Joe Morrissey resigns, special election set for January

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Earlier this week on Facebook, I linked to a story (see Morrissey enters plea, sentenced to 12 months with 6 months suspended) about Delegate Joe Morrissey (D) with the following comment:

The hypocrisy is stunning. Bob McDonnell is facing 10-12 years for … what exactly? Joe Morrissey, 57, took an Alford plea to contributing to the delinquency of a 17-year-old minor (who is now pregnant) and gets 1 year with 6 months suspended and work release from jail to go to his day job in the General Assembly. I don’t even know what to say….

Today comes news that Morrissey has finally resigned after pressure from Democrats and Republicans as well as Governor Terry McAuliffe (D).

RPV’s Mike Thomas calls for treasurer FitzSimmonds to resign

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Mike Thomas, First Vice Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, has called for the resignation of GOP treasurer Bob FitzSimmonds, former aide to Ken Cuccinelli and currently chief deputy clerk of court in Prince William County, after inflammatory remarks made by FitzSimmonds earlier in the week about Muslim Americans (see Va. GOP treasurer is said to offer resignation after Facebook post on Muslims).

In a Facebook post Friday morning, Thomas, who is one of the most widely-respected Republicans in the Commonwealth, noted the responsibility of those in leadership who represent RPV:

Freedom of Religion is just as much a part of our Constitution as Freedom of Speech. What is missing here is responsibility. Any individual is entitled to express his or her opinions on a subject. I will defend their right to do so, even when I disagree with it. BUT, if the individual is an officer or leader of the Republican Party, they have a RESPONSIBILITY to the Party to conduct themselves in a way that is respectful of others and accurately reflects the values of the Party.

Regrettably, the RPV Treasurer has not, in my opinion, exercised this responsibility as an officer of RPV through repeated public comments that are at best not respectful of others and not reflective of the Party, and he should step down as Treasurer.

Thomas joins others in the party calling for FitzSimmonds’ resignation including Republican Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates William Howell.

The Presentations of a County Fair

By Daniel P. Cortez

The home grown values of a county fair help ground you. One can’t help reconnecting with the principles this nation was founded on by those who remain stewards of the land.

Walking around the Caroline County Fair stock yard communing with the blue ribbon roosters and grand champion cattle, the sounds and smells of rural living were calming.

I needed calm in the face of the media firestorm about immigration and children who continue to flood our southern border due to a misunderstanding of President Obama’s DACA ruling, “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.” It may have been an attempt of compassion by the President, politically oriented or not, but the consequences have our nation in an uproar. It has enraged the Hispanic community regardless of political orientation.

An independent perspective on Brat-Cantor race

By Daniel Cortez

The election of tea party backed candidate Dave Brat in the 7^th District primary has done little to excite independent minority voters in Virginia. Many still trying to decide which party would work to support the diversity of political opinion were frankly pushed away by the insensitive racial comments by Brat on minorities and Dream Act legislation during the campaign.

Comments do not need to be overt to have devastating consequences for a Virginia Republican party still trying to reorganize and responsibly deal with race. It continues to cost them elections.

Virginia: Emmett Hanger proposes compromise on Medicaid expansion

By Lynn R. Mitchell

On Thursday State Senator Emmett Hanger, concerned about the looming state budget deadline, proposed a compromise in the Medicaid expansion standoff currently taking place between the state Senate, House, and Governor Terry McAuliffe.

“It is my strong belief it would be totally unacceptable,” Hanger said in Thursday’s press release, “for the legislature to abdicate it’s responsibility to produce a balanced budget in a timely manner.”

House leaders expressed encouragement that a state budget may be reached by the deadline.

Hanger, chairman of the Medicaid Innovation & Reform Commission (MIRC) and chairman of the Senate Finance-Health & Human Resources Subcommittee, prefaced his proposals with a few comments: