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    <title>State &amp; Regional Politics for Richmond Times-Dispatch</title>
    <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/</link>
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        <title>State &amp; Regional Politics for Richmond Times-Dispatch</title>
        <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/</link>
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    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>Richmond Times-Dispatch</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2009</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2009-11-07T16:30:01-05:00</dc:date>

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         <item>
          <title>Three Va. House Democrats undecided on health&#45;care</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/HEAL07S_20091106-222806/304230/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Three of the six Democrats in Virginia&#8217;s U.S. House delegation remain undecided heading into this weekend&#8217;s pivotal vote on President Barack Obama&#8217;s 10-year, $1.2 trillion health-care overhaul. A fourth, Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, D-11th, wants to listen to the debate but is leaning toward supporting the bill, his spokesman said. The Virginians conferred with constituents yesterday as House Democratic leaders acknowledged that they don&#8217;t yet have the 218 votes they need to pass the health-care package. House Democrats signaled that they might delay the vote until tomorrow or early next week.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 00:01:09 EST</pubDate>
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          <title>Cuccinelli transition team includes onetime McDonnell legal adversary</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CUCC06_20091105-221607/303992/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli is looking to predecessors from both parties for guidance on running the state&#8217;s law office, as well as enlisting the lawyer who beat Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell in court on a transportation fix that was ruled unconstitutional. Cuccinelli, a Republican, announced yesterday that he selected as transition leaders former Attorneys General Andrew P. Miller, a Democrat; Republican Richard Cullen; and ex-state GOP Chairman Patrick M. McSweeney.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CUCC06_20091105-221607/303992/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine accepts part&#45;time post at UR</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/UOFRGATER_20091105-111201/303849/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has accepted a part-time teaching post at the University of Richmond after he leaves the Executive Mansion in January. The school announced that Kaine will have a joint appointment in the university&#8217;s School of Law and Jepson School of Leadership Studies. He will have additional responsibilities in advancing the university&#8217;s strategic plan, The Richmond Promise.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:12:03 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/UOFRGATER_20091105-111201/303849/#When:16:12:03Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Cuccinelli details transition team</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CUCCGAT05_20091105-103802/303845/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli is looking to predecessors from both political parties for guidance on how to run the state&#8217;s law office. Cuccinelli announced this morning that his transition will be led by former Attorneys General Andrew Miller, a Democrat, and Republican Richard Cullen, as well as former state GOP chairman Pat McSweeney.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:38:02 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CUCCGAT05_20091105-103802/303845/#When:15:38:02Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GOP gains at least five Virginia House seats</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS05_20091104-214804/303734/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia Republicans gained at least five seats in Tuesday&#8217;s elections for the House of Delegates, boosting Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell ahead of his first General Assembly session. The 21st District race remains too close to call. Republican challenger Ronald A. Villanueva, a member of the Virginia Beach City Council, leads Del. Robert W. Mathieson, D-Virginia Beach, by 16 votes out of more than 15,300 cast.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:01:52 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS05_20091104-214804/303734/#When:05:01:52Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine reflects on losses</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN05_20091104-222008/303769/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Even before the first tallies were in Tuesday night, the sign outside the Westin Richmond Hotel meeting room where the Virginia Democratic Party convened seemed a plea to forget what was about to happen: &#8220;Channel Your Energy, Replenish Your Spirit and Embrace The Endless Possibilities The Day Brings,&#8220; it stated. Yesterday, after Republicans had swept Virginia&#8217;s statewide offices and captured the New Jersey governor&#8217;s office, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine did not sound like he would be leaving his post as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:01:40 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN05_20091104-222008/303769/#When:05:01:40Z</guid>
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          <title>McDonnell announces transition committee</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO05_20091104-222008/303770/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
In his first day as governor-elect, Bob McDonnell yesterday announced his transition committee leaders, including Tom Farrell, chairman and CEO of the state&#8217;s largest utility, Dominion Resources.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:01:15 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO05_20091104-222008/303770/#When:05:01:15Z</guid>
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          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; Nov. 5th</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_nov._5th/303717/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
How far right? Political columnist Jeff Schapiro says governor-elect Bob McDonnell is a conservative with the good sense to gloss over some of his edgier views. That may not be the case with the new attorny general, Ken Cuccinelli, who could squeeze McDonnell from the right.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 21:32:18 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_nov._5th/303717/#When:02:32:18Z</guid>
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          <title>McDonnell begins naming members of transition team</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/mcdonnell_begins_naming_members_of_transition_team/303617/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Advisers include Tom Farrell, head of Dominion Resources; Attorney General Bill Mims; and Kay Coles James, a cabinet official for Gov. George Allen and an official in the administration of President George W. Bush.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:14:41 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/mcdonnell_begins_naming_members_of_transition_team/303617/#When:20:14:41Z</guid>
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          <title>Obama calls McDonnell</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/obama_calls_mcdonnell/303608/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama called Gov-elect Bob McDonnell late this morning  &#8212;&nbsp; reportedly a pleasant, 10 minute conversation. 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:10:32 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/obama_calls_mcdonnell/303608/#When:18:10:32Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Republicans celebrate, Democrats talk of rebuilding</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLSGAT_20091104-073802/303589/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
