I’m just having fun correcting people as to my costume….

I am not a fiendish, thieving, duplicitous, lawless pirate …. I’m a Democrat congressman. Aar.

Here’s hoping that the Commonwealth is no worse off than a delegation consisting of a 9-2 GOP majority. Fingers crossed for the “retirement” of Jim “Blame the Jews” Moran.

Response: Yes

I have posed the same question to Patrick Murray the other main GOP candidate.  As soon as I receive his answer, I shall post it.

Down the road in VA-11, Pat Herrity has distributed an email stating that he will work on repeal if elected.

Where one would typically expect to find Presidential responsibility, we find something else with this President. I’m not sure what it is called. Narcissism? Megalomania? Sociopathy? Maybe we need a new term. I’m open to suggestion, but I’m thinking of coining the term “Self- Obamulation”.

In any case, we suffer with finger pointing at the Bush administration and the constant whine of “I inherited [insert the topic for which responsibility avoidance is sought]“. The topics have ranged from “a bad economy” to “tarnished international standing”. The President had inherited it … meaning he has no responsibility for it. It isn’t his problem. He doesn’t fix it … because that would be taking responsibility for it. He punts to Nancy and Harry and lets them come up with some sort of Rube Goldberg legislation with all sorts of ugly knobs (see Ben Nelson), spinning dials (see Mary Landreiu) and sloppy but necessary add-ons (see Union insurance). The product is many times the size it needed to be (see Omnibus spending), doesn’t do what it was supposed to do (see Stimulus) and is best described as a smoke screen (see Anti-Wall Street Populism) to hide the utter lack of responsible action to address the “inheritance” (waiting to see Tax Cuts and Spending Cuts).

I’m tired of it. Self-Obamulation is the law of the land. And a new “inheritance” is being amassed in the form of debt and deficit, “transparency” and audacity, czars and clunkers and genuflection.

My hope is that the next President, when he or she takes office on January 20, 2013, takes a moment, however fleeting, to blame self-Obamulation … and then man up, take responsibility and finally get the country moving again after 4 lost years of blamestorming.

Just about a year ago Pat came within 1.2% (1,206 votes) of winning the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman spot in a special election.  At the time of the special election, the Chairman seat had been help by the Dems for 13 years and was recently abandoned by Connolly.

Keith ran for the VA-11 seat in 2008, but came up short as Connolly took advantag of the Hopey-Changey bandwagon.   

VA-11 is split between Purplish Fairfax and Red Prince William.   Connolly is vulnerable.   Either GOP candidate can beat Connolly.  We took back Richmond in 2009, let’s take back VA-11 in 2010.

I’m in VA-8 and stuck with JImmy “Blame Israel” Moran (D-PMA).  I’ll do what I can for the GOP candidate here, but the district includes all of Alexandria, Arlington, Falls Church and is the deepest of hypoxic blue.  For this cycle I’m adopting VA-11.

1. Dramatically lower early morning voting. In the Obama-McCain election there was a line of several hundred people waiting as the doors opened at 6am. Today I hear there were 4 in line. Yes…four. There were about 20 through the doors in the first 30 min. In this heavy Dem precinct it seems enthusiasm is VERY low… at least in the early AM. Drove past another precinct in an even heavier Dem district and I saw no line and little activity.

2. GOP outside poll workers outnumber Dem outside poll workers 3-2. One of the Dem workers was the mother of a Dem delegate candidate.

I’ll supplement this post periodically throughout the day.

UPDATE 11am

About 20-25% turnout in this heavy Dem district. Usually very high turnout, even in off year.

Very good response to GOP side. If we take 45% in this precinct it is a win.

UPDATE 2 – 12noon
Still a flow in to the polls. Now there is one of me on the GOP side versus 3 to 5 Dems, including a Dem candidate’s wife and mother. They stand and chit-chat. I’m walking to the voters to hand out sample ballots. Several people are happy to get the GOP sheet. Quite a few ask for the GOP sheet.

Overheard one Dem to another “Let’s keep out fingers crossed.”

Update 3 … 12:30pm

Break to get lunch for the GOP pollworkers and head to the local burger joint. Place is a zoo (it’s.a popular spot) and the largest group mulling about was a bunch of college kids in McDonnell shirts carrying RPV totebags.

Definite slackening of the rate. Somewhere around 30% turnout so far I think. 50% to 60% is the norm in off year elections. Will pick up again around 4:30pm.

Stopped at a precinct up the road and they had about 550 voters through in the six hours of 6am to noon. The lone Dem working the polls was the Dem incumbent delegate. He had no helpers. Seems to highlight the enthusiasm gap when the candidate needs to be stuck at one polling station.

Back at the polls greeting voters, getting to them before the Dems workers. Dem workers are all over 60, so we have the face of youth (40ish)

UPDATE 4 – 3:45pm

7 hours in to the poll work. Starting to pick up in number of people. Should get busy around 5.

