Decision Virginia

Local law enforcement pays hefty price for candidate visits

Virginia's role as a swing state came with a price. Every time the candidates rolled their operations into town, it required police agencies to work overtime to manage their visit.

There are actually quite a few levels of taxpayer dollars that go into a presidential candidate visit, some of them you'd pay for no matter where they go, like Secret Service protection. But locally the tab adds up because local law enforcement plays a big part in protecting the people, and managing the big crowds and traffic.

We inquired into just the cost to State Police, only part of the total. In most cases local police and sometimes fire and other services are needed. This is just State Police.

Here is what we found, from July to the end of October; VSP paid more than $85 thousand in overtime.

What were they doing? Plenty.

Like advance meetings with Secret Service, planning traffic routes and traffic control as well as coordinating and executing escorts. Those are those big motorcades that may have interrupted your commute. The also provide on- site security and protection.

But keep in mind, this is just the overtime. If State Police are assigned to a motorcade or candidate detail duty during their normal work hours it doesn't go into this total.

It also doesn't include meals, lodging or any fuel expenses connected to these special assignments.

The campaigns pay for much of the rally expenses on their own. Things like staging, facility rental and their own transportation are all paid for with campaign dollars. But for anything related to security, they do not reimburse the state or local governments one penny. 

That means you foot the bill. Perhaps another reason to be glad this election is over.

The full numbers are below:

(Provided by the Virginia State Police)

Dignitary Protection/Security/Traffic Control by Virginia State Police

Presidential Candidate Visits to Virginia

 

Week Ending…	Hours of OT	OT Paid by VSP
7/14/12	283.2	$9,054.82
8/18/12	190.1	$6,031.17
9/1/12	786.4	$24,486.32
9/8/12	191.5	$6,397.17
9/15/12	148.2	$2,349.05
9/29/12	122.5	$4,323.28

Above does include BOTH Democrat and GOP presidential campaign visits to VA.

 

Democrat Presidential Campaign Visits to VA:

Week Ending…	Hours of OT	OT Paid by VSP
10/6/12	160.8	$5,919.04
10/13/12	148	$4,395.89
10/20/12	313.1	$10,639.65

 

Republican Presidential Campaign Visits to VA:

Week Ending…	Hours of OT	OT Paid by VSP
10/6/12	210.9	$6,869.59
10/13/12	192	$3,659.67
10/20/12	31.5	$1,447.85

 

TOTAL OT costs from above: $85,573.50

2012 and what it means for the future

The 2012 election is in the books and it in many ways it was much like 2008. I was on the NBC12 morning show on Wednesday to take a look back on the results and see what the impact could be on the future.

Here is our conversation:

 

LIVE VIDEO — NBC's Brian Williams leads special coverage of Election Night on Tuesday, Nov. 6, from 6:30 p.m. ET to 3 a.m. ET.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The view from the ground

It is election day in America! For the second time in four years, Virginia will be one of the most competitive states in the country as we wait to see who will be elected the next president and vice president of the United States.

As has become our tradition on Decision Virginia, we want to see what you are seeing at your polling locations across Virginia. Tell me what you are seeing in the comments section, or send me a tweet or post on my facebook page.

Throughout the day, I'll keep updating this page with the "View from the ground" as we wait for the polls to close.

Get out there and vote!

THE VIEW FROM THE GROUND:

@drinlow Voted 2:00 at Lake Wood Manor in the west end & the line was non-existent. It was very long in the early hours however. #DecVA

@Brad_Franklin: not much of a crowd in the west end at the Columbian Center in Henrico’s 413th precinct. And we got Henrico stickers #ugh

@Dscott12R  pretty long line at Crenshaw elementary but they said it was slow compared to the morning.

@linren1984 voted at Randolph Community Center...in city. No wait, walked right up!

@oldfiddle4 around 12:30 at Smith Creek precinct a steady flow. Inside, a line that took about 15 minutes to reach officials. Good sign.

@MBHtweets co-wrkr waited in line hr then told got redistricted. no mail/notice. went to other location 2hr line. he left no vote #RICfail

@WiFi_Pirate I saw a woman storm out of Hungary Creek HS saying "I don't have time for this, I have to get to work." #GivingUpHerRights

@jtuckermartin: @BobMcDonnell in an hour long line in Richmond city. Waiting his turn.

 

@ktwood9497: 20 min wait in short pump. Never have waited in 13 years living here.

