YRFV Convention 2008 Update - All-Star Conservative Line Up; Early Bird Registration Ends Tomorrow, 3-31-08

Convention Newsletter No. 4

March 29, 2008

Dear Young Republicans:

Welcome to the fourth issue of the Young Republican Federation of Virginia's Convention Newsletter! We wanted to let you know about the many updates and the registration deadline quickly approaching! The convention planning committee has been busy preparing for your arrival to beautiful Richmond for the Convention. This year's convention will be held on April 4-6, 2008. We can't wait to see each of you!! There will be some great opportunities to network with other YRs from across the commonwealth and meet leaders from around Virginia.

The deadline to keep in mind is Monday, March 31st, which is the last day for the $40 Early Bird registration fee. The registration rate goes up to $65 on April 1st. You can register online here. Payment can be made either online or via snail mail.

Please check out our exciting agenda and line up of Virginia leaders!

We look forward to seeing you in Richmond!!

Yours in Republican Victory,
Lori-Ann Miller- YRFV Chairman

The YRFV Would Like to Thank Its Sponsors*
Platinum
U.S. Senate Candidate Jim Gilmore
Attorney General Bob McDonnell

Silver
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling
Speaker of the House Bill Howell
Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart

Bronze
Del. Sam Nixon

Friend
Sen. Ryan McDougle
Del. Jeff Frederick
Del. Brenda Pogge
Del. Lee Ware
(*) As of 3-29-08

The YRFV Convention Site is the Omni Richmond Hotel
100 South 12th Street
Richmond, VA 23219

The YRFV Convention will be held at the Omni Richmond Hotel, so where will you be staying? The Omni Richmond is where YRFV Convention attendees should make their reservations. You can stay in a beautiful hotel room overlooking the State Capitol and be near the nightlife. To make reservations, please call the hotel at 804-344-7000 (make sure you mention the Young Republican Federation of Virginia) or click here to reserve online. The special room rate has expired but please do indicated you are with our group when reserving the room. If you have any questions, please contact Cristen Vehorn at cristenrvehorn@gmail.com.

Details, Details
The YRFV Convention on April 4th and 5th, 2008 will be a great way to network with various young professionals from across the Commonwealth and there are various panels being held that will captivate your attention. We are expecting great speakers such as Virginia Lt Governor Bill Bolling, Attorney General Bob McDonnell, U.S. Senatorial Candidate Jim Gilmore and many others. We will talk about important topics such as immigration and using new media in communicating to YRs.

Now, I know that you really want to register, so click on the link that will take you to the YRFV website. If you apply before April 1st, you will receive the Early Bird Registration Fee of $40. However, starting on April 1st, the fee will be $65. Additionally, there will be a Welcome Reception on Friday, April 4th, and a brunch on Sunday, April 6th.

Agenda:
Friday, April 4th
7-9 p.m.-Evening Welcome Reception, BlackFinn Restaurant, 1001 Haxall Point
9:30-11:30 p.m.-Hospitality Suite sponsored by Attorney General Bob McDonnell

Saturday, April 5th
7-8:30 a.m.-Conference Registration
8-8:30 a.m.-Continental Breakfast
8:30-8:45 a.m.-Welcome from Attorney General Bob McDonnell
8:45-9:45 a.m.-General Assembly Update: Senators and Delegates from around the Commonwealth
9:45-10 a.m.-Break-includes coffee, teas and sodas. Meet and Greet with Senators and Delegates, including Senator Ryan McDougle and Delegate Bill Janis
10-11 a.m.-Issues Roundtable-Immigration, including Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Corey Stewart and PWC Pro-Legal Immigration Activist Greg Letieq
11-12 p.m.-YRFV Business Meeting-Vote on Proposed Amendment proposals
12-1:15 p.m.-Lunch (buffet)-Luncheon Speaker-U.S. Senate Candidate and Former Governor Jim Gilmore
1:15-1:30 p.m.-15 min. Break
1:30-1:50 p.m.-RPV Chairman John Hager--Looking Forward: Where we are and Where we are headed
1:50-2:10 p.m.-Del. Jeff Frederick, candidate for RPV Chairman
2:10-2:20 p.m.-PM Break, includes snacks and drinks, Meet and Greet with Hager and Frederick
2:20-2:40 p.m.-Lt. Governor Bill Bolling--Looking Forward: Where we are and Where we are headed
2:40-3 p.m.-Jessica Colon, Chairman of the Young Republican National Federation
3:30-4 p.m.-Issues Roundtable-New Media, including Chris Beer from the Mason Conservative and Shaun Kenney from ShaunKenney.com
4-5 p.m.-Tours of the Newly Renovated Capitol (for those interested)
3:45-4:45 p.m.-YRFV Executive Board Meeting

