Archive for the ‘McDonnell Administration’ Category
McDonnell chides Obama on campaign “kickoff”
Governor Bob McDonnell is a prominent Mitt Romney supporter so it is not a surprise that he doesn’t share the same enthusiasm about Barack Obama‘s upcoming visit to Virginia as the wide-eyed Obama volunteers who we featured Wednesday night.
But that doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate the significance of the Obama campaign picking Richmond as one of two locations to kickoff off the president’s re-election bid.
“We are going to see plenty of the candidates, that’s good,” McDonnell said. “Most people ignore Virginia because they think it is going one way or the other. But this is going to be a real competitive race.”
But McDonnell stops short of buying into the notion that Saturday May, 5th is really the start of the Obama campaign.
“Well he’s been campaigning for the last two years so it’s really not the kickoff to the campaign,” he said.
The republicans seem intent to remind everyone that the president has been spending a lot of time in swing states. Events that may not have been campaign events, but ones that played to audiences that will play a key role in his re-election. House Speaker John Boehner was among those who said the White House was campaigning on the taxpayer’s dime. The Speaker even called on the Obama campaign to reimburse the federal government for the president’s recent trip to college campuses to drum up support for an extension on lower student loan rates.
The Obama campaign deflected the criticism and argued that the president’s travel is not out of the ordinary for a Commander-in-Chief. Even one seeking reelection.
McDonnell said regardless of how many times Obama comes to Virginia it can’t change what he views as policies that have not worked.
“No matter what the president may say that doesn’t change the fact that we are $16 trillion dollars in debt and unemployment is at 8.3%.”
Expect McDonnell to be front and center as a chief surrogate for the Romney campaign, there to rebut the president’s speech and offer the alternative perspective.
See an extended clip from Governor McDonnell’s remarks below:
In a surprise move, Senate moves budget forward
It was a hectic, unpredictable 48 hours at the State Capitol. It started with what was expected to be an easy passage of a compromise of the state budget. But like many other votes in this crazy session, Senate democrats united to turn the spending plan back. It led to calls of gloom and doom and what Governor Bob McDonnell coined “fiscal irresponsibility.”
Fast forward to Wednesday afternoon, during what appeared to be a sleepy veto session. In what seemed like just a few minutes, The budget vote was brought back, this time with veteran democrat Chuck Colgan voting with the republicans. That one vote enough to break a serious deadlock and put a budget stuck in neutral back on the fast track.
The vote itself, was only part of the drama, as I explain in my story for NBC12 Senator Harry Blevins had to be rushed back to the Capitol for the final vote:
RICHMOND (WWBT)- After a bleak picture just 24 hours before, Virginia is one step closer to a final budget. Wednesday at the State Capitol, the Senate passed the measure by just one vote.
What changed was the mind of one veteran democratic senator. Sen. Chuck Colgan (Manassas) voted with his party Tuesday to hold up the budget, Wednesday he decided it was time to move the process on, capping a remarkable 24 hours at Capitol Square.
There was no special deal, no grand bargain, just a senator with a mind of his own who decided the imperfect budget was good enough to pass through to the next phase of negotiations.
Governor Bob McDonnell gave Colgan all the credit.
“He has said for some time that he understands very well that we need to have a budget and the later we go in this process the more uncertainty and unpredictability and hardship that a lack of a budget will work on the citizens of Virginia,” the governor said.
Colgan’s change of heart shocked nearly everyone, including Chesapeake Senator Harry Blevins who was en route to the bedside of his ailing wife.
When the vote was being reconsidered, the State Police put out an all points bulletin to alert Blevins about his need to return to Richmond. He rushed back in time to vote, and then was flown by state helicopter to hospital where is where his wife is being treated.
….read and see the story on NBC12.com
Meanwhile the governor’s attitude toward the budget process has improved greatly. On Tuesday he warned about a shrinking timeline and a dangerous fiscal position the legislature was putting the Commonwealth. Wednesday, after getting the Senate approval, McDonnell said that compared to the budget battles of 2004 and 2006, there is quite a bit of time to go through the amendment process.
