Ace of Spades HQ

January 21, 2014

Former Governor of Virginia Bob McDonnell Charged in Gifts Scandal
— Ace

I frequently point to Cuccinelli's too-red-for-blue-Virginia social positions as a reason for his loss.

Here's the other big a reason: McDonnell was a popular governor. What should have happened is this: McDonnell campaigns with Cuccinelli, tells people "This guy is going to keep Virginia on the same prosperous path I kept it on, vote for him."

That didn't happen, because McDonnell was rendered a liability (or at least not particularly valuable) due to his acceptance of pricey gifts from donors.

He's now been indicted in the matter by a federal grand jury. His wife has been indicted as well.

The charges against the couple were outlined in a document filed by the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia that details how McDonnell and his wife accepted more than $135,000 in gifts and loans, trips, designer clothing and other items from Jonnie Williams Sr., former CEO of Star Scientific.
...
The 14-count indictment, filed Tuesday, charges McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, with a wide array of official corruption. Specifically, the McDonnells were charged with wire fraud, conspiracy and obtaining property under the auspices of their official offices.
Maureen McDonnell was also charged with obstructing the government's investigation.

I'm sure there'll be no such shenanigans under the new reign of Terry "Snow Wouldn't Melt In My Mouth" MacAuliffe, and I'm sure that if there were, Obama's Justice department would similarly lodge a large list of redundant charges (all criminalizing the same basic actions).

Posted by: Ace at 03:17 PM | Comments (114)
Post contains 263 words, total size 2 kb.

1 wow

Posted by: loneduck at January 21, 2014 03:19 PM (4Fbu2)

2 Yeah...don't look too close at Chom King's financials media...

Posted by: sven10077 at January 21, 2014 03:20 PM (TE35l)

3 How fucking stupid do you have to be to get busted for this kind of shit?

Posted by: EC at January 21, 2014 03:20 PM (doBIb)

4 Dumbass

Posted by: redenzo at January 21, 2014 03:21 PM (WCnJW)

5 So what house did Gaylord live at for his Hawaiin advetnures?

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at January 21, 2014 03:21 PM (LLNW+)

6 I'm so old I remember when Bob McDonnell was going to be part of that juggernaut Republican ticket.

Posted by: Y-not (@MoxieMom) at January 21, 2014 03:21 PM (zDsvJ)

7 I had just read the Fox write up on this. The charges appeared to be pretty flimsy and with the corrupt politicized DOJ we have now I do not trust them. As for the Grand Jury as a famous lawyer once said, "they can indict a ham sandwich now". You have to have anti-gov A-type on a jury to keep asshole DAs in line.

This will drag out through the 2014 elections which has been holder's plan all along.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:22 PM (T2V/1)

8 >>>$135,000<<<

Indicted over $135k. Hahahahahaha!

Posted by: John Corzine (D) at January 21, 2014 03:22 PM (3bbd3)

9 Why so cynical, ace?

Posted by: Tom Delay at January 21, 2014 03:22 PM (hFL/3)

10 That's why I take all of my favors in the form of favors from underage Dominican hookers.

Posted by: Bob Menendez at January 21, 2014 03:22 PM (H8Yb9)

11 The other question is why are the feds prosecuting a State offense?

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:23 PM (T2V/1)

12 Avenge me!

Posted by: Zombie Ted Stevens at January 21, 2014 03:23 PM (3bbd3)

Republicans are such amateurs at money laundering.

Bill and Hillary should've been indicted several times over.

But they just "gave the money back" and said "I'm sorry"...and all was forgiven.

Posted by: wheatie at January 21, 2014 03:23 PM (Wq5le)

14 Where's our pricey gifts from Ace?

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 03:24 PM (E4MKN)

15 But no evidence of wrongdoing was found in the IRS "investigation" in which a raft of felonies were committed.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:24 PM (T2V/1)

16 As I understand it, if McDonnell had just declared these gifts like Obama, McAuliffe, Reid, and Pelosi do he would have been fine. There is no charge that he passed any laws or did any official favors of any kind. The claim is that by associating with the donor he helped promote his business. Like when Obama does townhalls at Google after Google gives him millions.

