Was VA-07′s Eric Cantor Working To Enrich Himself By Walking Out On Negotiations?

“He’s the GOP’s chief debt ceiling negotiator. He’s also invested in a fund that will skyrocket if there’s a default.”

read the story here:
Eric Cantor’s glaring conflict of interest – War Room – Salon.com.

Memorable 32nd Annual Prince William County JJ

In the weeks following the very successful Prince William County Democratic Committee’s Jefferson/Jackson dinner, I’ve given a good deal of thought about the various speeches given that evening. Chairman Bruce Roemmelt’s opening remarks recalling President Obama’s often told story “Fired Up – Ready to Go” set the mood for the evening.

With Congressman Gerry Connolly handling the introduction, U.S. Senate Candidate, Tim Kaine offered a comparison of his recent positions including Chairman of the DNC and Governor of Virginia and his ongoing role of father (who had spent part of the day cleaning the garage) and spoke of the importance of Prince William County to the future of Virginia.

DPVA Chairman, Brian Moran provided the keynote and concentrated his remarks on creating a movement, articulating a message that resonates with voters, and recruiting candidates for each of the 140 races(100 House of Delegates and 40 Senate seats) open in 2011.  When he concluded a flow of Democratic candidates for a variety of statewide and PWC offices took to the podium to offer their remarks.  The evening concluded with the awarding of the Anne Moncure Wall Award

Anne Moncure Wall Award Winners

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s ‘Know Before You Owe’

The new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has announced the Know Before You Owe project, “an effort to combine two federally required mortgage disclosures into a single, simpler form that makes the costs and risks of the loan clear and allows consumers to comparison shop for the best offer.”

The CFPB has posted prototypes on its website with an interactive tool to gather public input about the designs.

View the mortgage disclosure prototypes: www.consumerfinance.gov/KnowBeforeYouOwe

“Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions most Americans will ever make. The Know Before You Owe project is about giving consumers upfront, easy-to-understand information that helps them compare different mortgage offers and find the one that’s best for them,” said Elizabeth Warren, Assistant to the President and Special Advisor to the Secretary of the Treasury on the CFPB.  “The current forms can be complicated and difficult for consumers to use.  They are also redundant and can be costly for lenders to fill out.  With a clear, simple form, consumers will be in a better position to answer two basic questions: Can I afford this mortgage and can I get a better deal somewhere else?”

Current federal law requires that mortgage loan applicants receive two documents – the federal Truth in Lending Act (TILA) mortgage disclosure and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) Good Faith Estimate – within three days of application.  The current forms are two pages and three pages long, respectively.  While they are intended to convey basic facts about home loans to help consumers comparison shop, these forms have overlapping information and complicated terms that can be difficult to understand.

Virginia Summit Releases Schedule for July 15th and 16th

Dear friend,Since we announced the first ever Virginia Summit last week, the response from Democrats who want to take advantage of this historic training and networking event has been amazing! I am so proud to be one of the people driving this event and making sure it’s a valuable and fun way to educate, train and win with fellow Virginia Democrats in 2011. As we prepare for Summit, I’m pleased to announce that you can view the full session schedule at the link below. We are still recruiting a few speakers and industry experts to present on these critical issues, and times are always subject to change, but this schedule will give you a great sense of the work we want to get done during these two days of training, policy discussions and networking opportunities. Click here to view the schedule for the Virginia Summit and claim your spot at this unprecedented training event. From communications, fundraising and organizing trainings from Virginia and national experts, to policy panels full of leading academicsand practitioners, and chances to meet and consult with electeds, staffers and operatives, the Summit offers something for everyone. If we are going to elect Democrats in 2011 and 2012 we need to be sure that our candidates, campaign workers and grassroots activists have the best tools, skills and policy ideas available. This is your chance to join the DPVA, Organizing for America and the Virginia Young Democrats to educate, train and win so that we can move this Commonwealth forward together. I hope you will click here to consult the tentative schedule for the Virginia Summit and join me on July 15th-16th in Richmond for this great event. Sincerely, Brian J. Moran

