Blog Archives
The Sarah Palin Effect: Influence on Female Candidates
Yesterday’s primaries were a victory for the ladies of the Republican party. In California, both Carly Fiorina and Meg Whitman won their primaries. Nikki Haley will now face a runoff against Gresham Barrett in South Carolina, where she is favored to win. Sharron Angle, favorite of the Tea Party activists, won the party nod in Nevada. This is welcome news.
However, I was listening to Fred Grandy’s show, The Grandy Group, on WMAL this morning on my way to work, and he posed an interesting point that Tuesday’s primaries were a win for the Tea Parties and a huge win for Sarah Palin. While I agree with Grandy that the results from yesterday’s elections were a victory for the tea parties, I do not necessarily agree with the point that this was a huge win for Palin.
Palin, who was a one-time Vice Presidential nominee and Governor of Alaska, has been traveling across the country endorsing candidates, who are running on conservative principles. She has encouraged many to seek higher office, but there is a question: Is she the main reason that Republican women are seeking office? It’s a good question that needs to be answered.
Long before Palin entered the scene, female Republican candidates were seeking political office. They were doing it based on their own merits and not waiting for the endorsement of a said candidate. For example, Christie Todd Whitman sought and won the Gubernatorial nomination in New Jersey in the 1990s. While she received endorsements by party activists, she won based on the ideas she had for improving New Jersey.
I think this is the same for those who won yesterday’s primaries. They were running to make a difference, and yes, while the endorsement for Palin may have made an impact on their campaign strategy, it was not the main reason these candidates won. It was the merits of each of these candidates and their visions for improving America that won the election.
It will be interesting to see what will happen in future election cycles and to see if Palin will bring out more females seeking higher office under the Republican banner.
Steve Hunt Endorsed by Fairfax Deputy Sheriff Coalition
Today, Steve Hunt received the endorsement of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff Coalition in the 37th State Senate race.
“We feel confident that Mr. Hunt will carry on Attorney General-Elect Cuccinelli’s long standing and strong record of working with law enforcement,” said Kevin Pittman, President of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition Local 5016. “In doing this, law enforcement in Northern Virginia and throughout the Commonwealth will be better capable of keeping the public safe.”
“I am honored to have the support of the Fairfax Deputy Sheriff’s Coalition,” said Hunt. “In the State Senate, I will work to ensure Deputy Sheriffs and all law enforcement officers have the necessary training and resources to do their jobs safely and effectively.”
Aside from this endorsement, there is quite a bit of controversy surrounding Hunt’s opponent, Dave Marsden and his housing arrangements. Riley at Virginia Virtucon has a great article about Housing-gate and how Marsden’s rented room could have some potentially negative connotations. There is no doubt that Marsden’s carpetbagging was going to come back and haunt him.
Isophorone also has a great post up on Marsden and rent recycling. You know, pay $600 a month, and get a $300 contribution to your campaign.
VCDL-PAC Endorses Steve Hunt for Senate
Greg at Black Velvet Bruce Li reports on the recent endorsement for Steve Hunt in the 37th District Special Election to fill the open State Senate seat.
The Virginia Civil Defense League PAC endorsed Steve Hunt for State Senate.
The VCDL-PAC STRONGLY endorses Steve Hunt for election to Ken
Cuccinelli’s former Virginia Senate seat in the 37th District. Get out
and VOTE Tuesday, January 12 in the Special Election. Get INVOLVED
today by calling his campaign to ask how you can volunteer and join this
final push to keep this critical Senate seat pro-gun. Steve’s votes in
the Senate will benefit you wherever you live in Virginia.With many major gun bills, both good and bad, coming up for vote
this January we MUST send a message to the General Assembly that your
rights aren’t negotiable.Steve Hunt is a long time and outstanding supporter of Virginians’ right
to keep and bear arms. He has reached out to VCDL members by attending
and speaking at multiple meetings, and he has returned his VCDL survey
STRONGLY pro-gun.It should be noted that his opponent has refused to answer the VCDL
Candidate Survey.Steve’s campaign is organizing a final 12 day sprint and massive voter
mobilization in order to defend and win the Senate seat. This is an
important opportunity for YOU to make a REAL DIFFERENCE. Steve is
organizing a 72-hour task force for next weekend and has other efforts
we can help with. With our many super-motivated grassroots members from
all over the state, VCDL-PAC can have a significant positive impact on
this race, the upcoming Senate, and the future of our gun rights in
Virginia.
This is great news for Hunt, as he solidly supports our Second Amendment rights and will continue to fight for these rights in Richmond. You can find out more about his campaign here.
Big Endorsement Today for the Republican Ticket
Virginia Virtucon reports that there will be a big endorsement for Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli today in Richmond from the Fraternal Order of Police. This is great news for the Republican ticket.
The announcement will take place in the House Briefing Room in the General Assembly at 9 a.m.
On a side note, yesterday, McDonnell picked up the endorsement of the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce NOVABizPAC, adding to the other endorsements by the Virginia Realtors PAC, Virginia AgPAC, NFIB, Virginia Credit Union League, and the National Rifle Association.
Ron Paul Endorses Ken Cuccinelli
Virginia Conservative reports that Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) has endorsed Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General. Cuccinelli has always been an advocate of life, liberty, and property. This is why I endorsed Cuccinelli from the beginning. Virginia Conservative has the letter up on his website.
We need more leaders in Congress like Rep. Ron Paul, and we definitely need more leaders in Virginia, like Ken Cuccinelli.
Tom Rust Endorsed by Fairfax Firefighters and Paramedics
Del. Tom Rust received the endorsement of the Fairfax County Firefighters and Paramedics yesterday. Rust has been supportive of professional fire fighter and paramedic issues, and this earned the endorsement from the IAFF-Local 2688.
