"Agitate, agitate, agitate!" -Frederick Douglass
Chief Local Idiot Politician Bobby Orrock voted for it.
It’s kinda of sad to see Bob Marshall support the ban, especially given his conservative credentials.
And former Attorney General and current candidate for Governor, Bob McDonnell, released a press statement a couple days stating that he did not support the ban (WTOP). Hey, he might actually get my support this year. Wonders will never cease. :)
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?
His thoughts on the bailout deal in his weekly column (DOC file):
While the leaders of this nation negotiated a new bailout deal over the weekend, things seemed pretty normal on the Northern Neck. I got a chance to see some bald eagles that were on “The Cliffs” of Richmond County, geese were moving South and the weather forced farmers to take a break from long harvest days.
I rarely delve into national policy, but while the bailout deal won’t change whether there is rockfish migration this fall, it will change just about every aspect of American Capitalism.
As I am writing on deadline, I do not pretend to know everything in the 110 page bailout plan, nor do I know if it will even pass in the House of Representatives today. However, there are some things that I do know.
Free markets depend upon risk, reward and failure so that they can make long term efficient decisions. Indeed, the very efficiencies of big picture economic decision making means that – to avoid a future crisis — there must be some losers on Wall Street and in the investment community.
If the bailout bill insures that the people who should lose big do lose big, then it is probably acceptable and deserves passage.
Those people who take the biggest risk of time, talent and capital in the free market deserve to get the biggest return. However, everybody who has ever opened a lemonade stand knows that those who risk the reward also risk getting stuck with some lemons.
It is a firm understatement of fact that $700,000,000,000 (700 Billion dollars) is a lot of money – even judged by federal government standards. And, it is also true that the markets need help – I am not so Pollyannaish as to say that we should let complete economic meltdown occur without any action.
However, those who buy too many lemons – whether for loans or for a lemonade stand – should bear the responsibility they took with that risk. It is not the responsibility of the American taxpayer to reward bad economic decisions – and that is what this bailout deal appears to be, a reward of bad economic decisions.
Meanwhile, the earth as God designed it will move on. Fish will start their fall run, deer will start their rut, and the fields will dry up enough to finishing harvesting the crop. And, depending upon the action of Congress, there may be some extra lemons to go around.
I’m sure as heck aren’t going to get this from my current representative to Congress (Rob Wittman).
When: Monday, April 21st, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Where: Caroline County Public Library.
17202 Richmond Turnpike
Milford, Virginia 22514
(At least according to The Caroline Progress.)
In the January 30th edition of The Caroline Progress, there were two letters in support of Lee Anne Washington (R). The first was from a Howard Yarus of King George. King George is in (obviously) King George County, and is 20.95 miles away from Bowling Green (both the town seat of Caroline County and the location of The Caroline Progress‘s office).
The second letter in support of Lee Anne Washington (R), that was in the January 30th edition, was from Robert Fountain of Montross, Virginia. Robert Fountain is the Chairman of the Westmoreland County Republican Committee and is on First Congressional District Republican Committee. Montross is in Westmoreland County, and is 40.99 miles away from Bowling Green. This same letter also appeared in the February 6th edition of the Northern Neck News, which is owned by Lakeway Publishers, Inc., the same company that owns The Caroline Progress.
Another letter in support of Lee Anne Washington (R), appearing in the February 6th edition, was written by Terry Beatley from Lancaster, Virginia. Lancaster is in (again, obviously) Lancaster County, and is 68.31 miles away from Bowling Green.
The sole letter in support of Albert Pollard (D) appearing in any edition was in the February 6th edition. It was written by Rose West (who, admittedly, is the Secretary of the Caroline County Democratic Committee) who lives in Milford. Milford is 3.75 miles away from Bowling Green.
Yet another letter supporting Lee Anne Washington (R) written by Ron Herring of Heathsville, Virginia appeared in the February 13th edition. Heathsville is in Northumberland County and is 63.85 miles away from Bowling Green.
This is the same paper that in its December 5, 2007, edition printed a letter from the sheriff of Poquoson and York County in support of Rob Wittman (R). Yorktown is 100.57 miles away from Bowling Green!
Does anyone else see a problem with a 4–1 ratio of letters in support of one candidate (and if you include the letter in support of Wittman, a 5–1 ratio for one party)? Especially when the four letters (five, including Wittman’s) are from people not even in Caroline County? Especially times two, when the letters are being published in other newspapers owned by the same company?
It wouldn’t be a problem with using letters from their sister publications if they were done in a fair and balance manner!
Wait a second…I’m expecting them to do their jobs — how foolish of me…
On my “Lee Anne Washington (R) is either completely ignorant, or an outright liar; take your pick.” post:
Lee Anne Washington said,
I am neither completely ignorant, nor a liar. I simply stated my position on issues that have arisen either via recently proposed legislation or via recent public debate. I am sorry that you expended so much effort to misconstrue and take issue with what is clearly a policy statement. Next time, if you need a clarification, why don’t you just call me?
