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DPVA Weekly Top 5 for October 18, 2011

MasonDem — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:30:36 +0000

Virginia would change radically if the McDonnell-Cuccinelli Cantor Republicans take over the Senate
In less than three weeks Virginia voters will go to the polls and make decisions that will affect the future of our Commonwealth and the families who live here. If Republicans are successful in taking over the state Senate they will have complete control of our government and free rein to advance their backward agenda – unless we spend the next 20 days doing everything we can to stop them and elect our Democratic candidates. To read Chairman Brian Moran’s rundown of what’s at stake and how you can help click here. To read an Associated Press column on the many radical right-wing laws that would go through if Republicans have full control of our government click here.

McDonnell’s Department of Education credits President Obama for saving or creating more than 7,000 jobs
As President Obama visited Virginia again to talk about his plan to put more Americans back to work and more money in their pockets, Governor Bob McDonnell’s Department of Education told the Huffington Post that the President has already saved more than 7,000 jobs in Virginia. Maybe McDonnell’s thank you card got lost in the mail. To read about the jobs that President Obama saved in Virginia click here.

Jason Flanary signed Norquist’s anti-tax pledge before he didn’t
Controversy erupted this week in the 37th Senate District race (incumbent, Democrat Dave Marsden) about whether Tea Partier Jason Flanary did or did not sign Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge. During the primary Flanary seemed all too eager to bow to Grover and kiss the ring, but now that he’s running in a general election against a results-oriented leader like Dave Marsden, Flanary seems to have changed his tune. Luckily, Norquist isn’t letting him off the hook. To read more about the right-wing spat between Flanary and Norquist click here.

DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz stresses the importance of keeping the state Senate this year
At the recent DPVA reception in Arlington DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, DPVA Chair Brian Moran and U.S. Reps. Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly urged all Virginia Democrats to do everything they can to get out the vote for our Democratic candidates in the Senate and the House of Delegates this year. To view a video of each leader talking about this year’s elections click here.

Virginia communities brace for McDonnell’s budget cuts
Governor Bob “McGimmick” McDonnell has dropped his self-congratulation over the “budget surplus,” and has replaced it with dire warnings of looming budget cuts to state agencies that could further damage education, transportation and other core services. To read more about the potential for new budget cuts to Virginia communities click here. To read statements from Democratic leaders across Virginia urging the Governor to put middle class families ahead of the Tea Party click here.

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for October 4, 2011

MasonDem — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:28:48 +0000

New DPVA Web Video – A jobs Governor?
DPVA released a new web video urging Governor McDonnell to get results to match his rhetoric on jobs. In August Virginia’s unemployment rate increased for the second straight month while the national rate declined, and the percentage of Virginia’s population that had a job was lower than when Bob McDonnell took office. To watch the new video click here. To read a message from DPVA Chair Brian Moran about the importance of holding Bob McDonnell accountable on jobs click here.
Frank Wolf Rips Grover Norquist and His Anti-Tax “Pledge”
Republican Rep. Frank Wolf took to the floor of the House of Representatives and went off on right-winger Grover Norquist and his pledge binding signers from raising taxes for any reason. Wolf accused Norquist of blocking real tax reform and listed a number of complaints Norquist himself including his association with jailed lobbyist Jack Abramoff. Read more about this, click here. To read more about Frank Wolf’s anti-Norquist tirade click here.
Tea Party Senate candidate Garrett attacks Lynchburg
Last week the Lynchburg News & Advance called out right-wing Republican Senate candidate Tom Garrett’s recent tirade against the city of Lynchburg, urging him to spend a little time in the city and get to know it better. Garrett went after the city for tax increases that are the result of unfunded mandates from Richmond and supposed “plywood on Main Street,” a charge to which the Lynchburg paper took particularly offense. To read more about Tom Garrett’s attack on a community that he is running to represent, click here.
Bob “Surplusterisk” McDonnell tells state agencies to brace for cuts
Governor Bob McDonnell, fresh of his summer celebration of his fake budget surplus, told state agencies to send him a range of proposals to cut their budgets for yet another year. To read more about Bob McDonnell’s ever diminishing surplus myth click here.
McDonnell and Cuccinelli’s invasive politics
Richmond’s Style Weekly magazine ran a great column last week by a VCU student examining the crushing hypocrisy demonstrated by self-styled “small government conservatives” like Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli, who make careers out of getting government out of people’s lives unless those people are women or members of the LGBT community. To read more about McDonnell and Cuccinelli’s continued big government moral crusading, click here.

