Free Republic

We have learned a lot in the first one hundred days of the Obama administration. The most important lesson is that this administration’s operating ideology isn’t old-style liberalism or even old-style socialism. President Obama and his team are delivering a “New Socialism.” Their “New Socialism” doesn’t need to capture property. It is content to control the economy through taxation and regulation and the attitudes of our citizens by the establishment of a culture through the power institutions of our society: the media, the education establishment, and powerful business interests. Moreover, the “New Socialism” seeks to create a conventional wisdom that...

Democrat Mark Warner has defeated his fellow ex-governor Jim Gilmore for a Republican-held Senate seat in Virginia. The win gives Democrats control of both of Virginia's Senate seats for the first time since 1970.

For those following the results of Virgina's election results, this link is for the official Virginia State Board of election results. Results are broken down by county, city, and district.

Watch the rally here: WTVR or NBC12

  Political Director's UpdateLast Call Edition 12th Edition October 31, 2008 In This Edition: GOTV Efforts Gilmore and McCain/Palin Charlottesville Daily Progress Endorsement Other Newspaper Endorsements National Right To Work PAC Ad Christian Coalition Voter Guide     GOTV Efforts This is it, folks! All of the phone calls, all of the door knocks, all of the letters stamped and envelopes sealed, comes down to the next 4 days. So many of you have put so much effort into this race for the US Senate, and I can't begin to tell you how much it's appreciated. The question remains,...

Virginia’s U.S. Senate race between two former governors presents marked contrasts between the men in style and substance. Even those who prefer Republican Jim Gilmore’s platform say they like Democrat Mark Warner’s persona. We agree. How, then, to choose? Here’s one way: This year’s top voter concern, no surprise, is the economy. And on that measure, Mr. Gilmore’s principles and, yes, even his well-known stubbornness will better serve Virginia in the U.S. Senate. Mr. Gilmore’s principles are strongly aligned with foundational American freedoms — free enterprise, free markets, freedom to work and the right to vote freely in labor elections...

If, as seems likely but not quite certain, Barack Obama is elected next Tuesday, a key question for public policymaking will be how many Democrats are elected to the Senate. Currently, there are 51 Democrats there, including Joe Lieberman, but Democrats are seriously contesting 11 Republican-held seats, and there is a by-no-means-trivial chance that they could win each one. Meanwhile, Republicans are seriously contesting either zero Democratic-held seats, or only one, that of Mary Landrieu in Louisiana. The only public polls there since July are from Rasmussen, and the latest shows Landrieu ahead of Democrat-turned-Republican John Kennedy by 53 percent...

Former Virginia Gov. Jim Gilmore faces a difficult political task this year, running as a red-state conservative in Virginia - a "purple" state that is turning increasingly blue. The Democratic nominee, former Gov. Mark Warner, is heavily favored to win the Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican John Warner, who has held it for 30 years. But Mr. Gilmore would be the superior choice. ... As governor, Mr. Gilmore is best known for his work to repeal the oppressive car tax. Mr. Warner's major political achievement as governor was his success in pushing a $1.4 billion tax increase through...

Please Join Senator John McCain For a Road to Victory Rally in Springfield, VA Saturday November 1st Interstate Van Lines 5801 Rolling Road Springfield, VA 22152 Doors open at 9:00 a.m. This will be Senator McCain's last Virginia rally before Election Day.

(Did you think I forgot to send you all CCRC News and Reminders yesterday? No Way! I gave you a day off yesterday for good behavior, but that is now over. The e-mails will be flying fast and furious in the coming days to let you know what you can do to help, in the final days of this election, since it's time to work, work, work for victory!) The tide IS turning in Virginia and in the Country with less than a week to go and we need to RALLY! We will be holding a final Rally for the...

    EXAMINER ENDORSES JIM GILMORE FOR SENATE Gilmore for U.S. Senate By Examiner Editorial October 27, 2008 With the economy in turmoil and danger abroad, do voters want a candidate who keeps his word or one who doesn’t? That’s the stark choice in Virginia, where two former governors are running to replace retiring Republican John Warner in the U.S. Senate. With public confidence in Washington at record lows, Jim Gilmore’s veracity has earned him The Examiner’s endorsement as the best choice for Virginia - and the nation. Gilmore took tremendous political flak for keeping his promise to get...

Virginia Society for Human Life Political Action Committee is pleased to announce the launch of www.VSHLPAC.org, featuring everything a pro-life Virginian needs to know before heading to the polls next Tuesday, November 4th. There are many ways you can become involved with our victory-minded amd winning-margin-producing PAC, including by volunteering or making a donation. Our website, www.vshlpac.org, simplifies that for you by allowing you to research the candidates, donate online, register to volunteer and share pro-life information all in one place. Visit www.vshlpac.org today!

