Governor McDonnell recognized by tech council for extraordinary leadership

Governor Bob McDonnell has excelled the past four years leading Virginia in the right direction, and Wednesday night he was recognized for that accomplishment. McLean-based Northern Virginia Technology Council presented their <a href="http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=2055">Chairman's Award</a> to the Governor in recognition of "his extraordinary leadership of the Commonwealth and his successful efforts in ensuring Virginia remains a top state for business."<br /><br />For a man who campaigned as "Bob's For Jobs," it is a recognition that he kept that campaign promise, and more. He joins a Who's Who of leaders including former Senator George Allen, former Congressman Tom Davis, former Senator John Warner, Senator Mark Warner, and Senator Tim Kaine.<br /><br />Appreciative of the award, McDonnell noted:<br /><blockquote>“Over the past four years we’ve worked across party lines to bring Virginians together to get positive results for the Commonwealth. In this effort we’ve had no greater partner than the Northern Virginia Technology Council. <br /><br />"Through the leadership of President Bobbie Kilberg, the group has been a consistent and effective advocate for a number of our policy proposals including our successful efforts to make college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students, help Virginia’s technology community thrive and succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy, and finally put in place the long overdue, long-term transportation funding plan Virginia businesses needed to keep creating good paying jobs for our citizens. Today, unemployment is down and the Commonwealth is headed in the right direction. I thank the members of the NVTC for their hard work in helping make these accomplishments possible, and I greatly appreciate tonight’s award.”</blockquote>NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg was complimentary of McDonnell, commenting:<br /><blockquote>“We are very pleased to present the 2013 NVTC Chairman's Award to Governor Bob McDonnell in recognition of his exceptional service to the Commonwealth. During his four years in office, Governor McDonnell has advocated for policies that promote technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, backed increased funding for education with a focus on producing more graduates with science, technology, engineering and math degrees, and championed much-needed comprehensive transportation funding legislation. His extraordinary leadership and policy initiatives have helped ensure that Virginia remains a top state for business.”</blockquote>Congratulations to Governor McDonnell for this well-deserved recognition.

Bob McDonnell Bob's for Jobs Bobbie Kilberg George Allen John Warner Mark Warner Northern Virginia Technology Council Tim Kaine Tom Davis Governor McDonnell recognized by tech council for extraordinary leadership

Governor Bob McDonnell has excelled the past four years leading Virginia in the right direction, and Wednesday night he was recognized for t...

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McDonnell, Bolling, Warner, Kaine to honor fired AP reporter Bob Lewis

Virginia's top politicos plan to honor fired Associated Press reporter Bob Lewis at a reception on November 18, according to the <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-calderone/virginia-governor-senator-ap_b_4150494.html"><i>Huffington Post</i></a>. Governor Bob McDonnell, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, U.S. Senator Mark Warner, and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine will be on hand to honor the 57-year-old respected wordsmith.<br /><br />In an interesting revelation, the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/ap-reporters-mistake-did-the-punishment-fit-the-crime/2013/10/22/95b32b64-3b52-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html"><i>Huffington Post </i></a>wrote:<br /><blockquote>The McAuliffe campaign <a href="http://terrymcauliffe.com/mcauliffe-campaign-statement-on-ap-decision/" target="_hplink">responded immediately</a> after Monday's firing to say they did not push for actions to be taken against the journalists and noted having a "professional relationship" with Lewis, Potter and the AP's Virginia. <b>(The Washington Post <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/ap-reporters-mistake-did-the-punishment-fit-the-crime/2013/10/22/95b32b64-3b52-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story.html" target="_hplink">reported</a> Tuesday night that Ken Cuccinelli, his Republican challenger in the Governor's race, passed the bogus tip to both the AP and the Post.)</b> [emphasis added]</blockquote>Indeed, the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/ap-reporters-mistake-did-the-punishment-fit-the-crime/2013/10/22/95b32b64-3b52-11e3-a94f-b58017bfee6c_story_1.html"><i>Post</i></a> wrote about the tip:<br /><blockquote>Several journalists, including some at AP, said the McAuliffe story was pushed to news organizations by the campaign of McAuliffe’s rival, Ken Cuccinelli II (R). The Washington Post was among those that received a tip about it from Cuccinelli’s campaign, but The Post passed on the story after checking it.</blockquote>When the news hit that night, many were quick to jump on it. Within two hours the story had been retracted. Response to Lewis' firing has come from all sides of the political aisle, a testament to the man who has long covered Virginia politics. The reception by top leaders is further evidence of that.  Here's hoping my invitation is in the mail....

Bill Bolling Bob Lewis Bob McDonnell Huffington Post Ken Cuccinelli Mark Warner Tim Kaine Washington Post McDonnell, Bolling, Warner, Kaine to honor fired AP reporter Bob Lewis

Virginia's top politicos plan to honor fired Associated Press reporter Bob Lewis at a reception on November 18, according to the Huffing...

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AP uses sledge hammer on reporter Bob Lewis - UPDATED

The news heard 'round the internet on Monday was long-time Richmond-based reporter Bob Lewis' firing by the Associated Press. Social media lit up as supporters from all sides of the political aisle expressed shock that his earlier suspension had turned into a pink slip as he was booted out the AP door.<br /><br />The entire episode began two weeks earlier, as reported by Andrew Cain with the <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/latest-news/ap-fires-reporter-editor-over-mcauliffe-error/article_f6124b90-3a97-11e3-be61-001a4bcf6878.html"><i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i></a>:<br /><blockquote>AP erroneously reported the evening of Oct. 9 that documents in a federal fraud case in Rhode Island alleged that McAuliffe “lied to a federal official” investigating Joseph Caramadre, a Rhode Island estate planner who is accused of defrauding terminally ill people.<br /><br />In a bulletin that night killing the story about 90 minutes after it was first posted, AP said “the indictment did not identify McAuliffe as the ‘T.M.’ who allegedly lied to investigators.”</blockquote>To hear the AP retract a story sent a shiver throughout the news world. To have the questioned article be authored by Bob Lewis was even more stunning after his 28 years with the AP.<br /><br />It certainly has caused a stir in Virginia's political atmosphere. From the <i>RTD:</i> <br /><blockquote>Lewis and Potter “have always been fair, tough and smart. Virginians deserve dedicated reporters like them,” Gov. Bob McDonnell tweeted.<br /><br />Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling tweeted: “Sorry to see the AP fire Bob Lewis. Bob is one of the most respected reporters in Richmond. We all make mistakes. Bob did not deserve this.”<br /><br />Sen. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., tweeted: “AP’s Bob Lewis has been a fixture at the Va Capitol and his reporting will be missed by Virginians. Best wishes at a tough moment, Bob.”<br /><br />Sen. Timothy M. Kaine, D-Va. tweeted: “Big loss for Virginia. @APBobLewis is an even-handed, talented reporter & a class act.”</blockquote>As many question whether Lewis' firing was overreaction by AP, former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore took to Facebook to advocate on Lewis' behalf Monday, writing, "<span class="userContent" data-ft="{"tn":"K"}">I add my voice calling for the AP to reinstate Bob Lewis and Dena Potter. Bob Lewis is 'Mr. AP.' They made a mistake but corrected it immediately. What if they fired every reporter who made a mistake? I got a list."</span><br /><br />Wherever he goes, Bob Lewis will have a built-in audience of those who have followed -- and respected -- his work for years. Count me as one of them.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b>  The reaction from Lowell at <a href="http://www.bluevirginia.us/diary/10462/negative-reaction-pours-in-to-aps-firing-of-bob-lewis-dean-of-the-virginia-political-press-corps">Blue Virginia</a> and the Richmond Democrat, er, <a href="http://www.the-richmonder.com/2013/10/the-aps-dismissal-of-bob-lewis-is.html">The Richmonder</a>, confirms that reactions to Bob Lewis' firing are bipartisan even among bloggers, a good reflection of a good reporter.<br /><br /><b>Update #2:</b> The <a href="http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/ap-fires-third-staffer-over-mcauliffe-error-guild-files-grievances/article_947ae2be-2e60-5556-a959-e1528335ca0d.html"><i>Richmond Times-Dispatch</i></a> reports that a third person has been fired by the AP even as the News Media Guild has filed grievances on behalf of Lewis and his colleagues.

