BREAKING NEWS: Sarah Palin QUITS as Governor of Alaska

This is no joke. Alaska Governor Sarah Palin has just announced that she will not be seeking re-election and that she will be resigning as Governor in a few short weeks. Here is the report from Fox News:





More to follow...

Q and A with Democratic Gubernatorial Candiate Creigh Deeds

I was able to get a few minutes with Senator Deeds as he was leaving. Here is my interview with the Democratic Gubernatorial nominee:

Creigh Deeds in Lynchburg Today and thoughts on events of the past few weeks

State Senator Creigh Deeds, Democratic nominee for Governor, is bringing his campaign to the Hill City this morning at 11:00 am at the Starlight Cafe on 5th Street. This will be the first Deeds event that I have attended in the campaign season. My hope is to get a few minutes with Senator Deeds to get a few comments and post as a Podcast, which will be a first for this blog.

Thoughts on recent events of the past few weeks:

There has been very little good news out there over the past few weeks, with the exception of the Primary Season coming to and end. Half a world away, Iran continues to be in crisis over their elections and what now appears to be significant voter fraud in more than 50 cities where the number of ballots cast exceeded the number of registered voters. Things have calmed down significantly, but this could be the calm before the storm. What is most significant is that these events have seen Iranian Women taking a big leadership roll in the protests and opposition.

Two prominent Republicans, Senator John Ensign of Nevada and Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina, have admitted to extra-marital affairs. Senator Ensign and Governor Sanford had been reported to both be exploring runs for President in 2012. Ensign was the Chair of the Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee and Sanford was the Chair of the Republican Governor's Association. Both have resigned from their respective post, dealing another blow to Republican hopes of a resurgence in 2009. The fact remains, the more self-righteous you are the harder the fall. The Republican Party, from top to bottom, keep stepping in it. They are proving that they are their own worst enemies.

Liberty University has finally figured out a solution to their bad press and publicity problems over the last month. Both the Democratic and Republican clubs on campus are recognized as unofficial campus organizations. There is more to this story, but all of this could have been avoided if they had not singled out the College Democrats. Again, and example of the hard fall of the self-righteous and being their own worst enemy.

Lastly, this week has seen the passing of entertainment Icons. Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, and Michael Jackson have all died this past week. Shockingly, both Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson dying on the same day. All three of these people were part of my childhood pop culture. It is going to be a little strange as we move forward after all their deaths. The Vegas Impersonator industry is going to see a huge increase over the next twenty years, as well as Elvis and Jackson sightings. May they all rest in peace.

Campaign Financial Reports: Statewide Candidates and House of Delegates (selected)

The financials are out for all the Gubernatorial Candidates and all have more than $500 K left to get them through June 9th. That’s the only thing that they have in common. Here’s the rundown for Statewide and selected House of Delegate races from VPAP:

PERIOD COVERING APRIL 1 - MAY 27

Governor

Creigh Deeds (D) – $ 678,428 raised $ 1.3 million spent $ 521,950 COH

Terry McAuliffe (D) – $ 1.8 million raised $ 3.0 million spent $ 1.18 million COH

Brian Moran (D) – $ 844,242 raised $ 960,892 spent $ 707,237 COH

Bob McDonnell (R) – $3.7 million raised $ 2.3 million spent $ 4.89 million COH

McDonnell is trying to bank as much money as possible while trying to fight the DGA and Common Sense Virginia for his support to turn away federal unemployment benefits. McAuliffe has the advantage going into the Democratic Primary where low voter turn-out is projected (less than 225,000). McAuliffe has the largest Field Staff and the most money to spend. He is better positioned to GOTV his supporters than Deeds and Moran. Then again, the Newspaper Endorsements have been adding up for Deeds. We’ll see on June 9th.

Lieutenant Governor

Mike Signer (D) – $ 141,690 raised $ 134,582 spent $ 183,562 COH

Jody Wagner (D) – $ 347,730 raised $ 487,719 spent $ 272,885 COH

Bill Bolling (R) – $ 448,075 raised $ 252,621 spent $ 928,707 COH

Bill Bolling will again be the Republican Candidate for Lt. Governor and has the clear money advantage heading into the General Election. Jody Wagner has outlasted all but one of the Democratic Candidates, Mike Signer. While Wagner has the name ID and money advantage, Signer has come on strong through the netroots and internet fundraising for having a late start in the Lt. Governor race. The big question mark here is who will win over the more than 65% of undecided voters as of the last statewide poll?

Attorney General

Steve Shannon (D) – $ 227,599 raised $ 141,459 spent $ 1.01 million COH

Ken Cuccinelli (R) – $ 116,319 raised $ 142,541 spent $ 134,622 COH

Steve Shannon has the definite money advantage heading into the General Election. Virginia voters will have a clear choice between the two. Ken Cuccinelli’s strong (extreme) social conservative politics are even hard for mainstream Virginian’s to stomach. Outlook points to a Democratic pick-up of the AG’s office.

House of Delegates

District 7: Del. Dave Nutter (R) $ 15,055 raised $ 6,839 spent $ 30,111 COH

Peggy Frank (D) $ 28,148 raised $ 11,682 spent $ 16,623 COH

District 17: Gwen Mason (D) $ 33,495 raised $ 8,986 spent $ 53,391 COH

Republican Candidate TBD

District 23: Del. S. Valentine (D) $ 83,059 raised $ 21,592 spent $ 171,199 COH
Republican Candidate TBD