That is right, we aren’t done yet. McDonnell will now carefully review the final legislative compromise and offer up his amendments. His changes will once again need the approval of the legislature. Which means this battle could begin all over again.
A portion of McDonnell’s reaction to the budget vote can be seen below:
The Senate democrats did not release a statement in reaction to the budget vote, but the House democratic statement can be found after the jump:
Budget battle continues with partisan lines drawn
If you thought the election of 2011 was settled, think again. Virginia is in the middle of bitter partisan fight at a State Capitol historically known for its bi-partisan cooperation. It all tracks back to last November and an election that did not clearly hand power to a single party in the Virginia Senate. As a result, every controversial vote has come down to hectic, last-minute deals. Deals that often aren’t known until the vote is finally taken on the Senate floor.
While the battles over social issues are over, democrats are holding on to the one remaining power they have left to play, their vote on the budget. Republicans cannot use Lt. Governor Bill Bolling‘s tie-breaking vote to pass the budget. Therefore, their 20 votes are enough to stop the $85 billion spending plan in its tracks. It’s allowed them to whittle away at GOP priorities and inject their limited voice into the Virginia government agenda.
It was a tactic that was successful and despite some chirping from newspaper editorial boards, it went largely unnoticed by the public. Tuesday’s vote to stall the budget for the third time, for a third different reason takes the argument into new territory. Last week the Gov. Bob McDonnell led Virginia Department of Transportation warned that they will start scaling back projects on May 1st, just a few weeks away. Localities are waiting on funding decisions that could be the differences between staffing teachers and police officers or going without. It is a showdown that could leave the reputation of both sides at risk.
Here is my story from NBC12 on where things stand right now:
RICHMOND (WWBT)- The threat of a Virginia government shutdown is growing after democrats at the State Capitol refused to pass a state budget.
This is the third time senate democrats have stood their ground, for the third different reason.
The division between democrats and republicans seems to be growing wider, and the time left to pass a budget is growing shorter. If the two sides don’t resolve their differences, state government as we know it is in big trouble.
It is a warning governor Bob McDonnell first sounded weeks ago. He repeated it again Tuesday.
“Everything from teacher funding to current VDOT projects will be slowed or potentially postponed,” said the governor.
Without a passed state budget, the government can’t operate. The current budget ends June 30th. It is a date fast approaching with no tangible sign of agreement to be found.
“They are the problem,” said McDonnell.
No agreement, but plenty of blame to go around.
“This is the most fiscally irresponsible act that I’ve seen during my career,” said McDonnell.
But democrats like Sen. Don McEachin (D- Henrico) believe the republicans are blowing things out of proportion
“There are those who want to scare the public and say the government will shut down,” said McEachin. “That is not the case.”
McEachin is among the most vocal hard line democrats. A group that three different times has used their 20 votes to block the budget from moving forward.
….read and see the rest of the story at NBC12.com.
Governor Bob McDonnell kept his composure, but was clearly angry with the democratic vote:
Meanwhile Henrico Senator Don McEachin doesn’t appeared worried about the budget timeline:
O’Malley on 2012, Romney, Obama and McDonnell
In a rare opportunity, NBC12 was granted a one on one interview with Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley. We talked to O’Malley Tuesday night from Baltimore as the polls were closing in his state’s GOP primary. O’Malley is a rising democratic star and shares much in common with Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell.
We talked about his relationship with McDonnell, the GOP primary and President Barack Obama‘s prospects for November.
The full interview can be seen below:
Tuesday night on NBC12 we took an in-depth look into the relationship of O’Malley and McDonnell:
BALTIMORE, MD (WWBT)- The State of Maryland is solidly blue and its votes probably won’t have that big of an impact on the general election, but it’s governor just might. Martin O’Malley is a rising democratic star, who may one day be a candidate for president himself. He shares quite a bit in common with our Governor Bob McDonnell.
