April 2010

Appointed replacement Hamilton Town Council member Brent Campbell got some attention in the town elections post below for all sorts of meddling in the new LCRC.  Then I saw his profile in the Washington Post candidate information piece (I couldn’t find it online), where it lists his occupation as land acquisition for Toll Brothers, the huge residential development company.  Here’s a link to Hamilton Town Council candidate profiles at the LTM, he mentions land acquisition there, but not Toll Brothers.

We’ve always known there’s been an unholy alliance between land developers and the far-right social conservatives, and this guy is the latest nexus.  What is absolutely mind-boggling is how politically inept he and his masters are if they think this path is going to win them anything in Blue Ridge District.  Campbell apparently orchestrated the sacking of Ben Belrose for fellow developer LaCrock, and is also “interviewing” potential candidates for Blue Ridge supervisor.  Who appointed him kingmaker of Blue Ridge?  And are you people really that stupid to think that having Toll Brothers in charge of Republican politics in western Loudoun is anything but a disaster in the making?  Unfortunately, with this crew, I do believe they are indeed that out of their minds.

Yesterday Florida Governor Charlie Crist declared his intentions to run as an Independent, and yesterday I took a long time to reminisce: how did we get here? I offer to you that without the power of the web, Marco Rubio would not be the defacto Republican nominee.

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Snow was on the ground when I first met Marco Rubio back in 2007. At that point, he was the relatively unknown Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, who flew up to New Hampshire to assist Governor Huckabee’s Presidential campaign. A year ago, as I was watching the Florida Senate race unfold to its recent movie-esque dramatic crescendo, Marco Rubio was an asterisk in the polls. After all, how could the former Speaker of the Florida House compete against the incumbent, popular, cash-cow that was Governor Charlie Crist?

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And then on May 18, 2009 the NRSC endorsed Crist over Rubio, and many in DC (and even some in Florida) thought the race was over. I remember multiple posts and articles in summer 2009 speculating that it was Rubio who would drop out.

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An example:

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With Republican front runner Charlie Crist trouncing Rubio in fundraising and Rubio trying to bat down rumors he’ll drop out to run for attorney general, the staff shakeup is likely to fuel new questions about Rubio’s long-term viability.

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Amazing how things can change, huh?

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While I don’t agree with Erick Erickson on approach, I have paid very close attention to this race (disclosure: I was an NRSC staffer for all of 2009), and I believe the rise of Rubio was mostly fueled by the online-right, not just specifically RedState, but a conglomeration of organic, unorganized, online tea-party activists, and righty-blogs.This coalition was critical to the success of Rubio’s campaign, carrying his message and helping to raise money via small dollar donors, even when he was being significantly outraised by Governor Crist.

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At the writing of this post Marco Rubio had over 61,000 Facebook fans, compared to Crist’s 15,000. While Fan #s don’t always translate into support, in this case it appears to be a glaring statistic showing the natural tendency of the conservative netroots to sway Rubio’s way. What would have happened to the Florida Senate race if blogs, web video, and web fundraising hadn’t been a factor? It’s a question that will never be answered, but in hypothetical land, I think Marco would have had a much harder time getting his message out.

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Would love to hear feedback and thoughts. Are we at a point in 2010, where immense support from the internet and netroots can counter establishment money and endorsements?

FCRC Chairman Anthony Bedell released his Leadership Team for the 2010-2012 cycle this afternoon.

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The full list is available after the jump, but I wanted to take a few moments to highlight some of the changes from the past leadership team.  First, you’ll notice that there are quite a few new positions for the 2010-2012 cycle.  I think adding these positions is a great idea, as a Committee the size of the FCRC really needs to have a lot of involvement from its leadership, and spreading the amount of work over a larger number of people makes everything easier on everyone.  We’ve got an incredible amount of talent in this committee and I’m glad to see so many activists included.  One of the areas I am especially happy to see given greater attention is outreach.  My good friend Terrence Boulden will be heading up African-American outreach, and there are outreach coordinators for Latinos, Chinese, Women and Veterans.  You all know that I am easily frustrated by the Democratic attacks on the Republican party as being bigoted and racist, and I am looking forward to Terrence, Sasha Gong and the other coordinators to aggressively recruit new Republicans.  The FCRC represents a diverse group of activists and I am happy to see us focusing on outreach to a variety of  different key constituencies in Fairfax County.