*this is me* @ryanobles:  I was number 1354 in my Chesterfield precinct. Small line and in and out in roughly 10 min. #DecVA

@AndrewFreiden: packed house here at "Derbyshire" in w. henrico. Thought I would breeze through. About 20-25 min #DecVA

JUST IN: My son weighs in on what is important this election day:

 

@Im_NAT_11: #DecVA longest wait ever @ Studley area location. Usually 2-3 ppl at this time of the AM, but 40+ today with line out the door.

‏@taotetek My wife says she saw multiple people get their voter registration cards challenged at battery park #rva #DecVA

@UpdateinRIC In line less than 10 minutes. #994 that voted at Beulah Elementary. Smooth and organized..... #rva

@rowseyej: #dominionplace poll

Tung Diep  Long line at Atlee HS but only took me 20 mins.

@TrevorDickerson Line was ~45 minutes at Shady Grove Elementary. #RVAVotes #DecVA #Henrico

@TheBenBrown: long wait this morning at AV Norrell School. I've been here for 30 mins, haven't moved much- maybe another 30 mins.

@jenlchilds: In C'field (Bethia) 15 mins total and that includes explaining every step to my 3 kids :) I'm a happy voter! #swingstate

@RWJ22:  busy early at the 413-Shenandoah precinct. Noticed a table of voters, getting upset due to some change of address issues delays. from what I was overhearing, it seemed to be a cause of the change from Richmond to N Chesterfield in the 23236 zip...

@RandyRVA: Been in line 15 minutes already, turned the corner and WHAM- easily 200 people ahead of me. #RVAvotes #decva #rva

@SaintWaitress: FBC on Monument is about 30 mins inside.

@garyreinhardt on the road. Drove by schools that look like they're open b/c of traffic around polling places.

Michael Kirkland Turnout is HEAVY........HEAVY...... HEAVY.

Russell Rusty Nichols: We were @Beulah Elementary, N.Chesterfield, n line @5:30 with about 200 other people. Got out, finished right @7AM. Also, someone got hit by an SUV crossing Beulah Road to get in line! It was so dark out, no lights, no police presence, but rescue got there very quick w/police & transported person to hospital. Hopefully, he will be OK, it was pretty bad. Voted & done! Alot of Obama supporters out here, @that time. I read your prediction & agree with you, it's going to be close!

@DaveBirckhead: Great voter turnout at Thompson Middle School this am! #RVAVotes #DecVA

@IrishBarrister Henrico/Ridgefield.

@LML8:  longest line I've ever seen in Prince George Co. - huge turnout. Parking spaces were few - not something you normally see here!

@taotetek:  battery park #DecVA polling place is hopping this morning - busiest we've ever seen it.

@MolleesPam: things were hopping in Beaverdam at 6am!!!

@nicoleintrovert:   Everything seemed to be smooth sailing at #413 Shenandoah in Chesterfield Co.

@nvrtweet: Good crowd in Chesterfield!

@Swieringo:  Line out the door at Chamberlayne Elementary poll @ryanobles All the good citizens waiting to vote!

@crazylikewhoa:Retreat Hospital has incorrect poll books. My husband says the line isn't moving.

Biden makes his closing argument in Richmond

Vice President Joe Biden hearkened back to the legendary Tip O'Neil story about the candidate who never asked for his neighbor's vote and therefore never received it.

In a fiery speech Monday night in Richmond, Biden defended he and Barack Obama's last four years in office and formally asked to be re-hired.

He also got one final blistering attack in on the Romney/Ryan ticket, before he flew home to Delaware to be ready to vote tomorrow morning.

 

Here is my full story for NBC12:

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT)- As the country gears up for Election Day, the candidates spent today crisscrossing the country making their closing argument to voters.

 For both sides that meant time spent in Virginia.

 Vice President Biden made it clear to his supporters at an event in Downtown Richmond, if he and President Obama win Virginia, they will win the election.

 It was an impressive way to conclude a campaign.

 "Four more years, four more years," a supportive crowd of 1,200 people yelled during a chilly rally at the Historic Tredegar Ironworks.

 The rally was complete with rock star John Mellencamp and his movie star girlfriend Meg Ryan.  

But beyond all the theatrics, Biden wanted to make sure you didn't forget what this campaign was up against.

"The differences are stark, they are stark,” he said.  “We have a totally different vision and value set than they have."

Biden drew the comparisons between those values with a blistering attack on Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, in classic "Biden style".

"Y'all learned what the word malarkey means;” he said to laughs “Well I heard a lot of malarkey."

Republicans, like Romney spokesman Curt Cashour argue that Biden and the democrats are forced to stay on the attack, because they can't defend their own record.

