Larry Sabato and UVA team predict +55 for GOP in House - Rigell win...

University of Virginia political guru Larry Sabato has his final predictions for the Congressional midterms elections up at his Crystal Ball site, and he's predicting wins from Republican challengers Scott Rigell and Robert Hurt over U.S. Reps. Glenn Nye and Tom Perriello.

The time has finally come in this two-year election cycle to make the final calls. Thanks to everyone who has helped us by providing background info, tips, private polls, observations, and constructive criticism. We operate on the proverbial shoestring and we’re outside the Beltway (a plus and a minus), so we can always use the assistance.

Our tradition is that we make a prediction in every contest. We’ve been studying these states, districts, and candidates for many years, and we feel entitled! We’re proud of our record over the years, but inevitably we will be wrong with some calls. Apologies for those in advance.

Here's the breakdown on Nye, which Sabato predicts is a loss for the Democrats.

And here's the breakdown for Perriello, who Sabato predicts is a loss for the Democrats.

 

 

 

 

Rigell touts backing of Louis Sheldon, leader of "anti-gay hate group" according to the Southern Poverty Law Center

There's a developing brouhaha in the gay rights community online, after folks discovered that Republican congressional hopeful Scott Rigell displays on his webpage the endorsement of a California religious leader whose organization the Southern Poverty Law Center has considered a hate group for five years.

Louis P. Sheldon is the head of an organization called the "Traditional Values Coalition" an Anaheim, Calif.-based group that claims to speak for 43,000 churches. Sheldon is listed alongside Rigell's other endorsements in alphabetical order between Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms and former Virginia Beach GOP chair Chuck Smith.

The gay rights community picked up on Sheldon first, thanks to blogger thanks to blogger Michael-in-Norfolk, who apparently stumbled onto the endorsement while trolling through Rigell's website this week. The item was picked up by liberal bloggers throughout the state, who found inflammatory details about Sheldon sitting all over the Internet.

Rigell is obviously linked to parts of the evangelical movement, most notably Pat Robertson, because like Gov. Bob McDonnell, Rigell went to Robertson's Regent University for graduate school. On Wednesday he held a fundraiser with former Arkansas governor and onetime presidential hopeful Mike Huckabee, a star in the evangelical movement.

As you can see here on this link, Sheldon's organization is one of a handful of anti-gay groups listed as "hate groups" by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

The director of research for the Southern Poverty Law Center, Heidi Beirich, said Sheldon has been listed on their collection of hate groups for the past five years. Beirich said that of the 932 hate groups that the SPLC tracks nationwide, only a handful receive the brand for being anti-gay.

"Sheldon and his outfit consistently defame gays...(with) rabidly anti-gay propaganda," Beirich said. "They're especially nasty about pushing the idea that gays are coming after people's children."

Beirich said that Sheldon and his daughter Andrea Lafferty are "some of the worst" when it comes to anti-gay rhetoric promoting ideas like "AIDS patients should be sequestered in separate cities."

Sure enough a visit to the Tradional Values Coalition website offers up the ideal of "empowering people of faith through knowledge." Under the banner headline the site asks "Do you want men dressed as women teaching your kids?" with a link to a web page that says Democrats are quietly pushing through legislation that would "bring cross-dressing teachers into your child's classroom."

"Your children will be trapped in classes taught by drag queens and transgender activists. Students will be indoctrinated that 'alternative lifestyles' are no different than traditional lifestyles. Young children will be forced to learn about bizarre sexual fetishes – and you will have no say in the matter."

Rigell's campaign has already had to distance itself from a pair of former Virginia Beach Republican Party officials who forwarded or sent along emails including racist jokes and diatribes against minorities.

It's unclear how the latest flare-up might change the political momentum in the race which appeared firmly on Rigell's side.

Rigell communications director Crystal Cameron said Rigell briefly met Sheldon during an event in Washington during the winter and Sheldon said he wanted to back Rigell because of "his pro-life stance."

It's typical in political campaigns for folks to receive endorsements from groups across the country - especially if the candidate appears headed for a win. And with a benign name like the "Traditional Values Coalition" it's not a huge surprise that it slipped in under the radar.

That said, no one forced Rigell's campaign to put Sheldon's name up on the candidate's Internet headquarters.

Cameron said the campaign was "unaware" of any controversy surrounding Sheldon or any accusations against him or his organization. Here's Cameron's full statement.  