...the National Right to Work Committee has apparently decided to invest a least a little bit of money on television ads to try to undercut Warner's appeal. The committee is airing an ad on Richmond television that calls into question whether Warner will uphold Virginia's status as a right-to-work state. The ad notes Warner has not come out against the Employee Free Choice Act, which would make it easier for workers to unionize. Gilmore is a strong opponent of the proposal. Gilmore also received a boost today when he picked up an endorsement from the Richmond Times Dispatch. Although the...

You’ve read the quote. You’ve heard the rumors. Now, hear the audio of Mark Warner calling the NRA, people of faith, home schoolers and people who believe in the right to life "a threat to what it means to be an American."

October 17, 2008 - October 24, 2008 www.vademocrats.org Help us turn Virginia blue, contribute today! -------------------- INTRODUCTION With 10 days left until Election Day, it is now or never. Polls show a tightening race as we near the finish line - and we need your help to close the deal. Last week, I lent a hand to our team in Hampton Roads and knocked on doors in Newport News. I found that voters are energized about bringing needed change to Washington. Tomorrow, I'll lace my sneakers up once again to knock on more doors and reach more voters. Will you...

LOUDOUN GOP TO WELCOME GOV. PALIN VP Nominee comes to Leesburg to rally the GOP faithful Leesburg, VA – October 22, 2008 – The Loudoun County Republican Committee (LCRC), one of the largest and most active GOP grassroots organizations in the Commonwealth, is proud and honored to announce that Governor Sarah Palin, the Republican Vice Presidential nominee, will be holding a rally here in Loudoun County on Monday, October 27th, at JR Festival Lakes in Leesburg. a“We are excited and honored that Gov. Palin is coming to Loudoun County to lend her support for the great Get Out The Vote...

The Republican presidential nominee used the now-infamous nickname for Joe Wurzelbacher, who was filmed disagreeing with Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama's tax plan. McCain told the crowd of about 8,000 that Obama wants to tax them to redistribute wealth. McCain said he would lower taxes and cut down on what a warm-up speaker called "the overbearing, suffocating burden of government." Obama has said his tax plan would cut taxes for 95 percent of Americans, and end tax cuts for those making more than $250,000. "How do you cut income taxes for 95 percent of Americans when more than 40 percent...

JOIN JOHN MCCAIN & JIM GILMORE THIS SATURDAY Join John McCain and Jim Gilmore this Saturday, October 18th at 2:00 pm for the Road to Victory Rally at Sean Connaughton Plaza in Woodbridge. What: Road to Victory Rally When: Saturday, October 18th at 2:00 pm Where: Sean Connaughton Plaza Prince William County Complex (Located off the Prince William County Parkway) 1 County Complex Court Woodbridge, VA Click here for a map and directions Come out and show your support for John McCain, Jim Gilmore and your Republican ticket.

He Won't Say 'Yes' Or 'No' As the polls repeatedly tell us, former Gov. Mark Warner makes an appealing candidate for U.S. Senate. But a recent refusal to commit, up or down, on an issue critical to many Virginia voters, in our mind, diminishes this appeal. The issue to which we refer is the proposed Employee Free Choice Act, which would, in essence, replace the secret ballot in the decision to organize a union with a “card check” system. The system would allow union organizers to place pressure — at times, undue pressure — on individual workers to “check” that...

WASHINGTON, Oct 15, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste Political Action Committee (CCAGW PAC) today announced its endorsement of former Governor Jim Gilmore for election to the U.S. Senate from Virginia. "Jim Gilmore has served the citizens of Virginia with distinction and has an outstanding record of fiscal discipline and fighting on behalf of all taxpayers," CCAGW PAC Chairman Tom Schatz said. "We are confident that his strong leadership abilities and longstanding fiscal conservative values will continue to guide his agenda as he seeks to represent Virginia in the Senate." "Jim Gilmore has proved he...

Liberal Democrat Mark Warner calls the NRA, people of faith, pro-lifers and home schoolers a threat to America. AUDIO

Republicans have started sounding the alarm about the presidential race now that John McCain is trailing Barack Obama by anywhere from two to 11 percentage points. The battleground states aren't looking much better, with Obama leading in the polling averages for even Florida, Virginia, and Missouri. Understandable that Republicans would be worried. But have they taken a look at the Senate races? For the last two years, your humble servant has been saying to anyone who will listen: The more Democratic next year's Senate, the more liberal the next two years' legislation will be no matter who wins the White...

