Blog Archives
Poll Numbers Showing GOP Victory
Yesterday, both Survey USA and Public Policy Polling released polls showing Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli all leading their opponents in double digit margins.
McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds, 58-41% (Survey USA) and 55-40% (PPP).
Bolling leads Democrat Jody Wagner, 56-42% (Survey USA) and 50-38% (PPP).
Cuccinelli leads Democrat Steve Shannon, 57-41% (Survey USA) and 52-36% (PPP).
Distortions = Signs of Desperation
Jody Wagner still can’t get the facts right, as she continues to attack Bill Bolling for being a health insurance executive and on the meeting attendance issue. These attacks are nothing but desperation from Wagner in the days up to the election and need to be dispelled. Enter the truth squad.
Wagner was asked about the public option by Not Larry Sabato and whether or not, she supports the measure. Wagner supports public option, but then attacks Bolling for being a health insurance executive.
Jody then took the opportunity to draw a sharp contrast with the record of incumbent Lt. Governor Bill Bolling. It’s worth noting that Virginia Lt. Governor is a part time position- and Bolling also serves as an insurance company executive by day.
Here’s some clarification for Wagner:
Bolling is not a health care insurance executive, and he is not employed by a health insurance company. Rather, Bolling sells property and casualty insurance. He represents his clients and protects their interests, not insurance companies.
Now, here’s another issue that Wagner keeps focusing on, just like a broken record, and that is Bolling’s meeting attendance record. Wagner continues to hit on the fact that Bolling has missed GACRE meetings. Bolling does not serve on this committee, thus meaning that he is not obligated to be at these meetings. In fact, Bolling has attended 219 of 281 meetings (78%) of his Boards and Commissions Meetings, State Senate sessions and meetings of the Attorney General’s Regulatory and Government Reform Task Force, Working Group on Infrastructure, and National Lieutenant Governor’s Association. Bolling has been an active Lieutenant Governor, who has received scores of pro-business endorsements, the NRA and VCDL endorsements, Fraternal Order of Police, the Virginia Police Benevolent Society, and others.
Just another sign of desperation from Lieutenant Governor’s Mansion Fantasyland.
Good News from SurveyUSA
There’s good news for the Republican statewide candidates. All hold significant leads over their Democratic counterparts. According to the SurveyUSA polls, the Republicans hold a 14-19 percent lead.
Here’s the breakdown:
Bob McDonnell. 59
Creigh Deeds. 40
Bill Bolling. 56
Jody Wagner. 42
Ken Cuccinelli. 56
Steve Shannon. 41
Live Blog of the Lieutenant Governor's Debate
Tonight, the Lieutenant Governor’s Debate is taking place in Roanoke. Right now, I am watching the webcast of the debate on WSLS and will be reporting some of the key highlights from the campaign.
Opening Statements: Jody Wagner starts off by touting Virginia’s reputation as being one of the best managed states, then she slams Bill Bolling on his attendance record.
Bolling started off by stating his record and saying that Wagner’s opening statement shows why the Democratic ticket keeps failing.
Question 1: What issues do you think you relate to with Bob McDonnell? What issues do you agree with McDonnell on?
This question was posed to Wagner. Wagner said that Creigh Deeds will be elected next Governor, and would work with McDonnell, if he is elected, to help get job growth initiatives pushed forward. Wagner ignored the question, but said she would work with him on job initiatives.
The question was then posed to Bolling, and he was asked the same question with Creigh Deeds. Bolling demonstrated that he was able to work with Tim Kaine on various initiatives, and he would do the same with Deeds. Bolling also said that each Lieutenant Governor has its own initiatives.
Wagner offered a rebuttal that did not quite make sense.
Question 2 was posed to Bolling about the meeting attendance record. Bolling has attended the meetings or has sent staff liaisons to these meetings. Bolling has been at 80% of those meetings. When the General Assembly is in session, Bolling presides over the State Senate, so it can be quite difficult to attend every meeting. Some of the committees mentioned by Wagner in her accusations against Bolling’s attendance record, Bolling had no participation in those meetings.