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 21, 2014 03:25 PM (ZPrif)

17 How many designer dresses has Mooch been given?

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 21, 2014 03:26 PM (ZPrif)

"I frequently point to Cuccinelli's too-red-for-blue-Virginia social positions as a reason for his loss."

IIRC, this has been shown to have not been the case.

Posted by: Titus Quinctius Cincinnatus at January 21, 2014 03:26 PM (U+vgB)

19 The stupid is strong. Why didn't he do a real estate deal in White water? Democrats are much better at stealing

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 21, 2014 03:26 PM (0FSuD)

20 Being a Republican is against the law.

Posted by: Tom Delay at January 21, 2014 03:26 PM (hFL/3)

21 /glances at Maxine Waters and Charlie Rangel

Yeah... no corruption here. We're good.

- Dept of Injustice.

Posted by: tangonine at January 21, 2014 03:27 PM (x3YFz)

22 BTW, I got a package from the federal court here in SC a few years ago for Grand Jury duty. I did some research and found that there are no limits at all on a federal grand jury. They can indict anyone for anything they want. There have actually been cases where a GJ indicted the prosecutor bringing the charges.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:27 PM (T2V/1)

23 Somebody wake Holder up?

Posted by: BignJames at January 21, 2014 03:27 PM (j7iSn)

24 The other question is why are the feds prosecuting a State offense?
For the same reason they're in charge of arresting state law parole violators now too, Vic, like the Benghazi riot life of Mo video guy.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at January 21, 2014 03:27 PM (vuh7l)

25 OT but it's hilarious seeing folks from my childhood town in VA talking on Facebook about doing their package store runs before the snow dump.

Posted by: logprof at January 21, 2014 03:28 PM (X3GkB)

26 *yawn* tell me when the indict Mooch and the JEF for giving a no bid contract for Obamacare website to her Princeton buddy from Canada Or when someone looks into her no show job with the Chicago hospital in what was surely a pay for play move while her husband was a state senator Or any of the "green" money they have shoveled to their buddies Or any of the "stimulus" money they have shoveled to their buddies Or the way they use the EPA and the NLRB to reward donors and punish adversaries and lets not even talk about using the IRS to punish enemies yes my give a shit meter is busted McDonnells wife got a handbag whoop de doo

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:29 PM (zOTsN)

27 24 For the same reason they're in charge of arresting state law parole violators now too, Vic, like the Benghazi riot life of Mo video guy.

Posted by: andycanuck at January 21, 2014 07:27 PM (vuh7l)

They did not arrest that guy, CA did. But I am sure the corrupt Holder had a lot to do with it.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:29 PM (T2V/1)

28 Fuckin' amateurs

Posted by: Jon Corzine at January 21, 2014 03:29 PM (X3GkB)

29 Hey, ace, how's the "blizzard"?

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 21, 2014 03:29 PM (0FSuD)

30 Any lawyers currently reading the thread? Those charges sound pretty serious. Wire fraud alone is what? 10 years in the stir?

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 21, 2014 03:30 PM (oFCZn)

31 OT but it's hilarious seeing folks from my childhood town in VA talking on Facebook about doing their package store runs before the snow dump. *looks at ten day weather forecast* *Stretches out and relaxes*

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 21, 2014 03:30 PM (P7Wsr)

32 IIRC, this has been shown to have not been the case.

On today's topic of grammar, here is displayed an instance of "voice", in this case "passive"...

Who showed this not to be the case?

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at January 21, 2014 03:30 PM (Xfl0F)

33 Warren Buffett offering $1 billion or a $500 million lump sum to the winner who pick a perfect March Madness.

http://tinyurl.com/onz7e5h

Morons unite! Hobos and Val-U-Rite for all!!!!