National Republican chairman says victories in Va., N.J., mean party is on the move again; Democratic leader and Gov. Timothy M. Kaine says his party has a &#8220;higher platform&#8221; from which to rebuild.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:38:18 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLSGAT_20091104-073802/303589/#When:12:38:18Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine says Democrats faced uphill battles</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_democrats_faced_uphill_battles/303574/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, is ascribing Democratic defeats Tuesday in the Virginia and New Jersey gubernatorial elections to uphill battles against historical trends.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:02:55 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_democrats_faced_uphill_battles/303574/#When:11:02:55Z</guid>
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          <title>Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling wins second term</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV04_20091103-222204/303523/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling last night won re-election to the part-time office that traditionally serves as both gubernatorial sidekick and as a steppingstone to the state&#8217;s top job. Bolling, 52, an insurance executive from Hanover County, soundly defeated Democratic challenger Jody Wagner of Virginia Beach, the 54-year-old former state treasurer who served as secretary of finance under Gov. Timothy M. Kaine.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:37 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV04_20091103-222204/303523/#When:05:01:37Z</guid>
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          <title>Analysis: GOP sweep shows policies, not parties, are paramount in Va. politics</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ANLY041_20091104-001003/303557/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A year after tipping Democratic for president for the first time since 1964, Virginia fell to Republicans in a dramatic statewide sweep that is a historic reminder of its enduring competitiveness&#8212;but may not be a model for a national GOP comeback. &#8220;It&#8217;s not a red state,&#8220; said Jay Timmons, chief of staff in the governorship of George Allen, whose victory in 1993 led the last Republican resurgence.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:15 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ANLY041_20091104-001003/303557/#When:05:01:15Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Republicans retaining control of House of Delegates</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/HOUS041_20091104-001404/303562/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republicans last night were well on their way to increasing their control of the Virginia House of Delegates. Heading into the election yesterday, Republicans held 53 seats and Democrats held 45. Two independents generally vote with the Republicans. Last night, it appeared that Republicans had a net gain of at least three seats and that three other races involving Democratic incumbents were too close to call.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:13 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/HOUS041_20091104-001404/303562/#When:05:01:13Z</guid>
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          <title>McDonnell leads GOP sweep of statewide races</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS041_20091104-001202/303560/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Double-digit victories by Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, the party&#8217;s nominee for attorney general, reversed a recent string of defeats for Republicans.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:11 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS041_20091104-001202/303560/#When:05:01:11Z</guid>
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          <title>Cuccinelli elected attorney general</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ATTG041_20091104-001003/303558/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia has elected Republican Ken Cuccinelli as its next attorney general, overwhelmingly favoring the state senator from Fairfax County who has pledged to protect the Virginia Constitution and the state&#8217;s right-to-work law. As polls had predicted, Cuccinelli won a crushing defeat over his Democratic opponent&#8212;and friend&#8212;Del. Stephen C. Shannon of Fairfax.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ATTG041_20091104-001003/303558/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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          <title>Kaine out of Va. for parts of 14 days in October</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN04_20091103-202003/303430/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was out of state for at least parts of 14 days in October, according to a travel log that his office released late yesterday. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, was in Chicago and Boston on Oct. 15 and returned from Boston on Oct. 16. He traveled to New York on Oct. 20, stayed overnight, and stopped in Washington on the way back to Richmond the next day, according to the log.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN04_20091103-202003/303430/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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          <title>Cuccinelli elected attorney general</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/cuccinelli_elected_attorney_general/303400/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Sen. Ken Cuccinelli was elected attorney general tonight over Democratic Del. Stephen C. Shannon in a battle between lawmakers from Fairfax County.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:15:39 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/cuccinelli_elected_attorney_general/303400/#When:01:15:39Z</guid>
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          <title>Bill Bolling re&#45;elected lieutenant governor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/bill_bolling_re-elected_lieutenant_governor/303401/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling easily won a second term as lieutenant governor tonight, defeating Democrat Jody Wagner, a former state treasurer, according to unofficial returns.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:10:10 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/bill_bolling_re-elected_lieutenant_governor/303401/#When:01:10:10Z</guid>
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          <title>Bob McDonnell elected Virginia&#8217;s 71st governor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/bob_mcdonnell_elected_virginias_71st_governor/303402/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Bob McDonnell led a Republican sweep of Virginia&#8217;s statewide races tonight, restoring the Republicans to power after eight years out of the governor&#8217;s office. The dominant victories by McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, the party&#8217;s nominee for attorney general, reversed a recent string of defeats for Republicans, who lost races for the U.S. Senate in 2006 and 2008 and the presidential election in Virginia in 2008 for the first time in 44 years.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:00:46 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/bob_mcdonnell_elected_virginias_71st_governor/303402/#When:01:00:46Z</guid>
