News for today's 2018

Staunton's Ox-Eye Vineyards rakes in more accolades

3:07 PM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOuzFF-CA3P47Mromo1wc4lVay4J20uLr10k5q2kXaZSocgEbenIwTSgQa7Y7dw_1aGlzRzcury_fVBT1KS_ovRM2lpMg9m_bhQa5Bk6FP6C1T36FiGpbyuL5-mwyEZhV_iZ_vRAqECxJ/s1600/Ox-Eye+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqOuzFF-CA3P47Mromo1wc4lVay4J20uLr10k5q2kXaZSocgEbenIwTSgQa7Y7dw_1aGlzRzcury_fVBT1KS_ovRM2lpMg9m_bhQa5Bk6FP6C1T36FiGpbyuL5-mwyEZhV_iZ_vRAqECxJ/s1600/Ox-Eye+logo.jpg" /></a></div> Susan and John Kiers have a winning product with their Ox-Eye wines and this week they received more accolades, this time from Brian Yost at the Charlottesville-based <a href="http://thevirginiagrape.blogspot.com/2013/11/ox-eye-vineyards.html" target="_blank">Virginia Wine blog</a> who writes: <blockquote>The Shenandoah American Viticultural Area (AVA) doesn't have the density of vineyards that you will find in Central or Northern Virginia. Nevertheless, there are lots of great wineries in this region and they are producing wines and a few varietals that are distinct to the AVA. <a href="http://www.oxeyevineyards.com/">Ox-Eye Vineyards</a> is one of these wineries. Since my first visit a couple years ago, I've become a huge fan.</blockquote>Brian's post offers good background on the beginnings of Ox-Eye as well as the refurbished historic Wharf District building where the tasting room is located. It's a good read about what I consider to be an excellent wine. Drop by and be prepared to kick back in a relaxing atmosphere ... and maybe try my favorite whites, the White Ox or Riesling. You'll be in for a treat. More about Ox-Eye: - <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/wapost-calls-augusta-countys-ox-eye.html" target="_blank">Washington Post calls Augusta County's Ox-Eye Vineyards one of top 10 mid-Atlantic wineries to check out </a> - <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/ox-eye-vineyards-offers-wine-tastings.html" target="_blank">Ox-Eye Vineyards offers wine tastings and fun in downtown Staunton</a> - <a href="http://swacgirl.blogspot.com/2013/04/sears-hill-bridge-day-offers-festive.html" target="_blank">Sears Hill Bridge Day offers festive atmosphere in historic downtown Staunton</a>

Susan and John Kiers have a winning product with their Ox-Eye wines and this week they received more accolades, this time from Brian Yost at...

Jennifer Rubin: 'What about Jeb?'

4:25 PM Tukiyooo 0

He's known as the other Bush brother, the one who originally was expected to run for president before his older brother found himself in the right place at the right time. Both governors with the experience from that executive position, Jeb's name has been tossed around for a while as someone to run for president. However, general sentiment seemed to be that the country had soured on the Bush name. Father George H.W. as president 41, and brother George W. as president 43. Would America really want a Bush president 46? With the passing of time and circumstances, the time may be right, and the Washington Post's opinion writer Jennifer Rubin agrees. In her post earlier this week -- <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/11/20/what-about-jeb/" target="_blank">"What about Jeb?"</a> -- she made a notable argument in Jeb's favor: <blockquote>George W. Bush has bounced back in popularity, and if the Dems can run a Clinton there is no reason the GOP can’t run a Bush. Besides, experienced leadership may be in style after we survive the next three years. And to boot, GOP governors are looking like the party’s saviors these days. Moreover, the passage of time has allowed certain issue to fade and others to resolve themselves (e.g. the Bush tax cuts). Jeb Bush understandably can say “times have changed” if he chooses not to adopt a position his brother took sixteen years ago. (Yes, it’ll be 16 years between 43′s presidential run and when Republicans again start trudging through Iowa and New Hampshire.) ... I have no idea if he will run. But I am more convinced that he could and should. He’s got a lot to tell the GOP voters.</blockquote>Run, Jeb, run. He may find he has more supporters than he realizes.

2016 presidential race Bill Clinton George H.W. Bush George W. Bush Hillary Clinton Jeb Bush Jennifer Rubin Washington Post Jennifer Rubin: 'What about Jeb?'

He's known as the other Bush brother, the one who originally was expected to run for president before his older brother found himself i...

U.S. House schedule for Friday, November 15, 2013: Upton's 'Keep Your Health Care Plan Act' vote today

2:48 AM Tukiyooo 0

<a href="http://majorityleader.gov/" target="_blank">From Majority Leader Eric Cantor....</a> What to watch today ... "Keep Your Health Care Plan Act" sponsored by Congressman Fred Upton will be voted on today, a bill President Barack Obama has declared he will <a href="http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/obama-threatens-veto-keep-your-health-plan-act_767140.html" target="_blank">veto</a> if it makes its way to his desk. Points of view: <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/11/14/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-plans-to-fix-obamacare/" target="_blank">Ezra Kline - Wonkblog</a> at the Washington Post / <a href="http://twitchy.com/2013/11/14/president-threatens-to-veto-keep-your-health-plan-act/" target="_blank">Twitchy</a> / <a href="http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/11/14/rumors-obamacare-fix-president-to-address-concerns-at-1135-am/" target="_blank">Fox News</a> / <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/11/14/obamacare-administrative-fix-democrats-republicans/3541645/" target="_blank">USA Today</a> <div style="text-align: center;">FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15TH </div><div style="text-align: center;"> On Friday, the House will meet at 9:00 a.m. for legislative business. First votes expected: 10:30 - 11:15 a.m. Last votes expected: 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div>One Minute Speeches <a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=380272-6846703" target="_blank">H.R. 3350</a> - Keep Your Health Plan Act of 2013 (Closed Rule, One Hour of Debate) (Sponsored by Rep. Fred Upton / Energy and Commerce Committee / Ways and Means Committee) Special Order Speeches <div style="text-align: center;">COMMITTEE ACTIVITY OF THE DAY Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade hearing on “<a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=380273-6846703" target="_blank">Our Nation of Builders: Training the Builders of the Future</a>” (Friday, November 15th, at 9:30 a.m.)</div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><a href="http://republicanleaderforms.house.gov/Components/Redirect/r.aspx?ID=380274-6846703" target="_blank">Printable PDF</a>

U.S. House schedule for Friday, November 15, 2013: Upton's 'Keep Your Health Care Plan Act' vote today

Affordable Care Act Eric Cantor. U.S. House of Representatives Fox News Fred Upton health care reform Keep Your Health Care Plan Act obamacare Twitchy USA Today Washington Post U.S. House schedule for Friday, November 15, 2013: Upton's 'Keep Your Health Care Plan Act' vote today

From Majority Leader Eric Cantor.... What to watch today ... "Keep Your Health Care Plan Act" sponsored by Congressman Fred Upton ...

A George W. Bush Republican

4:30 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROp9umiX-QA2vIDoycmHEKaT01d7jgBAk1b_6Q7QLExxJEB6nNTxDnwvlJnqWMlHp9xSplCoWcwTXZRRxE6W4kPhS1ySVVyNHjlaokFvgFH29YxFLJwPNepujwPvh9TbimFJXp00-8xT/s1600/George+W.+Bush+40+9-11+airplane+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDROp9umiX-QA2vIDoycmHEKaT01d7jgBAk1b_6Q7QLExxJEB6nNTxDnwvlJnqWMlHp9xSplCoWcwTXZRRxE6W4kPhS1ySVVyNHjlaokFvgFH29YxFLJwPNepujwPvh9TbimFJXp00-8xT/s400/George+W.+Bush+40+9-11+airplane+pic.jpg" width="400" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">President George W. Bush on Air Force One, 9/11/2001. </div> The front page of the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/book-review-days-of-fire-bush-and-cheney-in-the-white-house-by-peter-baker/2013/10/31/c8ca470a-2615-11e3-b3e9-d97fb087acd6_story.html?hpid=z1">Washington Post</a> has a story about former President George W. Bush with the well-known photo from 9/11/2001 aboard Air Force One, after America had been attacked by Muslim terrorists, on his way from Florida back to Washington, D.C. It is one of my favorite photos of W who became a wartime president in the first year of his administration. His common sense bipartisan leadership is a template for Republicans especially in the partisan-charged atmosphere of current politics. George W. Bush's leadership comes in many forms ... determined, compassionate, principled, humble, witty, pragmatic, optimistic, persistent, gracious, honest, intelligent, likeable, down-to-earth, inclusive, willingness to make the tough decisions and accept the blow-back without blaming others, and a trait rarely seen in politics -- loyalty. He had a vision for America. He never apologized for America. He didn't do all the talking ... he listened. He didn't trash people in public dialogue. President Bush didn't just talk diversity ... he practiced it with great leaders like Colin Powell and Condoleeza Rice. He made a promise after 9/11 to protect the Homeland. He kept America safe. His deep respect for military members and their families continues to this day, giving back privately in ways the public is unaware of. I'm proud to identify myself as a George W. Bush Republican.