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for August 2, 2011

MasonDem — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 13:41:47 +0000

Crisis averted – Congress passes a debt ceiling increase
As with any compromise, it wasn’t perfect, but President Obama and congressional leaders finally got together and passed a debt ceiling increase that will allow our nation to meet it’s obligations, avoid the economic catastrophe of a default and preserve the possibility of reducing our deficit through a balance of spending cuts and additional revenue. To read more about the recent debt deal click here.
McDonnell continues disingenuous promotion of phantom surplus
Governor Bob McDonnell never lets the truth get in the way of telling a good story about himself. Fortunately, many Virginians and news outlets understand the considerably more complex story of a budget filled with gimmicks, unpaid bills and unmet obligations to working families. Click here to read the Washington Post’s takedown of McDonnell’s disingenuous budget rhetoric.
Moran, state leaders urge voters to focus on this year’s races
This is a unique time in Virginia politics with so many state races coming up this year and such critical statewide races happening next year including a Senate and President race. As easy as it is to get excited about next year, this year’s elections will mean a lot for Virginia families, particularly if we lose a Democratic Majority in the Senate and Bob McDonnell is allowed to push his anti-middle class agenda unchecked. To watch a news clip about the importance of next year’s elections click here.
We’re on iPad and iPhone!
In case you missed it, the DPVA released it’s first ever mobile app last week, giving our activists another way to stay up to date with the latest in news, events and local Democratic activities. If you have an iPhone or iPad, download the app and watch out for updates in the near future. To download the DPVA iPhone or iPad app click here.
Virginia budget cuts continue to hit home
This week the News-Leader examined how cuts to Virginia’s human services budgets are putting further strain on our already crowded mental health facilities, an issue that “takes on a whole new danger you’re talking about acutely mentally ill patients.” As Governor Bob McDonnell talks about a phantom surplus, it’s important to remember the dangerous cuts we have made to education, human services, infrastructure and other key investments. To read about the building mental health crisis click here.

iPhone and iPad App for the Democratic Party of Virginia

MasonDem — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 16:08:02 +0000

The mission of the DPVA is to constantly strive to provide the best services and resources possible to our Democratic grassroots activists, campaigns, and elected officials. Democrats win when they are educated, trained, and equipped with the right tools. That’s what the Virginia Summit was all about, and that’s why we’re proud to be unveiling a new tool that will enable us to keep you better informed, and for you to join the conversation by sharing our message with your personal network.

Introducing the iPhone and iPad App for the Democratic Party of Virginia. Search “DPVA” in the App Store or click here to download.

This is your party – and with this free app you can react to the latest news and video, post messages to Facebook and Twitter, find events near you, and get involved with your local Democratic Committee. Together we can fight for equal opportunity and make Virginia a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

All resources are a work in progress – we want to hear from you regarding ideas for how to improve the app, so send your suggestions and feedback to app@vademocrats.org. You can also rate the app in the Apple Store. Don’t wait, download the app and help change Virginia today!

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for July 26, 2011

MasonDem — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:30:57 +0000

Virginia lost 14,600 jobs last month
The U.S. Department of Labor reported last week that Virginia lost more than 14,000 jobs in the month of June, more than every other state but two. The loss amounted to nearly a quarter of the gains the state has made since Governor Bob McDonnell took office, which should lead Virginians to question about our Governor is actually doing to create jobs for struggling Virginians. At the same time, the nonprofit Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis released a report stating that Governor McDonnell has not made any progress on jobs since taking office. To read more about the staggering June job losses click here. To read the DPVA statement questioning “Bob’s for Jobs’” record on job creation click here. To read an overview of the Commonwealth Institute report, click here.
Cantor, Allen continue to play chicken with our economy
As debt talks in Washington continue to threaten our economic security and the AAA bond ratings of the nation and Virginia, Eric Cantor continues to stand in the way of a deal and George Allen continues to cheer him on from the sidelines, urging Republicans to use potential disaster to our economy as ‘leverage’ for budget cuts that will hurt the middle class. To read more about Cantor and Allen’s willingness to risk our economy for their own agenda, click here. To watch a web video on how Allen’s position compares with other Republicans click here. To watch a web video on Cantor’s reckless and irresponsible behavior click here.
Guess who is pulling Eric Cantor’s strings?
The Washington Post featured Eric Cantor this week as the largest defender of hedge fund and financial firms in Congress, and also of course one of the largest recipients of their money. To read more about Cantor’s Wall Street masters click here.
Warner, Webb try to delay carrier move
Democratic Senators Jim Webb and Mark Warner introduced amendments last week to remove the funding it would take to move a Navy aircraft carrier from Norfolk to Mayport, Florida. The move could cost thousands of Virginia jobs and hundreds of millions in taxpayer dollars. To read more about Warner and Webb’s fight to keep the carrier in Virginia click here.
Localities question the McDonnell surplus
The Lynchburg News & Advance reported this week on the disingenuousness of Bob McDonnell’s ‘surplus’ claims as cities and counties like Lynchburg are struggling to deliver services for their citizens after dramatic cuts in state funding. As one city councilman put it: “I think it’s unconscionable that the state would claim to have a balanced budget when, in fact, all it’s doing is forcing us to raise revenues locally to pay for its efforts.” He called the state’s actions “dishonest.” To read more about the local reaction to Bob McDonnell’s fantastical surplus, click here.