Question 3 was again posed to Bolling about why he should be elected to continue addressing the economic issues. Bolling mentioned Wagner’s record as Lieutenant Governor, and said that we need to work on improving transportation and boosting job growth initiatives.
Wagner’s theme is to question Bolling’s leadership. Wagner mentions that she is not in favor of raising taxes (NOT).
Bolling followed up by mentioning Wagner’s favorability of raising taxes. Bolling followed up by mentioning a Washington Post article, where Wagner appeared before a meeting at Greenspring Retirement Community in Fairfax, where she said “Bring It On!” with regards to taxes.
Wagner tried to argue, but the moderator cut her off by saying there would be time for this later.
The commentator asked Wagner to clarify her tax record. Wagner did not mention which taxes she intended to raise (again avoiding the question). She also mentioned that Deeds did not have a plan to raise taxes. (Is she oblivious? Deeds mentioned this…perhaps, she needs to watch the clip.)
Bolling, then asked if Wagner, if she would join with the McDonnell-Bolling plan considering that she was against Deeds’ tax increase plan. Then, he mentioned another article (which Wagner said was a violation of the rules…Bolling refuted that it was not a violation).
Wagner called Bolling a liar by saying that she does not intend to raise taxes.
The next question focused on the budget. Wagner indicated that she does not want education cuts in the budget, and she avoided the question regarding what she would cut. Bolling mentioned the overly optimistic revenue projections. We need to balance the budget by reining in taxes. Wagner followed up by mentioning his attendance record at the meetings.
The follow up question asked Bolling if he is over exaggerating the budget projections. Bolling said no, and mentioned that the budget was mishandled. Bolling also focused on the need to balance the budget by cutting taxes. Wagner indicated that this was a political attack, and again, focuses on the number of meetings that Bolling has missed. Bolling, then followed up by focusing on the state debt doubling and taking money out of the rainy day fund, due to the budget shortfalls, made by Wagner.
Another question was posed to Bolling about McDonnell’s plan to name him Chief Jobs Creation Officer. Bolling mentioned his pro-business record, and the endorsements he has received from pro-business organizations. Bolling said that he has a record of helping to create employment. He indicated that we need to create more jobs by reducing the tax burdens on businesses and providing more incentives.
Wagner mentioned that we need to make investments on green energy and said she has a plan on her website that will help boost those jobs. Wagner again attacked Bolling on the fact that he hasn’t been at his own job (this is not true).
Bolling asked Wagner if she supports card check legislation. Wagner avoided this question and accused Bolling of running a negative campaign.
How would you improve education? McDonnell and Bolling have an education plan that will not cut the quality standards of public education. We just need to channel that spending into the classroom and take it away from the central office bureaucracy. By putting money into the classroom, teacher pay will be raised to the national average.
Wagner mentioned that there needs to be more preparation in helping students learn and boost college preparatory curriculum. Wagner indicated that she will be a presence in at risk high schools helping to boost graduation rates. Wagner attacks Bolling on the fact that money will be taken away from public education.
The theme of the evening has been on distortions and dishonesty by the Deeds and Wagner administration.
Finally, the closing statements began with Wagner calling Bolling out on being dishonest, and that she is the best candidate to handle the challenges. She mentioned that Bolling has been focused on being a part-time Lieutenant Governor. (The office of Lieutenant Governor, according to the Constitution of Virginia, is a part-time position.)
Bolling closed out by mentioning his endorsements by pro-business organizations, and that he is dedicated to leading Virginia through the challenges. Bolling also mentioned that he will remain dedicated to restoring Virginia back to fiscal responsibility by balancing the budget without raising taxes.
Overall, this debate was a victory for Bolling, as Wagner often dodged the hard questions and kept on attacking Bolling for missing meetings of committees, in which he was not an member. Wagner offered no vision or initiatives for job growth or improving the current financial state in Virginia. Bolling has solid initiatives that will improve job growth, transportation, and restore fiscal responsibility.