"A vote for president Obama is a vote for the status quo,” Cashour said.  “The fact is things are worse now than they were when he took office."

And with the minutes in the 2012 campaign ticking away, the effort to get voters to the polls becomes the focus.

In Richmond Monday night, Vice President Biden wanted to make sure people knew he wanted their vote.

"I came to ask, I came to ask, we need your help!"

read and see the full story on NBC12.com

You can see my report below:

NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News, Weather, Traffic  

My prediction for election day

I've decided to go out on a limb and tell you what I think will happen in tomorrow's vote. Before I reveal my prediction let me say emphatically this is not an endorsement of any candidate or an outcome that I am either hoping or not hoping for.

It is also not based on who I think is or is not the best candidate or designed to encourage you to vote or not vote for a certain candidate. It is simply my best assessment based on covering this race in a Swing State since essentially the end of 2009 and reading countless polls and the analysis of such polls.

While I believe the race is headed in a certain direction, I do believe it is historically close and every vote will count. It is quite possibly that I am very, very wrong.

But, I'm going out on a limb and here is what I think:

OBAMA 303  ROMNEY 235

Here is a look at my map courtesy of the handy "build your own map" at Real Clear Politics:

Obviously the most interesting thing to come from me as a Virginia based political reporter is that I am prediciting that President Obama will eek out a win here in the Commonwealth. This was something I didn't think was going to happen until this weekend, and I am not very confident in that prediction. However, a series of late breaking polls appear to be heading in the president's direction and while it is clear that the Republican ground game is leaps and bounds better than the McCain effort in 2008, I think when the dust clears the president will capture Virginia. It will be VERY close. Perhaps less than a percentage point win, but a win none the less.

However, it is my view that a win or loss in Virginia won't matter in terms of an Obama electoral win.

Virginia is a necessity for the republicans. For the democrats is running up the score. Gov. Romney has to win at least two, maybe three additional swing states in order to tip the balance to 270 in his favor. That means wins in places like Colorado and Wisconsin, Ohio or Pennsylvania. The polling in those states are all leaning in the president's direction. While I believe it is possible for Romney to pick off one of those states, winning two or three does not seem realistic.

Now comes the obvious question about the value of these polls. That is essentially what I am basing this entire prediction on. Unlike many of my journalistic colleagues who dismiss all talk about the oversampling of democrats in these polls I believe there is merit to question that methodology. Aside from one statistics class in graduate school at the Rockefeller College at the University of Albany, I am by no means a polling expert, but I think common sense would tell you that expecting the historic type of turnout that democrats brought in 2008 is unlikely in 2012. Many of these polls base their turnout margins, on a least in part, a 2008 model.

Yes, there is something to be said about these polls giving the president's supporters too much credit when it comes to turnout. If there is a surprise on election day, and that is absolutely possible, it will be in part because this polling data is relying to heavily on that turnout model.

However, even if you give Gov. Romney back some of that sample it only improves his margin a few percentage points in certain battlegrounds and not enough, in my view, to overcome the president's lead. I also believe that these polling companies rely heavily on being correct in their predictions and they probably know more than I do. Being that far off would be bad for business, regardless of who they want to see win.

So the next logical question is how does that impact the race for Senate in Virginia. I believe both George Allen and Tim Kaine have run their races incredibly well. There have been few, if any, mistakes made by either side. I believe this was in the beginning and continues to be a 50-50 race and I believe it will be completely connected to the turnout related to the presidential race.

That being said, I believe Kaine is positioned slightly better than Allen based on public polling. My sense is that in order for Gov. Allen to win, Romney needs to carry Virginia by 2 points or more.

If I am wrong about Obama winning Virginia and Romney wins by 2 or more points George Allen goes with him to Washington.  If the margin is less than 2 points or the president wins, Kaine is Virginia's next senator.

That is my take. I am happy to be proved wrong. Let me know what you think in the comments section or send me a tweet or post on my facebook page.

Again, let me reiterate this is only based on my view of the statistical information available. This is not about the quality of any candidate or their stance on the issues.

Make no mistake. While my Electoral College prediction looks like a big win, this race is VERY close. Every swing state will be decided by a small number of votes.

Tuesday night could be a long night.

Romney ignites a barbecue war in Richmond

If you were ever wondering what impact the Electoral College has on the race for president, today's line of attack by Mitt Romney and subsequent response from the Obama campaign are perfect examples.

