Posts Tagged ‘Ward Armstrong’
Stewart gets jump on unsettled 2013 field
Despite being in the midst of a contentious and serious battle for the 2012 federal elections. Virginia politicos are preparing for what could be an incredibly competitive 2013. Several candidates on both sides are either publicly or quietly mulling a run for statewide office. At this point the most of the conversations are speculative and the large field that currently exists will certainly be widdled down by the time voters are actually forced to make decisions. However with the active and ambitious crop being discussed heated primaries and/or state party conventions are almost certain.
Republicans are already dealing with a holy war at the top of their ticket between Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. The Bolling- Cuccinelli feud may be only part of what the GOP will be dealing with. A number of candidates are considering runs for Lt. Governor and Attorney General that if they hold it could mean competitive nominating contests on all levels.
A particularly interesting battle is setting up in the republican Lt. Governor’s race. Wednesday, the ambitious Chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors Corey Stewart formally entered the race. Stewart is well-known in political circles, in part because of the numerous times he has tossed his name into prospective statewide races only to back away. Most recently Stewart seriously considering running for the open U.S. Senate seat. He even went as far to say some pretty critical things about former Senator George Allen, who he later endorsed.
On First at 4, Stewart told me that the timing was right for him to run statewide this time.
“We’ve been able to reduce taxes, we’ve cut spending by more than $143 million dollars (in Prince William County) instituted some good budgetary reforms while still putting a lot more money into transportation, and I’d like to do the same thing for the Commonwealth of Virginia,” he said.
Stewart won’t be alone in the race for the state’s second spot. Pete Snyder, the wealthy technology entrepreneur and ally of Governor Bob McDonnell is also mulling a run. Snyder is getting quite a bit of face time in his role as the Virginia GOP’s chief fundraiser. He appeared on First at 4 a couple of weeks ago.
The republicans also have several candidates considering a run for Attorney General, the most prominent, Harrisonburg Senator Mark Obenshain and Charlottesville Delegate Rob Bell.
But too many candidates for not enough positions is not a problem exclusive to republicans. multiple candidates are lining up on the democratic side. State Senator Chap Petersen has already set up a PAC and has said he plans a gubernatorial run. Former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe is widely expected to make another run. This is of course if the long running rumor that Senator Mark Warner would like to come back to Richmond, turns out to be just a rumor.
The lower parts of the ticket aren’t quite lined up as orderly as their counterparts on the republican side, but prominent democrats are being floated in those positions as well. Among them, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring and former Delegate Ward Armstrong. Update: Friends of Loudon Democratic Senator Mark Herring emailed to remind me that he has officially begun exploring a run for Attorney General.
There are other names being whispered as well. Former candidate for Lt. Governor Michael Signer and his close friend former Rep. Tom Perriello both have been suggested as statewide candidates. Henrico Sen. Don McEachin ran for Attorney General before and could be thrown into the mix and a new rising start, Alexandria Del. Charniele Herring hasn’t formally talked about running statewide, but was a key voice in the battle over abortion in this year’s General Assembly session and might be a name brought up in the future.
So much of this talk is just that talk. Names thrown into the air to see what the reception is to gauge the possibility of investing, time, energy and quite a bit of money into running statewide. That is what make’s the Stewart announcement so significant. He is all in. More than a year before anyone will be forced to make a decision about who they would like as their nominee.
Will getting out first pay off? Stewart is betting it will. It is a question we won’t know the answer to, until we get through the first brutal election still in front of us.
Our full interview with Chairman Stewart can be found below:
Stewart’s full announcement can be found after the jump:
Democrats and Republicans claim key victories in 2011 elections
Off-year elections are not supposed to be this exciting. The polls have been closed in Virginia for almost 12 hours and we still aren’t 100% sure which party is in control of the Virginia Senate. Election night was a tense and dramatic affair with both parties claiming victory.
