Women Leaders Across Virginia Will Promote Ed’s Economic Growth Message to Voters in Final Six Weeks of the Campaign

LORTON –The Women for Ed Coalition today launched a volunteer effort with more than 1,000 women leaders from across Virginia.

Speaking about the effort, Ed Gillespie said, “More Virginians are realizing every day that Mark Warner is not the Senator he said he would be. I have two daughters in college and the percent of women participating in the labor force was the lowest this June that it’s been in their lifetimes. There are 65,000 more Virginia women living in poverty today than when Mark Warner took office. Women are losing their health coverage and doctors because of his support of Obamacare. We need a pro-growth agenda that would raise take home pay, reduce costs for food and gas and let more people find good-paying jobs. With the right policies, we can do better, and we must.”

Senator Debra Fischer (R-Nebraska) said, “Ed Gillespie has the right ideas to get our economy moving and would make a great partner in building bi-partisan support for them in the Senate. Women are struggling in this economy and with Ed’s ideas and experience we can turn things around.”

Kate Obenshain said, “Mark Warner has given a free pass to President Obama’s agenda in the Senate. We’re seeing the effects all around us, with recent news that 250,000 more Virginians will lose their existing health care coverage this Fall because of Warner’s vote for Obamacare. Ed Gillespie has a plan that will move our country in a better direction.”

A list of the “Women for Ed” state leadership council and coalition signup form is available at http://edforsenate.com/g_coalition/women/

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“Mark Warner talks a good game, but when it comes to his votes on the issues that impact jobs and the economy, actions speak louder than words”
Group did not endorse in the 2008 election

DULLES – The Associated Builders and Contractors today announced its endorsement of Ed Gillespie for Senate.

Speaking about the endorsement, Patrick Dean, President of the ABC Virginia Chapter said, “This is a crucially important election for small businesses and their workers. Ed Gillespie has an economic growth agenda that is desperately needed right now and he has the experience to build bipartisan support for his job creating policies. Mark Warner talks a good game, but when it comes to his votes on the issues that impact jobs and the economy, actions speak louder than words.”

Speaking about the endorsement, Ed Gillespie said, “Across Virginia I hear from small business owners and contractors hurt by this Administration’s policies, which Mark Warner supports 97 percent of the time. My economic agenda would create jobs and ease the squeeze on hard-working Virginians who are caught between stagnant wages and higher prices for health care, energy and food because of Mark Warner’s policies.”

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national construction industry trade association representing nearly 21,000 chapter members. The Virginia Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors is a statewide, pro-business association representing construction and construction-related firms, with offices in Dulles, Richmond, and Hampton Roads.

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LORTON – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign started airing a new TV ad today, highlighting Gillespie’s economic growth agenda and contrasting it with recent reports that nearly a quarter million Virginians will be unable to keep their existing health insurance coverage because of Obamacare.

The ad is available at the following link and a transcript is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YB_GyuJAOU&feature=youtu.be

 Better Direction (30 seconds)

Newscast: Nearly a quarter million Virginians will have their insurance plans cut.

Newscast: If you like your plan you can keep it. Ultimately that turned out not to be true for thousands of Virginians.

Ed Gillespie: Mark Warner’s support for Obamacare hurts workers. Mark Warner votes 97 percent of the time with Obama policies that squeeze Virginians with higher taxes and higher prices for health care and energy.

My economic plan will raise take home pay and lift people out of poverty.

That’s a new and better direction for Virginia.

Background:

Ed Gillespie’s Economic Growth Agenda is available at http://edforsenate.com/eg2/

Mark Warner has voted with President Obama 97 percent of the time in the Senate, more often than the average for Senate Democrats.

(PolitiFact: True)

NBC29 first reported two weeks ago that nearly a quarter million Virginians will be unable to keep their existing health care coverage this Fall.

In 2009, Mark Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.

A man in audience responded: Why lie to us?

Warner replied: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I’m not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.

Two months later, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.

Mark Warner’s full town hall held Sept. 3, 2009 in Fredericksburg is available here: http://www.c-span.org/video/?288690-1/senator-mark-warner-town-hall-meeting

In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. “Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Is “Largely Responsible” For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. “Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. “The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare’s more robust coverage requirements.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. “McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits.” (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because “He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding” While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. “Webb’s office provided this statement:: ‘Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.’” (Amy Lotven, “Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)

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‘This is what it looks like when a wave builds’

LORTON – A new Quinnipiac University poll released this morning found Ed Gillespie within single digits of Mark Warner.

In an analysis of the poll, pollster Glen Bolger of Public Opinion Strategies explained, “This is what it looks like when a wave builds. After starting out the race down by 22 points, Ed Gillespie has closed the U.S. Senate race in Virginia to single digits.”

He also noted that, “having been outspent 3-to-1 up until now, the Gillespie for Senate campaign has just begun today running ads in the important (and expensive) D.C. market, which is likely to impact the numbers further.”

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LORTON – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign released a new ad today, “Squeezed,” which highlights Gillespie’s story and contrasts his plan for economic growth with Mark Warner’s record of voting with President Obama 97 percent of the time.

The ad, which begins airing today, is the first to run from the Gillespie campaign in the Washington, D.C. market.

The ad is available at the following link and a transcript is below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BH2DgTxR1E&feature=youtu.be

Squeezed (30 seconds)

Ed Gillespie: I worked my way through college in my parents’ grocery store and as a Senate parking lot attendant. I worked from that parking lot to the White House.

There’s opportunity and dignity in work. But today, too many Virginians are squeezed by Mark Warner and President Obama’s policies that raise taxes, increase prices and kill jobs.

Mark Warner votes with the President 97 percent of the time. That’s not bipartisan.

It’s time for a new direction, where compassion is measured by creating good jobs.

Ed Gillespie’s Economic Growth Agenda is available at http://edforsenate.com/eg2/

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LORTON – Ed Gillespie issued the following statement upon Attorney General Eric Holder’s announcement that he would resign: “I respect all who are called to public service, but I hope Eric Holder’s successor will impartially defend our laws and uphold…

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NORFOLK – Ed Gillespie outlined his education reform plan – part of The Ed Gillespie Agenda for Economic Growth – yesterday in an op-ed in The Daily Caller. Gillespie’s education reform plan is available here: http://edforsenate.com/eg2/education-reform/

A Bold Plan To Accelerate Education Reform

Competition is good for Mark Warner and me. It’s good for Coke and Pepsi. And it would be good for our public schools, which is why greater choice is a central part of the education reform agenda I am releasing today. Education reform is one of the five points in my economic growth agenda—The Ed Gillespie Agenda for Economic Growth (EG2)—because the continued underachievement of our public schools has a critical and long-term impact on our economic growth and global competitiveness.

It is clear that simply spending more money on education does not equate with better outcomes, considering that the United States spends more per student than all but a handful of other developed countries. Virginia students consistently rank in the top five in measures of academic performance, but the Commonwealth ranks 23rd in per-pupil spending.

My proposed reform principles for K-12 and higher education, including an emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education, will strengthen our schools and ensure America remains competitive for generations to come.

Every child must have an opportunity for a quality education. The growing diversity of alternative forms of education is a positive development, which is why I believe Congress should allow states to use federal funds to expand choice in education. If elected, I will also advocate for education reforms that increase the number of charter schools and provide greater support to high-performing charter schools. Additionally, dedicating federal funds to the creation of scholarships for low-income children could be a boon to true school choice for parents throughout the country.

We need to overhaul federal education funding and programs, eliminating duplicative programs, reducing mandates and providing more block grants to states. According to the Government Accountability Office in 2010, around 150 K-12 and early childhood education programs operate in 20 executive branch and independent federal agencies with total funding levels on average over $55 billion per year. Those federal programs determined to be necessary should be consolidated and some should be considered for block funding grants. These changes would simplify federal funding, lighten the burden of mandates coming from Washington and give states the opportunity to innovate in serving their parents, students, and teachers.

We are not getting bang for our buck in higher education, and many of our recent graduates are burdened by rising student loan debt in an anemic job market. In 2011, outstanding student loan debt passed $1 trillion dollars for the first time. From 2001 to 2011, we saw a 61% increase in the number of college graduates living at home and a remarkable 46% of our recent college graduates are unemployed or underemployed today. While implementing my EG2 Plan for Economic Growth will help with their job prospects, we also need to improve financial aid and higher education.

Student loan payments can be a heavy burden on recent graduates. Reform proposals such as correlating student loan payments with income levels would give these new entrants in our workforce the ability to manage their payments effectively. With the right policies, recent graduates can begin renting their own places to live, buying a car, and starting families while still paying off creditors.

Many of these recent graduates entered a system where financial aid and debt were secondary concerns. We need to do better in informing students earlier in the school selection process. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is complicated, confusing, and time-consuming. This is why I support simplifying the process as much as possible and accelerating the timeline for when students learn about their financial aid eligibility. The sooner this information is known, the better students and their parents can judge which school is the best fit.

Encouraging more higher education options will also give students more choice in deciding where to attend. A key hindrance to this is the antiquated federal accreditation system. By turning the system over to the states, with the Department of Education maintaining a role in overseeing federal dollars, a focus on decentralization and a reduction of outdated regulatory barriers could enhance competition throughout higher education.

Going in the opposite direction of this innovation is a proposal to tie Federal Student Aid to a new School Rating System, which would be a disturbing government overreach. While Senator Warner straddles the fence on this Postsecondary Institution Ratings System, I will oppose this one-size-fits-all national mandate. Encouraging states to promote transparency and working in cooperation with our universities will ensure far better outcomes than a system dictated by the Department of Education.

Lastly, throughout K-12 and higher education, we need to renew a focus on recruiting students into STEM fields and ensuring they receive valuable training that will meet the needs of employers and research institutions. Unfortunately the Department of Education’s efforts have produced mediocre results. We need to encourage industry and companies to work with states to create STEM academies, charter schools and scholarship opportunities for interested and promising students. According to the Department of Labor, 50% of economic expansion is the result of the 5% of our workforce that works in STEM fields.

In sum, we cannot be complacent about the continued underachievement of our K-12 public school system or the financial aid crisis in our higher education system. Unless we change our approach, we risk consigning the United States to a permanent decline. The reforms I outlined will boost education outcomes, give control back to parents and teachers, provide our children with better opportunities, and make college more affordable.

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LORTON – The National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors (NAW) announced its endorsement today of Ed Gillespie for Senate. NAW represents the entire wholesale-distribution industry, and there are today 17,378 wholesale-distribution locations in Virginia employing more than 120,000 Virginians.

Speaking about the endorsement, NAW President Dirk Van Dongen said, “Ed Gillespie has been a longtime advocate of policies that promote economic growth who cares about small businesses. Mark Warner promised to be an independent voice for Virginians and a pro-business senator, but has been a reliable vote for higher taxes, more spending and a larger, more intrusive government.”

Ed Gillespie said, “I’m grateful for the support of NAW and so many business leaders who see every day that the policies of Mark Warner and President Obama are holding back job creation. Virginians are realizing that Mark Warner isn’t the Senator he said he would be, and that it’s time for a new and better direction for our country.”

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‘Gillespie has the momentum, and he long has shown that he knows how to win’

RICHMOND – National Review Online took note this morning of the tightening U.S. Senate race in Virginia and of Ed Gillespie’s strength as a candidate. The full article is below.

In Virginia, a Tightening Senate Race

If you really want to strike fear into Democratic hearts this fall, tell them that not even their popular senator from Virginia, Mark Warner, is an entirely safe bet for reelection. Suddenly, Democrats are starting to feel afraid. Warner’s happy warrior of an opponent, longtime Republican-party leader Ed Gillespie, has cut a 22-point deficit to just nine, before even beginning his first advertising blitz in the expensive D.C.-area market.

Gillespie’s ads are good, his demeanor upbeat and approachable, his message disciplined and solutions-oriented, and his long-admired organizational skills in good order. And there’s plenty of time for conservative groups to educate Virginia voters about the truth of Warner’s record, which is far more left-wing than his carefully crafted “moderate” image would suggest.

Yet Warner’s liberal record is not Gillespie’s own focus, except in a few understated but surgically effective strikes. By phone on Thursday, Gillespie enthusiastically focused on the five-point agenda for economic growth that his campaign has been relentlessly promoting. It includes fairly detailed plans for replacing Obamacare, pursuing tax and regulatory relief, reforming education by emphasizing family choice, and cutting wasteful spending (including support for a Balanced Budget Amendment, which Mark Warner voted against). Then there’s the issue that seems most likely to move Virginia voters in wholesale fashion, namely a vigorous embrace of energy development.

“We in Virginia can be the energy capital of the East Coast,” Gillespie said. “We have the best coal resources in southwestern Virginia, ones that are under assault by this administration, and untapped resources [wind, oil and especially natural gas] off our deep-sea coast that are under moratorium by this administration. I would fight for our coal miners and the families and small businesses that rely on them. Mark Warner hasn’t. In fact, he supports cap-and-trade legislation and a carbon tax.”

Gillespie’s website adds this:

Also in 2013, Warner voted against an amendment to ban unilateral EPA mandates regulating carbon emissions, regulations that have already had a severe impact on the coal industry. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, newly announced EPA regulations limiting greenhouse-gas emissions would have a hugely detrimental effect on the coal industry, reducing America’s coal-fired energy capability, and destroying jobs.

While Gillespie is focused on selling positive solutions, there is plenty in Warner’s record that should turn off not only conservative voters but also centrists aplenty. For one, Warner has slavishly voted for every one of President Obama’s nominees to the courts and executive agencies — even for radical lawyer Debo Adegbile, infamous for playing the race card while pushing for the release of the vicious cop killer Mumia Abu-Jubal. Seven other Democrats — but not Warner — joined Republicans in killing Adegbile’s nomination to head the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division. This put Warner to the left even of Delaware’s leftist Chris Coons, who has a rating of 100 percent from Americans for Democratic Action and a lifetime rating from the American Conservative Union of just 2 percent.

Warner also voted to confirm federal judicial nominees Edward Chen and Cornelia Pillard. The former is so radical that he confessed he felt upset and cynical upon having to hear “America the Beautiful” played at a funeral. Pillard’s antipathy to religious liberty is so strong that a 9–0 Supreme Court, including Obama’s appointees, shot down her anti-church position in a case about the government’s ability to interfere in the hiring and firing decisions of religious institutions. The Court wrote that the Obama administration’s position, supported by Pillard, was “untenable” and had “no merit.”

Aside from his votes on nominations, Warner has voted in effect to outsource Americans’ Second Amendment rights to United Nations arbiters, voted against the Keystone pipeline even when fellow Virginia Democrat James Webb voted for it, and voted (again against Webb) in favor of cuts to the Medicare Advantage program. And, of course, while voting against the locks, stocks, and barrels of American gun owners, Warner voted lock, stock, and barrel with the president’s imposition of Obamacare on a public firmly opposed to its adoption.