Washington Post Covers Votes That Pushed US Deep Into The Red

note: Check out this article and pay close attention to the fact that before the GOP/Bush tax changes and taking us into Iraq our nation was on a path to paying off the national debt … a case can be made that the Obama/Democrats stimulus would not even have been needed if we had remained on a true fiscally responsible course … not the “$12.7 trillion swing from projected surpluses to real debt” the Bush/GOTP policies have left the Obama Administration and Congress to deal with …

Votes that pushed us into the red – The Washington Post.

 

DPVA Summit Scheduled For July 15th and 16th at VCU

note: Democrats looking to expand their working knowledge of the political process and how they can make more of an impact need to consider attending …

Dear Friend,

On behalf of the Democratic Party of Virginia I am excited to announce an unprecedented opportunity for Virginia Democrats to come together and build the tools, skills and policy knowledge we need to elect our candidates in the fall and move this Commonwealth forward.

The first-ever Virginia Summit, which will be held on July 15th-16th at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, will offer two days of intensive training, policy and message briefings, career advancement advice and fellowship with Democratic elected officials, candidates, professionals, and activists from every level.

Click here to register and take part in the first-ever Virginia Summit and help the DPVA educate, train and win in 2011.

The Virginia Summit will offer sessions for candidates, activists, professionals and aspiring political staff of all stripes on a wide range of important skills and topics. We’ve got a host of informative and impactful sessions planned already, including:

• Policy briefings on health care, education, national security, energy, and the environment
• Developing and communicating a powerful message
• Running an effective local Democratic committee
• Recruiting and retaining political volunteers
• Making the choice to run for office
• Starting and advancing a career in politics

I am also happy to announce that Dr. Drew Westen, the renowned psychologist, Democratic messaging guru and author of the must-read book The Political Brain, has agreed to share his expertise in two separate Virginia Summit sessions. Dr. Westen has advised campaigns on every level on crafting and delivering an effective and emotionally resonant message. He will deliver a great deal of value to attendees who want to communicate our Democratic values in the most effective way possible.

I hope you will mark your calendars and make plans to join us in Richmond on July 15th-16th for the Virginia Summit.

Please click here to reserve your space at this important event today, and forward this email to anyone who you think may want to take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity to educate, train and win with Virginia Democrats in 2011.

Sincerely,

Brian J. Moran

Chairman, Democratic Party of Virginia

NVCC Hosts President Obama Manufacturing Jobs Event

Facts About Taxes Prove GOTP Talking Point Wrong

Senator Webb Urges New Bus Safety Standards To Save Lives

June 08, 2011 Stay Connected: http://webb.senate.gov/

Special Transportation Update: New Bus Safety Standards Can Save Lives After last week’s deadly tour bus crash on I-95 in Virginia, I called on U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to take immediate action to prevent similar accidents.  The Department of Transportation’s (DOT) enforcement efforts to date have been inconsistent and ineffective. In a letter with Senator Mark Warner and four other senators, I urged Secretary LaHood to promptly halt unsafe bus companies and implement new safety standards to prevent driver fatigue. Driver fatigue is the root cause of 37 percent of all accidents investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.  Preliminary reports indicate that last week’s bus crash in Virginia was caused by two key factors: driver fatigue, and the DOT’s decision to give this unsafe company a last minute reprieve from closure, despite a pattern of safety failures. Our letter urges the DOT to remove unsafe motorcoach carriers from our roads, ensure driver preparedness, and protect passenger safety.  These steps will help save lives. For regular updates and to find out more information on this and other issues of interest to you, please visit my website at www.webb.senate.gov. Click here to read the full text of the letter. Click here to read a related article in the Fredericksburg Free Lance Star

VA’s ACLU Offers Interesting Congressional Map

 

ACLU of Virginia proposes congressional map with two minority districts – Virginia Politics – The Washington Post.