(Mitt Romney visited a closed down Bill's BBQ)

The Electoral College system, which divides the states up into a series of individual contests, forces the candidates for president to dive down deep into local issues.  On Thursday Romney visited the shuttered Richmond institution Bill's BBQ, and released this web ad blaming at least some of the companies struggles on the Obama administration:

 

But while the owners of Bill's put their support behind Romney, another prominent Barbecue restaruant, Buz & Ned's defended the president. They say their business is thriving, in part to a series of small business loans provided by the federal government. Their latest one came during the Obama administration and allowed them to open a new facility in the West End.

The battle is one only a Richmonder could care about and it shows just how important this campaigns consider you vote.

Here is my story for NBC12:

CAROLINE COUNTY, VA (WWBT)- Not only are the candidates for president spending a lot of time in Virginia, they are now talking about issues that only people here would care about. In his visit to Caroline County, Mitt Romney launched a new attack against President Obama and used a Richmond based business to illustrate his point.

Sometimes it seems like the Electoral College turns people running for president into city council candidates.

Every vote in Virginia, and even Richmond, is so important they need to connect with you on something you are familiar with.

Like your favorite barbeque.

The clock is running out and the campaigns are pulling out all the stops. Mitt Romney rolled into an Exhibition Hall at the Meadow Event Park in his campaign bus. He then fired up the crowd.

"I know the president wants to see four more years and that is his chant 4 more years, 4 more years,” he said.  “But our chant is this, 5 more days."

It was a message loyal republicans in attendance wanted to hear, but the overall theme of the rally was much more than that.

Romney put a special emphasis on small business and he drove home that point by highlighting a Richmond based business.

This morning the Romney team released a web video, featuring the Richmond institution Bill’s BBQ. The business shut down completely a few weeks ago. The owner told Romney in a visit before the candidate came to Caroline, that the Obama Administration is to blame for at least part of her company’s struggles.

"She said taxes, federal regulation and then she also said Obamacare," said Romney during his stump speech.  "Those three things are crushing small business."

At its height Bill’s employed around 200 people. Now every single restaurant is closed. But not everyone believes that is Barack Obama's fault. Buz and Ned's another Richmond barbecue is thriving. They just opened a second location, thanks in part to a federal small business loan.

"We benefited directly from the government's ability to help small business," said Buz Grossberg, the Owner of Buz and Ned's.  "Through, the S-B-A, small business administration we have loans."

read and see the full story on NBC12.com

Here is the video from our story:

NBC12.com - Richmond, VA News, Weather, Traffic  

Albright stops just short of saying Clinton should run for president

There is no question that former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright has had a close relationship with the current Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Mrs. Clinton was the First Lady when Albright was at the State Department and the two have always have always been tight.

(We conducted a lengthy one on one interview with Albright at the NBC12 Studios)

"She was a wonderful kind of partner," Albright said of her work with Clinton when she was in the White House. "In terms of a lot of the issues, we did a lot of tag team stuff abroad in terms of women's issues and human rights."

As someone who knows how difficult the job of Secretary of State can be, Albright believes Clinton has succeeded and has proved to be a terrific compliment to President Barack Obama.

"Secretary Clinton has been a remarkable Secretary of State," Albright said. "I think she has shown something interesting in that people who may not have agreed on something in the primary can see themselves as partners and they have carried out a very good foreign policy together."

Albright obviously thinks very highly of Clinton, but couldn't provide any insight into whether or not the former First Lady had designs on returning to the White House as president.

"I have no idea," she said flatly when I asked if she thought she might run.

However when I asked if Clinton should run, Albright wasn't quite as emphatic.

"Well, I have always thought that she should, um.... do whatever she wants to do," she responded with a smile.

Clinton has stated publicly that she isn't interested in running for president. It seems that those who are close to her, haven't quite ruled the possibility out quite yet.

See an extended clip from our interview with Madeleine Albright below:

 

Albright was at an event for President Obama today in Henrico. We talked to her about a number of issues connected to the 2012 campaign, including her take on the Libyan tragedy. We will have more on that tomorrow on Decision Virginia.

Candidates set to resume campaign in Virginia

The 2012 campaign has been set on pause in Virginia as Super Storm Sandy ripped through the East Coast. Now that the storm has moved on, and the impact on the Commonwealth has been minimal, both campaigns for president are ready to get back to the business at hand. Especially with election day now less than a week away.

The republican nominee for president, Mitt Romney had hoped to visit Virginia last Sunday, but postponed his trip because of Sandy. Today his campaign announced a three stop swing to take place on Thursday. Romney will visit, Roanoke, the Richmond area end with a rally in Virginia Beach.

