Filed under: Domestic Policy, Election 2008, Events, Foreign Affairs, MSM, POTUS
Ok everybody, sorry it took me a minute to get set-up. Clogged wireless up here in H’burg (as it should be, with over 75 strong Republicans). So let’s cut to the chase:
10:34 Alright. I’ll post some analysis when I get home, but the short of it: McCain delivered.
10:33 McCain: Welcome to the real world, and fundamental belief in the power of America is what will save it.
10:32 Obama: the thing I don’t know really don’t matter. I’ll figure it out. But I do know it all needs to be fixed.
10:30 So we’re going to tax the same small businesses who are striving for the American dream?
10:30 Oooo, overtime. And we may finally see just how humble these guys are.
10:28 So what about conventional weapons aimed against Israel?
10:26 McCain gets the sham of the UN Security Council. With Russian and China, no non democratic nation will EVER be taken to task for their actions on the international stage.
10:25 Two questions in five minutes?
10:22 So now Obama’s time machine goes both ways. Obama: He can see through time.
10:19 The situation in Russia has gotten away from us. Do you really trust Obama to deal with such a complicated situation? McCain is absolutely right–Putin has formed a cult of personality fused with extreme nationalism fueled by a sudden surge in oil based wealth.
10:16 McCain had a great point–We’re on the edge of doing what we did in Afghanistan in Iraq. Iraq is a synthetic creation of the British; we are on the precipice of having a nation in Iraq that takes responsibility for it’s own destiny. Nationality doesn’t form over night…..even well into the 19th Century citizens of the U.S. viewed themselves as from their states first. This takes time.
10:11 I hope my juice lasts through the end of this debate
10:10 So you’re going to blow up one powderkeg in order to get to another? The situation in Pakistan is not cut and dry, Senator.
10:07 It requires someone who actually knows what’s going on.
10:06 The Obama Doctrine “Eh, we’ll deal with that when we cross that bridge”
10:05 So when you have an open act of aggression by a nuclear power or an ambitious country sitting on top of a powderkeg of natural resources, that doesn’t count?
10:01: Just as a brief aside, I want to point out this important piece from someone who was nearly killed by the terrorism of William Ayers. h/t Powerline
9:56 The free market will develop the products, Senator Obama. Is their unfairness in the system? Yes. But you can find the product you want and get the coverage you need if you’re willing to put out for it.
9:53 As someone who takes advantage of the free market for insurance, you can find what you need.
9:48 Barack Obama has never seen a piece of pork he didn’t like.
9:47 Wow Brokaw. Just wow.
9:46 Mind telling us what else was in those bills? You know, these things are a just a wee bit more complicated than saying “we’re going to fix x.” Logrolling happens, deals occur, and all of a sudden a good bill turns bad.
9:44 When we change, let’s do it as Americans. Let’s know lurch towards European socialism.
9:43 Hmmmm. Curveball. Let’s see where we go.
9:42 Well, see Senator McCain, we can only look at records when you have one.
9:41 Thank you for tackling this one.
9:39 So while we’re handing out all that money, we’re going to nail businesses to the wall? You mean these very same businesses that are PAYING these people?
9:38 Senator Obama: Already planning your re-election bid? Just have to get it out on taxes.
9:37 Here we go. Entitlement spending must be reformed.
9:36 Small businesses like eBay used to be. Small businesses are the economic engine powering what we have left.
9:35 That’s Obama sacrifice: Taxes.
9:34 More on class warfare.
9:32 So where are you going to find the money for this?
9:31 Back on the time machine.
9:30 John McCain: Reforming before reform was cool.
9:28 Either enforce the rules, or grow a pair and be like Leher and just let them go at it.
9:27: Again with priorities. Note what’s not on that list? Entitlements.
9:24: Bringing back the entitlement debate. I’d rather say “transfer payments,” but this is start.
9:22: Bingo. Keep on the reform train. This man has dedicated the last twenty years to honest reform. Not CHANGE. Reform.
9:18: Hop on Barack Obama’s time machine! Nancy: Remember 9/11? Might have caused some budget issues…..
9:13: McCain proving once again why he is best when he’s up against the wall. Calling Obama out as he sees it. Freddie and Fannie heart the Dems.
9:12: Here we go. Accountability for all. McCain has been there. Where has Obama been?