  Join Sarah Palin & Jim Gilmore in Richmond!   Join former Governor Jim Gilmore and Governor Sarah Palin at the McCain-Palin Campaign rally on Monday, October 13th at the Richmond International Raceway. Gates to the event will open and 11:00 a.m. and the program is expected to start at 2:00 p.m. Jim Gilmore will deliver remarks during the program. WHAT: Palin Rally WHEN: Monday, October 13, 2008 Gates open at 11:00 a.m. Program begins at 2:00pm Jim Gilmore to deliver remarks during the program. WHERE: Richmond International Raceway 600 E. Laburnum Avenue, Richmond, VA Click here for a...

STAUNTON — With fewer than 25 days left until election day, candidates and supporters gathered to rally voters Saturday at the monthly Staunton, Waynesboro and Augusta County Republican breakfast. Advertisement Quantcast Showing their support for Sen. John McCain's presidential candidacy, younger brother Joe McCain and former Gov. Jim Gilmore encouraged Republicans to spend the next month putting in a final bid to independents and Democrats for their votes. Pushing not only financial donations but also grassroots efforts, both men urged Republicans to canvas for McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, whom Gilmore called an "exciting, fresh, new...

t can't be easy being Jim Gilmore these days. Republican leaders in Washington long ago wrote off his campaign for the U.S. Senate. Political action groups have closed their checkbooks. Some Virginia GOP elders have endorsed his opponent. Pollsters have him trailing by 25 percentage points - or worse. So what keeps him going? The answer may lie - at least in part - in the former governor's pugnacious personality, what he's done, and where he came from. The Senate race is the kind of challenge that brought Gilmore into politics in the 1970s; he is both experienced and comfortable...

In a huddle with reporters earlier this week in Washington, Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Chairman Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) acknowledged that his party's chances of reaching the 60-seat plateau were "better than they were two weeks ago" -- the result of an across-the-board collapse in Republican numbers due to the economic crisis and handling of the bailout bill by Congress. (Yes, we know Democrats control the House and Senate. But, the American public overwhelmingly blamed President Bush and House Republicans for the initial failure of the "rescue" legislation.) And, respected non-partisan observers are also beginning to openly speculate about the possibility....

Senate Candidate Gov. Gilmore works out with SEAL Team PT  He joined us for a 5:45 workout and earned my vote just for showing up. See if you can pick out the former governor and first lady from the boat crew.

  Weekend Door to Door Opportunities Arlington Saturday, 9:30 AM McCain Victory HQ 1235 S. Clark St, in Crystal City Contact Jesse Mallory, jesse@jimgilmoreforsenate.com Chesapeake Saturday, time TBD Chesapeake GOP HQ 124 Battlefield Blvd Contact Jarrett Ray, jarrett@jimgilmoreforsenate.com Chester Saturday, 9:30am Meet at Thomas Dale High School parking lot 3626 W Hundred Rd, Chester, Virginia 23831 Contact: Gabby Bergeret, (804) 721-2092, bergeretgf@msn.com Chesterfield Saturday, 9:30am Meet @ Shoppes at Bellgrade in the Kroger parking lot 11400 Huguenot Road, Midlothian VA 23113 Contact: Julie Coggsdale, (804) 314-2715, jecoggsd@gmail.com Fairfax CountyDranesville District Dranesville Republican Headquarters 6623 Old Dominion Drive in McLean...

McCain's mother makes appearance at Peanut FestivalGrandma Power! SUFFOLK, VA. (WAVY.com)-- Amidst the sights and sounds at the Suffolk Peanut Festival came a taste of politics.At a stretch of white tents, voters picked up signs for the Democrats and signatures for the Republicans.Senator John McCain's mother, Roberta greeted voters at the Republican tent.  Miki Miller watched as the 96-year-old paid special attention to the children,  those whose future could be in the hands of her son.  "She was asking some of them if they knew their multiplication tables you know. She hoped their handwriting was better than her's because we were having her sign stuff...

FIGHT FOR JIM GILMORE By Dick Armey Dear Virginia Taxpayer, I know what it's like to fight for what you believe in. As a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for 18 years, and the Majority Leader from 1995 to 2002, I know it takes courage and dedication to stand up for working families and protect taxpayers who are facing an ever growing burden as a result of what's happening in Washington. There is always someone who believes bigger government and higher taxes are the answer to every problem, someone determined to take away more and more of...

