We have not yet begun what people usually think of as the campaign season. Instead most think of the campaign season as just having ended. Yet the truth is that political campaigning going on now is highly important. When you think of the money just in that notorious “economic stimulus bill,” even what President Barack Obama spent campaigning for the White House becomes trivial in comparison. Moreover, Congress has just begun fattening up a $410 billion dollar omibus spending bill. At the same time, the General Assembly in Richmond, Virginia, is planning on the stimulus bill to offset the loss in tax revenues. Who knows what strings the Federal Government will attach to “its money.” Only here in Prince William County are our elected officials seriously considering the possibility of a reduction in government spending (see here, here and here).
From the Candidates
Representatives and even the candidates themselves came to speak.
When their campaign representatives spoke up, they made it clear that the Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling campaigns are working together as a team. While McDonnell lacks any competition for the Republican nomination, Bolling does face a contender, Patrick Muldoon. Muldoon himself came to speak at this meeting. Muldoon made a short, but good speech, promoting himself as a Christian Conservative. He said he would fight to:
- To protect the right of the unborn to life.
- For limited government.
- For religious freedom.
- For free market principles.
- Second amendment liberties.
- Against wasting resources fighting Global Warming.
Author’s note: Muldoon’s reference to himself as a Christian Conservative probably upset as many people as those who enjoyed hearing the reference. When it comes politics, most Republicans want voters to know that they act upon their religious beliefs. Almost all political candidates, however, avoid anything that might suggest they believe God is on their side. Thus many Republicans will call themselves a Christian and a Conservative, but few will define their Conservatism as Christian. I suppose Democratic Party politicians may themselves Secular and Liberal, but few call themselves Secular Liberals for similar a reason.
John Brownlee‘s father spoke at the meeting on his son’s behalf. He spoke eloquently of his son’s record as a prosecuting attorney. Since his son is running to be Virginia’s Attorney General, he emphasized that this background was directly applicable to the job.
Bob FitzSimmonds spoke up on behalf of Ken Cuccinelli. FitzSimmonds spoke of Cuccinelli’s conservative record. He noted that Cuccinelli has been a consistent champion of Conservative values.
Bob Marshall provided feedback on the General Assembly. At the time, the General Assembly was still in session (now adjourned). Lets see how the items he mentioned turned out.
- The Virginia Senate wanted to include Federal monies from the “economic stimulus bill” in the budget. Marshall pointed out that no one has read the stimulus bill, and no one knows what strings are attached to that money. Marshall noted that some states, and he specifically mentioned Gov. Bobby Jindal, are concerned that accepting Federal monies makes states dependent on Federal funds to fund state programs. What passed?
The budget uses $1.5 billion in federal stimulus money to help offset a $3.7 billion shortfall, but deep cuts will hit an array of programs and services as Virginia faces one of its worst financial crises of modern times. (from here)
- Marshall advocated a bill (HB1658) that would prohibit political campaigns from accepting cash cards (aka stored value cards). These cards allow purchasers to untraceably donate large sums of money to political campaigns without being traced. The legislation passed in the House, but Democrats succeeded in opposing passage of the legislation in the Senate. He noted that Obama raised large sums from these kinds of donations.
- Discussed the method President Barack Obama used to win the election. He said Obama bought workers for a door-to-door campaign. He said that based upon this experience the Democrats strongest gubernatorial candidate is Terry McAuliffe. McAuliffe is the strongest fund raiser (see here, for example).
- Marshall, again citing the experience of the last election, also pushed a voter ID bill (HB2509). The legislation failed passage out of the House. Marshall lamented that some people got confused about bill and thought it would somehow help illegal aliens.
Ralphael Lopez introduced himself as a candidate to replace Delegate Jeff Frederick, now the RPV Chair. Although he is only 25, Lopez emphasized that he has been politically active in the town of Dumfries, Virginia. His opposition is likely to be Amy Frederick. Lyle Beefelt, the PWCRC chair, noted that this House of Delegates seat will be the Democrats prime target.
Corey Stewart and John Stirrup also took the time to speak to the group. As noted in this post, Stewart and Stirrup are fighting for a tax decrease. Stewart pointed to Prince William County as a bastion of freedom and limited government. He said people want to see their government work and do its job. He asked members to contact their supervisors. Stirrup added that raising taxes during a recession is wrong. He spoke with some concern about the efforts of the Obama White House to gather power to itself, citing it unprecedented effort to control the next census. Even Democrats are concerned. They did not vote for socialism and 3/4 trillion dollars in debt. “This is not the change they expected.”