9:10: I’m here with Nancy Barnett from the County Committee. Her point: why does it always have to be about dividing the top and the bottom?
9:09: Again, speaking right to the people. Obama: Warren? Is he your drinking buddy? And what did McCain just say about people working their way up? America succeeds when we go back to those core values in times of crisis.
9:08: I figured Tom would throw the rules out on follow-ups. Word was earlier today that both campaigns were readying for this.
9:07: We needed this. McCain is showing why this is his format. He’s talking straight to the people, and talking about why we need to take a positive step towards stabilizing the house.
9:06: Economy the first question shocker. Senator Obama: Fire the executives? Umm, never heard of the Board of Directors?
Filed under: Election 2008, MSM, Strategy and Tactics, Technology and Politics
I missed the debate myself on Friday night, but here’s some good press from that night for Gilmore, plus complete articles from around the state. I’ll post the audio when I find it:
Tim Craig at the Washington Post:
Although it’s difficult to know how many people were watching, Gilmore delivered a strong performance by framing it as a contrast between two candidates with differing views of the bailout.
Gilmore came out strongly against the $700 billion plan, arguing in a concise way that it amounted to government run amok. Warner supported the bailout, saying it was needed to prevent economic turmoil. Warner tried to pin the need for Congressional intervention on lax oversight by the Bush administration and “greed” on Wall Street.
……
For once, Warner’s efforts to turn the contest into a referendum on Gilmore’s record as governor was overshadowed by an issue of more immediate concern. The only thing anyone who watched the debate will probably remember tomorrow is the word “bailout.”
It remains unclear how Virginia’s electorate views the action taken by Congress today. Members of the Virginia delegation say they have been deluged with phone calls and letters from people opposing it, but there are also plenty of investors in Virginia who have been nervously watching their 401 K plans.
The reason the bailout may works for Gilmore as an issue is that it fits neatly into his message since June that he will be a friend of the “working men and women of Virginia” while Warner is aligned with the elite.
The blue collar workers who Gilmore envisions can carry him to victory are probably the same voters are most likely to be opposed to the bailout, creating a potential hurdle for Warner in rural Virginia.
Fredericksburg Freelance Star:
The just-passed $700 billion financial bailout in Congress dominated last night’s debate between U.S. Senate candidates Mark Warner and Jim Gilmore.
Gilmore, a Republican, cast himself as a candidate who would protect the taxpayer. He hammered the point that he would not have voted for the bailout bill and believes it to be fiscally irresponsible, bringing it up as part of his answer to nearly every question.
“I’m telling you, it was wrong. It is wrong and I would have voted no,” Gilmore said. “Sure, there’s a crisis and there are problems that have to be dealt with, but not this way.”
……
Gilmore said he will oppose earmarks, the money for local projects lawmakers slide into bills. The revised bailout bill contained a number of earmarks.
The race has largely centered on the opponents’ records as governor, but the financial rescue package provided Gilmore with a new way to emphasize the differences between them and highlight what he called his fight for the taxpayer.
Gilmore attacked Warner for his support of the emergency economic plan signed by President Bush, and he told a statewide television audience that he would have saved taxpayers’ money by not handing it to “Wall Street high rollers.”
“The next bailout is on the way,” Gilmore said. “Who is going to stand up for the taxpayers?”
The differences between the two former governors, who have never held federal elective office, were clear in both their leadership styles and on the issues. They repeatedly interrupted each other in a series of feisty exchanges, but Gilmore was by far the more aggressive, returning to the nation’s growing financial crisis at almost every answer.
“Don’t talk down to me,” Gilmore snapped at Warner at one point. “Don’t tell me I don’t understand. You don’t understand.”
…..
Gilmore said he opposed the plan because it rewards individuals and businesses that took risks with their money.
“This bailout is wrong. It is wrong,” he said. “I can say, I would have voted no. I would have protected the taxpayer. Mark Warner would have not.”
…..
Gilmore accused Warner of being a “flip-flopper” because he changed his stand from last year, when he said troops should start to leave in January 2009. Gilmore said the troops should stay as long as needed.
On energy, Gilmore insisted that the only way to reduce the price of gas is to drill along the nation’s coastlines and in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska and to encourage coal and nuclear power sources. “I say we go get that oil,” Gilmore said.
….