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at January 21, 2014 03:30 PM (XrwRV)

34 facts, mostly

Posted by: Flatbush Joe at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (ZPrif)

35 The outcome of the case will depend on two major things:

1) Which judge Holder can rig the "wheel" to

2) How good the ex-Gov's lawyer is at picking the jury.

It will have nothing to do with justice or truth.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (T2V/1)

36 Anna brushes up against the Barrel

Posted by: boulder toilet hobo at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (Xfl0F)

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (XrwRV)

38 That twas a near run thing.

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (XrwRV)

39 So did this Jonnie Williams Sr. roll on the governor? I mean, a $135K isn't chump change but it's not so much that it would be that obvious, especially if part of it was in 'services'.

Posted by: toby928© at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (QupBk)

40 Living in northern Va, we've been expecting this. Anyone with half a brain also expects nothing will happen. There apparently weren't ethics laws prohibiting this. Stupid, though. He could have possibly beaten Warner for senate.

Posted by: Lilredhen at January 21, 2014 03:32 PM (u3yX3)

41 "The other question is why are the feds prosecuting a State offense?" Well, DUH! There is no separation of state/federal crimes in blue states. One party, one people.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at January 21, 2014 03:33 PM (60Vyp)

42 Hey Anna, do you have a bunch of close tags in your "Name" field? If not, that's a great way to avoid the barrel.

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 21, 2014 03:33 PM (P7Wsr)

43 Oh, no, man. I think Ace is hooked on phonics.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at January 21, 2014 03:33 PM (vuh7l)

44 Well, its about time to call it a night.

Posted by: Vic[/i] at January 21, 2014 03:34 PM (T2V/1)

45 They did not arrest that guy, CA did.
I thought they had FBI guys with them too.
I stand (sit?) corrected.

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at January 21, 2014 03:34 PM (vuh7l)

46 What are the details of the wire fraud charge? I'm not too sure what that is.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 21, 2014 03:35 PM (P6QsQ)

47 Politics is a gravy train gig.Just about every one in either party winds up rich( or richer if they already were). Which is why they are all so invested in keeping it going.

Posted by: steevy at January 21, 2014 03:35 PM (zqvg6)

48 Goodnight Vic.

Posted by: grammie winger at January 21, 2014 03:35 PM (P6QsQ)

49 Different rules depending what is after your name.

Posted by: RWC at January 21, 2014 03:35 PM (Q6HBD)

50
*Do not confuse with what I'm about to say a defense for McDonnell.*

This is all bullshit.

C'mon, wire fraud?? Accepting gifts??

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:36 PM (gYIst)

51 On our way to a potassium rich representative democracy.

Posted by: Boone at January 21, 2014 03:36 PM (AeoaE)

52 What a dumbass! Should of kept all that shit in the freezer.

Posted by: William Jefferson at January 21, 2014 03:36 PM (uZ6Ul)

53
oh, and in b4 "No Controlling Authority"!

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:37 PM (gYIst)

54 Lets not talk about how Hillary got rich so quickly or Harry Reid or Nancy Pelosi and how insider trading is not illegal for Congressman Oh Charlie Rangel. John Corzine I will be fascinated in this story just as soon as these stories get the same scrutiny

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:37 PM (zOTsN)

55 11 The other question is why are the feds prosecuting a State offense? Posted by: Vic at January 21, 2014 07:23 PM (T2V/1) They do it all the time. NC Rep Ballientine in jail for using campaign money for buying an Cadillac Escaldaide. Yes, he is Black an is a democrat.