9/11/2001 Air Force One George W. Bush Republican leadership President George W. Bush Terrorism Washington Post A George W. Bush Republican

President George W. Bush on Air Force One, 9/11/2001. The front page of the Washington Post has a story about former President George W....

Pranks in the Virginia Executive Mansion

10:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

Bob McDonnell Executive Mansion GovBeat Reid Wilson Virginia Washington Post Pranks in the Virginia Executive Mansion

Hidden cell phones ringing in the middle of the night ... cardboard cutouts stashed in the shower ... such are the pranks pulled by outgoing...

Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal endorses NJ Gov. Chris Christie

5:57 AM Tukiyooo 0

Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal endorses NJ Gov. Chris Christie

2013 gubernatorial election Aaron Blake Chris Christie Lynn R. Mitchell Real Clear Politics Shaquille O'Neal Washington Post Former NBA star Shaquille O'Neal endorses NJ Gov. Chris Christie

"I don't endorse many politicians. But Chris Christie is different." In a television ad endorsing New Jersey Governor Chris Ch...

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

5:33 AM Tukiyooo 0

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">Huffington Post</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. 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">Huffington Post </a>wrote: <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. (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.) [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">Post</a> wrote about the tip: <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....

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

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...

Hillary wasn't ready for 3 a.m. phone call

6:41 AM Tukiyooo 0

Barack Obama Benghazi foreign policy Hillary Clinton Jennifer Rubin Washington Post Hillary wasn't ready for 3 a.m. phone call

Remember the infamous 2008 Hillary Clinton for President "3 a.m. phone call" ad that claimed Obama was too inexperienced at inter...

WaPost: 'Obama yet to leave a lasting legacy for Africa on the scale of Bush and Clinton'

2:00 AM Tukiyooo 0

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-xLr7IN3Q3pN_zBAieochku5BCuOXMS5FbJNwShAVcFCMaetejkbB0qCSEet0Bw3WoWol9KUBhQ2XS1gMH_jAaYdyKNc6Pxnf7SH6b5Qnm-xsb_7W2HJDBR43tw1OwJ0XMJlW9s3kxc9/s720/George+W.+Bush+20+Africa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig-xLr7IN3Q3pN_zBAieochku5BCuOXMS5FbJNwShAVcFCMaetejkbB0qCSEet0Bw3WoWol9KUBhQ2XS1gMH_jAaYdyKNc6Pxnf7SH6b5Qnm-xsb_7W2HJDBR43tw1OwJ0XMJlW9s3kxc9/s400/George+W.+Bush+20+Africa.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Laura and George W. Bush in Zambia, June 30, 2013.</div> The pictures are all over Facebook showing Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura traveling Africa this week as they continue their humanitarian mission that began before leaving the White House four years ago. Slowly but surely liberals have begrudingly had to admit GWB has played a large role in <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/bush-aids-policies-shadow-obama-in-africa/2013/06/30/0c8e023c-e1ac-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop">AIDs relief</a> that has been credited with saving millions of lives. The Bushes have been <a href="http://bearingdrift.com/2012/04/03/george-w-bush-not-endorsing-in-presidential-primary-is-no-mystery/">instrumental in other global health advances</a>, too, and are almost revered in that part of the world. President Barack Obama? Not so much, and the <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/obama-yet-to-leave-a-lasting-legacy-for-africa-on-the-scale-of-bush-and-clinton/2013/06/28/2d47d9f2-dfc3-11e2-8cf3-35c1113cfcc5_story_1.html">Washington Post</a> has noticed: <blockquote>Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush passed innovative Africa initiatives while in the White House and passionately continue their development work in the region in their presidential afterlife. Obama’s efforts here have not been so ambitious, despite his personal ties to the continent.</blockquote>It must be a tad awkward for Obama to find himself in Bush's shadow after spending the first four years of his administration blaming his predecessor for everything that went wrong in America. The Post notes that Obama is five years into his administration and just now on a major tour of Africa, just the second time while President: <blockquote>His first major tour of Africa as president is coming just now, in his fifth year, while Bush and Clinton are frequent fliers to Africa. Bush even will be in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, next week at the same time as Obama, although they have no plans to meet. Instead, their wives plan to appear together at a summit on empowering African women organized by the George W. Bush Institute, with the former president in attendance.</blockquote>The people of Africa had expected more from America's first black president after he told them in his first year, "I have the blood of Africa in me." Meanwhile, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush captured the heart of Africa with work that continues to this day: <blockquote>Clinton first drew extensive attention to Africa in 1998 when he made the longest trip ever by a U.S. president, with stops in six countries that had never before been visited by any occupant of the Oval Office. Bush’s trip this week is his third in 19 months to promote his Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partnership to combat breast and cervical cancer in sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America. On this visit, he and his wife, Laura, plan to help renovate a cervical cancer screening and treatment clinic in Zambia before heading to Tanzania for the African First Ladies Summit advocating investment in programs for women and girls.</blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI7N-R5ei14mySuFZE6ERRnUWTtuuULYNs3nQMCoTgzejuA9JbBUdOvurO4dnEkuOCLX3eMm3x8MbuVPiWd0d_X1Xvz9h83rTxg-ghPiSX_ynUoTUBiHfeG0mETAI7-4yIUgnpbEHa5jU/s640/George+W.+Bush+21+Afrida.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJI7N-R5ei14mySuFZE6ERRnUWTtuuULYNs3nQMCoTgzejuA9JbBUdOvurO4dnEkuOCLX3eMm3x8MbuVPiWd0d_X1Xvz9h83rTxg-ghPiSX_ynUoTUBiHfeG0mETAI7-4yIUgnpbEHa5jU/s400/George+W.+Bush+21+Afrida.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After a week of renovating, President and Mrs. Bush opened the Mosi-Oa-Tunya clinic, a cervical cancer facility in Livingstone, Zambia. Their trip demonstrates their continued commitment to the people of Africa through the work of the global health initiative at the George W. Bush Institute. June 30, 2013</div> Photos from the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheBushCenter?fref=ts">George W. Bush Presidential Center</a>

