08.31.09
VA-Gov: McDonnell opposed contraception in Regent U. thesis
AG Bob McDonnell, the GOP’s nominee for the ‘09 Governor’s race in Virginia, is currently enjoying a modest lead in the polls; but what are Virginia voters going to make of this?
At age 34, two years before his first election and two decades before he would run for governor of Virginia, Robert F. McDonnell submitted a master’s thesis to the evangelical school he was attending in Virginia Beach in which he described working women and feminists as “detrimental” to the family. He said government policy should favor married couples over “cohabitators, homosexuals or fornicators.” He described as “illogical” a 1972 Supreme Court decision legalizing the use of contraception by unmarried couples.
The school? Pat Robertson’s Regent University, best known for producing Bush Administration hacks like Monica Goodling. Of course, McDonnell now claims his thesis “was simply an academic exercise and clearly does not reflect my views.” But WaPo notes:
During his 14 years in the General Assembly, McDonnell pursued at least 10 of the policy goals he laid out in that research paper, including abortion restrictions, covenant marriage, school vouchers and tax policies to favor his view of the traditional family. In 2001, he voted against a resolution in support of ending wage discrimination between men and women.
Virginia is a Purple State, with a term-limited Democratic governor and two Democratic senators, narrowly going for Obama after supporting GOP presidential candidates for decades. These ultraconservative associations could cost him big time in NoVA (northern Virginia), the state’s fastest growing area and most vital swing region.
08.26.09
Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (RIP)
History will always remember you as being one of our best Senators and as a true champion for the working class and the poor. RIP Senator.
08.13.09
Thursday Morning Quick Hits
NJ-Gov…With polls showing him down in the race, Incumbent Governor Jon Corzine (D) has little choice but to begin to tarnish former U.S. Attorney Chris Christie’s (R) name. Luckily for Corzine, Christie has been giving him plenty of ammo. Most recently, Republican Strategist Karl Rove revealed that he was more involved in the U.S. Attorney firing scandal than he previously revealed and during that time, he talked to Christie about running for Governor. The one problem with that, is that U.S. Attorney’s aren’t supposed to take place in partisan political activites and one may now question how objective Christie was. There are already lawsuits and accusations about pay for play justice.
HI- Gov…Congressmen Neil Abercrombie (D) will be unable to use more than 900,000 dollars in his federal campaign treasury for the race so sayeth Hawaii’s state campaign spending commission. This set Abercrombie behind other candidates in terms of fundraising. Abercrombie should however, be able to close that gap rather quickly with his contacts and state star power without too much effort.
NV-Sen…with congressmen Dean Heller (R) staying out of the race, Nevada Republicans lack a big name to take on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid. Reid’s massive warchest may deter any real competetior from getting into the race.
NY-23…Dede Scozzafava has temporarily suspended her campaign due to a family illness. While this shouldn’t have a major impact on the race, this can’t be seen as a good thing for Republican chances to keep this seat.
PA-Sen…In a laughable poll released by Rasmussen, Former Congressmen Pat Toomey (R) takes the lead over Senator Arlen Specter (D) 48-36. Toomey also leads Congressmen Joe Sestak (D) 43-35.
CA-10…Lt. Governor John Garamendi (D) has the early lead in the race to replace Ellen Tauscher (D) in Congress. Garamendi lead in the poll with 26% followed by Republican David Harmer with 18. Mark Desaulnier and Joan Buchanon came in third and fourth with 15 and 12 respectively. Netroots favorite Anthony Woods places fifth with 9% of the vote.
