Vindication – Deeds takes Democratic nomination in dramatic fashion

Chris Graham

When Creigh Deeds announced his candidacy for the 2009 Democratic Party gubernatorial nomination back in December 2007, it was not exactly with the full support of the Democratic Party decisionmaking set. The whispers at the time and for months after were that party leaders had been trying to persuade Deeds to make another run at…

Primary Day Live Blog

Chris Graham

Updated: 5:30 p.m. It’s Primary Day in Virginia – with voters flocking, ahem, to the polls to select Democratic Party nominees for governor, lieutenant governor and the House of Delegates. Join the AFP Live Blog today for news updates from the polls in the Valley and Central Virginia and statewide and to share your thoughts, observations, predictions,…

A real free choice

Chris Graham

George Waksmunski has seen it happen. “Workers are terrorized when they attempt to organize a union,” said Waksmunski, the national representative for UE Local 123 in Verona. “Bosses tell them from day one, You’re going to lose your job, the plant’s going to close, the union’s going to go on strike, you’ll get nothing, we…

Kent Willis | Remembering Jack Kemp for another passion: Voter-restoration reform in Virginia

Chris Graham

Much has been written about Jack Kemp since his passing a couple of weeks ago. Kemp was a former football star turned congressman who served as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development under the first President Bush and was the 1996 Republican vice-presidential nominee. He was a pragmatist who became well known for reaching across…

Greg Marrow | Facts and figures on unemployment

Chris Graham

Recently I read in the News Leader an attempt by Del. Steve Landes to explain away his rejection of the $125 million in federal stimulus money dedicated to unemployment insurance. Early on in his commentary Del. Landes states, “This would have been a permanent change to unemployment benefits.” As Steve Landes and everyone else in…

In the News

AFP

– Capitol Hill: Perriello sponsors earmark fundraising ban, posted Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. – State News: Park Service announces stimulus projects, including Shenandoah National Park project, posted Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. – State News: Planned Parenthood aims to provide Plan B emergency contraception to teens, posted Wednesday, 7:45 p.m. – Event: Arts Council to present Governor’s School…

Staunton Democrats set May caucus

AFP

The Staunton Democratic Committee has released a call to unassembled caucus to nominate candidates for Commonwealth’s attorney and city sheriff for Tuesday, May 12. 1. Call. Pursuant to the authority provided by the Virginia Democratic Party Plan, the Staunton Democratic Committee hereby calls an Unassembled Caucus to be held on Tuesday, May 12th, 2009, from…