Muldoon’s Web of Lies–Part One

Well, I am certain you have been receiving a litany of e-mails from each of the Republican statewide candidates recently. While they all seem to tout some sort of positive achievement, there is one candidate who has displayed a negative streak that no one else wants to touch or even analyze. Patrick Muldoon, who is running against Bill Bolling at the Republican State Convention, has been sending out last ditch desperation e-mails to the delegates for support. However, each of these e-mails is filled with many fabrications of Bill Bolling’s record as a legislator and as Lieutenant Governor. Bolling has been a tireless leader and public servant, who has a proven record on behalf of working on behalf of families, whether it is having a 100% pro-life voting record, advocating for school choice, and fighting for lower taxes.

Muldoon’s desperation keeps getting more interesting. Each day up until the Convention on May 30^th, Muldoon plans to send out an e-mail each day stating why he should be elected, along with attacking Bolling’s record. Today, the 9^th District, Muldoon’s home district, sent an e-mail out stating they are supporting Bolling, because of his dedication and service to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This e-mail also noted that they assisted Muldoon, when he ran for several public offices and failed to win, but he did not take their advice when they encouraged him to stop the attacks. If this is not a sign of desperation, I don’t know what else could be considered under this category.

The most recent fabrication is Muldoon’s recent attacks of the McDonnell/Bolling Energy Plan. Muldoon states in his e-mail that Bolling is taking a page out of Al Gore’s Global Warming Agenda by not signing Americans for Prosperity’s pledge to “oppose legislation relating to climate change that includes a net increase in government revenue.” The truth is that Bill Bolling has signed this pledge and remains devoted to ensuring that we address our energy needs in Virginia by utilizing offshore drilling, clean coal technology, and utilizing renewable resources. There is no correlation between the McDonnell/Bolling energy plan and Al Gore, so how can Muldoon claim this without proof.

Virginians do not need desperation or liars leading them, rather they deserve a honest leader, who will work tirelessly for them. Muldoon’s web of lies only hurts himself, not Bill Bolling, who is an effective leader.

**Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative

McDonnell/Bolling Energy Plan Released

The McDonnell/Bolling Energy Plan was released today with proposals of more energy and more jobs for Virginia. This plan will include a great focus on green jobs and promoting Virginia as the “Energy Capital of the East Coast.” With oil and natural gas located off the coast in Virginia, there would be more jobs created and this will assist in reducing our dependence on foreign oil.

Here are some of the highlights from the plan:

• Supporting Virginia’s coal industry and nuclear energy
• Expedite the permitting and approval processes for energy facilities
• Support affordable Energy Efficient improvements
• Improve Energy Reliability and Affordability through SMART Grids and Buildings

McDonnell said during his speech at Old Dominion University:

“This morning I traveled to Old Dominion University to launch our energy plan at The Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium. The Consortium is researching and developing the energy solutions of the future. However, to do this work for tomorrow they need the energy of today. And that is what our “More Energy, More Jobs” energy plan is about. We need more energy in Virginia at a reasonable price, and that means we must utilize all the resources available to us. Thankfully in Virginia the resources are plentiful, and if we fully develop them all we can be the “Energy Capital of the East Coast.”

McDonnell continued, “Right now Virginia is the second largest importer of electricity behind California. The time has come for bold action to harness the energy available to us today, while continuing to develop the energy sources of tomorrow. In a McDonnell administration we will safely drill offshore for natural gas and oil, and reap the significant economic benefits documented in recent studies. We will use a portion of the revenues from this effort to fund alternative and renewable energy research and development and a portion to fund transportation infrastructure. We will support Virginia’s coal industry which supplies 43% of our energy, creates thousands of jobs in Southwest Virginia and Hampton Roads, yet is under constant attack from national special interest groups. We will leverage Tobacco Commission funding to make Southside and Southwest Virginia a hub of energy research and development. We will expedite permitting and approval for new energy facilities to reduce bureaucratic delays in getting necessary projects underway. And we will make Virginia a national leader in the burgeoning field of green energy by establishing the Commonwealth as a “Green Jobs Zone” which will bring entrepreneurs, and the jobs they create, to Virginia. We need more energy, we need more jobs. We need our lights to stay on at an affordable price, while we develop our future energy sources. Our comprehensive energy plan will power the Virginia of today and tomorrow and create thousands of good paying jobs for our citizens in the process.”

