Decision Virginia

Moran to step down as DPVA chair

Democratic Party Chairman Brian Moran will soon step down as party chair. The party released the news this morning. 

Moran pledged to serve through the 2012 election and is prepared to hand off the party leadership to someone else to steer through the upcoming statewide elections.

Connected liberal blogger, Ben Tribbett is claiming that among those who will announce their candidacy will be Del. Charniele Herring. Herring is a rising democratic star who made a name for herself during the last the legislative session.

UPDATE: Herring announced on twitter this afternoon that she is indeed running for DPVA chair.

Herring, ironically, was elected to her seat in the House of Delegates after Moran stepped down to run for governor in 2009.

Herring was a prominent voice against republican efforts to pass "personhood" legislation and a law that requires women seeking an abortion to undergo a mandatory ultrasound. Herring's vocal opposition to the legislation garnered her national TV appearances and made her a statewide political name. 

Herring is said to be considering an eventual run for statewide office, which if she were successful, this position would be a launching pad toward that goal.

According to Tribbett, Herring's candidacy has been endorsed by Terry McAuliffe the former DNC Chairman and current candidate for governor.

McAuliffe's campaign did not respond to our requests for comment.

While democrats have had great success in Virginia during presidential election years, their effort in statewide elections have been disappointing. Not only did democrats lose all three statewide posts in 2009, they also lost seats in both the House and the Senate in '09 and 2011. 

If Herring were to announce her candidacy, her election to the post is not given. It is ultimately up to the DPVA voting members to decide. However, if Herring is truly McAuliffe's nominee and he is able to clear any potential opposition, it could indicate how just how much control McAuliffe has taken over the party and how clear his path to the nomination may be.

However, despite Herring's ambition Sen. Mark Warner, who played a major role in the selection of Moran in 2012 would still have a say. Warner is also considering a run for governor and there is nothing to indicate that this news has any bearing on his intentions.

Senator-Elect Tim Kaine may also want a say in who becomes the next party chair. Unlike current Senator Jim Webb,  Kaine is active in party politics and it is reasonable to think he'd like to have some input. 

Moran's tenure as party chairman has had its highs and lows. He was out of the political spotlight after a failed bid for the democratic nomination for governor in 2009. He took over as chairman in December of 2010 after democrats lost three congressional seats.  From the start Moran was dogged by questions about his work as a spokesman for the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities and right before this election, his nephew Patrick Moran was caught on tape appearing to give someone advice on how to commit election fraud.

In terms of winning elections, Moran has had one bad year and one good one. In 2011 they lost control of the Virginia Senate and gave up seats in the House of Delegates. However it is hard to argue with the outcome of 2012. Moran was part of the team that delivered Virginia for Barack Obama and sent Tim Kaine to the Senate.

Moran is a young man (53) and is still considered ambitious. This may not be the last we hear of him.

 

Kaine ready to bargain to get things moving in Washington

It was perhaps his most important campaign promise and maybe the one that resonated the most.  Senator-Elect Tim Kaine vowed from the time he announced his intention to run for the U.S. Senate that he wanted to find ways to compromise.

After defeating former Senator George Allen, Kaine is now just a few months away from making good on that promise. Given his emphasis on compromise, it was no surprise that Kaine focused quite a bit on that topic in his post-election press conference.

Here is my story for NBC12:

RICHMOND (WWBT)- One of the big winners in last night's election was former governor and now Senator-Elect Tim Kaine. Kaine is ready to head to Washington and forge something that hasn't been seen much in that town as of late compromise.

Dressed casually and with a voice a touch hoarse after more than a year on the campaign trail, Tim Kaine told reporters he is ready to go work.

"The thing we most need to in both houses of congress is really commit to compromise and working together," he said.

Kaine, who edged out former Senator George Allen, in part because of that bi-partisan message, said with issues like the looming fiscal cliff and sequestration battles ahead, compromise is needed now more than ever.

It is something he was able to do as governor.

"We disagreed plenty,” Kaine said of his dealings with republicans in the Virginia General Assembly. “But we maintained the relationship and the friendship that if we disagreed about something today we could find something to agree about tomorrow."

Virginia's newest senator enters a body facing historic levels of dysfunction. It is an atmosphere that despite last night's election, is not that much different.

The man who started his career as a Richmond City Councilman is hopeful a few new faces can have a positive impact.

“There is nothing that magic about it,” he said. “We just need to add more voices to that common ground caucus that is what it is going to take."

Kaine is hoping to join that group of senators looking to work with the other party, but his new partner Mark Warner may be getting out.

read and see the full of the story on NBC12.com

Our report can be seen below:

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

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  

Constitutional amendments on Virginia's ballot

Two constitutional amendments will be on the ballot next week. One is a formality to allow the General Assembly to adjust its calendar to accommodate a Jewish Holiday.

The other involves eminent domain and is very controversial. Andy Jenks took a look at both sides of the argument.

Here is his report for NBC12:

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

You can see the entire language of both constitutional amendments below:

Amending Section 11 of Article I of the Constitution of Virginia

Amending Section 6 of Article IV of the Constitution of Virginia

They will also be printed in their entirety in several major newspapers.

Here a full press release from the State Board of Elections with more information:

SBE ENCOURAGES PREPARATION FOR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

RICHMOND, VA –   There will be two constitutional amendment questions on the ballot for all registered voters.  The State Board of Elections requests that voters make an effort to become familiar with these proposed amendments prior to arrival at the polling place, which will reduce the wait in line and make the voting process more efficient.  The proposed amendments may be found in their entirety on the State Board of Elections website at www.sbe.virginia.gov and also in the following major publications:

 Daily Press

El Tiempo Latino

Richmond Times Dispatch

Roanoke Times

Virginian Pilot

Washington Examiner                                                           

Washington Post

Washington Times

Additionally, the text of the constitutional amendments was printed in all publications with a circulation of at least 7,000 within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

In-person absentee voting continues through this Saturday, November 3, 2012.  Please check the websites of the local voter registration offices or call ahead to determine the hours of operation in specific localities.  To be eligible to vote absentee it is necessary to be registered to vote and meet one of the 19 qualifying absentee reasons.  Please remember to bring an acceptable form of identification to the voter registration office if planning to vote absentee.

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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  

Cantor defends his record and promotes Romney

Rep. Eric Cantor is right smack dab in the middle of 2012 election on many levels. Not only is he a high profile supporter of Mitt Romney, but he is also working to help grow the GOP majority in the House of Representative across the country.  That is all of course in addition to his efforts to defend his own seat in Congress. A battle that means fighting off a fierce challenge from democrat Wayne Powell.

(We taped our interview with Rep. Cantor in the NBC12 studios)

Cantor has not sat back and allowed Powell to attack unanswered. He has offered his share of attacks aimed at Powell and he has forcefully defended his own record in Washington.

We talked to the Congressman about all of these issues in a recent interview, an excerpt of which aired Wednesday on NBC12 First at 4.

You can see our uncut conversation below:

  

 

Our interview with his challenger, Wayne Powell can be found here.

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

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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:

 

Powell remains on the attack in the closing days of the campaign

E. Wayne Powell, the challenger to House Majority leader Eric Cantor, is not backing down in his attack of the powerful republican in closing days of the campaign.

Powell has not been afraid to challenge Cantor on the perceived influence his financialsupporters may have on his work in Congress, a lack of accessibility for his constituents and his prominent role as the republican leader in Washington. Powell has hammered that message home in a sizeable TV ad buy, a relentless push on the campaign trail and through national TV apperances by himself and his charismatic campaign adviser Dave "Mudcat" Saunders.

Saunders recently appeared on Chuck Todd's "Daily Rundown" on MSNBC.

(Powell was live on NBC12 First at 4 on Tuesday)

 Powell continued those attacks in a live appearance on NBC12 First at 4. You can see that interview below:

 

We also taped an interview with Rep. Eric Cantor. We'll air a portion of that conversation ont Wednesday on First at 4.

 

Hurricane Sandy cancels Romney's remaining Virginia events

The GOP Nominee for president, Mitt Romney, has decided against braving degrading weather conditions on the East Coast and canceled his two remaining events in Virginia set for Sunday.

Romney had scheduled a three stop swing through the Commonwealth on Sunday that started in Northern Virginia, included a visit to the University of Richmond and ended in Virginia Beach. The campaign canceled the Virginia Beach stop on Friday.

Saturday, after consulting with Governor Bob McDonnell, they decided to just cancel the entire swing. Romney will got to Ohio, which is increasingly seen as the state that will decide the election, instead.

McDonnell called Romney's decision "prudent".

"We have been in regular communication with the Romney campaign and they determined that it would be best for public safety in the state that they cancel their events," McDonnell said.

It seems that the decision was as much about drawing public safety personnel away from the disaster recovery as it was about the safety of the campaign and its guests. Presidential campaign visits require a great deal of police and fire department cooperation and the McDonnell administration suggested to the Romney team that they didn't want to be left short staffed if things got ugly.

McDonnell was grateful.

"I thank them for this decision and appreciate their concern for public safety in Virginia," he said.

In leiu of a visit, the Romney campaign is asking its supporters to donate bottled water and non-perishable food to help recovery efforts once the storm blows through. The campaign will then provide the supplies to local resoucre centers in need.

If you are interested in donating the Romney campaign web site has more information.

It is hard to tell how this will impact Romney's campaign in Virginia. While many polls show him with an edge, he is by no means a clear favorite. This swing was designed to pump up his standing in the polls. However a trip to Ohio, which is increasingly becoming a vital battleground, won't hurt him either.

The big issue for the Romney team is that time is running out. Depending on how bad this storm ravages Virginia, a return visit to the state may not be possible until after Halloween at the earliest.

In fact the Board of Elections is already preparing for power outages extending all the way to election day.

Sandy proves that no matter how much a campaign prepares, you never know what can happen.