Creigh Deeds Wins Democratic Primary

Virginia Senator Creigh Deeds has won the Democratic Primary here in Virginia. The best candidate for governor, Bob McDonnell, has put out a statement congratulating Deeds on the win.

I think that it is important, though, to understand what a Deeds administration would bring. He has touted the fact that he has a staunch pro-abortion record. He also has supported tax increases on hurting Virginians, left and right. Recently, he has even supported an increase in the state's gas tax. I don't know about you, but I do not want to return to the days when half of my part-time paycheck went to a gasoline bill.

Enough is enough, we can continue the tired policies that we have seen over the past four years, or we can have some fresh and new solutions from a Governor McDonnell. As governor Bob plans to increase the production of energy here in Virginia, which will help to keep gas prices low. He will put money into Virginia colleges and universities to lower costs for students in this state. He will also work to insure that Virginia institutions give better consideration to Virginia students, whose parents pay taxes to support those institutions, rather than seeing those colleges turn away Virginia students with 4.0 grade averages.

It is time for Virginia to have new leadership with new solutions. McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli

Sarah Palin Gets It

We need to be aware of the creation of a fearful population, and fearful lawmakers, being led to believe that big government is the answer, to bail out the private sector, because then government gets to get in there and control it,". "And mark my words, this is going to be next, I fear, bail out debt-ridden states. Then government gets to get in there and control the people. In Alaska and America we know America is the greatest country on earth because it is “in God We Trust” not in big government.-- Governor Sarah Palin (slightly paraphrased)

Governor Palin has made a very important point concerning the continuing expansion of the federal government. Our government is spiraling, ever so quickly, toward a reliance upon man-made government, rather than on God. Our nation was given liberty by our Creator, that liberty is not licsense, but rather, is founded in the naturally ordained laws of God. This adherance law that "nature and nature's God" has entitled us has always been the sure anchor of our liberties. Governor Palin is to be commended for standing up for our constitutional liberties.

Convention Results and Thoughts

The GOP Convention of 2009 ended yesterday with a clear message and resolve.

Bob McDonnell accepted the nomination for Governor and delivered an address that rocked and energized the house. In Bob McDonnell we have a full-spectrum conservative, whose message of effective government that produces results, will resonate with the voters in Virginia.

For Lt. Governor, Bill Bolling received the nomination. Lt. Gov Bolling has an excellent record as Lt. Governor, and will do an excellent job once again. He is also a full-spectrum conservative that has done the right thing even when it is unpopular. Bill Bolling is a strong candidate and needs to be re-elected.

Ken Cuccinelli was nominated for the post of Attorney General. Ken Cuccinelli is a true statesman who understands the complex legal issues that will face the Commonwealth in the coming years. He will work hard to fight the encroachment of the federal government upon our state's rights, defend our constitution, and protect the right to life along with the values that have defined America from our founding.

In case you have not noticed, I am very excited about this years ticket.

McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli !!!!!

View From Afar

Well... the Virginia Republican Party's Convention opened today. Unfortunately I will not be in attendance. For any interested readers, though, I will post some of my thoughts on the convention and what I am hearing via the grapevine.

My Endorsements: Governor- Bob McDonnell
Lt. Governor-Bill Bolling
Attorney General- Ken Cuccinelli

The Grapevine: Speculation out of Richmond is saying that if Ken Cuccinelli is to win, he must do it on the first ballot. Anything going to a second or even third ballot will likely see a Brownlee or Foster victory. It is important to remember that after a second ballot the person in third place would have to drop out.

My Predictions: Governor- Bob McDonnell (uncontested)

Lt. Governor- Bill Bolling (95%) Patrick Muldoon (5%)

Attorney General- Ken Cuccinelli (51%) John Brownlee (40%) Dave Foster(9%)

Anyone interested can check out a live stream from the Richmon Coliseum of the Virginia Republican Convention at Bob McDonnell's website.

Leaders for the Future

There has been a debate within the GOP about how to effectively reach out to young people. Some say that moderation is the key. They contend that we must take the Meghan McCain approach and support gay marriage. Some, even conservative, leaders have tried to move away from a strong stand on the social issues by taking a "leave it to the states" approach. While conventional wisdom would have us to take this appraoch, there is a point to consider.

