The question that could determine the 2012 election

 

It is always the most important question for any president during a re-election bid, “Are you better off than you were 4 years ago?” It worked for Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton. George W. Bush won by convincing people they were safer than they were four years before. Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush were unable to convince the American people that their policies were successful. They were one term presidents.

Now Barack Obama is confronted with that question. Both democrats and republicans seem willing to gamble that the answer for each individual voter will help them win this fall.

It was a key point in yesterday’s kickoff rally in Richmond. Here is my report for NBC12:

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) – The battle for Virginia has officially begun. President Barack Obama kicked off his re-election campaign in Richmond. It is a state, and town, the president needs to win.

The rally atmosphere was electric, exactly the start that the Obama campaign wanted, but after all the crowds have left and all the music has stopped, each individual voter is going to have ask themselves the same question. And the answer may determine who they vote for in November.

That question came about mid-way through the president’s speech to a raucous VCU crowd.

“How well is the typical family doing?” asked Obama.

The typical family and their view of the world, could determine the election.

Four years ago then Senator Barack Obama made a pledge to turn things around. He now returns asking for a chance to keep the progress going.

“It is going to take sustained consistent effort, yours and mine,” he said. “For America to fully recover, for us to be where we need to be.”

But republicans, like Romney supporter Pete Snyder are happy to have people judge where they were 4 years ago, and determine if things are better.

“Gas prices are up over $2 since 2008, we are all feeling that pain and higher education costs are up 25%,’ he said. “That’s not hope and change. That’s doom and gloom.”

According to NBC news political director Chuck Todd, the place where both sides need to win that argument, more any other place in America, is right here in Richmond, Virginia.

“When you look at this area from the Richmond suburbs, City of Richmond, the larger media market in general, it is 50-50 as you can get,” he said.

read and see this story on NBC12.com

NBC12 coverage plans for Obama Richmond Rally

President Barack Obama‘s visit to Richmond begins what will undoubtably be an active and busy campaign season in Central Virginia. In the past, presidential visits to Richmond would always lead to NBC12 breaking into programming to present the president’s address live. Those events were all official White House trips. As we prepare to cover his first official campaign visit we are adjusting our coverage plans just a bit.

Being that this is the president’s first official campaign swing and Richmond is one of only two spots where he will speak, we will provide live coverage of the speech on television and online at NBC12.com. However our coverage will not interrupt regularly scheduled NBC Sports programming of the NHL and Kentucky Derby. Instead we will cut in during breaks of the sports programming and offer the president’s speech live and un-interrupted on our local sister station Me-TV.

Me-TV is available in Richmond over the air on channel 12-2, Comcast channel 208 and on Verizon Fios 460. It will also stream live on NBC12.com.

We plan to assess coverage plans of all future campaign stops for all candidates on a case by case basis. With the clear focus both campaigns are putting on Virginia there is no doubt will be presented with may opportunities to present the content in a way that best serves our viewers.

The Obama campaign just released new information about Saturday’s event:

Logistics

*Admission: The rally is open to the public, and tickets are not required for admission. Supporters are strongly encouraged to RSVP at http://ofa.bo/rallyva. Supporters who received red, blue, or yellow priority access tickets this week should follow directions on signs to find the appropriate entrance.

*Timing: Doors are currently scheduled to open at 1:45pm. Attendees should plan to arrive early, as space is limited.

*Security: All attendees will go through security checkpoints and are encouraged to bring as few personal items as possible. No sharp objects, weapons, umbrellas, large bags, liquids, bottles, large electronics, or signs will be allowed in the venue. Small purses, cameras, and cell phones are permitted.

*Parking: Guests are encouraged to carpool or take public transit. Limited parking is available for a $5 fee at the West Broad Parking Deck (1111 W. Broad St.) and the Bowe Street Parking Deck (609 Bowe St.). Please account for extra travel time due to road closures.

