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Tim Kaine puts a hold on executions pending supreme court case
2008-04-02 20:07:00 Governor Kaine has put a moratorium on all executions in Virginia pending a supreme court ruling on the constitutionality of lethal injections. It’s time for Conservatives to pick a side. They cry and holler over stem cell research and a women’s right to choose but they’re all for murder and “playing God” when it comes to the death penalty. So which is it? Gov. Timothy M. Kaine ordered the moratorium on Tuesday in delaying the scheduled April 8 execution of Edward Nathaniel Bell until July 24. It is the 30th such stay of execution nationally since September, when the Supreme Court agreed to hear a Kentucky case that challenged the constitutionality of lethal injections. Other executions are not being scheduled pending the ruling, expected in late June. “That’s the pattern all over the country–dates are not being set,” Richard Dieter, executive director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said Wednesday. Since the Supre...
By: Too Progressive
The Impact Of Endorsements
2008-02-07 06:57:00 In the wake of Tuesday's de facto national primary, how much did endorsements really matter?The most obvious case study is in Massachusetts, where Barack Obama had the support of Senators Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, with a combined 70 years of service for the state, as well as Governor Deval Patrick. Though Obama trailed by huge margins just a few weeks ago, recent polling had him closing fast. Clinton, however, won the state by 15 points last night, 56%-41%. The Obama campaign will note that he had a significant deficit to make up in a short amount of time and that Kennedy was used more in other parts of the country. Still, a loss is a loss and the size of this one is somewhat surprising--something that is certainly not lost on the Clinton campaign. When asked if she could compete next week in Virginia, where Obama has the support of Governor Tim Kaine, Clinton said, "I recall the governor and both senators in Massachusetts endorsed my opponent. I think we'll do fine."Kenned...
By: Political Realm
Gubernatorial Watch: News And Notes
2008-01-08 20:34:00 IndianaThough previous polling has shown Republican Governor Mitch Daniels (pictured) in trouble against two Democratic challengers, new figures suggest his lead may be more comfortable than first believed. Daniels holds double-digit leads over former Congresswoman Jill Long Thompson and architect Jim Schellinger, though he fails to break 50% against either challenger. We'll have to wait for further polling to confirm whether these results are outliers or a more accurate assessment of the race.MissouriRecent polling shows Democratic Attorney General Jay Nixon (pictured) maintaining a small lead over Republican Governor Matt Blunt, 47%42%. The two campaigns have also been forced to return millions in donations to comply with renewed campaign contribution limits. The decision, backed by the state Supreme Court, will force Blunt to return more than $4 million and Nixon $1 million. Those returns will even the play field significantly for Nixon, who had been trailing Blunt's fundr...
By: Political Realm
On The Trail: Barack Obama
2008-01-03 18:19:00 More than 1,000 potential caucus-goers braved freezing temperatures to listen to Barack Obama's closing argument Tuesday in Council Bluffs. As has become customary at any political event in the area and around the state, attendees were greeted by Ron Paul supporters holding signs and asking passersby to "Google Ron Paul."Volunteers were out in droves, making sure they got the address and phone number of ever person to walk through the doors. A large sign adorned the wall, providing locations for the local caucus precincts and contact information in case anyone was unsure of where to go.Virginia Governor Tim Kaine, who endorsed Obama this summer, was one of the lead-in speakers. Kaine spoke of electability and red-state appeal, claiming that Barack Obama would be the candidate to expand the map to places like Virginia, which hasn't backed a Democrat since Lyndon Johnson.Obama took the stage about 30 minutes after the announced start time (about the standard delay for events this...
By: Political Realm
Virginia Congresswoman Dies
2007-10-08 06:47:00 Republican Congresswoman Jo Ann Davis of Virginia died Saturday, losing a battle with cancer. Davis was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and had recently been recovering from a second bout before her health seriously declined in recent days. She was 57 years old.Davis was first elected to Virginia's 1st District, on the Eastern border, in 2000--the second woman to serve in the House from the commonwealth. She had served on the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees."It was my great honor to serve in the United States House of Representatives alongside my friend, Jo Ann Davis. She fought for, and embodied, the core values of Virginia," noted fellow Virginia Congressman Eric Cantor.A special election will be scheduled by Governor Tim Kaine. The district is reliably Republican, with Davis consistently winning re-election by a comfortable margin.
By: Political Realm
Senate Watch: Virginia
2007-09-11 23:15:00 When Republican Senator John Warner announced his retirement a week ago, few were surprised. The veteran lawmaker and former naval secretary turned 80 in February, had done raised only a few thousand dollars for his re-election bid, and was doing little to quiet retirement speculation. Warner's announcement did, however, open the field in what is likely to be one of the highest profile Senate races in the country.On the Democratic side, the field seems clear. Mark Warner, the popular former governor, is said to be considering a run. Term limits (no one can serve consecutive terms as governor in Virginia) forced him from office in 2006, yet Warner was seen as one of the rising stars in the Democratic Party. He ruled out a presidential run in late 2006, but remains a potential running mate for the eventual Democratic nominee. With no guarantees to get on the ticket, however, Warner seems inclined to abandon such aspirations for a Senate run. The bid wouldn't be Warner's firs...
By: Political Realm
Obama Endorsed By Virginia Governor
2007-02-19 19:44:00 Virginia Governor Tim Kaine has endorsed Barack Obama for president. The announcement official came Saturday, though rumors began to circulate in the middle of last week. The two are said to have a strong relationship--Obama campaigned for Kaine in 2005 and new Virginia Senator Jim Webb in 2006.An endorsement from Mark Warner would have been far more intriguing and unexpected. It is believed that many of the major political donors and operatives that were prepared to work for Warner have moved to the Obama campaign. Warner, however, seems likely to withhold any endorsement until after the nomination is wrapped up. As a potential VP candidate, he would not want to cross himself off of anyone's short list.Link: Discussion on Raising Kaine, a Virginia-oriented political site
By: Political Realm
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