Such is the record of political hackitude of the supposedly moderate Mark Warner — he of the lifetime American Conservative Union rating that is worse than Joe Biden’s and Harry Reid’s. So there you have an overview of the campaign. Let’s back up some. Who is Ed Gillespie, and why should conservatives care? Isn’t he just some party establishment apparatchik, just another D.C. insider?

Well, no. Sure, Gillespie has done his duty in the Bush administration and as chairman of the Republican National Committee (a quite successful one at that), but his roots are in crafting and marketing forward-looking, creative conservative policy. He’s firmly pro-life, pro–gun rights, and pro–free markets. Along with Kerry Knott (now president of the C. S. Lewis Institute), Gillespie headed up what was one of the strongest staffs on Capitol Hill in the Nineties, that of free-market Texan Dick Armey. It was Gillespie, Knott, and Armey who, at a staff retreat at the mountain cabin of conservative-movement legend Morton Blackwell, generated the basic framework for what became the 1994 Contract with America that helped usher Republicans into a House majority for the first time in 40 years.

The media later conflated the Contract with subsequent pitched battles over the budget and with the sometimes-harsh rhetoric of Speaker Newt Gingrich. But the document itself, based in the concept envisioned by the Armey team, was a collection of policy initiatives that enjoyed widespread public approval, including ethics and procedural reforms that made Congress more transparent and accountable.

In a leadership team of outsized personalities (Armey, Gingrich, Tom DeLay, Bob Livingston, John Kasich, Henry Hyde), Majority Leader Armey was sometimes known for having particularly sharp elbows, and his staff’s work could reflect that proclivity. Those internecine squabbles show that Gillespie learned how to take and throw political punches (not a bad thing in an uphill race for U.S. Senate); equally impressive is the fact that Gillespie emerged with few real enemies on the right. He doesn’t often burn bridges, and his preferred mode is that of a coalition builder.

Gillespie’s chairmanship of the RNC from 2003 to 2005 gave evidence of those skills. The 2004 election atmosphere for Republicans wasn’t awful, but it was certainly challenging, with Republicans suffering from a public that was starting to turn against the war in Iraq while 52 percent rated the economy either “poor” or “not good.” Nonetheless, Gillespie oversaw a voter-turnout operation that achieved signal success. President Bush earned 62 million votes in his reelection victory (1.2 million more than Mitt Romney would get eight years later from a population 21 million larger), while Republicans picked up a net of four Senate seats and three House seats, and maintained control of more governorships and state legislative chambers than did Democrats.

Meanwhile, whereas long involvement with politics makes some people meaner, Gillespie is one of that rare breed who seems to have become friendlier and less guarded over time. He also still retains far more of an air of middle-classness than does the wealthy Warner. While Warner enjoys his large townhouse in Alexandria’s chichi Old Town, Gillespie is more likely to be found several miles south, taking his kids, after a ball game, to the Roy Rogers roast-beef place at the neighborhood shopping strip or buying the family groceries at the nearby Safeway. (I report this from personal experience.)

In his ads and campaign appearances and Web videos, Gillespie smiles easily and readily. He seems to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

“I love it!” he told me, of his switch from political strategist to candidate. “I really enjoy being a candidate. I like listening to people. I like standing up for what we believe in. And I am asking Virginians to hold Mark Warner accountable, but also to hold me accountable. That’s why I have put out these five priorities, so I can be held accountable. . . . Everywhere I go, I can just feel the energy, the intensity, and the enthusiasm building. A lot of young people are flocking to this campaign.”

A lot more people will need to flock to it if Gillespie is to make up another nine-point deficit. But most of the public is just starting to pay attention, and Virginia races tend to break late. The latest poll shows that Warner already has consolidated almost the entire Democratic electorate, so he has little obvious room to grow — but there are still plenty of Republicans who could come home to Gillespie, who also leads already among independents.

Before it’s all over, this campaign could be a barn burner — or maybe a Warner burner. Gillespie has the momentum, and he long has shown that he knows how to win.

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RICHMOND – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign released a new digital ad today called “SenateCenter,” which highlights several of the votes that comprise Mark Warner’s partisan Senate voting record. The video is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIF_nGGPMfw&feature=youtu.be

Speaking about the new digital ad buy, Campaign Manager Chris Leavitt said, “Mark Warner rubber-stamps President Obama’s agenda 97 percent of the time, even when Democrats like Jim Webb bucked their party. Virginians know we need a new, better direction.”

BACKGROUND

In April 2009, Warner Voted Against An Amendment That Would Have Created A 60-Vote Point Of Order Against Any Legislation That Causes Significant Job Losses In Manufacturing-Dependent Or Coal-Dependent Regions. “Bond, R-Mo., amendment no. 926 that would create a 60-vote point of order against any legislation that causes significant job losses in manufacturing-dependent or coal-dependent regions of the United States.” (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #142: Adopted 54-44: R 41-0; D 13-42; I 0-2, 4/2/09, Warner Voted Nay)

• NOTE: Webb Voted For The Amendment. (S. Con. Res. 13, CQ Vote #135: Adopted 65-33: R 41-0; D 24-31; I 0-2, 4/2/09, Webb Voted Yea)

In March 2012, Warner Voted Against Approval Of The Keystone XL Pipeline. “Hoeven, R-N.D., amendment no. 1537 that would provide for approval of the Keystone XL pipeline between Canada and the United States. It would require that the route for the pipeline in Nebraska be submitted by the state of Nebraska. It also would provide for certain environmental protections.” (S. 1813, CQ Vote #34: Rejected 56-42: R 45-0; D 11-40; I 0-2, 3/8/12, Warner Voted Nay)

• NOTE: Jim Webb Voted For The Hoeven Amendment To Approve The Keystone Pipeline. (S. 1813, CQ Vote #38: Rejected 41-57: R 38-7; D 3-48; I 0-2, 3/13/12, Webb Voted Yea)

In July 2009, Warner Voted Against An Amendment Requiring The Construction Of A Border Fence To Be Completed By December 2010. “DeMint, R-S.C., amendment no. 1399 to the Reid, D-Nev., substitute amendment no. 1373. The DeMint amendment would require the fence built along the U.S.-Mexican border to prevent pedestrian traffic and reach completion by Dec. 31, 2010. The substitute would provide $44.3 billion in fiscal 2010 for the Homeland Security Department and related programs, including $43 billion in discretionary spending. The total would include $16 billion for customs, border protection and immigration; $7.7 billion for the Transportation Security Administration, including fees; $8.9 billion for the Coast Guard, excluding mandatory spending; $1.5 billion for the Secret Service and $7 billion for FEMA. It also would prohibit funding after Jan. 4, 2010, for Loran-C, a land-based radio navigation system.” (H.R. 2892, CQ Vote #220: Adopted 54-44: R 33-7; D 21-35; I 0-2, 7/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

• NOTE: Webb Voted For The Amendment. (H.R. 2892, CQ Vote #220: Adopted 54-44: R 33-7; D 21-35; I 0-2, 7/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