“Countless people and groups endorse candidates every single day across the country. Scott wouldn’t be able to pick Louis Sheldon out of a police line-up. Let me be clear, Scott does not condone any divisive language or actions that tear apart the fabric of our community. We have not had the opportunity to review and verify the claims. We are four days outside of the most critical election in recent times, and our campaign remains 100% focused on the real issues facing the voters in the Second District. 65,000 of our neighbors remain out of work and the Democrats are on the attack, using divisive social wedge issues to rally their base. It’s truly despicable.”  

Sheldon's name was still listed on Rigell's website as of 11 a.m. Thursday.  

Sen. Jim Webb on death of Owen Pickett...

Sen. Jim Webb had this to say Thursday about the death of Owen Pickett at 80.

“I was very sorry to learn of Owen PIckett's passing.  Virginia has lost one of its most respected leaders. Owen Pickett tirelessly served Virginia and the nation right up to the end of his life,” said Sen. Webb. “Owen was a valued friend, whose advice I often sought.  Understanding the needs and values of Hampton Roads, he worked in a bipartisan manner to strengthen our Navy, revitalize our maritime capacity, and improve health care for military families and retirees.  We are all better for the service he gave our country.”

Gov. Bob McDonnell on the death of former Rep. Owen Pickett....

Gov. Bob McDonnell's statement on the death of former U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett. 

 “I am deeply saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend Owen Pickett. Owen dedicated his life to public service. He was a patriot. He served the Commonwealth in the House of Delegates and our nation in the House of Representatives. That was his passion: service. That passion was evident when in August he accepted my offer to Co-Chair our Commission on Military and National Security Facilities. Even in his final months, knowing that his health was failing, Owen volunteered to once again serve the people of Virginia. I will miss Owen Pickett, we all will. He knew what he believed in and he was committed to his ideals. He loved the Second District, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and the United States of America. On behalf of all Virginians I offer my deepest sympathies to his family and his many, many friends during this tough time. Owen Pickett will be missed.”

Republican Scott Rigell's statement on the death of former Rep. Owen Pickett...

Republican Scott Rigell is hoping to represent the district that long voted for former Rep. Owen Pickett, here's what the political newcomer had to say about Pickett's death.

"I was deeply saddened to hear that my friend, Owen Pickett, passed away. Owen provided a great service to our country and to our district. He tirelessly fought for our military families and veterans, and was a principled leader in the House of Delegates and in Congress. Teri joins me in sending our deepest condolences to the Pickett family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time."

U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye on the death of former Rep. Owen Pickett...

U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye is fighting to hang onto the congressional district that former Rep. Owen Pickett held for years in Virginia Beach.

Nye, a Democrat locked in as tough re-election campaign, had this to say about the former congressman.

"I was incredibly saddened to hear the news that Owen Pickett had passed away; it is a sad day for our whole community. Owen served the Second District, the Commonwealth, and his country with distinction for years. He was a remarkable Congressman; someone I looked to as a mentor, a role model, and a friend. Owen always put Hampton Roads first. He stayed out of the partisan bickering that so many politicians fall prey to and instead focusing his energy on how best to serve the people he represented. I will always admire Owen's dedication to our men and women in uniform--recognizing their invaluable contribution to our country and Hampton Roads. Owen's service to our community will long be remembered. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends."

Sen. Mark Warner's statement on the death of former Rep. Owen Pickett...

Sen. Mark Warner's statement on the death of former Virginia U.S. Rep. Owen Pickett.

"I have known and respected Owen Pickett for more than 20 years. The Congressman was a tireless advocate for our nation's military and our military families, and he was a committed public servant representing the Hampton Roads region for more than three decades.

He set an excellent example as an elected official who consistently worked in a bipartisan way, both in the state legislature and in Congress,  to do what was best for the Commonwealth and our nation.

I join his colleagues, friends and family in mourning his passing and honoring Congressman Pickett's  lifetime of public service."

Kaine to rally Democrats in Hampton on Sunday with Nye and Scott....

Former Virginia Governor and current Democratic National Committee chair Timothy M. Kaine is heading to the Peninsula tfor a pre-election rally on Sunday afternoon.

Here are the details:

Former Virginia Governor, Tim Kaine will headline a rally on Sunday, October 31 at the YH Thomas Community Center, 1300 Thomas St. Hampton, VA at 4:00PM- 5:30PM. He will be joined by Rep. Bobby Scott, Rep. Glenn Nye, and candidate for the 1st congressional district, Krystal Ball. Area local and state elected officials, along with community and grassroots leaders, will also be in attendance.

