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In an election for President of the United States held in Virginia today, 08/11/08, 12 weeks to Election Day, John McCain and Barack Obama tie, according to this SurveyUSA poll conducted for WDBJ-TV in Roanoke and WJLA-TV in Washington DC. Today, it's McCain 48%, Obama 47%, within the survey's 3.9 percentage point margin of sampling error, effectively even. Obama leads by 13 points in SE Virginia and by 11 points in the NE Virginia; McCain leads by 23 in the Shenandoah and by 5 in Central Virginia. McCain holds 89% of the GOP base. Obama holds 86% of the Democrat...

If our culture and society keeps going backwards the only ones left that will be able to make it will be the upper class which is what Obama is part of, he will be worse then Clinton was to our culture because their will be so many young minorities that will look up to him and if he fails like i suspect he will then the crime in the inner cities will only get worse and the robberies will go up.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Former Virginia Governor and Democrat Mark Warner has succeeded in a state that has traditionally voted Republican and some are wondering if Barack Obama will be able to do the same. The state's demographics have made it a battleground in the upcoming presidential election. In fact, rural Virginia could make the difference between a Republican or Democrat in the White House. Virginia, however, hasn't voted for a Democratic President since Lyndon Johnson in l964, but Democratic rural strategist Dave "Mudcat" Saunders insists that inside every rural Virginia Republican is a Democrat trying to get out. "The question...

Democrats have placed a big bulls-eye on VA. Retiring Republican Senator John Warner's seat is in danger of being flipped by Democrat Mark Warner. Obama wants to make a play for the state. But the Dems can't keep their hands out of the cookie jar, giving Republicans a big stick.

So much for the 50 State Strategy, announced just last week. The Obama campaign admits neither FL and OH "was hospitable to Obama this year." Even three states Kerry won (PA, MI, NH) "look competitive" for McCain. Obama will try to pick off VA, NM, and others to make up the difference. Is Obama the underdog in this Year of the Democrat?

From the Liberals Hurt Our Kids File. Via the Washington Post. Fairfax County School Board members said they are likely to abandon a staff report that showed racial and ethnic gaps in some measures of student behavior, including in the demonstration of "sound moral character and ethical judgment." The board had delayed an April vote to approve the report after concerns were raised that findings were based on subjective measures, such as elementary report card data, and that they would fuel negative stereotypes. [snip] The school system's report was an early attempt to measure progress on a host of goals...

By a paper-thin margin, former Virginia governor James S. Gilmore III captured the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate on Saturday at a state party convention here that exposed some GOP doubts about Gilmore and highlighted the influence of social conservatives. Gilmore defeated Del. Robert G. Marshall, a staunch opponent of abortion rights making his first bid for statewide office, by about 70 votes out of 10,378 cast. The margin was less than one percentage point.

I know that a lot of Republicans and Conservatives in general have been disgusted, saddened and otherwise disenchanted with our GOP slate of candidates this year. John McCain seems intent upon driving all conservatives from the party and our Congressional Leadership, in the face of a growing national crisis of confidence fueled by historically high oil prices, seems incapable of action. Well with all that said I wanted to share a little good news. There really ARE Conservative Republicans out there who hear what we're saying, aren't afraid to campaign as conservatives and who deserve our strong support. Jim Gilmore...

Shortly after U.S. Rep. Tom Davis (R-11th) announced that he will not seek re-election Wednesday, an Oakton accountant announced his intention to run for the seat. In a statement, Keith Fimian, 51, praised Davis for his hard work for the citizens of Virginia. “Congressman Davis has served our state and our nation well and he will be missed,” Fimian said. Fimian has already raised over $711,000 and has $662,000 in his campaign account, according to the candidate's release. “I told Tom if he ran I would be first in line to campaign for his re-election, but if he chose not...

Greencastle, Ind. - "Four years ago in this cycle there was a front-runner and his name was Howard Dean," recalls Jeri Kehn Thompson, in an interview with Kentucky's Lexington Herald-Leader. "John Kerry was running about eighth. You can ask President Dean how things went in Iowa." Thompson, a 1988 graduate of DePauw University, is the wife of Republican presidential hopeful Fred Thompson, who is currently running third among GOP candidates in an Iowa poll. She was in Louisville campaigning for her husband yesterday. The article notes that Jeri Thompson returned home to Washington immediately following her Kentucky stop so she...

