Here’s the latest from the Campaign Trail….

POLLS:
A political campaign is ebb and flow. One week you’re up, and the next you’re down. Moments can turn an election. This week Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Bob McDonnell got good news in the polls. He is trending higher in recent polls. I often look at Real Clear Politics that does a good job summarizing the week in polls.
This week McDonnell’s average is 49.5% to Democratic Challenger St. Sen. Creigh Deeds 42.5%.
However, I’m reminded what my friend Doug Wilder told me one time when I was covering his historic election in 1989: I asked him about his declining poll numbers in the election, and he said, “Andy, the only poll that counts is the poll that’s taken once the polls close.” He then went on to become the first elected African American Governor.
STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL:
These guys from Northern Virginia must get out of NOVA and get down here to Hampton Roads. State Delegate Steve Shannon (D) Vienna faces St. Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R) Fairfax.
They both are on air with ads, but their schedule shows to much NOVA.
This just in: I just got an email from the Shannon Campaign. He will be with U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Newport News) Saturday.
Cuccinelli still showing this weekend, four weeks out from election day, in NOVA.
I interviewed both candidates over the phone this week. These phoner updates on the campaign allow the candidates to get another free hit on TV while continuing to campaign in other parts of the state.
I don’t think they work very well because the voters feel no connection to them through a “phoner.”
During the phoner Shannon boasted his endorsement from the Fairfax Chamber of Commerce. Why the State Attorney General cares about the Chamber, you ask? Well, both of these guys are from NOVA, and head to head the Chamber decided to support Shannon. The Chamber is also supporting Republican Bob McDonnell. I asked Shannon how come he got the Chamber endorsement and his running mate Deeds did not? His wishy-washy answer was basically, each candidate’s different. Fact is Deeds could sure use a Chamber of Commerce endorsement. He’s getting hit on his statements to raise new revenues (taxes) for new roads. A new McDonnell commercial now showing on WAVY-TV shows a stumbling bumbling Creigh Deeds trying to explain his position on taxes. The McDonnell campaign took Deeds at his worst trying to explain how new taxes need to be dedicated to new roads. Deeds is actually very clear and articulate that new roads can not be built with old revenue sources like the General Fund as McDonnell proposes.
Cuccinelli unveiled a very thoughtful mental health agenda in his phoner campaign update. He is pushing for more emphasis on community based mental health programs rather that institutional solutions.
ENDORSEMENTS: Cuccinelli-NRA, Fraternal Order of Police, Shannon-Fairfax Chamber, Police benevolent Association, McDonnell-Northern VA. Technology Council, Deeds formed Sportsmen for Deeds to counter NRA for McDonnell. Deeds also got the endorsement of former Republican Governor Linwood Holton. It should be noted that Holton is Democratic Governor Tim Kaine’s father-in-law.
ADS:
Deeds continues to hit McDonnell for his 1989 thesis he wrote at what is now Regent University. In it he said working women are detriments to the traditional family. Friday McDonnell’s campaign launched new television ads featuring women who worked for him and support him. The problem is some are state workers and although it may not be illegal it is almost unheard of that state workers are involved in political campaigns.
Here’s a transcript for what they say about McDonnell.
In “TRUST,” Women say:
Karen Fortier, Former Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney: “Creigh Deeds’ attacks on Bob McDonnell are false”
Lisa Caruso, Commonwealth’s Attorney: “Dishonest”
Pam Watts, Co-worker 17 years: “Are dishonest”
Lisa Hicks Thomas, Deputy Attorney General: “Half the Deputy Attorneys General Bob McDonnell appointed are women”
Lisa Caruso, Commonwealth’s Attorney: “Putting women in positions of authority”
Pam Watts, Co-worker 17 years: “Trusting women like me”
Flora Hezel, Former Assistant Attorney General: “Professional women and working mothers”
Maureen Matsen, Deputy Attorney General: “Women Bob McDonnell trusts to protect Virginia”
Lisa Hicks Thomas, Deputy Attorney General: “Prosecuting sexual predators with laws passed by Bob McDonnell”
Polly Franks, Victims Advocate: “I’ve seen Bob McDonnell stand up to protect women and children”
Lisa Hicks Thomas, Deputy Attorney General: “That’s what Bob McDonnell will do as Governor.”
Close McDonnell friend and current State Attorney General Bill Mims says any state worker supporting McDonnell is doing so on his/her own time and away from the office.
Noted political analyst Larry Sabato from UVA wrote in the Washington Post about McDonnell’s thesis: “He’s danced around it,” Sabato said. “You’ve had the formulations in the paper: ‘Well, that was a long time ago,’ and ‘Here’s my daughter.’ He hasn’t said, ‘I don’t believe that working women hurt the family.’ He has to repudiate it, and he hasn’t because he’s worried about offending the social conservatives who still believe that.”
FACT CHECK: The polls are trending towards McDonnell. It appears Deeds needs a new issue other than the thesis, or atleast needs another issue in order to sway independent undecideds towards him.
That’s this week on the Campaign Trail.

Thanks for reading, I’m Andy Fox-WAVY.com

Next year, there will be a new sheriff in town. Virginia Beach’s Paul Lanteigne, who’s held the job in that city since 2000, is retiring. Beach residents have a choice between two men with similar views on public safety. Virginia Beach Police Capt. John Bell and State Senator Ken Stolle both say they’re committed to improving, maintaining, and promoting public safety. That’s a good first step for any candidate.

Bell and Stolle differ on other goals and objectives for the Sheriff’s Office.

Stolle, the Republican candidate, says he “will not overturn a judge’s order” to let people out of jail on work release or electronic monitoring. He told me in a phone interview, “if they have 90 days, they serve it.”

Democratic candidate Bell said he does not want to “disregard a judge’s order. I want to work with the judges to increase the use of electronic monitoring and alternative sentencing.” Bell said he does not support the idea for violent offenders, but believes it could be used to take the load off the jail in the daytime, giving deputies more ability to focus on controlling violent offenders. Bell said a person in jail for failure to pay child support is one example of a person who might benefit from electronic monitoring.

As for overall goals, I asked both candidates where would they use the position to make changes in Virginia Beach.

Stolle: “I would use my experience in the legislature to change laws governing the use of inmates for work. Right now Sheriffs are prohibited from using an inmate workforce on private property… I think it could be expanded primarily in two areas. I’d like to see an exception, for example, for graffiti. I’d also like to create a faith-based commission to find and designate indigent people who need repairs. Supervised inmates could do the work.”

Bell: “There’s a trend where we build more cells, I want to address it on the front end… The Sheriff’s Office ought to be more involved in mentoring in neighborhoods, beyond D.A.R.E., but to older youths. We can can be role models for our youth… Also, once people are incarcerated, how are they prepared to re-enter community? …So many people come into jail with drug addictions. We can do more with drug abuse programs in jail. While they’re in jail, they can also get education, so they’re better prepared for when they get out.”

Bell and Stolle have plenty of ideas about how to operate and manage the Virginia Beach Correctional Center. Their campaign signs have popped up all across Virginia Beach in recent weeks. While neither candidate will likely spend money to run television ads, both are spending plenty of time on the streets. If you live in Virginia Beach, look for Capt. Bell, or Sen. Stolle (or one of their friends) to knock on your door in the next few weeks. Just in case you’re not at home when they stop by to ask for your vote, you can click here to take a closer look at Capt. John Bell or St. Sen. Ken Stolle.

With all the stories in the news about the bars “Have a Nice Day Cafe” and “Bar Norfolk” getting padlocked by  security and no longer wanted in Waterside by the city of Norfolk, I can’t help but think about the old Waterside from back in the day.  Even though I grew up in Virginia Beach, Waterside was a destination for people of all ages from all over Hampton Roads when it first opened.

The  Fudgery, Phillips Seafood, Pierces Pitt Barbeque, a pizza shop, a Chinese restaurant, lots of boutiques. Those were the days!

Some say the city of Norfolk recruited the big name chain bars to help revive the waterfront building, but  is now looking for something different to bring back the family friendly atmosphere at all times.

town point park

The renovation of  Town Point Park outside of Waterside is gorgeous and it’s slowly bringing folks back to hang out on the lawn, run through the fountain, walk or run along the border.

The commemorative bricks are fun to look at- especially when you recognize the names!  Inside Waterside, you can watch a puppet show, grab a bite to eat, listen to live music or work out at the Gym Downtown’s new location there.  The retail appears to be rebounding…  there’s a new Foxers lingerie boutique, the popular Virginia store and a few other old faithful shops that remain.

I think Norfolk city leaders should take a trip to Columbus, Ohio and check out the North Market.

Here’s a description from its web page:

I visited the North Market for the first time in the spring and loved it!  The best thing about Waterside is it’s on the water!! Imagine the possibilites of spending the entire day eating, relaxing, exercising- whatever you want to do.  Hopefully it will continue to bounce back and folks will get on the same page about what they really want it to be.  What are your memories and thoughts about Waterside? Please share them below.

Local viewer, Gregg Fordham, continues to keep me posted on his efforts to end AIDS.  He emailed me this note about a rally they had in front of Norfolk city hall on March 11.

“We had about 15-20 folk out we rally out front of city hall passed out flyers to people passing by . We also had some chants going on will we were out there. We did a little program out front city hall where  Pavar  from 103JAMZ spoke and then we had someone else speak on transportation, then we had a report card that we gave the city of Norfolk a grade of D for the efforts that give to the HIV/AIDS community  here. The Tidewater area gets about $5 million for HIV/AIDS in this area  sounds like a lot but really it is not. What we would like to do is get the city’s to put in local money to help in the fight of the epidemic.This area puts in $0  for HIV/AIDS the first thing that is usually said is that you have the Ryan White Money that does get you to doctors, but not support services, sorry I get upset went I start these conversations sometimes.Hope this helps . Thanks for your help in this fight.”

 GREGG FORDHAM

We demand a national plan to end
AIDS within his first 100 days in office:
Identify a high level person who reports directly to
the President to shepherd the plan.
Identify an office within the government
where this plan will sit.
Identify a process whereby people living with
HIV/AIDS will be involved in the development
of the plan.
Identify a process for intergovernmental
collaboration in the development and
implementation of the plan.
Specify a timeline for the development of the
plan.

For more information on the Campaign to End AIDS, click here:

http://www.c2ea.org/

24 hours ago, (February 19th) the Virginia House of Delegates passed a ‘Partial Smoking Ban’ for restaurants and bars. It should come as no surprise the decision comes along with major controversy.

Long story short, it will require any establishment wanting to allow smoking indoors to have a separate room, with a separate ventilation system for smokers. The passage of bill certainly was not quick, in fact, it has been thrown around by lawmakers for years, never making it very far. I spent a good portion of the day yesterday talking to business owners and restaurant owners in the downtown Norfolk area about how they felt. I found “a few” bars that claim they would be hit hard financially, but the overwhelming majority of business owners and patrons I talked with were elated by the idea.

Smokers told me it was an invasion of their freedom as an American, non-smokers feel like it’s an invasion of their freedom to have to breathe 2nd hand smoke. And then there is this: Virginia IS a tobacco state. For the last 400 years tobacco has been a cash crop and many feel the passage of this bill is ironic. This is what one non-smoker had to say:”I’m not a smoker, nor have I ever been, but I’m also against anti-smoking laws. I can see the government banning smoking in public buildings, but private owners should be able to set their own rules and employees and patrons can choose to spend their time elsewhere if the rules bother them.” And the debate will continue.

