Bacon's Rebellion

This and That: GMU and Voter Turnout

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by

Dick Hall-Sizemore
in

GMU board appointees

Jim Bacon and others who are lauding Governor Glenn Youngkin’s appointments of Heritage Foundation-affiliated folks to the Board of Visitors of George Mason University should bear in mind that those appointments are subject to confirmation by the General Assembly in the 2025 Session. With Youngkin being a lame duck and with the Democrats in the majority in both houses being either pumped up by the defeat of Donald Trump or mad as hell about his election, I would not bet on all those appointments being confirmed.

Election turnout efforts

After recently reading about the efforts being ramped up by both parties to turn out voters in swing states this fall, I am thankful that Virginia is not included in the lists of all those states that will be getting attention. However, there is some activity going on. I recently talked to someone who has been knocking on doors for Democrats and she reported encountering a lot of enthusiasm.

RWH

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51 responses to “This and That: GMU and Voter Turnout”

  1. walter smith Avatar
    walter smith

    And “organizing” to oppose BOV appointments is another breakdown in norms by the party that cannot handle controlling everything. Despicable. Truly wrong. Not in their lane. The appointee would have to be so abhorrent as to offend everybody and the closest prior to the current LeftistLunacy was Bruce Smith for Tech and people objected because he did not graduate…and BOV appointments were so inconsequential I didn’t even hear about it!
    A bad world being created by little dictator pseudo-Marxists.

    1. Chip Gibson Avatar
      Chip Gibson

      Ditto of comment to Mr. Haner – appreciate the sanity.

  2. Kathleen Smith Avatar
    Kathleen Smith

    I love the lame duck years of governors: Throw everything into the pot and the GA will find one of them fo save face.

  3. Kathleen Smith Avatar
    Kathleen Smith

    I love the lame duck years of governors: Throw everything into the pot and the GA will find one of them fo save face.

  4. Chip Gibson Avatar
    Chip Gibson

    Does "she" work for the FBI?

  5. Stephen Haner Avatar
    Stephen Haner

    Oh, good grief, Dick. The Heritage Foundation is pretty standard Republican fare, a bit right of center-right in policy but nothing new. A reporter called to talk about Project 2025, so I spent some more time with it, in particular the energy and environment sections. I didn't agree with it all but perhaps 85% or more. One of the principal authors was Bernard McNamee, who was in the AG's office and then served on FERC. Now he is back with McGuireWoods lobbying (for Dominion among others.) Is he somebody you want the rabid D's to target? How about Ken Cuccinelli, who wrote the homeland security pages. Also unqualified for a Youngkin appointment? Am I based on my equally conservative views on much of this?

    The conclusion I draw from this hoorah is the schools even at the high school and college level are not even exposing students to the conservative POV so when it shows up, they think it radical. It is a radical as Reagan or Goldwater or Paul Ryan. The reporters in particular are just ignorant of anything but the Revealed Wisdom.

    1. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      This Ken Cucinelli?

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attorney_General_of_Virginia%27s_climate_science_investigation

      "right of center" is Project 2025? really? (even Trump seems
      to understand it's radioactive!)

      interesting perspective!

    2. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      This Ken Cucinelli?

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attorney_General_of_Virginia%27s_climate_science_investigation

      "right of center" is Project 2025? really? (even Trump seems
      to understand it's radioactive!)

      interesting perspective!

    3. Chip Gibson Avatar
      Chip Gibson

      Thanks for the sanity, Sir. The day has been restored.

    4. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Just goes to show how fringy 'standard Republican fare' has become. Ken Cuccinelli (prior platforms notwithstanding) is a bigot who sought to detain people on the basis of their appearance alone and deny legal immigrants access to federal and state assistance that they help pay for through their employment and taxes. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/14/us/cuccinelli-statue-liberty-poem.html

      1. James Kiser Avatar
        James Kiser

        try reading a real paper.
        U.S. Congressman Jerry Nadler (D–NY) claims it is “pure hogwash” that “this country is threatened by a great crime wave because of illegal immigrants.”
        IN FACT, the U.S. Government Accountability Office found that the criminal records of non-citizens in U.S. prisons and jails contained 33,300 arrests/transfers for murders committed in the United States. Contrary to the media, illegal immigrants are far more likely to commit serious crimes than the general U.S. public. Still think illegals are great?

    5. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      This Ken Cucinelli?

      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Attorney_General_of_Virginia%27s_climate_science_investigation

      "right of center" is Project 2025? really? (even Trump seems
      to understand it's radioactive!)

      interesting perspective!

      1. Eric the half a troll Avatar
        Eric the half a troll

        Yeah, Trump denies any involvement with Project 2025 but all the rest of the Republicans say it is mainstream Right… Reaganesque even… 🤷‍♂️

      2. Eric the half a troll Avatar
        Eric the half a troll

        Yeah, Trump denies any involvement with Project 2025 but all the rest of the Republicans say it is mainstream Right… Reaganesque even… 🤷‍♂️

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          just a little right of center, no big deal…
          when folks say some want to burn it all down, don't believe them, it's just "conceptual" stuff in Project 2025! 😉

        2. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          just a little right of center, no big deal…
          when folks say some want to burn it all down, don't believe them, it's just "conceptual" stuff in Project 2025! 😉

        3. Nancy Naive Avatar
          Nancy Naive

          It’s a detailed list of “Their Fight”.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            really just a "messaging" problem like abortion?

            Some Conservatives do believe that the Federal Govt has gotten "too" big, intrusive, etc and really does need to be carved a little and a lot depending.

            THe Chevron thing is the kind of thing they want more of.

        4. Stephen Haner Avatar
          Stephen Haner

          Every brick being thrown on this in 2024 is just the same as the bricks used to claim Reagan was a nutjob and warmonger in 1980. He wasn't. He was the best of our recent presidents (don't tell you know who.) I bet you haven't read ten pages of it.

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            TRump and the GOP are not running full disclosure on what they actually intend to do. That's why Trump put the kibosh on the 2025 thing.

            Instead they intend to "message" (gaslight) the more gullible of the voters to try to get their win, then essentially return to what they had set about doing in the first term (and clearly laid out in Project 2025) by Trumps first term cabinet and administration – for the second term.

            They intend to dismantle the Federal Govt as currently configured by abolishing some agencies like Education, gutting the EPA, getting rid of the ACA and Medicaid, etc.

            If they were actually running on this, promising to do so, they'd lose big time, and
            they know it.

            So, instead, they're "messaging" their "plans", shutting down the Project 2025 for now, etc.

            These folks are NOTHING LIKE REAGAN!

            They make Reagan look like a liberal and even refer to him as a RINO!

          2. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            TRump and the GOP are not running full disclosure on what they actually intend to do. That's why Trump put the kibosh on the 2025 thing.

            Instead they intend to "message" (gaslight) the more gullible of the voters to try to get their win, then essentially return to what they had set about doing in the first term (and clearly laid out in Project 2025) by Trumps first term cabinet and administration – for the second term.

            They intend to dismantle the Federal Govt as currently configured by abolishing some agencies like Education, gutting the EPA, getting rid of the ACA and Medicaid, etc.

            If they were actually running on this, promising to do so, they'd lose big time, and
            they know it.

            So, instead, they're "messaging" their "plans", shutting down the Project 2025 for now, etc.

            These folks are NOTHING LIKE REAGAN!

            They make Reagan look like a liberal and even refer to him as a RINO!

          3. Not Today Avatar
            Not Today

            I've read it all and it's just as retrograde as claimed. For every good idea, there are 20 horrific ones. Maybe expand beyond two chapters?

          4. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            I'd just like to see the GOP run on the issues and be up front with voters.

            We pretty much know what the Dems want to do, they're not secretive about it.

            But the GOP, they see issues like abortion as ones where they cannot (and will not) be totally honest about what they actually will do in in power.

            Project 2025 tells the truth. It's coming out of the mouths of people who ran agencies during the Trump Administration.

            They very much WILL do what they're promoting. But the GOP won't admit it to voters. So they're basically hiding what their intentions actually are if they do get power.

          5. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Yep. I think they're not being honest about their intentions.

          6. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Yep. I think they're not being honest about their intentions.

          7. Not Today Avatar
            Not Today

            Not even a little bit. SCOTUS/Republicans have hit an all time low in pragmatism and ethics. https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/50159-most-americans-support-term-limits-poll
            https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/12/14/in-gop-contest-trump-supporters-stand-out-for-dislike-of-compromise/

          8. Not Today Avatar
            Not Today

            Not even a little bit. SCOTUS/Republicans have hit an all time low in pragmatism and ethics. https://today.yougov.com/politics/articles/50159-most-americans-support-term-limits-poll
            https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2023/12/14/in-gop-contest-trump-supporters-stand-out-for-dislike-of-compromise/

          9. Eric the half a troll Avatar
            Eric the half a troll

            “Every brick being thrown on this in 2024 is just the same as the bricks used to claim Reagan was a nutjob and warmonger in 1980.”

            Really… you are going with that? I forgot that part where Reagan was criticized for questioning the blackness of African American public servants….

            Sorry, Trump deserves every criticism he gets. I have read a large part of Project 2025. Did you read the part about tracking women who are taking chemotherapy in the anti-abortion section? How Reaganesque…

          10. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Looks like some were "never-Trumpers" until Biden got replaced and things look more competitive. Now, they are closet Trumpers?

          11. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Looks like some were "never-Trumpers" until Biden got replaced and things look more competitive. Now, they are closet Trumpers?

