http://bearingdrift.com Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:32:39 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Copyright © Bearing Drift: Virginia's Conservative Voice 2011 editors@bearingdrift.com (J.R. Hoeft) editors@bearingdrift.com (J.R. Hoeft) 1440 http://bearingdrift.com/wp-content/uploads/bearing-drift-square.jpg http://bearingdrift.com 144 144 News and commentary about politics from Virginia's Conservative Voice! Politics, News, Virginia, Republican, Democrat J.R. Hoeft J.R. Hoeft editors@bearingdrift.com no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/afp-is-alive-well-and-active-our-interview-with-state-director-audrey-jackson/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/afp-is-alive-well-and-active-our-interview-with-state-director-audrey-jackson/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:30:09 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=29054 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/afp-is-alive-well-and-active-our-interview-with-state-director-audrey-jackson/feed/ 5 0:45:48 The state's largest free market group is still hard at work. Here's what's on their agenda. The state's largest free market group is still hard at work. Here's what's on their agenda. Podcasts, Policy, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/rep-rob-wittman-on-defense-cuts-and-an-alternative-tax-system/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/rep-rob-wittman-on-defense-cuts-and-an-alternative-tax-system/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 15:06:26 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=29047 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/rep-rob-wittman-on-defense-cuts-and-an-alternative-tax-system/feed/ 0 0:11:39 The Obama administration does want to cut government spending -- but only on defense. That's bad news for the nation's security, and Virginia's economic health. Plus, scrapping the tax code, why that's important and what should replace it. The Obama administration does want to cut government spending -- but only on defense. That's bad news for the nation's security, and Virginia's economic health. Plus, scrapping the tax code, why that's important and what should replace it. Economics, Podcasts, Policy J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/george-allen-obamas-overreach-and-the-need-for-a-robust-domestic-energy-policy/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/george-allen-obamas-overreach-and-the-need-for-a-robust-domestic-energy-policy/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:48:00 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=29042 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/george-allen-obamas-overreach-and-the-need-for-a-robust-domestic-energy-policy/feed/ 0 0:12:20 The Republican Senate candidate says the Obama administration's energy policy can be summed-up in a single word: Solyndra. What we really need is an energy policy that exploits our own resources, creating jobs and revenues right here at home. The Republican Senate candidate says the Obama administration's energy policy can be summed-up in a single word: Solyndra. What we really need is an energy policy that exploits our own resources, creating jobs and revenues right here at home. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/is-it-a-base-problem-or-a-romney-problem/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/is-it-a-base-problem-or-a-romney-problem/#comments Mon, 06 Feb 2012 14:28:55 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=29038 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/02/06/is-it-a-base-problem-or-a-romney-problem/feed/ 18 0:04:03 Jim Hoeft's "Two Minute Drill" looks at the numbers and finds that, the hand-wring of some aside, the Republican base is making its choice for president crystal clear. Jim Hoeft's "Two Minute Drill" looks at the numbers and finds that, the hand-wring of some aside, the Republican base is making its choice for president crystal clear. Podcasts, Politics J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/30/on-the-air-with-scott-rigell-randy-forbes-and-bob-livingston/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/30/on-the-air-with-scott-rigell-randy-forbes-and-bob-livingston/#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 15:08:32 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=28732 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/30/on-the-air-with-scott-rigell-randy-forbes-and-bob-livingston/feed/ 0 0:03:18 Leading by example, breakfast with Buffett, "Courageous," the (recycled) State of the Union, 1,000 days of shirking and much more. Leading by example, breakfast with Buffett, "Courageous," the (recycled) State of the Union, 1,000 days of shirking and much more. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/25/podcast-reaction-to-state-of-the-union-from-rep-rob-wittman/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/25/podcast-reaction-to-state-of-the-union-from-rep-rob-wittman/#comments Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:08:17 +0000 JR Hoeft http://bearingdrift.com/?p=28523 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/25/podcast-reaction-to-state-of-the-union-from-rep-rob-wittman/feed/ 1 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/23/on-the-air-superpacs-sunday-hunting-local-mandates-and-congressional-redistricting/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/23/on-the-air-superpacs-sunday-hunting-local-mandates-and-congressional-redistricting/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 14:35:49 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=28307 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/23/on-the-air-superpacs-sunday-hunting-local-mandates-and-congressional-redistricting/feed/ 5 0:45:52 On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… We talk with David Poole, executive director of VPAP, about the rise of superpacs, the quasi-independent cash windows that are accepting and dispensing funds on behalf of candidate[...] On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… We talk with David Poole, executive director of VPAP, about the rise of superpacs, the quasi-independent cash windows that are accepting and dispensing funds on behalf of candidates in a very big way during this election cycle. VPAP will be tracking superpac spending in Virginia and publishing their findings on the VPAP website. We also talk with former Department of Game and Inland Fisheries board member Sherry Crumley about lifting the state’s ban on Sunday hunting. Crumley tells us the primary objections to Sunday hunts are on religious grounds. And, sure enough, the RTD ran an op-ed over the weekend that touched on just such an argument. BD’s own Shaun Kenney, who moonlights as chairman of the Fluvanna Board of Supervisors and as a member of the Governor’s panel on reducing state mandates on local governments, also talk with us about the group’s recommendations. They are a first step toward giving localities more leeway, but the big ticket items, including education, remain on deck. And in his Two Minute Drill, our editor-in-chief Jim Hoeft takes a look at Virginia’s congressional redistricting. The issue languished last year, when the House and Senate couldn’t agree on a plan. But the change in partisan control in the Senate means that critical unfinished business has been taken care of…and it’s a good omen for Republicans and the commonwealth. “The Score” is Bearing Drift radio, and can be heard on these broadcast stations and online talk networks. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/14/on-the-air-with-bob-holsworth-patrick-wales-and-the-return-of-the-two-minute-drill/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/14/on-the-air-with-bob-holsworth-patrick-wales-and-the-return-of-the-two-minute-drill/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 13:18:23 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=28023 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/14/on-the-air-with-bob-holsworth-patrick-wales-and-the-return-of-the-two-minute-drill/feed/ 0 0:00:01 On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Dr. Bob Holsworth and Scott Lee talk GOP presidential politics — the ins, outs, ups and downs of the candidates, their strategies, and what we can expect to see arising out o[...] On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Dr. Bob Holsworth and Scott Lee talk GOP presidential politics — the ins, outs, ups and downs of the candidates, their strategies, and what we can expect to see arising out of the South Carolina primary. Holsworth reminds us that, contrary to the popular shorthand, South Carolina has a habit of plumping for the so called “establishment” candidate. But will it do so this time? And let’s not forget — Florida’s primary looms at the end of January. Also joining Scott on the show is Patrick Wales, a geologist and project manager for Virginia Uranium. The question of whether to lift the decades-old ban on uranium mining in the state is a big issue confronting the worthies assembled in River City. Wales, naturally, wants it removed so regulations can be written and plans made. But he also notes something that is often overlooked: even if the ban is lifted on Monday, it will take years of review, analysis and oversight before a single spade of dirt can be turned. And Jim Hoeft’s “Two Minute Drill” is back! In a bit of a philosophical turn, Jim asks what, exactly, “establishment” means. It’s traditionally a term of derision, used to show that the other guy in the race is the pawn of mysterious (and wealthy and powerful) forces. But Jim tells us the real establishment is much different…and can be found much closer to home than most are willing to admit. “The Score” is Bearing Drift radio, and can be heard on these broadcast stations and online talk networks. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/07/on-the-air-with-bill-bolling-tim-donner-and-ken-cuccinelli/ http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/07/on-the-air-with-bill-bolling-tim-donner-and-ken-cuccinelli/#comments Sat, 07 Jan 2012 13:41:33 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27718 http://bearingdrift.com/2012/01/07/on-the-air-with-bill-bolling-tim-donner-and-ken-cuccinelli/feed/ 1 0:00:01 On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Scott Lee talks with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling about the Virginia’s presidential ballot access snafu, the “sour grapes” from the campaigns that failed to make the bal[...] On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Scott Lee talks with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling about the Virginia’s presidential ballot access snafu, the “sour grapes” from the campaigns that failed to make the ballot, and we get his take on Ken Cuccinelli’s shifting stance on the need for ballot access reform. Bolling also discusses how Republicans will organize the split Senate in the upcoming session and the limits the constitution places upon his vote. I take the mic, briefly, to speak with Tim Donner, who dropped out of the Republican Senate primary just after Christmas. The loss of a serious candidate who campaigned on ideas, rather than talking points, is a loss to Virginia. We talk about why he left the race, what he intends to do now, and what he hopes to see from the eventual nominee. Plus — why we may hear a lot more from Mr. Donner in the future. And Scott rounds out the show with Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. The AG changed gears on the timing for reform of Virginia’s ballot access laws. But in the process, he made a rare, and refreshing, admission for any politician at any level of government: he made a mistake. Scott and the AG also talk a bit about the presidential field and the highest priority on Cuccinelli’s legislative agenda: passage of the property rights amendment. “The Score” is Bearing Drift radio, and can be heard on these broadcast stations and online talk networks. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/31/on-the-air-with-george-allen-shaun-kenney-and-rick-sincere/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/31/on-the-air-with-george-allen-shaun-kenney-and-rick-sincere/#comments Sat, 31 Dec 2011 13:13:22 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27450 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/31/on-the-air-with-george-allen-shaun-kenney-and-rick-sincere/feed/ 0 0:00:01 On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Charlottesville Electoral Board chairman Rick Sincere walks us through a weed patch that until a few days ago few people (including, it seems most of the GOP presidential campaign[...] On this podcast edition of “The Score” radio show… Charlottesville Electoral Board chairman Rick Sincere walks us through a weed patch that until a few days ago few people (including, it seems most of the GOP presidential campaigns) didn’t know was there: Virginia’s ballot access laws. Brambles abound, but so do opportunities for reform. Bearing Drift’s own Shaun Kenney joins Scott to talk about the year that was in Virginia politics. It was the best and worst of times. And GOP Senate candidate George Allen joins us to recall the fast-approaching anniversary of Obamacare, that mad-cap bit of legislation that was supposed to make us all healthier and wealthier, but instead is already leaving a trail of economic wreckage in its wake. “The Score” is Bearing Drift radio, and can be heard on these broadcast stations and online talk networks. Podcasts, Policy, Politics, Virginia J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/21/gary-johnson-drops-gop-prez-campaign-opts-for-lp-route-to-nomination/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/21/gary-johnson-drops-gop-prez-campaign-opts-for-lp-route-to-nomination/#comments Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:42:24 +0000 Norman Leahy http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27156 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/21/gary-johnson-drops-gop-prez-campaign-opts-for-lp-route-to-nomination/feed/ 0 0:00:01 Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is dropping out of the GOP presidential sweepstakes and instead, according to Politico, is going to seek the Libertarian Party nomination: Johnson expressed deep disillusionment with the process as his libertarian[...] Former New Mexico Gov. Gary Johnson is dropping out of the GOP presidential sweepstakes and instead, according to Politico, is going to seek the Libertarian Party nomination: Johnson expressed deep disillusionment with the process as his libertarian message failed to catch fire and he received almost no attention for his bid. He soon began flirting with the Libertarians when it became clear that he was gaining no traction in GOP primaries. Republicans can perhaps be forgiven for not recalling that Johnson was even in the GOP race. Or not. He’s got a message that’s worth hearing, and if getting it out there means taking the LP route, more power to him. For our part, we did interview Johnson on “The Score” the day before he declared his candidacy back in April. You can listen to that interview here: Podcasts, Politics J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/scott-lee-and-the-anniversary-of-the-bill-of-rights/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/scott-lee-and-the-anniversary-of-the-bill-of-rights/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:36:12 +0000 Bearing Drift http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27004 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/scott-lee-and-the-anniversary-of-the-bill-of-rights/feed/ 1 0:02:52 This past week marks the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Did anyone notice? This past week marks the 220th Anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Did anyone notice? History, Podcasts J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/neal-mccluskey-of-cato-discusses-mcdonnells-increase-in-high-ed-funding/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/neal-mccluskey-of-cato-discusses-mcdonnells-increase-in-high-ed-funding/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:32:51 +0000 Bearing Drift http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27002 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/neal-mccluskey-of-cato-discusses-mcdonnells-increase-in-high-ed-funding/feed/ 11 0:10:12 News came this week that Gov. McDonnell wants to spend an additional $100 million on higher education in an attempt to make Virginia’s colleges and universities less expensive, their students more marketable and such and such. But does it make any s[...] News came this week that Gov. McDonnell wants to spend an additional $100 million on higher education in an attempt to make Virginia’s colleges and universities less expensive, their students more marketable and such and such. But does it make any sense? Podcasts, Policy J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/del-greg-habeeb-discusses-his-homeowners-self-defense-bill-on-the-score/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/del-greg-habeeb-discusses-his-homeowners-self-defense-bill-on-the-score/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 23:13:53 +0000 Bearing Drift http://bearingdrift.com/?p=27000 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/del-greg-habeeb-discusses-his-homeowners-self-defense-bill-on-the-score/feed/ 2 0:08:00 Del. Greg Habeeb, who represents the 8th District in Salem and part of Roanoke County, is proposing HB14 – a bill filed to protect homeowners who act in self-defense during a home invasion. Del. Greg Habeeb, who represents the 8th District in Salem and part of Roanoke County, is proposing HB14 – a bill filed to protect homeowners who act in self-defense during a home invasion. Podcasts, Policy J.R. Hoeft no no http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/shaun-kenney-joins-scott-lee-to-talk-2013-governors-gop-nomination-fight/ http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/shaun-kenney-joins-scott-lee-to-talk-2013-governors-gop-nomination-fight/#comments Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:42:36 +0000 Bearing Drift http://bearingdrift.com/?p=26991 http://bearingdrift.com/2011/12/17/shaun-kenney-joins-scott-lee-to-talk-2013-governors-gop-nomination-fight/feed/ 0 0:08:38 This week on Bearing Drift's "The Score," Shaun Kenney joins Scott Lee to talk about how Attorney General Ken Cuccineli "broke protocol" to challenge Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for the Republican nomination for governor in 2013. This week on Bearing Drift's "The Score," Shaun Kenney joins Scott Lee to talk about how Attorney General Ken Cuccineli "broke protocol" to challenge Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for the Republican nomination for governor in 2013. Podcasts, Politics J.R. Hoeft no no