Month: November 2008

99th HoD (House of Delegates) Watch: Lee Anne Washington still has an open candidate committee.

At the end of the February 20th – June 30th reporting period, Lee Anne Washington — who lost 42.39% to 57.58% against Albert Pollard in the February 19th special election to fill now-Congressman Rob Wittman’s former seat — still had an open campaign committee with a $292.68 balance.

Of course, she also has $761.38 in debt for advertising from the Lakeway Publishers of Virginia (publisher of The Caroline Progress amongst others), Northern Neck Buyers Guide (one of those real estate listing publications, I believe), and The Journal Press Inc. (owner of the King George-based The Journal).

Since when did newspapers set up payment plans for advertising, out of curiosity?

It should be noted that just because someone still has an open campaign committee isn’t necessary an indicator that they plan on running for a seat. Right now, Rob Wittman’s House of Delegates campaign committee is still open and has a $19,876.94 balance as of June 30th.

It’s also interesting that Wittman didn’t bother donating any money to Lee Anne Washington’s campaign as well when he has a $19,876.94 balance on a committee he has no need for; especially when the money can’t legally be used on his Congressional race…

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending November 1, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

On October 26, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood stopped James A. Johnson, Jr., 39, of Ruther Glen for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Johnson was charged with Felony Eluding, Unauthorized Use of a Vehicle, Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol, Drive Revoked DUI Related, Refusal to Submit to a Test, Obstruction of Justice and Failing to Drive on the Right Side of the Roadway. He was ordered held without bond and a court date of November 7, 2008 was set.

On October 27, 2008, Deputy C.M. Polliard responded to a Woodford address for a disturbance call. Upon further investigation, Michael G. Hiort, 48, of Woodford was charged with Manufacture Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana with the Intent to Distribute. He was held on a $5,000 secured bond and a court date of October 31, 2008 was set.

On October 28, 2008, Deputy G.J. Hamilton stopped Edmond L. Baylor, 50, of Bowling Green for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Baylor was charged with Driving Suspended, Reckless Driving and Fail to Obtain a County Decal. He was released on a $1,500 unsecured bond and a court date of November 5, 2008 was set.

On October 30, 2008, Sergeant S.L. Cary and Deputy J.K. Miller responded to a Bowling Green business for a disturbance call. Upon further investigation, Harvey L. Holder, 29, of North Carolina was charged with being Drunk in Public and Obstruction of Justice and was ordered held without bond. Additionally, David O. Preddy, 36, of North Carolina, was charged with being Drunk in Public and was ordered held without bond. A court date of October 31, 2008 was set for both subjects. A warrant for Malicious Wounding was also obtained for Dallas Doss of North Carolina.

On October 30, 2008, Deputy F.L. Brennan stopped Julian J. Gwathmey, 57, of Ruther Glen for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Gwathmey was charged with Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol – 3rd Offense, Driving after being Declared a Habitual Offender and Speeding. He was held on a $5,000 secured bond and a court date of October 31, 2008 was set.

On October 31, 2008, Deputy R.J. Anderson responded to a Ruther Glen business for a disturbance call. After further investigation, Lloyd Ferguson, 49, of Ruther Glen was charged with being Drunk in Public and Destruction of Property. He is being held on a $2,000 secured bond and a court date of November 5, 2008 was set.

On October 31, 2008, Sergeant S.L. Cary responded to a Milford address for a curse and abuse call. After further investigation, Burwell D. Trivette, 45, of Milford was charged with Curse and Abuse Over the Phone. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of November 13, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 4 drug arrests, 2 DUI arrest, 9 domestic violence arrests, 175 other criminal arrests and 2 animal control summons or arrests during the past week. The deputies served 519 civil papers, issued 205 traffic summonses, handled 11 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 22 alarm calls, and dealt with 5 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 524 calls for service and handled 1,785 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 35 calls assisting outside agencies and had 230 self-initiated calls.

Thoughts on the 2008 election: Can we have a do over?

Maybe, this time around we will have a primary instead of a convention to select the Republican Senate candidate, so that idiot Jim Gilmore doesn’t get nominated.

The Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) went out of their way to piss off Tom Davis by doing a convention — which would mean his NOVA Congressional district would have less representation in a convention compared to a primary — and it helped to cost them a Senate seat.

While Tom Davis might not have won, it wouldn’t have been a crushing 30% defeat. It would also have helped whoever the Republican Presidential candidate would have been (more on that later). The Republicans would have probably have held on to the 11th Congressional District too. Instead, now, we have that complete idiot Gerry Connolly (D) in Congress now. Bravo.

Now, that the certified loser Jim Gilmore has lost yet again, does that mean he will finally retire from politics? Or will he do the Alan Keyes thing and pop up anytime he has a chance to screw something up?

As for the Presidential nominee: Of all the bloody people that could have been picked during the early primaries, conventions, and caucuses; those people chose John Freakin’ McCain.

The guy is hated by many so conservatives and the party identification of the exit polls showed that. The only reasons that some conservatives showed up at all was due to Sarah Palin. But like most Vice Presidential nominees, it usually isn’t enough for them to accomplish whatever his/her reason for being picked was (making the base happy, trying to pick-up his/her home state, etc.)

Those early conventioneers and primary voters could have chosen Fred Thompson, Mitt Romney, or Rudy Giuliani. Sure, those candidates had their weakness — Thompson’s age, Romney’s Mormonism, or Giuliani’s less than stellar reputation with the social cons — but they would have done a hell of a lot better than McCain.

Those early voters chose McCain because he was “the most electable candidate”.

Good to see that worked out well.

And Ace of Spades HQ has a great post about McCain’s problems:

There is no “McCainism” as there was a “Bushism” or “Reaganism.” Those men offered fairly clear visions (well, Reagan particularly so). Not McCain. Everything with him is just his personal gut, principle-free, just an instinct, an impulse, which often takes him in wildly contradictory places (but he’s always haughty about the moral superiority of his decisions).

For example, he’s pro-drilling… but not in ANWR. Um, why? He’s forever undercutting himself with unexplained hedges and caveats.

He’s pro-business… Kinda. Except when he’s making his distaste for anyone working in the private sector “for profit not patriotism” so glaringly evident.

He wants to lower taxes. Sorta. Sometimes. Maybe. In election years.

We must regard Obama as suspect because of his association with the terrorist Bill Ayers… but it’s racist to mention his membership in Jeremiah Wright’s Church of Hate.

This leads to a paralysis among his campaign staff. Everyone knew, pretty much, the Idea of Reagan. They could act independently with confidence that they were advancing Reagan’s goals.

No one could do that with McCain.

Read the whole thing, as they say.

Is Ronald Webb planning a run against Albert Pollard next year in the 99th District?

Albert Pollard (D) won the special election for the 99th House of Delegates District in February against Lee Anne Washington (R).

Rob Wittman (R) had previously represented the 99th District until he won a special election to replace the late Jo Ann Davis for the 1st Congressional District in December 2007.

Ronald Webb (R) previously ran against Albert Pollard for the 99th District in 2001, losing 38.47% to 61.49%.

From April to July 2008, Webb received $7,138.91 in contributions, including $4,763.91 from the First Congressional District of Virginia Republican Committee and a $1,225 contribution from himself.

In that same period, Webb spent $1,225 for a “campaign manager”, $895 on “political flyers”, and $2,128.20 on “political signs”.

Webb has also been sending letters to The Caroline Progress constantly attacking Albert Pollard.

So, is he considering a run next year?