Some GOP heavy parts of eastern Fairfax have had heavt turnout I hear.

Thids Dem heavy area is seeing GOP turnout of folks we have not seen in awhile. We should hit 50% turnout. Just depends on the mood of the independents.

Overheard one Dem to another “It’s not going to be a good year”.

Call your Virginian friends, relations, colleagues and acquaintances…get them to the polls.

UPDATE 5 – 5:30pm
9 hours outside the polls. Colling down. Still a steady trickle of people. Nearing 900 votes in the precinct, so we’ll end up with about 50-55% turnout in this heavy Dem precinct. Hearing that some of precincts in the 44th District are having disasterous turnout…the Dem precints. I’ve heard as low as 17% from 6am to about 4:30 pm. They may hit 20% there. I suspect the 44th District is moving from Lean Dem to Toss Up. The GOP precincts have seen very good turnout from what I hear.

Also hearing that parts of Arlington are low turnout.

Dreading the post poll closing harvesting of the signs.

MANY people showing preference for the GOP sample ballot.

Not trying to be too optimistic, but this could be very bad for the Democrats…especially if the strong shift to McDonnell translates down to the House of Delegates races. Currently the House is 53 GOP, 43 Dem, 2 Ind, 2 vacant. The left leaning blog Not Larry Sabato is forecasting what appears to be a 6 seat pickup for the GOP in the House of Delegates (counting all leaners as falling as the blog thinks but not counting toss-ups).

Keep up the pressure, phone calls, door knocking, work the polls, volunteer any way you can.

UPDATE: Just spotted this a Virginia Virtucon…

It seems that Creigh “What’s In Your Wallet?” Deeds’ collapse is now spreading to and infecting Democrat House candidates’ campaigns. What could have been a Category 3 political hurricane may be turning into a Category 5…

UPDATE from the Washington Post:

Sensing big gains, Republicans make late donations
From the Virginia Public Access Project comes some fascinating new numbers that show Republicans are making a late play for some seats in the House of Delegates where they were once thought to have little chance for pick-ups.

The late donations, from Republican Party of Virginia, Dominion Leadership Trust and
candidate committees for Speaker William Howell and Del. Morgan Griffith, is a sign that Republicans are hoping a tidal wave of a win Tuesday could pull even more delegate candidates into the winner’s column than they had once thought.

It’s a stunning turnaround in a year when Democrats had once talked about regaining control of the House for the first time since 1999.

Per VPAP, here are late donations from Republican to House candidates just since Friday:

-$27,893 to Kerry Bolognese, who is running against David Marsden in southern Fairfax

-$10,367 to Rafael Lopez, who is locked in tight battle against Luke Torian in what used to be Del. Jeff Frederick’s district in Prince William

-$,3500 to James Morefield running against Del. Dan Bowling in southwest.

-$2,000 to Jennifer Lee, who is running against Matthew James for an open seat vacated by Kenneth Melvin in Portsmouth

-$2,000 to Melody Scalley, challenging Lynwood Lewis on the Eastern Shore

-$1,005 to James McConville, running against Scott Surovell for an open seat in the Mount Vernon area, recently vacated by Kris Amundson

Also the folks at Virginia Virtucon are suggesting that there are up to 20 (TWENTY) Democrat held seats that might be in “some degree of play”. What they mean by that I’m not sure, but I think a House of Delegates seat going to the GOP in Arlington or a few seat shifting in Fairfax will be crushing to the Democrats.

I will be heading out the door shortly to start planting signs along the road leading to my precinct polling place. I’ll be there all day tomorrow working to polls. I’ll try to post comments to this posting throughout the day to relay turnout and mood of the voters in eastern Fairfax.

GET OUT TO VOTE…CALL YOUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND GET THEM OUT TOO.

 But here is some polling info on the Lt. Governor (Bolling v. Wagner) and AG (Cuccinelli v. Shannon) races from today’s Richmond Times-Dispatch.

The Times-Dispatch Poll shows Bolling ahead of Jody Wagner, 47 percent to 34 percent, with 19 percent undecided. Bolling’s lead is unchanged from an earlier poll for the newspaper.

Cuccinelli is favored over Steve Shannon, 46 percent to 32 percent, with 22 percent undecided. Cuccinelli has doubled his lead from early October.

What I thought was more interesting was a bit further into the article…

GOP candidates also show surprising strength with traditional Democratic constituencies, women and young voters — an indication that Virginia Democrats, despite a string of victories since 2001, are struggling to energize their base.

Bolling, seeking a second term, has a statistically insignificant edge among women over Wagner, 40 percent to 39 percent.

Wagner is the only woman on the Virginia ballot this year. She is seeking to become the second woman to win statewide office here. Democrat Mary Sue Terry was twice elected attorney general — in 1985 and 1989.

Bolling leads in all regions, though he and Wagner are neck-and-neck in heavily Democratic Northern Virginia.

Except for voters 18 to 34, who heavily prefer Wagner, Bolling is the favorite of all other age groups.