It reminds me of California’s “Helmet Law”, requiring motorcycle riders to wear a helmet when they ride or face still penalties. Critics argued it’s a personal choice and not something that should be forced on anyone and when you think about it, why shouldn’t we allow someone to risk their own life, if it’s not a risk to anyone else? Although a ‘partial smoking ban’ is very different in nature, each individual still has the option to NOT patronize an establishment that allows smoking. So, at what point do state lawmakers have too much pull? Here in the newsroom, it surprised us when we found out the bill passed for that very reason. I’m not a smoker and I’m glad to know I won’t be forced to breathe someone else smoke, but I can also understand the larger issue of personal freedoms.

Not long ago, the state of New York adopted a similar ‘partial smoking ban’ and the overwhelming majority of responses I found on the web were positive about the change. However, the following is a quote from a New York City “pro-smoking” website. Although it may seem a little far fetched, there is a point here. It began by saying the state of New York has added $1.25 to each pack of cigarettes and at years end, that tax will net the state more than a billion dollars. It reads …

“One billion dollars!!!!!
And people sue the tobacco companies?
Maybe they should sue the state. The state makes more money per pack than do the tobacco companies.
Cigarette taxes have nothing to do with health and everything to do with $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.”

Clearly the state of Virginia is very different and has a very different plan focus for the ‘partial smoking ban’ and cigarette tax, but the basic question of ‘government control’ still holds true. Let me know what you think.

Eric

As the inaugural parade wraps up, I’ve decided to write down a couple of thoughts about this historic day.   Seems everyone stopped what they were doing at one point today to watch history in the making.   I’ve heard so many different descriptions from people who were there in D.C. to people who were watching the day’s events on their t.v.’s and their computers.   Just looking at the National Mall, it appears to be one giant jigzaw puzzle made up of people of all different ages, colors and sizes… but all coming together for a common goal of changing America.

I was taking part in the blogging and tweeting on Facebook and Twitter and now here on www.wavy.com.   It was nice to see the t.v. networks and local stations show so many different sides of this story.  It was great to see civil rights heroes and former political leaders arrive in the V.I.P. section.   It was rude to hear how some people greeted President Bush as he walked out into the inaugural celebration.  You’d think if people went through all of the trouble to make the trip to Washington and beat the crowds, they would behave a little bit better. It’s tough to cover politics as a journalist and not have someone accuse you of being liberal or unbalanced and biased.   I purposely try to  present the issues and the facts.

I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I wish my grandparents, my godfather, and other relatives who have passed on could have witnessed this day in history.  Mainly because of the stories they told me about the hardship they faced- just because the color of their skin.  I’m sure they hoped for, but weren’t certain we’d ever have a President with African ancestry this soon.   In honor of my family members  who have gone before me- both black and non-black,  I am hopeful people will continue to move forward and work hand in hand with the same enthusiasm they’ve had over the past year.  No matter what your race, gender, or political affiliation is- this is the perfect opportunity to reflect on our past, our present and our future.  Take advantage of it!

Blog by WAVY News 10 reporter Derrick Rose:

———-

Wow. What an amazing day and experience. I almost don’t know where to begin.

Right now its about 1030 a.m. and I’m not too far from the Capitol bldg but I have a huge jumbotron in front of me.

The best part about this moment is spending it with my family-mother, father, sister and cousin. We braved the cold at 5am to hit an enormously crowded metro rail system. I’ve taken the metro hundreds of times but obviously it’s never been at the capacity it’s been today. That’s what happens when everyone wants to be a part of history.

I wish everyone who wanted to be here could come because just like covering major breaking news like Katrina or 9/11, it’s one thing to see it on TV but when you’re here, you’re in the moment and words alone do not come close to doing these moments justice.

The members of the US House are making their entrance now and we are just moments away from history.

Members of Hollywood are all over. On the jumbotron I’ve seen Dustin Hoffman, Steven Spielberg, and Muhammad Ali but no Andy Fox. I’m sure the Foxxer is around here somewhere scoring an exclusive with some big name.

The weather just in case you haven’t been watching TV is cold but not bad considering I’m in a direct beam of sunlight and I packed on more layers than the cold weather story I did last Friday morning on WAVY News 10 Today. I’m having flashbacks to my days at the ages of 3 to 5 when my mom used to bundle me up in this little navy blue snowsuit with the knit gloves safety pinned to the sleeves. I couldn’t raise my arms then, I don’t think I can raise them now. Speaking of the weather there was music playing and everyone was bouncing and moving but I’m convinced it was more to keep warm than to keep the beat.

