Supreme Court Rules In Favor of First Amendment Rights

Yesterday, the Supreme Court handed down a 5-4 decision in favor of the Constitution and our rights under the First Amendment. Special thanks to David Bossie and his staff at Citizens United for suing the Federal Election Commission in 2008. You know this decision is in the best interest of America when Left-Wingers like Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) almost cries during yesterday's news conference following the decision and makes outlandish statements like, "this is the end of democracy in America as we know it".

Click here for a copy of the Court's ruling.

The truth of the matter is that the playing field has now been leveled -- no more one-side dominance by unions, media conglomerates, and MoveOn.org in terms of political advertising.

Yesterday's decision opens the door to ALL Americans, regardless of who they are or where they work, to have an opportunity to speak their voice and/or fund political advertisements.

This is why Chucky is upset. He could care less about democracy or voters. This is abundantly clear based on his Senate votes this year on issues that have minority support in America.

Here was an email sent out from Citizens United yesterday:

Today is a historic day for Citizens United, the Conservative Movement, and for all Americans who cherish the First Amendment.

I am proud to tell you that the Supreme Court announced its decision today in our case, Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, and we prevailed!

Today's decision that allows Citizens United to air its documentary films and advertisements is a tremendous victory, not only for Citizens United but for every American who desires to participate in the political process without fear of government intervention. As our case amply demonstrates, campaign finance legislation over the last two decades has imposed, as Justice Anthony Kennedy put it, a "censorship . . . vast in its reach." By overruling Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce and striking down McCain-Feingold's ban on so-called electioneering communications, the Supreme Court has made possible the participation in our political process that is the right of every American citizen - a right that had been severely curtailed under the McCain-Feingold law.

Here is a quote from today's Supreme Court opinion that, for me, perfectly summarizes why we took on this fight:

"When Government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought. This is unlawful. The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for ourselves."

"The Truck" Is Coming to Washington!

In an improbable scenario just 15 months ago, Conservative Scott Brown defeated Liberal Martha Coakley in a U.S. Senate special election held yesterday in Massachusetts to replace former Senator/murderer/cheater Ted Kennedy who passed away in late 2009.

Throughout the short campaign, Senator-elect Brown took on the Massachusetts Liberal Establishment and ran a Conservative campaign to capture the seat by 5 percent of the electorate.

Brown campaigned throughout the Commonwealth in his old GM pickup truck with 200,000 miles and ran on Conservative values.

Of course, the Libs, unable to debate Brown on substance, constantly mocked and made fun of Brown for his truck references used in his advertisements and campaign stops.

How ironic that they are going after Brown and his truck since just a decade or so ago the same Libs thought it was so "American" to see former Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone during his campaign travel through the state, and ultimately to Washington, in an old green school bus.

What did Brown's victory yesterday mean? (1) American's do not want health care reform, as it is currently considered by Congress, (2) there is "buyer's remorse" with independents who voted for Obama, and (3) voters are willing to break trends (either direction) to send a message to Washington.

It will be very interesting to see how the Obama Administration reacts to yesterday's defeat. Does he pull a Clinton-like move and pull back on his health care reform ideas or just he buckle down and stick with his Socialist plan. Until he addresses jobs and the economy in a substantive way, he and the Libs can expect more defeats in future elections.

Old Ted must be looking UP and wondering what the heck is happening...

Please Help Haiti!

As everyone knows, Haiti needs everyone's support, in terms of dollars and prayers, following the massive earthquake that devastated the poor country earlier this week.

Here are two GREAT and reputable charities with extremely low overhead expenses that have done unbelievable work in the past in poor countries like Haiti and now have dedicated donation requests specifically for the Haitian relief efforts:

FOOD FOR THE POOR (more than 96% of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor)

CATHOLIC RELIEF SERVICES (93% of all donations go directly to programs that help the poor)

Please donate (and pray!)

Fairfax Supervisor Pat Herrity to seek GOP nomination for U.S. House seat in Va.

From this afternoon's Washington Post on-line edition...


Fairfax County Supervisor Pat S. Herrity (R-Springfield) said Wednesday he will seek the Republican nomination against first-term Democratic U.S. Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.), as both parties in Northern Virginia prepare for the 11th District contest.