Democratic Victories:
Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney- The win by upstart Shannon Taylor was improbable. She was immensely outspent, got as late a start as any candidate on the ballot could have and was running against a historically dominant Republican machine. It is a victory that will resonate beyond Central Virginia to the rest of the state and should even get a small amount of national attention because it was a blow to House Majority Leader Eric Cantor‘s power base in his home district. Republicans will argue that Taylor benefited greatly by Matt Geary‘s refusal to exit the race and the results are an anomaly that won’t tell us anything about 2012. That is true, but Taylor’s victory cannot be understated given that she toppled Del. Bill Janis, a man who gave up a very powerful position in the House of Delegates to run for CA.
Held off Senate losses- Conventional wisdom was that democrats were headed to a very difficult night. Worst case scenarios had them losing 10 seats or more in the House of Delegates and 4 seats and control of the Virginia Senate. It looks like the outcome will not be that bad, and at the very least the republican agenda will be forced to get democratic support to pass through the committee process.
Republican Victories:
They hold more seats in the General Assembly- Regardless of how you read the numbers there is one inescapable fact from the 2011 results. The GOP now holds more seats in the House and the Senate than they did before election day. While Governor Bob McDonnell has not been handed a clear majority in the Senate to push through his agenda, he has at least one additional vote that he didn’t before. That will make it much easier for him to pass legislation that will resonate beyond his time in office.
Powerful, vocal democratic leaders lose- If the results all hold democrats could lose two of their most influential voices in the General Assembly. Most notably, Del. Ward Armstrong the one time leader of the democratic caucus in the House of Delegates and a would be statewide candidate. Armstrong was re-redistricted into a match-up with incumbent Charles Poindexter in a GOP heavy district. He ran a campaign as far away from the democratic base as he could, but it was not enough. Unless he still has visions of a statewide run, his political career could be over. In the race that is still in doubt, Sen. Edd Houck a longtime democratic stalwart and foil to republican governors could be gone. Houck is the third most powerful member of the democratic senate and a strong voice on the joint money committees. He understands the nitty-gritty of the state budget and his experience would be a huge loss for democrats when it comes to budget time.
I joined the NBC12 morning team for a look at the results. You can see our discussion below:
Could Armstrong’s ad jeopardize his leadership position?
Virgina House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong is already feeling the reverberations from a controversial campaign ad that puts distance between he and President Barack Obama. In the ad, Armstrong touts his “pro-life, pro-gun” record and calls any comparisons to him and Mr. Obama a “stretch.”
Armstrong has not returned our inquiries about whether or not he supports the president’ re-election, but it is clear that his efforts to retain his seat could make life a lot different for him come January.
Armstrong, already one of the most conservative democrats in the House, will face a fickle House minority that may look to replace him with a member that more accurately represents the voice of the left in Virginia.
“This makes it harder to justify Ward as the primary voice for our party in the House,” said Del. Dave Englin a liberal member from Northern Virginia and a rising democratic star. “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it. “
Englin has been rumored to be considering a run for house leadership, a position that could propel him to future run statewide, and make him a powerful liberal voice. A voice that could get a great deal of attention, especially if Virginia gives control of the Senate to republicans.
“A number of people have asked me to run for higher leadership in our Caucus,” Englin told me. “We have several talented Members who could provide that, and we’ll work out the details within our Caucus family after November 8.”
Englin is not alone in his criticism of Armstrong. Lowell Feld of the influential Blue Virginia blog wrote Friday that Armstrong should not expect any help from the blog in the future.
“Whether Ward Armstrong wins his race for delegate or not,” wrote Feld. “He can forget about any support whatsoever on this blog for statewide office in 2013, or for any other office for that matter.”
But Armstong, who hasn’t responded for comment on this story, still has his supporters including in Northern Virginia. Del. Bob Brink told me that he wasn’t ready to talk about organizational matters for the upcoming session, but had high praise for his democratic leader.
“Ward has been a skillful and articulate floor leader for House Democrats,” said Brink. “The issues on which we agree far outnumber those on which we disagree.”
Armstrong won’t be able to escape the specter of Obama anytime soon. The president’s bus tour scheduled for next week is expected to roll through the Southside. Virginia republicans are already asking if one of the leading democrats in Virginia will be there to greet him.