In December 2011, Warner Voted Against A Balanced Budget Amendment. “Passage of the joint resolution that would propose a constitutional amendment that would require a balanced budget starting in the fifth fiscal year after ratification by three-fourths of the states. The proposal would require that total outlays do not exceed 18 percent of the gross domestic product. Under the proposal, three-fifths of the entire House and Senate would be required to approve an increase in the public debt limit. In addition, tax increases would require the affirmative vote of two-thirds in both chambers. A simple majority could waive the balanced-budget requirement in times of congressionally declared war or in the face of a serious military threat.” (S. J. Res. 10, CQ Vote #229: Rejected 47-53: R 47-0; D 0-51; I 0-2, 12/14/11, Warner Voted Nay)

In March 2010, Warner Voted To Kill An Amendment That Would Have Prevented Cuts To Medicare Advantage. “Baucus, D-Mont., motion to table (kill) the Hatch, R-Utah., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would prohibit cuts to the Medicare Advantage program and provide for an offset if the Health and Human Services Department certified that at least 1 million Medicare Advantage program participants would lose benefits under the changes in the reconciliation measure or the 2010 health care overhaul law. The bill would make changes existing health care law, revise student lending procedures and provide new revenue-raising provisions.” (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #72: Motion agreed to 56-42: R 0-40; D 54-2; I 2-0, 3/24/10, Warner Voted Yea)

• NOTE: Webb Voted Against Killing The Amendment. (H.R. 4872, CQ Vote #72: Motion agreed to 56-42: R 0-40; D 54-2; I 2-0, 3/24/10, Webb Voted Nay)

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LORTON – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign today released a new TV ad: Price on Carbon. The ad contrasts Mark Warner’s policy goal of taxing carbon with Ed Gillespie’s plan to unleash American energy and create good-paying jobs. The ad is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvaPqq217Vw&feature=youtu.be

Speaking about the new ad, Campaign Manager Chris Leavitt said, “Ed Gillespie’s economic growth agenda would lower the cost of energy and create good-paying jobs, while Mark Warner’s energy policy goal in the Senate has been to tax carbon, which would raise electric bills and kill Virginia jobs. Voters will have a clear choice in November.”

Price on Carbon

Mark Warner: That directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through cap and trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.

VO: Mark Warner and President Obama want to tax coal, which would kill thousands of good paying Virginia jobs in our communities.

Ed Gillespie: The Obama Warner anti-coal agenda will raise electric bills, devastate the local economy, and kill thousands of good-paying Virginia jobs. I’ll fight any coal tax. My plan will grow our economy by lowering the cost of energy and creating good-paying jobs.

Background:

On June 2 this year, when the White House released new restrictions on coal plants, Mark Warner stated that, “I’m going to be looking to look at the rules, and then specifically look at the comments,” after he expressed gratitude for an extension of the comment period until after his election.

That same day, Ed Gillespie said, “They’re trying to do by executive fiat what they weren’t able to get done by legislation. And the reason they weren’t able to get it done by legislation is because legislators understood the impact it was going to have on consumers.

“Energy prices will go up as a result of this policy, prices at the pump, in-home heating oil, and electric bills. It’s going to have a very negative impact on economic growth and disposable income.”

Mark Warner listed “cap and trade” as his long-term energy solution on his 2008 campaign website.

As a Senator, Mark Warner made the case for putting a price on carbon, saying, “The most significant thing we can do is send the market signal that either directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through Cap and Trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.”

Senator Warner has acted on his support for a carbon tax, voting against requiring a supermajority in the Senate to pass a carbon tax last year. Eight of his fellow Senate Democrats broke ranks to require the supermajority, but Warner toed the party line.

As a White House advisor, Ed Gillespie opposed cap and trade.

Mark Thiessen, former speechwriter for President George W. Bush, wrote in The Washington Post, “I worked closely with Gillespie in the White House, and he was a forceful champion for conservative policies in the Bush administration. When some White House advisers tried to get President Bush to support cap and trade, Gillespie stopped it cold.”

Peter Baker wrote in his book Days of Fire regarding Ed’s opposition to cap and trade, “He felt strongly enough to bring his concerns to Bush in a one-on-one conversation.”

In 2010 on Meet the Press, Ed Gillespie spoke forcefully against anti-jobs policies supported by Senator Mark Warner, including cap and trade and the carbon tax, saying, “In terms of the economy, if you’re an employer, how are you going to hire right now when you don’t know what the impact of this health care mandate is going to be and the cost on your premiums? How are you going to hire, if you’re not sure that there’s going to be an increased cost of energy because of a carbon tax or a cap and trade bill? How are you going to hire when you don’t know if you’re going to be able to have your carried interest financing if you’re a small business owner? How are you going to invest if you’re an investor when you think your capital gains taxes are going to go up and your dividends are going to go up and if you’re a small business owner, you’re going to get hit with a tax increase too? No wonder the economy is stagnant.”

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LORTON – The news website Hot Air published the below article today, lambasting PolitiFact Virginia’s phony fact check of a recent ad from the Gillespie campaign.

Whiplash: Politifact absolves Democrat who repeated…Politifact’s lie of the year

Politifact, the heavily left-leaning political fact-checking oufit, has truly outdone itself. The organization crowned President Obama as the 2013 recipient of its annual “lie of the year” designation for his tireless efforts to mislead Americans about being able to keep their existing healthcare plans under Obamacare. While richly deserved, the decision came as a bit of a surprise because Politifact had rated that exact claim as “half true” in 2012, and straight-up “true” in 2008 (apparently promises about non-existent bills can be deemed accurate). When Republicans leveled accurate criticisms against Obamacare, they were slapped down by America’s most partisan alleged arbiter of “facts.”

Even after pulling an about-face by labeling Obama’s “keep your plan” assurance as the biggest political lie of an entire year, Politifact stood behind its “mostly false” determination on Cantor’s quote, calling it “overly broad.” Which brings us to yet another pungent Politifact call against another Virginia Republican. GOP Senate nominee Ed Gillespie is running a television ad that hits Sen. Mark Warner for repeating the “keep your plan” fib.

The spot includes a video clip of Warner promising constituents that he’d oppose any healthcare bill “that’s going to take away heathcare that you’ve got right now, or a healthcare plan that you like.” He then voted for Obamacare, which did precisely that — with 250,000 more cancellation notices landing in Virginians’ mailboxes earlier this month. Gillespie’s campaign played the smoking gun tape and called the incumbent on it. An open and shut case. Not so fast, objects Politifact. The ad is “false:”

PolitiFact National never mentioned Warner in handing out the award. In articles and videos, our colleagues focused the award on Obama’s insistence over the years that under the ACA, “If you like your health care plan, you can keep it.” The statements and the circumstances behind them are not clones. The president had far greater power in shaping the law that bears his name than the senator. Warner didn’t repeat his pledge after he voted for the ACA in 2009.

Um, Warner voted for the bill and urged his Democratic colleagues to do the same (every one of them complied). Regardless of his relative power in “shaping the law,” he made an ironclad promise to the people of Virginia, then guaranteed the passage of a law that violated that promise. And the whole point of the pledge was to mitigate public opposition to the law prior to its passage. Good grief. In a follow-up item justifying their howler of a rating, Politifact achieved peak hackery:

Warner essentially says he couldn’t keep his 2009 pledge because he was blindsided by Obama. “Once the law was implemented, it quickly became clear that this provision had been implemented in such a way that many individuals were having their plans cancelled, despite the administration’s promise,” David Turner, a spokesman for Warner’s campaign, wrote to us in email. Turner referred to fact checks published by…PolitiFact National in early August 2009, around the time Warner made his pledge. Both gave credence to Obama’s “like it, keep it” assurances…

First of all, being “blindsided” requires total ignorance of what’s coming. Over to you, CNN:

In September 2010, Senate Republicans brought a resolution to the floor to block implementation of the grandfather rule, warning that it would result in canceled policies and violate President Barack Obama’s promise that people could keep their insurance if they liked it. “The District of Columbia is an island surrounded by reality. Only in the District of Columbia could you get away with telling the people if you like what you have you can keep it, and then pass regulations six months later that do just the opposite and figure that people are going to ignore it. But common sense is eventually going to prevail in this town and common sense is going to have to prevail on this piece of legislation as well,” Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley said at the time. “The administration’s own regulations prove this is not the case. Under the grandfathering regulation, according to the White House’s own economic impact analysis, as many as 69 percent of businesses will lose their grandfathered status by 2013 and be forced to buy government-approved plans,” the Iowa Republican said. On a party line vote, Democrats killed the resolution, which could come back to haunt vulnerable Democrats up for re-election this year.

Warner was explicitly warned about what was going to happen — the White House’s own projections confirmed Republicans’ admonitions — yet he chose to vote down a resolution that would have restored his own promise. That is the opposite of being “blindsided.” Secondly, we’re officially through the looking glass when Democrats are (successfully!) citing expired and discredited “fact-checks” in order to justify prior claims that were ultimately exposed as lies of epic proportion. Here’s the argument Politifact is evidently accepting from Team Warner: We may have told this lie, but you guys used to say that it wasn’t a lie, so we’re off the hook. (But it was always a lie! That’s the point! Serenity now!) Result: Ed Gillespie gets smacked with a “false” rating for linking Warner to Politifact’s ruling on the lie he repeated. Absolutely surreal. You’ll also be glad to know that Politifact quoted a law professor who agrees with them:

Timothy Jost, a law professor at Washington and Lee University who specializes in health care law and supports the ACA, said Warner was true to his word. “The promise was literally kept,” he said. “At the time the law went into effect, people could keep their policies.” Jost said it’s “irrational” to hold Warner responsible for cancellations that occurred four years or so after he voted for Obamacare, noting that insurers routinely change plans based on market conditions. “I don’t think anyone was promising that if you bought a policy in the past, you could keep it forever,” he said.

Am I awake? Obamacare’s verbiage specifically and intentionally caused millions of plans to become non-compliant and therefore illegal. And that reality only started to impact consumers “years” after the Senate vote because….that’s when the relevant provisions of the law went into effect. And by the way, “promising that if you bought a policy in the past, you could keep it forever” was exactly the message Democrats were deliberately telegraphing to voters. The president: “If you like your health care plan, you will be able to keep your health care plan. Period. No one will take it away. No matter what.”

Mark Warner enjoys a sizable (but possibly narrowing) lead in this race, largely thanks to his uncanny ability to convince voters of his fictional ‘moderate’ credentials. He may not need mind-bendingly dishonest Politifact propaganda to carry the day, but he’s getting it anyway. Just in case.

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LYNCHBURG – Ed Gillespie issued the following statement on the one year anniversary of the implementation of Obamacare:

“Since this law went into effect at Mark Warner’s urging, thousands of Virginians have received cancellation notices and thousands more have seen unaffordable premium spikes. We learned recently that up to 250,000 more Virginians will lose their existing coverage this fall because of Obamacare. Despite Mark Warner’s promise that he wouldn’t support a law that meant losing the insurance and doctors that we liked, he continues to support the law after seeing the effect it’s having on hardworking Virginians. I would replace it with market-oriented reforms that work.”

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RICHMOND – The Ed Gillespie for Senate campaign released a new TV ad today: Lost his Way. The ad shows how far Mark Warner has strayed from the independent voice he promised to be, and contrasts Warner’s record with Ed Gillespie’s economic growth plan. The ad is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxzDxGCblYg&feature=youtu.be

Speaking about the new ad, Campaign Manager Chris Leavitt said, “Mark Warner told us he would be an independent voice for Virginians, but has lost his way in Washington, voting 97 percent of the time with President Obama. In a moment of candor, the President said yesterday that while he wasn’t running himself, ‘Make no mistake: these policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them.’ Ed Gillespie’s economic growth plan offers Virginians a new and better direction.”

Lost his Way (30 seconds)

VO: In Washington, Mark Warner lost his way, voting with Obama 97 percent. Yes for Obamacare. Yes to $7 trillion in new debt. Yes for $1 trillion in higher taxes hitting the middle class and small businesses.

Ed Gillespie: The Obama-Warner policies are hurting us. My economic plan will create jobs by replacing Obamacare, providing tax relief and more affordable energy, so we can ease the squeeze on hardworking Virginians. That’s a new and better direction.

Background:

Since joining the Senate, Mark Warner has voted 97 percent of the time with President Obama – more often than the average for his Democratic colleagues in the Senate. (CQ Weekly, Vote Studies, 2009-2013)

In 2009, Mark Warner promised voters: There is no plan being proposed that I will support that will force people out of their existing plan if they have it and they like their existing doctor.

A man in audience responded: Why lie to us?

Warner replied: Folks, you can say whatever you want, but I’m not supporting any plan that gets rid of those kinds of choices.

Shortly afterwards, Mark Warner voted for the Affordable Care Act.

In September 2010, Warner Voted Against A Resolution To Nullify An Obama Administration Rule Preventing Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Make Changes To Their Plans. “Enzi, R-Wyo., motion to proceed to consideration of a joint resolution that would provide for congressional disapproval of a rule regarding grandfathering of health insurance plans under the 2010 health care overhaul law.” (S. J. Res. 39, CQ Vote #244: Motion rejected 40-59: R 40-0; D 0-57; I 0-2, 9/29/10, Warner Voted Nay; Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Is “Largely Responsible” For The Health Insurance Cancellation Letters Being Received By Millions Of Americans. “Senate Democrats voted unanimously three years ago to support the Obamacare rule that is largely responsible for some of the health insurance cancellation letters that are going out.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

The Rule Essentially Prevented Insurance Companies From Keeping Their Grandfathered Status If They Made Changes To Their Plans. “The rule essentially prevents insurance companies from keeping their grandfathered status if they make changes to their plans. In practice, insurance companies are loath to leave their plans unchanged so grandfathered plans are disappearing, and people are being forced to change their plans to meet Obamacare’s more robust coverage requirements.” (Chris Frates, “Senate Democrats Supported Rule That Led To Insurance Cancellations,” CNN, 10/31/13)

In December 2009, Warner Voted Against A Motion That Would Have Allowed Medicare Advantage Enrollees To Retain Their Existing Benefits. “McCain, R-Ariz., motion to commit the bill to the Finance Committee with instructions that it be reported back with changes that would allow all Medicare Advantage enrollees to retain their existing benefits.” (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Warner Voted Nay)

Jim Webb Voted For The Motion. (H.R. 3590, CQ Vote #370: Rejected 42-57: R 40-0; D 2-55; I 0-2, 12/8/09, Webb Voted Yea)

Webb Said He Voted In Favor Of The McCain And Hatch Amendments Because “He Does Not Believe It Is Reasonable To Cut Back On Medicare Funding” While Medicare Expands To Include Baby Boomers. “Webb’s office provided this statement:: ‘Senator Webb voted in favor of the McCain and Hatch amendments because he does not believe it is reasonable to cut back on Medicare funding at a time when the pool for Medicare is going to expand as the Baby Boom generation reaches retirement age. Further, Senator Webb is a long-time supporter of Medicare Advantage programs which have in his view greatly improved services in rural areas such as Southside and Southwest Virginia.’” (Amy Lotven, “Webb Sides With GOP On Failed Motion,” Inside Health Reform, 12/9/09)

In the Senate, Mark Warner voted for $7 trillion in new debt and nearly $1 trillion in new taxes.
(PolitiFact: True)

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The NFIB, “The Voice of Small Business,” did not endorse in the 2008 election

LORTON – The National Federation of Independent Business, “The Voice of Small Business,” announced its endorsement today for Ed Gillespie for Senate in the following release. The endorsement builds on a growing list of business groups including the National Association of Wholesaler Distributors and the Associated Builders and Contractors who are backing Gillespie this year.