WaPost: 'Obama yet to leave a lasting legacy for Africa on the scale of Bush and Clinton'

Africa AIDS Relief Barack Obama Bill Clinton George W. Bush George W. Bush Presidential Center humanitarian mission Laura Bush Washington Post Zambia WaPost: 'Obama yet to leave a lasting legacy for Africa on the scale of Bush and Clinton'

Laura and George W. Bush in Zambia, June 30, 2013. The pictures are all over Facebook showing Former President George W. Bush and wife Laura...

Rubin: 'Maybe Christie got it exactly right in New Jersey'

10:07 AM Tukiyooo 0

The <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/right-turn/wp/2013/06/10/maybe-christie-got-it-exactly-right-in-new-jersey/">Washinton Post's Jennifer Rubin</a> doesn't pull any punches when it comes to tea party criticism of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie: <blockquote>It is fitting, I suppose, that the right-wing screechers have it so wrong again. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is the most popular politician in the country, but they hate him. They have generally fallen for pols who are anathemas to everyone but them (Rick Santorum, Sharron Angle, Richard Mourdock, Todd Aiken), so it make sense that the Republicans who appeal to a wide cross-section of voters are anathemas to the crowd that seeks refuge in policy positions — be it gay marriage or immigration — rejected by so many Americans. It just might be that Christie, who is super-popular in a deep-blue state, understands New Jersey and its voters a tad better than talk-show hosts, junior lawmakers from deep-red locales and right-wing bloggers with fewer readers than there are residents of Newark. They are excoriating Christie for setting the U.S. Senate special election for October rather than holding out until November 2014.</blockquote>Rubin goes on to make the case that a Republican winning the U.S. Senate seat left open by the death of Sen. Frank Lautenberg is a long shot but there are even more reasons for having separate elections, as she lays out in her column. It is easy to get caught up in the anti-Democrat echo chamber but Rubin hits the nail on the head as she concludes: <blockquote>It’s a challenge for any elected Republican to screen out the noise from pundits and far-right lawmakers. But Trenton, in a lot of ways, is far from D.C., and Christie is a confident man. Maybe that is why his staff seems indifferent to the fussing of national right-wing pundits. A Republican doesn’t get to a 20- or 30-point lead in New Jersey by being a sap.</blockquote>

bloggers Chris Christie Jennifer Rubin New Jersey right wing writers Washington Post Rubin: 'Maybe Christie got it exactly right in New Jersey'

The Washinton Post's Jennifer Rubin doesn't pull any punches when it comes to tea party criticism of New Jersey Governor Chris Chri...