Armstrong distances himself from Obama
He is one of the most powerful democrats in Virginia. The leader of minority in the House of Delegates and an often mentioned candidate for statewide office. But Del. Ward Armstrong, redistricted out of a safe district and forced to take on a republican incumbent, is the fight of his life. A fight where he appears ready to do whatever it takes to stay in office.
Armstrong has always been a blue-dog democrat. It is, to certain degree, a requirement in his Southwest Virginia District. But he has taken his moderate approach to a new level in a just released television ad where he describes himself as “pro-life and “pro-gun” and calls comparisons to him and President Barack Obama a “stretch”.
Armstrong is not the first democrat facing a tough re-election bid at the state level, to build some breathing room between their campaign and the president. Senator Phil Puckett, facing a serious challenge in Virginia coal country said that Obama was not “his choice for the nomination” and said he would not support his re-election bid. Puckett’s refusal to support Obama was national news even though despite being a member of the democratic Senate majority, he is not considered a major power player. (Puckett finished 4th in a democratic primary for Lt. Governor in 2005).
Armstrong is a vocal and prominent player in Virginia politics and as the ad leaked out the reaction was strong. Ben Tribbett, a prominent liberal blogger, was one of the first to post the ad. He called out Northern Virginia democrats in the House that elected Armstrong as their leader.
Republicans pounced on the news as well, sending out a release welcoming Armstrong into what they are dubbing the “Puckett Caucus, – a small but growing group of Democrats who realize that Barack Obama is toxic to their re-election chances.” The party also called out other endangered Senate Democrats to ask them where they stand on the president’s re-election bid.
Armstrong’s campaign has not returned a request asking specifically if the democrat supports President Obama’s re-election bid.
The ad can be seen below:
Supreme Court sides with Westboro, vindicating Cuccinelli
There are few people in America that don’t sympathize with the family of Matthew Snyder. Snyder died fighting for his country in Iraq and when his memory was honored with a funeral, his family was forced to endure protests from the controversial Westboro Baptist Church.
Westboro and their lightning rod leader, Fred Phelps protest just about everything. Churches, high schools, museums anything that they can pin back to a homosexual agenda in the United States. They are widely considered to be extremist and outside of mainstream American thought.
And while most Americans were annoyed with, but tolerated their frequent protests it seemed to cross an imaginary line of discretion when they started protesting at military funerals. Matthew Snyder’s father Albert was so upset by the indignity that he took the Phelps family to court. His argument was that Westboro’s right to freedom of speech went too far, causing him emotional distress.
The Snyders won the first round of the court battle. They were awarded a $5 million verdict. But that decision was quickly turned back by a federal appeals court in Richmond. Not only did the Snyders lose the appeal, but they were also ordered to pay the court costs of the Phelps family.
That is where the Supreme Court got involved. They agreed to hear the case last spring. The announcement by the highest court in the land brought with it a flood of support for the Snyders. That support led to briefs from influential leaders like Senators and Members of Congress.
Joining in support of the Snyder case was every single Attorney General in America except for Maine and Virginia. At the time Ken Cuccinelli said he deplored the behavior of Westboro Baptist Church, but the First Amendment protects all forms of speech.
His decision to not join the Snyder’s effort was vilified across the country and used as a baton for political attacks by Virginia Democrats. Del. Ward Armstrong appeared on NBC12 First at 4 to attack Cuccinelli. He said the Attorney General’s decision to sit the Snyder v. Phelps case out, was an example of his extremist positions on a number of topics.
Fast forward to today. The Supreme Court of the United States had the final say. They did not side with the Snyder family, the entire U.S. Senate and 48 Attorneys General. No, in a convincing 8-1 decision they agreed with Ken Cuccinelli.
In his statement on behalf of the winning decision Chief Justice John Roberts wrote ‘Speech is powerful. It can stir people to action, move them to tears of both joy and sorrow, and—as it did here—inflict great pain. On the facts before us, we cannot react to that pain by punishing the speaker.”
Cuccinelli said that his willingness to stand apart from the pack is an example of the type of Attorney General that he is, focused on the rule of law, not an agenda.