*Pre-program
-Opening music will be performed by the Vassar Family Band, a local Richmond bluegrass band

-Invocation will be given by Mayor Dwight Jones

-Pledge of Allegiance will be led by Chesterfield Boy Scout Troop #2860

-The national anthem will be performed by Nelson County and Lynchburg trio Carmen Thomas, Cassie Carter, and L.J. Thomas

-Remarks by U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott (Va.-3)

-Remarks by Neighborhood Team Leaders Wanda Newell of Norfolk and Marvin Lindsay of Richmond

-Remarks by Vienna Neighborhood Team Leader Sue Langley and her neighborhood team

-Remarks by Former Governor Tim Kaine

-Remarks by VCU Student and Obama for America National Campaign Co-Chair Sai Iyer

-Performance by VCU drumline

There will also be an outdoor program for supporters as they wait in line, including a performance by the VSU drumline

Shaka Smart to host Obama VCU rally

Virginia Commonwealth University’s head basketball coach, Shaka Smart will host President Barack Obama kickoff rally at the Siegel Center on Saturday. Smart is one of the most well-known figures in Central Virginia and arguably may be the most popular man Richmond.

Smart has become a beloved Richmond figure, first for guiding the improbable run of the VCU Rams to the Final Four in 2011 and then by twice spurning offers from much bigger programs to remain the head coach at VCU.

The president’s love for college basketball is well-known. He often will attend college basketball games, has a brother-in-law who is a head coach and each year reveals his picks for the NCAA tournament on ESPN.

Smart, appears to be apolitical. He has no record of donating to any candidate on the Federal Election Commission web site and has not been outspoken in support of any candidate in the past. Turning down an invitation from the president is difficult to do, but make no mistake, Smart will be front and center at a bona fide political event. His presence would imply support for the president’s re-election bid.

Update: In April of 2011 Smart told the Richmond Times-Dispatch about his support of Obama in 2008. His wife Maya volunteered for the Obama campaign when they lived in Florida. Smart was asked because had VCU won the national championship, he’d get the chance to meet the president:

Smart was an assistant coach at Florida during the 2008 elections, and it’s probably no surprise whom he voted for given his background — a biracial kid who grew up in the Chicago area.

His wife, Maya, spent the year campaigning for Obama in Florida.

“I remember she had all the staffers and volunteers over to our house, and they’d be calling and preparing, and Maya kept saying that, ‘We’re going to win Florida,'” Smart said. “If you ask her today, she’s still the reason why.”

Shaka has never met the president, and was talking with his assistants the other day, reflecting that one of the best parts of winning would be the chance to meet him.

“That would be, obviously, a phenomenal thing,” Smart said.

See the full story on TimesDispatch.com

Smart also attended the White House Correspondents’ dinner, but did not get the chance to meet the president at that time. He will get that chance on Saturday.

In addition to Smart, the crowd will also hear from U.S. Senate Candidate and former Gov. Tim Kaine, Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones and Newport News Rep. Bobby Scott.

UPDATE:

Smart’s former player and Obama supporter Bradford Burgess talks about the rally and his coaches’ important role in the event.

Full release from VCU:

SMART SET TO SERVE AS HOST FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA’S RALLY

RICHMOND, Va. – Head Coach Shaka Smart has entered the Verizon Wireless Arena at the Stuart C. Siegel Center many times to sold out crowds.

Saturday, he will be entering to another capacity crowd, however, this time it won’t be to coach a basketball game. Smart, who will be entering his fourth season, will serve as the host for a rally at the Siegel Center for President Barack Obama.

Obama will be on his first re-election campaign trip with the Siegel Center being his second stop after an appearance at Ohio State earlier on Saturday. Smart will welcome not only President Obama, but also the first lady, Michelle Obama, to the Siegel Center.

This will be the second time in the past two years that Smart and President Obama’s paths have crossed as the Rams head coach was guest at last year’s White House Correspondent’s dinner in Arlington.

Saturday’s rally at the Siegel Center is set to begin at 2 p.m.

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Here is the release from the Obama campaign:

PRESS RELEASE: Shaka Smart, Bobby Scott among Speakers at President Obama’s Campaign Rally

Richmond, Va.—Today, the Obama campaign announced part of the pre-program at President Obama’s rally this Saturday at the Siegel Center in Richmond, including VCU basketball coach Shaka Smart, who will be hosting the event.

The pre-program participants, which will be released in full tomorrow, represent a mix of grassroots supporters and political leaders, and come from all corners of the commonwealth.

“President Obama has been fighting tirelessly to rebuild our economy and create an America where everyone who works hard and plays by the rules has a fair shot at success,” said Mayor Dwight Jones. “Virginians know the president has been getting the job done, from creating new jobs to keeping our nation safe, and I am looking forward to seeing thousands of his supporters gather here in Richmond this weekend showing their support.”