Bolling mentioned the anticipated success from this plan.

“As Governor and Lieutenant Governor we are committed to supporting a comprehensive energy policy – a policy that recognizes the importance of developing new sources of energy, like wind, solar, biofuels and the like; while at the same time doing more to expand traditional sources of energy like nuclear power, clean coal, oil and natural gas, all of which are in abundance in Virginia.”

Bolling added, “As we all know, the most important issue currently facing our state is the need to get our economy moving again and create the jobs Virginians need to protect their economic security. We are determined to do just that. At the same time, we all know that our nation faces another important challenge, the need to protect our national energy security. Fortunately, we have developed a strategy to help our nation enhance its national energy security, while at the same time helping Virginians protect their own economic security.

There is no doubt that the energy crisis will be a difficult challenge, but there is no doubt that we need to be looking at common sense solutions in this economy.

**Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative and YR Dominion

Scenes from the YRFV Convention

The Young Republican Federation of Virginia Convention on Saturday was no doubt exciting with the news of Sandy Liddy Bourne stepping aside to join Pat Mullins in his quest to become the next Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, but there were also other speakers who spoke.

Dan Mitchell of Cato Institute and author of Global Tax Revolution: The Rise of Tax Competition and the Battle to Defend It spoke about our current fiscal crisis with the bailouts and out-of-control spending by the Federal government. Mitchell emphasized that there is no way you can have a good tax system with massive government spending.

Speaker Bill Howell spoke to the YRs about the upcoming House races throughout the Commonwealth. He talked about the dynamic candidates who are running, along with several races to watch.

Budget was the topic of the Legislative Panel, which featured Del. Mark Cole and Sen. Ryan McDougle. Both Cole and McDougle discussed the smoking ban was also another issue that the media focused on this session, and mentioned that it was an intrusion on our liberties. Cole indicated that the strange thing about this year’s session was that there were very few, if any, proposals on transportation. When asked what were the strong points of the budget, the contentious points, and how the stimulus funds were used, both Cole and McDougle gave interesting perspectives.

Cole: The best thing about this budget is that it cuts spending. We cut $2 million dollars out of the budget. Last year, we had to create a two year budget, and this year, we edited the budget. Kaine is a political creature: politics first, work second. Cole voted for the budget, as it was a reduction in spending. Included limits on growth of support personnel within our schools, effort to do away with a reduction in the sales tax collections from businesses. Took the stimulus money. VA was given $4 billion in stimulus, and it was divided in two parts. It will be used in next year and the following year’s budgets. This would prevent cuts in first responders and teachers. We are in a depression, not a recession. Excessive spending and excessive debt.

McDougle: Budget was challenging. We went through this process. Revenue estimates. What we are projecting to collect, included increases in personal income growth (15% for the Commonwealth), we need to create new jobs or salaries have to go up. We can’t take more money than we take in. McDougle voted against the budget last year (July 1-June 30th Budget span).

After the legislative panel, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and former Attorney General Bob McDonnell gave insightful speeches about their campaigns. Bolling delivered his remarks first to get the crowd of YRs fired up. Bolling said we need to move forward, instead of looking back at past, unsuccessful elections. During his speech, Bolling mentioned that the united ticket with Bob McDonnell at the top of the ticket will provide the direction of how we can win again. Bolling also discussed how we need to focus on energy, protecting our status as a right to work state, and having fiscal integrity.

Bob McDonnell spoke next by touching upon his initiatives to bring more jobs to Virginia and working on a transportation proposal to help improve a problem that has plagued Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads for years. McDonnell also addressed how to improve education, and he mentioned that we need more charter schools and merit pay for teachers. While money is important, McDonnell said education needed to be about accountability and higher education standards.