Currently there are two young GOP leaders out there who have really resonated with their generation. The conundrum for people like Meghan McCain is that these young leaders, who have actually resonated with their generation at the ballot box, are strong fiscal, national security, and social conservatives. This model could be described as full-spectrum conservatism. These leaders are the model to which the GOP should look if it is to resonate in future elections.

First, there is Aaron Schock. This Congressman from Illinois knows how to win, having first been elected to office at the age of 19. He communicates principles in a way that students can understand, he also does not come across as someone who has basically lived in a country club for 50 years. He comes across as a young leader who knows his community. The best part is that he has blown to pieces the myth that all young people have "progressed" toward supporting liberal social positions. As a state legislator he had a 100% pro-life and 100% pro-family record. This was combined with a strong fiscal record to deliver a solid candidate.

Second, we come to Marco Rubio in Florida. Fmr. Speaker Rubio is currently running for the United States Senate against the more moderate Governor Charlie Crist. Marco Rubio is both young and Hispanic, two key groups that the GOP will need. He is also resonating with his generation. He formerly represented a Miami area district. He rose to become the Speaker of the House in the Florida Legislature. It is still unclear whether or not Speaker Rubio will win the U.S. Senate seat. It is unfortunate that the NRSC and other establishment Republicans have rejected Marco Rubio by endorsing his opponent in the primary. The sad truth is that many in the establishment wing of the GOP have decided that conservatives like Rubio are not as important as moderate voices.

Both Schock and Rubio can be described as full-spectrum conservatives. They are the leaders that are resonating with their generation, and it is candidates like them, that the GOP needs to put up in the future.

Revive Disney's America

You may have noticed a new widget here at American Youth. Following the lead of our friend Jim Riley at Virginia Virtucon, we are officially joining the campaign to bring a Disney Theme Park to Virginia. In a time of economic uncertainty, having an economic engine like Disney would create jobs and bring much needed revenue to our commonwealth.

I remember getting very excited about the prospect if Disney's America when it was first proposed in the 1990's. You see, I was a kid who was a fan of DisneyWorld, and you could imagine my disappointment when the deal fell through. I think that in retrospect we can see that rejecting the theme park, and its revenue, was a mistake.

Now, we may have an opportunity to correct that mistake. Perhaps you are reading this blog and you are not from Virginia. This could still benefit your state due to the fact that Disney employs workers from around that country and around the world. A theme park in Hampton Roads makes perfect sense for Disney as well. With a large population center in Virginia Beach, and plenty of undeveloped land not all that far away, the dynamics are perfect for a theme park.

You can even go over to an Open Thread and submit your "imagineering" ideas!

With all of that said, I would encourage our readers to join this campaign to bring Disney to Virginia!

Thoughts on Arlen Specter's Exit

As many of you have heard, Arlen Specter has left the Republican Party to join the Democrats.

There is a danger here that our party can misdiagnose the problem. The problem is not that moderates are leaving the party, the problem is that the Republican Party fails to appeal to the majority of independents. They are increasingly seen as a Beltway party and not as a grassroots organization. Arlen Specter was a part of that problem. Most Independent voters are socially and fiscally conservative, of which Arlen Specter was neither. Pennsylvania may be a pickup opportunity for the GOP if they rally behind a candidate sooner rather than later.

As for the claim by Arlen Specter that the GOP has moved to the right over the past few years; it is enough to make someone fall out of their chair in laughter. The GOP actually took Specter's advise in 2008, and nominated a moderate candidate--and last time that I checked, we now have a liberal Democratic President, whom Specter has now joined. Even President Bush, who was more conservative than McCain, surrounded himself with moderate advisors who caused his support to plummet in his second term. Conservative Republicans have not held significant power since the 90's when Newt Gingrich was the Speaker. I'm not saying that President Bush did not do some conservative things, however, his advisors hampered him, especially in his second term.

The American people are looking for leadership, and Arlen Specter represented a beltway brand of Republicanism that our party can do without.