Yes, the infamous, “that’s not what I said” defense. Sorry to rehash, but here is what she said in a letter to The Free Lane–Star:
I know Virginians cannot tolerate illegal aliens receiving in-state college tuition, driver’s licenses, welfare, and state benefits. I pledge cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Remove these incentives for illegal aliens, and they’ll stop coming.
Anyone with a 12th grade education (even from Caroline County) knows that she is saying that illegal aliens currently receive in-state college tuition and driver’s licenses when they don’t! (For more details on that, see the original post). Otherwise, she wouldn’t be using the present tense of “receive” and the future tense of “remove”, as well as saying “they [wi]ll stop coming”.
Am I the only one that had to take English in high school (or college)?
Further, no legislation has come forward (as she claims) that would affect either in-state college tuition or driver’s licenses. There has been no public debate regarding in-state tuition or driver’s licenses as she claims either. Why should there be? It’s been settled!
Instead of saying, “sorry, I messed up”, instead she has to use the usual “that’s not what I said” defense.
Vote Albert Pollard tomorrow folks.
From Lee Anne Washington’s letter to The Free Lance-Star:
I know Virginians cannot tolerate illegal aliens receiving in-state college tuition, driver’s licenses, welfare, and state benefits. I pledge cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Remove these incentives for illegal aliens, and they’ll stop coming.
[…]
Like Rob Wittman, I’ll base my policy decisions on scientific evidence, not emotion and questionable anecdotes.
Repeat after me: ILLEGAL ALIENS DO NOT RECEIVE IN-STATE TUITION.
My proof?
From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Bill to bar illegals at colleges advances:
All state public colleges and universities — even those with policies that do not prohibit enrolling undocumented students — charge out-of-state tuition to those students in accordance with state and federal law.
RT-D: Immigration bills advance:
Some schools say they do not admit undocumented students but do not verify legal residency status if the student claims to be a U.S. citizen on the application and pays out-of-state tuition.
RT-D: Education restrictions advance:
The [illegal] students may attend public K-12 schools and currently can attend several state colleges as long as they pay out-of-state tuition, which can be double or nearly triple the cost of in-state tuition.
RT-D: Colleges’ admittance of illegals opposed:
Undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition, which can be double and nearly triple the cost of in-state tuition.
[…]
As with other state schools, students would have to supply documentation of legal residence to be considered for in-state tuition or any kind of state or federal aid.
And finally, check out the hoops that you have to jump through to get in-state tuition (p. 3).
Second, repeat after me: ILLEGAL ALIENS DO NOT RECEIVE DRIVER’S LICENSES.
From the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: Acceptable Documents:
To apply for a driver’s license, learner’s permit, commercial driver’s license (CDL), or CDL instruction permit you must bring two identification documents, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your complete social security number (if you have been issued one). Anyone applying for a CDL or CDL instruction permit is required to provide a social security number. To apply for a photo identification (ID) card you must bring two identification documents, one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency.
[…]
All documents will be subject to verification, which may delay the issuance of your license, learner’s permit or photo identification card.
As for welfare benefits, from The Washington Post: Illegal Immigrants in Md. and Va. Out-Earn U.S. Peers, Study Says:
Randy Capps, a researcher at the nonpartisan Urban Institute who studies welfare use by immigrants and their children, said illegal immigrant families appear to be largely limiting themselves to programs such as subsidized school lunches and Medicaid. Regarding the program most commonly associated with welfare — cash assistance to needy families — fewer than 1 percent of illegal-immigrant households nationwide and in Maryland and Virginia use the benefit, compared with 3 percent of native households in Virginia, 5 percent of native households in Maryland and 5 percent nationwide.
It is completely reprehensible and unbecoming of anyone running for elected office to be so completely ignorant (or to lie) about the laws that they will be making.
She claims that she will “base [her] policy decisions on scientific evidence, not emotion and questionable anecdotes”, instead she decides to not tell the truth to people in the 99th District.
It’s not often that a candidate makes me vote against them, but Lee Anne Washington has just succeeded in accomplishing that.
From The Free Lance-Star: Pollard should be more experienced than this!:
Pollard should be more experienced than this!
Many of us have noticed that large “Pollard” signs have suddenly appeared around the district.
On closer inspection, it appears that these signs have been recycled from the previous state Senate campaign, with the lower portion cut off.
There is nothing wrong with that. The problem is that in cutting off the bottom, those who posted the signs have also eliminated the mandatory authorization line, which must be part of any political advertising.
In Title 24.2 of the Code of Virginia, Chapter 9.5 includes instructions for including the statement “Paid for by [Name of candidate or campaign committee]” on campaign materials.
Those instructions also state that “any disclosure required by this section shall be displayed in a conspicuous manner.” Under 24.2-955.3 of the code, certain penalties are prescribed for violation of these laws.
These signs have begun to appear throughout the district. Just curious: How can someone with such vast experience in government service have overlooked such a simple requirement?