Virginia Summit July 15-16

MasonDem — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:07:34 +0000

Updated 6.23 with more detailed schedule.

The first-ever Virginia Summit, which will be held on July 15th-16th at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, will offer two days of intensive training, policy and message briefings, career advancement advice and fellowship with Democratic elected officials, candidates, professionals, and activists from every level. This will be an unprecedented opportunity for Virginia Democrats to come together and build the tools, skills and policy knowledge we need to elect our candidates in the fall and move this Commonwealth forward.

The Virginia Summit will offer sessions for candidates, activists, professionals and aspiring political staff of all stripes on a wide range of important skills and topics. We’ve got a host of informative and impactful sessions planned already, including:

Policy briefings on health care, education, national security, energy, and the environment
Developing and communicating a powerful message
Running an effective local Democratic committee
Recruiting and retaining political volunteers
Making the choice to run for office
Starting and advancing a career in politics

Dr. Drew Westen, the renowned psychologist, Democratic messaging guru and author of the must-read book The Political Brain, has agreed to share his expertise in two separate Virginia Summit sessions. Dr. Westen has advised campaigns on every level on crafting and delivering an effective and emotionally resonant message. He will deliver a great deal of value to attendees who want to communicate our Democratic values in the most effective way possible.

Mark your calendars and make plans to be in Richmond on July 15th-16th for the Virginia Summit, please click here to reserve your space at this important event today – $25/person.

FRIDAY JULY 15TH 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM Registration & Exhibits open 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM Afternoon Sessions:

Candidate and Campaign Training: Management, Field operations, Communications & FinanceExploring Careers in Politics
“So You want to Run for Office?”: The Personal Decision, Career Considerations, Building your Resume, and Creating Your Kitchen Cabinet
Understanding & Writing a Campaign Plan

7:30 PM -9:30 PM – The Virginia Summit Networking Welcome Reception (Location TBA) SATURDAY JULY 16TH 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM – Registration & Exhibits Open 7:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Continental Breakfast Service 8:00 AM – 12:15 PM – Morning Sessions:

Iraq, Afghanistan & US Global Engagement
Running an Effective Local Committee
Organizing in the Military & Veterans Community
Education & Investing in America’s Future Leaders
Energy & the Environment
Roadmap to Victory I: Messaging for 2011 & 2012

12:15 PM – 12:45 PM – Box Lunch Service 12:45 PM -2:00 PM – Keynote Address: Dr. Drew Westen “Branding our Values” 2:00PM – 5:30 PM – Afternoon Sessions

How to talk about Values with Dr. Drew Westen
Healthcare: Understanding the Critical Debates, the New System and Virginia’s Role
State Party Plan and Local Bylaws
Local Committee & Community Outreach (breakout sessions for Urban, Suburban and Rural Communities)
Economy & Jobs: National and State Realities
Local Committee Finance and Compliance
Building Relationships with Labor, Young Democrats and Progressive Organizations at the Grassroots
Roadmap to Victory II: Putting strategy into action through blogs, new media and effective organizing

7:30 PM – 9:30 PM – The Virginia Summit Evening Reception – Location TBA

$35 per individual Ticket; not included in Summit Registration

*Sessions and Times are Subject to Change

Weekend Accommodations

Guests attending 2011 Virginia Summit have several options available to them for hotels while they are in town.