Gilmore said he wants illegal immigrants to be deported. “People who are here illegally have to obey the law,” he said
…..
Gilmore touted his record trimming the car tax and balancing the budget as well as other successes, including increasing the number of teachers in public schools.
“There was never a budget shortfall in Virginia,” Gilmore said. “The law does not permit that.”
…..
The two also clashed on potential Supreme Court nominees. Gilmore said he would vote to confirm justices who support overturning Roe v. Wade; Warner said he wants to protect the landmark abortion case.
Gilmore repeatedly steered the debate back to the bailout, replying to a question about Congressional earmark funding by listing interest groups that get tax breaks in the financial rescue package.
“Listen to some of them — Puerto Rican rum producers, wooden-arrow producers, Hollywood — everything was put in this bill to buy votes to get it passed,” Gilmore said.
Gilmore condemned the $700 billion rescue plan signed earlier in the day by President Bush. “It’s not right to take $700 billion of money from taxpayers, men and women who work hard everyday, and put it in the arms of the high rollers of Wall Street,” he said.
….
Gilmore denounced legislation before Congress that would strip requirements that workers vote on secret ballots in union certification elections. Warner appeared open to the bill but declined to say whether he would vote for it.
Gilmore’s constant criticism of the Wall Street rescue seemed to auger a new campaign focus. Previously, Gilmore stressed a “drill here, drill now” energy policy, urging oil production off U.S. shores and in Alaska. He did not mention energy until he responded to a question.
Filed under: Congress, Domestic Policy, Election 2008, Strategy and Tactics
Mark Obenshain has joined us for several events in the last few months, and at these events he has been very vigorous in defending the campaign of Jim Gilmore, and why good Republicans need to resist the spin that Mark is a good guy. He summarized some of his points in his latest newsletter:
Firstly, and perhaps most importantly, why on earth would we want to help Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Chris Dodd, and the rest of their gang by sending Mark Warner to Washington to help them reach a 60 vote Democrat supermajority?
Make no mistake about it: Mark Warner got his political start from Chris Dodd. He actually got his business start from him, too. Leveraging his knowledge as one who helped Dodd craft the rules for the eventual auction of cellular phone franchise licenses, he rounded up investors and built the foundation of his vast financial fortune. Since then, Warner has fallen in line, appearing on the campaign trail with John Kerry and now Barack Obama, and backing his liberal friends in Washington whenever they need him. Those who truly believe that Mark Warner will develop an independent streak once elected will be greatly disappointed.
That’s right. The very first vote Mark Warner will cast in the United States Senate will be to make Harry Reid Majority Leader. The Majority Leader in the Senate has incredible sway and deeply directs the course of legislation, and Reid’s power will only grow in they get to a filibuster proof 60 Senators, in which case conservative voices will be nearly silenced. There’s more, though. Behind that moderate “business oriented” facade is the heart of a liberal:
Not enough? Try this on for size. In a filmed interview with Virginia’s AFL-CIO Leadership, Warner promised he would back the so-called “card check” bill, effectively gutting Virginia’s right to work laws. Or this: Warner’s election will help liberal efforts to restore the “fairness doctrine,” which will decimate talk radio in America. The “fairness doctrine” would require radio stations airing conservative talk shows to also air an equal number of liberal talk shows, even if there is no demand for them and they cannot sell any advertising. Their only legal alternative would be to remove all talk radio from the airwaves. Increasingly, for liberals, the First Amendment is a one-way street. Hello Mark Warner — goodbye Rush Limbaugh!
I know Warner is a “nice” guy. I’m sure his politeness and sound logic was the reason that he got all but one freshman member of the House to back his massive tax hike that “saved” Virginia through fixed numbers……that, or the threat of strong Democratic challenges in the 2005 elections, funded through Warner’s massive personal wealth. Obenshain summarizes:
Don’t get me wrong. I like Mark Warner. He’s a nice guy. Jim Gilmore, on the other hand, has stepped on plenty of toes and will never win a “Miss Congeniality” award. That may be all it takes to win the votes of some, but not mine. Good grief!