WRVA VA DOES MARK WARNER'S COMMENTS FROM SEVERAL YEARS AGO CHANGE YOUR MIND IN THE SENATE RACE? Yes. It's his "macaca" moment. 24.09 % No. It was years ago and it's old news. 10.22 % No. And Warner's right. 5.84 %

After the votes were taken, The Washington Post expressed shock that some 83 percent of retiring Republicans voted for the bailout while no GOP freshmen did so. To the Post this was evidence not that elected representatives sometimes actually listen to their constituents, but that the Republican freshmen are too ideologically oriented to deal with reality. It never even occurred to the Post writer that perhaps the retiring members have as a group been in Washington so long that even had they been facing reelection the voters mattered less to them than the demands of the Washington establishment. Establishment praise...

There is no telling if Warner's margin can hold up. Gilmore is campaigning hard, and Friday's poll suggests he is whittling away at Warner's lead. But if the numbers don't change, it could suggest what political wonks call "reverse coattails" — a down-ticket candidate like Warner using his in-state popularity to generate votes for Obama, a virtual unknown in Virginia just a few years ago. That could pay dividends for Democrats in Hampton Roads, where McCain is seen to have an edge because of his popularity with the military.

Retiring U.S. Sen. John Warner on Saturday voiced disappointment in fellow Republican Jim Gilmore's efforts to succeed him this fall and declined to endorse him. Instead, Warner suggested that he may wind up backing Democrat Mark Warner in the race. The two Warners are not related. John Warner took exception to Gilmore's strong condemnation of a $700 billion Wall Street rescue package that was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday and signed by President Bush. "I'm disappointed that he spoke against the rescue package that's vital to Virginia and vital to the nation," John Warner said during a...

RICHMOND, Oct. 4 -- Retiring Sen. John W. Warner said Saturday that he has not decided whether to vote for the Republican seeking to replace him, citing James S. Gilmore III's opposition to the $700 billion federal bailout of the credit markets. In a conference call with reporters, Warner (R-Va.) held out the possibility that he will vote for Democrat Mark R. Warner. The two Warners, who are unrelated, ran against each other in a 1996 Senate campaign but have since become friends. "I'm watching that race, following the positions of the two candidates," John Warner said. "There are cases...

John Warner might vote for Democrat By MIKE ALLEN | 10/4/08 1:55 PM EDT Text Size: Retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) beat his Democratic opponent, Mark R. Warner, by 6 percentage points in the Old Dominion’s “Warner vs. Warner” race of 1996. Now, he might cross party lines and vote for him. Mark Warner, who went on to become a popular governor, is running to succeed John Warner in the Senate. Mark Warner’s opponent is another former governor, James S. Gilmore III, a Republican who has received little support from the state’s power structure and lags by 26 points...

GOP dread: Dems could hit 60 Senate seats By: Jim VandeHei and Mike Allen October 4, 2008 05:23 PM EST The possibility that Democrats will build a muscular, 60-seat Senate majority is looking increasing plausible, with new polls showing a powerful surge for the party’s candidates in Minnesota, Kentucky and other states. A poll out Friday shows Sen. Norm Coleman could now easily lose his Minnesota seat to comedian-turned-candidate Al Franken. A Colorado race that initially looked like a nail-biter has now broken decisively for the Democrats. A top official in the McCain camp told us Sen. Elizabeth Dole is...

John Warner might vote for Democrat By MIKE ALLEN | 10/4/08 1:55 PM EDT Retiring Sen. John W. Warner (R-Va.) beat his Democratic opponent, Mark R. Warner, by 6 percentage points in the Old Dominion’s “Warner vs. Warner” race of 1996. Now, he might cross party lines and vote for him. Mark Warner, who went on to become a popular governor, is running to succeed John Warner in the Senate. Mark Warner’s opponent is another former governor, James S. Gilmore III, a Republican who has received little support from the state’s power structure and lags by 26 points in a...

Jim Gilmore's Statement on the Bailout I am strongly opposed to asking America's hard working families to cover the bets of the Wall Street high rollers and insiders who exploited flaws in government regulations to make personal fortunes and devastate our economy. Mark Warner is supporting the bailout of Wall Street. But what is really going on is an effort to use fear to persuade working families – who are already struggling – to cover the bets of Wall Street high rollers -- who have made themselves tremendously wealthy by exploiting flaws in our financial system.

Warner came to be Virginia’s governor by a path that was purposely political, including the decade he spent becoming a high-tech venture capitalist. Along the way, his four years at GW (1973 to 1977) were crucial in his political development. When he got to D.C. in 1973, Warner immediately started working in the office of Sen. Abe Ribicoff (D-Conn.). “I’ll always remember my first job on Capitol Hill. I would ride my bike every day—I had to be there at 7:15 to open the mail. Here I was, a freshman in college, I thought it was pretty cool.” From that...

--One of the candidates for Virginia's U.S. Senate seat would vote for the financial bailout bill currently being debated in Congress. The other isn't so sure. Democrat Mark Warner said this week that he thinks Congress has a responsibility to take action, although he'd like to see the bill contain more protections for homeowners. He also is glad that under the new proposal, there are higher limits on bank deposits covered by FDIC insurance. "The bill can be improved," Warner said, but "Congress has got to act. Not acting, basically playing Russian roulette with the American economy is just not...

Former Gov. Mark R. Warner said he would have voted for the economic bailout bill yesterday, although he said it needed improvements. "There are real people with real homes with jobs whose lives are in the balance by the way this is playing out," Warner said. Warner, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate seat of the retiring Republican Sen. John W. Warner, was interviewed today by the editorial board of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The two Warners are not related. A strong favorite to defeat Republican Jim Gilmore, also a former governor, Warner said more regulations of the finance industry...

Former Gov. Mark R. Warner said he would have voted for the economic bailout bill yesterday, although he said it needed improvements.

Warner said he's convinced major federal intervention in the financial markets is needed soon. He said he understands the frustration of taxpayers who see the $700 billion bailout being discussed on Capitol Hill as a welfare program for Wall Street moguls, and he wants plenty of safeguards for taxpayers to protect whatever federal investment is made in troubled securities. But however justified taxpayers' anger is, Warner argued that they need to understand that the stakes are far higher than the balance sheets of Wall Street financial firms and their leaders. "Like it or not, we're all caught up in this,"...

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, says Washington shouldn't hurry into a bailout for Wall Street. Several hours before the Democratic-controlled House rejected President Bush's $700 billion plan, Gilmore said that if he were in the Senate, he'd slow down consideration of the rescue. That's because, Gilmore told the editorial board of the Richmond Times-Dispatch this morning, Congress needs to better understand the crisis. His Democratic opponent, former Gov. Mark R. Warner, meets with the editorial board Tuesday. Lawmakers should "buy some time to find out the reality," Gilmore said. He also said Congress is...

If the election were held today, who would get your vote? Repub Gilmore or Democrat Warner?

Republican presidential nominee John McCain has opened a clear lead over Democrat Barack Obama among Virginia voters in the race for the White House, according to a new statewide poll. The survey, taken last week for the Center for Public Policy at Christopher Newport University, found McCain with the support of 48 percent of state voters, compared with 39 percent for Obama. Just under 13 percent were undecided. The poll also showed Democrat Mark Warner is maintaining a huge advantage, 54 percent to 30 percent, over Republican Jim Gilmore in the state’s U.S. Senate contest. Warner leads Gilmore among virtually...

Alexandria – Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, Virginia candidate for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. John Warner, will take part in the “Victory 2008” bus tour coming through Virginia Beach this Sunday, September 14th. Hosted by the Republican National Committee (RNC), the “Victory 2008” bus tour will swing through Virginia this weekend making various stops along the way, including a Redskins Tailgate Party and Rally on Sunday at 12:00 noon, during which Gov. Gilmore among others will speak. All credentialed media are invited to attend. WHO: Former Governor Jim Gilmore, U.S. Senate candidate WHAT: “Victory 2008” Redskins Tail...

Democratic Party fundraisers John Graham and Michael Kempner have scheduled a Sept. 22 money event for former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, who’s running for U.S. Senate to succeed retiring Sen. John Warner (R-VA). Members of the Clinton fundraising team called the Group, Graham and Kempner have their own ties to Warner, whom they talked to last year during the run-up to the Democratic presidential primary. At the time, Warner was mulling a presidential run. He ultimately opted instead for a U.S. Senate bid. By helping to raise money for the Virginian, Graham and Kempner still have their eye on presidential...

The US Senate Currently: Republicans: 49 Seats Democrats: 51 Seats 35 of the 100 seats in the Senate will be contested. Alaska Incumbent Senator Ted Stevens VS Mark Begich Stevens surges in Senate poll- September 5th Stevens closes to within 2 in Alaska Senate Race- Sept 10. More Ted Stevens Gifts? Massage Chair, Sled Dog Stevens for Senate Alabama Incumbent Senator Jeff Sessions VS Vivian Figures Sen. Jeff Sessions holds a 58-31 lead over Democratic challenger state Sen. Vivian Davis Figures- August 5th. Sessions still leads figures- Sept 6. Sessions for Senate Arkansas Senator Mark Pryor. Whats the deal with...