“On a personal level, Governor McDonnell and I get a long fairly well,” said O’Malley.
And why shouldn’t they? They are both military veterans, Irish Catholics, with big families and important jobs. They both also serve as the chairs of the republican and democratic governor’s associations. But despite all they have in common, when it comes to practical politics O’Malley and McDonnell couldn’t be more different.
“I believe the way me move America forward is by not treating like an old car that you stop repairing when it gets old,” O’Malley said.
O’Malley believes that republicans like McDonnell, are advocating policies that keep the country locked in neutral. He was particularly critical of Virginia’s past general assembly session. A session he believes will resonate into the presidential election.
“We have very different views when it comes to workers rights, when it comes to women’s rights and when it comes to voters rights,” said the Maryland Governor.
read and see the full story on NBC12.com
Governor McDonnell’s spokesman Tucker Martin issued this statement in response to our interview with Governor O’Malley.
“Governor O’Malley is a really nice guy who just happens to really love raising taxes. Right now he’s trying to increase taxes in Maryland on everything from gas to income to cigars, and he’s already pushed through numerous other tax hikes. Governor McDonnell likes and respects Governor O’Malley, but he strongly disagrees with his persistent desire to always take more money from hard-working taxpayers.”
– Tucker Martin, Director of Communications
Poll shows positive signs for Obama in Virginia
President Barack Obama has made Virginia an important focus and it is paying off. A new poll from Quinnipiac shows Obama opening up his largest lead in the 2012 campaign. He is up 8 points. The poll also revealed that Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell would have a negligible impact on the ultimate outcome of the race.
See the full poll on Quinnipiac’s web site
It is early, but the Obama campaign has to be thankful that their work leading to success. Team Obama already has a great deal of paid staff on the ground and the president has made many visits to the commonwealth. Democrats also believe that their work drawing attention to controversial bills in the General Assembly on abortion and gun rights are having an impact. According to this poll, Obama leads Mitt Romney among women 52%-39%.
Of course it is very early and Romney paid no attention to Virginia during the GOP primary because of the lack of competition. He has almost no organized staff on the ground here and his only visits have been private fundraisers. And it is also worth mentioning that he is not the official nominee quite yet.
I have more on what this poll means in the context of the 2012 race on NBC12.com.
RICHMOND (WWBT)- The topsy-turvy Virginia political picture took another turn today, with a new poll that is filled with good news for President Obama. It is just one poll, but democrats are very satisfied with what it says in many key areas that will be vital to the November election.
It is still a very close race, but it appears that President Obama’s intense focus on the commonwealth is starting to pay off. A new poll conducted by Quinnipiac shows the Obama- Biden ticket with their largest lead in Virginia, 8 points over Mitt Romney.
Democrats credit the intense focus on social issues in the recent general assembly session as part of their success. They have coordinated on all levels to bring a bright focus to bills, sponsored by republicans impacting abortion and guns.
That may have pushed Obama to a 52%- 39% lead with women.
But republicans have yet to pick a candidate. While Romney is in the lead, The GOP nomination isn’t sealed. On CNN Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell said the long primary is not a problem.
“He’s getting more and more endorsements from key people, conservatives, independents, moderates,” said McDonnell, Romney supporter. “I think he’ll be the nominee and I think it will be by June.”
read and see the whole story on NBC12.com.
McDonnell signs ultrasound before abortion bill into law
As expected Gov. Bob McDonnell officially signed into law a bill that will require woman seeking an abortion to undergo an ultrasound prior to the procedure. The debate over the measure led to protests and a re-iginition of the abortion battle in the Commonwealth.
McDonnell released the following statement after signing the bill:
Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Signing HB462
RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement today after signing HB462.
