighting against the rising burden of government, and national experts to give you insight you won’t hear anywhere else.

We started the show in mid-February, and our guests have already included Stephen Moore - senior economics editorialist for the Wall Street Journal, Del. Ben Cline, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, nationally-renowned school choice expert Adam Schaeffer, and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling. This weekend, our guest is Burton Folsom, author of the book New Deal or Raw Deal?: How FDR's Economic Legacy Has Damaged America.

We talk about how government is looking at another New Deal to solve our economic problems of today.

The show is already expanding to other markets around the state (we are on in Charlottesville, too). It's presented by Virginia’s premiere advocate for limited government, free markets, and free people, Tertium Quids. Please tune in!

Freedom & Prosperity Radio airs Sunday nights from 8:00 – 8:30 p.m. on WFIR 960 AM in Roanoke (tune in right at the top of the hour, because our show is not preempted by the news). If you miss the broadcast, you can listen to and download archives of the show at our Web site, www.FandPRadio.com.

As a final request, I would ask that you consider passing this email on to others to help us build our audience in the Roanoke Valley. And please support the show's local sponsors, because without them, we wouldn't have this outlet to get the small government message out. The sponsors are attorney David Nixon of Huffman and Nixon, Access Control Specialists, the Roanoke Star Sentinel, and TertiumQuids.org.

We are looking for two more sponsors (it's a bargain!), so if you are out there, email me, and I'll send you more information!

Thanks,

Brian Gottstein

P.S. - I'm still writing my columns for the Roanoke Star, so keep reading those, too!

Group Picture of the 17th House of Delegates candidates

2009-03-27T09:36:00.002-04:00

Just had to throw this one in........seems the candidates for the 17th HOD managed to get themselves into one phone booth. Interesting how they are all so young-looking.....and dressed like it's the 50's!!

Bedford Sheriff Mike Brown (Blue Ridge Thunder) endorses Melvin Williams for House

2009-03-20T10:31:00.002-04:00

I am writing to endorse Melvin Williams as the Republican Nominee for the 17th District House of Delegates seat that William Fralin is vacating.

I have known Melvin since his tenure as an Assistant Commonwealth Attorney with the Bedford County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office in the late 90s. In fact, Melvin worked side by side with my Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (Operation Blue Ridge Thunder) and was instrumental in perfecting a case that received national news coverage against the Chief of Staff, Office of Governor of West Virginia, in 1999. In addition, his legal expertise and assistance to the task force was instrumental in maintaining a 100% conviction rate…a statistic that still holds firm today.

Melvin is a highly principled conservative with strong Christian values that the Republican Party needs as its candidate.

Please join me in supporting this fine young man in his bid for Delegate, 17th District.

Mike

Michael J. Brown
Sheriff

1345 Falling Creek Road Bedford, Virginia 24523 Telephone: 1.540.586.4800 Fax: 1.540.586.9100

Board of Directors, National Sheriffs’ Association
Board of Directors, National White Collar Crime Center
Board of Advisors, Law Enforcement Innovation Center, University of Tennessee

RedState Endorses Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General

2009-03-17T15:13:00.002-04:00

RedState Endorses Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General

Posted by Erick Erickson (Profile)

Monday, March 16th at 10:30AM EDT 7 Comments

You might not realize it, but this is an election year in Virginia and New Jersey. We are particularly focused on Virginia this year, both within the Republican Party apparatus and its candidates for office.

There are three men running as Republicans for Attorney General of Virginia. Only one fits our billing — conservative, pro-life, and able to win. That man is Ken Cuccinelli.

Cuccinelli is a rare breed. He is uncompromisingly conservative. He is ardently pro-life. And he represents liberal Northern Virginia in the Virginia legislature. In fact, Cuccinelli is the last of the conservatives to represent Northern Virginia in the legislature. In the last several election cycles, it looked like Cuccinelli was toast, running against more moderate and liberal Democrats. But each time, Cuccinelli came from behind to win a district whose demographics are to the left of him. And he has never once compromised his conservative principles to represent his district.
Ken Cuccinelli plays retail politics well. He’s great on the stump and he’s great one on one. He gets the grassroots. He knows the pulse of the grassroots. He knows his district. He knows his voters. More importantly, they know him.

He is an attorney by training. In the Virginia Senate, he serves on the influential Senate Courts of Justice Committee. While most people think an Attorney General deals primarily with criminal matters, in fact the Attorney General deals with business, property, governmental, and other legal matters more often — those are right up Ken’s alley. Ken’s bar admissions include the Patent Bar, Virginia State Bar, Eastern District of Virginia, Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit Court of Appeals, Court of International Trade, Court of Veteran Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Ken Cuccinelli is the perfect candidate for RedStaters across the nation to rally behind. He is pro-life, he is conservative, he wins in areas most people assume conservatives cannot win, and he is totally qualified for the position.

Please join us in supporting Ken Cuccinelli for Virginia Attorney General. More importantly, let’s help him beat the liberal GOP that has caused so many problems for the Virginia GOP. You can donate to him here.

Friends, there are not a lot of elections this year. There are not a lot of people needing a lot of money this year. Ken does need our help. And if you sit on the sidelines and don’t help Ken, you cede your right to complain about conservatives not making inroads — particularly in states like Virginia that are trending blue. We won’t take back Congress if we can’t build up an army of conservative leaders state by state.

Support Ken Cuccinelli.

Redstate.com Conservative Blog

Altizer announces bid for re-election

2009-03-16T15:56:00.002-04:00

Roanoke County will have at least one contested race for the board of supervisors in the fall.
Mike Altizer, the seven-year Republican supervisor from the Vinton District, announced on Friday his bid for re-election.

"You won't hear me say I'm 'a man of the people,' " he told a room filled with more than 100 supporters. "You'll hear me say that I'm always going to do the right thing."

Altizer has already purchased lawn signs and handbills touting his intentions. Among his accomplishments, he listed starting dialogue on a regional jail, which was opened earlier this month, and opening a police academy in the county.

"We didn't have to send deputies for the jail to train in Martinsville, or Pulaski or Montgomery County," he said. "And we saved thousands and thousands of dollars by training them here."
U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-Roanoke County, told people in the room that the district needs a "common sense conservative."

"We don't need any kind of change here in the Vinton Magisterial District," he said. "We have a great man running right here."

Altizer was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in 2002, and ran unopposed in the next two

elections.

He will face a challenger. Patrick Patterson, director of guidance at William Byrd High School, announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination last fall.

Altizer, who is a retired district manager of Monroe Muffler Brake and Service, on Friday emphasized that his part-time job of supervisor had become a full-time ordeal for him as he traveled to Richmond to lobby for the regional jail.

Regarding Altizer, Patterson told The Roanoke Times in November:
"I'm not running against Mike Altizer. I'm running for the residents of Vinton, Bonsack, Mount Pleasant and all of east Roanoke County."

Up for election in November are three seats on the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors: Altizer's seat, and those held by Vice Chairman Joe McNamara, of Windsor Hills, and Richard Flora, of the Hollins District.