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 21, 2014 03:37 PM (0FSuD)

56 O/T Prepare for terror or How I got dis-invited to the White House Easter Egg Roll: http://preview.tinyurl.com/m2cjdgo

Posted by: bonhomme[/i][/b][/i][/b][/s][/s] at January 21, 2014 03:38 PM (P7Wsr)

57 Corzine Why is he not in jail

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:38 PM (zOTsN)

58 Rep. "Cool Cash" Jefferson [D - LA]

Posted by: Anna Puma (+SmuD) at January 21, 2014 03:38 PM (XrwRV)

59
Always keep in mind that this is obama's Justice Department, and obama's FBI,..

Otherwise, they woulda dropped the hammer down on obama and Axelrod for accepting foreign fraudulent donations.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:38 PM (gYIst)

60 So Obama's strategy is now harass Tea Party organizations and systematically tie up/disgrace up popular Republicans for doing things that Dems do all the time?
Great.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 21, 2014 03:38 PM (POpqt)

61 Republicans have to be utterly beyond reproach.
Democrats could behead kittens on the White House lawn and no one would care.

Posted by: navybrat at January 21, 2014 03:40 PM (AW7Gr)

62
And part of the takeaway on this is that Cuccinelli was just too darn conservative on social issues to win in VA.

Riiiiiiighto!

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:40 PM (gYIst)

63 Why is he not in jail Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 07:38 PM (zOTsN) The tribe gives a lot of money. Any more questions?

Posted by: Nip Sip at January 21, 2014 03:40 PM (0FSuD)

64 Posted by: bonhomme at January 21, 2014 07:38 PM (P7Wsr) Still not as scary as getting between Mooch and some chocolate.

Posted by: RWC at January 21, 2014 03:41 PM (Q6HBD)

65 can McDonnell claim they weren't "gifts" they were a tax

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:42 PM (zOTsN)

66
The lesson here, fiends, is this: We need to put up candidates who hold the same socially acceptable positions to those who have absolutely no intention of voting for them, ever.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:42 PM (gYIst)

67 I'm sure there'll be no such shenanigans under the new reign of Terry "Snow Wouldn't Melt In My Mouth" MacAuliffe, and I'm sure that if there were, Obama's Justice department would similarly lodge a large list of redundant charges (all criminalizing the same basic actions). You can trust us!

Posted by: Justizführer Eric Holder at January 21, 2014 03:43 PM (XvHmy)

68 "I frequently point to Cuccinelli's too-red-for-blue-Virginia social positions as a reason for his loss. Here's the other big a reason: McDonnell was a popular governor."

Here's another reason: felon voting.

That genius McDonnell allowed the restoration of felon voting rights in VA.

Since there are a pretty hefty number of felons, and since felons vote overwhelmingly Democratic, this basically gave the Democrats a nice big permanent step up in their efforts in that state from now on.

Remember, there's an Evil party and there's a Stupid party, and sometimes the Stupid party hand stuff to the Evil party on a platter.

Posted by: torquewrench at January 21, 2014 03:43 PM (gqT4g)

69 Tomorrow Texas in executing a mexican national so expect a lot of whining by the media and kerry.

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 03:44 PM (E4MKN)

70 yes in order to win elections conservatives have to be above reproach yet still appeal to felons who love pot and freebies

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:44 PM (zOTsN)

71
Christie and McDonnell were both considered top runners for the '16 nom.

Funny how they're both being investigated and/or indicted by obama's Dept of Justice..

Who's next? Because you and I both know it won't stop with these two.

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:45 PM (gYIst)

72 69 Tomorrow Texas in executing a mexican national so expect a lot of whining by the media and kerry. Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 07:44 PM (E4MKN) Are they beating him to death with a frying pan? I heard Texas ran out of lethal injection drugs.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 21, 2014 03:45 PM (oFCZn)

73 in the on deck circle? Ted Cruz

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:45 PM (zOTsN)

74
Meanwhile, ...

John Tierney, rep from MA

They indicted his wife?? Are you shittin me, his wife??

Posted by: soothsayer at January 21, 2014 03:46 PM (gYIst)

75 Did mooch pay to use the CEO of Harpo's beach house for a week?

Posted by: Adam at January 21, 2014 03:46 PM (Aif/5)

76 $150K for a little favortism? Pffft...my pay jumped over 300% in one day when Barky became a senator. Piker.

