By: Ryan Nobles – bio | email

On the anniversary of the event that propelled the United States into World War II,  the man who earned a medal of honor for his service in that War, was given a boost in his current battle from the office of the Commander-in-Chief. Col. Van T. Barfoot, still doesn’t know if his flag will be able to keep flying from a flagpole in his front yard, but at least he knows the White House is on his side.

Monday,  during the White House Press Briefing, President Barack Obama’s chief spokesman Robert Gibbs was asked if the President supported Col. Barfoot.  “”I think its silly to think that somebody that’s done that couldn’t have a flagpole,” said Gibbs, the White House Press Secretary.  Gibbs said that he has not spoke directly to the President on the issue, but said that “The president believes, I think all of us believe that the least we can do is show our gratitude to someone who served our country so admirably.”

This signal of support from the Obama administration follows similar gestures from Virginia’s two Senators, Mark Warner and Jim Webb. Barfoot’s story has now become a national phenomenon. It has become a rallying cry for Veteran’s activists across the country.  Two different Facebook groups that were formed in support of his cause boast close to 70,000 members from around the world.

Our Andy Jenks, who initially broke the story several weeks ago,  reported today that a resolution to the matter could come as soon as Tuesday.  Given the level of scrutiny and high profile supporters Barfoot has earned, it seems unlikely that any resolution that doesn’t involve the Colonel being able to keep his flagpole up, will be acceptable to him.

Robert Gibbs entire response to the Barfoot controversy from today’s White House briefing can be found below:

Remember this?  “…we will have to see how many other elected officials rush to the Medal of Honor winner’s defense.”

It didn’t take long.

Less than 24 hours after his counterpart Sen. Mark Warner rushed to the defense of Col. Van T. Barfoot, Virginia Sen. Jim Webb has joined the fight. Webb has sent a letter to Karen S. Peterson, of the Sussex Square Homeowners Association in Henrico County to urge “reasonable resolution” to the situation.

His letter comes after Warner and the HOA had agreed to discuss the issue to prevent it from going to court.

The entire release from Webb can be found after the jump:

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Senator Webb Urges ‘Reasonable Resolution” of Homeowner Association Dispute Involving World War II Veteran’s Display of American Flag

Washington, DC – Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) today sent a letter to the legal representative, Karen S. Peterson, of the Sussex Square Homeowners Association in Henrico County to urge “reasonable resolution” of a homeowner dispute between the Association and Medal of Honor winner Colonel Van Barfoot over the installation of a flagpole in the yard of his home for purposes of displaying the American flag.

Senator Webb wrote in the letter, “As a fellow combat veteran, I hope you and the Association will consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot’s service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag. I am pleased to join with many area citizens in expressing my concern over the action taken by the Sussex Square Homeowners Association.”

“Since it appears that Col. Barfoot’s request was denied based on subjective criteria as opposed to an explicit regulatory violation of the covenants governing the Homeowner’s Association, I would hope that your clients would exercise the discretion afforded to them to develop a reasonable resolution that would allow this distinguished combat veteran to honor our nation in a manner in keeping with the established traditions, customs and regulations governing the display of the flag of the United States of America,” wrote Senator Webb at the conclusion of the letter.

Text of the letter follows.

December 3, 2009

Karen S. Peterson
Attorney-at-Law
Coates & Davenport, P.C.
5206 Markel Road, Suite 200
Richmond VA 23230

Dear Ms. Peterson:

I have been made aware of a situation involving a dispute between your client, the Sussex Square Homeowners Association in Henrico County, Virginia, and a homeowner, Van Barfoot, a retired Army Colonel. It is my understanding that Col. Barfoot installed a flagpole in the yard of his home for purposes of displaying the American flag and that the Homeowners Association is now requiring him to remove this flag pole under threat of legal action.  I have been informed that the covenants governing this neighborhood association do not expressly forbid installation of flag poles and that the association opposed the flag pole on the grounds of its aesthetics.

I am mindful that the Association is a private entity, and I respect its right to regulate such matters. At the same time, as you are aware, Col. Barfoot served this country with great distinction, and I am very disturbed by the treatment that he received as he attempted to honor our nation by flying the American flag in the front yard of his home. The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed on a member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself “conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty.” As a fellow combat veteran, I hope you and the Association will consider the exceptional nature of Col. Barfoot’s service when considering his pride and determination in honoring our flag. I am pleased to join with many area citizens in expressing my concern over the action taken by the Sussex Square Homeowners Association.