Roanoke Times story

Josh Johnson announces for Republican, 17th House district

2009-03-16T15:53:00.002-04:00

WSLS News Staffnews@wsls.com

Published: March 18, 2009

5:30 p.m.

Josh Johnson made it official Wednesday morning. He’s now in the running for the Republican nomination for the 17th District House seat, hoping to succeed Delegate Will Fralin (R). Fralin is stepping down to handle more business responsibilities.

10 On Your Side was the first to report Johnson would run last week.

Johnson chose the Roanoke Regional Airport to make his formal campaign announcement, calling it a symbol of the regional solutions he hopes to bring to the 17th District.

“We need to focus on having a sound economic infrastructure and of course a part of that is going be transportation and education and we also have to have an environment where we support jobs where we also work regionally, this is a regional seat,“ Johnson said.

WSLS TV 10 story

Melvin Williams announces for Republican, 17th House

2009-03-11T09:22:00.004-04:00

From ROANOKE TIMES STORY

Melvin Williams, a Roanoke lawyer, declared from the doors of his Elm Avenue law office that he would seek the Republican nomination in the June 9 primary.

Williams, in brief remarks, painted himself as a business-friendly conservative who emphasized family values and a minimal role for government.

Monday's announcement marks his debut in politics.

Williams, 36, is a litigator with the firm Grimes and Williams, and served as assistant commonwealth's attorney in Bedford County for three years. He has pastored at several churches and serves on the board of Local Colors.

Williams is the first Republican to declare his intentions for the seat, while several other Republicans are rumored to be interested, including former Roanoke County Supervisor Mike Wray.

The 17th District seat is currently held by Republican William Fralin of Roanoke, who said at the end of February that he was leaving office. Fralin's surprise announcement set off an immediate surge of interest in his seat, which included several Democratic members of the Roanoke City Council.

Melvin Williams' website

Sen. Mark Obenshain endorses Ken Cuccinelli for AG

2009-03-08T20:42:00.003-04:00

My Endorsement
February 27, 2009

As we approach the end of the General Assembly Session, it is now time to turn our attention to the races for statewide office and for the House of Delegates. While we must elect Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling as Governor and Lt. Governor, it is also critical that we elect another Republican as Attorney General.

Today I am writing to ask you to support Ken Cuccinelli's campaign for Attorney General by becoming a delegate for Ken to the Republican Convention on May 30th in Richmond. Please set that date aside on your calendar.

I have endorsed Ken in his race for Attorney General because he is the right candidate – at the right time – for Virginia and our Republican Party.

Ken is my colleague, seatmate and friend in the Virginia Senate. He is a true conservative leader who never fails to support a just cause that needs his help.

While others talk about their beliefs, Ken Cuccinelli is the only candidate with an actual record of actually voting and fighting for our shared conservative values. Ken has been a Senate leader on issues of Public Safety, Life and Family, Taxes and Smaller Government, The Second Amendment and Property Rights. No one is better suited to tackling the issues which face the Attorney General's office than Ken.

After our stinging defeat in November, many of us believe that it is more important than ever that we nominate proven conservatives to carry our party's banner.

Ken Cuccinelli has the record, the background, and the experience to make an ideal Attorney General for our Commonwealth – but he needs your help.

Please sign up today to become a delegate for Ken. Just get one of the filing forms and return it to Ken's campaign and you'll be set to attend the convention! The filing deadlines are all coming up fast; some have already passed. To learn more about Ken or to find other ways you can help, visit his website at www.cuccinelli.com.

The filing forms for all of the local GOP units will be available at the RPV website at www.rpv.org, so please check back often or just let Ken's campaign know if you're willing to attend the convention to nominate Ken. Remember, there isn't a moment to lose. Please download your form right now!

Also, please contact Ken's campaign today about getting involved. He has a long history of running grassroots campaigns, and that takes people like you to succeed!
If you have any questions about Ken's values or how to sign up to be a delegate, contact Noah Wall on Ken's campaign at (703) 766-0635 or via email at noah@cuccinelli.com.

Mark Obenshain
Virginia State Senator

P.S. Please go to www.cuccinelli.com to learn more about Ken today. Please fill out a delegate filing form today and sign up to be a delegate for State Senator Ken Cuccinelli's bid for Attorney General. I'll see you at the convention!

VCDL endorses Cuccinelli for Atty. General

2009-03-04T14:41:00.002-05:00

The Republican Party is holding a Convention on May 29-30, 2009, toselect candidates to run for Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General inthe General Election.VCDL-PAC is endorsing a candidate for each of these positions at theRepublican Convention:

LT. GOVERNOR: William T. "Bill" Bolling. This endorsement is based onthe excellent record Lt Governor Bolling established representing theinterests of Virginia gun owners during his career in the VirginiaGeneral Assembly, as well as his forthright and unequivocal 100% pro-gunanswers to the VCDL Candidate Survey. The Bolling campaign website is:http://www.billbolling.com

ATTORNEY GENERAL: Kenneth T. "Ken" Cuccinelli, II. Despite being fromNorthern Virginia, Senator Cuccinelli has been among the stalwartleaders in protecting the 2nd Amendment in the Virginia State Senateyear after year –- even when he is viciously attacked for such stands inhis home district. In addition, he has answered the VCDL candidatesurvey strongly pro-gun. Senator Cuccinelli has supported us in verytough circumstances, now here’s your chance to return the favor. TheCuccinelli campaign website is: http://www.cuccinelli.com

This Convention provides supporters of the Right to Keep and Bear Arms(RKBA) in Virginia the opportunity to select progun candidates for theRepublican Party. Fewer than 5,000 activists will decide thenominations, so those who care about the issues will make all thedifference.I highly encourage you to register as a Delegate at the RepublicanConvention to ensure that the RKBA is strongly represented.
A link tothe Convention filing deadlines and forms is:http://www.cuccinelli.com/meetings.htm

Contact your family, friends, and fellow 2nd Amendment activists and getthem to sign up to attend the Convention TODAY.

Sincerely,Kenneth M. Elliott, Jr.

Chairman, VCDL-PAC---------------------------------------------------Authorized by the Chairman, VCDL-PAC, VA 01-042NOT authorized by any candidate or political party----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------***************************************************************************VA-ALERT is a project of the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc.(VCDL). VCDL is an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organizationdedicated to defending the human rights of all Virginians. The Right toKeep and Bear Arms is a fundamental human right. VCDL web page: http://www.vcdl.org

Attorney General debate in Roanoke, Tues. Feb. 17

2009-02-13T12:04:00.001-05:00

Attorney General Candidate Forum

YOU are cordially invited to attend the Attorney General Candidate Forum with

- Sen. Ken Cuccinelli
- former US Attorney John Brownlee
- David Foster

Tuesday evening, February 17, 2009

Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke.

7:00-8:30 pm.

Jay Warren, lead anchor for WSLS, will be on board as the moderator.

All three Republican AG candidates have agreed to attend.

Please make every effort to attend and bring a friend to learn about our GOP candidates!!

Thank President Bush for his 8 years of Service !