NFIB Endorses Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate

The National Federation of Independent Business, Virginia’s and the nation’s leading small-business association, today endorsed Ed Gillespie for U.S. Senate

“Ed Gillespie is the clear pro-small business candidate,” said Dan Danner, NFIB President and CEO. “His parents were NFIB members, and he grew work up working at their grocery store. He’s started three successful businesses of his own and understands what it takes for small businesses to succeed.

“He supports a balanced budget amendment, lower taxes, and sensible regulations,” said Danner. “He also recognizes the need for health-care reform that makes basic coverage more affordable and more accessible without slamming small businesses with hidden taxes and penalties that discourage job growth.” His opponent, Sen. Mark Warner, has a 29 percent lifetime small-business voting record, including a vote for Obamacare.

Nicole Riley, state director of NFIB/Virginia said, “Ed Gillespie understands from personal experience the challenges big government can throw in the path of small businesses. He believes in lower taxes and sensible regulations that encourage small businesses to grow and create jobs.”

“Ed Gillespie would be a strong voice for Virginia’s Main Street business owners, their employees and their families,” Riley said. “Our members are counting on him and he can count on our members’ support on Election Day.”

NFIB has over 5,000 dues-paying members in Virginia representing a cross section of the state’s economy. Gillespie’s endorsement comes from the NFIB SAFE (Save America’ Free Enterprise) Trust, the association’s political action committee, and is based on the candidate’s positions regarding key small-business issues including health care, taxes, and labor and regulatory issues.

Small-business owners and their employees vote in high numbers and are known for actively recruiting friends, family members and acquaintances to go to the polls. NFIB will encourage its members to help turn out the small-business vote on Election Day.

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DANVILLE – Ed Gillespie unequivocally called for a flight ban from the West African nations with Ebola outbreaks during last night’s “People’s Debate” in Richmond. Gillespie is now calling on Mark Warner to follow him in adopting this common sense position.

Speaking of a flight ban, Gillespie said: “The time to consider stopping flights coming in from West Africa has passed. It’s time to impose a flight ban, which is exactly what this administration should do. I call on Mark Warner to follow my lead in adopting this common sense position.”

Video of the different position articulated in last night’s debate by Gillespie and Warner is available here: http://youtu.be/to5OGmHkf9I

The post Gillespie Calls for Flight Ban from Countries with Ebola Outbreaks; Challenges Warner to Follow His Lead appeared first on Ed Gillespie.

Campaign brings in more from individual donors than Warner in 3rd quarter

87 of Gillespie’s donors previously gave to Mark Warner

LORTON – The Gillespie for Senate Campaign raised $1.8 million in its third quarter report. The campaign brought in more than 5,000 new individual donors in the third quarter, raising more from individual donors than the incumbent Mark Warner’s campaign. Since January, 87 donors who had previously given to Mark Warner gave to the Gillespie campaign. The Fraternal Order of Police of Virginia and the Virginia Police Benevolent Association both endorsed Mark Warner in 2008 and have endorsed Gillespie this year. The campaign reported $2 million cash on hand.

Speaking about the third quarter report, campaign manager Chris Leavitt said, “Momentum and energy is clearly on our side, as more Virginians decide we can’t afford six more years of the last six years. Virginians see more evidence every day that Mark Warner hasn’t been the independent voice he said he would be. As Ed notes, ‘Governor Warner wouldn’t recognize Senator Warner.” Most recently, Mark Warner acknowledged discussing a federal judgeship and other jobs for the daughter of a state senator as part of an effort to help Terry McAuliffe and party leaders expand Obamacare in Virginia. Virginians are disappointed, and Virginians know that we can, and must, do better. That’s one reason 87 donors who previously gave to Mark Warner are now supporting Ed and his positive economic growth plan. Virginians are ready to change Washington, and that starts with electing Ed Gillespie this November.”

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FREDERICKSBURG – The Ed Gillespie for Senate Campaign today released a new TV ad that will begin running statewide tomorrow. The ad features news reports over the last week of Senator Warner’s involvement in, as the Richmond Times-Dispatch described it, “dangling the possibility of assistance in finding employment in the federal judiciary or private sector,” for a State Senator’s daughter as part of a greater attempt to expand Obamacare in Virginia.

The 30 second ad is available here:

“Changed” (30 seconds)

NBC12: Breaking news concerning U.S. Senator Mark Warner

WAVY: Senator Mark Warner is mixed up in a possible breach of ethics

WRLH: Warner spoke about possible jobs

NBC12: Discussed a federal judgeship for Puckett’s daughter

NBC4: Warner is accused of trying to bribe a former state senator

Ed Gillespie: Washington has changed Mark Warner. I would never play politics with a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. We need to change Washington. We can’t afford six more years of the last six years. I’m Ed Gillespie, and I approve this message because my policies will turn things around.

Background:

The Washington Post first reported a week ago that Senator Warner discussed multiple jobs for State Senator Phil Puckett’s daughter at the same time that there was a coordinated effort including Warner, the Governor’s office and Senate Majority Leader Dick Saslaw to persuade the Senator to not retire until after they were able to expand Obamacare in Virginia.

Warner discussed job for Puckett’s daughter Washington Post (Oct. 10, 2014)
“My client, Joseph Puckett, received a phone call from Senator Warner, in which there was discussion of a CGI [ job] or a federal judgeship for the sister,” James said Friday.

Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said that the U.S. senator “brainstormed” with Joseph Puckett about potential private-sector jobs for Ketron. Hall also acknowledged that Warner discussed a judgeship, but he added: “He did not offer any job nor would he nor could he, frankly.”

Neither James nor Hall offered details about the conversation between Warner and Joseph Puckett.

“Sen. Mark Warner part of ongoing investigation” NBC12 (Oct. 10, 2014)
Mike Valerio: In a growing investigation at the capitol, I just confirmed that Warner spoke about possible jobs for a state senator’s daughter. This was all part of an effort to keep state senator Phil Puckett from resigning and handing control of the state senate to Republicans. Washington Post reporter Laura Vozzella first reported that Senator Warner discussed a federal judgeship as well as a corporate job. Now in return, Puckett would have to help Democrats and not resign. Warner’s camp has not responded for comment.

Gillespie calls Warner accusations “deeply troubling” WTVR (Oct. 11, 2014)
“Mark Warner called my client, in an apparent attempt to convince Senator Puckett to remain in the General Assembly, and asked if my client’s sister would be interested in a corporate job or as a federal judge. The offers were declined,” James told CBS 6 political reporter Joe St. George.

Representatives from the Warner campaign did not immediately get back to CBS 6 for comment but aides did tell the Washington Post that Warner never explicitly offered Puckett’s daughter any job.

“If the charge can be substantiated in any way it would be a rocky patch,” CBS 6 political analyst Dr. Bob Holsworth said.