“My office is committed to the rule of law and to the principles of the First Amendment,” Cuccinelli said in a written statement. “We agree wholeheartedly with the chief justice, and that is why we declined to join the amicus brief in this case, even when doing so was decidedly unpopular.”
But will this act of courage help Cuccinelli with his biggest detractors? Many feel that he is driven by an ideological agenda that has more to do with his personal convictions than upholding the law. It will be interesting to see how he uses this development to make the case that he is a responsible Attorney General, not someone hellbent on carrying out a political agenda. The result could play a big role in his political future.
Extended clips from our interview with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli can be found below:
BREAKING: Webb will not seek re-election
In a surprise statement released just a few minutes ago, Senator Jim Webb announced that he will not seek re-election to his post. The full statement is below:
Statement of Senator Jim Webb
Washington, DC–Today Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) issued the following statement:
Five years ago this week, on February 8, 2006, I announced my intention to run for the United States Senate. We had neither campaign funds nor a staff. We were challenged in a primary, and trailed the incumbent in the general election by more than 30 points in the polls.
Over the next nine months we focused relentlessly on the need to reorient our national security policy, to restore economic fairness and social justice, and to bring greater accountability in our government. I will always be grateful for the spirit and energy that was brought into this campaign by thousands of loyal and committed volunteers. Their enthusiasm and sheer numbers were truly the difference in that election.
It has been a great and continuing privilege to serve in the United States Senate. I am very proud of my talented and dedicated staff, which has worked tirelessly to resolve the issues on which I based my candidacy, and to protect the interests of all Virginians in this national forum. Among other contributions we have given our Post- 9/11 veterans the best GI Bill since World War Two; we have taken the lead in reforming our criminal justice system; we have led the way toward stronger relations in East and Southeast Asia; and we have been a strong voice in calling on China to act more responsibly in the world community. We will continue to work on these and other issues throughout the rest of my term.
However, after much thought and consideration I have decided to return to the private sector, where I have spent most of my professional life, and will not seek re-election in 2012.
Notwithstanding this decision, I have every intention of remaining involved in the issues that affect the well-being and the future of our country.
UPDATE:
The list is now being populated with potential replacements for Webb as the Democratic nominee.
Gov. Tim Kaine- The obvious front-runner. The current DNC Chairman is close friend of President Obama. Kaine has said in the past that he wouldn’t be interested (he told me during his last month in office that governor would be his last elected office), but a lot can change now that the seat is open.
Rep. Tom Perriello- A close friend of the White House, with liberal credentials but has run well in conservative regions. Perriello has proven himself as relentless on the campaign trail. The question is, will he be interested. conveniently he is traveling out of the country right now.
Rep. Rick Boucher- Boucher was a surprise loss for Democrats in Southwest Virginia. He left a lot of money in the bank, and didn’t seem ready to retire. Even though he is from coal country, his politics play well in Northern Virginia and he is very connected in D.C.
Rep. Glenn Nye- The one term conserva-dem from Virginia Beach was beat in November. However he is young and filled with ambition. Just like Perriello’s liberal side may play better statewide than in VA-5, Nye may think his moderate position makes him an attractive statewide candidate. Although, Nye has real issues with the Democratic party faithful.
Other names worth pointing out: Sen. Creigh Deeds, (who has run twice for statewide office) Del. Ward Armstrong(whose statewide ambitions are not a secret), Sen. Don McEachin (who has run statewide in the past), Mike Signer (former candidate for LG, close friend of Tom Perriello and ambitious) and frankly.. just about every politician in Virginia who describes him/herself as a Democrat.
Who Won’t Run:
Terry McAuliffe- The former DNC Chairman and candidate for Governor has soundly rejected any thought about running for Senate. He told me a few weeks ago that he is “more the executive type”. I followed up with his staff today and they say his position has not changed despite the now open seat.