2009-01-21T11:29:00.003-05:00

Click below to THANK PRESIDENT BUSH for his 8 years of Service to America.

http://www.mission1accomplished.com/

Republican Chuck Smith announces run for Congress, VA 2nd

2009-01-16T14:18:00.001-05:00

State Central Committee member Chuck Smith has announced his run for the 2nd Congressional seat in VA, election in 2010.

This is the seat where Democrat Glenn Nye recently beat Republican Thelma Drake.

For more information, see http://chucksmith2010.com/index.html

HuckPAC endorses Bob McDonnell for Governor, Ken Cuccinelli for Atty. General of VA

2009-01-14T09:54:00.002-05:00

Bob McDonnell-Governor

Huck PAC and Governor Huckabee are proud to endorse Bob McDonnell for Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Bob started his political career in Virginia in 1991 by serving in the House of Delegates. It was his first election victory and he has not lost since. Bob has served as Virginia’s Attorney General since 2006. Since taking office as Attorney General McDonnell has seen 83 of his 94 legislative proposals become law, most with overwhelming bipartisan support. To learn more about Bob McDonnell, please visit his web site http://www.bobmcdonnell.com

Ken Cuccinelli - Attorney General

Ken Cuccinelli is the Huck PAC endorsed candidate for Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia. He believes strongly in the 2nd amendment, the sanctity of all human life, that marriage should be a protected union between one man and one woman. To learn more about Ken Cuccinelli, please visit his website http://www.cuccinelli.com

http://www.huckpac.com/?FuseAction=Candidates.Home

New challenge for the Secret Service

2009-01-13T10:57:00.003-05:00

Memorial service for Hank Gregory, Jan 4 at 3 pm.

2008-12-29T16:15:00.002-05:00

April 3, 1921-December 22, 2008

Henry D. (Hank) Gregory, III, of Roanoke, retired GE engineer and philanthropist, Presbyterian elder and wit, died December 22, 2008. As he might have put it, "There's now one less of-us young folks around than there used to be."Born in Denver, Colorado, to Henry, Jr. and Marion Hawkins Gregory and educated in Denver public schools, he graduated in electrical engineering from the University of Colorado in 1942. In that same year, he married Lorraine Bixby (who predeceased him in 2001) and began in Schenectady, New York his 42-year career with General Electric. There the couple's three children were born. In 1956, the family moved to Roanoke with GE, from which Mr. Gregory retired in 1984. In 2005, he married Imogene Dean, shared joy and love and support with her until he died, and embraced her children as his own.

Mr. Gregory was a leader and supporter of First Presbyterian Church, Treasurer of the Roanoke County Republican Party, a member of the GE Elfin Society; and delivered Meals on Wheels (his final time only days before his death). Hank Gregory received each day as a gift, and gratefully gave himself and his treasure to support his church and other agencies he saw to be serving his God's holy and loving purposes.

He is survived, and his memory is cherished, by his widow, Imogene Gregory; by his children: Henry Duval, IV "Greg," (Barbara "Bobi" Dixon), Lorinda Rae "Rindy" Lionberger (Sam), and Scott Charles (Kaye Carter); by his stepchildren, Nancy Reid (Lon), Lawrence Young, and Mary Beth Coffey (Bruce); by his nine grandchildren and three stepgrandchildren; by his sixteen great-grandchildren; and by his cousins Virginia Hawkins and Donald Hawkins (Margaret). The family wishes to express its deep gratitude to the Roanoke Memorial Hospital Neurotrauma ICU and to Chaplain Lisa Myers, for their excellent practice of the healing arts, and their even better compassion as human beings.

The Rev. Bob Smith will lead a memorial service at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 4, 2009 at 3 p.m. An informal reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall.

Fundraiser for Ken Cuccinelli in Roanoke Area, Fri. Jan. 9

2008-12-23T12:38:00.001-05:00

Friday January 9th - Roanoke Reception for Republican AG candidate Ken Cuccinelli

Hosted by Senator Ralph Smith,

Ed Creed and Charles & Kimberly Dudley

At the Dudley's home

752 Scarlet Drive, Daleville 24083

6-8pm

$35 per person/$50 per couple

Sponsors needed: $1000, $500, $250 or $100

RSVP to Emily Stewart at Emily.Stewart@att.net or call 804-523-4538

Next Republican County meeting, Thur. Feb. 5

2008-12-15T09:41:00.005-05:00

The next Roanoke County Republican Committee meeting will be held on Thursday, Feb. 5, 7 pm, at a place to be announced.

For more information, contact roanokerepublicans@gmail.com

Ken Cuccinelli wins AG poll and award

2008-12-08T18:38:00.003-05:00

This past weekend, we held the annual Republican Party of Virginia Don Huffman Advance in Hot Springs, Virginia.

This event draws Republican activists from across the state.

The event sponsored a "straw poll" for the Republican nomination for Attorney General....here are the results....

Cuccinelli wins the RPV Advance Strawpoll.

The results are as follows:

Cuccinelli, 47.8%Brownlee, 38.4%Foster, 13.8%

Congratulations to Senator Ken Cuccinelli
*************************************************
Ken Cuccinelli wins 2008 Legislator of the Year award from The Family Foundation

On Nov. 20, 2008, The Family Foundation was thrilled to present the 2008 Legislator of the Year Award to state Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37, Centreville). Cuccinelli fought to defund Planned Parenthood in the 2008 General Assembly by introducing a budget amendment in the Senate. That fight shut down the Senate for over four hours while Republicans and Democrats fought within their own caucuses. Ultimately, the vote was a 20-20 tie with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling casting the deciding vote in favor of the amendment. The budget amendment, unfortunately, was not included in the final budget.

Senator Cuccinelli has been an advocate for property rights, life, marriage and many other values in his time in the state Senate. We were pleased to be able to honor him.

2008 Huffman Annual Advance -- Dec 5 - 7, The Homestead

2008-11-17T12:16:00.002-05:00

Don Huffman Annual Advance 2008

25th Anniversary Event at The Homestead in Hot Springs, Virginia

Friday, December 5, 2008 Start Date: Friday, December 5, 2008 12:00 PM End Date: Sunday, December 7, 2008 8:00 AM

Join Republicans across the Commonwealth as we recap the 2008 elections and plan for the 2009 Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General and House of Delegates elections.

This event will take place at the historic Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia, a luxurious resort in the beautiful hills of western Virginia. The Advance will provide a unique opportunity for hundreds of grassroots activists and elected officials to regroup, recharge and prepare for the year ahead.

The 2008 Advance will feature a Friday night Welcome Reception; Saturday morning Victory Breakfast and Saturday afternoon Luncheon (with a special guest speaker); more Political Seminars and Workshops; and, the presentation of our 2008 Grassroots Activists awards. On Saturday afternoon, we will even hold a Straw Poll to see who the Party faithfuls choice for Attorney General will be. On Saturday Night, we will hold a special Dinner to honor all past RPV Chairmen.