Rust said, in his statement, that he appreciates the support from the local fire fighters and paramedics. “Public safety is one of the core responsibilities of government, and I will continue to work with our local firefighters and paramedics in keeping us safe.”
Cuccinelli Receives the NFIB Endorsement
Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli received the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB)/Virginia SAFE (Save America’s Free Enterprise) Trust.
Virginia State Director of the NFIB, Julia Hammond said, “Ken Cuccinelli clearly understands the challenges facing Virginia’s small business, the Commonwealth’s largest employer. We have absolutely no doubt that Ken will protect the people of Virginia while also protecting the right of entrepreneurs and small, family businesses to own, operate and grow their businesses.” She continued, “Sen. Cuccinelli has distinguished himself as a true friend of small business. He was a leader on the eminent domain issue – a core concern to so many small businesses and family farms. His near perfect track record on our issues earned him the prestigious Guardian of Small Business Award in 2007. We need an attorney general who understands the challenges small business owners, their employees and their families face when it comes to issues such as legal reform, property rights and taxes,” Hammond concluded, “We are proud to endorse Ken Cuccinelli for attorney general. We will do everything within our power to help Ken Cuccinelli become Virginia’s next attorney general.”
Cuccinelli has fought to pass legislation, in the State Senate, that would protect property rights, lower taxes, and provide more incentives to keep and bring businesses to the Commonwealth. Cuccinelli said, of the endorsement, “As a small business owner myself, I am proud to accept the endorsement of the NFIB.” He continued, “I understand that small businesses are crucial to growing our economy. Small businesses are the engines that produce – on average – about two-thirds of net new jobs. For that reason, as Attorney General of Virginia, I will work to prevent the over-regulation of small businesses, which would prevent any economic recovery in Virginia.”
McDonnell Receives NRA Endorsement
Yesterday, the National Rifle Association (NRA) endorsed Bob McDonnell in the Virginia Governor’s race. The NRA has over 120,000 members throughout the Commonwealth. Creigh Deeds won the endorsement in 2005, when he challenged Bob McDonnell for the Attorney General’s race. What happened? I guess Deeds’ records on guns has become more liberal.
Here are the statements from the NRA and McDonnell on the endorsement:
“Speaking about the endorsement, McDonnell remarked, “Over the course of my career in public service, I have worked to protect and uphold the Second Amendment rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. The Second Amendment rights of law abiding Virginians must be respected and protected. That is what I did while serving as Virginia’s Attorney General. We worked to stop unauthorized attempted straw purchases by outside agents operating in the Commonwealth. We moved quickly to make the Commonwealth one of the first states to file an amicus brief in support of the individual right to bear arms in the historic Supreme Court Case of District of Columbia v. Heller. As governor I will continue to defend the individual right to keep and bear arms, and stand on the side of Virginia’s law abiding gun owners. The National Rifle Association is committed to protecting our constitutional rights and I am honored to receive this endorsement.”
Chris Cox, NRA-PVF Chairman and NRA Institute for Legislative Action Executive Director noted, “Bob McDonnell is an effective leader for Virginia hunters and gun owners. His opinions and actions as an attorney general have protected and enhanced the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Virginians. His zero-tolerance attitude toward criminals makes him the best choice for governor. We ask every Virginia hunter, gun owner and Second Amendment advocate to vote McDonnell for Governor this November.”
Meanwhile, there are some on the left who actually believe this recent endorsement for McDonnell will help energize the liberal voting block in Northern Virginia for Deeds. Since Deeds’ campaign has not truly picked up any momentum, then what makes one think that this will boost his momentum. After all, we haven’t heard anything on Deeds’ plans for improving transportation or boosting the economy.
Good News for the 35th House District
There is good news from the 35th House District, as Republican Jim Hyland holds a seven point lead over his Democrat opponent, Mark Keam. Hyland is definitely the right candidate for the 35th, and he recently received the endorsement from the Northern Virginia Technology Council PAC. Hyland is working hard to improve transportation, bring new jobs and boost our economy here in Northern Virginia, in addition to, improving education.
Hyland has been hard at work getting his message out to the 35th, and there is no doubt that he can’t do it without your help.
The Official Endorsements of Crystal Clear Conservative
With the Republican State Convention coming up later this week, I have decided to throw my official endorsements online, even though many can guess who I will be supporting.
For Governor, of course, this is a no-brainer, as I will be supporting Bob McDonnell. McDonnell has a solid energy plan, job creation plan, and more will be released over time. McDonnell will make a great Governor for the Commonwealth of Virginia, and you can read more on his website.
For Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling will no doubt be receiving my support. Bolling’s proven record of looking out for families by working to promote school choice, working to strengthen Virginia’s economy, and ensuring that Virginia will become a national leader in energy production. Bolling is a devoted public servant, who works tirelessly to ensure Virginia is a better place to own and operate a business and raise a family. I look forward to working hard for the McDonnell/Bolling ticket this year, and if you would like to learn more about Bolling and his record, check out his website.
For Attorney General, I will be supporting Ken Cuccinelli. I assisted Cuccinelli’s campaign when he ran for State Senate in 2007, and there is no doubt, he is a devoted public servant, who has always worked hard for his district and the Commonwealth of Virginia. Cuccinelli will work hard to protect and defend the Virginia and United States Constitution, and he has a solid legislative record that will be beneficial to the Office of Attorney General. Cuccinelli has a solid track record on working with issues on life, liberty, and property. No doubt, he has received my support, and I hope he can receive your support as well.
Overall, these are the official endorsements of Crystal Clear Conservative. On Friday, look forward to many Tweets (you can find me here), video clips(Do you like YouTube?), and blog posts throughout the weekend.