“The issue of abortion raises passionate feelings among many Virginians, based on one’s own views on life and liberty. While debates in the legislature over the decades may seem to indicate there is no common ground to be found on this issue, I believe that areas of agreement can and do exist. Most agree that a woman’s decision to seek an abortion is difficult, irreversible and life-altering. Nearly everyone agrees that reducing the number of abortions is a laudable goal. I believe that we become a more compassionate society when we enact reasonable legislation to protect innocent human life.
Women have a right to know all the available medical and legal information surrounding the abortion decision before giving legally effective informed consent. Informed consent is already required prior to an abortion being performed in Virginia, based on the longstanding health care concept that complete information about a medical procedure must be given to a patient before she can freely consent to a procedure. As difficult as an abortion decision is, the information provided by ultrasounds, along with other information given by the doctor pursuant to current law and prevailing medical practice, can help the mother make a fully informed decision.
This bill does not legally alter a woman’s ability to make a choice regarding her pregnancy. It does, however, put Virginia in line with 23 other states that have some type of requirement that a woman be offered a view of an ultrasound before an abortion can be performed.
I previously recommended amendments to the legislature to remove any requirement in this bill for a state mandated internal ultrasound procedure, and the General Assembly agreed that amendments were necessary. I do not believe any woman should be required by the state to undergo such an ultrasound, without her consent, as a precondition to another medical procedure. The bill I signed today ensures that will not occur.
As I have for 21 years as a public servant, I consider it important to embrace a culture of life in our Commonwealth, and to protect the life and liberty of all of our citizens. While we sometimes reach different policy conclusions in our great, free nation, let us continue to work together with respect and civility for the common good.”
Reaction to Capitol protest arrests sparks partisan divide
Republicans and Democrats have picked sides in a battle over the response by State and Capitol Police to an abortion rights protest that led to several dozen arrests on Saturday. Democrats spent Monday attacking the decision by Capitol Police to call in State Police reinforcements to break up what they describe as a peaceful protest. In press releases, on social media and on the floor of the House and Senate, democratic leaders evoked strong language as they expressed their displeasure with police in riot gear breaking up the protest and forcibly removing protestors from the steps of the Capitol.
Many of these democrats found a way to lay much of the blame on Governor Bob McDonnell.
Fairfax Senator Chap Petersen (D), a potential candidate for statewide office said the response was overblown. “We are a free society. This is a public square,” he said from the Senate floor. “People have a right to protest, without harassment or intimidation.”
Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran took it a step further. He intertwined the response to the policies of the McDonnell administration and continued to push the narrative that McDonnell himself may have called for the State Police to act in the fashion that they did.
“While I cannot say whether or not the Governor authorized or had knowledge of this weekend’s regrettable arrests,” Moran said. “There is no question that this unfortunate situation could have been avoided by a leader with the courage to resist the extreme elements of his own party and focus on making life better for Virginia families.”
But McDonnell forcefully defended his role in the Capitol Square showdown. When asked directly by our Andy Jenks if he ordered the State Police to break up the protest the governor did not mince words.
“Absolutely not. See, that’s the problem. And that’s been the problem for about a month up here,” McDonnell said. “People saying things of which they have no direct information. And saying things that are just flat not correct.” McDonnell said he was at the CAA basketball tournament during the protest and did not learn what occurred until well after the situation had ended.
But while McDonnell defended his own role, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and GOP members of the House and Senate attacked democrats for their criticism of law enforcement. Bolling, a candidate for governor in 2013, said that they “owe Capitol Police an apology” for the way they assailed them on the floor of the General Assembly.
Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment (R) explained that leaders of the House and Senate had worked with Capitol Police to develop a contingency plan in the event that protests in the 2012 session threatened the civil assembly of the legislature. He said those plans were agreed to by republicans and democrats. He contended that the police were just doing their job and hinted that democrats were encouraging the partisan divide as a way to avoid talking about the stalled budget process.
“There are some in this body, that have done everything that they can to exacerbate the tarnishing of that public image based social issues to try to deflect what they are not doing in other issues.”