Three GW law professors have endorsed Republican candidate Fred Thompson's campaign for the presidency, joining the Lawyers for Fred coalition. Professors John Fitzgerald Duffy, Orin Kerr and Michael Abramowicz are members of the Law Professors Committee within the coalition. "Sen. Thompson is proud of his experience working as a federal prosecutor," said Darrel Ng, a spokesperson for the Friends of Fred Thompson campaign. "That's why he decided to form something like that (coalition), because of his background." Ng said that having endorsement groups for presidential candidates is an important part of the campaign process. "In campaigns you try to find...

If history matters to you, then voters should pick Democratic Sen. Hillary Clinton and Republican Fred Thompson as their parties' presidential nominees. That's because they are the choice of America's social studies teachers. In a miniconvention sponsored by Pearson, the education and media giant, Clinton, the former first lady viewed as the most experienced in the field, was first with 41.9 percent, followed by Sen. Barack Obama with 34 percent and John Edwards at 12.3 percent. On the GOP side, Thompson, the actor and former Watergate prober, won 23.2 percent, followed by Rudy Giuliani at 20.5 percent and surging Mike...

Republicans hope Delegate Chris B. Saxman will officially enter the Virginia Senate race to become the much-needed new face for the party and attract the independent-minded voters who have backed Democrats in recent elections. "There are energetic conservatives out there, and they just need to be given the opportunity," said James E. Rich, chairman of the 10th Congressional District Republican Committee. "It is time for them to takeover." Mr. Saxman, Staunton Republican who has been a state delegates since 2002, said he started "seriously considering" a bid this week, after several Republican colleagues encouraged him to run for retiring Sen....

McLean, VA - On the heels of strong grassroots showings in Myrtle Beach, Columbia, Ft. Mill, Spartanburg and Greenville, Fred Thompson is officially announcing his statewide Campaign Chair, several regional leaders and 27 county chairs and co-chairs in 19 counties across the state. Congressman Gresham Barrett (SC-03) has been named Statewide Campaign Chair and will help lead Thompson's effort in South Carolina along with Thompson's Steering Committee, chaired by Major General James E. Livingston, USMC (Retired), and Regional Chairs. "Senator Thompson is a consistent conservative leader with a solid record in supporting life, fighting illegal immigration and defending the Second...

Former senator George F. Allen (R-Va.) and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R), potential rivals in the 2009 governor's race, joined this morning to reiterate their support for Fred Thompson's bid for the GOP presidential nomination. At an event in Richmond, Allen and McDonnell praised Thompson's conservative credentials and said he is the Republican's best hope for unifying the party. "It is very easy for me to advocate for Fred because we think so much alike," said Allen, who cited Thompson's views on abortion, taxes, national security, illegal immigration and trade. McDonnell noted that Thompson won the endorsement yesterday of...

As I have said in months past, the reports of the death of social conservatism within the Republican Party are greatly exaggerated. There isn't a candidate in the Republican Primaries that doesn't dream of the opportunity to get key endorsements from the social Right. Rudy Guiliani would even like to get a few more than just Pat Robertson-after all, Robertson has been discredited within the conservative movement for a very long time. On the other hand, the idea that pro-family social conservatives are in total control of the GOP is something that both the press and the Democrats have attempted...

At a raucous convention that drew more than 1,000 delegates to Caroline County, Wittman won the nod after trailing most of the night. His victory came at the expense of Paul Jost, the James City County businessman and anti-tax activist who built a solid lead in early voting and packed the hall with five busloads of supporters. "I think folks just caught on to our message," said Wittman shortly after accepting the nomination. "We're just getting back to the basics of good government." Wittman, 48, now becomes the favorite in the Dec. 11 special election called to replace Davis, who...

Here's your chance to make a cameo appearance in Fred's Presidential campaign. Make a video telling us why you support Fred Thompson for President and upload it using the form below. We'll share these videos with all of our supporters on Fred08.com, and allow you, and them, to pick the best one. Here's your chance to be a star. Submit your video now. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sure, Fred Thompson is an accomplished lawyer, prosecuting criminals in Tennessee before serving as counsel on the Watergate hearings. And yes, he served the people of Tennessee as a common sense, conservative Senator for eight years....

Many active duty military are praising Fred Thompson, as the conservative leader they want as the next Commander in Chief. Typical of these comments is this one from a soldier in Ohio: "As a soldier, I know there is some pressure to not get involved in anything political, but as a current member of the finest Army to have ever existed, and a Combat Veteran of the crucial Iraq campaign, I feel it is my duty as a patriotic American to see a good conservative succeed our current commander and chief. Every Soldier wants a leader that they can proudly...