      3. Stephen Haner Avatar
        Stephen Haner

        Michael Mann IMHO is among the worst of the climate frauds. An embarrassment to Virginia he was ever associated with one of our fine schools.

        1. LarrytheG Avatar
          LarrytheG

          And we know how Cucinelli intended to govern and still does. Just imagine ANY researchers running afoul
          of any “denier” and then would be subject to investigation for “fraud”.

          No thanks, we don’t need “leaders” like that nor their style of “governance” and yet that seems to be what they are promising again in Project 2025.

          and I see this: ” Jury Found Blog Post Authors Liable for Defamation of Climate Scientist, Awarded $1 Million in Punitive Damages. In the climate scientist Michael Mann’s defamation case against two writers who authored blog posts characterizing Mann’s work as fraudulent and attributing misconduct to him, a jury in D.C. Superior Court found that statements made by the writers were defamatory, relied on provably false facts, and were false.”

          https://climatecasechart.com/case/mann-v-competitive-enterprise-institute/

          1. LarrytheG Avatar
            LarrytheG

            Well, I don't wish that on Haner but the idea of Cucinelli getting involved with researchers makes me fear that someone like him in a Trump administration would go after someone like Fauci at the CDC or worse.

            That's all we need is the politicians going after the scientists!

            https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/2d0ba51ece56ea3f3e3271b9697470384798e7434c990b49722d177214cb8d1e.png

  6. Clarity77 Avatar
    Clarity77

    Dick, a reality check, or a heads up going forward if you prefer, door knocking voter enthusiasm is not sustainable when it comes to a skin color candidate choice. Even when dressed up as a DEI hire. And if there is any doubt as to the basis on which Biden chose Harris as his VP, then check this out. Facts do matter.
    https://s3.amazonaws.com/i.snag.gy/1qA6nF.jpg

    1. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Obama x2. LOL. Which of VPOTUS's qualifications do you possess? BA/BS? MA/MS? JD? Local office-holder? US Senator? VP? Decent human? Are you a DEI hire?

    2. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Obama x2. LOL. Which of VPOTUS's qualifications do you possess? BA/BS? MA/MS? JD? Local office-holder? US Senator? VP? Decent human? Are you a DEI hire?

    3. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Obama x2. LOL. Which of VPOTUS's qualifications do you possess? BA/BS? MA/MS? JD? Local office-holder? US Senator? VP? Decent human? Are you a DEI hire?

    4. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Obama x2. LOL. Which of VPOTUS's qualifications do you possess? BA/BS? MA/MS? JD? Local office-holder? US Senator? VP? Decent human? Are you a DEI hire?

      1. Clarity77 Avatar
        Clarity77

        NT, normally, given what you write I would deem it not rising to the level of deserving a response, nor my having any need to respond. But in this blog community composed of participants(with few exceptions) who by and large impress me as being accomplished in their respective backgrounds, I will only for your benefit relate that in my career I was addressed not as mister but as doctor.

        And while we are on the subject of you, as to your earlier communication, there is definitely no need to respond with someone like you who thinks that the use of gratuitous smears(e.g. racist, bigot, etc.) advances your point of view. I prefer not to alert the moderator to your use of such as it would be better for others to see who you really are. Put simply, what you write says more about you and your point of view than it does as to me. Have a nice day.

        1. Not Today Avatar
          Not Today

          I love that for you and hope you've retired. Your biases make you unfit to treat patients of color or train dogs. I note that you didn't answer the question either. Are you a DEI hire? I knew one of those; lost his COS job to an Indian immigrant cardiologist for racist remarks. Sir, I'm not the one who implied the VPOTUS slept her way to the top. YOU DID.

        2. Not Today Avatar
          Not Today

          I love that for you and hope you've retired. Your biases make you unfit to treat patients of color or train dogs. I note that you didn't answer the question either. Are you a DEI hire? I knew one of those; lost his COS job to an Indian immigrant cardiologist for racist remarks. Sir, I'm not the one who implied the VPOTUS slept her way to the top. YOU DID.

        3. Clarity77 Avatar
          Clarity77

          Thank you for exposing yourself so thoroughly. A final suggestion, for the benefit of this blog community, as to your sources you frequently drop on here, try to discern fact from propaganda . Otherwise do not be surprised if no one gives you the attention you crave.

          1. Not Today Avatar
            Not Today

            Right back atcha.

          2. Clarity77 Avatar
            Clarity77

            That's all you got?!!! LOL

          3. Not Today Avatar
            Not Today

            My black job is also mother and that job waits on no man.

