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McDonnell Continues to Garner Praise

Here is the Wall Street Journal's take on the VA Governor's race:

Expect to start hearing a lot more about this: The Virginia’s governor’s race of 2009, as a test of whether Republicans know how to recover from a disastrous 2008 election cycle. “The guessing game about whether Republicans can bounce back is intensifying in Virginia thanks to the 2009 gubernatorial race–the first big political race of the Obama era,” writes Jennifer Rubin of The Weekly Standard. “Eight times since the 1970s, Virginia has elected a gubernatorial candidate from the party opposite to the one which captured the White House the prior year. Even aside from this historical trend, Republicans like their chances in Virginia.” Democrats, Rubin writes, “lack a dominating candidate like former governor and now senator Mark Warner or his successor, Tim Kaine, and are headed for a hotly contested primary. Former DNC chairman Terry McAuliffe is spending heavily to overpower two other contenders, Brian J. Moran, until recently a state delegate, and state senator R. Creigh Deeds.”

Republicans, meanwhile, “have already settled on a candidate, Virginia attorney general Robert McDonnell. He is a 21-year veteran of the U.S. Army, a father of five (whose daughter just returned from service in Iraq), a Northern Virginia native, and a Catholic. He is conservative on social issues, but known for his bipartisan, workmanlike approach as AG and for his attempts to forge a deal on Virginia’s knottiest issue: transportation. Republican strategists think they finally may have a candidate suited to win across the state….There is certainly nothing ‘Old Virginia’ about McDonnell. He appears to be the quintessential Northern Virginia businessman.”



Here's an excerpt taken from the Washington Post:

Democrats face a formidable opponent in Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, the GOP's nominee-to-be.

Unlike some past GOP candidates in Virginia, McDonnell starts the campaign with a unified Republican base.

McDonnell, who will run on a ticket with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), can spend the next 10 months reaching out to suburban voters in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. (He grew up in Fairfax County and has spent his adult life in Virginia Beach.) McDonnell also plans to reach out to African American voters.

Points for the Week: VCU Basketball Dominance, Moran Goes to the Left, and Thankfullness

My name is Lee Vogler, and these are my points for the week:

First off, congratulations to the VCU Rams basketball team who capped off a tremendous week with a victory at home over rival George Mason, that puts them in a tie with Northeastern for first place in CAA. As one of the screaming 7600+ fans at the sold out Siegel Center, I can say that the game intense to say the least. The previous Saturday, the Rams totally dominated their top rival ODU and then displaced Georgia State on the road later in the week. Now the Rams will host Northeastern on Tuesday night for a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU.

Senior Eric Maynor continues to show why he is one of the best Point Guards in the nation and sophomore power foward Larry Sanders is growing as a scorer with each game.


In political news, Virginia is starting to see the direction that the Democratic primaries are going to take in the Governor's race. Brian Moran is boldly placing himself as the "Left" candidate, by promising no offshore drilling, no coal plants, etc EVER. Creigh Deeds is running as the blue-collar Democrat, trying to get the rural vote. Meanwhile, Terry McAuliffe is running as the "outsider" who can hang with the big boys. While all of that is going on, Republican candidate Bob McDonnell is quietly gaining more and more support, and meeting with potential voters and talking to them about ways to help this state move foward and upward.


And finally I just want to say that sometimes in the sudden rush of this world, we forget to take a step back and realize what he have. We all do it. We live busy lives. But if you can, just stop for a moment and think of all you have to be thankful for. I'm sure there is more than you realize. Even when times are bad, they could always be worse. Perhaps if you begin to see things from a different view, your life will seem that much better.


Take Care,

Lee Vogler

Terry McAuliffe: Comedian? Yes. Governor? No.

Please watch the whole thing if you would. It gives you a good idea of the kind of person Terry McAuliffe is: a partisan mouthpiece who will say or do whatever it takes to promote himself. Including: lying, wearing terrible looking shirts :-) and claiming people's fathers are in heaven drinking a scotch, when in fact, they are still alive and well. Oh Terry, keep the laughs coming.

While Bob McDonnell was busy trying to help Virginia and it's citizens, Terry McAuliffe was drinking pina coladas in Puerto Rico.

McDonnell Pushes Tax Credits

Attorney General Bob McDonnell, the only Republican candidate for governor, wants to create a state tax credit of up to $250 per couple and $125 per individual for anyone purchasing school supplies. It would apply to parents of public or private school children, home schoolers and teachers.

McDonnell said he kept his legislative agenda light, so the legislature could focus on the $3.2 billion budget shortfall facing the state.

McDonnell stopped short of supporting a proposal by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to allow no-excuse absentee voting in Virginia, but he will propose a measure that would lower the number of registered voters needed to create a new precinct as a way of reducing the time voters wait in line.

McDonnell said he is neutral on the absentee-voting measure. He also would require an additional election official to arrive at the polling place an hour before closing time to assist in the final vote tabulation.

McDonnell also would amend the state's identity theft statute to make it apply to the theft of someone's identity to obtain loans or credit. Current law only addresses theft to obtain goods and services.

Points for the Week: Governor's Race Under Way, Arizona Cardinals and Cold Weather

First off, congratulations to the Arizona Cardinals. I must say that, although I am a huge Dolphins fan, I found myself rooting for Cardinals in the playoffs as well. The always loveable loser in the desert, the Cardinals fought their way to a division title and then shocked the entire football world with wins over Atlanta and Carolina. Today, the upset was complete with a 32-25 victory over the Eagles. So while John McCain may not have won the election, his Arizona Cardinals are one step away from being World Champions.