Romney's Richmond area visit will take place in Doswell at the Meadow Event Park. That is the same location where the State Fair takes place.

The candidate is asking for supporters to bring a food donation to aid in the recovery to Sandy.  

The full details are below:

Victory Event with Governor Mitt Romney

Meadow Event Park: 13111 Dawn Boulevard, Doswell, VA 

November 1, 2012, Doors Open at 11:45AM,  Event Begins at 1:45PM

Ticketing Information 

To RSVP and Get Your Ticket visit: www.mittromney.com/VA 

OR

Pick Up Your Free Ticket in Person at:

Henrico Victory Office: 2819 N. Parham Road, Suite 230, Henrico, VA 23294

North Chesterfield Victory Office: 9503 Hull Street Road, Suite D., Richmond, VA 23236

South Chesterfield Victory Office: 3610 Festival Park Plaza, Chester, VA 23831

-----------------------------------------

The Romney campaign will not be alone. First Lady Michelle Obama will visit Virginia on Friday, just a few days before the election. Her visit also includes a stop in the Richmond area.

Mrs. Obama will hold events in Hampton and in Petersburg. She will speak to college crowds at Hampton University and Virginia State.

Information on the VSU event can be found below:

PETERSBURG

 WHAT:          First Lady Michelle Obama Speaks to Grassroots Supporters in Petersburg

 

WHEN:    November 2, 2012    Public Access: 3:00 PM EDT

WHERE:       Virginia State University, 3200 Boisseau Street, Petersburg, VA 23803

Ticket information:

Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the following locations starting on Wednesday, October 31, from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM EDT, and will continue if tickets are still available on Thursday, November 1, from 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM EDT.

Organizing for America – Petersburg

612 S. Sycamore St Petersburg, VA 23803

Organizing for America – Chester

15714 Jefferson Davis Highway Chester, VA 23834

Organizing for America – Midlothian

713 N. Courthouse Road  Midlothian, VA 23236

Virginia State University – Daniel Gymnasium Box Office

1 Hayden Drive, Petersburg, VA 23806

Emanuel praises Obama on Sandy, defends him on Libya

It is not a surprise that Mayor Rahm Emanuel (D- Chicago) had nothing but good things to say about President Barack Obama when we were granted a lengthy interview with the former Chief of Staff this afternoon.

(Emanuel spoke to us from the Obama Headquarters in Chicago)

Emanuel is extremely tight with the president. The two both hail from Chicago, and served in the same delegation of members of congress from Illinois. He served as the president's Chief of Staff for roughly a year and half before mounting a successful run for Mayor of his hometown. Emanuel has seen President Obama in action when disasters hit and believes his cool demeanor helps everything run efficiently.

"You have now seen what a federal government can do to step in help cities and help communities," Emanuel said. "Even Governor Christie from New Jersey recognized this and thanked the president personally for it."

This week, democrats have attacked Mitt Romney for suggesting in the past that FEMA did not need to play as important role in disaster relief as it currently does. The republican has argued that local governments know their community best and should lead the recovery effort. Emanuel, now a mayor himself, agrees local leaders need authority, but believes it helps to have the global view that the White House provides.

"The federal government can marshall resources that every community and every government cannot do on their own," he said. "Only the Commander in Chief, only the president can make sure everyone is pulling their oar in the same direction."

While it is still too early to estimate the public's response to the president's handling of Super Storm Sandy, republicans continue to remain on the attack when it comes to the tragedy in Libya. Libya represents another example of a fast moving situation, where many different stake holders are in play, but the White House is the ultimate authority.

Republicans argue that the Obama Administration's response was slow and inconsistent and that decisions made prior to the attack on the Benghazi Consulate may have lead to the tragedy. Emanuel, who has been in the White House situation room, said we need to wait to see what the investigations into the incident reveal.

"What the president did is what a Commander-in-Chief needs to do," he said. "One- comfort those who lost families, two- order and entire review of what happened and three find those responsible and bring justice those responsible as he did with Osama bin Laden."

When pressed on the mixed messages from senior Obama administration leaders, Emanuel defended the response, saying that when multiple intelligence agencies are sending in information, it is difficult to get a clear picture of exactly what took place.

"It is evolving when you had an incident like that," he said. "What you shouldn't be doing is rushing to judgement on exactly what happened there."

It remains an issue still up for debate, but given the shortening campaign schedule it will be difficult for it to be fully vetted before election day, especially with the intense political spotlight. 

Our full interview with Mayor Emanuel, which includes his take on the direction of close battlegrounds in the midwest, can be found below: