One of the things I noted early on in the Virginia elections was the interesting concept that the NRA found both candidates for Governor – Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds, both – friendly to the 2nd Amendment. It’s true. When McDonnell and Deeds ran for the AG spot 4 years ago the NRA actually endorsed Deeds. He was A-rated right up until this past General Assembly when his support for “closing” the mythical “gun-show loophole” dropped his rating to a B, which still ain’t bad. McDonnell’s an A, however, and that’s why the NRA backed him for Governor.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is rated even better at A+ while his Democrat opponent Wagner was a solid F. Like McDonnell over Deeds, Bolling crushed Wagner at the polls. AG Ken Cuccinelli is likewise an A+-rated official and he stomped all over Democrat Steve Shannon, rated at a D.
Across the board in the statewide elections, defenders of Virginians’ 2nd Amendment rights won their races by commanding margins. It gets better, however, as David Kopel writes over at the Volokh Conspiracy:
In the Virginia House of Delegates, five Republican challengers with A ratings ousted Democratic incumbents rated F,F,B,B,B. A C-rated Republican also unseated an F Democrat incumbent. The House of Delegates already had a fairly solid pro-Second Amendment majority, so the major change in Virginia is a new Governor who, like former Governor and current Senator Mark Warner (Dem.), will sign rights-enhancing legislation passed by the legislature.
By far the most prominent gun control advocate on the ballot this year was Jon Corzine (F). This summer, Corzine twisted lots of legislative arms to win enactment of gun rationing (“one-handgun-a-month”), a silly law that is even sillier in New Jersey, where every handgun purchase requires advance permission from the local police chief. With Christie replacing Corzine, New Jersey gun owners can hope for benign neglect rather than active hostility. The New Jersey Assembly appears to be unchanged.
Yes, indeed. A good night for the 2nd Amendment. I’m looking forward to the General Assembly handling some long overdue business in support of our 2nd Amendment rights now that we have a Governor who will work with us instead of against us.
November 5th, 2009
Posted by
ricjames |
2nd Amendment, Politics, Virginia Politics |
2 comments
My focus for the past couple of weeks has been rightly on the Virginia elections but time does, indeed, march on everywhere and some of the items of interest to me that I had posted on previously had some updates. One of those was my commentary on the Justice of the Peace in Louisiana who had made a habit of denying marriage requests from interracial couples. As you may recall, I didn’t hold him or his position on the matter in high regard. Neither did LA Governor Bobby Jindal who called for an investigation and disciplinary action, including the revocation of the man’s license.
Back on Tuesday I saw this report putting an end to the travesty this man represented: JoP Keith Bardwell resigned his post. While I personally think that they shouldn’t have allowed him the time to resign, I’m happy to see him removed. The couple whose request brought this idiot’s actions to light have filed a civil rights lawsuit against Bardwell. I’m no fan of running to a lawsuit for any perceived offense but this is precisely the kind of situation that demands a lawsuit. Bardwell swore an oath to perform the duties lawfully assigned a Justice of the Peace. When you do that, you are expected to perform those duties where no law is being broken regardless of your personal feelings on the matter. If you can’t do that, you have no business being in the office. Bardwell clearly had no business holding the post he did and justice demands that his abuse of that post be answered, publicly and decisively.
November 5th, 2009
Posted by
ricjames |
Human Interest, Law |
no comments
(Virginia results map from the SBE)For a state we were told had “gone blue” last year, the map’s looking mighty red to me today. Of particular note are the 4 counties and 3 cities most people think of when the term “Northern Virginia” is used: Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties and the cities of Fairfax, Alexandria and Manassas. Of the 7 locations, only 2 – Arlington County and Alexandria – went for Deeds. Loudoun, Prince William, Manassas and – horror of horrors for the Dems! – Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax all went red for Bob McDonnell. While Fairfax County was close (51%-49%) all of the others were decisive and, I’m proud to say, Loudoun was especially so with McDonnell taking the election by 61%.
The election of Tag Greason as the Delegate for the 32nd District in Virginia’s House was the hands-down blowout performance of any of the local House of Delegates (HoD) races where the seat was contested. Dave Poisson’s campaign of deceptions and personal attacks blew up in his face, big time, seeing him lose to Greason 57%-42%. In a word: not-even-close. Crushing. Blowout. Busted-’im-up. And after seeing the slime this gentleman threw at Tag Greason, I have to say it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy. I’m looking forward to hearing about Delegate Ward Armstrong, the House “now-a-lot-bigger-of-a” Minority Leader, chewing on that one as Tag Greason gets sworn into office.
Poisson is reported to have thought Greason would need “a flood” of voters to unseat him. Should have spent that money on a life-vest instead of a bogus attack ad, eh, Mr. Poisson?
By the way, a concession and a congratulatory call are considered customary and good form when losing an election. Poisson has done neither and is refusing to return calls to reporters. I guess we’re all aware, now, of the caliber of the man’s integrity. Fair enough. Good riddance, Mr. Poisson.
Greason’s victory over Poisson was the star performance of the night for Loudoun’s HoD slate but it sure wasn’t a solo act. Every single District that touches on Loudoun County saw the Republican candidate either keep his seat or take it from the incumbent Democrat. I’m guessing that State Senator Mark Herring – Loudoun’s only General Assembly seat still held by a Democrat – is feeling like he’s suddenly developed a target-shaped tattoo on his forehead. Well, allow me to reassure him.
You have. And our GOP county chairmen have proven to be excellent marksmen.
As I said a couple of days ago, this was an excellent victory for my fellow Republicans. What we must do now is what Tag Greason said at his victory party on Tuesday night. Honor, he said, was doing the right thing when no one else was watching. Our Republican elected officials must display that honor and integrity as they go to Richmond to convene the General Assembly again. We ran on the issues and we attacked Democrats where they failed to address those issues, or addressed them wrongly. We cannot allow ourselves to fall into their bad habits. We must give the voters in Virginia all the reasons they’d need to cast their next votes in support of our ideas, our values, and our drive to handle what issues may come.
Update: In a note I got from Tag Greason, I learned that Dave Poisson apparently sent what Tag calls “a gracious note of congratulations” on Tuesday night following the announcement of the results. Good for you, Mr. Poisson. Shows some modicum of etiquette, even if that apparently eluded you during the campaign. Good luck in your private life, sir, and g’day.
November 5th, 2009
Posted by
ricjames |
Politics, Virginia Politics |
3 comments
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