Andrew Cain AP Associated Press Bill Bolling Bob Lewis Bob McDonnell Dena Potter facebook Jim Gilmore Mark Warner Richmond Times-Dispatch Tim Kaine AP uses sledge hammer on reporter Bob Lewis - UPDATED

The news heard 'round the internet on Monday was long-time Richmond-based reporter Bob Lewis' firing by the Associated Press. Social...

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PBS' Judy Woodruff to moderate VBA gubernatorial debate at Homestead Resort

<img align="left" height="236" hspace="12" src="http://mail.aol.com/37834-111/aol-6/en-us/mail/get-attachment.aspx?uid=31264087&folder=NewMail&partId=7" width="168" /> The Virginia Bar Association (VBA) announced Friday that PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff will be the moderator for their 123rd summer meeting's Gubernatorial Debate between Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe and Republican candidate Ken Cuccinelli. The event will take place on July 20 at the Homestead Resort in Hot Springs, Virginia.<br /><br />Ms. Woodruff has covered politics and other news for more than three decades at CNN, NBC and PBS. She regularly co-anchors “PBS NewsHour,” a program she rejoined in 2007. Previously she worked at CNN for 12 years, during which time she anchored the weekday “Inside Politics” program. Woodruff served as chief Washington correspondent for PBS “NewsHour” and for NBC’s “Today Show." <br /><br />The award-winning broadcast journalist also appears monthly on the Bloomberg Television program “Conversations with Judy Woodruff.”<br /><br />“We’re absolutely thrilled to have the co-anchor of ‘PBS NewsHour’ – and someone with Judy Woodruff’s experience in political coverage – as our moderator,” VBA President Tom Bagby said. “This debate is likely to receive national attention and certainly will be one to attend.” <br /><br />Woodruff’s appearance as moderator for the 2013 VBA debate follows that of CNN chief political correspondent Candy Crowley. Crowley took The Homestead stage last July with U.S. Senate candidates Tim Kaine and George Allen. Not long after that, Crowley became only the second woman to moderate a presidential debate, and the first woman to do so in 20 years.<br /><br />Polls of the 2013 Virginia governor’s race show Republican Cuccinelli and Democrat McAuliffe closely matched in voters’ minds several months ahead of Election Day. A sizable percentage of adults have not decided who will get their vote. Pundits have dubbed the match-up one of two marquee gubernatorial races in the nation this year. <br /><br />By sponsoring debates and inviting news media coverage, the nonpartisan VBA seeks to educate the public and its members about candidates’ views, and to stimulate voter interest and participation in the election process. <br /><br /><i>Founded in 1888, the VBA (www.vba.org) is the state’s oldest and largest voluntary organization of lawyers, judges and legal educators. As the independent voice of the Virginia lawyer, it advances the highest ideals of the profession through advocacy and volunteer service.</i>

Candy Crowley George Allen Homestead Resort Hot Spring Judy Woodruff Ken Cuccinelli NewsHour PBS Terry McAuliffe Tim Kaine Virginia Bar Association Virginia gubernatorial race PBS' Judy Woodruff to moderate VBA gubernatorial debate at Homestead Resort

The Virginia Bar Association (VBA) announced Friday that PBS NewsHour anchor Judy Woodruff will be the moderator for their 123rd summer mee...

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