Please join us for our evening event to celebrate being Young Republicans! Our evening event will be taking place at Sine Irish Pub or Cha Cha's Cantina starting at 8 p.m. We will then head to Toad's Place to catch a live band and the Hospitality Suites.

Sunday, April 6th
10:30 a.m.-Brunch (Location-TBD)
1-2 p.m.-Tours of the newly renovated Capitol (for those interested)

Two Big McCain Virginia/DC Functions Coming Up for Supporters

Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Alexandria, VA
WHO: Senator John McCain
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting (Admission Free)
WHEN: Tuesday, April 1, 2008 at 10:15 AM
WHERE: Episcopal High School - "Fortiter, fideliter, feliciter"
1200 North Quaker Lane (Quaker & Braddock)

Tuesday, April 8, 2008
Washington, DC
WHO: Senator John McCain
WHAT: Fundraiser and Meet & Greet
WHEN: Tuesday, April 8, 2008
VIP Reception & Photo 5:30PM ($2,300)
General Reception 6:00PM ($1,000)
WHERE: The Willard
1401 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20004

Big 2008 Virginia Polling News: McCain Extends Double-Digit Lead in Virginia Over Obama and Clinton

Virginia: McCain Widens Lead Over Both Democrats
McCain 52% Obama 41%; McCain 58% Clinton 36%
Rasmussen Reports
Saturday, March 29, 2008

Since wrapping up the Republican nomination, John McCain has gained ground on his two potential Democratic challengers in many states. Virginia is no exception. The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey of Virginia voters found McCain ahead of Barack Obama by eleven percentage points, 52% to 41%. McCain leads Hillary Clinton by an enormous twenty-two point margin, 58% to 36%.

The survey was conducted on Thursday, March 27, following several days of media coverage concerning Clinton’s comments about Bosnia.

The new numbers reflect a significant gain for McCain in the Old Dominion. Last month, McCain had a five-point lead over Obama and a ten-point lead over Clinton. The Republican candidate also leads both Democrats nationally in the Rasmussen Reports daily Presidential Tracking Poll.
***
When it comes to the War in Iraq, 57% of Virginia voters say the U.S. and its Allies are winning. A fifth (20%) of voters say the terrorists are winning. Those figures are more optimistic than the national average....

Sixty-nine percent (69%) of Virginia voters think American society is fair and decent, while 21% find it unfair and discriminatory.

Over the past month, McCain has gained ground in Missouri, Ohio, Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. He also hold a solid lead in North Carolina, Georgia and Arkansas....

Virginia is rated as Leans Republican in the Rasmussen Reports Balance of Power Calculator. This Calculator aggregates data from a variety of sources to provide a comprehensive assessment of the state-by-state race for the White House....

Click heading at top of post for complete Rasmussen Article.

First 2008 General Election Ad: John McCain: The American President Americans Have Been Waiting For

Click above to see John McCain's first 2008 General Election Advertisement

I tell you this is what I saw in John McCain in New Hampshire even when I was an ardent Fred Thompson supporter. There is something intangible about John McCain that makes you want to be proud of him, his service and America. Talk about contrasts, I have now completely changed my mind. I hope Obama rather than Hillary wins the Democrat nomination. If he does, I believe while close, we will win a victory for Republicans. As you can see, Obama's judgment is quite poor when it comes to who he surrounds himself with: Wright and McPeak. We cannot take such risks as a Country and that is why McCain will win the Day.

