Warner: Time to run for White House may have passed
Fourth in a four-part series
A popular governor, an even more popular United States senator, Mark Warner is on everybody’s short list as a top contender for president in 2016.
Warner himself, though, thinks that his time to make a run for the White House may have passed.
“I didn’t know when I didn’t run in 2006 that on a statistical basis that was probably going to be my best shot. You’re still going to be a long shot, but it was probably the best chance,” said Warner, who made an exploratory run at the 2008 Democratic Party presidential nomination before deciding to bow out of that race, citing among other things his desire to be able to have more time for his family, including his three then-teenage daughters. Read more
Chris Graham: Is McDonnell’s point moot?
Republican voters continue to toy with the idea of nominating a social conservative to run for president this fall.
The GOP establishment, meanwhile, is trying to position itself to be able to take advantage of the only thing that may be working in their favor.
“I am extremely concerned by recent reports that oil and gasoline prices continue to rise and gas could reach an average of $4.25 a gallon by April,” Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said in a political statement released today. Read more
Children’s Choir invited to sing at the White House
The Shenandoah Valley Children’s Choir has been invited to sing at the White House Christmas Tours on Dec. 21, according to Yvette Peake, choir manager.
The acclaimed children’s choir, now in its twentieth year, had applied for the honor in April 2011. “We were thrilled to get this invitation in mid-November and had almost given up on this working out,” said Julia White, Artistic Director and Founder. “We are ready to go, with repertoire, uniforms and red capes for this extraordinary invitation.”
The SVCC will sing in the East Room of the White House while visitors are passing through for Christmas Tours. Although some tours are open to the public, the SVCC’s time slot of 4 – 6:30 p.m., Dec. 21 is closed for security reasons.
“The last time we were selected we sang for Senate and Congress families but we don’t know who will be coming through while we sing this time,” said Ms. White. Read more
I Love The ’90s, Part Two
Are we about to reprise the pendulum swings of the Gingrich-Clinton era?
Report by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Might we see a repeat of 1994 in 2010? The short answer: yes. Next question: Might we then see a repeat of 1996 in 2012? Well, maybe.
“For all the trouble Barack Obama’s had lately voters still prefer him to any of the top Republican contenders for 2012,” said Dean Debnam, president of Public Policy Polling, which polled 743 registered voters in February and found the Democrat Obama leading all of the top potential 2012 Republican Party hopefuls at this very, very early stage more than two and a half years out from the November 2012 presidential election.
An Obama win might have to come after a November 2010 switch in majority-party status in at least the House of Representatives, which would mirror the Republican takeover of Congress in 1994 that was followed by the re-election of Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1996.
An analysis from the University of Virginia Center for Politics released last week suggests that Republicans could be poised to gain 37 seats in the ’10 midterms, which would put the GOP within hailing distance of taking majority control of the legislative chamber. A switch of 40 seats from the D column to the R column would give the Republicans the majority in the House. Read more
State of the Union: A Virginia perspective
Edited by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Everything you wanted to know about the State of the Union, but were afraid to ask.
We have the full texts and videos of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address and Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell’s Republican response. We also have reactions from Sens. Jim Webb and Mark Warner, congressmen Tom Perriello and Bob Goodlatte and Democratic National Committee Chairman Tim Kaine.
Enjoy.
President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address
Madame Speaker, Vice President Biden, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:
Our Constitution declares that from time to time, the President shall give to Congress information about the state of our union. For two hundred and twenty years, our leaders have fulfilled this duty. They have done so during periods of prosperity and tranquility. And they have done so in the midst of war and depression; at moments of great strife and great struggle. Read more
Whaddya Think? Health-care reform
Moderated by Chris Graham
freepress2@ntelos.net
Health-care reform is on life support, and the hand is reaching for the plug.
Share your thoughts – good, bad or indifferent.
Whaddya Think? Comment below.
Forum moderated by AFP editor Chris Graham.
Wolf to Obama: ‘Please stop these releases’
Congressman also calls for public release of info on detainees
Staff Report
Rep. Wolf online: www.wolf.house.gov
10th District Congressman Frank Wolf is again calling on the Obama administration to halt the release of Guantanamo Bay detainees to countries like Yemen in the wake of an attempt by a man with ties to extremist groups in Yemen to detonate an explosive device in a passenger jet over Detroit on Christmas Day.
“I implore you again to immediately halt these releases and answer the questions of the American people about your policies and who you are releasing. They deserve to know,” Wolf wrote in a letter dated today to President Obama.
“It is inconceivable that you would release terrorist detainees to Yemen and Afghanistan at the same time you are launching missiles at terrorist targets. Please stop these releases.” Read more
