Joe Manchin Shows Backbone

In the world of politics, Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) has always been his own man. In today’s toxic political climate, he continues that path but his latest exchange showed he definitely belongs in the Backbone Club that consists of those not swayed by polls, bullied by fringe groups, or ruled by reelection fears.

Talking with the Charleston Gazette, Manchin was emphatic about standing up for what was important for West Virginians:

“I don’t give a s–t, you understand? I just don’t give a s–t,” he said. “Don’t care if I get elected, don’t care if I get defeated, how about that. If they think because I’m up for election, that I can be wrangled into voting for s–t that I don’t like and can’t explain, they’re all crazy.”

“I’m not scared of an election, let’s put it that way. Elections do not bother me or scare me. I’m going to continue to do the same thing I’ve always done, extremely independent.”

The Backbone Club is populated with other elected representatives who have taken a principled stand and not backed down: Sen. John McCain, Sen. Jeff Flake, Sen. Ben Sasse, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Susan Collins, Sen. Lindsey Graham, Sen. Cory Gardner, Rep. Barbara Comstock, and Gov. John Kasich. There may be others who deserve to be added to this list.

Virginia Hispanic leaders confront RNC’s Priebus

By Daniel P. Cortez

With Hispanic Heritage Month in full swing, Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus wisely met with three dozen of Virginia’s leading Hispanic activists and business entrepreneurs in Northern Virginia Wednesday.

Those attending made up a who’s who of the Latino community gathering at the El Paso restaurant in Alexandria.  My Texas roots appreciated the location and the RNC private invitation.  Finally, it appears the GOP recognizes that the majority of Hispanic voters or any other nationality are like me, not registered party members.

10th Congressional District votes primary for Comstock

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Good news out of the 10th Congressional District for first term representative Republican Barbara Comstock who saw the committee vote for a primary. From Brian Schoeneman’s Facebook page:

Very pleased to see that the 10th District Congressional Committee voted in favor of a state-run Primary for Congresswoman Barbara Comstock‘s reelection bid next year. It was a tight vote 8-8 and broken by Chair Jo Thoburn’s tie breaking vote, but we owe the 10th CD committee thanks. And hopefully she will have no competition and we won’t have to worry about a primary at all. Looking forward to being able to cast my vote for her next year.

OPM security breach hits Va Congresswoman Barbara Comstock

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Virginia Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-10th) revealed Wednesday that her personal information had been compromised in the security hack, thought to be perpetrated by China, that affected the Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

As noted by reporter Tal Kopan in Politico, Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) was also affected. Both had worked on the Hill before elected office.

Comstock, whose northern Virginia district includes a large number of federal employees, wrote a letter to the director of OPM that that all are justifiably alarmed. The White House, meanwhile, stood behind the OPM director amid calls for her removal.

Comstock’s letter:

Attention America: You’ve been hacked by China

By Lynn R. Mitchell

A letter shows up in your mailbox from the U.S. government with notification that your personal information has been compromised after a huge hacking incident by a foreign government believed to be China. You’re confused because you’ve never been employed by the federal government. But you are included because you know someone who was a government employee and, in the process of acquiring a security clearance, they provided the names of family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers who now must look over their shoulders and wonder if they, too, will become victims. That would be you.

Think it couldn’t happen? It already has. As former State Department employee Matthew Palmer was quoted as saying in USA Today, “Who is in danger? I listed friends on those forms and my family members. … Are some hackers going to start going after them?”

Stimpson snubs VFRW event

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-10th CD)

 

By Daniel P Cortez

One would think with the power of the woman’s vote in Virginia, one time Stafford Supervisor Susan Stimpson who’s attempting to unseat Delegate Bill Howell in the June 9^th primary, would have at least left a calling card at the Virginia Federation of Republican Women’s Convention over the weekend.

Sadly for the tea party loyalist, there was no card and no message of sponsorship, unlike her opponent.  Stimpson was just a no-show.  But that did not stop several hundred Republican women from gathering at the Hilton in Short Pump, Va., to foster common goals of advancing conservative principles and candidates.

Still it’s amazing to this independent observer that Stimpson would “snub” such a powerful group of women.  Now I’ll give it to Stimpson that she found it more critical to actually be out campaigning.  But what ever happened to courtesy?  Yeah, there’s that tea party attitude I’ve come to know.

Brian Schoeneman leads Sully candidates in fundraising quarter

By Lynn R. Mitchell

This week’s release of campaign finance reports confirmed that Fairfax County Sully District Republican candidate Brian Schoeneman was the top fundraiser during the quarter that ended March 31 (see Schoeneman ends fundraising quarter with 85% from small donors).