“This charge is nothing short of explosive,” Holsworth added.

WRLH Newscast (Oct. 13, 2014)
We’re tracking the latest right now on U.S. Senator Mark Warner in a growing investigation at the capitol. We can confirm that Warner spoke about possible jobs for a Senator’s daughter. This is part of an effort to keep state senator Phil Puckett from resigning and handing over control of the general assembly to Republicans. We have confirmed that Warner discussed a federal judgeship for Puckett’s daughter as well as a corporate job. Now in return, Puckett would have to help Democrats and not resign.

Richmond Times Dispatch Editorial (Oct. 14, 2014)
A few days ago The Washington Post reported that McAuliffe’s chief of staff, Paul Reagan, left a voice mail for Puckett in which he suggested that if Puckett stayed in office, Puckett’s daughter might be appointed to lead a state agency. Reagan said the administration would be willing to “basically do anything” to secure Puckett’s cooperation. He has since apologized.

Now comes word (again from The Post) that Virginia Sen. Mark Warner also got involved. Warner called Puckett’s son, Joseph, and over the course of an hour discussed several job possibilities for Puckett’s daughter — including even a federal judgeship, a post for which she would seem underqualified. A spokesman for Warner says the senator simply “brainstormed” with Joseph Puckett.

Really? Is that what they’re calling it these days?

Here’s an interesting question: Did Warner suddenly decide, out of the blue and all by himself, to pick up the phone and call Joseph Puckett, without informing anybody else that he was going to do so? Or did he inform the governor’s people about the call — which would make them complicit in it? Or, for that matter, did someone in McAuliffe’s office reach out and ask Warner to intercede?

The first possibility would seem like an odd thing to do for a senator who has long been thoroughly plugged into the Virginia Democratic machine. And it certainly would be something voters ought to know more about before they vote for (or against) Warner three weeks from now. The third possibility, meanwhile, would suggest that Reagan’s phone call was not an isolated act by an “overzealous” staffer, as he has described it, but part of a coordinated campaign by the governor’s office to buy off a state senator with public employment for his daughter.

Warner and the governor’s office need to come clean about this — pronto.

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Oct. 14, 2014)
Warner’s efforts in the case first became known after Paul Reagan, the chief of staff to Gov. Terry McAuliffe, had come under fire for a voicemail message he left in June on Phillip Puckett’s cellphone, attempting to persuade the senator to keep his seat by offering to help find his daughter a state job.

Reagan apologized Oct. 3 for what he said was “poor judgment.”

McAuliffe, who said he had no prior knowledge of Reagan’s actions, later said he was disappointed over the episode.

Warner told reporters after the debate Monday that he had reached out to Puckett’s family at the behest of state Senate Democratic Leader Richard L. Saslaw, D-Fairfax, and Reagan, the governor’s chief of staff, because of Warner’s longtime friendship with the Puckett family.

WTVR Report (Oct. 14, 2014)
The elephant in the room however was the issue of what exactly did Mark Warner tell the son of state senator Phil Puckett? Accusations came up over the weekend that Warner may have discussed a federal judgeship in exchange for Puckett staying in the Senate. It’s what I asked him about following the debate.

Joe St. George: Do you regret making the phone call?

Mark Warner: I’ve been friends with the Pucketts for 20 years

Joe: Was it wrong?

Warner: I’ve been friends with the Pucketts for 20 years…

ABC13 News Report on Danville Forum (Oct. 14, 2014)
ABC 13 News reached out to Warner throughout the night to comment on a number of topics, including his declining poll numbers. He did not comment.

Associated Press (Oct. 14, 2014)
The FBI is currently investigating the circumstances surrounding Democratic state Sen. Phil Puckett’s resignation in June. Warner has acknowledged that he “brainstormed” with Puckett’s son about possible job opportunities for Puckett’s daughter, including a federal judgeship, in an attempt to dissuade Puckett from resigning but without making any explicit job offers. Puckett’s resignation gave Republicans control of the state Senate.

Presidents appoint federal judges, often based on recommendations from U.S. senators.

“Warner refuses to explain the extent of FBI investigation” Jennifer Rubin, Washington Post (Oct. 15, 2014)
The controversy raises two sets of questions.

The first batch concern what Warner did and why he did it:

Did Warner coordinate his efforts with Democrats?

Had he “closed the deal” could he have given Puckett’s daughter an advantage over others seeking a judgeship? Was she even qualified for the post?

Why does he not acknowledge that this at least had the appearance of impropriety?

The more disturbing questions concern the extent of the investigation. Warner’s campaign refused to answer questions from Right Turn about the extent of the investigation. It is impossible as things stand for voters to evaluate whether Warner may be accused of wrongdoing. Has he been subpoenaed to provide documents, phone records for example? His campaign won’t say. Was he represented by counsel during the FBI questioning? Did he provide information orally or in writing under oath? No answer. Quite simply, the voters have no idea whether their senator is in any real legal jeopardy.

“Weaving a tangled web” Daily Press Editorial (Oct. 15, 2014)
Earlier this month, the public learned about a voicemail that Paul Reagan, chief of staff for Gov. Terry McAuliffe, left for Sen. Puckett. In it, Mr. Reagan said the administration “would basically do anything” to keep him in the state Senate.

No formal job offer was made, though Mr. Reagan raised the idea that Martha Puckett Ketron, Sen. Puckett’s daughter, could be tapped to run a state agency. Mr. Reagan ended the message by asking it be kept confidential.

Then, last week, a spokesman confirmed to the Post that Sen. Mark Warner also made contact in the days leading up to Sen. Puckett’s resignation.

According to Joseph Puckett, the senator’s son, Sen. Warner called to discuss a possible federal court appointment or potential corporate position for Ms. Ketron. The court appointment seems particularly onerous since, as the Post reported, she lacks the legal experience that would make her an obvious selection for a lifetime federal appointment.

Again, no formal job offer was made — a point that Sen. Warner’s spokesman Kevin Hall made eagerly — but Sen. Warner did “brainstorm” about the situation with Joseph Puckett.
During a Monday night debate with his Republican challenger Ed Gillespie, Sen. Warner defended his actions by detailing his 20-year relationship with the Puckett family. He later told the Washington Post that he made the call at the behest of the “Democratic Senate leadership and the governor’s office.”

We have unresolved questions about the circumstances which precipitated Sen. Puckett’s resignation.

“So long, Mr. Above It All: Warner is a political operative after all” Virginian Pilot Columnist Kerry Dougherty (Oct. 15, 2014)
Just like that, it’s gone.

Sen. Mark Warner’s carefully crafted persona, that is. The bipartisan brand he relentlessly burnished from his earliest days in the Governor’s Mansion has now all but evaporated. So has his image as an ineffective, but guileless, U.S. senator whose specialty was reaching across the aisle.

Now that The Washington Post has revealed the extent to which Warner meddled in petty politics on behalf of desperate Virginia Democrats last spring, the senator’s I’m-above-politics aura has vanished.

…To dissuade Puckett, Warner reportedly discussed possible jobs for his daughter and may have dangled a federal judgeship.
All to keep Puckett in the Senate and to help shove through Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s agenda.

Of course, around the same time Warner was dialing Puckett’s number to convince him to stay put, Republicans were reportedly tantalizing the state senator with job offers of their own to hasten his departure.

Raw, ugly politics.

This level of grubby political interference isn’t what’s expected of U.S. senators, especially not of Warner.

Voters want the politicians they send to Washington to leave slimy statehouse score-keeping behind and devote themselves to broad issues of national importance: security, energy and immigration.

We now know Warner didn’t do that.

Richmond Times-Dispatch (Oct. 15, 2014)
The circumstances of Puckett’s resignation are part of a federal investigation. A grand jury in Abingdon has subpoenaed witnesses from both parties as well as legislative staffers and staff and documents from the tobacco commission.

But if investigators are indeed focusing on the Puckett resignation, they have also received ample information on efforts Democrats made to persuade Puckett to stay in the Senate during the pressure-packed days that preceded his June 9 resignation.

Before his angry call to Puckett, McAuliffe had contacted him to try to talk him out of his decision to leave the Senate. The governor’s was one of a number of calls placed by top Democrats, including U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner, seeking to sway the soft-spoken conservative Democrat to stay put and in the party fold.

Warner called Puckett’s son, Joseph, dangling the possibility of assistance in finding employment in the federal judiciary or private sector.

Warner on Monday strenuously denied offering a job to Ketron, but rather said he was “brainstorming” possible opportunities for her.

McAuliffe’s chief of staff, Paul Reagan, also left a voice message on Puckett’s phone that said the administration would basically “do anything” to keep Puckett on board, including lending assistance in finding a state job for his daughter.

Reagan later apologized for the call, saying he was “overzealous.” Reagan also said the governor was unaware of the substance of his overture to Puckett.

The governor later issued a statement saying that Reagan made a mistake, and said his chief of staff’s approach was “not how we do business in the commonwealth.”

Fox News’ Shannon Bream on Special Report with Bret Baier (Oct. 15, 2014)
Senator Mark Warner is being forced to answer for his alleged involvement in potentially corrupt political wheeling and dealing here in the Commonwealth.

National Journal – Ron Fournier (Oct. 15, 2014)
Warner replied that he simply called Puckett’s son to “brainstorm” potential jobs for the senator’s daughter. If he’s telling the truth about his motive—and that’s a big “if”—the conversation was still outrageously inappropriate. Virginians will decide whether it’s disqualifying.

Lynchburg News & Advance (Oct. 16, 2014)
When asked Wednesday if he regretted anything about the call, Warner reiterated his past statements and stressed he did not offer to get Ketron a job.

“I called a family friend of 20 years,” he said of Puckett. “But again the key point here is I didn’t offer anyone a job. I wouldn’t offer anyone a job.”

Warner said he spoke to Sen. Puckett one day later and realized the senator had made up his mind to resign. “I’ve been their friend, and I know it’s been a tough time for their family,” he said. “I respected that decision.”

Warner declined to answer any more questions about the issue.

Wall Street Journal, Kim Strassel (Oct. 17, 2014)
Mr. Warner seems to have been acting for the McAuliffe administration. Mr. McAuliffe’s chief of staff had left his own message on Mr. Puckett’s phone: “If there’s something that we can do [for your daughter], I mean, you know, we have a couple of big agencies here that we still need agency heads,” ran the message. “So we would be very eager to accommodate her, if, if that would be helpful in keeping you in the Senate. We, we would basically do anything.”

The Puckett scandal is starting to dominate the Senate race, earning top billing at a Gillespie-Warner debate on Monday. Mr. Warner is sticking to a careful script, repeating that he called to “brainstorm” ideas and that he was “not in a position” to offer a job.

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RICHMOND – Ed Gillespie issued the following statement regarding the State Corporation Commission finding that proposed carbon regulations would cost Dominion Virginia Power customers alone up to $6 billion:

“The Obama-Warner policies squeeze hard-working Virginians between lost jobs, stagnant wages, or fewer working hours and rising prices for health care, energy, and food. Mark Warner voted to let the EPA regulate carbon, and now refuses to fight massive new EPA rules that will hammer hard-working Virginians with higher electric bills. The 1.2 million Virginia households making less than $50,000 a year already pay an average of 20% of their income in energy costs, and poor Virginians pay even more. Virginians have a clear choice between my policies to unleash American energy and reduce energy costs, versus Senator Warner’s support for a ‘price on carbon.’”

Background:

In a letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy last week, the non-partisan Virginia State Corporation Commission estimated the massive cost of compliance for just one utility to be up to $6 billion: Virginia SCC Staff analyses of utility planning data indicate that, using conservative assumptions, the incremental cost of compliance for one utility alone (Dominion Virginia Power) would likely be between $5.5 billion and $6.0 billion on a net present value basis. Compliance costs will increase the cost of providing electric service, which must be paid for by residents and businesses in Virginia.

On June 2 this year, when the White House released new restrictions on coal plants, Mark Warner stated that, “I’m going to be looking to look at the rules, and then specifically look at the comments,” after he expressed gratitude for an extension of the comment period until after his election.

That same day, Ed Gillespie said, “They’re trying to do by executive fiat what they weren’t able to get done by legislation. And the reason they weren’t able to get it done by legislation is because legislators understood the impact it was going to have on consumers.

“Energy prices will go up as a result of this policy, prices at the pump, in-home heating oil, and electric bills. It’s going to have a very negative impact on economic growth and disposable income.”

Mark Warner listed “cap and trade” as his long-term energy solution on his 2008 campaign website.

As a Senator, Mark Warner made the case for putting a price on carbon, saying, “The most significant thing we can do is send the market signal that either directly through a carbon tax or indirectly through Cap and Trade, we are going to put a price on carbon.”

Senator Warner has acted on his support for a carbon tax, voting against requiring a supermajority in the Senate to pass a carbon tax last year. Eight of his fellow Senate Democrats broke ranks to require the supermajority, but Warner toed the party line. “Blunt, R-Mo., motion to waive the Budget Act with respect to the Murray, D-Wash., point of order against the Blunt amendment no. 261 for not being germane. The Blunt amendment would create a 60-vote point of order against any budget resolution that includes a tax or fee on carbon emissions.” (S. Con. Res. 8, CQ Vote #59: Motion rejected by a vote of 53-46: R 45-0; D 8-44; I 0-2, 3/22/13, Warner Voted Nay)

In 2010 on Meet the Press, Ed Gillespie spoke forcefully against anti-jobs policies supported by Senator Mark Warner, including cap and trade and the carbon tax, saying: In terms of the economy, if you’re an employer, how are you going to hire right now when you don’t know what the impact of this health care mandate is going to be and the cost on your premiums? How are you going to hire, if you’re not sure that there’s going to be an increased cost of energy because of a carbon tax or a cap and trade bill? How are you going to hire when you don’t know if you’re going to be able to have your carried interest financing if you’re a small business owner? How are you going to invest if you’re an investor when you think your capital gains taxes are going to go up and your dividends are going to go up and if you’re a small business owner, you’re going to get hit with a tax increase too? No wonder the economy is stagnant.

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LORTON – A Warner campaign ad, which relies on a “slimy slight of hand,” received three Pinocchios from The Washington Post.

Washington Post’s Pinocchio Test

The ad’s shift from Gillespie’s lobbying to the firm’s lobbying is a slimy sleight of hand that most viewers of this ad would probably overlook. This is no evidence that Gillespie had anything to do with the Ivory Coast deal, which ended years before Gbagbo was shipped to the International Criminal Court. Gillespie certainly wasn’t there when the deal was inked, and he was barely back at the firm before the deal was terminated.

Yes, the firm briefly had a deal with the Ivory Coast. But there is no evidence Gillespie was ever involved, in either the lobbying or personally with Gbagbo. Warner earns Three Pinocchios.

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