The official DPVA room block for Friday and Saturday nights will be at the Hilton Garden Inn. Please call the hotel directly for reservations and mention that you are with the Democratic Party of Virginia to get the special rate.
Hilton Garden Inn Richmond Downtown 501 East Broad Street (804) 344-4300
Additional Recommendation
Richmond Marriott 500 East Broad Street (804) 643-3400

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for June 21, 2011

MasonDem — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 21:54:17 +0000

Allen was against ethanol before he was for it before he was against it Senate candidate George Allen has never met a poll-driven position he couldn’t find a way to take, even if he held the exact opposition position not too long ago. This time he’s jumped on the “cut ethanol subsidies” bandwagon, despite having supported them when he was President, and opposed them before that. To read more about George Allen’s “flip, flop, flip,” on ethanol, click here.
The Obama campaign gears up for 2012
We’ve got critically important legislative races this year, but it is great to see that President Obama’s re-election campaign is already getting ready to win Virginia again next year. To read more about the President’s re-election bid in Virginia, click here.
Connolly stands up to Republican censorship
Rep. Gerry Connolly took to the House floor last week to decry Republican attempts to censor Democratic franked mail pieces that accurately describe Paul Ryan’s budget plan as a proposal to end Medicare as we know it. To read more about Rep. Connolly’s fight against Republican censorship click here.
Jamie Radtke calls the 2012 Republican primary a ‘referendum’ on the party’s soul
The Republican primary for the 2012 Senate race is heating up as Jamie Radtke continues to make the case that George Allen isn’t nearly right-wing enough for today’s Republican party. Unfortunately, she forgets that George Allen is not particularly fixed to any particular ideological position and can easily get more or less conservative if the need arises. To read more about Jamie Radtke’s uphill climb against George Allen click here.
Cuccinelli advises churches on legal ways to campaign
Some Virginians somewhere (probably not on this mailing list) may have thought when they voted for Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli that they were choosing a new state lawyer to fight for those who can’t fight for themselves, keep the public safe and in general work diligently on behalf of his client, the people of Virginia. One wonders how they feel about him traveling around to religious conferences offering legal instructions to churches on how they can influence elections without threatening their nonprofit tax status. To read more about Ken Cuccinelli’s political playbook for churches, click here.

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for June 15, 2011

MasonDem — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:34:23 +0000

Every Democrat’s favorite Republican re-emerges
We all remember former Delegate and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Jeff Frederick as a barely coherent right-winger who could always be counted upon to do or say something to embarrass his party, and who was drummed out of power by Bob McDonnell and party elite for that very reason. Well now he’s back! Last week he filed to run in a Republican primary for the right to challenge Senator Toddy Puller in November. With that in mind, the DPVA put together a video reel of some of Frederick’s more colorful moments to date as a way of welcoming him back. Click here to read about the DPVA’s celebration of the return of Jeff Frederick and to watch the video we prepared.
Democrats gather to meet new voters and new candidates
Northern Virginia Democrats gathered in McLean last weekend at a “Friendraiser” thrown to give electeds like Del. Bob Brink the chance to introduce themselves to new constituents and candidates like Pamela Danner the chance to make their pitch to area voters. To read more about the Democratic Friendraiser in McLean click here.
Allen spends yet another week ducking the Ryan Medicare plan
Senate candidate George Allen held a press conference this morning to announce his campaign agenda, and despite urging from Democrats and Republicans he refused yet again to tell Virginians whether he would vote for Paul Ryan’s plan to end Medicare as we know it, despite having praised the plan repeatedly. The DPVA continues to apply pressure on Allen to take a stance on this critical issue. To read more about Allen’s continued ducking on the Ryan plan, click here.
Democrats gather for Arlington County JJ
Last Saturday around 300 Democrats came together for the Arlington County Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, hosted by the local Democratic Committee. Speakers included DPVA Chairman Brian Moran, Congressman Jim Moran, former DNC Chairman and Virginia businessman Terry McAuliffe and former congressman Tom Perriello. To read more about the Arlington JJ Dinner and to watch a clip of Chairman Moran’s address click here.
Tom Whipple passes the reigns
The entire DPVA staff would like to thank Tom Whipple for his years of service preparing the daily news clipping service “The Whipple Clips.” Whipple spent 15 years getting up at 4:00 AM to make sure Virginia politicos got their news fix first thing, and for that he deserves our gratitude and a happy and relaxing retirement. For more information on Tom Whipple’s retirement and the future of the Whipple Clips click here.