Jeff Gerau
Caroline
Amazing job there getting it wrong.
From § 24.2-955:
The disclosure requirements of this chapter apply to any sponsor of an advertisement in the print media or on radio or television the cost or value of which constitutes an expenditure or contribution required to be disclosed under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.) except that the disclosure requirements of this chapter do not apply to (i) an individual who makes independent expenditures aggregating less than $1,000 in an election cycle for a candidate or (ii) an individual who incurs expenses only with respect to a referendum.
From § 24.2-955.1:
As used in this chapter, unless the context requires a different meaning:
“Advertisement” means any message appearing in the print media, on television, or on radio that constitutes a contribution or expenditure under Chapter 9.3 (§ 24.2-945 et seq.). “Advertisement” shall not include novelty items authorized by a candidate including, but not limited to, pens, pencils, magnets, and buttons to be attached to wearing apparel.
[…]
“Print media” means billboards, cards, newspapers, newspaper inserts, magazines, printed material disseminated through the mail, pamphlets, fliers, bumper stickers, periodicals, website, electronic mail, and outdoor advertising facilities. If a single print media advertisement consists of multiple pages, folds, or faces, the disclosure requirement of this section applies only to one page, fold, or face.
“Radio” means any radio broadcast station that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
[…]
“Television” means any television broadcast station, cable television system, wireless-cable multipoint distribution system, satellite company, or telephone company transmitting video programming that is subject to the provisions of 47 U.S.C. §§ 315 and 317.
Nowhere does it say that campaign signs (with the exception of billboards) have to have disclaimers on them. You can, of course, put disclaimers on them if you want but you don’t have to.
No local candidate had disclaimer information on their campaign signs on the side of the road in the last general election.
When Robert Wittman was running for reelection for his 99th House of Delegates seat his signs did not have disclaimers either.
After the general election, when Wittman was running for the Republican nomination for the special election for Virginia’s 1st Congressional District and after he won the nomination: he reused the same signs — ones that didn’t have disclaimers on them.
If this is the best that Lee Anne Washington supporters can come up with, she’s really in trouble…
The Journal Press: Republican Lee Anne Washington is facing Democrat Albert Pollard for 99th District seat:
Republicans have now assured Democrat Albert Pollard the he will not get a free ride on February 19.
White Stone attorney and Town Council member Lee Anne Washington is now the Republican candidate for the 99th District House of Delegates position that was vacated one month ago, when Delegate Rob Wittman resigned from the elected position in order to begin his duties as a U.S. Congressman. A special election will be held on Tuesday, February 19.
[…]
Questions emerged about the single mother’s family and Washington corrected the record, explaining that she is not a President George Washington descendant but a cousin or niece, many times removed.
I may not have the best of them “book smarts”; but how could anyone be a descendant of President George Washington when he had no biological children?!
What next? Is she going to say she’s a descendant of Robert E. Lee or Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson?
New prediction: Albert Pollard win with 75% of the vote (up from my prediction of 70%).
(H/t: Fred2Blue)
I do this for you, my loyal readers!
Please, no gifts!
From The Free Lance-Star: GOP set for race in House district:
Only one Republican filed to run for the 99th House of Delegates district by the GOP’s Jan. 1 deadline.
That means White Stone attorney Lee Anne Washington is the Republican nominee to run for the 99th House seat.
Washington has not held public office before. She graduated from the College of William & Mary and got her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1988. She is a member of the Northern Neck Chesapeake Bay Public Access Authority and serves on the boards of several nonprofit organizations, according to a news release.
CORRECTION from The Free Lance-Star: Lee Anne Washington, the Republican nominee for the 99th House District seat, serves on the White Stone Town Council in Lancaster County. A story yesterday incorrectly described her political experience.
On the Democratic side, former Del. Albert Pollard Jr. is running, and while he isn’t the official nominee yet–district Democrats have set a Saturday deadline for candidates to file with them–no other names have surfaced.
The 99th District is open because former Del. Rob Wittman won a special election for the congressional 1st District last month. He quickly resigned his House seat.
The election to fill the seat will be held Feb. 19. By that time, most of the General Assembly session will be over, but state law prohibits holding an election in the 60 days before a primary, and both parties are holding presidential primaries on Feb. 12. That makes the 19th the earliest viable date for the 99th District special election.
Pollard served three terms as the 99th District delegate before retiring in 2005 to attend to his business. He returned to politics last year with a campaign for the 28th District state Senate seat, which he lost to Republican Richard Stuart.
In formally announcing his candidacy, Pollard said it’s “unfortunate that the Northern Neck will be without an advocate” in the House for most of the session, but that his past experience would allow him to begin working immediately if elected.
“If elected, I pledge from day one to continue the style of representation which I proudly proffered before,” Pollard said in a statement. “This brand is independent minded, puts policy before partisanship, and focuses on making the Northern Neck, and Virginia as a whole, a better place to live.”
Prediction: An Albert Pollard win with 70% (if not more) of the vote.