John McCain 2008 Releases First Ad Of General Election, Launches "Service To America" Tour
March 28, 2008

ARLINGTON, VA -- U.S. Senator John McCain's presidential campaign today released the first television ad of the general election. The ad, entitled "624787," poses important questions to the American people about what values they want in their next president, and highlights John McCain's experience, character and optimistic vision for our future. "624787" will run statewide in the important battleground state of New Mexico.

VIEW THE AD [ABOVE OR] HERE: http://johnmccain.com/service/

The campaign further announced that on Monday, John McCain will embark on a "Service to America" tour where he will introduce himself to the nation through a series of speeches and visits that trace the life of a man indebted to his nation, humbled by the opportunity to serve his country, honored by his family's love and deeply moved by his fellow Americans' courage and sacrifice. The tour will highlight the events and figures that shaped his views of right and wrong, forgiveness and grace and the tradition of service and sacrifice ingrained in him from generations of McCains. This "Service to America" tour will fundamentally be about the future of America and the change John McCain will bring as president, informed by the values that have guided his life.

Further details on the "Service to America" tour will be released today.

Outrage II: Obama's Top Military Adviser: NYC/Miami Jews and Born-Again Christians are the Problem

[Note: Wow, after last week, it just keeps getting worse for Obama. First, the racially-charged anti-USA issues created by Pastor Jeremiah Wright. Now the anti-Semitic views voiced by his top military adviser. Obama your closest allies "are coming home to roost." As a Catholic with Jewish roots, this type of bigotry is disgraceful and unacceptable. I assume Obama will defend his top military adviser as well? This may be an electoral blowout for McCain]

McPeak on Display
By Robert M. Goldberg
The American Spectator
Published 3/24/2008

Last week, Barack Obama's military adviser and national campaign co-chairman Merrill "Tony" McPeak accused former President Bill Clinton of "using divisive tactics and unfairly trying to question Barack Obama's patriotism."
***
Well, it is likely that Obama will soon be having to retract Merrill McPeak. McPeak, who was arrested last year for driving under the influence, apparently has a problem controlling more than his thirst for fermented beverages. He also has a penchant for bashing Israel or, more particularly, Jews who oppose negotiating with terrorists.
***
In recent years McPeak has echoed the Mearsheimer-Walt view that American Middle East policy is being controlled by Jews at the expense of America's interests in the region. In a 2003 interview with the Oregonian, McPeak complained of that the "lack of playbook for getting Israelis and Palestinians together at...something other than a peace process....We need to get it fixed and only we have the authority with both sides to move them towards that. Everybody knows that."

The interviewer asked McPeak: "So where's the problem? State? White House?"

McPeak replied: "New York City. Miami. We have a large vote -- vote, here in favor of Israel. And no politician wants to run against it."

Translation (as if it's needed): Jews -- who put Israel over every American interest -- control America's policy on the Middle East. And McPeak has the audacity to accuse Bill Clinton of McCarthyism.

McPeak also claims that a combination of Jews and Christian Zionists are manipulating U.S. policy in Iraq in dangerous and radical ways: "Let's say that one of your abiding concerns is the security of Israel as opposed to a purely American self-interest, then it would make sense to build a dozen or so bases in Iraq. Let's say you are a born-again Christian and you think that Armageddon and the rapture are about to happen any minute and what you want to do is retrace steps you think are laid out in Revelations, then it makes sense. So there are a number of scenarios here that could lead you in this direction. This is radical...."

***

Click here to read the entire article about Obama's top military adviser.
Robert Goldberg is vice president of the Center for Medicine in the Public Interest.

Also, you can find this story about Obama's top military adviser and his hateful "views" carried here, here, here, here and here.

Clinton Takes Stand Against Obama; She Would Have Walked Out on Obama's Racially-Charged Pastor

[Note: Sounds like Hillary is finally taking Obama to task for his defense of Pastor Jeremiah Wright. With Churches in Tampa, FL and Houston, TX canceling visits by Pastor Wright, maybe Rep. Jim Moran (VA-8) would be kind enough to invite Pastor Wright to visit Arlington. Based on published Washington Post articles here, here and here over the past few years, I think it is reasonable to believe that Moran and Pastor Wright have the same view on Israel, which is not my view, and should not be any American's view. Israel is a solid friend of the U.S. and deserves our support.]