Herrity, 49, an accountant whose father was chairman of the Fairfax board in the 1970s and '80s, had contemplated entering the race for weeks. Word leaked out about his potential candidacy, and on Wednesday, he called his announcement "probably the worst kept secret" in Fairfax County.

"Things have changed dramatically in the last four years," Herrity said at a press conference at the West Springfield Government Center. "Simply put, I believe our country is at a crossroads and I feel I am the best candidate who can provide fiscal responsibility in Washington."

Republican officials had pressured Herrity to announce his bid soon or risk falling behind in fundraising. Herrity's entrance into the race sets up a Republican primary battle with Keith Fimian, a wealthy Oakton businessman who has pledged to stay in the contest regardless of Herrity's decision. Fimian, 53, ran against Connolly in 2008 and lost.

Through the end of September, Fimian reported $269,000 in cash on hand, according to federal campaign finance records, and he recently received the endorsement of House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.). On Wednesday, Fimian said his total fundraising amount was closer to $550,000 and his campaign released a statement soon after Herrity's announcement, labeling Herrity as an ambitious opportunist and "career politician."

"Instead of staying focused on the job he was elected to do, Herrity is again abandoning his job while drawing a taxpayer salary to seek another office," Fimian said. "This will be the third different office he has sought within four years. His ambition outruns his responsibilities."
Herrity successfully ran for Fairfax County supervisor in Springfield in 2007, and board chairman in 2008, narrowly losing to Chairman Sharon S. Bulova (D) by 1,206 votes out of 103,972 cast.

On Wednesday, he played down the looming primary contest, saying "competition was good" and calling Fimian's criticisms "unfortunate."

Republicans have already been preparing for a bloody primary battle between Herrity and Fimian. Anthony Bedell, chairman of the Fairfax County Republican Committee, and Becky Stoeckel, chairman of the 11th District Republican Committee, announced they have endorsed Herrity. Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart, who endorsed Fimian several months ago, said in an interview that he was "sticking to his endorsement but Pat is a great guy and I think he would be a great congressman."

Fimian dismissed the endorsements as coming from "party insiders." "The voters don't want an insider," he said. "They are looking for fresh ideas."

Herrity's announcement also came on the heels of Sen. David W. Marsden's surprising Tuesday night special election victory over Stephen M. "Steve" Hunt, a Republican former Fairfax County School Board member, in the 37th state Senate race. Republicans were optimistic for a win, especially after incoming governor Robert F. McDonnell won the district in November, and a host of statewide and local Republican candidates cruised to victory.

Democrats said Marsden's victory was a testament to strong party organization and an energized voter base. Attorney General-elect Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II (R) held the seat for seven years and Republicans had represented the 37th since 1992. Democrats now represent all 10 Virginia Senate districts that are at least partly in Fairfax County.

"Both state parties put a lot of money in this race, but this shows that Democrats here haven't given up," said Rex Simmons, the chairman of the Fairfax County Democratic Committee. "November was a wake-up call and last night was a big victory for us."

Most important for Herrity is that Marsden (D-Fairfax) won right in his back yard; The newly elected senator carried Hunt in the Springfield district by 25 votes out of 10,569 cast.

"Republicans were almost gleeful after November," Connolly said. "They were rubbing their hands, licking their chops. And don't get it wrong, they were expecting a win so I imagine this is sobering."

Republicans attempted to play down the Democratic victory, with Herrity noting that Hunt was outspent and out-worked in the race to get absentee voters and Fimian calling it a "local election based largely on local issues."

In an interview, Connolly deflected any questions about the 2010 midterm elections and the prospective Republican nominee, saying he would announce his reelection plans in mid-March.
"I've been in office for 15 years and my voters know me well," Connolly said. "I've won election seven straight times and, if I run again, I plan on winning."

New Rasmussen Poll: 2% Margin in Massachusetts Senate Race

A brand new poll has come out from Rasmussen showing the Massachusetts Special Election for U.S. Senate is a dead heat.

The poll has Democrat Martha Coakley (49%)leading Republican Scott Brown (47%) by just a 2% margin. The previous Rasmussen poll had Brown surging but down 9%. This new poll shows the momentum continues to be with Scott Brown.