Cuccinelli, an outspoken foe of abortion and homosexual rights, leads Shannon among women, 42 percent to 37 percent.

Cuccinelli is ahead of Shannon in all age groups, though his advantage among voters 18 to 34 is within the margin of error.

Cuccinelli leads in all regions but one, Northern Virginia, where he and Shannon — both residents of Fairfax County — are statistically tied.

The lesser publicized races for LG and AG are dead even … IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA.  A few days ago Anthony Bedell, Chairman of the Fairfax GOP, noted in an email that McDonnell-Deeds was a dead heat … IN FAIRFAX COUNTY.

So we have…

1. a GOP state-wide ticket leading everywhere but Northern Virginia … where it is a dead heat;
2. a re-vitalized Fairfax GOP running nearly a full slate of STRONG delegate candidates so that voters can actually vote for something other than a left winger; and
3. several of those those GOP Delegate candidates are raising more cash than their Dem opponents and GOPAC putting money into Delegate races.

RedState attention has moved to NY-23 in the past week…but we can use all the help that we can mustered here in the Commonwealth.  If you can spare some cash send it to a candidate of your choice (I’m partial to Jay McConville and Vicki Vasques) or to RPV .  If you can spare some time, call a candidate’s office and see where you can volunteer.  Anything will help … inside poll watching, literature drops, outside poll workers, driving older/disabled voters to the polls, running the phones in a campaign office, shuttle driving, delivering hot coffee to poll workers.  I plan to be working the outside polls from 6am to 7pm here in Fairfax … with camera ready just in case the SEIU gets unruly.

WE CAN WIN ALL THREE STATEWIDE OFFICES AND TAKE AWAY DELEGATE SEATS FROM THE DEMS. VOTE TUESDAY NOVEMBER 3 AND VOLUNTEER NOW TIL ELECTION DAY.

The broom isn’t out … yet.

He: How is your Democratic thing going?

She: Oh, its going slow … the money has dried up … it’s going to be horrible. Imagine what it will be like with the McDonald or whatever his name is…

Again, no context, but some interesting questions…

It is just over 2 weeks to the election.  It’s well known that McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli are leading the Democrat opponents in every credible poll.  As I’ve noted before the entire House of Delegates is up for election as well.  Notwithstanding the polls, we need to keep up the pressure and get out the vote.

As critical as the elections of McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli are, we need to keep the House of Delegates in the GOP camp and increase the majority as much as possible.  I noted here back in June, that Fairfax might not be a solid lock for the Democrats…call me optimistic  The GOP this election year is running a very good slate of candidates, where in years past the Democrats ran unopposed.  I’ve made the obligatory campaign contribution plea here on Red State for my choice of the 44th Delegate district, Jay McConville.  I thank the RedStaters who answered the call and sent some contributions to Jay.

We are getting close now, and I want to povide a quick update before I ask for your help again.  The other day Jay received backing from GOPAC, which called his candidancy one of the five “most winnable” races in Northern Virginia.  Other candidates geting backing from GOPAC were Barbara Comstock (34th Dist.), Dave Albo (42nd Dist.), and Jim LeMunyon (67th Dist.) in Fairfax County and  Rich Anderson (51st Dist.) just south in Prince William County.

Today, Jay’s campaign issued a rather remarkable press release noting that he has again beaten the Democrat candidate in fundraising.  Jay raised $62,000 in the past month, while his opponent, the immediate past Chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee, raised only $48,000.  Remove the $5,000 GOPAC boost to Jay’s war chest … AND HE STILL BEAT THE DEMOCRAT.  Early on, Jay also beat out the sitting Democrat incumbent in the first fund raising reporting period of the campaign cycle … to which her response was retirement. 

Remember, this is “reliably” Blue Fairfax County.  Obama took 60% to McCain’s 39% in 2008.  Blue Fairfax where Democrats get close to 60% in every election.  Err … Blue Fairfax?  Really?  Maybe Purple.

Purple Fairfax, where Brian Moran’s Delegate seat went to the Democrat by only 16 votes and the Fairfax County Chairman’s seat was held by the Dems with a 1.2% margin in special elections.  Purple Fairfax where a 26 year Democrat seat on the Board of Suprervisors went to the GOP in a third special election.   Well … maybe medium Tyrian purple.

Need more?  Today it was also reported that Keith Fimian outraised freshman Democrat Congressman Gerry Connolly by over $100,000 in the 3rd quarter.

We have the candidates.  We have demonstrated strong donor support.  We have momentum.  We can do this, but we need all the help we can get from you folks out there. 

This weekend starts the GOP get out the vote drive in Virginia.  If you live in Virginia go to your local GOP or candidate’s campaign office.  Put out signs, knock on doors, make phone calls, hand out literature, hell bring a plate of sandwiches to the campaign workers.  If you live near Virginia consider spending a Saturday in the Commonwealth to lend a hand to a GOP Delegate candidate.  If you live further away, but have colleagues, family or friends in Virginia, start calling and emailing to get them involved.  Of course, I’m sure any of the candidates will gladly take a donation.

