Virginia Campaign News - October, 17 2005 - Thread XXV - 3 more weeks

various | October 17, 2005 | various

[Corin Stormhands]

Weekly wrapup of Virginia Campaign News. Post 'em if you've got 'em...

Last Week's Thread:

Virginia Campaign News - October, 10 2005 - Thread XXV - 4 more weeks

From the RTD:

Daily Press backs Kaine for governor

Excerpt: The newspaper criticized Republican Jerry W. Kilgore for advocating voter referendums to decide tax increases and transportation funding. "Simple-minded populism, whether trumpeted by Kilgore or anyone else, is a dead end," the editorial said.

BUT, check out the Daily Press comments and endorsement of the Warner/Kaine transportation referendum of 2002. (see comment section)

Capital Punishment
Editorial
Virginians are told to trust Kaine on a key crime-and-punishment issue. In light of his past, can they?

[Corin Stormhands]

From several editorials about Governor Warner's proposed tax referendums under the banner "Where the Paper Stands." The Daily Press said the following:

[I can't get the full articles without a paid subscription]

September 30, 2002

Gov. Mark Warner turned feisty last week with opponents of the fall road referendums in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia. Good. There's a lot of nonsense being tossed around by those opposed to both ballot issues, and Warner should not hesitate to zestfully rebut it.

From November 6, 2002 following the defeat of the referendum.

You can argue 'til the traffic clears on a Friday afternoon that lawmakers were justified in giving voters the choice, through referendum, to assume a regional approach to working on Hampton Roads' transportation problems. But even many of those who supported the referendum muttered under their breath that this was the wrong way to run the state.

November 5, 2002

Within that context, consider the efforts today, in Hampton Roads and Northern Virginia, to address one measure of the state's revenue crisis -- that part that has left transportation needs unmet and unfunded. Think of the Hampton Roads referendum to raise the sales tax to pay for six priority transportation projects as a little Maalox to help ease the pain.

November 3, 2002

The referendum offers the people of Hampton Roads a new way to solve their problem: deciding locally what roads to improve, raising the money locally and controlling the projects locally -- through the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

So, Daily Press, which is it? Are you, like Tim Kaine, now changing your views for political expediency?

[Corin Stormhands]

If it's Monday, it must be pingage...

[R. Scott]

Virginians are told to trust Kaine on a key crime-and-punishment issue. In light of his past, can they?

Trust me – I’m a politician!

[Corin Stormhands]

Email I just received from the RPV:

"I also support a moratorium on the death penalty for many of the same reasons." -- Tim Kaine (Democrat Lieutenant Governor Primary Debate, 5/24/01)

Tim Kaine Is The First Major Party, Gubernatorial Candidate To Oppose The Death Penalty Since Capital Punishment Was Reinstated In 1976

Democrat Gov. Mark Warner (2002-2006) Supported The Death Penalty. "And when Richmond Mayor Timothy M. Kaine, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, said he supported a moratorium on the death penalty, Warner stepped forward to say: I disagree. I believe we need to make sure that the death penalty is carried out fairly. But I believe at this point there is not undue bias.'" (Craig Timberg, "A United and Divided Front; Va. Democrats Differ on Guns, Death Penalty, but Point to Core Agreement," The Washington Post, 6/14/01)

Republican Gov. Jim Gilmore (1998-2002) Supported The Death Penalty. "He was relentless in his defense of the death penalty. He drafted new state laws that sharply limit the time during which inmates can bring death-penalty habeas corpus petitions." (Garrett Epps, "The Outsider," The Washington Post, 8/15/99)

Republican Gov. George Allen (1994-1998) Supported The Death Penalty. "Five killers are scheduled for execution in Virginia during December, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported yesterday. The backlog is the result of chance as well as changes that have speeded up the court appeals process, according to Virginia Gov. George Allen, who has allowed 11 executions to proceed in Virginia this year and commuted one death sentence. I'm for the death penalty in appropriate cases,' the governor said." (Donald P. Baker, "Va. To Execute 5," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 12/1/96)

Democrat Gov. L. Douglas Wilder (1990-1994) Supported The Death Penalty. "He talks about preserving the state's right-to-work law and imposing the death penalty on drug dealers." (Michael Oreskes, "A Black Candidate In Virginia Runs For Office, Not History," The New York Times, 11/2/89)

Democrat Gov. Gerald L. Baliles (1986-1990) Supported The Death Penalty. "Tonight's execution was the fifth in the state since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976, and the first in the administration of Baliles, who campaigned as a proponent of capital punishment." (Donald P. Baker, "Va. Killer Executed As Appeals Fail," The Washington Post, 7/31/86)

Democrat Gov. Charles S. Robb (1982-1986) Supported The Death Penalty. "Robb repeated that there are certain types of crimes for which I simply feel there is no adequate alternative' to the death penalty." (Tom Sherwood, "Robb: Final Judge on Life, Death," The Washington Post, 5/9/85)

Republican Gov. John Dalton (1978-1982) Supported The Death Penalty. "Paul G. Edwards, Gov. John N. Dalton's press secretary, said yesterday that Dalton supports the death penalty but would consider any request for clemency on the merits of each case.'" (Stephen J. Lynton, "Death Penalty Left In Place For Virginia Prisoner," The Washington Post, 6/5/79)

Republican Gov. Mills Godwin (1974-1978) Supported The Death Penalty. "In addition to the mandatory sentencing bills, Godwin signed a measure that legislators have said will make Virginia's death penalty conform to recent Supreme Court rulings and one that adds killing a police officer performing his duties to the four other crimes that are punishable by death in the state." (Bill McAllister, "Bills On Criminal Sentences Signed By Gov. Godwin," The Washington Post, 3/30/77) While Tim Kaine Has A Record of Activism Against the Death Penalty ...

EIGHT Governors--Democrat & Republican--Over THIRTY-ONE Years--All Strongly Supported The Death Penalty!

[stuartcr]

This is what I received from the Kaine camp, after viewing what has to be one of the most distasteful political ads ever...
"Thanks for writing.

Tim Kaine has repeatedly pledged to enforce the death penalty as Governor. He has a faith-based personal objection to capital punishment, but knows that no Governor is above the law. He would not substitute his personal beliefs for the law of Virginia."

After watching the debate, I just don't see how I can possibly support Mr. Kilgore.

[Corin Stormhands]

If you seriously take Tim Kaine's word for it, you have more problems than Jerry Kilgore's debate performance.

[stuartcr]

If Kaine gets elected, we will see.

[Corin Stormhands]

Bank on it.

[stuartcr]

I am.

[RDTF]

I just saw on the DC NBC news that Kerry will be in VA campaigning for Kaine soon. (eyes rolling)

[Corin Stormhands]

Bring him on!

[Corin Stormhands]

From Tuesday's RTD:

Candidates speak to AARP
Senior citizens listen to Kaine, Kilgore and Potts addressing issues from taxes to health care
by Tyler Whitley
Virginia's gubernatorial candidates outlined their stances on senior-citizen issues yesterday, staking out positions on topics ranging from prescription drugs to tax incentives for home care.

Cheney helps Kilgore raise $750,000
Event at private home draws protesters; Potts endorsed by abortion-rights group
by Tyler Whitley
Vice President Dick Cheney helped GOP gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore raise $750,000 yesterday, while the nation's largest abortion-rights Republican organization endorsed independent H. Russell Potts Jr.

Money flows for McDonnell, Deeds
Attorney general candidates are well-funded as they head into campaign's final stretch
by Pamela Stallsmith
Republican attorney general hopeful Robert F. McDonnell brought in a record $821,006 last month, pushing his total so far to a new high of nearly $3.5 million for the job.

Deeds attacks rival's '04 vote
But McDonnell aide says boss was 'right' to oppose budget deal
by Michael Hardy
Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, candidate for attorney general, attacked his Republican opponent yesterday for, in effect, allegedly failing to endorse new dollars to help Virginia's law officers.

[Ligeia]

Real estate/business community donating heavily to Kilgore in the final days of September. They want to back the winner!


Kilgore flush from developers' late rush

By BOB LEWIS
Associated Press Writer Oct 18, 2005


RICHMOND, Va. - Republican Jerry Kilgore took in $1 million for his gubernatorial campaign in the final four days of September _ much of it in a late rush by developers, real estate and business interests.

The state's booming building and development industry continued to dominate political giving to the three candidates for governor last month, according to the latest state campaign finance reports.

Kilgore took in nearly $2.8 million during September, more than one-third of it from Sept. 27 to Sept. 30. The retail-business and real estate-construction sectors each accounted for about a quarter of his last-minute windfall, according to an analysis of State Board of Elections reports compiled into a computer database by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Democrat Tim Kaine, meanwhile, received $2.2 million for the month, but without a comparable end-of-the-month rush. The technology and communication sector of the economy barely edged real estate and construction as his top September benefactors, each at slightly more than $230,000.

continue: http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1128767618398&path=%21news%21vaapwire&s=1045855935241

[Corin Stormhands]

Today's news from the RTD:

Kilgore focuses on domestic violence
His new ad advocates tougher steps; Kaine targets urban sprawl
by Tyler Whitley
Republican gubernatorial candidate Jerry W. Kilgore changed the subject from the death penalty to domestic violence yesterday, proposing stiffer penalties for domestic abusers who violate protective orders.

Byrne attacked on immigration issue
In 1st TV ad, Bolling cites opponent's vote on in-state tuition
by Pamela Stallsmith
Republican Bill Bolling launched his first television ad yesterday in the lieutenant governor's race, attacking Democrat Leslie L. Byrne for "rewarding" illegal immigrants.

Rivals agree on aid to colleges
Kaine, Kilgore and Potts want to increase state spending on them by $340 million a year
by Andrew Petkofsky
Virginia's next governor hopes to increase state spending on public colleges and universities by $340 million a year.

The Sheehan Effect
Editorial
You remember Cindy Sheehan -- the grieving mother who camped outside President Bush's ranch in Texas. Her son was killed in Iraq. She became a war protester, and an instant celebrity.

[Hoodlum91]

I'm just tired of the spam from the Kaine campaign. I have no idea where they got my e-mail address, but it's quite a pain. (a Kaine Pain?)

[Corin Stormhands]

Heh...I committed some heinous crime in a past life and got on Hillary's mailing list. I take every opportunity to send it back at their expense.

Fortunately they don't have my email.

[StayAt HomeMother]

How can Kilgore's promise to exempt military retired pay from state taxation get more attention? This should be a "HUGH" vote-getter among the MANY Virginia retired military families, as well as those who plan to retire here.

[Corin Stormhands]

I don't know. I wish he had focused more on taxes in the campaign.

[Corin Stormhands]

Kilgore for Governor Car to Run at Martinsville Sunday
Hermie Sadler to Drive #66 Peak Performance Ford Taurus in Nextel Cup Subway 500

[R. Scott]

That'll bring in some votes!