As Obama Tries to Move Beyond Pastor Flap, Clinton Takes a Stand
by FOXNews.com
Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Just as coverage of Barack Obama’s pastor and his controversial sermons began to fade, Hillary Clinton took a stand on the issue for the first time Tuesday, saying she would have left the congregation if her pastor behaved like Obama’s.
***
Though Obama has come under intense scrutiny for the anti-U.S. and racially charged sermons of his long-time pastor, until now Clinton has declined to make a political point of it.

She broached the topic twice Tuesday, first in a newspaper interview and later at a press conference.

“He would not have been my pastor,” Clinton told reporters in Greensburg, Pa.

“You know, we don’t have a choice when it comes to our relatives. We have a choice when it comes to our pastors and the churches we attend,” she said. “Everyone will have to decide these matters for themselves. They are obviously very personal matters … I think the choice would be clear for me.”
***
Some polls showed Obama’s support slipping at the height of the Wright controversy a week ago, when the Illinois senator gave a major speech in Philadelphia on race that addressed his church ties. Obama decried Wright’s sermons for not recognizing the progress that’s been made with regard to racial equality, but would not denounce the pastor himself.

Obama has said he was not in church when many of Wright’s anti-U.S. statements were made, but admits hearing remarks he found objectionable and knowing that Wright was controversial.
***
Click here to read the article about Clinton’s take on Wright in the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Click here to read about Wright’s canceled appearance at a Tampa church.

Virginians: Win a seat on the Straight Talk Express Service to America Tour

My Friends,

Next week, I will embark on a "Service to America" tour visiting numerous locations that have played a significant role in shaping who I am today; places where I have had the honor of serving our nation. This tour will take me through Mississippi, Virginia, Florida and my home state of Arizona. I look forward to visiting sites that have left an imprint on my life aboard my campaign bus, the Straight Talk Express.

My campaign has come up with an opportunity for a supporter to join me on the Straight Talk Express for a day of conversation and campaigning. As a token of my appreciation for your financial support, you will be entered to win this seat aboard the Straight Talk Express if you make a contribution before midnight on March 31st. I hope you'll consider joining me by making a donation today. If you can give $50 or more, not only will you be entered to win a ride on the Straight Talk Express, but you'll receive a commemorative Straight Talk Express ticket.

March 31, 2008 marks an important deadline for our campaign. We will file a report with the FEC outlining the amount of money we have raised during the past three months. I'm reaching out to you to ask for your support by following this link to make a donation of $50, $100, $250, $500, $1,000 - anything you can contribute up to the legal limit of $2,300.

I have said many times before that this campaign will be the most expensive campaign in our history, and I have no doubt that both Senators Clinton and Obama will continue to report historic, record-breaking fundraising numbers. With your support today, my campaign will have the resources necessary to compete with either Senator Clinton or Obama in what will be a great contest come November.

I'm looking forward to traveling on the Straight Talk Express again next week, visiting directly with voters, hearing their concerns, offering my vision for the future and highlighting those among us who are serving our country and communities, dedicating themselves to causes greater than their own self interest. Your support makes this possible, and I am grateful for any assistance you are able to give.

Sincerely,

John McCain

P.S. You have an opportunity to join me aboard the Straight Talk Express by making a generous contribution before March 31st. With your donation of $50 or more, we will send you an exclusive, commemorative Straight Talk Express ticket as a symbol of your commitment to our campaign. Thank you.

What do Barack Obama, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds have in common? How they would answer a 3:00A.M. phone call

Even liberals have to admit this is pretty funny. In an effort for a quick political ad photo shoot, note how Barack Obama is holding the telephone.

Note to Obama campaign: When faking a pose for a photo opportunity, at least you can get the handset turned in the right direction!

Can't you see Creigh Deeds or Brian Moran answering the phone the same way. The U.S. can do better with John McCain and Virginia can do better than these two.