Meanwhile in VA politics, the Bob McDonnel campaign reported raising over $1.6 million so far, and having over $2 cash on hand. That is by far the most of any of the 4 candidates for Governor, including "Moneybag" McAuliffe. Bob McDonnell also has a Facebook page now, that people can add and view several videos, pictures, news, as well as a personal audio message to Facebook users from Bob himself.

And lastly, I just want to comment on this VERY cold weather we're experiencing in VA this week: it sucks. Seriously though, it seems that Jack Frost isn't done yet and we may just see some snow this winter after all. Hey, if it's gonna be cold, it might as well snow :-)

Take Care.

Lee Vogler

Terry McAuliffe: Putting Party First

By Lee Vogler


While Virginians will have to wait a few more months before knowing who will represent the Democratic Party and face off against Bob McDonnell for Governor, we can already take a look at what we are being offered. This week I'm going to focus on Terry McAuliffe, the former DNC Chair and fundraising extraordinare who recently filed papers to officially run for Governor.

We know what time it is. It's election time. It's "I'm running for public office so I'm going to say all the right things to get elected" time. It's "Let's pretend I didn't do most of those things I did over the past 20 years" time. And this can't ring more true for someone, than it does for McAuliffe. The man who once wrestled an alligator as a fundraiser, is now pitching a message of "unity" and "bipartisanship" that almost mimicks WORD FOR WORD speeches made by Barack Obama last year. To quote Hillary Clinton, who McAuliffe is a long-time servant of: "That's not change you can believe in. That's change you can xerox!"
For shame Terry, for shame.

So what can we expect from Terry McAuliffe? Well, to put it simple: anything. For those of you who thought Joe Biden was a riot last year on the trail, wait until you get a load of Terry McAuliffe. This guy has gaffe one-liners down to an art.

But let's not discredit McAuliffe completely. He does deserve some credit. After all, he did wrestle an alligator. What more qualifications do you need? In all seriousness, McAuliffe has been a monster fundraiser over the years for the DNC. His fundraising totals come in at around $900 million over the past 18 years. That's pretty astounding. But what did all that money do for anyone? Well it certainly did a lot for the Clintons, although it wasn't enough to get Hillary into the White House. But what has Terry McAuliffe ever done for the people? The regular, every day, working class people. Better yet, what has he ever done for Virginia period? The answer to that question is a little harder to find. In fact, I bet Google can't even answer it for you.

So, now that we know Terry McAuliffe: the fundraiser. Let's meet Terry McAuliffe: the comedian. Here's an appearance of McAuliffe on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, after the primaries were over. Is this the kind of guy you want running our state?

The Daily Show With Jon StewartM - Th 11p / 10c

Terry McAuliffe

Barack Obama Interview
John McCain Interview

Sarah Palin Video
Funny Election Video

WOW. The saddest part of that entire segment is that he wasn't joking. That wasn't a satire. That's the REAL Terry McAuliffe.

Now that the fun and games are over, I want to be serious for a minute. This election is going to be huge. Virginia needs help. We need a new direction. The past several years have not delivered on their promise. We cannot afford to send another partisan mouthpiece to Richmond to lead this state. Terry McAuliffe has never done anything for anyone outside of his own party. You're an independent? Too bad. It's Democrat or die. You're a Republican? Get out of town. You're practically none existent to Terry McAuliffe. Conservative Democrat? You better get in line with the party entirely or get out of the way. These are the lines in which Terry McAuliffe lives by. He knows nothing else. Now his handlers will continue to have him promote his "movement" message and try and tear pages from the Obama book, but we know better.

This election will not be determined by political parties. It won't be determined by who is Democrat or Republican. It will be determined by who Virginians feel best understands our state and who is best prepared to lead it into a new era. Unfortunately, Terry McAuliffe can't even find his way around Virginia, much less lead it. Bob McDonnell is prepared to lead. He has served this state admireably for many years now. He has the vision to move Virginia foward, while restoring the legacy of the past as well.

Points for the Week: VA Politics, Green Day and the NFL Playoffs

By Lee Vogler

Happy New Year Everyone! And so with the new year brings all kinds of exciting new things. In the world of music, 2009 will bring new albums from Green Day, U2 and the first KISS album in 11 years. I can honestly say that I'm excited about all 3 of them.

The movie world is going to bring a plethora of favorites for me including: My Bloody Valentine 3D, Friday the 13th and Halloween 2. I'm a fan of scary movies if you couldn't tell. There will also be another Terminator and Harry Potter movie this year for us to enjoy.

The NFL playoffs are in full effect and only 8 teams remain: Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, New York Giants, San Diego Chargers and John McCain's favorite, the Arizona Cardinals. Now as a Miami Dolphins fan, I must say that it's going to be a little sad this weekend not being able to watch my Fins take the field, but after a very surpising and successful 2008-2009 season, I cannot complain. I can only look foward to offseason and what it will mean for the next campaign.

My Super Bowl Pick as of right now:
Carolina Panthers vs San Diego Chargers
(How's that surpising and unconventional?)

In VA Politics, Terry McAuliffe has officially entered the Gubernatorial race. That leaves him to face off with Creigh Deeds and Brain Moran for the Democratic nomination. Meanwhile, Republican nominee Bob McDonnell is rolling strong and gaining more support by the day. It is anticipated that he will step down from his Attorney General position soon to fully focus on his bid for Governor.

Thanks to all of you who have supported this blog over the past year and to all of you who continue to pour in everyday. I hope you return. After all, where else will you find blog posts that feature Green Day, KISS, Harry Potter, the Miami Dolphins and Bob McDonnell all in the same post?

Take Care.

Lee Vogler