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You’ll also notice my name is on the list.  I’ve accepted the role of Communications Director for the Committee.  I’m excited to be able to volunteer my time to help Anthony and the rest of the leadership team as we work to elect Republicans across Fairfax County.  Given that my role represents a “public face” of the FCRC, I am, from this point forward, going to recuse myself from any more online advocacy of primary candidates for office.  As you know, I’ve been vocal about my stance on the 11th District primary.  However, it would be inappropriate for me to be handling communications for the FCRC while continuing my advocacy of a candidate online.  My endorsement still stands, but I am not going to actively comment on that or any other primary within Fairfax County.

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I encourage everyone to come to the May 4th FCRC meeting at Robinson High School where Chairman Bedell is going to brief the entire Committee on the new leadership team and his vision for the next two years.   It’s a meeting you won’t want to miss!

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Last night, one miner was killed and another remains missing after a roof collapse at a mine in Kentucky.  The mine, operated by Alliance Resource Partners, was one of the most dangerous in America, having earned 321 citations, 35% more than Massey Energy’s Upper Big Branch mine that killed 29 in West Virginia earlier in April.  It ranks 7th on MSHA’s list of mines with the most “significant & substantial” citations.

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Alliance is an Oklahoma based mining company with mines in Indiana, Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, and West Virginia.

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As I noted three weeks ago, coal mining remains one of the most dangerous jobs in America.  I sincerely hope that the inspection efforts the Obama Administration is undertaking in response to the Big Branch mine disaster earlier this month will help make these mines safer for the men and women who work them.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the lost men.

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The House of Representatives is set to vote today on H.R. 2499, the Puerto Rican Democracy Act.  If enacted, the bill will provide for a Puerto Rican plebiscite to determine whether they wish to remain a commonwealth territory of the United States, want to become a sovereign state “in association” with the United States, want full independence, or want to petition the Congress for statehood.  Now, I’ve already gotten one hyperventilating email from RPVNetwork today and I’ve noticed that some of the conservative bloggers out there are jumping up and down about this bill, acting like it came out of nowhere and will guarantee statehood to Puerto Rico, which apparently is a horrible idea.  Fortunately, there are other conservatives who have actually read the bill and recognize it’s a good bill and one worthy of Republican support.

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Personally,  I support the bill 100%.  Puerto Rico deserves the continuing opportunity to determine their own future.  In an effort to provide a response to the conservatives who are apparently having a knee-jerk reaction against this bill, let me debunk a few of the myths that seem to be floating out there.

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Got this in the email from a TC reader:

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THE ATROCIOUS CRIMINAL AND TRAFFIC RECORD OF DIMITRI KESARI

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Folks in Loudoun County know Hamilton Town Council candidate and Planning Commissioner Dimitri Kesari as a sharp tongued activist quick to vilify those he disagrees with.  Judging from his criminal and traffic record, he is also well known to law enforcement.

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Since April of 2000, Mr. Kesari has amassed 50 demerit points for 11 traffic offenses and two class one misdemeanor criminal convictions, a total of 13 offenses.  Since 2000, he has been fined $2,153 and ordered to pay $707 in court costs.   Most of his convictions were for speeding, but he also has safety and registration convictions.

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Dimitri’s two criminal misdemeanor convictions were for reckless driving (2008) and driving on suspended (2009).  Each of these offenses is punishable by up to twelve months in jail.   In Virginia, the criminal offenses of reckless driving and driving on suspended have the same punishment range as petty larceny, misdemeanor sexual assault and driving under the influence.

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His convictions were mostly in Loudoun County, but he was also convicted of disregarding the criminal and traffic laws of Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Arlington County.

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Dimitri’s worst year was 2009.  He amassed 18 points in nine months. He was stopped for speeding 74/55 on December12, 2009, just three days after he was convicted of speeding 73/55 on December 9, 2009.

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2008 was also notable.  In less than three weeks, Mr. Kesari received 10 demerit points.

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DMV takes your license for ninety days if you receive 18 points in twelve months or 24 points in twenty four months.

