Decision Virginia

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

In the moments after the House of Delegates finally passed a version of the smoking ban that he found palatable, Governor Tim Kaine told reporters that he was going to sign the bill in the “fastest drying ink I can find.”  Today, without much fanfare the Governor’s office released his plan to sign the bill into law Monday at an event held at a restaurant in Virginia Beach.

According to the release of his public schedule the Governor is expected to sign the bill in front of a health advocates, legislative patrons, and other stake holders.

The details of the event are below:

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Smoking Ban Bill Signings. Governor Kaine will be joined by health advocates, legislative patrons, and other stake holders as he signs legislation from the 2009 General Assembly session that bans smoking in restaurants throughout the Commonwealth.

When:  2:00 p.m.

Where:  Croc’s 19th Street Bistro
620 19th Street
Virginia Beach, Virginia

Former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich held court today with a half dozen members of the Richmond area media taking on a wide range of topics, including the future of the Republican party, his thoughts on Barack Obama and the speculation that he might run for president.

While the majority of his discussion with the media was centered around his ambitious ideas for the future of the country (such as creating a space based air traffic control system), he still found time to get in a few sound bites that were sure to make headlines.

Gingrich was in town to deliver a lecture at Randolph-Macon College. The lecture was sold out.

After the jump are some of the former Speakers’ most quotable comments from today’s media event: Read the rest of this entry »

The saga continues over the future of Republican Party of Virginia chair Jeff Frederick. Today the party’s nominee for Governor, Bob McDonnell signaled that it is time for Frederick to go. In a written statement, McDonnell said, among other things:

“It is clear to me, after hearing from Republican leaders across the state, that as we move forward with our campaign, as well as the other statewide and House of Delegates races, it would be helpful for the Republican Party of Virginia to have more effective leadership in this pivotal year.”

McDonnell did not trumpet the news, but instead chose to release it to media outlets that requested his take on the situation. But while the candidate cautiously attempted to nudge the chair out of the way, Mr. Frederick dug in his heels. He released a statement where he confidently declared that he had the votes to survive at the next meeting of the executive committee on April 4th.  In a prepared statement of his own Frederick said:

“I will not retreat from the commitment I made to the core of our Party who clearly and unmistakably expressed their will at last May’s convention. I have every intention of continuing as Chairman and completing my term in May 2012. I have the commitments necessary to win the vote on April 4th, and will fulfill my term and the commitment to the people who entrusted me to lead our Party back to victory.”

This showdown could be the first speed bump in what has been a very smooth ride in the early going of the McDonnell campaign. You can bet his campaign is hoping this circus will come to a quick and peaceful end.

See the entire statements from both McDonnell and Frederick after the jump.

Read the rest of this entry »