Posted by: Queen Mooch at January 21, 2014 03:46 PM (uZ6Ul)

77 At least Va ended up with a squeaky clean gov for its trouble. That Terry Mcgrovellif is a friggin 4 star altar boy.

Posted by: ontherocks at January 21, 2014 03:47 PM (J2C8C)

78 they indict her to get him to confess in exchange for dropping the charges against her very old trick from a very old play book

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:47 PM (zOTsN)

79 WashPost acquired the Volokh Conspiracy while Ezra Klein is out the door.

Apparently Bezos wants to make a profit?

Posted by: Lizzy at January 21, 2014 03:48 PM (POpqt)

80 72 69 Tomorrow Texas in executing a mexican national so expect a lot of whining by the media and kerry. Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 07:44 PM (E4MKN) Are they beating him to death with a frying pan? I heard Texas ran out of lethal injection drugs. Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 21, 2014 07:45 PM (oFCZn) They've got plenty.

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 03:48 PM (E4MKN)

81 So Obama's strategy is now harass Tea Party organizations and systematically tie up/disgrace up popular Republicans for doing things that Dems do all the time?
Great.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 21, 2014 07:38 PM (POpqt)

-----------------------------------------------

I keep telling everyone that the fix is in for the election. We are not going to win the senate. And we'll lose seats or lose the house altogether. It's not hard to figure out.

Posted by: Soona at January 21, 2014 03:49 PM (lp37X)

82 Yay GOP. Tell us again about how shitty those Teabagger candidates are.

Posted by: Harrison Bergeron at January 21, 2014 03:49 PM (qNZ3I)

83 Don't take a bribe. Have your friend buy a whole bunch of land which he impeccably maintains, and then you buy one tiny piece with a house in the middle. Your friend becomes the perfect absentee neighbor, but has not actually "given" you the land. #TonyRezko

Posted by: wooga at January 21, 2014 03:51 PM (ttWj3)

84 the McDonnells are pikers

Posted by: thunderb at January 21, 2014 03:51 PM (zOTsN)

85 It was just revealed that Sen Ted Cruz once accepted a free ice tea refill at Denny's. We're on it!

Posted by: MSNBC at January 21, 2014 03:51 PM (uZ6Ul)

86 was just revealed that Sen Ted Cruz once accepted a free ice tea refill at Denny's. We're on it -------- Worse! Scott Walker got a free meal from Denny's on his birthday last year!

Posted by: HuffPo at January 21, 2014 03:52 PM (Aif/5)

87 Why even play around with that kind of thing if you're a knowledgable politician? Especially if people think you have national potential? Wasn't there talk he could be Mitt's VP pick?

Posted by: Wonkish Rogue at January 21, 2014 03:53 PM (dvRYt)

88 They've got plenty. Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 07:48 PM (E4MKN) Good to hear. They've got plenty of work to do. Darlie Routier, for example.

Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 21, 2014 03:53 PM (oFCZn)

89 Rand Paul submitted an expired coupon at the grocery store!!!

Posted by: CNN at January 21, 2014 03:53 PM (zOTsN)

90 85 It was just revealed that Sen Ted Cruz once accepted a free ice tea refill at Denny's. We're on it! Posted by: MSNBC at January 21, 2014 07:51 PM (uZ6Ul) Iced T was a popular rereshment served on southern plantations. wink wink nudge nudge

Posted by: RWC at January 21, 2014 03:54 PM (Q6HBD)

91 I really hope Putin does some major terrorist killing in the the next month or so.

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 03:54 PM (E4MKN)

92 Good to hear. They've got plenty of work to do. Darlie Routier, for example. Posted by: Dack Thrombosis at January 21, 2014 07:53 PM (oFCZn) A number of their loud mouths are down to the final count: Skinner, Reed, Swearingen...

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 03:55 PM (E4MKN)

This is just the first month of the election year. Think of how it's going to be around July. Will there be any repub candidates left?

