Audits couldn’t possibly find government waste, could they?

By J.R. | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | 3 Comments

One of the more humorous highlights of Brian Kirwin’s and my most recent trip to Richmond was seeing all the flyers up in government buildings ordering government employees to attend in person mandatory recycling training. Certainly that training was not wasteful.

Moments later, we were sitting in the attorney general’s office listening to Attorney General McDonnell describe his reasonable proposal to save some money for future use on transportation: a VDOT audit. After seeing the flyers, we thought he might be on to something.

But the howls and hoots coming from the left could be heard across the commonwealth.
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Del. Spruill calls $90,000 salary “no big money”

By Brian Kirwin | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Democrats, Ethics, General Assembly | 4 Comments

Nice to see Democrat Del. Lionel Spruill is so in touch with his constituents, as he downplays his $90,000 salary working for fellow Del. Brian Moran.

“That’s no big money I’m getting,” Spruill said. “Anyone could have matched it.” (Virginian-Pilot)

I bet a whole lot of Virginians Spruill represents think $90,000 is very big money. Nice to see Democrats looking out for the little guy! Spruill didn’t even have the decency to abstain from voting on Boss Moran’s legislation while pocketing his checks.

After all, “anyone could have matched it.”

Lieberman expresses his views on the Democratic Party in Florida interview

By J.R. | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections, President | 3 Comments

A friend sent me this fascinating interview with former Democratic Vice Presidential nominee and presidential candidate, Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-CT). Lieberman is in Florida campaigning on behalf of Sen. John McCain.

The interview highlights why Lieberman is supporting McCain and why he might speak at the Republican National Convention. But there was a fascinating exchange at around the 3:30 mark of the 8-minute video where Lieberman explained his current views on the Democratic Party:

“The Democratic Party today is not the same party it was under Bill Clinton,” said Lieberman. “The Democratic Party, I fear, has become too partisan, not committed enough to using America’s power to keep us safe in the world, and has become very protectionist, and, ultimately, protectionism hurts the American economy.”

Could Lieberman complete the Republican ticket?

Mark Warner’s donors are idiots

By Brian Kirwin | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | Leave a Comment

That’s what the Virginian-Pilot said in their latest “too much money in politics” editorial. After citing Warner’s 5.1 million in the bank, the Pilot said:

“It’s July, so most folks have no idea who is running when or for what. They just pull out their checkbooks and stroke a donation to the first guy who comes begging.”

It’s the newspaper’s view that Mark Warner’s contributors are idiots who write checks to the first schmuck who asks.

I won’t argue.

But I will argue their claim that most campaign money goes to political consultants. Media Advertising gets BY FAR the biggest share of campaign money.

Saxman to unveil school choice group today

By J.R. | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | 10 Comments

Later this afternoon in Richmond, Del. Chris Saxman is set to announce the formation of “School Choice Virginia”, a non-profit organization that will advocate for legislative reforms in education, both at the state and local level, and increase awareness about the importance of school choice initiatives across the state.
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Obama in open disagreement with military commanders?

By J.R. | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Uncategorized | 4 Comments

First, there’s this report from ABC News:

Then, NBC News aired this before Obama arrived in Afghanistan:

Should Obama listen to his military commanders wishes of a phased withdrawal, not on timetables, or is it appropriate in his role as a potential commander-in-chief to be in open disagreement with military commanders?

Suffolk denying bloggers press releases

By J.R. | July 22, 2008
Filed Under Blogging | 3 Comments

Yesterday, I received an interesting phone call from Dave Forster of the Virginian-Pilot asking about the blog “Inside Suffolk Virginia“, an obviously local blog that covers mainly the goings-on in local government, which has had their request to receive press releases denied by the city’s press secretary.

Personally, this baffles me.

In today’s highly saturated media market, with many voices competing to be heard, including the established ones, why would any organization not want to find more avenues to communicate?
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NLS, VB Dems….BLOCKED!

By J.R. | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Blogging | 5 Comments

I have a friend who is currently traveling in China and tried to access several Virginia blogs from there. Of note, NLS and VBDems are blocked by the Chinese, but apparently BD goes through just fine.

On the contrary, the Virginian-Pilot firewall completely blocks BD, but all the others seem to be o.k.

I’m not sure what all of this means, if anything, but I’m sure one of you will tell me.

Were Del. Spruill’s votes on Del. Moran’s bills a conflict of interest?

By Brian Kirwin | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Democrats, Ethics, General Assembly | 3 Comments

House Rule 69 reads “no member who has an immediate and personal interest in the result of the question shall either vote or be counted upon it.” Members abstain when their employment has an interest in the outcome.

VPAP reports that Del. Brian Moran made payments to Del. Lionel Spruill throughout the year, including during the General Assembly session while Spruill was voting on bills patroned by Moran. “I am working for Brian,” Spruill told the Washington Post. Shouldn’t Delegates abstain from bills offered by their “employer?” Read more

McCain blames high gas prices on Obama in latest ad

By J.R. | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections, President | 2 Comments

Obenshain unloads on Kaine, Wagner

By J.R. | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Budget, General Assembly, Governor | 2 Comments

Update (Jun. 22): More from Garren Shipley

—–

If what might be the first direct shot at Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner before her soon-to-be-announced bid for Lt. Gov., Sen. Mark Obenshain, a Republican, levels Gov. Kaine and Wagner in his latest report to constituents, continuing on the theme started this weekend by Sen. Ralph Smith.

I would not be surprised for this to continue. Duck! Incoming:

“The Governor just announced that he made a little mistake - possibly a billion dollar mistake. I hate to say I told you so, but… Read more

Convention coverage sponsors

By J.R. | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Blogging | Leave a Comment

I wanted to thank the following donors for their generosity at helping sponsor Bearing Drift’s coverage of the Republican National Convention:

Del. John Cosgrove
Del. Tim Hugo
Ms. Thelma and Ms. Rosie Gilbert
Del. Sal Iaquinto
Mr. Patrick Salyer
Del. Terrie Suit
Mr. Amit Singh

After just one week, I am about half-way to my fundraising goal, so if you are interested in also helping, please consider a donation. A donation of $50 or better will result in a listing on the sidebar as a sponsor of the convention coverage.

Could Obama be a conservative choice?

By J.R. | July 21, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections, President | 1 Comment

Or are McCain’s policies just so out of whack with conservative thought that conservatives don’t really have a choice? George Will presents yet another set of arguments for why today’s conservative Republican is potentially alone on an island.