Free Republic

Virginia Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Ralph Northam is drawing criticism after appearing to refuse to shake the hand of Republican opponent E.W. Jackson on Thursday. “I was happy to have an opportunity last night to sit with my opponent and Les Smith at NewsChannel 3 to discuss the issues in this race,” Jackson said in an email to supporters Friday. “But I was disappointed when, after he focused so much on what divides us, Ralph Northam refused to even shake my hand.” After the debate concluded on WTKR, Jackson can be seen extending his hand to Northram. The Democratic...

Senator Hillary Clinton campaigned for Democrat Jim Webb today in Virginia's U.S. Senate race. At a fund-raising appearance today in Alexandria, the New York senator praised Webb -- a former Republican -- calling him an independent voice to stand against President Bush's Iraq policies and the Republican Congress. The former first lady and 2008 Democrat presidential contender brushed aside a magazine article Webb wrote in 1979 that said women can't lead men in battle and decrying their admission to military academies. Clinton said the article was written 30 years ago. She said Webb opened up "thousands of positions" to women...