Gov. Doug Wilder- In a phone conversation this afternoon Wilder asked me “Do you know how old I am?” Wilder emphatically rejected any chance that he might run. He said that he is however concerned about who the Democrats might put up. “They need to develop a farm team,” he said. Wilder avoided making any kind of declarative statement on Tim Kaine’s worthiness as a candidate. He would only say that he is “certain they will all come out,” and that “One person I am not going to support is me.”
McDonnell speeds up borrowing to invest $4 billion in transportation
Gov. Bob McDonnell just revealed plans to invest an additional $4 billion in transportation over the next three years. I’ll have more on this coming up on NBC12 News at 5 & 6.
**UPDATE** My full story on the new transportation proposal is posted on NBC12.com.
Democrats are already calling the plan “irresponsible”.
Read what Democratic House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong had to say here.
The new Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Brian Moran issued this statement as well.
*UPDATE ends*
The full release from the Governor’s office can be found below:
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Governor McDonnell in Roanoke: $4 Billion for Transportation
Will Announce Full Transportation Plan Next Month
$400 Million for New Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank; Calls for Allowing Commonwealth to Issue $1.1 Billion in direct GARVEE Bonds; Issue up to $1.8 Billion in Additional Transportation Bonds by End of Administration
Governor: “Right Now is the Best Opportunity to Get Roads Built in Modern Virginia History.”
ROANOKE- Governor Bob McDonnell previewed components of his transportation agenda for the 2011 General Assembly session today in a wide-ranging speech delivered at his Governor’s Transportation Conference in Roanoke. The Governor’s overall transportation vision focuses on maximizing all available resources and programs to get projects initiated during one of the most favorable road building periods in Virginia history. The Governor’s proposals, when fully implemented, would pump $4 billion into road, transit and rail projects in the Commonwealth over the next three years, dramatically speeding up congestion-reducing efforts and increasing job-creation and economic development efforts statewide.
Highlights of the Governor’s transportation proposals:
- Direct $150 Million to transportation from budget surplus. These one-time funds will go to the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank.
- Pass a constitutional amendment to permanently protect the Commonwealth Transportation Fund from transfers to the General Fund.
- Create “Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank” (VTIB) to multiply transportation dollars.
- Capitalize Bank with $150 million from surplus and $250 million from audit-identified funds; Goal is to provide an initial $400 million and $1 billion total during administration.
- Modify Virginia Code to authorize Direct GARVEE bonds. This would allow the Commonwealth to issue at least $1.1 billion in direct GARVEE bonds and utilize toll credits for state match.
- Accelerate the sales of bonds from 2007 transportation legislation to max of $600 million per year, providing ability to issue up to $1.8 billion in bonds during remainder of the Administration. For every $100 million spent on highway maintenance, it is estimated 3,000 jobs are created or supported.
- Increase the availability of Revenue Sharing, specifically eliminating the $1 million cap per project and $50 million program maximum.
Speaking about these proposals at the Transportation Conference the Governor noted, “I want to make clear, right now is the best time in modern Virginia history to get new roads and bridges built. First, construction prices have fallen dramatically due to competition and the state of the economy. Second, interest rates are at historic lows for our AAA bond rated state. Third, our citizens need the good jobs that will come with these projects. Fourth, we need to reduce congestion and build transportation infrastructure today. We need to get dollars out the door quickly, and road, transit and rail projects underway now. Leveraging our scarce transportation resources to make them go further is smart management.”
The Governor continued, “Over the past two decades state support for transportation has not kept up with our growth as a Commonwealth. This has led to more congestion, longer commutes and missed economic opportunities. That trend must be reversed, and this is the time to do it. We have already, in just the first six months of this fiscal year, advertised almost double the amount of road work as during this same time period last year. By putting $4 billion into transportation over the next three years we will continue that progress, and get more Virginians back to work in the process. There is nothing partisan about road building. There are not Republican or Democratic roads. I hope that Republicans and Democrats will come together to back these responsible, and necessary, portions of our transportation plan. We can’t solve all of our transportation challenges all at once, but we can take significant steps forward over time. These portions of our plan are one of those steps, and implementing them will create good new jobs for our citizens today.”