Since it appears that Col. Barfoot’s request was denied based on subjective criteria as opposed to an explicit regulatory violation of the covenants governing the Homeowner’s Association, I would hope that your clients would exercise the discretion afforded to them to develop a reasonable resolution that would allow this distinguished combat veteran to honor our nation in a manner in keeping with the established traditions, customs and regulations governing the display of the flag of the United States of America.

Sincerely,

Jim Webb
United States Senator

Ryan Nobles – bio | email

Republican candidate for Governor, Bob McDonnell will spend part of Monday in Richmond getting a tour of the city jail from the city’s Democratic Sheriff C.T. Woody.  Woody, is also up for re-election, but fended off a primary challenge in June and is running without opposition in November.

A spokesman for the Sheriff informed me that from Woody’s perspective, the McDonnell visit is not political. It is instead an opportunity for the candidate to see first hand the issues the institution is facing. According to Major Jerry Lucas Baldwin, Sheriff Woody has encouraged “all public officials, and anyone running for public office, to visit the Richmond City Jail so they can see first hand how non-violent crimes, mental health and homeless issues affect the overcrowding situation at all jails.”

Baldwin said that the jail has hosted 40 different public officials from a local and national level in the past 9 months. (In fact, his campaign web site shows a picture of him giving a tour of the jail to Sen. Jim Webb.) He also said that Senator Creigh Deeds, the Democratic candidate for Governor has been offered the same opportunity and he could be touring the facility as soon as next week.  Deeds campaign officials have not returned my inquiry asking if the candidate plans to take up the Sheriff’s invitation.

While Woody, may not view the visit as political, it has been offered as such by the McDonnell campaign. The press has been invited to tag along for the tour and take advantage of the photo opportunity with the candidate and the Sheriff.

According to Baldwin though, the Sheriff has already made up his mind who he is supporting in November, sticking with his fellow Democrat, Deeds. “He announced his support of his party when he chose to run as a Democrat,” said Baldwin. “That said, he has a great relationship with both candidates and will continue to work well with whomever the people chooses next month.”

Virginia Senator Mark Warner, will hold a open town hall on the subject of health care this Thursday.  Warner has held two telephone town halls and has met with health care professionals on the topic, but he has faced some heat over the fact that he has yet to hold a face to face event that is open to the public.

That will all change Thursday. The details are below:

Mark Warner Health Care Town Hall:

When- Thursday, September 3rd

Where- Fredricksburg Expo Center, 1320 Central Park Blvd

Time- Doors open at 6:00pm, event begins at 7pm

For more information: http://warner.senate.gov/townhall

Expect the heat to now turn to Virginia’s senior Senator,  Jim Webb who has also not held a town hall on the subject.

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**UPDATE**

Central Virginia will be busy with a congressional town halls on health care.  Rep. Bobby Scott who has already held an event in the Norfolk area, will hear from his constituents in Richmond on Thursday as well.

The details are below:
What:     Richmond Health Care Town Hall with Rep. Bobby Scott
Where:   General Assembly Building, Senate Room A
910 Capitol Street
Richmond, VA 23219

Arrival Time: 6:00 p.m.
Start Time: 7:00 p.m.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

President- elect Barack Obama is in the process of introducing his national security team. The headline of course, is the nomination of Sen. Hillary Clinton to lead the State Department. However, an equally shocking nomination is the decision of Mr. Obama to ask Robert Gates to stay on at the Pentagon. If there was one issue that Mr. Obama chose to separate himself from the Bush Administration on it was their foreign policy. Mr. Gates has had some very different views on the situation in Iraq than the President-elect. It is clear, though, that Gates’ administration of the Department of Defense has played some sort of a role in the progress made in Iraq. Mr. Obama feels that Gates’ stewardship of the situation must remain consistent, at least for the time being.

Which leads one to ask, what happens after the “time being”? Many pundits have speculated that Gates tenure in the Obama Administration will be short. That his job will be to maintain status quo until the new president can get his bearings and begin to implement his vision. (This is, of course has something to do with Obama’s focus on the economy, which he views as his top priority).

Del. Bob Marshall is floating a rumor, that is getting some buzz around a few conservative web sites. He sent out an email that claims current Virginia Senator Jim Webb would like to be considered for Secretary of Defense and if offered would accept the position.