Between the NSA and Holder, I'll be surprised if there's any.

Posted by: Soona at January 21, 2014 03:57 PM (lp37X)

94 60 So Obama's strategy is now harass Tea Party organizations and systematically tie up/disgrace up popular Republicans for doing things that Dems do all the time?
Great.

Posted by: Lizzy at January 21, 2014 07:38 PM (POpqt)

Stupid isn't it? Wasting resources like that. Doesn't he know that the GOP is taking it upon themselves to harass Tea Party organizations?

Posted by: buzzion at January 21, 2014 03:59 PM (LI48c)

95 Texas is executing a Mexican national
Gas chamber or would that be too ironic?

Posted by: [/i]andycanuck[/b] at January 21, 2014 04:00 PM (vuh7l)

96 one needs only recall the FBI and Ted Stevens.

Posted by: jb at January 21, 2014 04:00 PM (3tdHf)

97 RWC, yep, just checked my Official Conservative Code Book, 2013 Edition, and sure enough, "I like Ice Tea" does indeed translate to, "All blacks should be in chains".

I sure hope Chrissy Mathews never gets his hands on one of these!

Posted by: Icedog at January 21, 2014 04:00 PM (uZ6Ul)

98 They're all fucking crooks and liars.

Posted by: CPAC Scum Squeegee at January 21, 2014 04:00 PM (Cs2tJ)

99 Friday, January 20 Inauguration Day 2017

Posted by: Baldy at January 21, 2014 04:08 PM (2bql3)

100 95 Texas is executing a Mexican national Gas chamber or would that be too ironic? Posted by: andycanuck at January 21, 2014 08:00 PM (vuh7l) Mexico is screaming don't kill our citizen ignoring the fact that he came here and killed one of ours first. He shot a 24 year old cop three times in the back of the head. Off. Gaddis had just learned that he was going to be a father for the first time a few days earlier.

Posted by: Judge Pug at January 21, 2014 04:09 PM (E4MKN)

101 Not to excuse McDonald, but I wonder who the next republican governor to get kneecapped will be? Christie got nailed. McDonald got nailed. There is that secret investigation going on in Wisconsin concerning Walker. Perry? Jindal? Any other potential 2016 nominees?

Posted by: Jprs at January 21, 2014 04:11 PM (DGnMA)

102

McDonnell was arguably more socially conservative then Cuccinelli.

Problem was the Chamber loved McDonnell, not so much "tea party" Ken

The GOP was united in 09 which led to the Landslide, and divided in 2013 which led to constant ticket backbiting and a narrow loss in November a loss that could've been avoided if one out of many bad things that happened that year hadn't such as: Bob's tax hike, Convention, Bill Bolling's tantrum, EW Jackson, Bobs Giftgate, Sodomy law, T-Mac getting 34 million, Boyd Marcus' endorsement being bought by T-Mac, Amnesty that started the internal GOP-Tea Party civil war, TP Shutdown, did I mention McAuliffe's spending advantage?,

Pick any of those up above , pick one and subtract it and everything else could've happened and we would've still won on November.
If anyone should be blamed for T-Mac being a Governor today it should be the U.S. Chamber of Commerce who spent nearly a million on Bob McDonnell in 09 and nothing on Cuccinelli in 2013.

They are also the ones planning on spending 50 million in GOP primaries trying to "beat the snot out" of the Tea Party.

Posted by: midwestconservative at January 21, 2014 04:12 PM (eFTkY)

103

We do know which U.S. Attorney of Eastern District of Virginia should be removed from office the minute we have a GOP President.

And McAuliffe will likely still be Governor under the next GOP president ( yes I assume we will win in 2016 just like I assumed we'd win in 2012)

I like this new standard for the DOJ, I'm looking forward to using it in such a manner on Democrats.