Secretary of Transportation Sean Connaughton added, “In this kind of construction climate there is no acceptable reason to not get every possible resource deployed to transportation projects. We are getting deals now that would have been unheard of just a few years earlier, and the interest rates are at historic lows. This package will get projects underway, and Virginians will see the results all across the Commonwealth. In particular, the Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank has the potential to revolutionize how projects are funded and moved forward in our state. Now, public and private sector entities will have a resource they can utilize to build projects that have previously not been funded, or underfunded. These transportation proposals are designed to speed up projects, and to maximize taxpayer dollars to the greatest extent possible. It will play a major role in driving the economic vitality of Virginia and getting our citizens back to work.”
Facts about the: “Virginia Transportation Infrastructure Bank”
- Initially, the Bank would be capitalized with $250 million of audit-identified funds, and $150 million from the budget surplus.
- Additional deposits will come from other sources, including future budget surpluses.
- The Bank will provide an initial $400 million now and $1 billion total during this administration.
- It will have a revolving loan fund for low interest rate loans and grants to localities, transportation and transit authorities, and private sector partners.
- It would be able to leverage three to five times the amount of funds deposited into it.
- Through grants, low interest loans and loan guarantees local governments can use the Bank to get their projects that have been not funded or underfunded in the current 6 year improvement plan.
- Examples of local projects that would be candidates for funding from the Bank are Dominion Boulevard in Chesapeake, and I-95/I-395 Hot Lanes in Northern Virginia. They would be candidates because of several factors:
o Toll revenues could repay loan
o Strong local support
o Right-size project
o Locality top priority
Facts about Direct GARVEE Bonds
- A GARVEE bond is a debt financed instrument that allows investors to be repaid through the use of future federal highway funds.
- The legislative proposal will also include a recommendation to modify Virginia Code to authorize Direct GARVEE bonds.
- Direct GARVEE bonds are sold for specific construction projects and use federal revenues for debt service.
- This would allow the Commonwealth to issue at least $1.1 billion in direct GARVEE bonds and utilize toll credits for state match, freeing up cash for statewide and regional projects.
- Several projects that may immediately benefit from the combination of the Direct GARVEE bonds and toll credits include the Midtown Tunnel in Norfolk, the Broad Street Corridor in Richmond, 460 PPTA projects, I-95/I-395 Hot Lanes in Northern Virginia, and the Coalfields Expressway, as well as others.
The McDonnell Administration Transportation Record
- In April, the last of the Commonwealth’s previously closed rest areas were re-opened within 90 days as promised during the campaign, signaling that Virginia is Open for Business.
- The Commonwealth obligated $694 million in stimulus projects on time by September 30th, 2010, after being ranked last in the country in disbursement of funds in the fall of 2009.
- In April, the Commonwealth submitted a proposal to the Federal Highway Administration to allow Virginia to toll Interstate 95 at the North Carolina border. This proposal is supported by North Carolina Governor Bev Perdue.
- The Interstate 95 tolls will generate a minimum of $30 million annually, with likely revenues closer to $60 million.
- Governor authorized issuance of $492 million in Capital Project Revenue Bonds in the summer of 2010. The bonds were authorized by the 2007 Transportation Act, but had not yet been authorized.
- Yesterday, the Administration issued a multimodal strategic plan for Virginia’s transportation programs. This will create a road map for the future of transportation.
- Governor directed four audits of Virginia’s transportation agencies and as a result a number of significant structural, policy and procedural changes to create new efficiencies and lessen the cost of doing business are being made.
- One audit examined the PPTA program.
- A new PPTA office has been created and new procedural guidelines implemented to streamline our process based on recommendations in KPMG’s audit of the Commonwealth’s PPTA program.
- Comprehensive VDOT performance audit made over 50 recommendations to improve VDOT operations and identified $1.4 billion that can be invested in transportation projects.
- Secretary Connaughton outlined comprehensive audit implementation plan last month.
- The Governor announced Monday that VDOT will advertise more than 350 projects totaling $1.1 billion in construction and maintenance contracts by year’s end. This is almost double the work advertised in the first six months of last year.
- The Commonwealth has also increased advertisements for paving work by $250 million compared to last year.