  7. Clarity77 Avatar
    Clarity77

    Dick, another heads up if you're thinking little 5'3" Josh Shapiro is going to inspire enthusiasm check the latest evidence. Again, "just the facts ma'am" to quote Sargent Joe Friday. Sorry to burst your bubble. Not.
    https://x.com/JDunlap1974/status/1818615633036075083

    1. Not Today Avatar
      Not Today

      Shapiro is a hopeful, along with multiple others. Try again sport. Maybe defend Vance, an actual VP pick, this time? https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jd-vance-childless-cat-ladies-furious_n_66ad7e90e4b07dd05a204978

  8. Dick Hall-Sizemore Avatar
    Dick Hall-Sizemore

    Lots of comments, but, more so than usual, folks, with the exception of Walter Smit, avoid the main point of the article. Those appointments are subject to GA confirmation and, based on the recent atmosphere in the GA, I would not give them much chance of being confirmed. As for Walter Smith's comment, the law authorizes the GA to confirm or not confirm, so it is certainly "in their lane."

    As for Project 2025 that was so much on people's minds, I admit I have not read it, so I am not going to make any substantive comment. However, it is obvious that the document has become so toxic that Trump is backing away from it as fast as he can as the Democrats attempt to drape it around his neck.

    1. Clarity77 Avatar
      Clarity77

      Dick, hate to point out the obvious, but the format in which you wrote the post was to present not one but two article subjects, as in "This and That." Therefore, as would be expected some chose to respond and address "This" in their comments while others "That."

      If your intention is to focus on one "main point" as you now in hindsight apparently seek to do then perhaps it would be best not to wander off into another subject in your initial article.

      And ICYMI you unconsciously repeated the same exact dynamic in your comment. Are you now expecting readership to focus on your stated "main point" or on the issue of Project 2025?

      As a designated "blogger" for BR it might prove to be more constructive to the discussion to be more consistent and focused rather than, for want of a better way to put it, wandering off into a tangential issue that only serves to muddy.

    2. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      So a question might be about how Youngkin governs and whether he leans to a Project 2025 model of governance in general.

      Does Youngkin agree with the major ideas and themes with Project 2025?

      Would he, for instance, abolish the Dept of Education and get rid of a Federal programs like Title 1 and Head Start, free lunch program for kids, etc. Would he advocate that Virginia take over these programs in it's own budget or choose to not fund them and let them go away?

      Would he support all Virginia taxpayers paying taxes to provide vouchers even for religious schools?

      Would he support getting rid of the Federal ACA and Medicaid and have Virginia take over these programs or let them go away?

      These are valid questions for any person currently governing as an elected official and/or seeking to be elected after being Governor.

      Youngkin supports Trump, has endorsed him. Project 2025 is a governance proposal that basically was written largely by former Trump Administration cabinet members and agency appointees.

      It's certainly legitimate to know where Youngkin is not on
      Project 2025 in general but the specific main proposals it
      makes.

      Do we want Virginia to be governed like Project 2025 proposes?

      The ideas in Project 2025 are not new. They have floated around in various conservative and GOP circles as separate and individual ideas, some for years.

      What's different is that Project 2025 has pulled many of them together under one umbrella as an overall governance philosophy.

      Which is all fine and dandy as long as the candidates are honest about their support of it and voters know their positions and Virginians get to decide with their votes.

      Youngkin is a conservative GOP who has endorsed Trump.
      It's certainly legitimate to know his positions especially if he
      aspires to higher office to represent Virginians.

    3. LarrytheG Avatar
      LarrytheG

      So a question might be about how Youngkin governs and whether he leans to a Project 2025 model of governance in general.

      Does Youngkin agree with the major ideas and themes with Project 2025?

      Would he, for instance, abolish the Dept of Education and get rid of a Federal programs like Title 1 and Head Start, free lunch program for kids, etc. Would he advocate that Virginia take over these programs in it's own budget or choose to not fund them and let them go away?

      Would he support all Virginia taxpayers paying taxes to provide vouchers even for religious schools?

      Would he support getting rid of the Federal ACA and Medicaid and have Virginia take over these programs or let them go away?

      These are valid questions for any person currently governing as an elected official and/or seeking to be elected after being Governor.

      Youngkin supports Trump, has endorsed him. Project 2025 is a governance proposal that basically was written largely by former Trump Administration cabinet members and agency appointees.

      It's certainly legitimate to know where Youngkin is not on
      Project 2025 in general but the specific main proposals it
      makes.

      Do we want Virginia to be governed like Project 2025 proposes?

      The ideas in Project 2025 are not new. They have floated around in various conservative and GOP circles as separate and individual ideas, some for years.

      What's different is that Project 2025 has pulled many of them together under one umbrella as an overall governance philosophy.

      Which is all fine and dandy as long as the candidates are honest about their support of it and voters know their positions and Virginians get to decide with their votes.

      Youngkin is a conservative GOP who has endorsed Trump.
      It's certainly legitimate to know his positions especially if he
      aspires to higher office to represent Virginians.

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