Pre-Program Participants Include:
• VCU Coach Shaka Smart
• Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones
• U.S. Congressman Bobby Scott
• Former Governor Tim Kaine

At Saturday’s rally, one of the first two public rallies of the campaign, the president will outline the choice Virginians will face in November: Are we going to move forward or go backward? Are we going to continue to turn the corner or turn back the clock and turn our backs on the middle class like the Republicans want to do.

The rally is open to the public and tickets are not required for admission. Supporters are strongly encouraged to RSVP at www.ofa.bo/rallyva and should plan to arrive early, as space is limited. Doors are currently scheduled to open at 1:45pm, although that time is subject to change.

Buying A Voice: Priebus hammers campaign fianance laws

There are many different groups already investing heavily in the 2012 election. The level of which they must be transparent with their receipts and transactions varies greatly. Among those under the most scrutiny are the national party committees. The RNC and the DNC must track virtually every penny that comes in and out of their organization.

The RNC recently purchased ad time in Virginia to release this ad that is critical of the Obama healthcare reform law:

I recently talked one on one with RNC Chairman Reince Priebus to get his take on campaign finance laws. His perspective my surprise you. Here is my full “Buying A Voice” report from NBC12:

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- The Republican National Committee (RNC) will be one of the biggest spenders in the fall elections, and they have already started spending on television ads in Virginia. One of those ads attacked President Obama’s healthcare reform law.

The ad aired in March in several key battleground states, like Virginia. The RNC’s Chairman Reince Priebus said ads like this cost big bucks, but they are necessary to winning elections.

“Keeping money out of politics is almost impossible,” Priebus said.

He would know, raising money is one of the core functions of the RNC, and the relatively new chairman has done well. The RNC raised $110 million in the last 15 months. Priebus has also helped to cut the RNCcs debt load to just over $11 million.

Every single dime that comes in and out is closely tracked by the federal election commission.

“Every stamp that we buy, every dollar that we send out, we disclose with specificity to the American people every month,” ie explained.

But the same can’t be said for the monster SuperPacs, who have been raising millions of dollars, with very little accountability. While many benefit right leaning causes, Priebus admits it’s a problem.

“I would agree that the campaign finance laws in this country are a complete disaster,” he said.  

But while many democrats argue that finance laws need to be tightened, the RNC chairman believes exactly the opposite.

“By putting up all these fences and all these walls that the legislature has tried to do over the years, it hasn’t made anything easier,” he said.  “It’s just made it more complicated.”

And while everyone agrees the cash is a problem, no one appears to have a solution.

We’ve posted the FEC report for the RNC so you can see for yourself where they are getting their money. You can see that information below.

See our report from NBC12:

 

 

Extended clips from Chairman Priebus can be seen here:

 

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Here is where we got our information:

See the RNC’s Federal Elections Commissions report by clicking here.

The DNC’s Federal Elections Commissions report by clicking here.

Romney plans big Virginia swing around Obama launch event

By: Ryan Nobles – bio | email

Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will appear at four different events in Virginia over the next two weeks. The Romney swing represents the first significant amount of time the republican has spent in the Commonwealth since taking control of the GOP nomination for president.  It also comes around the same time as President Barack Obama plans a major event at VCU in Richmond to formally launch his 2012 campaign.

Romney will appear by himself at an event in Chantilly Wednesday morning and then a fundraiser with Governor Bob McDonnell that evening in Northern Virginia. McDonnell will then join Romney at an event at a business in Portsmouth Thursday afternoon. Finally Romney will return to Virginia next Saturday May 12th to serve as the commencement speaker at Liberty University in Lynchburg.  First Lady Michelle Obama will deliver the commencement address at Virginia Tech the day before Romney’s Liberty event on Friday May 11th.

The dual focus on Virginia comes as a new poll released by the left leaning Public Policy Polling shows Obama holding a 7 point lead in the Old Dominion. This poll follows two surveys from other services that show Romney leading by a smaller margin. The Real Clear Politics polling average gives the president a 2.5 point lead.

The visit will also increase the speculation about Governor McDonnell as a possible running mate to Romney. McDonnell has emerged as a top surrogate for the new presumptive nominee and this will be our first opportunity to see the two in what could be a ticket leading into the fall.

We will have complete coverage of th Romney Virginia swing this week on Decision Virginia and NBC12.