http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/ Daily news about Virginia politics and Virginia politicians. en-US Tue, 22 May 2012 21:27:45 -0400 http://www.typepad.com/ shad_plankhttp://feedburner.google.com http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/zUWYvexgDxM/rigell-hirschbiel-push-for-campaign-ad-agreement.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/rigell-hirschbiel-push-for-campaign-ad-agreement.html Democrat Paul Hirschbiel and U.S. Rep. Scott Rigell, R-Virginia Beach, opponents in the fall election for the 2nd District Congressional seat, exchanged letters Monday asking for positive campaigns. "Unlike candidates in many congressional races, Paul, you and I are not strangers," Rigell said in his letter to Hirschbiel. "We know each other. We respect each other. We believe the other is sincere in his desire to serve. That level of mutual respect presents us with an uncommon opportunity and a firm foundation upon which to engage in a far more civil and honorable debate, one deserving of those we seek to serve." Then he made his offer, saying "I propose we agree upon the following: We will not question the other's character, compassion or ethics.... Austin Bogues Tue, 22 May 2012 21:27:45 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/rigell-hirschbiel-push-for-campaign-ad-agreement.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/0OTq5YutMrE/what-gov-mcdonnell-said-about-homosexuality-and-judges-in-2003.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/what-gov-mcdonnell-said-about-homosexuality-and-judges-in-2003.html Virginia is again in national headlines thanks to actions taken by the General Assembly, this time the rejection of a gay judicial candidate by Republicans in the House of Delegates. The New York Times story includes a statement issued by Gov. Bob McDonnell on the matter, and points out criticism of the statement by Democrats: Gov. Bob McDonnell, a Republican, weighed in on the debate Tuesday, sending out a statement that implicitly condemned the vote, saying judicial candidates “must be considered based solely on their merit, record, aptitude and skill.” The statement also said Mr. McDonnell had “long made clear that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation is not acceptable in state government,” an assertion that his Democratic opponents say contradicts his own record.... Dave Hendrickson Wed, 16 May 2012 13:35:23 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/what-gov-mcdonnell-said-about-homosexuality-and-judges-in-2003.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/RTU98Kkua0M/ew-jackson-to-discuss-beatings-of-pilot-reporters-in-norfolk.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/ew-jackson-to-discuss-beatings-of-pilot-reporters-in-norfolk.html Republican Senate hopeful E.W. Jackson will appear on The O'Reilly Factor Wednesday night to discuss the assault of two Virginian-Pilot reporters last month. The host of the show, Bill O'Reilly, has run several segments about the beatings. A news release from Jackson's campaign said he would "challenge political leaders of all levels and party affiliations to "de-racialize" the problem of violence in our communities and realize these realize that these issues are really problems of values, lawlessness, the breakdown of the family and turning away from God." Austin Bogues Wed, 09 May 2012 16:28:03 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/ew-jackson-to-discuss-beatings-of-pilot-reporters-in-norfolk.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/_Pweo5deEUc/mcauliffe-says-hell-run-for-governor-if-warner-doesnt.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/mcauliffe-says-hell-run-for-governor-if-warner-doesnt.html Terry McAuliffe, the Democratic fundraiser and Clinton family friend, tells the Richmond Times-Dispatch that he is going to run for governor again -- unless Sen. Mark Warner runs. Then, he says, he'll be the first to endorse Warner. McAuliffe jumped into the governor's race in 2009, in what became a three-way race for the Democratic nomination. The two other contestants were Sen. Creigh Deeds and Rep. Brian Moran. Moran had spent years building a campaign network, and was considered the frontrunner. In the three-way race, Moran recevied about 76,000 votes, McAuliffe took about 84,000, and Deeds walked off with 159,000 votes and the nomination. The low-key -- some would say lackluster -- Deeds went on to get slaughtered by Republican Bob McDonnell. This election cycle,... Dave Hendrickson Mon, 07 May 2012 15:11:16 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/05/mcauliffe-says-hell-run-for-governor-if-warner-doesnt.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/59iB8Il5vWc/allen-kaine-will-make-hampton-roads-stops-this-weekend.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/allen-kaine-will-make-hampton-roads-stops-this-weekend.html The campaign for the U.S. Senate will be in full swing this weekend in Hampton Roads. Former Gov. Tim Kaine and former Governor and Senator George Allen both made speeches Friday in Hampton at the Virginia Transportation Construction Alliance convention. Kaine will speak Friday evening at the James City County Democratic Banquet, which is being held at the Williamsburg Hotel and Conference Center. Allen will be speaking Saturday night at the Virginia Federation of Republican Women Convention being held at the Williamsburg lodge. Austin Bogues Fri, 20 Apr 2012 16:32:09 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/allen-kaine-will-make-hampton-roads-stops-this-weekend.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/o_USxm2MErg/shad-planking-draws-conservative-crowd.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/shad-planking-draws-conservative-crowd.html Shortly after former Sen. George Allen gave the keynote speech at the 64th Annual Shad Planking, Chairman Robert W. Bain, told reporters he didn't think any Democratic candidates for statewide office were at the event. “I wish the Democrats were here,” Bain said. “It would sell more tickets. We are non-partisan. We don’t endorse.” In recent years, the festival which Allen heralded as the "pre-eminent bi-partisan political event in Virginia" has had a more Republican-oriented feel, according to Christopher Newport University political scientist Quentin Kidd. Allen kicked off his speech making a sports joke. "With the 2nd pick in the NFL Draft, the Washington Redskins select," Allen said, before cutting himself off. "Oops that's my brother's speech," he said, referring to his brother Bruce Allen,... Austin Bogues Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:30:04 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/shad-planking-draws-conservative-crowd.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/f22-CAyM_60/allen-arrives-at-shad-planking.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/allen-arrives-at-shad-planking.html Former Sen. George Allen has arrived at the Shad Planking with a long trail of supporters following him. Allen is the only speaker this year after event organizers said they didn't hear from his likely opponent, former Gov. Tim Kaine, by February's deadline. Kaine's campaign has claimed they were never aware of any deadlines to respond. E.W. Jackson, who is running for Senate in the Republican primary, said it was "unfortunate" event organizers only allowed one speaker. "We did ask if we could speak," Jackson said. Jackson said he'd spent the day talking with voters and was hopeful he could gain traction before the race was over. Austin Bogues Wed, 18 Apr 2012 15:25:59 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/allen-arrives-at-shad-planking.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/hlJTuGmaFls/were-out-here-at-the-64th-annual-shad-planking-in-wakefield-va-where-former-sen-george-allen-is-the-keynote-speaker-the.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/were-out-here-at-the-64th-annual-shad-planking-in-wakefield-va-where-former-sen-george-allen-is-the-keynote-speaker-the.html We're out here at the 64th annual Shad Planking in Wakefield, Va., where former Sen. George Allen is the keynote speaker. The festival, devoted to greasy fish and political chatter, is filled with campaign booths and lapel stickers. Among the more interesting sights so far is a three-week old lamb, in a Randy Forbes T-shirt, named Rambo. Austin Bogues Wed, 18 Apr 2012 14:57:34 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/were-out-here-at-the-64th-annual-shad-planking-in-wakefield-va-where-former-sen-george-allen-is-the-keynote-speaker-the.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/LnzslL_KEqA/rep-gordon-helsel-comments-on-budget-delay.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/rep-gordon-helsel-comments-on-budget-delay.html Lost in Tuesday's kerfluffle over the state budget was the relatively peaceful House of Delegates. As the Senate wrangled over the compromise spending plan, ultimately failing to pass it, the same compromise sailed through the House 77-19. Del. Gordon Helsel of Poquoson weighed in on his frustration with Those On The Other Side. “It’s a very difficult thing to understand as to how the Democrats in the Senate are able to hold the entire state of Virginia hostage over this budget. It’s a compromise. The entire state is in a quandary with no funding for judges, teachers, localities.” For the record, he's not optimistic that the issue will be settled today. UPDATE: As of 1:12 p.m., no action on the Senate on the failed budget.... Hugh Lessig Wed, 18 Apr 2012 13:07:44 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/rep-gordon-helsel-comments-on-budget-delay.html http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/shad_plank/~3/8Cv2N1c-9-w/does-the-state-budget-rise-from-the-dead-today.html http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/does-the-state-budget-rise-from-the-dead-today.html Welcome to the one-day reconvened session of the General Assembly, where lawmakers meet to consider amendments and vetoes sent down by Gov. Bob McDonnell. And on a personal note, it's nice to be blogging back on Shad Plank -- and on the day of the Shad Planking, no less! As the former statehouse reporter for the Daily Press, I helped start this blog back in the dark days before Twitter and Facebook and smart phones. I think Shad Plank was powered by coal back then. Ah, those halcyon days of budget stalemates and partisan bickering and Sen. Tommy Norment giving the in-your-face quote. I'm talking about 2001, when a dispute over the car tax dragged the session into overtime, without a budget agreeement, and Norment... Hugh Lessig Wed, 18 Apr 2012 12:07:46 -0400 http://hrblogs.typepad.com/the_shad_plank/2012/04/does-the-state-budget-rise-from-the-dead-today.html