Ken Cuccinelli … On Liberty

While the nation’s “economic pie” can be grown through good economic policies, the “liberty pie” is a zero-sum game – it doesn’t grow or shrink – and there are only two slices:  government power and citizens’ liberty.  If the current notions of centralized health care are enacted, government’s raw power over citizens’ lives will increase, and their liberty will be reduced by the same amount.

So writes Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli in this month’s issue of the American Spectator.  (sorry, the actual article won’t be available online until April)

Cuccinelli is fast becoming one of the leaders of the conservative movement.  While Cuccinelli has been using the power of his office to fight federal tyranny in the courts, he is also using the pen to make a reasoned argument for all that conservatives hold dear.

During the current resurgence of the conservative movement and the semi-conservative populism inherent among the tea parties, some may dismiss the need for the intellectual strength displayed by officials like Cuccinelli.  Don’t be fooled.  Without its intellectual underpinnings, the conservative movement never would have grown beyond the Bob Taft years.

As I have noted here in the past – Yes, it is important to believe the right things.  However, without a firm understanding of WHY we believe what we do, those beliefs will not survive the test of time.  This is precisely why we need elected officials like General Cuccinelli.

Yes, we all know that ObamaCare is bad policy.  We all know that it would be fiscally disastrous.  We all know that the world’s best health care system would be greatly diminished.  Yet, Cuccinelli has managed to succinctly explain why we should fight ObamaCare – even IF these things were not the case.  If we wish to forfeit our God given individual liberty for a promised blanket of economic security then America ceases to be that shining city.  Liberty forfeited is liberty lost forever.

Thanks Ken.

Sphere: Related Content

Cuccinelli Redefining Role of Virginia AG?

Bob Holsworth at Virginia Tomorrow argues that Virginia AG Ken Cuccinelli is redefining the office’s role, much like Jim Gilmore did during his term as AG.  Holsworth defines the new “Cuccinelli doctrine”:

It is the job of the Virginia Attorney General to identify and counter instances where the federal government may be unconstitutionally or illegally extending authority over the states.

Interesting.  While I question whether or not this redefinition will have the political legs of Gilmore’s move of making the AG “Virginia’s Top Cop”, Cuccinelli’s recent actions on behalf of the Commonwealth regarding states’ rights and federal mandates is more substantively important.  In a short period of time Cuccinelli is proving himself to be a conservative’s conservative.

Sphere: Related Content

Cuccinelli – Hurt Can Raise Money During Legislative Session

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has issued an opinion that Virginia Sen. Robert Hurt (R-Pittsylvania) can raise money for his congressional race during this year’s General Assembly session.  Virginia law prohibits members of the legislature from raising money while the legislature is in session.  Cuccinelli’s opinion states that this prohibition does not apply to federal races.  Hurt is seeking the GOP nomination to challenge Rep. Tom Perriello (D-VA).  According to Cuccinelli:

However, it is my further opinion that such prohibition does not restrict fundraising activity related to a campaign for federal office. Finally, it is my opinion that federal law pre-empts Virginia’s fundraising prohibition when a General Assembly member solicits or accepts contributions solely for a federal office.

This opinion is in line with the practice in other states – states with far more stringent campaign finance laws than those of the Commonwealth.  However, some of Hurt’s opponents for the GOP nod are not convinced:

"Although it may be legal, it certainly isn’t ethical," said Laurence Verga, a private real estate investor from Ivy and one of Hurt’s rivals in the June 8 primary. "The American people are tired of career politicians like Senator Hurt who put their personal aspirations above their ethical obligations."

Verga said the intent of the 1997 law that forbids Virginia lawmakers from accepting contributions was to "prevent lobbyists from buying votes."

While Delmarva Dealings has not been a supporter of Hurt’s campaign, Cuccinelli’s opinion was the right call.

Sphere: Related Content

Desperate AG Candidate Plays Race Card

Democrat Attorney General Candidate Steve Shannon has not only fallen in the polls (he’s running 15 points behind GOP candidate Ken Cuccinelli), he has fallen to the depths of playing the race card.  In his last debate with Cuccinelli before the election, Shannon called Cuccinelli a de facto racist for supporting state’s rights.

Sphere: Related Content

Ken Cuccinelli Endorsed by Virginia FOP

GOP Attorney General candidate Ken Cuccinelli has received the endorsement of the Virginia Fraternal Order of Police.  According to FOP President Tommy Edwards:

 

"Ken Cuccinelli’s outstanding recognition of the problems faced by the Supreme Court Case Melendez Diaz, his early and outspoken push for a Special Session, and its ultimate success which will allow the prosecution of certain cases to proceed – is a testament to his skill, knowledge and support of the law enforcement community."

The Virginia State FOP, which represents 8600 law enforcement officers throughout the Commonwealth is considered to be the most important endorsement in the Virginia AG’s race.

Sphere: Related Content

Deeds Ducking Duty?

Why is Virginia gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds ducking his duty as a Virginia state senator?

Sen. Deeds failed to show for a committee meeting to address the Melendez problem.  AG candidate, Ken Cuccinelli was there and reported (via Facebook):

Ken Cuccinelli “I’m in the Courts Committee working on addressing the Melendez problem, and I’m wondering… where is Senator Creigh Deeds? Isn’t this important enough to step off the campaign trail for part of a day?”

We already knew that Ken would make a far better AG than Deeds would make a governor.  Thankfully, recent poll numbers indicate that Virginians understand that as well.

Depending on the poll – Bob McDonnell has a lead of 8% – 14%.

H/T – Bearing Drift

Sphere: Related Content

Morning Line – March 3, 2009

Delaware -

Bill Colley over at WGMD has a great post on the current state of the Sussex County GOP.  The Sussex GOP needs to learn that elitism is as bad as anti-intellectualism (no I’m not calling them smart) and Bill needs to learn to insert a line break here and there.

Sussex County crying the budget blues.

Delaware Libertarian wants TARP money for the NBA.

Interesting take on the bank bailout from DelawareLiberal.  While I’m sure we won’t agree on the solution, we do agree on at least this part of the problem.

DelawareLiberal keeps hoping for a GOP meltdown.  Keep hoping.  We survived 1958 … 1964 … 1974 … We’ll survive 2008 too.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content

Bomb Throwing in the Virginia AG’s Race

Chris Obenshain has a great post at Bearing Drift on the escalation of attacks on AG candidate John Brownlee by supporters Ken Cuccinelli. While Obenshain doesn’t state it, I believe that this is a great lesson in attempting to meld principle with electability.

No conservative attacks Cuccinelli for his principles. However, the question of whether he is electable with the same coalition that supported Kilgore and Earley is valid.

Read more

Sphere: Related Content