Attorney general candidate appears at Shoney’s
Sen. Ken Cuccinelli speaks to the media during an appearance at Shoney’s in Staunton on Wednesday night. (Bob Stuart/staff)
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By Bob Stuart
Published: July 16, 2008
STAUNTON — Fairfax Sen. Ken Cuccinelli is passionate about his conservatism and clear in his desire to enforce the Constitution and become Virginia’s top lawyer.
Cuccinelli visited Staunton on Wednesday as part of the start of a grass roots campaign across Virginia to garner support and earn the Republican nomination for state attorney general next year, and ultimately win the post.
His only announced opposition as of now is former western Virginia U.S. Attorney John Brownlee.
Cuccinelli is pro-life, a strong supporter of the 2nd Amendment and believes in less government.
“There is enough money in the budget to fund transportation,’’ said Cuccinelli to a packed room of Republicans at Staunton’s Shoney’s.
Of more taxes, Cuccinelli said it inhibits the freedom of citizens.
“When the government takes more of your money, it takes more of your freedom,’’ he said.
Cuccinelli said as attorney general, he would offer advice to state government and legal opinions that carry weight.
Of the Constitution’s rights, Cuccinelli said “we need to defend those and carry the founders’ legacy in this party.”
An engineering graduate of the University of Virginia and George Mason University Law School, Cuccinelli has served as a state senator for 6 years.
While he has quizzed other legislators to learn more about other parts of Virginia, Cuccinelli said he is getting a closer look at the Shenandoah Valley and western Virginia this week.
Cuccinelli will work doggedly to get the nomination and win the race.
“This is a ground war with infantry,’’ he said. “I will go to one house and talk to one voter at a time.”
Cuccinelli said it is critical for the Republican Party to work harder in his home area.
Heavy losses in Northern Virginia cost Republicans the governor’s mansion in 2005 and George Allen his Senate seat in 2006.
“We need to crack Northern Virginia again,’’ he said. “We’ve been getting beat there.’’
Cuccinelli said the Virginia GOP can make inroads in Northern Virginia by clearly stating their conservative beliefs.
So far, Cuccinelli has raised more than $125,000 for his campaign, while Brownlee has raised more than $100,000 since announcing his candidacy May 20.
Cuccinelli has also earned the support of more than 30 chairs of local Republican committees, 17 members of the House and 6 senators.
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Posted by ( RufusJunior ) on July 20, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Could this Happen in America?
It’s 3 am.
Your family is asleep in their modest south Alexandria rambler. There is a loud knock at the door.
Slipping on your bathrobe, and rubbing your eyes, you peer through the peephole.
It’s the Attorney General. It’s Ken—Ken Cuccinelli.
“I need to ask you some questions,“ says Ken.
“It’s 3 am.“
“Patriotic Virginians will always make themselves available to answer questions. You’re a patriotic Virginian, aren’t you?“
“Yes, but can’t this wait until morning?“
Yes but then I’ll come bring a warrant, and we’ll have to take you into the office for questioning. Your neighbors will see. Wouldn’t you rather cooperate?“
“Ok, what do you want to know?“
“Are you affiliated with the Saudi Academy?“
“No.“
“Are you sure? I can put you under oath, and then you could be perjuring yourself if you don’t tell the truth. Would you like to answer again? Have you ever been to the Saudi Academy?“
“Uhhhhhhhh, I think my wife and kids went there for a dance recital.“
“We’ll need to talk to them.“
“They’re asleep.“
“This is a matter of state security. You’re a patriot, aren’t you?“
“I’m just as patriotic as you are. I think it’s time to end this conversation. I want you off my property now or . . . .“
“You threatening me? It’s a felony to threaten me, or one of these armed troopers who are with me? We can arrest you immediately. Is that what you want? “
“No.“
“Good, because I am going to give you one last chance to help yourself out and prove your loyalty.Give me the names of all of your neighbors and the people you work with, particularly anyone foreign born, also atheists, gays and lesbians, and particularly members of the Nation of Islam; also any Democrats or socialists, anyone who voted for Ralph Nader, anyone who believes in global warming, anyone who listens to NPR, any poets, artists, actors, Unitarians and members of other weird religions. I need to know what churches they attend, and if any of them have ever had any affiliation with the Saudi Academy . . . “
###
So, could it happen in America? Could it happen in Virginia? You decide. Maybe it could and maybe it couldn’t. But Ken Cuccinelli is the only candidate for Attorney General who took it himself to send out nutty requests for loyalty oaths. There are so many other candidates to choose from. Why take a chance?
Vote for anyone but Cuccinelli in 2009. You’ll be doing family, your friends, and Virginia a service.
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Posted by ( zarxo ) on July 17, 2008 at 11:55 am
Fairfax Sen. Ken Cuccinelli needs to explicate his terse comment on“when the government takes more of your money, it takes more of your freedom.“—Freedom for what—to do what—again another politician uses ambiguity to foster a sense of purpose when the purpose is not clear. I agree that the U.S. Dollar is the monetary expression for freedom. From that we escape poverty, this is our freedom. To use “freedom” so loosely causes me to question tactics. Furthermore, cognitive science seems to show that in logic (from the brain) there can be no “real” freedom since logic requires constraints—to be called logic. In contrary, freedom is found through consciousness, to think without borders or restrictions—our religion, our art, our wishes and dreams, and “this” is freedom for most who care to have hope.
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