- This paving work will result in 50% more interstate lane miles, 15% more primary lane miles, and 65% more secondary lane miles scheduled for paving.
- Virginia also obtained verbal approval to use our $450 million in federal toll credits, freeing up cash for other projects, as recommended by the audit.
- The Commonwealth Transportation Board has been authorized to program over $500 million in federal revenue reserves to projects in the next six year improvement program.
- Administration is taking a number of steps to move forward with critical projects throughout the state.
- Working with private sector partners and localities to immediately move forward on the I-95/395 HOT Lanes project.
- Over $71 million worth of spot improvements have been authorized by the CTB and are underway on I-66.
- 495 Hot Lanes work is progressing.
- Cooperating with public and private partners on Rail to Dulles; Phase 1 on Schedule for 2013.
- Administration canceled the previously dormant Route 460 PPTA project, and is evaluating 3 new proposals for the critical congestion reducing and emergency and military preparedness project.
- We expect to reach a comprehensive agreement with private sector partners on the Downtown Midtown Tunnel/MLK Extension project next year.
- PPTA – Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel is in beginning stages.
- Just last week, along with Maryland Governor O’Malley and DC Mayor-elect Gray, in response to the Moving Metro Forward reports, the Governor requested a plan be put in place to optimize Metro’s safety, governance and efficiency. That plan should be done in the coming weeks.
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House Democratic leadership won’t support ABC privatization
He is a relatively new member of the Virginia House Minority Leadership, but Del. Joe Morrissey (D-Henrico) took the opportunity to speak out on behalf of his colleagues tonight on a key issue. Morrissey revealed that he and two other key House Democrats will not support Governor Bob McDonnell‘s plan to privatize the Commonwealth’s ABC stores.
Morrissey declared their stance at a fundraiser tonight at the Boat House at Rockkets’ Landing. Just how many House Democrats he was speaking on behalf of is a little murky, but one thing is clear: Morrissey (the current Democratic House Whip), House Minority Leader Ward Armstrong and Democratic House Caucus Leader Ken Plum are all opposed to the McDonnell plan.
Armstrong’s Chief of Staff Claire Wilker confirmed to me tonight that Armstrong and Plum are against the ABC plan in its current form, but beyond that stance she said, Morrissey was speaking for himself.
“It’s a solution that the Governor is looking for to find a problem,” said Morrissey. The Henrico Democrat said that the McDonnell plan forgoes a guaranteed revenue stream in the billions of dollars for one that promises hundreds of millions of dollars, but with no guarantees. According to Morrissey, that is not enough to convince his House colleagues to buy into the plan.
“I don’t think there has been a tremendous amount of thought put into why this benefits the Commonwealth,” he said. “I have heard from several Republicans whispering, ‘why are we doing this?”
But opposition from Democrats in the House is not a great threat to the McDonnell administration because with only 39 members, the minority party would need several Republicans to break rank with their Governor to get the job done.
Morrissey hopes that the Governor will take their unhappiness with the plan and think twice about the way it is presented to the public.
“I hope they see, there is some discord to this, let’s put it to a referendum,” said Morrissey. “Let’s let the voters decide, that would be a perfect world.”
The McDonnell administration doesn’t seem all that concerned about opposition from the minority members of the House.
“Certain House Democrats are doing a great job of demonstrating why they are in the minority,” said Tucker Martin, Communications Director to Governor McDonnell. “They are saying no to $500 million for roads, without a tax increase, while not advancing any transportation proposals of their own. That’s embarrassing.”
My entire, uncut interview Del. Joe Morrissey on the ABC privatization issue, including his personal plan to fix the transportation problem, can be seen below:
Is it too early to talk 2013?
Not for some people. Including a grassroots movement hoping to convince Northern Virginia Senator Chap Petersen to consider a race for Governor in 2013. Today, they released this web video on the left leaning blog Not Larry Sabato (run by former Petersen staffer Ben Tribbett), offering Petersen as a viable alternative to a presumed Ken Cuccinelli candidacy:
The ad is more anti-Cuccinelli than it is pro-Petersen. But it is an early indication of how sides are already being drawn in what will be a competitive race for the governorship in 2013.