More is at stake here than Mark Warner’s career trajectory, and more is on the line than one more Democratic vote in the Senate. The Democrats are pouring tens of millions of dollars into the campaign coffers of their candidates across the country because they believe their party on the verge of achieving a 60-vote supermajority which would strip Senate Republicans of the few parliamentary procedures they have to reign in liberal excesses. With a supermajority, Democrats could cut off debate on controversial bills and put them to an immediate vote, which they would inevitably win, voting along party lines.
Folks, I know that the people cavorting with Warner these days are “nice guys.” Potts. Chichester. Clint Miller. Pete GIesen. But these people long ago gave up on our party. They chose the easy path of funding “good” government through throwing as much money as possible at the problem, rather than doing the hard work of rolling up sleeves, cutting expenses, and looking for free market solutions.
Again, Mark Warner is not in line with the true conservative values of the Valley. Listen to his own words as he denounces groups that many Valley residents belong to:
Does that sound like a moderate and concilliator to you? Someone who will bring everyone to the table?
Cut through the spin. Vote your values. Vote Gilmore.
Bob Goodlatte and Jim Gilmore: Two men standing up to the establishment on one of the biggest government boondoggles in a generation.
Bob’s Statement:
Today the U.S. House of Representatives considered legislation, the Financial Stabilization Package, aimed at stabilizing the growing financial crisis currently facing our country. Nothing is more important to me than ensuring the future growth of our economy and we can all agree that Congress has a responsibility to act to ensure that credit, the lifeline of our economy, remains available to individuals, families, students, and small businesses all across this country.
Inaction has never been an option. However, after much deliberation, I reached the conclusion that this legislation, which I voted against, is not the solution to our long term financial problems or our short term credit liquidity crisis. While improvements have been made to the legislation, at its core it is the same as the revised Paulson plan which the House defeated earlier this week.
The Financial Stabilization Package represents the largest corporate bailout in American history by taking 700 billion dollars of taxpayers’ hard-earned money and handing it over to the very companies that made the bad decisions which led us into this mess in the first place. We literally reward those financial institutions who engaged in risky behavior to the tune of up to $8,000 for every family of four in the U.S. Since the federal government has to get this money from somewhere, it will borrow it, increasing the national debt. Not only will the government be paying $700 billion to bailout these reckless Wall Street companies, but also the billions of dollars in interest to pay off the debt. The bill requires the federal government to evaluate and purchase hundreds of billions of dollars of complex securities. Then the government will have to manage and ultimately sell these assets in an effort to recoup the taxpayers’ money. This is a responsibility for which it has no expertise and is a major intrusion in the financial markets with untold unintended consequences. This will directly affect every American by weakening the dollar and raising the cost of goods and services.
I believe there are other ways to turn this credit crisis around and stabilize our economy without penalizing taxpayers for the sins of those on Wall Street. The fundamental problem we face today is that no one knows how much the risky mortgage-backed securities are worth, and thus no private buyers are willing to purchase them. I am supportive of alternative initiatives to mandate that financial institutions purchase insurance from the federal government on these risky assets which places the burden on financial institutions to pay premiums for the insurance. The guarantee by the federal government would help unlock the liquidity of these assets by placing a minimum value on them. This would also limit the negative effects on taxpayers.
Other proposals worthy of consideration include funding assistance through a guaranteed bond program, which would be purchased by private investors, or a guarantee initiative similar to the net worth certificate program of the 1980s. These initiatives deserved scrutiny and consideration. Each of these would involve some financial participation by those who caused the problem. None were debated or voted on in this process.
I am pleased that after much urging from many Members of Congress, including myself, the mark-to-market accounting rules, which allows all financial institutions including local banks, to fairly value their assets and help to ease the credit crisis facing the country, were eased.
Our economy faces historic and unprecedented challenges. Most importantly Congress must not view the passage of the Financial Stabilization Package as the lone solution to the troubles in our national economy. It is critical that Congress continue to examine the root cause of this crisis, including fiscal irresponsibility and a lack of resolve to rebuild our domestic economy, including energy production.
I remain committed to working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to ensure that businesses are held accountable for their actions, which should help restore long term confidence in our financial markets and set our economy back on the right track.”
Also, Jim Gilmore has finally found an issue to hammer Mark Warner with. His statement, following the vigorous debate on Friday evening:
Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, candidate for the Virginia U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner, said today in a debate with Mark Warner on statewide television the choice for Virginia voters in the November 4th election is clear — a U.S. Senator like Jim Gilmore who will fight for taxpayers and oppose federal government bailouts or a U.S. Senator like Mark Warner who will sell out the taxpayers for the high rollers on Wall Street.