I’m partial to helping Jay McConville in the 44th, Vicki Vasques in the 45th and Sasha Gong in the 46th District.  Please see the Fairfax GOP web site for links to all the Fairfax GOP candidates or the RPV website for links to GOP candidates throught the Commonwealth.  Pick one (or more) and volunteer, donate and/or otherwise lend a hand.

I liked Living Colour.  It was a good hard pop-rock sound.  Anyhow, the song Glamour Boys came on so I sat back to give it a listen again.   In the 80s, I liked the song because it was a jab at all those people who today would be a reality show contestant trying to be Paris Hilton’s new best friend.   Nine months into the Obama administration, I find Glamour Boys surprisingly relevant to the current state of mind in DC. 

We have a superficial batch of narcissistic Neo-Progs running around doing all they can to be the center of attention without any plan other then “we need to change something to justify our existence”.  Initially it was the applicability to the shallowness of the Copenhagen Ego-Fest and the simpering award of the Nobel T-Ball Participation Trophy that came to me.  But the financial aspects of living it up without regard for financial resources likewise was quite … appropriate.  And the self adulation, the cluelessness, the carelessness.

After listening a couple of times to the tune, I hunted down another Living Colour song that I liked even more in years past … Cult of Personality.  Hmmm … twas even more apropos, considering the direct reference to the Nobel prize.

On the one hand, we have the Glamour Boys running things on Capital Hill.  It’s all about the show.  Money being irresponsibly slathered around like fresh cream government cheese on the Sunday morning bagel.  Damn they WANT to be popular so much that they actually BELIEVE they are popular.  They can’t comprehend that most of the people despise what they are trying to do and were aghast when we showed up at town halls to dispel their delusional fog.  They retreat to the “friends”, who are just the bullies in the corner (SEIU, ACORN, UAW, NEA, etc) who are just using them to get at that government cheese, for a new fix of undeserved confidence.  The post-adolescent need to be accepted, even if you have to force people to “like” you. These are the New Glamour Boys.

On the other hand, we have a near mindless deification of an untested, inexperienced, UNPROVEN president.  We have no loaves and fishes … but we do have 9.8% unemployment.  We have not seen walking on water … though we have been promised that the waters shall recede after Cap and Trade.  We have no blind men now seeing … though we have a promise of full health care for all with no need to worry about paying for it.  However, we have had an overturning of the money lenders tables.  People are actually praying to Obama.  People fully expect all their needs to be provided by this guy.  He gets a prestigious international award … just because.  This truly is a Cult of Personality in it’s most base form.

So that’s what listening to a song this evening has led me to … the New Glamour Boys of the Cult of Personality.   Not a very pleasant thought.  Who said 80s songs were without meaning and not thought provoking? 

For those of you not familiar with the songs, I provide the lyrics below and you can see the music videos here and here.  Now I’m not one for Nostradamus or psychics, but damned if these guys didn’t accurately describe the Obama administration 20 years ago.  After tonight, I need to look these guys up and see what else they might have done since the 80s. 

Glamour Boys

The glamour boys swear they are a diva
The glamour boys have it all under control
Always dancing always laughing
The glamous boys are playing the role
The glamour boys never have no money
The glamour boys wear the most expensive clothes
The glamour boys are always at the party
Where the money comes from heaven only knows

I ain’t no glamour boy – i’m fierce!
I ain’t no glamour boy
I ain’t no glamour boy – i’m fierce!
I ain’t no glamour boy
The glamour boys live off their ambition
The glamour boys have it all figured out
A very, very dubious position
When you got no clout
The glamour boys’ whole life is a gamble
They might get over or fall flat on their face
But if one does, there’s no need to worry
Another g-boy will take his place

The glamour boys don’t think about tomorrow
The glamour boys just need tonight to play
But just like things you can’t afford on credit
Time catches up and you have to pay
The glamour boys are always on the guest list
You’ll always find them in the hottest spots in town
They’ll be your friend if you have fame or fortune
If you don’t they won’t be hanging ’round

“whaddya mean my credit’s no good??”

Cult of Personality

Look into my eyes, what do you see?
Cult of Personality
I know your anger, I know your dreams
I’ve been everything you want to be
I’m the Cult of Personality
Like Mussolini and Kennedy
I’m the Cult of Personality
Cult of Personality
Cult of Personality

Neon lights, A Nobel Price
The mirror speaks, the reflection lies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set me free
I sell the things you need to be
I’m the smiling face on your T.V.
I’m the Cult of Personality
I exploit you still you love me

I tell you one and one makes three
I’m the Cult of Personality
Like Joseph Stalin and Gandi
I’m the Cult of Personality
Cult of Personality
Cult of Personality

Neon lights a Nobel Prize
A leader speaks, that leader dies
You don’t have to follow me
Only you can set you free

You gave me fortune
You gave me fame
You me power in your God’s name
I’m every person you need to be
I’m the Cult of Personality

Then here, I posted an urgent request for fellow Red Staters to make a donation to the Jay McConville campaign before a key finance reporting deadline.  To remind folks, Jay is running for the 44th House of Delegates seat which covers the Mt. Vernon area of Fairfax County.