Perhaps the reason that the ad is more about Cuccinelli and less about Petersen is because the Democratic field, 3 and half years out, is already starting to get crowded. Supporters of Petersen are hoping to strike a chord of unification among Democrats and at this point of 2010, nothing unifies Democrats more than Ken Cuccinelli.
Democrats appear to be trying to get a head start, in an effort to prevent what happened in 2009. A bitter primary amongst three candidates, that didn’t really get their campaigns moving until late 2008, or in some cases early 2009. Instead of the field stocking up in late 2012, several Democrats are looking to make their name now, perhaps in an effort to “clear the field.” It is a prospect that is much easier given that there is no clear alternative voice to what is a Commonwealth with three statewide elected Republicans running the show.
So who is attempting to make a name for themselves?
First the Democrats:
*Terry McAuliffe- At this point any conversation about the Democratic candidates for Governor must begin with the former DNC chair. McAuliffe has the most money and the most friends in high places. (You saw him with Mick Jagger and Bill Clinton at the World Cup right?) McAuliffe was dismissive with me on First at 4 when we asked directly about his interest in running for Governor, but finding people who don’t think he is running is a difficult proposition. He and his formidable wealth will be difficult for any prospective candidate to contend with, but it has obviously been done before. This time around though, McAuliffe is spending 4 years building an infrastructure, instead of 4 months.
*Del. Ward Armstrong- The ranking Democrat in the House of Delegates is slowing building a reputation as an outspoken alternative to the McDonnell agenda. Armstrong is liked by many, is an eloquent speaker and has strong support in the south and west where Democrats typically aren’t very strong. However, Democrats are still smarting over their experiment with a similar candidate in Creigh Deeds and some are already sounding alarm bells about his stance on issues like gun control. Armstrong seem poised to take the leap and he will be difficult to ignore.
*Sen. Chap Petersen- who has attempted statewide runs before unsuccessfully is in many ways the anti-Deeds. A sharp, articulate Northern Virginian, Petersen is rock-solid on the key issues that Democrats care about. His problem is one of anonymity. Petersen’s name identification is low and he would be forced to raise a lot of money to change that scenario. It’s a scenario that becomes even more difficult when you consider Terry McAuliffe will be dumping millions to make sure he does not go 0-2 in Democratic primaries.
Other names are bound to emerge, such as former House Democratic leader Brian Moran, Sen. Donald McEachin a one time candidate for Attorney General and even Rep. Tom Perriello who if he is successful this year (which is not a given) has the potential to be a rock star in the Virginia Democratic party.
What about the Republicans?
While names may pop up between now and then make no mistake, this is a two-man race. The two men who have already been elected statewide and will have to meet face to face to determine who gets to be the party standard-bearer.
*Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling- Bolling has already stepped aside for the good of the party, when he did not challenge Bob McDonnell for the party’s nomination. Now he stands poised to be anointed the party nominee. McDonnell has already hinted at Bolling being his heir apparent and the LG is already raising cash in preparation for a tough race. Bolling is a rock solid, experienced politician who rarely makes a mistake. However, he is also not that kind that elicits excitement from the party base. He is hoping Republicans remember what he did to leave the field open for McDonnell to win by a landslide. He is hoping the same courtesy is extended to him.
*Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli- For the record, Cuccinelli has never expressed an interest in running for Governor. Privately, his close associates say that he is not interested in becoming the Chief Executive. He is a lawyer by trade and serving as Attorney General is for him the pinnacle. That was of course before Cuccinelli became a media super star. Love him or hate him, the AG has received perhaps the most exposure of any official in Virginia. He has turned that into a fund-raising network around the country. His support from the base is electric. His opposition on the left is dangerous. Cuccinelli will be in position to make a run. The question is, will he want to do it?
My guess is that it won’t be long until this post becomes old news. Many of the candidates will step aside and new ones will probably emerge. I think I answered my own question. It is never too early to talk about the next election.
Any guesses for candidates in 2017?