“I am strongly opposed to asking America’s hard working families to cover the bets of the Wall Street high rollers and insiders who exploited flaws in government regulations to make personal fortunes and devastate our economy,” said Gilmore.
Throughout the debate Gilmore repeatedly pointed out how as a U.S. Senator he will stand up for regular Virginians who are struggling and how Mark Warner will instead protect the special interests on Wall Street, rather than the taxpayers.
“Requiring taxpayers to cough up $700 billion without providing them any additional assurances for their own financial security is wrong,” Gilmore added.
Gilmore said Mark Warner supported the costly bailout of Wall Street while simultaneously taking in almost $3 million in contributions from the Wall Street high rollers who benefit from the taxpayer bailout. (Click here to see)
“Maybe Mark Warner finds it easy to take more and more of the taxpayers’ money, but I do not,” Gilmore said. “We must restore accountability in Washington – and on Wall Street – so America’s taxpayers are protected and our economy prospers.”
This third Virginia U.S. Senate debate between former Gov. Jim Gilmore and Mark Warner took place in Roanoke, Virginia. Sponsored by NBC affiliate WSLS Channel 10, the debate was held at the Taubman Museum of Art in downtown Roanoke and was moderated by WSLS news anchor and political reporter Jay Warren. The debate was broadcast live on television stations statewide.
Filed under: Election 2008, Local Press, State Government and Politics, Strategy and Tactics
WSVA 550AM 6th Congressional District Forum
Thursday October 9th 2008 at 10am
Holiday Inn -Tropical Room
1400 East Market Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia
Come watch Congressman Goodlatte explain to the people (and Sam Rasoul) just what it means to be a member of the United States House of Representatives and why we need his steady hand in this time of incredible change and crisis.
Filed under: Election 2008, Party Politics, State Government and Politics, Strategy and Tactics
| John McCain and Sarah Palin to campaign in Virginia Beach and Richmond | |
| Arlington, Virginia (October 6, 2008) – McCain-Palin 2008 announced that John McCain and Sarah Palin will campaign in Virginia on Monday, October 13th. Senator McCain and Govenor Palin will hold a rally in Virginia Beach at 10:00 a.m. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. Following the Virginia Beach event, Governor Palin will travel to Richmond to hold a 1:00 p.m. rally at the Arthur Ashe Center in Richmond.
Virginia Campaign Co-Chair, Attorney General Bob McDonnell said, “Voters statewide are excited to have the next President and Vice President of the United States bring their message of reform back to Virginia. John McCain and Sarah Palin will bring some much needed straight talk to the voters in Virginia about strengthening our economy, finding innovative solutions to our energy crisis, and keeping America safe. It is going to be a tough race in Virginia, but we are focused on winning Virginia so that John McCain and Sarah Palin can shake things up in Washington.” Voters can obtain tickets by going to the McCain Virginia website at Virginia.JohnMcCain.com or by visiting one of the Virginia Victory offices starting Tuesday, October 7th from 9:00 a.m. EDT to 9:00 p.m. EDT. Tickets will be available from Tuesday, October 7th through Monday, October 13th. WHO: John McCain and Sarah Palin WHAT: McCain-Palin Campaign Rally WHEN: Monday, October 13, 2008 WHERE: Virginia Beach Convention Center McCAIN-PALIN VIRGINIA BEACH RALLY DISTRIBUTION SITES Virginia Beach Regional Victory Headquarters Chesapeake Regional Victory Headquarters Norfolk Victory Headquarters Yorktown Victory Center GOVERNOR PALIN RICHMOND RALLY INFORMATION WHO: Governor Sarah Palin WHAT: McCain-Palin Campaign Rally WHEN: Monday, October 13, 2008 WHERE: Arthur Ashe Center GOVERNOR PALIN RALLY TICKET DISTRIBUTION SITES Richmond Regional Victory Headquarters Chesterfield Victory Headquarters Hanover County Victory Headquarters Fredericksburg Regional Victory Headquarters Harrisonburg Regional Victory Headquarters Charlottesville Victory Center Roanoke Regional Victory Headquarters Montgomery County Victory Center Washingt on County Victory Center |