The 44th District race is now one of the most watched Delegate races in the Commonwealth because JAY CAN WIN THIS SEAT and take it away from the Democrats. Jay’s opponent is the hastily recruited (remember, the incumbent ran away) chairman of Fairfax Democrats and is a trial lawyer. As you can imaging, the Democrat is receiving a load of contributions from trial lawyers, including $5000 from the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association. With Timmay Kaine now running the DNC full-time and the unions wanting to destroy Virginia’s Right-to-Work status, you can be assured that the Democrat will be receiving considerable union and DNC funding.

I ran into Jay last night at back to school night and he is quite energized, optimistic and will make a far more effective representative in Richmond than the incumbent ever was.  That Democrat incumbent QUIT THE RACE when she saw the support Jay was receiving.  Think about it…a multi-term Democratic incumbent was chased out of the race … that should tell you something about Jay.   You can see Jay’s full bio here, but here are a few highlights:

• Husband of 24 years and father of three;
• Successful businessman who’s run a $300 million/year business unit with 1,500 employees;
• Highly active in youth sports, church youth programs and Sunday school teaching;
• Marathon runner and Triathelete;
• 12 year veteran of the U.S. Army (Ranger, Airborne and Air Assault qualified; Bronze Star) having served in Desert Shield and Desert Storm

Considerably more impressive, more experienced, more tested and more capable than the Democrat opponent.

Here are a couple videos from Jay’s campaign that should give you a sense of who Jay is.

And here is a pre-campaign video from a local news media outlet featuring Jay.

After watching the videos and checking out Jay’s website, please help Jay get to Richmond by making a contibution to his campaign.

P.S. Today is Jay’s birthday if that helps nudge you to joining his contributors.

—–

I’ve just read Section 102, which purports to preserve our right to keep our current health coverage. As far as I can tell, any such right is EXTREMELY limited and VAST numbers of people will start to be forced into the government plan on or about January 1, 2013.

I don’t regularly engage in statutory interpretation, but it is really not that hard to parse this screed. I think I’m giving a fair interpretation and accurate description of what will happen in 2013 and 2018. If someone out there thinks I’m wrong, please give me a more plausible interpretation.

SHORT VERSION: We will ALL (you, me, the paperboy, the grocery cashier, Rosie O’Donnell, EVERYONE) will be suffering together with Obamacare by Jan. 1 2018, with next to no exceptions. The “you can keep your current coverage” is true in a very short term sense…otherwise IT IS A LIE.

LONG VERSION: My interpretation is that…

NOTE: I use “government plan” throughout below. By government plan, I mean the public option that will mimic Canada or the UK or a “private” plan that is effectivly under massive government control and oversight (e.g. bureaucrats in charge).

Sec. 102(a) “grandfathers” any private insurance plan in effect on or before Jan. 1, 2013. This means that any entity wishing to implement a health plan after Jan. 1, 2013 must use the government health plan. So if you have any aspiration of owning your own business and want to offer private health benefits to your employees … do it before 2013. [[[ Well ... actually ... it doesn't matter. Sec. 102(b)(1)(A) makes it a waste of time to establish a new plan if you plan to still be in business in 2018.]]]

Sec. 102(a)(1) (a) prohibits an employer with a “grandfathered” private plan from adding new employees to that plan after Jan. 1, 2013. So if a company expands and adds people it will be forced to place them on the government plan. More directly, if you change jobs on or after Jan. 2, 2013, you will be put on the government plan, whether your new employer has a “grandfathered” plan or not.

Sec. 102(a)(2) prohibits a “grandfathered” private plan from making any changes to the policy coverage on or after Dec. 31, 2012. So an employer is PROHIBITED for amending the plan to meet the needs of the business or the employees effective Dec. 31, 2012. Even INCREASING COVERAGE is banned. Seems to be a perfect paragraph to include if you want to sped the obsolescence of existing private plans.

Sec. 102(b)(1)(A) was drafted by someone who clearly wants to hide it’s true intent. Basically this paragraph essentially says that on Jan. 1, 2018 all “grandfathered” private plans must be made identical to the government plan. Sure it’s still privately run…but it’s the same as the government plan. Sooooo, why would a company keep it’s private plan come 2018?

Sec. 102(b)(1)(B) – provides some very specialized and limited exceptions to the 2018 deadline to become just like the government plan. Specifically, COBRA coverage extended under the Porkulus and special purpose insurance coverage like long-term care. However, these excepted plans shall “[i]n no case…be treated as acceptable coverage…]. So there will be a very limited number of truly private special purpose plans that exist after 2018, but the government doesn’t like them because they are not acceptable. Who wants to bet that by 2018, they’ll have eliminated those special purpose private plans?