And as the rhetoric heats up, the ultrasounds before abortions, which sparked the protest, remains sitting on Governor McDonnell’s desk waiting for the final salvo in what has been a divisive fight over social issues.
A fight that has drawn clear lines between republicans and democrats and in most cases, where you sit on those issues seems to be directly linked to how one views the response to the weekend protests.
Also..
See Ben Garbarek‘s report on NBC12 on those arrested on Saturday, which includes an explanation from Capitol Police as to why they responded in the way they did.
McDonnell’s role in Capitol protests
Saturday was a hectic day at the State Capitol. As our Ben Garbarek reported, several dozen people were arrested after a protest. This was another in a series of mass gatherings designed to stop controversial legislation aimed at abortion. This particular gathering was specifically designed to encourage Governor Bob McDonnell to veto legislation that would require an ultrasound before an abortion.
As Ben reported yesterday, the protest was peaceful and for the most part, within the standards set up by the General Assembly when it comes to mass gatherings at the State Capitol. Roughly one thousand people set up at the Bell Tower to send a message to the governor regarding the legislation.
However, things took a turn when a small group of protestors decided to assemble on the steps of the Capitol building. A maneuver that is specifically prohibited by the Department of General Services regulations. Capitol Police asked the Virginia State Police for help in breaking up the situation. The result was a moment that created unpleasant optics. State Police in full riot gear forcibly removing Virginia citizens from a public building. Many of them arrested and temporarily detained.
In the wake of the event, supporters of the protestors were strong in their criticism of State and Capitol Police. They argued that there was no violence or counter protest and that the police presence far too much. Many specifically blamed Governor McDonnell and claimed he “ordered” the police to respond in the fashion that they did.
According to representatives from both the State and Capitol Police, it doesn’t work that way.
“The governor has never directed me in any of my operations at the State Capitol,” said Col. Steve Pike, the Chief of the Capitol Police. “I report to the legislative leaders in the General Assembly.”
Pike told me that he takes personal responsibility for the way his team responded to yesterday’s protests and that their action had nothing to do with the group or their beliefs. He claims that he was simply enforcing laws that have been on the books since 1972.
“It is my responsibility as the Chief of the Capitol Police to protect that property,” he said. “All those resources are there just in case things don’t go smoothly.”
Richmond Del. Delores McQuinn is among those reacting strongly to the way the Capitol Police handled the situation.
“I have never seen a similar police presence when guns rights advocates assemble on Capitol Square on Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday,” she said in a statement. “We must ask the question: what are they so afraid of? Women demanding the right to be treated with respect shouldn’t illicit arrest.”
Despite the fact that a small portion of the group was in violation of the regulation, McQuinn and others argue that it did not require the heavy-handed response by the officers. They believe that there was not the type of threat that required police in riot gear.
Pike believed they had no choice and despite his efforts to ask the group to leave, they resisted. When they started to assemble on the steps of the Capitol, that was when Pike claims they were forced to take action.
Despite all of the activity, the governor never got involved.
“That was my call,” said Pike. “We gave them 30 minutes to leave without incident. When they refused, we had to step in.’
But the result was a scene that everyone wanted to avoid. Police in full riot gear dragging protestors off the steps before piling them into vans under arrest. Pike said it is standard protocol to have State Police on standby. Corrine Geller of the Virginia State Police confirmed that they were ask to provide support, not by the governor or his Commissioner of Public Safety, but by Pike and his team.
“Our presence is simply to ensure the safety of all individuals on the State Capitol campus – event participants, state employees, public officials, tourists, etc,” said Geller. “In all security efforts we strive to be ready for any eventuality that may occur, without any undue intrusion or interruption of the lawful event or gathering.”
Obviously this is a topic that elicits strong opinions from both sides. I appreciate any and all feedback, but please attempt to keep your comments civil and thoughtful of others points of view.
