In the News

Editorial: Return Perriello in the 5th District

10/24/2010
Anonymous

Tom Perriello has served his constituents and his country well. He has earned a second term.

If all voters "know" about Tom Perriello is that he voted 91 percent of the time for the Obama-Pelosi agenda, then they've unwittingly fallen victim to an intense brainwashing campaign born two years ago, at the precise moment Perriello was declared victor in the 5th Congressional District.

Republicans, and later their tea party arm, vowed to get the district back, and have since poured in liberal portions of money and misinformation. Perriello didn't flinch.

Liquor privatization plan headed for the obit page

10/24/2010
Anonymous

The obituaries for Gov. Bob McDonnell's plan to end the state liquor monopoly started rolling in before he acknowledged on Friday that he lacked the votes to call a special session. Critics wasted no time declaring the proposal dead.

If only it were that simple. It's not in McDonnell's nature to accept defeat, even if it's in his best interest. Like the hospital gurney in those creepy pharmaceutical commercials, the privatization plan is fated to shadow the governor for the next three years, getting hung in the Capitol doors and tearing up the executive mansion lawn.

Waugh begins TV ads; Perriello plans blitz in 5th

10/24/2010
Anonymous

Democrat Rick Waugh has begun airing two television ads aimed at Rep. Eric Cantor, R-7th.

Both are on network television in the Richmond area.

Waugh is seeking to unseat Cantor, who is seeking a sixth term and is in line to be the House majority leader if Republicans win control.

Post picks for D.C., Md., Va. congressional races

10/21/2010
Dave

Almost since it was created following the 1990 census, the 11th Congressional District in Northern Virginia, comprising eastern Prince William County and most of Fairfax County, has been represented by savvy, detail-oriented centrists of both parties. That was true of Thomas M. Davis III, a Republican who held the seat from 1995 to 2008, and it's true of Democrat Gerald Connolly, who was elected two years ago.


It's not true of Keith S. Fimian, the politically extreme, scantily informed Republican challenging Mr. Connolly.


McDonnell Defeats Himself On Booze Plan

10/20/2010
Anonymous

About a month ago, Speaker Bill Howell and Kirk Cox, the House Republican whip, strolled over to the Patrick Henry Building to tell Gov. Bob McDonnell privately what he refuses to concede publicly: that his proposal to get Virginia out of the liquor business is dead. 

McDonnell's de facto defeat on private liquor sales -- unlike his dreamy scheme, sunk by the BP disaster off the Gulf Coast, to pay for roads with royalties from offshore oil exploration -- is largely by his own hand. 

Hurt, Perriello square off in first TV debate

10/14/2010
Anonymous

The 5th District congressional major-party candidates slugged it out for 30 minutes yesterday in their first one-on-one televised forum.

Democrat Rep. Tom Perriello and Republican state Sen. Robert Hurt battled over Washington spending and policy, including the health-care overhaul, earmarks, balancing the federal budget, and the "don't ask, don't tell" policy on gays in the military.

Just three weeks from the Nov. 2 election, it was the first time the two squared off face-to-face over the issues driving one of the most closely watched congressional contests in the country. Recent polls show the race even.

Cranwell to step down as Democratic chairman

10/13/2010
Anonymous

The former delegate from Vinton will leave the post after the November elections.


Cranwell said Tuesday that he will stay on as chairman through the November elections and turn over the leadership reins when the party's state central committee meets in December.

"We have a great staff, a lot of talented people, and I think right now is a good time for me to transition out without doing any harm to the Democratic Party," Cranwell said in a telephone interview.


Sierra Club: McDonnell pursuing 'old energy'

10/12/2010
Anonymous

Richmond, Va. --
The Sierra Club said yesterday Gov. Bob McDonnell is pursuing an "old energy" path and recommended that Virginia develop incentives to encourage solar and wind power development and conservation.


The Sierra Club report, titled "Power Failure: How Virginia Is Losing the Competition for Clean Energy Jobs," was released on the eve of McDonnell's three-day conference, where he will promote his bid to make the state the East Coast energy capital.


Perriello accuses Hurt of dodging issues

10/11/2010
Anonymous

With just three weeks remaining before Election Day, U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello, D-Ivy, on Monday suggested Republicans had “given up on America” and challenged his 5th District opponent, Robert Hurt, to stake out clear positions on balancing the federal budget and job creation.


Warner: Talk up Perriello

10/10/2010
Anonymous

When U.S. Sen. Mark Warner and 5th District U.S. Rep. Tom Perriello knocked on doors of local residents Saturday to drum up support for Perriello’s re-election bid, it probably was no surprise that they heard about the area’s need for jobs.