The Schoeneman campaign actually released its numbers on April 1 but results from the other two Republican candidates were unknown until this week when reports showed Brian led not only his fellow Republican candidates but also the Democratic candidate (see Schoeneman leads money race in Republican contest for Fairfax seat):

Schoeneman ends fundraising quarter with 85% from small donors

Brian Schoeneman and Delegate Dave Albo

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman’s first quarter fundraising numbers reflect a strong grassroots system with more than 85 percent of contributions from small donors for his Fairfax County Sully supervisor race. Final filing with the State Board of Elections will be April 15 but here are the unofficial results of the period covering January 1 through March 31, 2015, as provided on April 2 by the Schoeneman campaign:

• 161 unique donors $100 and under
• 188 unique donors total
• 85.6% of contributions were of $100 or less
• Average donation was approximately $46.53
• Total raised: $26,871.38
• Cash-on-hand: $12,585.47

Brian Schoeneman endorsed by Steve Hunt

Brian Schoeneman

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman, running for the Republican nomination for Sully District supervisor in Fairfax County, received the endorsement of Steve Hunt, Fairfax County Electoral Board Chairman, former State Senate candidate, and former At-Large School Board Member.

Brian noted that “there are few people in Fairfax politics who know me better than Steve — we spent two years in the trenches on the Electoral Board together.”

Del. Dave Albo endorses Brian Schoeneman for Fairfax Sully District supervisor

 

Brian Schoeneman, Dave Albo

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Brian Schoeneman picked up another big endorsement this week when Delegate Dave Albo endorsed him for Fairfax County Sully District supervisor.

Brian Schoeneman for Sully Supervisor released the following:

10th Congressional District Young Women Leadership Program To Accept Applications for the Summer 2015 Session

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock’s (R-10th CD) office released the following on Thursday announcing a leadership program for young women in the 10th Congressional District:

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10) announced today that her office will be accepting applications for the Summer 2015 Session of the 10^th Congressional District Young Women Leadership Program.  This program provides young women enrolled in middle school and high school the opportunity to meet and interact with women in leadership positions in government, technology, philanthropy and business.  Young women will be able to learn about career opportunities in various fields, the legislative process, develop their leadership skills, identify their strengths and interests, and practice effective communication with others to help inform their future educational and career goals.

Barbara Comstock goes one-on-one with Greta Van Sustern

Greta Van Sustern and Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (photo from Fox News).

By Lynn R. Mitchell

The only woman in the Virginia congressional delegation, Republican Barbara Comstock is representing the 10th Congressional District after a distinguished career that included the Virginia House of Delegates and previous work on the Hill (see Greta & Rep. Barbara Comstock — I never expected to be here!):

Comstock announces Military Academy Day in 10th District

Barbara Comstock

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Congresswoman Barbara Comstock announced the upcoming 10th Congressional District Military Academy Day that will be held on Saturday, April 11, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at the Loudoun County Public School Administration Building. The event is free and open to all students, parents, and guidance staff who are interested in learning more about the nation’s military service academies.

Comstock, Brat districts like apples and oranges

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Conservative talk show host Mark Levin has come out with his “Liberty Scores” on two members of Virginia’s congressional delegation (don’t bother to click on the links unless you want to sign up for the publication to see how he ranked candidates).

Interestingly, Congresswoman Barbara Comstock, the only woman in the Virginia delegation, is under attack from not only Levin but others on the right after taking office in January and already being threatened with a primary opponent.

Why?

Comstock attacks are over the top

By Matt Colt Hall
Guest Post

As a young Republican, I have felt frustration while watching the Virginia Republican Party move farther to the right. That would be fine except we have completely thrown tactics and the ability to govern out the window.

Sadly, the Libertarian-tea party blog of Northern Virginia known as the Bull Elephant continues to demonize rational Republicans almost every day but on Tuesday they reached a whole new level of hatred and vitriol. Their columnist Jeanine Martin wrote a piece entitled, “Barbara Comstock votes with Democrats to fund DHS through August.” I don’t want to give Ms. Martin’s post the publicity it so desperately wants but one section was the straw that broke the camel’s back for me. It read:

“If Comstock continues down the path of voting with democrats, and cozying up to Eric Cantor and John Boehner, Republicans in the 10th district will be able to choose her replacement in a convention in 2016.”

As my hero and the greatest president once said, “There you go again.”