Bolling's Va Mainstream Project PAC taps 6 candidates for HoD support

10:19 AM Tukiyooo 0

In the second wave of flexing his political muscle, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's <a href="http://www.billbolling.com/2013/05/15/bolling-announces-formation-of-the-virginia-mainstream-project/">"Virginia Mainstream Project"</a> (VMP) has made six more political endorsements backed with financial support and radio campaign ads leading into contested primaries on June 11. With the goal of electing mainstream, conservative Republicans to public office, VMP announced it had endorsed the following candidates for their Virginia House of Delegates races, some who are being challenged by tea party or Ron Paul candidates and are in particularly contentious contests: <blockquote>- House District 15 – <a href="http://www.delegatetoddgilbert.com/">Delegate Todd Gilbert</a> - House District 28 – <a href="http://www.williamjhowell.org/">Speaker Bill Howell</a> - House District 29 – <a href="http://www.beverlysherwood.com/">Delegate Beverly Sherwood</a> - House District 33 – <a href="http://www.joetmay.com/">Delegate Joe May</a> - House District 54 – <a href="http://bobbyorrock.net/">Delegate Bobby Orrock</a> - House District 85 – <a href="http://www.scotttaylorva.com/">Mr. Scott Taylor</a></blockquote>In addition to financial support, 60-second radio ads have been purchased and are airing for <a href="http://www.billbolling.com/2013/06/05/radio-ad-for-delegate-bobby-orrock/">Orrock</a> and <a href="http://www.billbolling.com/2013/06/05/radio-ad-for-delegate-beverly-sherwood/">Sherwood</a>. This is on the heels of VMP's endorsement and financial support to <a href="http://johncosgrove.org/">Delegate John Cosgrove</a> who was successful in his May 9 firehouse primary seeking the Republican nomination for the 14th Senate District. Bolling has stepped to the plate with his PAC, his experience, his reputation, and his willingness to endorse candidates interested in effective, common sense governing. That includes a pro-business attitude, fiscal responsibility, and a willingness to work toward searching for bi-partisan, pragmatic solutions. Reinforcing that commitment, Bolling noted: <blockquote>"If we are going to win elections in Virginia, we must nominate candidates who will appeal to Republicans and Independents and attract new people to our party.  I believe these candidates will help us accomplish that goal, but they need your help to win."</blockquote>The two-term lieutenant governor, who had been very involved and inviting with the grassroots of the party and conservative bloggers during his years in Richmond, unexpectedly found himself in his new leadership role as senior statesman after stepping away from the 2013 gubernatorial race. A series of maneuverings within RPV led to the takeover of the state central committee by the tea party and Libertarian activists who then reversed an earlier vote for a 2013 primary to a much more controlled convention, the one that recently took place in Richmond. Because of that change, Bolling briefly flirted with the idea of running as an independent but decided against it in March, prompting the <a href="http://www.newsadvance.com/opinion/editorials/article_39056fa4-8ce7-11e2-af11-001a4bcf6878.html">Lynchburg News and Advance</a> to editorialize: <blockquote>Bill Bolling is no tax-and-spend liberal, no R(epublican) I(n) N(ame) O(nly) as uber-conservative activists have tried to portray him. He’s a traditional Virginia conservative, a public servant who labored for his constituents as a Hanover County supervisor, then state senator and finally lieutenant governor for almost eight years. But the type of public servant Bolling is just isn’t what’s in fashion with the Republicans right today. An elected official who actually believes government has a role in society but who wants it to operate efficiently, leanly and unobtrusively is not the politician the tea party loves who sees government as a beast to be starved.</blockquote>In May, Bolling reflected on his new role in Virginia Republican politics with reporter Errin Whack at the <a href="http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-05-15/local/39270093_1_bill-bolling-pac-bob-holsworth">Washington Post</a>: <blockquote>“I found myself in a position of being the voice of a lot of mainstream Republicans across the state who were trying to call our party back to a more mainstream approach to politics and policy,” Bolling said in an interview. “It’s not a role I envisioned playing, but it’s a role I was thrust into because of the way things have evolved, and it’s a role I’m comfortable playing.”</blockquote>It all led to the <a href="http://www.billbolling.com/2013/05/30/virginia-mainstream-project-seeks-a-wider-gop-current-which-would-benefit-us-all/">Virginia Mainstream Project</a>. As the News and Advance wrote in the conclusion of their editorial: <blockquote>In announcing his decision earlier this week, Bolling lamented what he — and we — see as the “Washingtonization” of Virginia politics. Political battles, achieving the label of most ideologically pure, hyper-partisanship and just plain meanspiritedness seem to be oozing their way into the halls of the state Capitol. That’s not Bill Bolling’s way of leading. That’s not “The Virginia Way” of governing, or at least it hasn’t been.</blockquote>

Bolling's Va Mainstream Project PAC taps 6 candidates for HoD support

Bill Bolling House of Delegates Lieutenant Governor Lynchburg News and Advance radio campaign ads Ron Paul Libertarians tea party Virginia Mainstream Project Washington Post Bolling's Va Mainstream Project PAC taps 6 candidates for HoD support

In the second wave of flexing his political muscle, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's "Virginia Mainstream Project" (VMP) ha...

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