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for March 22, 2011

MasonDem — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 20:25:13 +0000

1. The Affordable Care Act makes life better for middle class Virginians

A Families USA Report released this week states that 123,500 with pre-existing conditions are protected from losing their health coverage thanks to the Affordable Care Act. The report also examined the 53,900 young Virginians who are now eligible to stay on their parents’ insurance plans.

To read more about the benefits of the Affordable Care Act to Virginia families click here.

2. Gap between Virginia rich and poor is third widest in the country

According to a report from the Commonwealth Institute for Fiscal Analysis the gap between the rich and poor in Virginia is third widest in the country and the widest it has been in 30 years. The news comes as Republicans in Virginia and across the country propose massive budget cuts to programs, including education and foreclosure assistance, which create opportunity and help keep middle class families on their feet.

To read more about Virginia’s vanishing middle class, click here.

3. Cuccinelli’s small government hypocrisy

Times-Dispatch columnist Bart Hinkle issued a scathing rebuke last week of Ken Cuccinelli’s crusade against academic freedom at the University of Virginia. Hinkle asserts that Cuccinelli’s suit against the school over climate research raises serious questions about the authenticity of his stated desire to rein in government power.

To read Bart Hinkle’s column about Ken Cuccinelli’s big government overreach, click here.

4. New media a blessing and a curse for Virginia politicos

New media and social networking tools create new opportunities for political leaders to get the word out to audiences across the Commonwealth, but they have also created a brave new world in which virtually everything is on the record, all the time.

To read the Times-Dispatch’s profile on the world of modern political communications in Virginia, click here.

5. Virginia schools go dancing!

Five Virginia colleges faced off in the NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament last weekend and two schools (University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University) made history this weekend as they made the City of Richmond the second city in history to host two schools in the tournament’s round of 16.

To read more about VCU’s remarkable journey in the NCAA tourney, click here.

Also congrats to the James Madison and Hampton women’s basketball teams for winning entry into the NCAA Tournament! Both teams fell in their opening round games this weekend.

DPVA Weekly Top 5 for February 9, 2011

MasonDem — Wed, 09 Feb 2011 18:32:38 +0000

Welcome to the DPVA Weekly Top 5, your review of the top five stories from the past week and a look at what’s ahead.

Republicans Kill McDonnell’s ABC Legislation
The Republican majority in the House of Delegates refused to even hold a hearing on the signature proposal of Governor Bob McDonnell’s first year in office, his quest to privatize the state’s Alcohol Beverage and Control system. Despite his ardent advocacy for the proposal throughout the year, the end-result was such a disaster that it succeeded in bringing both parties together to defeat it.

To read more about the demise of the Governor’s ABC Privatization plan, click here.
McDonnell says ‘GOP not ready for Obama’
In an interview this week Governor McDonnell said that after his handling of the Tucson shooting and the legislative successes that he brought to bear during the recent lame duck session, the Republican Party is ‘not yet’ ready to take on President Obama.

To read more about Bob McDonnell’s doubts about the GOP’s readiness, click here.
Virginia Democrats prepare for the 2011 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner
The Democratic Party of Virginia is putting the final touches on the 2011 Jefferson-Jackson dinner, to be held on Saturday, February 19th in Richmond. Confirmed attendees this year include Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, Reps. Bobby Scott, Jim Moran and Gerry Connolly, former Reps. Tom Perriello and Glenn Nye and former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe.

To read more about the 2011 Jefferson-Jackson Dinner, click here. To see a video about what a JJ ticket means to the DPVA, click here.
McDonnell not ready to jump on the Allen bandwagon
Bob McDonnell had the chance this week to endorse his friend George Allen in his bid for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat he lost to Jim Webb in 2006. Unfortunately for Allen, the Governor was willing to say a couple nice things, but refused to offer his endorsement at this time.

To read more about McDonnell’s hesitation to endorse George Allen, click here.
Democrats stand up for school funding
The Democratic Senate’s version of amendments to Virginia’s budget this year seeks to restore cuts made to public education in past budgets. The proposal provides $100 million more in funding for education than the Governor’s original proposal.

To read more about Democrats fighting for good schools, click here.