Andy Schmookler: Bob Goodlatte’s bogus ‘big government’ theme

AFP

There’s too much dishonesty in American politics these days, and it’s disabling us from navigating our way into a successful future. My opponent Bob Goodlatte is part of the problem, and one example of this is his major campaign theme that we Americans need him and his party to protect us from some threat from “big government.” This argument obscures the truth.

Bob Goodlatte: Working for peace in the Middle East

AFP

The situation in the Middle East is exceedingly complex and instability continues to pose a threat to our security and the security of the entire global community. With an enhanced security threat from Iran, escalating violence in Syria and the Palestinian government’s alliance with the terrorist group Hamas, it is increasingly important that the United States stand firmly with our ally Israel.

Earth Talk: Global warming and extreme weather

Roddy Scheer

Dear EarthTalk: What is the scientific consensus on all the extreme weather we’ve been having—from monster tornadoes to massive floods and wildfires? Is there a clear connection to climate change? And if so what are we doing to be prepared? – Jason Devine, Summit, Pa. Extreme weather does not prove the existence of global warming,…

mark warner

Warner, Portman introduce DATA Act

AFP

U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) have introduced bipartisan legislation to improve and expand federal fiscal accountability. The legislation requires more standardized reporting of federal spending posted to a single website, allowing citizens and agencies to more easily identify improper payments, waste and fraud.

jim webb

Webb: Creative American leadership needed to resolve South China Sea disputes

AFP

Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) on Thursday chaired a Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs hearing where he called on the Administration to use American influence to discourage the use of military force or the unilateral expansion of sovereignty claims in East Asia, and to employ the “creative energy of our leadership” to seek the resolution of escalating maritime territorial disputes.

Analysis: Why is Kaine running behind Obama?

Chris Graham

Barack Obama has had a consistent small but relatively safe lead in the polling done in the Virginia presidential race over the course of the past several months. Fellow Democrat Tim Kaine, meanwhile, has been stuck in a virtual dead heat in his U.S. Senate race with Republican George Allen dating back to mid-2011. Begging the question, What gives?

Chris Graham: Tone deaf

AFP

Mitt Romney needs to get back into Bain mode. Fire everybody, maybe including himself, and start over. This time, it’s the campaign that is underperforming, most recently – and likely most decisively – in the tone-deaf response to the murder of Ambassador Christopher Stevens.