A Message from Bob McDonnell on LG's Decision to Run for Re-election

[Note: This is a great week for the Attorney General, with Lt. Gov. Bolling deciding to run for re-election, this clears the way for a unified GOP ticket anchored by McDonnell-Bolling. The only question now is who will run for AG and complete one of the strongest statewide tickets in modern Virginia GOP history! There is a lot of work to do yet for 2008 to make sure McCain beats Barack Obama, Gilmore beats Warner and Rep. Thelma Drake and Candidate Keith Fimian win, but 2009 is now looking much better for Republicans in the Commonwealth.

Virginians are also starting to realize that the version of the transportation bill he assisted with instructed localities to make the tax increase decision (which Sen. Creigh Deeds and Jim Moran's brother voted against) and that only after Governor Kaine amended the provision to take away the power from the localities and shift it to the regional authorities and strip the high drunk driver fees from being applicable to out-of-staters. So Kaine made sure to penalize only in-state drivers. After these Kaines-made changes, only then did Sen. Creigh Deeds and Del. Brian Moran vote FOR the bill.]

A Message from Bob McDonnell

3/24/2008

www.bobmcdonnell.com

Friends,

As you may know, earlier today Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling announced that he will seek re-election as Lieutenant Governor next year. I strongly endorse Bill in his re-election effort. As I begin to prepare for my campaign for Governor, I greatly look forward to running with Bill on a Republican ticket that will advance prosperity and opportunity and bring new energy and conservative leadership to Virginia.

Bill Bolling is a talented, principled Lieutenant Governor. He has led on the floor of the Senate, in the halls of the Capitol, and all across Virginia. This past session alone, Bill Bolling discovered the unconstitutional misappropriation of lottery funds in the state budget process. I was pleased to be able to back Bill up on this with an official legal opinion verifying his findings after he brought them to my attention. Bill also fought hard to restore budget funding for abstinence education. Rarely has a Lieutenant Governor taken the lead on two such high profile issues during a legislative session. Virginia is better managed because of Bill's leadership.

Bill and I have spoken at length about his decision to seek reelection. We speak often, discussing everything from how our children are doing to the crucial issues facing our Commonwealth. Bill is someone whose opinion I place in the highest regard. We are f riends who share the same values, and the same commitment to solving problems, making government work better, and improving the quality of life for all our citizens.

In the course of our recent conversations Bill and I discussed next year's elections, and the tremendous opportunity in front of us. Virginia Republicans have not held the office of Governor for the last two terms. That is a lifetime in the public policy arena. There are pressing challenges in education, immigration, spending, public safety and other areas that demand innovative Republican leadership to be effectively addressed.

The first key to winning back the office of Governor is returning unity to our party. By Republicans uniting early, and listening to all Virginians, while the Democrats face a lengthy primary contest, we will gain a significant and powerful advantage heading into the general election next November. Bill and I will work hard to ensure this happens.

We are prepared to do something rare in Virginia politics. We will run as a ticket: McDonnell-Bolling. Bill will have a significant and visible role in my campaign. He will not only be my running mate, he will be a trusted advisor and sounding board. We will travel Virginia together, to earn the trust of the citizens in order to return practical, conservative leadership to Richmond.

Over the next year, while continuing to serve you as Attorney General of this great Commonwealth, I will also be speaking more about the upcoming campaign, meeting with all of you, and preparing to meet the opportunities that lie in front of us. And, I will be vocally and vigorously promoting the reelection campaign of my great friend, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. It is time we bring conservative common-sense leadership back to Richmond. That effort starts today.

Bob McDonnell

Big News In Virginia: Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling will seek a second term (Covered by 30 Virginia Blogs)

[Note: Big announcement yesterday from the Lt. Governor. He will seek re-election as Lt. Governor and will not seek to run against AG Bob McDonnell for Governor in 2009. This clears the way for a unified ticket on the GOP side.]

Bolling to Seek Re-election for Lieutenant Governor in 2009
March 24, 2008

Dear Friends:

Over the past several months, many of my good friends and supporters have repeatedly asked me the same question – do I plan to seek the Republican Party’s nomination for Governor in 2009?

I have tried my best to avoid answering that question, because I believe it is important for our party to keep our focus firmly fixed on 2008 and the elections at hand.