Sec.102(b)(2) says that the “grandfathered” private plans existing on Jan 1, 2013 enter a “grace period” until 2018, when they need to become clones of the government plan. During this grace period the private plans are “treated as acceptable”, meaning they are inherently unacceptable and only the good graces of the government allows them to exist between 2013 and 2018. Again, bets on how quickly this grace period will be shortened or how nebulous “acceptable” is interpreted?

Sec. 102(c) has a title that says it all … “LIMITATION ON INDIVIDUAL HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE” How much more clear does this need to be for people to wake up?

Sec. 102(c)(1) says that if a health plan isn’t “grandfathered” it must be a government plan. Recall my above inpretation of Sec. 102(a) that all entities offering new health coverage aftr Jan 1, 2013 must be on the government plan.

Sec. 102(c)(2) provides another very limited exclusion for specialty coverage.

Sure we can keep our current superior private coverage … for a little while. Should this get enacted say goodbye to insurance coverage as you want it, how you want it and where you want it.

As I mentioned here, the Virginia 44th House of Delegate seat is now AN OPEN SEAT.  The sitting multi-term Democrat incumbent has quit the race.  I strongly think that the fund raising numbers from last reporting period made the decision for her. 

This is now one of the, if not the most watched Delegate race in Virginia. WE CAN TAKE THIS ONE FROM THE DEMOCRATS.

TODAY (June 30) is another financial reporting deadline for Virginia candidates.  The likely Democrat replacement candidate, the recently resigned Fairfax County Democrat Committe chair, has vowed to raise $50,000 by tonight.  He has a good chance to do it, with all the union money floating around Virginia trying to remove our Right to Work laws.  Looking at the finance reports for the incumbent you will see that the vast majority of her support has come from the unions…this money will now flow to the new presumptive Democrat candidate.

If at all possible, please visit Jay McConville’s website and make a contribution by midnight tonight.

Go here to contribute: www.gojay.org. 

As Eric Cantor said at the last Fairfax County Republican Committee meeting, Fairfax County is the front line.  Let’s start the real chang now.

At the June Fairfax County Republican Committee meeting, House GOP Whip Eric Cantor (VA-7) came by and spoke for a few minutes.  Cantor noted that Fairfax County is now the front line in stopping the Democrats and their agenda nationally.  I think he’s right.  And I think that we are in a good position here in Fairfax County to advance the cause of limited government, fiscal responsibility and all those other ideals that the majority of Americans believe this year … the first battleground of the 2010 national elections.  We’ve already had a small but decisive victory in the past few days in the 44th House District (subject of my next diary entry featuring GOP candidate Jay McConville.  Go here to get a sneak peek at Jay and to help him out with a donation).

I don’t have connections throughout the Commonwealth, but I do have a few here in Fairfax County.  In the coming weeks I hope to introduce my fellow RedStaters to at least some of the 17 Fairfax County GOP House of Delegates candidiates and ask that you lend them whatever support you can. 

A bit of recent history …
Fairfax County is home to 17 full or partial House of Delegates districts.  A map of the county broken into House district is here.  Two years ago, 14 of 17 districts went to the Democrat … including 10 gimmes because no Republican ran.  Contested races broke 4 to 2 in favor of the Democrats.  We had one GOP candidiate run unopposed.  Full 2007 Fairfax County election results are here.

In short, the Democrats won most of their seats in 2007 because they had no competition.

We all know that nationally the GOP did not fare well in 2006 and 2008.  One would have assumed that the Democrats would have an easy go of it in early 2009 in a series of special elections.  After all, Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine was newly minted Chair of the DNC and Pres. Barack Obama was riding high on a wave of popularity.  But the Democrats did not have an easy time.  Sure they won 2 of 3 special elections…barely.

• In Jan. 2009, just 1 week before Barack Obama was sworn in, a special election was held in the 46th House district to replace Brian Moran after he stepped down to formally run for Governor.  Republican Joe Murray missed winning this election by 16 votes. See here and here.
• In Feb. 2009, a special election was held to elect a new Board of Supervisors Chairman … a position held by Democrats for the prior 13 years.  Here, Republican Pat Herrity barely missed winning by 1,206 votes or 1.2%.  See here (“THE BULOVA-HERRITY race is the closest high-profile county-wide contest between a Democrat and Republican in several years. “) and here.
• In Mar. 2009, a special election was held to elect a new Braddock District Supervisor.  Here Republican John Cook won the Braddock Supervisor seat by 89 votes or about .6%.  However, this seat was held by a Democrat for over 21 years…and that Democrat beat Pat Herrity by only 1.2% a month earlier. I see it significant that a Republican took that seat. See here and here (“…this is the third consecutive special election in which the Republican candidate exceeded expectations.”)