Hospitality Suites will be held both Friday and Saturday nights.Training will likely include:

How to Successfully Organize and Conduct a Mass Meeting

Canvass and Convention

Parliamentary Procedure

New Media: Blogging, E Campaigns, Websites

Communications 101: State and local Media, press releases, letters to the editor

Growing Your Unit

Voter Data Management

Registration for the Advance and Straw Poll: Registration starts at $109 per person;

Sponsorships start at $1,000. Contact Tina McArthur for more information regarding individual and corporate sponsorships, or other opportunities such as buying a table for the Silver Anniversary Dinner or placing an advertisement in the Advance Program.

Click here for corporate sponsorship opportunities: 2008 Advance Sponsorship Prospectus CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINEDownload the hard-copy registration form here: 2008 Advance hard-copy registration form

Rooms at The Homestead (rooms at Homestead are separate from Advance registration fees):
Room Rate and Info:

$139 per night (plus 15% resort fee) Friday & Saturday night

Luxurious Rooms with Flat Screen TV's

Access to Indoor Mineral Pool & Fitness Center

Valet Parking

Wireless Internet

Afternoon Tea

Daily Newspaper

10% discount on spa services and retail purchases

$99 room rate for early arrival or stay over (bring the family!)

Click here to download room reservation form

LocationHomestead Resort1766 Homestead RdHot Springs, VA 24445(540) 839-1766

Contact Tina McArthur 804-780-0111 tmcarthur@rpv.org

Family Foundation Lobby Day in Richmond, Mon Jan. 19

2008-11-11T11:24:00.002-05:00

Just a calendar note and heads up...the annual Family Foundation lobby day is Monday, Jan 19 in Richmond. We can carpool from Roanoke.

The event usually starts about 10 am with a meeting and then we lobby our Virginia delegates and Senators in Richmond, returning in the late afternoon. Our issues are typically prolife, lower taxes and smaller government, depending on what bills are being offered at the time.

Please make plans to join us. Tell me if you are interested in going.

My email is jbm417@hotmail.com

Roberta McCain (first Mama) visits Roanoke

2008-10-30T17:38:00.004-04:00

John McCain's mom, Roberta McCain visited the Roanoke GOP Headquarters today at 11:30 am.

She came to thank volunteers for their hard work. She spoke of John McCain's life of public service and challenged us to work hard in the next few days leading up to the election.

She is a remarkably fit and active woman at age 96 and I am sure John is very proud of her.

Thanks, Roberta, for taking time from your busy schedule, to visit us in Roanoke.....

Wealth Distribution Explained

2008-10-30T16:04:00.003-04:00

Palin wows the crowd in Salem

2008-10-28T15:53:00.003-04:00

Photo by Shelia Harris

Sarah Palin came to Salem, VA last night. The crowd of 16,000 - 20,000 set a new Salem Stadium record that was last set during the Franklin Graham Crusade in 2003. The large crowd was electrified!

Here is some local media coverage of the event:

Channel 13

Channel 10

Channel 7

WFIR 960 AM radio

Roanoke Times

UPDATE: Gov. Palin Rally on Monday, Oct. 27

2008-10-26T21:13:00.002-04:00

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

We need volunteers for the Palin Rally on Monday. We had volunteer training today, however if you want to volunteer, show up at the Salem Civic Center on Monday at 11 am, ask for Volunteer signin. Volunteers who sign up to work the rally WILL be given seats at the rally.

PALIN RALLY MOVED SLIGHTLY

Due to overwhelming response to the Sarah Palin rally in Salem, Virginia on Monday, the venue has been changed from the Salem Civic Center to the Salem Football Field. The football stadium is located behind the Salem Civic Center and beside the Memorial Baseball Stadium. The time of the event remains the same. Attendees who have already obtained tickets do not need to get new tickets. Peope who have not obtained tickets yet still have the opportunity to do so by stopping by one of our Victory Offices listed below or online at Virginia.JohnMcCain.com. The McCain-Palin campaign moved the event site so that everyone who wants to attend the Palin rally on Monday has the opportunity to do so.

SIGNS AND CAMERAS

I have been told that signs will NOT be allowed and cameras WILL be allowedWEAR RED, as we work to keep Virginia Red for Republican!!

Ticket Locations

Roanoke Regional Victory Headquarters
3904 Franklin Road SW, Suite E
Roanoke, VA
540-725-7445

Harrisonburg Victory Center
182 Neff Avenue
Suites 13 and 14
Harrisonburg, VA
(540) 830-3757

Montgomery County Victory Center
302 A North Main Street
Blacksburg, VA
540-577-4335

Washington County Victory Center
903 East Main Street
Abingdon, VA
276-623-8244

Danville Victory Headquarters
625 Piney Forest Road, Suite 206
Danville, VA
434-713-8389

Sarah Palin visit to Roanoke, VA on MondayTICKETS AVAILABLE

2008-10-23T09:43:00.005-04:00

Sarah Palin in Roanoke/Salem, VA on Monday, Oct. 27!!!

VP Candidate Sarah Palin will be in Roanoke on Monday, Oct. 27. She will speak at the Salem Civic Center (which is probably too small).

The doors will open at 3:30 PM and the event starts at 5:30 PM

Tickets will be distributed via the Virginia McCain Victory locations, including the one in Roanoke, VA .... We have tickets at headquarters now!

Better yet, you can print your own from your computer. Go to this site, enter the info and print your own tickets.......

http://www.johnmccain.com/ste/eventrsvp.aspx?guid=753fe61a-b3e3-4dd7-be34-e2763a734fdf

Cartoon on "watchdog" media....

2008-10-21T13:29:00.002-04:00

Suicide of Western Culture

2008-10-16T15:42:00.002-04:00

Palin wows the crowd in Richmond, yesterday

2008-10-14T15:26:00.002-04:00

Check out this slide show with audio, from the Richmond Times Dispatch....

Palin wows the crowd at RIR

By JEFF E. SCHAPIRO

RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH

Published: October 14, 2008

Vice-presidential pick Sarah Palin dashed into the conservative heartland of Virginia yesterday, likening the struggling Republican ticket to a stock-car racer revved for a come-from-behind victory.

Standing on a sun-baked stage on a dusty field on the edge of Richmond International Raceway, Palin referred to Jimmie Johnson’s squeaker win last month in the Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at the sprawling NASCAR complex in Henrico County.

Dismissing polls that show her and presidential nominee John McCain trailing nationally—and in traditionally Republican Virginia—Palin said, “It’s looking a lot like that Rock & Roll 400 on the checkered-flag-waving day, November 4th.”

Signaling the importance of Virginia’s 13 electoral votes for the GOP ticket, the Alaska governor swung through the state yesterday. She started in military-rich Virginia Beach with McCain before stopping in suburban Richmond en route to heavily Democratic Northern Virginia.

“They know Virginia is a swing state, and they have to play—and play hard—here,” said Victoria Cobb, president of the Family Foundation of Virginia, a conservative grass-roots organization.

Speaking to a crowd that Henrico County’s police chief, Col. H.W. Stanley Jr., estimated at 20,000 to 25,000, Palin was at once loyal soldier and fierce critic, talking up McCain’s economic-recovery plan and putting down Democrat Barack Obama as a tax-and-spend liberal.