Later in the afternoon, after the Attorney General’s Forum, the YRs heard from Brendan Steinhauser of FreedomWorks, who gave a great grassroots activism training.

Overall, the 63^rd Annual Young Republican Federation of Virginia Convention was a success, and we look forward to playing a key role in the 2009 elections.

**Cross Posted at Crystal Clear Conservative and YR Dominion

Can Rick Boucher Kiss his Seat Goodbye?

The answer could be yes. After reading this article, it looks like Boucher could be tested by his recent decision to back Rep. Henry Waxman’s proposal to put a 20% cap on greenhouse gases. Waxman wants this passed by August, because greenhouse gases are a threat to the public, and it would place more regulations on cars manufactured here in the U.S., power plants and factories. It would also harm the coal industry.

Boucher represents the coalfields in Southwest Virginia. One would think that he would carefully consider this decision, as the coal industry is one of the largest manufacturers in that region. Additionally, this would raise energy costs significantly over time. If this legislation is passed, could there be a challenger on the horizon to face off against Boucher?

**Cross Posted at Virginia News Platoon

More on Bloggers Day

I know I am a little late in filing this, but I have had a busy week at work. On Wednesday, I had the opportunity to be invited to Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling’s Bloggers Day at the Capitol in Richmond. Since this was held during the veto session, there was quite a bit of excitement over what legislative proposals the General Assembly would be overriding, etc. While I know most of the bloggers in attendance, there were others that I did not meet until bloggers day.

First, Lt. Governor Bolling spoke to the bloggers about his re-election campaign and discussed the veto session. It was a open discussion that focused on the economic and energy issues facing Virginia. Bolling recently was featured in a Richmond Times-Dispatch article that discussed offshore drilling as a means of not only increasing energy, but bringing more jobs to Virginia.

After Bolling spoke, former Attorney General Bob McDonnell stopped by to discuss his campaign for Governor and his campaign. McDonnell discussed his jobs initiative and touched upon principles of limited government. During McDonnell’s discussion, he also touched on the topic of eliminating the state income tax and mentioned the success of this initiative in states like Tennessee. This would raise the sales tax, but it would definitely be interesting to see how this works in Virginia. There will be more on this later, but it was a good talk.

Once McDonnell left, it was time to head over the Capitol gallery. Randy Marcus, Bolling’s Chief of Staff was very gracious, as he accompanied us throughout the day. After being seated in the gallery, we found out that Senator Ken Cuccinelli would be introducing us on the floor of the Senate. It was so cool getting the glance at the Senate gallery and be recognized. Cuccinelli announced our group of “rabble rousers.”

Photo Courtesy of Rick Sincere

After visiting the gallery, we were treated to a nice lunch at Richbrau in Shockoe Bottom by Ford O’Connell and Steve Pearson of Project Virginia. It was great talking with other bloggers from across Virginia during lunch. Once lunch was over, we went back to the General Assembly building, where we heard from Chris LaCivita, Project Virginia, Bob Holsworth of Virginia Tomorrow, Del. Chris Saxman, and Paul Haughton. We heard about the 2009 races, new technology, and an update of the veto session. It was very informative, and I learned a lot. Unfortunately, my BlackBerry video recorder did not function quite as well as I had wanted. Rick Sincere had some great video from Holsworth’s discussion, as well as Del. Saxman’s discussion of the veto session.

We ended the day at Peking Restaurant with Randy Marcus of Lt. Governor Bolling’s office. It was a very enjoyable time, and a great way to end the day. A very special thank you to Lt. Governor Bolling and his staff for their gracious hospitality. I look forward to future blogger days in the future.

**Cross Posted at Virginia News Platoon

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Other bloggers in attendance at this event:
Bearing Drift
Virginia Conservative
Rick Sincere News and Thoughts
Leslie Carbone
Bryan Pick of QandO
Jon Henke of The Next Right
Rightside VA
Red Virginia
Skeptical Observor
Norm Leahy of Tertium Quids
Jason Kenney of J’s Notes
Steve Rossie of the Family Foundation Blog