Its about 1040 am now so it’s a little more than an hour until the Transition of Power.

I’ll be sending in more photos to our webdesk throughout the day.

Derrick Rose
Reporter, WAVY News 10

Blog from Jenn and Amanda:

9:20 a.m.

So a little more than two hours now until the start of the Inauguration. The giant TVs are replaying Sunday’s HBO concert special, so we’re kept entertained as we anxiously await the President-elect.

The only real problem out here is the cold. It seems our many layers of clothes are not holding up to the nearly freezing temperatures. Despite the weather, though, it is still a very exciting place to be! And this crowd is growing bigger and bigger!

More to come…

Jenn and Amanda

Blog from Jenn Rojsuontikul and Amanda D’Attilio:

At about 3:15 a.m. our alarm went off and we got up to prepare for our train ride into D.C. from Manassass, Virginia. The Virginia Railway Express sold special tickets for today’s Inauguration, so we were guaranteed a seat. Still, we wanted to be sure. So we arrived at about 4:45 a.m. at the train station. Just after 5 a.m. the train pulled up and we got on.

We were told not to bring a lot with us for the sake of security. So we just packed some snacks and a blanket to sit on while on the Mall. Once we arrived we saw the mass of people moving toward the capitol. There were vendors selling all things Obama, hoping to profit a little from this historic event. We were really surprised there were no security checkpoints for those of us watching from the National Mall. But we hear random searches could be in place.

Huge TVs are set up for all of us to watch! We’ve tried to send some pictures but it seems that cell service is either weak or jammed. So we’ll send those pictures along after the event.

Aside from the crowds we’re also dealing with the cold. We both have dressed in warm layers: 2 pairs of Under Armor pants, a pair of jeans, two Under Armor shirts, a Northface, and a jacket! So we’re keeping nice and toasty.

As soon as things start going we’ll send along more updates!

- Jenn Rojsuontikul and Amanda D’Attilio
William & Mary and George Mason students

The days leading up to President-elect Obama’s Inauguration have been filled with hopes and criticisms, but one that stuck in my mind was the importance this event will have on the young students in our classrooms. The same students who have followed this electoral process from the very beginning, from grade school through high school are in the middle.

It seems an issue is rumbling in some public schools in the U.S. that has some believing “freedom of     expression and political belief,” could be compromised.  Here it is: Some schools across the nation have made changes to schedules, exams and planned events in order to facilitate every student watching the inauguration. And that — is NOT sitting well with everyone. Parents are quick to criticize based upon their political viewpoints, yet they seem to be missing a much larger point being made. By their own admission, the parents who are against making the Inauguration a ’student event’ claim their children will be forced to watch something that may disagree with personal opinion or political ideal.

What this Inauguration represents: Our nation, our future, our political process, respect and most of all HISTORY!

Reality is: Barack Obama is our next elected president and to have our youth watch his inauguration isn’t insensitive to those who don’t share his opinions.  It also, in no way represents a disrespect of a persons freedom of political expression.

Although the inauguration is shrouded in political undertones — It is neither a political event nor a political celebration, instead a constitutionally mandated event representing the peaceful hand-over of power.

I can remember watching the inauguration of past President’s and part of classroom curriculum, part of history, part of who we are as Americans. The media frenzy is, of course, much more intense this time around because Obama is our nation’s first black president and the job he is stepping into is arguably the most daunting in recent history. But in the end it is still,  “A Presidential Inauguration”, and as such .. it is perhaps one of the greatest springboards for open student dialogue that we will ever see.  A time when students can listen to and respect ALL viewpoints, not just those they have been hearing at home or on TV over the past 12 months.

Lets celebrate our Nation, democracy and what we represent as American’s tomorrow. After that, there will be plenty of time to debate the challenges we face — as a country!