Palin, accompanied by her husband, Todd, attributed the financial crisis and continuing credit freeze to “Wall Street bankers and brokers . . . and the predatory lenders who so took advantage of so many Americans.”

Palin said Obama favored a “trillion [dollars] more” in new spending that would force higher taxes for working families and small businesses. Those claims were greeted with lusty boos from a crowd largely turned out in red—the television color-code for the GOP.

Palin—wearing a dark skirt and a white shirt, the sleeves of which were turned up—drew hearty cheers when, referring to her son, Trigg, who has Down syndrome, and special-needs children, she said, “There are the world’s standards of perfection, and there are God’s.”

After praising the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, Palin alluded to protesters in the audience—none, however, were spotted. The crowd thundered when Palin said, “Thank those veterans who have given them the honor to protest.”

The Associated Press reported that Palin accidentally mistook some of her own fans for protesters. People on the perimeter could not hear Palin and shouted, “louder, louder.”

Hank Williams Jr., a country-western star, skewered the Democratic ticket with a send-up of his hit, “Family Tradition.” Williams, wearing a cowboy hat, sunglasses and a Washington Redskins jersey, intoned about a favorite target of Republicans—the “left-wing, liberal media.”

Williams compared Palin to a bear protecting its young: “If you mess with her cubs, she’s gonna take off her gloves. That’s an American female tradition.”

Del. William R. Janis, R-Henrico, attending the rally with son Robert, said the event would energize the Republican rank and file and was a “tangible demonstration that Virginia is not Obama-Biden country . . . This is still a reliably red state.”

Obama leads the media

2008-10-06T08:55:00.003-04:00

Voter guide comparison of Presidential Candidates (you can copy and print)

2008-09-25T11:47:00.004-04:00

Several groups are beginning to release voter guides for the upcoming Presidential election.

These can be printed and used in church bulletins, posted on bulletin boards, etc.

National Right to Life:

English version:

http://nrlc.org/Election2008/comparison0909084c.pdf

Spanish verson:

http://nrlc.org/Election2008/comparisonHISPANIC.pdf

American Family Association

HTML version:

http://www.afa.net/08VG/index.html

PDF version:

http://www.afa.net/pdfs/08VG_print.pdf

Wallbuilders

http://wallbuilders.com/LIBissuesArticles.asp?id=5386

FRC Action

http://www.frcaction.org/

Christian Coalition

http://www.cc.org/voter_guide_download_center?sid=5083

Biden hits nerve in coal country

2008-09-24T17:58:00.003-04:00

Check out the Youtube video of Joe Biden saying he is against Clean Coal....

Pelosi as President??????

2008-09-17T10:42:00.001-04:00

Much is made of McCain's age.

Has anyone brought up the fact that Obama smokes and both of his parents died at an early age. Plus Biden has had two brain aneurysms which could have killed him. If they both died while in office that would leave Nancy Pelosi as president.

I can't think of a better reason to vote for McCain & Palin.

Dear Mr. Obama.......

2008-09-11T16:20:00.002-04:00

This ad was produced by Joe Cook, the man in the ad....watch the entire message all the way to the end.....this may be THE ad of the campaign......

Video Here

We need HELP at GOP HQ in Roanoke

2008-09-10T16:29:00.003-04:00

Team, we need your HELP!!!

The McCain/Palin ticket has CAUGHT FIRE in SW Virginia!!

Our HQ has been swamped by people wanting signs, stickers, buttons, etc. and we don't have enough people to take all the calls and visitors.

Would you be willing to help?

Goodlatte for Congress Phone Banking

Congressman Bob Goodlatte's re-election campaign is making hundreds of phone calls each week. Organized phone banks take place at the Goodlatte Campaign Headquarters (Link to Map) on Tuesday and Thursday evenings until 8:30 p.m. Volunteers can also make calls from home.

Every Saturday morning, we meet for door-to-door canvassing from 9 am - 12 noon. You can also do this during other days or hours.

We need office help with signs, literature, answering the phones, etc.

For more information or to offer help, call 389-1170.

A star is born......

2008-09-04T10:40:00.004-04:00

Gov. Sarah Palin hit it out of the park last night with her speech!!!

Here is a story on this from WorldnetDaily.com , a great web news site........

The country 'fell in love with Sarah Palin tonight'

Posted: September 04, 20087:20 am Eastern
By Art Moore© 2008 WorldNetDaily

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sarah Palin introduced herself to America last night as "just your average hockey mom," but to the roar of ecstatic Republican National Convention delegates her convention speech rose above the expectations birthed last week when John McCain stunned the nation by choosing the Alaska governor as his running mate.

Making it seem easy to deliver a speech watched by millions worldwide amid a media frenzy over her personal life, she told her story and framed the argument for a McCain-Palin White House, delivering carefully crafted one-liners to Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama's doorstep with a resolute smile.

McCain's assessment of the speech was clear as he appeared on stage afterward with Palin's husband Todd, their five children, and their pregnant teen daughter's fiancé.
"Don't you think we made the right choice for the next vice president of the United States?" McCain asked. "And what a beautiful family."

WND took a sampling of reaction from the convention floor after the speech, speaking with a dozen delegates, including Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma, former Gov. George Allen of Virginia, Rep. Peter King of New York, former Rep. Bill McCollum of Florida and Pennsylvania Attorney General Tom Corbett.

Texas delegate Matt Hayes of Dallas seemed to typify the mood at St. Paul's Xcel Energy Center.
"I'm more energized than I think I ever have been politically. I'm bubbling, I'm excited, I can't contain myself," he said.

Hayes said that after McCain announced his pick at a rally in Dayton, Ohio, Friday he called everyone he knew to get their reaction.

"To a person, every Republican I have talked to is excited about Sarah Palin as our nominee, and tonight just pushed it 10 times what it was before," he said. " … I feel sorry for Joe Biden."
WND also ran into pollster Frank Luntz, who called it "the best vice presidential speech I have ever heard."

"I don't know a vice presidential candidate that had a more powerful impact, and I've been to every convention since 1988," Luntz said.

"She talked about real people, using real words, real language, and I was very impressed," Luntz said. "This is someone who's got a natural appeal to working men and women across the country. The visual of her relating to her family and the message of the hardworking Americans on farms and in factories I think is going to have a lasting appeal. This is very impressive."

King called it a "phenomenal speech."

"It couldn't have been better," the New York congressman said. "Governor Palin knocked it out of the park. I couldn't have possibly expected any more than this. It was great."
King said he was surprised that anyone could be that good in a debut national speech.
"I've never seen anybody give a better speech, and it's the first one she's ever given," he said.
King said he's heard nothing but good reports about her from his New York constituents
"After tonight, it will be off the charts," he said.

Alaska delegate Bill Noll of Anchorage knows Palin personally.

"I think America just saw why she has an 80 percent approval rating in Alaska," he told WND.
McCollum said America has a "new star."

"She's just out there shining bright," he said, "She is going to be very effective as a vice presidential candidate, and she's gong to be a very effective vice president."
McCollum said he thought Palin "showed a toughness and a warmth all at the same time.
"She showed she is most capable of taking on the opposition and governing and being a leader," he said.

Prior to the speech, McCollum wasn't sure Palin had the ability to assume the vice presidential candidate's traditional role of challenging the rival team "in a way that is firm and convicted, and not just being a hockey mom."

"She is a hockey mom, but she showed tonight that she can really stand tall beside anybody, man or woman," McCollum said.

Palin, noting she served as mayor of Wasilla, Alaska, took direct aim at the intense criticism from the Obama campaign about her qualification for the job of vice president.

"Since our opponents in this presidential election seem to look down on that experience," she said, "let me explain to them what the job involves, I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a 'community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

Palin said she "had the privilege of living most of my life in a small town."
"I was just your average hockey mom, and signed up for the PTA because I wanted to make my kids' public education better," she said.
Palin said when she ran for city council for her hometown, "I didn't need focus groups and voter profiles because I knew those voters, and knew their families, too."

Virginia's Allen called it an "outstanding speech" in content and delivery.

"I think viewers across America fell in love with her," the former governor and presidential candidate said. "She showed great poise; I thought she handled her family wonderfully, notwithstanding all the invasions of her family's privacy."

Allen said some of the people who tuned in because of the "controversy created by the media" saw "someone who is ready to lead, ready to be a partner with John McCain in putting the people, in putting the people and the taxpayers of America first."

Allen said that prior to the speech he had hoped Palin would not dwell on the media fury surrounding the announcement Monday of her 17-year-old unmarried daughter's pregnancy.

"I thought she handled it perfectly," he said, noting Bristol was there with her fiancé.

Kay Kellogg Katz, national committeewoman for Louisiana, said she was not familiar with Palin prior to her introduction last Friday but was "quite taken" with her from that point.

"She has a special needs child, her father was an elementary school teacher, her mother was a support worker in the schools, her husband's a union member, they've owned a small business, her son's going to Iraq – how much more middle America can you be?" Katz asked.

"She's one of us, and I think will be a breath of fresh air."

Texas delegate Laura Woodhan of Lubbock said she was on the phone after the speech with her 22-year-old niece who watched it on TV and is now beside herself with excitement.

"I don't know that before tonight she'd given [the campaign] a second thought," Woodhan said. "But now, it's on the forefront of her mind."

Pennsylvania's attorney general, Corbett, said he thought Palin "came across very, very well."
"This speech tonight I think astounded the country," Corbett said. "A woman who's up in Alaska – nobody got to know her. Tonight they got to know her, and they're going to see her for the next 61 or 62 days, and I think they see somebody who can lead."

Pennsylvanians were the subject of derision in secretly taped remarks Obama made earlier this year at a San Francisco fundraiser, and Corbett was glad to see Palin address it.

Palin said "in small towns, we don't quite know what to make of a candidate who lavishes praise on working people when they are listening, and then talks about how bitterly they cling to their religion and guns when those people aren't listening."

"We tend to prefer candidates who don't talk about us one way in Scranton and another way in San Francisco," Palin said.

McCain reportedly had considered former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge as a running mate to strengthen his chances in the battleground state, but Corbett said Palin makes it competitive.
"There are a lot of Reagan Democrats in Pennsylvania that are going to be looking at this race," he said.

Sen. Inhofe of Oklahoma said he didn't know as much about Palin as others, having had only one conversation with her, and "didn't know until tonight what really good communications skills she had."

"Her one liners – each one had a message, and that's not normally the case," Inhofe said.

Palin took aim at one of Obama's main campaign themes.

"Here's how I look at the choice Americans face in this election. In politics, there are some candidates who use change to promote their careers. And then there are those, like John

McCain, who use their careers to promote change."

The senator said he was pleased Palin was unapologetic about the need to drill for oil along with pursuing renewable energy sources, and he appreciated the administrative skills she has demonstrated in Alaska.

Palin advocates drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, while McCain is opposed

Palin said that in a McCain-Palin administration "we're going to lay more pipelines, build more nuclear plants, create jobs with clean coal, and move forward on solar, wind, geothermal, and other alternative sources. We need American energy resources, brought to you by American ingenuity, and produced by American workers."

Mississippi delegate Brian Perry, 33, of Jackson, said Palin exceeded his expectations.

"There's been a lot of concern that the Republican brand has been damaged," he said. "She comes from outside Washington ... she's showed she's experienced, she can do the job, she has the charisma to inspire and she has the knowledge."

Kansas delegate Randy Duncan of Brookville thinks Palin came across well in the heartland.
"I think she not only it a home run, she hit it out of the ballpark," Duncan said. "I mean she was fantastic. I think the selection of Sarah Palin not only energized the base, but I think it's energized the entire Republican party. And I don't think there's any doubt we have a great opportunity to win.

"I think the country fell in love with Sarah Palin tonight," he said.

Gov. Sarah Palin for VP, a GREAT choice

2008-08-29T12:44:00.003-04:00

Let me echo what our friends at Roanoke Republicans Blog say about Sarah Palin....she really is a great choice!!

As a conservative, I appreciate her strong pro-life record and strong support of our Second Amendment rights.

She blows Joe Biden out of the water in the VP race!!

Here are some thoughts from Delegate Chris Saxman on this choice:

Governor Palin was elected as the youngest and first female Governor of Alaska in 2006. She and her husband Todd are parents to five children, the oldest of whom is serving our country in the US Army. As Governor, she has been a true reformer, working to clean up politics in Alaska with passage of an ethics bill and putting an end to pork-barrel projects- including putting an end to the infamous "Bridge to Nowhere" project. She has a strong pro-life record, and is a lifetime member of the NRA.

Governor Palin has a proven track record of service to her community and her state, and she has demonstrated real leadership and a commitment to reform. I know that she will be a great asset to our ticket, and she will work with Senator McCain to clean up Washington.

More from her 2006 Campaign Website:

Sarah's parents arrived in Alaska in 1964 to teach school in Skagway.

After moving to the Valley and graduating from Wasilla High, Sarah earned her Journalism degree from the University of Idaho. She worked in media and the utility industry before beginning her public service 14 years ago.

Sarah was elected to two terms on the Wasilla City Council, and then two terms as the Mayor / Manager of Alaska's fastest growing community. During her tenure as Mayor she reduced property tax levels while increasing services and made Wasilla a business friendly environment drawing in new industry. The responsibility of managing dozens of employees including a growing police department and public works department, and overseeing the multimillion dollar capital and operating budgets provided her with hands-on, 21st Century relevant administrative experience. Sarah's demonstrated leadership was also recognized when she was elected by her mayoral peers as President of the Alaska Conference of Mayors. In this role, she worked with local, state and federal officials to promote solutions to the needs of Alaska's communities.

Sarah served as Chairman of Alaska's Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, which regulates Alaska's most valuable non-renewable resources: oil and gas. She also served on the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission. Sarah was named one of Alaska's "Top 40 Under 40", Alaska's Public Works "Person of the Year", and was recently inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta Honor Society at Alaska Pacific University.

Married to the three-time champion of the world's longest snowmachine race (the Iron Dog), Sarah's husband is also a lifelong Alaskan and is a production operator on the North Slope. Todd and Sarah commercial fish together in Bristol Bay, being joined at their sites with their kids: Track, Bristol, Willow, and Piper. The state's Alaska Native heritage plays an important role in the life of this family.

Sarah is currently an elected board member of Valley Hospital, has served on numerous boards and commissions throughout the State, and stays active as a marathon runner, sports team mom, hockey manager and school volunteer.

Sarah's a lifetime member of the NRA and enjoys hunting, fishing, Alaska history, and all that Alaska's great outdoors has to offer.

Please join me in welcoming Governor Sarah Palin to our Republican ticket!

Obama song parody on Youtube

2008-08-27T17:48:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvxiG56M-eU

Scary and funny......

Roanoke County party elects new officers

2008-08-21T08:57:00.002-04:00

At their recent meeting, the Roanoke County Republican Committee elected the following people as officers:

RCRC's Executive Committee:

Graham Leonard, Chairman
Bill Figaro, Vice-Chairman and Catawba Magisterial Chairman
Bryan Hyler, Vice-Chairman
Chuck Wertalik, Vice-Chairman
David Suetterlein, Secretary
Hank Gregory, Treasurer
Trixie Averill, Vinton Magisterial Chairman
Max Beyer, Hollins Magisterial Chairman
Mickey Mixon, Cave Spring Magisterial Chairman
Don Thorne, Windsor Hills Magisterial Chairman

Mark Warner, on Republicans.....

2008-08-13T09:01:00.001-04:00

From a Mark Warner speech in 1994:

"One of the things you are going to see is a coalition that is just about completely taken over the Republican Party in this state and if they have their way it's going to take over state government. It is made up of the Christian Coalition, but not just them. It is made up of the right-to-lifers, but not just them. It's made up of the NRA, but not just them. It is made up of the home schoolers, but not just them. It's made up of a whole coalition of people that have all sorts of differing views that I think most of us in this room would find threatening to what it means to be an American."

JON VOIGHT: My concerns for America

2008-08-07T15:19:00.003-04:00

VOIGHT: My concerns for America

Obama sowing socialist seeds in young people
Monday, July 28, 2008

OP-ED

We, as parents, are well aware of the importance of our teachers who teach and program our children. We also know how important it is for our children to play with good-thinking children growing up.

Sen. Barack Obama has grown up with the teaching of very angry, militant white and black people: the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Louis Farrakhan, William Ayers and Rev. Michael Pfleger. We cannot say we are not affected by teachers who are militant and angry. We know too well that we become like them, and Mr. Obama will run this country in their mindset.

The Democratic Party, in its quest for power, has managed a propaganda campaign with subliminal messages, creating a God-like figure in a man who falls short in every way. It seems to me that if Mr. Obama wins the presidential election, then Messrs. Farrakhan, Wright, Ayers and Pfleger will gain power for their need to demoralize this country and help create a socialist America.

The Democrats have targeted young people, knowing how easy it is to bring forth whatever is needed to program their minds. I know this process well. I was caught up in the hysteria during the Vietnam era, which was brought about through Marxist propaganda underlying the so-called peace movement. The radicals of that era were successful in giving the communists power to bring forth the killing fields and slaughter 2.5 million people in Cambodia and South Vietnam. Did they stop the war, or did they bring the war to those innocent people? In the end, they turned their backs on all the horror and suffering they helped create and walked away.

Those same leaders who were in the streets in the '60s are very powerful today in their work to bring down the Iraq war and to attack our president, and they have found their way into our schools. William Ayers is a good example of that.

Thank God, today, we have a strong generation of young soldiers who know exactly who they are and what they must do to protect our freedom and our democracy. And we have the leadership of Gen. David Petraeus, who has brought hope and stability to Iraq and prevented the terrorists from establishing a base in that country. Our soldiers are lifting us to an example of patriotism at a time when we've almost forgotten who we are and what is at stake.

If Mr. Obama had his way, he would have pulled our troops from Iraq years ago and initiated an unprecedented bloodbath, turning over that country to the barbarianism of our enemies. With what he has openly stated about his plans for our military, and his lack of understanding about the true nature of our enemies, there's not a cell in my body that can accept the idea that Mr. Obama can keep us safe from the terrorists around the world, and from Iran, which is making great strides toward getting the atomic bomb. And while a misleading portrait of Mr. Obama is being perpetrated by a media controlled by the Democrats, the Obama camp has sent out people to attack the greatness of Sen. John McCain, whose suffering and courage in a Hanoi prison camp is an American legend.

Gen. Wesley Clark, who himself has shame upon him, having been relieved of his command, has done their bidding and become a lying fool in his need to demean a fellow soldier and a true hero.
This is a perilous time, and more than ever, the world needs a united and strong America. If, God forbid, we live to see Mr. Obama president, we will live through a socialist era that America has not seen before, and our country will be weakened in every way.

Jon Voight is an Academy Award-winning actor who is well-known for his humanitarian work.

Washington Times story

Republicans refuse to leave House after Pelosi turns out lights....

2008-08-03T19:17:00.002-04:00

From Friday......Many brave Republicans stayed on the House floor and refused to leave, demanding a vote on energy bill (drilling) that Speaker Pelosi has blocked, so far.

Many say they will be back on Monday. Even though the House has adjourned, CSPAN usually carries 5 minute speechs that members are allowed to give....however, this time, Pelosi has apparently turned off the cameras to block media coverage of this protest.

Bravo Republicans! Somebody needs to stand up to Pelosi's facist control of the people's house.

Click here for story on Politico.com...

Democrat hypocrisy alert.....

2008-08-01T12:32:00.002-04:00

(Note how they forget to put the party name (D) of the elected official, when it's a Democrat doing wrong......)

Lucas brings Hummer to news conference on gas

Aug 1, 2008 11:31 AM EDT

NORFOLK, Va (WAVY.com)--It was supposed to be a news conference by supporters for Democratic Senator Barack Obama.

They wanted to blast Republican Presidential Candidate John McCain's plan to give a brief 'gas tax' holiday.

When State Senator Louise Lucas showed up in a gas guzzling Hummer to blast McCain for his stand on the oil crisis, the story changed.

Lucas said, "While Virginia's families are confronting the reality of gas, the oil companies continue to record record profits."

That, from an elected official who showed up in a vehicle that gets some of the lowest gas mileage per gallon.

WAVY.com asked her about the image of that. She said, "I'll say this to you. The Hummer is not driven on a regular basis. It is only to come to functions like this. I have to carry a lot of stuff."

But functions like this is a news conference about Presidential Candidates gas plans, and gas prices, and solving the gas problem.

Behind Senator Lucas, up on the bridge, you could see all the vehicles stuck in the I-64 back up at the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel, also burning up some gas.

We asked Senator Lucas whether the questions about her Hummer were unfair.

"I don't think it's an unfair question. While we need to be driving more fuel efficient cars, for those of us who have SUVs and larger vehicles, we don't save money by trading those in when no one wants them to get smaller vehicles that end up costing us more."

The point Lucas wanted to make is the gas holiday proposed by Senator John McCain will save the average driver only $30 between Memorial and Labor Days. And will cost millions in lost revenues for roads.

But all that was lost in the shadows of a Hummer.

Story link on WAVY TV

Start Your Creative Engines!

2008-07-22T10:40:00.002-04:00

by George Allen

Americans must restart our creative engines for energy security. For more than 30 years, our engines have been in the pits, as our energy needs and innovative spark have fallen victim to environmental alarmism and strangling government regulation. What we have to do begins with where we are now.

That’s also called “the status quo.” Ronald Reagan said “status quo” was “…Latin for the mess we’re in.” In the 1980 Republican convention, soon-to-be President Reagan said:

"Those who preside over the worst energy shortage in our history tell us to use less, so that we will run out of oil, gasoline, and natural gas a little more slowly. Conservation is desirable, of course, for we must not waste energy. But conservation is not the sole answer to our energy needs.

America must get to work producing more energy…Large amounts of oil and natural gas lay beneath our land and off our shores, untouched because [some] seem to believe the American people would rather see more regulation, taxes and controls than more energy.

Coal offers great potential. So does nuclear energy produced under rigorous safety standards. It could supply electricity for thousands of industries and millions of jobs and homes…

Make no mistake. We will not permit the safety of our people or our environmental heritage to be jeopardized, but we are going to reaffirm that the economic prosperity of our people is a fundamental part of our environment.”

It’s ridiculous how little has changed in almost three decades of arguing this issue. Reagan identified the failures of Carter-era energy policies then, and now the liberals of today—along with some conservatives—are just proposing more of the same:

• Windfall profits taxes on oil companies, which only succeeded in increasing our dependence on imported oil the last time Democrats passed them in 1980.

• More regulation and taxation, such as cap-and-trade systems that are designed to raise energy costs while trying to cut carbon emissions. Studies have shown that the recent Cap-and-Trade bill would result in electricity price increases of at least 101 percent and gasoline prices increases of up to 145 percent by 2030, resulting in millions of jobs lost and a lower standard of living. The European Union has already imposed a Cap-and-Trade scheme that has proven to be spectacularly unsuccessful in lowering emissions while raising energy costs. According to an Open Europe report, emissions increased in the EU by 0.8 percent in the first year of the program, with many European nations showing emissions rising faster than in the U.S.

• Declaring American oil and gas reserves off-limits to exploration, ignoring advances in environmentally safer exploration technology that could produce more energy at home, rather than sending $600 billion out of our own country to hostile regimes. Meanwhile, Cuba and China are drilling 50 miles off the Florida Keys.

Instead of falling back to failed, harmful political gimmicks, let’s start our creative engines with a strategic plan of productive action. Currently, 85 percent of America’s energy comes from carbon-based fuels. The advances in carbon sequestration technology and renewable resource energies needed to supplement and enhance oil, gas, and coal are years, if not decades, away from viability. We need to produce more energy here at home now.

• The federal government must allow willing states to explore in deep water off their coasts and share royalties with those states. From Alaska to Virginia, states want to access oil and natural gas reserves. Let them do so for the sake of our energy security and for lower prices for American families.

• America has 250 billion tons of recoverable coal reserves, more than any other nation. We need to press ahead with developing clean coal for base load electricity and coal-to-liquid technology. China and South Africa are already synthesizing coal into liquid transportation fuels and so can America, to fuel cars, trucks, trains and airplanes.

• Nuclear power is a clean air source of electricity, and we must streamline the regulatory processes that have resulted in no new nuclear power plants coming online in decades. The French get more than 80 percent of their electricity from nuclear power and reprocess and recycle the spent fuel in a much safer and more efficient way. America can too, and we can finally solve the issue of nuclear storage.

If we pursue these common sense, available sources of energy now, we can fuel our economic prosperity and provide the capital to drive our innovators to develop the next generation of energy resources—whether it be clean coal, advanced nuclear, natural gas, solar, or nanotech-enhanced batteries and cost saving energy conservation—that will provide real alternatives. America: Start your creative engines!

Human Events

Goodlatte for Congress HQ

2008-07-18T18:31:00.003-04:00

Congressman Bob Goodlatte's campaign office can be reached at 725-7445. You can contact Tim Edson at tedson@bobgoodlatte.com

The real Obama???

2008-07-14T16:13:00.003-04:00

This is the July 21 cover of the New Yorker magazine that is causing such a stir. Note the flag burning in the fireplace and Osama's picture on the wall.

The liberal magazine says the July 21 cover, titled “The Politics of Fear,” is intended to be a parody, an attempt to show how “scare tactics and misinformation” are being used to try to derail Barack Obama’s campaign, says cover artist Barry Blitt.

I don't know...many people might tend to agree with this portrait of Obama, given his ties with Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and radicals like Bill Ayers.

Mr. Ayers became a radical activist in the 1960s and was a founder of the radical Weatherman group.

According to Wikipedia, "....Ayers participated in planting a bomb at a statue dedicated to police casualties in the 1886 Haymarket Riot.[7] The blast broke almost 100 windows and blew pieces of the statue onto the nearby Kennedy Expressway.[8] The statue was rebuilt and unveiled on May 4, 1970, and blown up again by Weatherman on October 6, 1970."

Anyone running for President should go through a very high level of scrutiny. Despite the refusal of the mainstream media to ask Obama tough questions, or probe his past, his record should be open to the public.

Thank God for conservative media on the Internet and talk radio, lest we hear only the Democrat Party PR/media on Senator Obama.

Tax Hikes Averted this Time

2008-07-10T16:13:00.001-04:00

The General Assembly’s special tax session adjourned around 1:35 this morning with no new tax or fee increases passing. After a day of political gamesmanship, harsh partisan rhetoric and exercises in parliamentary gymnastics, all of the major tax proposals eventually met their demise.

The fireworks started early when the House Rules committee met suddenly and voted to send Governor Kaine’s tax hike proposal to the floor. This came a week and a half after the same committee killed the same bill, and after the Governor and House Democrats complained that the process wasn’t fair. Kaine claimed he had the votes to pass the bill, so House Republicans called his bluff.

Democrats were caught off guard by the move and tried to delay the process to figure out what to do. In the end, they voted against parliamentary procedures that would have allowed Kaine’s bill to receive a straight up or down vote – something they had claimed they wanted.

Later, the House brought the Senate’s transportation proposal to the floor, where the gas tax provision was quickly stripped out of the bill. Regardless, the bill failed to pass by a vote of 59-39.

Finally, HB 6055, the attempt to “fix” last year’s transportation package that was gutted by the state Supreme Court, was passed in an amended form by the House with a vote of 51-45. Some House members seemed to believe that voting for a miserable attempt to “fix” last year’s mistake would be viewed positively by taxpayers. Fortunately, the Senate referred the bill to the finance committee where it met its demise.

Thankfully, the potential tax hikes were defeated this time. However, it is a sobering reminder that many of our legislators are refusing to understand the economic plight of Virginia’s citizens. Once again, we’d like to thank you for your support as we continue to keep our legislators fiscally responsible with taxpayer dollars.

From the Family Foundation