This is Gov. Kaine’s first campaign appearance in Hampton Roads during the 2010 election cycle. This Get Out the Vote community rally will energize Hampton Roads voters to get to the polls on Tuesday, November 2nd. The event is organized by the Hampton Democratic Committee, partnering with Organizing for America.

The event is open to the public and all supporters are encouraged to attend.  

 

Krystal Ball launches new positive TV ad.....

Democrat Krystal Ball has a new positive television ad up on the web.

Ball, of course, is running against U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, R-Westmoreland, and is the long shot to unseat the Republican incumbent.

 

Hampton Roads Tea Party asks Golden to pull out of race against Nye and Rigell...

Hampton Roads Tea Party leader Karen Hurd is calling on Independent Kenny Golden to end his campaign for Congress in Virginia's 2nd District fearing he might hurt Republican hopeful Scott Rigell.

In a news release, Hurd notes that Golden is only in single digits of support in the race against Rigell and U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye and says that voting for Golden is a vote for "Obama-Pelosi-Reid agenda."

It's a pretty amazing turnaround for Rigell's relationship with the local tea party folks, who blasted him during the Republican primary.  Here's a snippet from the tea party problems with Rigell from the spring:

"Rigell, who promotes himself as a fiscally conservative Republican gave $1,000 to Barack Obama’s primary presidential campaign. (Source: Federal Elections Commission It’s the second one). Why did a “conservative” give money to such an extreme left wing candidate? In Rigell’s own words: “The thought of another Clinton in the White House was worse than Barack Obama”. And later, “…I was moved by his rhetoric….” As of Sunday May 16, 2010 (on his Facebook “Likes” page) – Rigell still stands by his “reasons”.

Does that sound like a fiscal, or even a socially conservative Republican?

But wait! There’s more! Before that, Rigell (through his business) gave $1,000 to Mark Warner for Governor (Democrat ), (source: VPAP.org) who went on to sign into law the largest tax increase in Virginia’s history!

Does that sound like a fiscally conservative Republican?

But it gets worse. In 2002, Rigell bankrolled ($10,000!) the YES Campaign- a failed referendum that would raise the sales tax of Hampton Roads residents (that’s the 2nd district!). If passed, sales taxes in Hampton Roads would have increased by 22%!!! Rigell’s explanation, January 2010 at the VBTA Candidate’s Debate: “I thought it was the best way to fund transportation in our area”. The YES Campaign was defeated by 62-38%. Hampton Roads residents said, “NO”!

But that tune changed significantly when Rigell inked a tea party pledge - and now here's Hurd's statement on why Golden should get out the race now. We added the emphasis.  

The Hampton Roads Tea Party is calling for Kenny Golden to drop from the 2nd District Congressional race effective immediately. The Hampton Roads Tea Party respects Kenny Golden’s service to our country and we know that he loves this nation. We know that he wants to stop the Obama agenda. Golden has said that if he is below 10% in the polls by September that he would withdraw from the race. Poll after poll shows that Golden is at 5% at best, well below the 10% he said was his threshold as a viable candidate. It is now clear that a vote for Kenny Golden is a vote for the Obama-Reid –Pelosi agenda.

Our nation is on the brink. This is no time for ego. Kenny Golden knows what is at stake in this historic election. It is time to do everything we can to stop the runaway Congress and the Obama-Reid-Pelosi machine. We ask Kenny Golden, a brilliant man who has served his country so well, to serve it once more by ending his candidacy for the 2nd District Congressional seat.

The Second District Congressional race is ground zero. It could come down to this one seat. It is time to get behind the person most likely to defeat Glenn Nye and that is Scott Rigell. Rigell has pledged to the residents of the second district to fight for the audit of the Federal Reserve, to not raise taxes, to protect our national sovereignty,and to fight for the first principles that our nation was founded on. We believe that Scott Rigell will honor the pledge that he made to the Hampton Roads Tea Party.

The Hampton Roads Tea Party is asking every person who loves this country to come together and defeat Democrat Glenn Nye. If you want to lodge a protest vote against Obamacare, irresponsible bailouts, and multi-billion dollar stimulus spending, then cast your vote for Republican Scott Rigell.

If you've talked with Keny Golden, you probably know that his answer is not going to be yes. In fact his honest answer probably couldn't be printed here. Golden been facing months of pressure to drop out - it seems very unlikely that a press release is going to sway him.