Jody Wagner and her Love Affair with Taxes
Why doesn’t it surprise me that Jody Wagner will support Creigh Deeds’ proposed gas tax increase, especially when she believes that even more financial hardships are needed? At a recent campaign appearance at the Greenspring Retirement Community in Fairfax County, The Washington Post reports that Wagner, along with Delegate Vivian Watts, spoke to the Democratic Club gathering to emphasize that they are ready to raise taxes to fund for transportation.
Wagner even signaled that more tax increases might be on the horizon.
But the thrust of her remarks suggested that she believes not only that higher gas taxes must be part of a long-term solution, but that other new revenues might also be necessary.
“Whatever we do, we’ve got to make sure it’s tied to usage in some fashion,” Wagner said. “It needs to fall on people that are use the transportation system. Second, it needs to be broad-based in its application. And, third, it has to be sustainable.”
Citing her own switch from a vehicle that got 20 miles per gallon to one that now gets nearly 50, Wagner said the nation’s motorists are shifting toward more fuel-efficient vehicles, thereby reducing the amount raised by gas taxes.
“It is not the ultimate panacea we would like to think it is,” Wagner said. “So, ultimately, that is not the ultimate solution. It may be a bridge. But, ultimately, we’re going to have to be more diverse in the way we handle it because people are going to start moving away from gasoline.”
Watts, meanwhile, said she thought Deeds “was extremely responsible” when he pledged to find new revenue for transportation.
Sometimes, I wonder if Wagner and Watts realize that there is a financial crisis affecting working families and that an increased tax burden will continue to put the pinch on budgets. However, if Jody’s record as Secretary of Finance is a signal, she continues to love tax increases as a way to boost revenues.
Jody’s Tax Record (Love Affair with Taxes)
- 2004 – Sales and Use Tax (HB 5018)
- 2004 – Cigarette Tax (HB 5018)
- 2004 – Elimination of Tax deductions for seniors (HB 5018)
- 2004 – Recordation Tax (HB 5018)
- 2004 – 20-percent increase in the sales tax (HB30)
- 2004 – Car Tax Cap (HB 5018)
- 2006 – Car Titling Tax (HB 1611)
- 2006 – Vehicle Insurance Tax (HB 1613)
- 2006 – Registration Fee Increase (HB 1614)
- 2007 – Car Titling Tax (HB 2071)
- 2007 – Registration and Heavy Truck Fees (HB 3152)
- 2008 – (Special Session) – 1% increase on car titling tax, $10 increase on car registration, 1% increase in Sales Tax in Northern Virginia & Hampton Roads, 25 cent increase in Grantor Tax (HB 6026)
It leads me to ponder if both Jody and the Democratic party haven’t met a tax increase that they didn’t like, and if they did meet a tax increase they weren’t crazy about, then how would they proceed to find a solution to that increase.
Jody Wagner's New Ad: Just another day in Wonderland
Jody Wagner, Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor, released her first TV ad citing that she has actually balanced the budget. Where did she pull that claim from? Was it from the so-called Lieutenant Governor’s Mansion or thin air?
Perhaps, it is time to shed some light on Ms. Wagner’s claim. While serving as Secretary of Finance, Wagner was overly optimistic in her revenue projections, which resulted in $7 billion in budget shortfalls. The TV ad featured a clip from a News Virginian op-ed that praised Governor Tim Kaine for pruning the budget, but this same op-ed also chided the Kaine administration for their overly optimistic projections. Ironically, Wagner still can’t get simple citations right either, because the ad mentions the News Virginian article as being published on September 14, 2009.
From the News Virginian editorial cited in Wagner’s ad: “This marks the fourth time that Kaine has been forced to cut his two-year budget, putting the total reductions at $7 billion. That’s mostly the result of the national economy slipping into freefall, an event that produced fiscal calamity in some states, though not here. But Kaine cannot escape altogether culpability for a recurring predicament. He repeatedly has ignored the ring of alarms sounded by Republicans over his revenue projections only to wipe egg from his face later.” (“Governor Gets it Right, Sorta,” Waynesboro News Virginian, Sept 11, 2009*)
Additionally, Wagner’s ad mentioned that she created jobs. Currently, 144,000 Virginians are unemployed. Is that considered job creation? No, but Wagner has supported increasing your taxes and will support a Creigh Deeds tax increase.