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Mr. Kesari’s license suspension was likely due to points and not to nonpayment of fines.  Dimitri always paid his fines and costs and always skipped court.  Since the driving on suspended and reckless driving charges are mandatory appearances, skipping court was a bold tactic as a bench warrant can be issued for not appearing.

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Mr. Kesari probably needed to zoom around Northern Virginia to better perform his duties as the Director of Government Affairs for the National Right to Work Committee.  Perhaps the police were FOP union thugs engaged in a conspiracy against him?  One wonders what Reed Larson will think when he learns about all this?

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If Dimitri is so busy he must ignore the speeding laws the rest of us must follow, one wonders how he will have the time to sit on the Hamilton Town Council?   Better he not serve than injure himself or somebody else by hurrying about.

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Mr. Kesari often chides those he believes do not follow the rules.  Apparently he is of the do as I say not as I do mindset.

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March 3, 2010 was Dimitri’s last court date.  Let us hope he has been rehabilitated and will not re-offend.

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On the seven traffic and criminal summonses issued to Mr. Kesari on November 13, 2007 and thereafter, his address is given as Washington, D.C.  I do not recall the border of the Town of Hamilton extending so far east.  Either Mr. Kesari was carrying a D.C. driver’s license from which the officers copied an old address or Mr. Kesari told more than one police officer he resides in Washington, D.C.

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It is an offense for a Virginia resident not to have a Virginia driver’s license after living here for thirty days.  Providing false information to a police officer completing a traffic or criminal summons can also be the basis of a criminal prosecution.  Why would a candidate for the Hamilton Council, a former member of the Loudoun County Planning Commission and a current member of the Hamilton Planning Commission, be carrying a D.C. license or, in the alternative, tell several police officers he resides in Washington, D.C.  How can one hold and seek office in Virginia if he really lives out of state?  These are important questions.  Somebody should look into this!

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Hey, I haven’t followed up on these much since I am busier than ever work wise right now and I don’t live in a town.  There are some spirited contests developing and some potential subterfuge going on here and there.  Discuss as an open thread in comments.

According to WaPo, the Governor will announce tomorrow that Northrup Grumman will be relocating to Virginia.  This is a big win for Commonwealth, and an even bigger win for Governor McDonnell.  The deal will likely create hundreds of new jobs and be worth millions in new revenue to the Commonwealth.  As Joe Biden would say, “this is a big f’ing deal.”

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One of the common themes coming from Democrats over the last few months was that the Governor’s many “missteps” – particularly the Confederate History month controversy, Ken Cuccinelli’s letter on sexual orientation, etc. would likely cost us the Northrup Grumman deal.  I never thought those arguments held much water, but that didn’t stop folks from making them.  Equality Virginia actually sent Northrop a letter advocating on behalf of Maryland specifically because of the LGBT issue.  Blue Virginia
basically said the deal was looking “more and more likely” that Virginia wouldn’t get the jobs because of the sexual orientation issue.  As usual, they were wrong.

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My friend J.R. Hoeft over at Bearing Drift called the Northrop Grumman deal the McDonnell Administration’s “first big test.”  I agree with him, and I’m happy to say that it looks to me as if the Governor has passed with flying colors.

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Thank you, Governor McDonnell!

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Thank God the RINOs have been deposed!  Real Republicans are back in charge at the LCRC, and a Patrick Henry College – Cooch-approved ticket of leaders will be put into place.  A return to glory is assured!

UPDATE:  It’s worse than I expected!  The theocracy has risen!  Patrick Henry College/Coochville has complete control of the LCRC.  The greatest, most selfless, hardest working district chairman in Ben Belrose was deposed by some guy who could hardly read a prepared Tea Party Speech (and better yet – he’s a developer!  Just the thing we need in Blue Ridge!).  Traitorous Jack Ryan is now Broad Run District Chairman – Happy New Years Lori Waters!  That’s right – the guy who you beat for the 2007 nomination who pledged to get you re-elected from stage, then turned around days later and ran as a sore-loser spoiler attempt as an “Independent” is now your faithful LCRC district Chairman.  What an absolute frigging joke!!!  In one small bit of good news, wacky Joanne Chase was creamed in the Dulles race, beaten handily by last minute draftee Matt LeTourneau.  Good times ahead!