MCLEAN, Va., Nov. 7 /Standard Newswire/ -- Senator Fred Thompson announced his extensive Tennessee political leadership team today. Senator Howard Baker will serve as the honorary chairman of the Tennessee delegation, joined by 13 honorary co-chairs and 61 honorary state chairs, reflecting the depth of support for Senator Thompson in Tennessee. This leadership team includes two former United States Senate majority leaders, current and former members of Congress, former governors, and every Republican member of the Tennessee state legislature. "I am grateful for the wide support I'm receiving from my home state of Tennessee," said Senator Fred Thompson. "This group...

Mclean, VA - Today on the steps of the State House in Columbia, SC, surrounded by numerous veterans, Senator Fred Thompson was joined by Major General James Livingston and Lieutenant Colonel Joe Repya to launch Veterans for Fred Thompson. Major General James Livingston, a 33 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps, will serve as the National Co-Chair of Veterans for Fred Thompson. On May 2, 1968, while serving as the Commanding Officer, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, he distinguished himself above and beyond the call of duty in action against enemy forces and earned the Congressional Medal...

Today, the Club for Growth PAC endorsed Paul Jost in Virginia’s First Congressional District in the special election to fill the seat vacated by Rep. Jo Ann Davis. Paul Jost has a long record of fighting for limited-government, pro-growth policies in Virginia at the local level. As head of the Virginia Club for Growth, Jost played a leading role in opposing the 2004 sales tax increase and the higher taxes sought for transportation this year. It is clear that Paul Jost is the most pro-growth candidate in this race. “The Club for Growth PAC is proud to endorse Paul Jost...

In a possible setback to Congressman Tom Davis, the moderate Northern Virginia Republican running to replace retiring Sen. John Warner, Politico's Josh Kraushaar reports the state Republican Party Central Committee voted yesterday to nominate a candidate for Senate by convention. Davis allies, Kraushaar reports, were lobbying for a primary, which they believe would give their candidate a better chance against more conservative former Gov. Jim Gilmore. Davis has a million-dollar fundraising head start on Gilmore, and a primary would draw many more moderate Republicans to the polls. A convention, many contend, would advantage Gilmore by drawing more conservative party activists....

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson's campaign today announced the top leadership of its operation in the State of Illinois. State Senator Bill Brady of Bloomington will serve as the Chairman of the campaign's state organization and Congressman Don Manzullo will serve as its Vice-Chairman. Senator Brady has served in the Illinois Senate since 2002 and previously served in the Illinois House of Representatives from 1993 to 2001. He was a candidate for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006, and he has continued to travel throughout Illinois to help build a stronger Republican Party in the state. He has...

McLean, VA - Senator Fred Thompson announced today that Jack Faris, former President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Federation of Independent Businesses, will be the National Chairman of "Small Business Leaders for Fred Thompson." "I am excited to be supporting Senator Thompson, an old friend and fellow Tennessean, because he understands the role that small businesses play in our economy. Senator Thompson's record in the U.S. Senate speaks for itself, long a supporter of lower taxes, which allow Americans to invest more in our economy, and a strong advocate for increased access and flexibility in health care and...

There's a debate coming up. Fred has made it pretty clear in the past that these little dog and pony shows don't do much for him as far as anyone getting any REAL chance to speak up and speak out. In fact, not so far back I mentioned his quote about accepting the fact that he needed to "be a good boy and stand in line and wait for them to throw me a fish just like everybody else." He continues to field the pot-shots about being lazy...that's fine-no one seems interested enough challenge his policy positions or his general...

Here's how Jeri Kehn Thompson felt when she learned her husband, the former senator named Fred, had decided to run for president: “I felt so sick. I was depressed. I didn’t want to throw my husband to the snakes.” We learn this and more in a kind of coming-out interview in People magazine, coming out today. It's titled "No Trophy Wife" because, absent any information to the contrary, many in American society make assumptions about a 65-year-old man being married to a beautiful woman 24 years younger. The story opens with the former Jeri Kehn in sweatpants and ragged nails...

Undoubtedly, many of you will be receiving letters in the mail from U.S. Rep. Tom Davis within the next few days announcing that he is creating an exploratory committee to run for U.S. Senate. What is interesting is the repeated use of “conservative” vs. “liberal” throughout the three-page letter. On page 1 alone, “liberal” or “liberals” is used five times to describe the Democrats, Mark Warner and the Clinton White House while associating himself with the term “conservative” three times on that same page. Overall, the letter uses the terms “liberal,” “liberals,” “radical,” “special interest,” “socialized,” and “extreme liberal” a...

Tom Davis is the reason there even is a Republican Party in Northern Virginia. He is a tireless party builder who just this year has been criss-crossing the state doing more than anybody else in the party to help our candidates win. And I have some numbers from his record in the House: Planned Parenthood: Davis 30% NARAL: Davis 0% National Right to Life: Davis 80% National Taxpayers Union: Davis 49% Americans for Tax Reform: Davis 79% NFIB (small business group): Davis 93% Chamber of Commerce: Davis 85% ACLU: Davis 19% Concerned Women for America: Davis 71% Eagle Forum: Davis...

2006 was the lowest point for Virginia Republicans, a decent that began in 2004. Why do I say 2004? Becasue that was the year Gov. Mark Warner bamboozled the state and passed a historic tax increase that fueled his high approval ratings. Nevermind that the state suddenly realized the recession wasn't as bad as thought and was really all about the e-bubble bursting in Northern Virginia. In the end, Mark Warner's governorship was lacking signifigant achievements. Jim Webb's defeat of George Allen still hurts today. Webb flew into the perfect storm were an axis of national anxiety and Allen's own...

Gilmore said in a Charlottesville interview that he is raising money for Republican state legislative candidates this year and fully considering a bid for the U.S. Senate in 2008 - if Sen. John W. Warner retires - or another run for governor in 2009. “We have already raised several hundred thousand dollars in cash and pledges” for his new state political action committee for GOP candidates, said Gilmore, 57, who voiced confidence he could win his party’s nomination next year if Warner, 80, announces his retirement next month. “Certainly, Congressman [Thomas M.] Davis would like to be the senator,” Gilmore...

Attending the Preakness Stakes almost 20 years ago, an aspiring local politician from Fairfax County placed a bet on a horse named "Senator-to-Be." "It just felt right," explained Thomas M. Davis III with a smile. Davis now is an influential committee chairman in the House of Representatives, where he has held the 11th District seat for 11 years, and a former board of supervisors chairman from Virginia's largest county. He's part of a prominent power couple, married to state Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis. An aggressive, cerebral tactician, Tom Davis appears to be positioning himself for a new, statewide race, to...

Rasmussen Reports just released a Virginia Senate poll showing George Allen trailing by 5 points (with leaners). This comes on the heels of a poll they did just last Tuesday which showed Allen up 2 points (with leaners). That's a seven-point move in less than a week. Without leaners it is only three point move, but with election day a week away, leaners very much count. From our updated Virginia analysis: If the direction of this poll, not necessarily the magnitude of the move, but the direction is confirmed by other major polling -- George Allen is in big, big...

The story seems very familiar to people who follow Republican politics, but it is also out of tomorrow’s headlines: Sean Connaughton (R-at large), chairman of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors (about as close as one gets to being a big city mayor in the Old Dominion), has recently been tapped by President Bush to be administrator of the Maritime Administration at the U.S. Department of Transportation. Although Connaughton -- a moderate Republican and close ally of House Government Affairs Committee Chairman Tom Davis (R-Va.) has yet to be confirmed by the Senate, Republicans in the county are already...

WASHINGTON - People with permits from one state to carry a concealed firearm would generally be able to exercise that right elsewhere under a bill introduced quietly by Sen. George Allen. "The bill would simply require states to recognize each other's concealed-carry permits and licenses, just as they recognize drivers' licenses," Allen, R-Va., said in a statement in the Congressional Record when he introduced the bill May 26.

The two Democrats seeking to unseat U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., virtually ignored him yesterday and trained their sights on each other. In the first televised joint appearance of the campaign, James Webb referred to a union description of Harris Miller as "the anti-Christ of outsourcing." At one point, after being interrupted by Miller, an angry-appearing Webb exclaimed: "Harris, if you shut your mouth, I'll answer the question."

His nude workshops and civil rights-era jail time aside, Dr. Brad Blanton appears to have the support of Culpeper Democrats as the sole Democratic candidate against U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Richmond, in the November election... ...His workshops include yoga, meditation and spending eight days “together being descriptive and honest with each other.” Day five of his “Course in Honesty” workshop is when participants get very personal. “We all take off our clothes, stand up in front of the camera and the other naked people and talk about what we like and what we dislike or are ashamed about our bodies,”...

RICHMOND - The intoxicating rush from campaigning returned to Jerry Kilgore's veins at a shopping mall, two weeks after he lost the gubernatorial election. The weekend excursion for Kilgore and his family was interrupted by dozens of people who kept stopping the recovering candidate to compliment his campaign and assure Kilgore they had voted for him.

The first nonpartisan report card on Gov. Timothy M. Kaine shows a majority of Virginians surveyed have a favorable view of the freshman Democrat... ...Kaine's initial approval rating is slightly lower than that of his predecessor, fellow Democrat Mark R. Warner, and badly lags those of the state's last two Republican governors.

If one approaches Wakefield, Virginia, on the third Wednesday of each April, turns at its stoplight, and heads out to the Ruritan Club, it's apparent that Shad Planking day is no ordinary Wednesday. Miles away, signs lined the roadside yesterday like the highway to Wall Drug in South Dakota: "Support hunting." "& fishing rights?" "Must be." "George Allen." The blue signs with white stenciled letters denoted not a rally, or even a party convention, but the unique event in Virginia politics known as the 58th Annual Shad Planking... ...Men or women, black or white, yesterday's Shad Planking was a Republican...

We’ve just launched our new campaign website: www.GeorgeAllen.com! I hope you’ll take some time to click in. I am particularly excited about the many features on the site that allow friends in Virginia and across the country to participate in our positive campaign regardless of where they live.

Welcome Back! Following last year's tradition, I will be posting regular threads with updates on Virginia campaign news. Primarily we will focus on the reelection (and future prospects) of Senator George Allen. Let's begin with stories already around FreeRepublic... Sen. Allen Rejects Reid's Apology; Blasts the Dems as Scurrilous, Bereft of Ideas, ShamelessDemocrats Tap Kaine for State of Union Duty

A high-tech millionaire Democrat may take on U.S. Sen. George Allen, R-Va., after all -- but not the one you think. "I'm exploring my options, and I'll decide soon," said Harris N. Miller of Fairfax, who runs a trade group that lobbies the federal government for the information-technology industry.

Please help by FReeping this poll..........

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em... Last Week's Thread: Virginia Campaign News - October, 31 2005 - Thread XXVII - EIGHT MORE DAYS!This is it folks. Don't stop now! Let's use this thread for campaign updates and to take us through Election Night. Ping folks here as you get the news. Thanks. Now get back to the phones!

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em... Last Week's Thread: Virginia Campaign News - October, 24 2005 - Thread XXVI - 2 more weeks From the RTD: Kaine's record left praise, questions by Gordon Hickey and Tyler WhitleyTimothy M. Kaine wasn't supposed to be mayor of Richmond.Kilgore: focused on criminal-justice by Frank Green and Tyler WhitleyRepublican gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore's tough-on-crime talk on the campaign trail reflects a career spent dealing largely with public-safety issues.Candidate speaks about his faith He urges congregation in Chesterfield to trust in God, to trust government leaders by...

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em... Last Week's Thread: Virginia Campaign News - October, 17 2005 - Thread XXV - 3 more weeks From the RTD: Education tops list of candidates' concerns Kaine leading on budget; Kilgore on law & order by Jeffy SchapiroReadying to pick a new governor, most Virginians say their choice will be guided by which candidate is strongest on education, the budget and transportation -- not the topic du jour: the death penalty. I think the emphasis on the Death Penalty is only backfiring in Jeffy's imagination. Kilgore's response...

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em... Last Week's Thread: Virginia Campaign News - October, 10 2005 - Thread XXV - 4 more weeks From the RTD: Daily Press backs Kaine for governor Excerpt: The newspaper criticized Republican Jerry W. Kilgore for advocating voter referendums to decide tax increases and transportation funding. "Simple-minded populism, whether trumpeted by Kilgore or anyone else, is a dead end," the editorial said. BUT, check out the Daily Press comments and endorsement of the Warner/Kaine transportation referendum of 2002. (see comment section) Capital Punishment EditorialVirginians are told to trust Kaine...

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em... Last Week's Thread: Virginia Campaign News - October, 3 2005 - Thread XXIV - 36 days and counting... From the RTD: Kaine,Kilgore square off in final planned match by Tyler WhitleyBefore a statewide audience, Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore and Democrat Timothy M. Kaine clashed over taxes, the death penalty and abortion last night.Quotes from the Kaine and Kilgore debateA few students put civics first They watch debate, not sports; Northern Va. gets no live telecast by Kiran Krishamurthy and Paul BradleyFREDERICKSBURG -- Timothy M. Kaine and...

Sprechen sie Deutsch The posted ban on firearms in town parks has sparked an odd, multilingual e-mail skirmish between Town Manager Brannon Godfrey and a Richmond-based gun rights group. Both sides are standing by their guns when it comes to the age-old debate of state law superseding local law, but it looks like the town is going to have to fold on its firearms ban in parks. Signs in Yowell Meadow and Mountain Run Lake parks will be modified within two weeks to remove the “no firearms� restriction - it’s state law. In the meantime, both sides are wrangling over words....