If we are going to retain the presidency this November, elect a Republican to the United States Senate and retain the eight Republican seats we hold in the House of Representatives, we must focus on these elections and not look ahead to future elections.

Nonetheless, the interest in 2009 has continued and has intensified in recent months. Therefore, I have decided that I need to disclose my future political intentions now and not wait until after the November 2008 elections.

While Jean Ann and I deeply appreciate the encouragement we have received from countless people all across our state, I have decided that I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2009.

It would be a great honor to serve as Governor of Virginia and I think I would make a good Governor. However, I have decided that this is simply not the right time in my personal and professional life for me to embark on a gubernatorial campaign.

If there is one thing I learned from my campaign for Lieutenant Governor in 2005, it was that a statewide campaign is a very demanding thing and a campaign for Governor is an all consuming thing.

Given the all consuming demands of a gubernatorial campaign, I do not believe that anyone should seek that office unless they are able to dedicate their full time and attention to the campaign.

At the present time, I have concluded that numerous personal and professional responsibilities simply prevent me from dedicating my full time and attention to a campaign for Governor.

As you may know, in Virginia the office of Lieutenant Governor is considered to be a part time office. Because I’m not independently wealthy and do not currently have a full time government position, I have to work for a living, just like each of you, to pay the mortgage, college tuition, the power bill and all the rest.

My first responsibility has to be to my family and I have reluctantly concluded that it would be impossible for me to hold down a very demanding job in the private sector, fulfill my duties as Lieutenant Governor, and run a successful campaign for Governor at the same time.

In addition, five years ago I had the privilege of joining a wonderful group of people in starting up a new business operation in Richmond. We have done well, but ours is still a young and growing business. Until that business has matured and reached its goals, I cannot walk away from the commitments I made five years ago to my business associates.

Needless to say, this was a very difficult decision for me and my family. It is difficult to have a goal and be so close to achieving that goal, only to have it deferred to another day. Nonetheless, that is sometimes the cards life deals us and we have to play them to the best of our ability.

I know that my decision will surprise most people, disappoint many people and it may even make a few people happy. However, I am confident that it is the right decision for me and my family.

Six years ago, when I first started my political travels across Virginia, I did so with a good friend and colleague, Bob McDonnell. Little did we know that we would have the privilege of serving the people of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General.

Bob McDonnell is a good friend and a good man, and he has done an outstanding job serving as the Attorney General of Virginia for the past two and half years. It has been a privilege to work with him.

As you know, Bob has also expressed an interest in running for Governor in 2009 and I think he would make a great Governor. Should Bob decide to seek the office of Governor, he will have my full, complete and enthusiastic support.

While I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2009, I do plan to seek re-election to the office of Lieutenant Governor and I would be honored to have your support in that campaign.

I have enjoyed serving as Lieutenant Governor for the past two and half years. I believe I have made a positive contribution to the betterment of our state and our party and I am willing to continue serving in that capacity if it is the will of the people of Virginia.

I have had the privilege of representing the people of Virginia in state and local government for the past 17 years – four years as a member and chairman of the Board of Supervisors in Hanover County, ten years as a member of the Senate of Virginia, and for the past two and a half years as Lieutenant Governor.

During that time I have done my best to provide the people of Virginia with aggressive and effective leadership in state and local government, and to consistently support the conservative principles and values that most Virginians believe in. I think that effort has been successful and I hope you agree.

As you have heard me say many times, Virginia is a great place to live, work and raise a family. However, we face some serious challenges in Virginia today, and to keep Virginia great we still have some work to do.

Likewise, this is a challenging time for our party. The political dynamics and demographics of our state are changing and we can no longer assume that we will win statewide campaigns just because we are Republicans.

While the challenges we face are significant, I know that we are capable of overcoming them. By working together, by focusing on conservative solutions to the challenges that confront us and by offering a positive vision for the future, I believe we will continue to win political campaigns and earn the right to lead Virginia.

Jean Ann and I deeply appreciate all you have done for us over the years. Without your friendship, confidence and support, our success would not have been possible. We look forward to growing our friendship over the coming years and working with you to build a better Virginia.

Very Truly Yours,
WILLIAM T. BOLLING
Lieutenant Governor
Commonwealth of Virginia