Posted by: midwestconservative at January 21, 2014 04:25 PM (eFTkY)

104 Bobby Mac hit Cuccinelli with a double whammy. The scandal neutered any talk of McAulliffe's sleaze as the local news outlets focused on McDonnells somewhat dubious scandal. In addition the transportation bill saddled southeastern Virginia with onerous and massively unpopular tolls, for which the GOP is (arguably not without merit) blamed.

As disturbingly far into the So-Con end of the spectrum as The Cooch was, he lost the election by a hair. It was REALLY close. In fact given the 'extra vote mulligan' Dems get in elections, it was well withing the margin of fraud. I thing the McDonnell scandal was the deciding factor in that election.

Posted by: The Brickmuppet at January 21, 2014 04:25 PM (DnAJl)

105 I like how even our side reviles our own side for being tooooo conservative while ignoring the idiocy of the other side. Hence, the Cooch is too conservative, while ignoring that partisan robot and Clinton Bagman McAullife is a corrupt homonuclous that didn't even get above 50% of the vote.

Posted by: oejay44cday at January 21, 2014 04:28 PM (iHJAJ)

106 at a certain point, our side has got to start accusing the other side of being too liberal, eh? The cooch's conservatism is background noise, if you accuse McCain and Romney of being the worstest most con conservatives ever, then it all runs together. Embrace the evil...and also the attack button. HotAir had the Romney story about he was all butthurt that he wouldn't win because the historical trends were against him, as if he couldn't run on that. what the fuck, dudes.

Posted by: oejay44cday at January 21, 2014 04:29 PM (iHJAJ)

107 Cooch wasn't red ENOUGH, & there's some empirical evidence for that. DEMs in Va were AMAZED & elated that Cooch downplayed his strong record on opposition to late term abortion.

DEMs do careful issue testing in advance, while GOP listens to consultants who fly blind & say, "be more moderate!"

Posted by: mnw at January 21, 2014 04:47 PM (68RU9)

108 to be fair, what cooch said and what was said that cooch said are two different things since cooch's advertisements were outshined by DNC spending and WashPost white washing. I loved those anti-mcauliffe ads in which everyone busted on him for being inarticulate drunk idiot. but alas, the GOP wanted to spend $ elsewhere.

Posted by: oejay44cday at January 21, 2014 04:57 PM (iHJAJ)

109 Does this remind anyone of Ted Stevens?

Posted by: J. Locke at January 21, 2014 05:33 PM (AeqWm)

110 Cucinelli thought he could win without having to raise a lot of money and spending it. It was his MO for every other campaign he ran, lower spending than his opponent and just barely winning. And guess what, McDonnell and his wife deserve to be thrown in jail. They both accepted huge sums of cash under the table.

Posted by: Ken at January 21, 2014 05:37 PM (SgBGg)

111 Be careful with the "random article" function on Wikipedia at work. I once got "Annie Sprinkle." The illustrations are...how shall I say this...you don't want to have to defend them to the HR department if anyone sees them on your screen.

OT but it's hilarious seeing folks from my childhood town in VA talking on Facebook about doing their package store runs before the snow dump.

Amateurs. I have a liquor library. I am no longer at the mercy of Climate Disruption or Indiana's fucking blue laws.

Posted by: HR at January 21, 2014 05:42 PM (hO8IJ)

112 A review of the gifts in Virginia after they became known concluded they did not violate Virginia law, which probably needs to be tightened up.

Federal prosecution is a warning to Republicans to remind us all that Holder is still AG for three more years, and they still have the FBI and IRS, too.

Posted by: Adjoran at January 21, 2014 07:05 PM (473jB)

113 Taking gifts stinks, but at least McD wasn't influencing legislation or awarding state funds in any way. Political prosecution. If Bush played the same hardball the Clinton's would be in orange jumpsuits and penniless.

Posted by: Travis McGee's Houseboat Wifi at January 22, 2014 12:25 PM (Qm24A)

114 No-one is surprised anymore by GOP corruption. It's par for the course.

Posted by: John at January 22, 2014 01:01 PM (KOp/H)

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