This is not the type of leadership Virginia needs. We need solid, reliable leadership in Richmond to help deal with getting Virginia’s economy on track.
Jody Gets It Wrong Once Again
Once again, Lieutenant Governor candidate, Jody Wagner, can not get her facts right on Bill Bolling’s record. This time, she is attacking Bolling for protecting education dollars. Of course, her recent claims show how desperate she is to win that she would distort the truth.
Her recent email actually accuses Bolling for supporting “a rare parliamentary maneuver to block Governor Kaine’s budget.” Bolling ruled to keep the budget (which she drafted) from diverting millions in lottery proceeds away from education to other government programs, which is a violation of the Constitution of Virginia.
One might assume that Wagner is in favor of taking money away from public education, and perhaps, we should take a look at her record on education funding.
- As State Treasurer, Wagner was part of the financial team that reported a “$137 million budget error” that resulted in a loss of education dollars that were intended for local governments. (AP, 8.28.06)
- As Secretary of Finance, Wagner proposed a budget that took $65M out of the Lottery Proceeds Fund to pay for other government programs. The Constitution of Virginia requires that lottery profits be used for public education. Fortunately, Bill Bolling made a constitutional ruling to stop Wagner’s raid on public education. (RTD, 2.22.08)
- As Secretary of Finance, Wagner lobbied the General Assembly to cut Pre-K funding by $12.5 million, cut foster care funding by $5.8 million and cut health insurance programs by $5.7 million. (WP, 2.14.08)
- Because of Jody Wagner’s fiscal mismanagement, which has resulted in more than $7B in budget shortfalls, the Kaine administration has been forced to reduce funding for public education by $726M over the past two years. While this reduction was offset by federal stimulus dollars, these federal stimulus dollars will expire in 2011. – 2008 Budget (Chapter 879) and 2009 Budget (Chapter 781)
Why should we trust Wagner? Her understanding of the Constitution of Virginia appears to be non-existent, and she appears to be clueless on presiding over the State Senate. This (along with being overly optimistic with her budget predictions) shows Wagner is not ready to be Lieutenant Governor.
Breaking News: If Creigh, Jody, and Steve get elected, taxes will rise
They say taxes are like comfort food for the Democrat’s soul. Of course, you could tell from Creigh Deeds’ op-ed in The Washington Post, if elected, he will raise taxes. In his op-ed, Deeds indicated that he is open to raising taxes to improve transportation. This is no surprise, because he voted for a gas tax increase in the State Senate.
Lieutenant Governor candidate, Jody Wagner, also jumped on board by saying that she would work with Deeds to improve transportation, even if it included taxes. (Source: The Washington Post). Considering that Wagner miscalculated the budget, while serving as Secretary of Finance, there is no way that she would oppose tax hikes.
You can also glean from Steve Shannon’s record from the General Assembly to find how he views tax increases. In one of his first votes as a Delegate, he voted against $400 million in tax relief, then he was voted for the largest tax increase in Virginia history.
In these hard economic times, it is obvious that the Democrats will take more money out of the pockets of working families. Is this the kind of hope and change we need in Virginia? I seriously doubt it.
Jody Wagner Threatens to Pull Out of Debate
It appears that Jody Wagner is accusing Bill Bolling of pulling out of the Prince William Committee of 100 debate, and this could not be further from the truth. According to a statement released by Matt Wells, Bolling’s campaign manager, it appears that Wagner’s campaign will not agree to the rules set with the Committee due to a “no use” agreement. A “no use” agreement is standard in debates, as it protects both sides from having video clips and portions of the debate from being taken out of context. Why wouldn’t Wagner agree with the terms? Is it because she doesn’t want to debate the issues?
Below is the statement released by the Bolling campaign:
“”Earlier today, the campaign of Jody Wagner released a statement asserting that Lieutenant Governor Bolling had threatened to “pull out” of a debate that had been scheduled for September 24th before the Prince William Committee of 100. Nothing could be further from the truth.