Then in early May, just up the road in Alexandria, the heavens opened and the ground shook.  A Republican and a GOP-leaning Independent were elected to city counsel…the first time in six years that anyone not a Democrat was elected.  See here and here.

Where we stand today…

The GOP has 15 very good candidates for the 17 districts and partial districts in the County.  Here’s the list.  just click their name to get to their web site.

34th District – Barbara Comstock (fmr Hill staffer investigating waste, fraud & abuse; entrepreneur)
35th District – Jim Hyland (fmr Hill staffer for John Warner (VA-R) & Kay Baily Hutchinson (TX-R))
36th District – Mark Whited 
38th District – Danny Smith (financial services; served in Reagan & Bush administrations)
39th District – Joe Bury (defense contractor; community advocate)
40th District – Delegate Tim Hugo (incumbent; veteran; House GOP leadership role)
41st District – Kerry Bolognese (higher education association excutive)
42nd District – Delegate Dave Albo (incumbent; attorney)
43rd District – Tim Nank (veteran; defense analyst)
45th District – Vicki Vasques (served in Reagan and Bush administrations in DOE and Education)
46th District- Sasha Gong  (this lady spent a year in a Chinese prison for her writings in the 70s)
53rd District – Chris Merola (veteran; experienced campaigner)
67th District – Jim LeMunyon (entrepreneur; former Dep. Asst. Sec. for Commerce)
83rd District – Delegate Tom Rust (incumbent; engineer)

I’ve set off one candidate in particular, he being Jay McConville in the 44th District.  I pay special attention to Jay because events of the past few days put him in a very good position to take this seat from the Democrats.  I will post a diary on Jay in the next day or two … but let it suffice to say that the 6-term Democrat incumbent, who was also a member of the Democrat House leadership, QUIT THE RACE!!!  I do not have all of the details, but I think Jay chased the incumbent off of the field when she saw the fund-raising figures.  I also think that this caught the Democrats by surprise.

The Democrat Response to the 2009 GOP slate of Fairfax candidates…

Well as one would expect from 21st century Democrats, we get ad hominem attacks, to wit:

The Fairfax County Republican Committee recently issued a press release trumpeting their latest crop of candidates. From the Democratic Party’s point of view, this group of candidates coupled with the three statewide nominees is the biggest gang of anti-government, obstructionist, ideological demagogues that the Republican Party has ever inflicted on Fairfax County.

Scott A. Surovell,
Chair, Fairfax County Democratic Committee
Press release issued 06/11/09

For those of you in 44th House District, the Democrat candidate who wants your vote is the author of the above slur.

For too long Fairfax County has been seen as becoming Blue.  I’m tending to think that the Blue was caused by hypoxia and hypothermia.   The color is coming back to Fairfax County … a nice healthy, glowing Red.

Cross-posted at fairfaxgardener.blogspot.com

McAuliffe – very annoying, very liberal, very elitist and very much supported by lefties outside of the Commonwealth.  I have noticed that his signs have been pulled up in one area, while Moran’s signs remain;

Moran – brother of an embarrassing, lobbyist-entwined, machine politician, and I suspect baby brother is EXACTLY like my embarassing congressman.  I seem to recall that the delegate seat he resigned from to run for governor was held by the Democrats in a special election by ONLY 16 VOTES; and

Deeds -  completely unknown to me, though I understand he has been running left over the last couple years.

Among the three, I was thinking of casting a vote for Deeds.  I figure McDonnell beat him last time they faced each other (2005 attorney general race).  McDonnell has a head start.  And Deeds might come out on top (but battered) as his elitist (McAuliffe) and machine politician (Moran) competitors duke it out.

Well, I just heard that the Washington Post has endorsed Deeds…and I just can cast a vote for anyone the Post supports.  Re-thinking my primary day civic duty, I started to wonder … what would happen if I wrote in Bob McDonnell on primary day?.  Then wondering further into the realm of fancy (as I was stuck in traffic on he Beltway) … what if a bunch of people wrote in Bob McDonnell?

How many Democrats typically turn out for the primary? 

Just wondering.

The Joy of Reading

Free Stuff

TARPs and Taxes

Binkies and Bows

The High Seas

Almost Naughty

Public Servants

Homeland Security

History by T-Shirt

Founding Fathers

]]> http://www.redstate.com/ddstrain/2009/04/16/pictures-from-dc-tea-party-thematically/ Previously I have chronicles my short road to conservative activism here.  [That is "a-c-t-i-v-i-s-m" Ms. Napolitano, not "t-e-r-r-o-r-i-s-m".]

Yesterday, I attended the DC Tea Party … my first protest rally.   Judging from the comments I heard, I was not the only protest novice.  Check another thing off of my “getting into conservative activist mode” list.

Today I’ve checked off another item.  I’ll be joining the Fairfax County Republican Committee.  I aim to keep the pot boiling for the next Tea Party … I presume on July 4, though maybe another will pop up sooner.   I’ll be doing my best to organize events on behalf of the Fairfax GOP to introduce candidates to the voters, to get information out to the voters, and generally to stir up the voters. 