Capitol Police Chief explains response to pro-choice vigil
It has been a General Assembly session filled with passion, anger and angst. Protests and counter protests have become a regular occurrence and the responsibility of keeping the peace falls with the Virginia Capitol Police force.
It hasn’t been easy. The Capitol Police force successfully managed several protests both for and against controversial bills dealing with abortion. Abortion is a topic that often brings out very heated emotions. Who can forget the anger that was unleashed in the moments after a Senate committee passed the “personhood” bill and a bill to require ultrasounds before abortions? Our photographer Nathan McCann captured this moment of a protestor being held back by a member of the Capitol Police.
The Capitol Police were called into duty again Monday night. A group quickly organized a protest of the pending “ultrasound before abortion” bill and asked supporters to gather in front of behind the Governor’s mansion to voice their displeasure. Not long after the group of 50-100 protestors gathered, Capitol Police quickly came in and asked the group to leave Capitol Square.
The protestors moved to a new location near the mansion, but off Capitol Square grounds. The next day, several voiced their frustration with being asked to move. Well known liberal blogger J.C. Wimore wrote about his displeasure on this blog and wrote a lengthy post on “The Richmonder”. Wilmore said the way Capitol and State Police handled the situation made him “really, deeply, viscerally angry.”
Note: I misunderstood the path of the vigil in my discussions with Pike and Whiting. Vigil participants silently walked by the General Assembly building on Broad Street and then assembled behind the Executive mansion on Governor’s Street. At no point did they enter or attempt to set up in Capitol Square. That was my mistake and I apologize for the incorrect information.
Capitol Police Chief, Col. Anthony “Steve” Pike said the response by his officers was appropriate and designed to protect not only visitors to Capitol Square that have nothing to do with the protest, but the protestors themselves. Pike said that it is his squad’s responsibility to enforce the regulations set out by the Virginia Department of General Services, which operates the Capitol grounds. He said this group, made up of various representatives from different women’s rights organizations, did not apply for a permit, despite efforts by his department to reach out to the group ahead of time.
“The regulations are pretty clear,” said Pike. “We want to make sure that everyone has the opportunity to have their voice heard. But in order to protect visitors to the Capitol and those wishing to assemble, we must follow those regulations.”
Those regulations require the protest to occur near the Capitol Bell Tower. It also restricts how long the event can take place.
Whitney Whiting was one of several organizers of the event and admitted the group did not even attempt to obtain a permit. She said their goal was to have a peaceful protest, that would garner the attention of lawmakers in control of the issues they were concerned about. Chief among them, Gov. Bob McDonnell.
Whiting said she understood why the group was pushed out of Capitol Square, but wonders why it required the force it did. Note: In the comments section below Whitney Whiting explains that she understood that the police wanted to “ensure safety.”
Whiting and Wilmore both describe seeing police in full riot gear, and in numbers that were not proportional to their peaceful gathering.
“It was surprising that they would bring out such a big force,” she said. “It was a little intimidating.”
Pike agreed, the protest was peaceful and those in attendance were cooperative with his officers. He explained that in addition to Capitol Police, the State Police was on hand guarding the Executive Mansion. The Virginia State Police handles all protection of the governor and his family. The governor has no say in the level of that protection.
He also said that the perceived heavy level of force was not there to keep the protestors in line, but to prevent a serious incident if a counter protest were to erupt.
“We heard chatter all day about this group or that group potentially showing up at the Capitol,” said Pike. “We don’t want to see anyone get hurt, so we take all necessary precautions.”
Whiting said that despite their imposing look, the Capitol and State Police forces were polite and were not verbally or physically threatening. She was surprised they were ask to turn off their electronic “candles”. Regardless, she hopes the overall message was received.
As for Pike, he encouraged anyone with questions to get in contact with his office or the Department of General Services so that they can help coordinate any demonstrations. He expressed his disappointment about the perception left behind by the incident and was emphatic that not one of his officers was there to interrupt or intimidate those expressing their first amendment rights.
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