Marshall sent out the email to supporters asking for help getting rid of the debt from his failed run for the republican nomination for U.S. Senate this past election cycle. He was trying to make the case to that he needs to be prepared for a future run for federal office and in order to do that, he must have his campaign debt eliminated.

Here is what Marshall said in the e-mail:

“In fact, two well-connected friends have told me that Senator Jim Webb is interested in the Secretary of Defense position in the new Administration.  If he were offered the position and he accepted, that would leave Jim Webb’s U.S. Senate seat open. ‘

I have been in contact with a few well placed Virginia Democrats that were unaware of the rumor.

I wouldn’t expect Bob Marshall to be on the “inside” of negotiations for the next Secretary of Defense in an Obama administration, but the speculation does provide for good fodder.  Webb’s military background, his opposition to the Iraq War and his experience in the Department of Defense offer Barack Obama an impressive combination of skills and experience. Webb could single handily placate the hard core left concerned that he is softening already on his Iraq position and military officials concerned that Obama lacks the experience and judgment to be commander in chief.

Warning: This is all heavy speculation. No one that I have read or spoke to has any rumors or leaks that come from individuals connected to the Obama Administration or Jim Webb himself.

Terry McAuliffe’s bid for the Democratic nomination for Governor is becoming more and more serious. Today it was revealed that he has appointed Democratic political gun Mike Henry to run his campaign.  Henry just finished helping Mark Warner cruise to victory in his Senate Race. He also has ties to Tim Kaine. Henry, however has a connection to McAuliffe in that they were both part of the Clinton campaign team. The Henry appointment comes after the choice of Mo Elleithee to operate his communications. Elleithee has played a key role in several Democratic wins in Virgina.

While McAuliffe staffs up, Brian Moran (who has been staffed up for close to a year) is working to build support with party faithful around Virginia. Moran today announced the support of a key group of Democratic leaders in Loudon county. A county that his press staff touts as a “bellwether”. No Democrat since 2001 has won statewide office without winning Loudon.

Continuing to sit back and enjoy the view is the Republican Bob McDonnell. He certainly had to love the quote from the aforementioned Elleithee in today’s Washington Post. The McAuliffe spokesman called the GOP candidate the “the strongest statewide candidate the Republicans have put up since George Allen in 2000.”

Elsewhere..

Tim Kaine turns down the chance to run the DNC (a job Terry McAuliffe used to have).

Jim Webb would like to close the gap between the requests he has received for inauguration tickets and the amount he has to distribute (26,000 requested: 500 available)

Tonight..

I will take a look at the Virginia Tourism Corporation’s hopes to cash in on the Obama Inauguration frenzy. With 1 million people already expected to attend, they are encouraging more people to come. What will I-95 be like that week? I will have that tonight during our 11pm news.

Ryan Nobles - bio | email

 The Democratic National Convention is officially off and running and that means plenty of activity and Denver and quite a bit of that will impact us back in Central Virginia. I have three interviews scheduled for later today with some a few high profile elected officials that are at the convention. Here is a look at who is on tap and what we plan to talk to them about. 

Mayor Doug Wilder- As always, Richmond’s Mayor is finding himself right in the middle of all of the action. Yesterday he served on a very high-profile African-American panel that discussed issues related to the campaign and he took a few shots at the Hillary Clinton campaign. (Politico has a great story on the event) I am going to ask him about that and the buzz (some of which he created) that he may be asked to serve in the Obama Administration. 

Senator Jim Webb- I am looking forward to this, it will be my first chance to interview Senator Webb. Despite getting a look a from the Obama camp as the candidate’s running mate, he stayed out of the fray and waited to endorse until it was clear that the nomination was locked up. 

Rep. Eric Cantor- We are working very hard to balance our coverage so we are glad that will have a chance to talk to Congressman Cantor, the powerful Republican from Richmond. Cantor himself has had some conservative leaders push his case as John McCain’s running mate. Cantor is on the ground in Denver and is part of a GOP spin team that is working hard to mute Obama’s message. He did not have an easy trip to Colorado. He missed his flight and had to cancel a conference call and a group of interviews. But he is there now and is working with the favorite right now in the McCain Veep race: Gov. Mitt Romney. 

Our coverage on the air starts at 5:30.. but check back to DecisionVirginia.com often for updates.