In the coming weeks, I’ll be reporting on various Fairfax County candidates running in 2009.  I will try to provide links to their websites or other contact info, just in case any Redstater out there would like to donate to their campaign.

Time to get down to work.  Tea time is over, got some hard work and late nights ahead, so something stronger than tea might be in order.  Maybe some J.A.V.A. (Just Americans Voicing Anger) to help folks keep up the steam.

No we are not terrorists, Ms. Napolitano, but we are angry.  We are allowed to be angry.

Crossposted at fairfaxgardener.blogspot.com

First, from 5pm to 7pm there will be a Tea Party at the Merrifield Post Office located at 8409 Lee Highway, Fairfax.  Go here or here for details. Great idea to hold a Tea Party at possibly the largest post office in Northern Virginia where people go to mail their taxes.

Second, from 6pm to 8pm there will be a Tea Party at Lake Anne Village Center located at 1609 Washington Plaza in Reston.  This Tea Party is being organized by the Virginia Chapter of the American Conservative Party.  Go here for details.

I can attend the Merrifield event and can post pictures and a report for other RedStaters.  Can I find a collaborator to cover the Reston Tea Party?

UPDATED 3/31  -  The TV stations that covered the Fairfax County, Virginia tax protest at the3 Government Center aired some of the interviews the made at the rally and have a write up on their web pages. I can’t get the embedded video to work but here ar links to the stations web pages with the video.

 http://www.news8.net/news/stories/0309/608626.html

http://www.wjla.com/news/stories/0309/608626_video.html?ref=newsstory

 —-

UPDATE –   NO TAXATION WITHOUT PROPERTY VALUE APPRECIATION!!

I arrived at the Fairfax County Government Center at exactly 6pm, the start time of the tax protest …  [bleeping bleepy bleep] traffic.  When I arrived I was quite pleased to see two television crews.

I couldn’t stay for the whole rally, but while I was there people continued to trickle in.  By the time I left I counted about 50 people.  Now considering that this was a MONDAY, shortly after the work day and at the height of the evening rush, I think 50 people was a pretty good showing.  And being able to draw two TV crews … outstanding. 

Channel 7 WJLA news crew

NewsChannel 8 news crew

The local DC ABC affiliate, WJLA channel 7, was already set up when I got there.  At about the time I arrived is when a crew from NewsChannel 8, the local cable all news channel, arrived.  The NewsChannel 8 reporter was quite interested in interviewing people and I saw him pull aside at least 4 people.  The Channel 7 crew were more aloof.  Don’t ask me who the reporters were … I stopped watching local news about 12 years ago.

There were also a couple current and former GOP candidates there, but with my bad hearing, I could not make out the names.  If anyone who attended the rally could add the names in a comment to this diary, I’d appreciate it.  Pat Herrity also came out from the hearings and urged those of us present to come and testify at the budget hearings on Thursday. 

Supervisor Pat Herrity addressing the crowd

The event was organized by Republicans United for Tax Relief, A Project of NoVa GOP PAC (www.republicanaction.com).  I thank them for the opportunity to tear up my larynx.

If at all possible, any Fairfax resident opposed to the tax rate hike the Democrats are pushing, should try to testify.  My schedule, although it freed up today, thus allowing me to attend the rally (with 3 of my kids in tow), will not be open up on Thursday.  If you can not testify in person, please call or email your district Supervisor. 

Remember our Fairfax County assessed property values FELL, but the new tax structure will cause our tax bill to RISE.  That is ridiculous.

Here is the contact phone/fax/web/email info for the Fairfax County Supervisors.  I called and left a message for Gerry Hyland on my way home.

Sharon Bulova, Elected At-Large
Phone: 703-324-2321, TTY 703-324-2319
Fax: 703-324-3955
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/chairman
E-mail: chairman@fairfaxcounty.gov 

 —–

My schedule shifted last night so I will be able to swing by the scheduled Fairfax County property tax protest this evening.  I will update this diary and post photos tonight … if i can get the camera connected to the computer.

The Fairfax County Government is a prime example of Democrat over-spending and utter incapacity to reign itself in.  My property values has FALLEN SIGNIFICANTLY this past year, but quite against logic, my property tax is scheduled to INCREASE. 

Hey Fairfax, Stop spending.  Slash all those so-called “services”.  Live within your means, just like all the taxpayers in the county.

I’m pondering the idea of having a good old fashioned back yard barbecue for any Fairfax County Redstaters out there.  Maybe try to see if any of our Fairfax GOP elected folks (Pat Herrity, John Cook, Michael Frey) or Fairfax GOP leaders (Anthony Bedell, Doug Jones) or County candidates can swing by.

Parking may be a problem, but maybe the Supervisors can help with that.

One real big incentive to do this is because the Chair of the Fairfax County Democrats lives around the corner.  As I said in my earlier diary … it is time to get in their face.