The Bolling campaign’s participation in this debate has always been predicated on our ability to develop mutually agreed-upon rules and debate format. However, and despite our best efforts, no final rules have been agreed to and for the Wagner campaign to claim otherwise is simply false.
During our discussions with the Prince William Committee of 100 we have made significant compromises on several issues, including the moderator of the debate, the rules of the debate, the format of the debate, etc. However, we have insisted on the inclusion of a “no use” agreement in the rules. Unfortunately, and despite our best efforts, the Wagner campaign has refused to agree to a “no use” agreement, and the debate cannot proceed without such an agreement.
No use agreements are standard for debates of this nature. They protect both sides from having clips and portions of the debate taken out of context. For example, the recent gubernatorial debate in Fairfax operated under a mutually acceptable no-use agreement.
In addition, and at the request of the debate organizers, we have taken great care to keep our discussions about debate rules private and out of the media. Unfortunately, the Wagner campaign has refused to discuss the rules of this debate in good faith, as is evidenced by their recent press release; and has now issued a factually inaccurate and misleading statement in an effort to try and score some cheap political points in advance of the debate. Given these developments, it is clear that the debate cannot move forward as scheduled on September 24th and we have advised the debate organizers of that fact.
Lieutenant Governor Bolling was looking forward to the opportunity to debate Ms. Wagner and discuss the important issues currently facing Virginia, and we remain hopeful that this will occur at some point in the future.
We greatly appreciate the hard work that the Prince William Committee of 100 has put into this event, and we are very disappointed that the debate will not proceed as scheduled. However, it is obvious to that the Wagner campaign would rather debate about debates than actually hold one.”
Virginia Democrats Should Return ACORN Contributions
The Republican Party of Virginia has called on the Democratic candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General to give back any and all contributions from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) due to their ties with ACORN. SEIU President Andy Stern sits on ACORN’s Advisory Council, and the SEIU has donated a combined $450,000 to the Democratic candidates and the Democratic Party committees in 2008 and 2009.
ACORN has been in some trouble lately with promoting criminal behaviors, like tax evasion, abetting prostitution, and sex trafficking for minors. Both the House and Senate have voted to cut off funding for ACORN. Additionally, SEIU gave ACORN more than $4 million since 2006-2007, and SEIU locals 100 and 880 are allied organizations to ACORN. Better yet, ACORN Founder S. Wade Rathke referred to SEIU 880 as “one of the pillars of the ACORN Family.” Rathke was also handpicked by Stern to direct SEIU’s nationwide organizing projects.
With all of this corruption from both SEIU and ACORN, Creigh Deeds, Jody Wagner, and Steve Shannon should do what’s right and return the contributions. Pat Mullins, chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, called on the democratic candidates to give back the money. Mullins said:
“It’s pretty clear how intermingled ACORN is with SEIU,” said Chairman Mullins. “They have become a focus of attention in Congress for these recent disgusting scandals involving everything from under-aged prostitution to tax fraud. Throw in what we already know about their bogus voter registration efforts and the information is pretty condemning. That Democrats would gleefully take money from a closely tied organization tells you what you want to know – they’ll check principles at the door, so long as the check clears. Deeds, Wagner, Shannon and the rest of the Democrats should give it all back.”
Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli made a statement asking Shannon to return the funds:
“Steve Shannon has received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the SEIU – whose link and close working relationship with the renegade organization ACORN is well documented” said Senator Ken Cuccinelli. “SEIU’s long standing financial support and its affiliation as an allied organization of ACORN across the country requires a repudiation of the relationship” added Cuccinelli.
“I applaud the United States Congress for moving to de-fund ACORN of any tax payer dollars, a move that should have occurred years ago. ACORN’s well documented illegal activities, including voter fraud, should give all Americans pause. Voters have a right to know that ACORN affiliated and allied organizations are funding Democrat campaigns this year in Virginia, and what do they expect in return?” concluded Cuccinelli.”
VASocialConservative has a great post featuring a web video released by Cuccinelli.