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          <title>Gubernatorial candidates cast their ballots</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/gubernatorial_candidates_cast_their_ballots/303371/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s gubernatorial candidates cast their ballots this morning.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:24:31 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/gubernatorial_candidates_cast_their_ballots/303371/#When:14:24:31Z</guid>
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          <title>Long&#45;distance call from Alaska?</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/long-distance_call_from_alaska/303366/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a long-awaited entry into the Virginia governor&#8217;s race via an automated call to as many as 350,000 state residents urging them to vote.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 07:32:45 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/long-distance_call_from_alaska/303366/#When:12:32:45Z</guid>
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          <title>Election updates: McDonnell leads in early returns</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/early_voters_likely_to_find_shorter_lines_than_in_nov/303361/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell held an early lead in the race to become the 71st governor of Virginia today. First Virginia Board of Elections results showed McDonnell leading Democrat R. Creigh Deeds by a wide margin.&nbsp; 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 06:41:03 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/early_voters_likely_to_find_shorter_lines_than_in_nov/303361/#When:11:41:03Z</guid>
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          <title>Election Day Q&amp;A</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS03G_20091102-222809/303331/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Q. What&#8217;s on the ballot? &nbsp; A. Voters statewide will elect a governor, a lieutenant governor and an attorney general. All 100 House of Delegates seats are up for election, but only 69 are contested. State senators are not on the ballot until 2011. &nbsp; Q. What else is on the ballot? &nbsp; A. It varies by locality. Part of Richmond will select a City Council member in the 7th District. Hopewell will elect a commonwealth&#8217;s attorney; Petersburg will elect a sheriff; Colonial Heights will elect a commissioner of the revenue.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:01:10 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS03G_20091102-222809/303331/#When:05:01:10Z</guid>
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          <title>Candidates finish campaigns with final bids for votes</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS03_20091102-222809/303330/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginians cast ballots for governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and all 100 seats in the House of Delegates. Virginia, N.J. are the only states electing governors today.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:01:04 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS03_20091102-222809/303330/#When:05:01:04Z</guid>
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          <title>Virginia candidates step up efforts in waning hours</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS02_20091101-222403/303131/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democrat R. Creigh Deeds took his campaign to Hampton Roads yesterday, while Republican Bob McDonnell flew around the state in late efforts to drive up turnout in a contest that has taken on national significance.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:01:02 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS02_20091101-222403/303131/#When:05:01:02Z</guid>
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          <title>McDonnell, Deeds push key campaign themes as race nears end</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS011_20091031-234602/302997/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell said yesterday that his jobs-and-economy theme has helped push him ahead, while Democrat R. Creigh Deeds continued promoting themes of education and transportation as the gubernatorial campaign headed into its final two days. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour joined McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and GOP attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli for yesterday&#8217;s first two stops in Springfield and Fredericksburg, before the trio headed to stops in Chesterfield County and Williamsburg.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:57 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS011_20091031-234602/302997/#When:04:01:57Z</guid>
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          <title>Candidate Q&amp;A: Attorney General</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01ATTG_20091031-210003/302888/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Stephen C. Shannon (Democrat) Ken Cuccinelli (Republican) Q. If elected, how would you help put people back to work? Cuccinelli: Virginia is currently rated the No. 1 state in which to do business by Forbes magazine. One of the main reasons for this success is that we have had Republican attorneys general over the last 15 years who have protected the people of Virginia while staying out of the way of businesses &#8220;doing business,&#8220; unlike the Democrats&#8217; vision of heavy regulation and the promotion of unions. As attorney general, I will seek to bolster our economy by protecting the commonwealth of Virginia&#8217;s right-to-work status and by working to keep state government regulations to the minimum possible to keep our citizens safe and productive. In Virginia, state law today secures employees&#8217; rights to decide for themselves whether to join or support a union. The law makes it illegal for any employer to come to an agreement with a union that non-union employees will be excluded from its rolls. This statute is very important for the business climate of Virginia, as right-to-work states generally experience higher economic growth, higher job creation and lower unemployment rates than do non-right-to-work law states. I believe it is not a coincidence that in recent years almost all of the new auto factories have been located in right-to-work states. Unfortunately, the federal government has chosen to push legislation&#8212;commonly called &#8220;card check&#8221;&#8212;that would dramatically undermine Virginia&#8217;s right-to-work law. . . . As attorney general, I will seek to use the 10th Amendment to prevent the Congress and the president from undermining our right-to-work law. Currently, the Virginia Administrative Code contains over 23,000 pages, and Virginia citizens and businesses are expected to understand and comply with the legal requirements contained within these 23,000 pages. This requires money by these citizens, which is eventually passed along to the public at large by higher prices for the products. In 2006, Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced his Government and Regulatory Reform Task Force, which worked in a bipartisan fashion to eliminate excessive and unnecessary government regulations. The task force produced its final report on June 11, 2009. As attorney general, I will continue to implement these suggestions, if any remain, and to prevent the continuing buildup of unnecessary new regulations.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:40 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01ATTG_20091031-210003/302888/#When:04:01:40Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell extends advantage in Times&#45;Dispatch poll</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL01_20091031-222608/302949/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell is favored by 53 percent, while Democrat R. Creigh Deeds is preferred by 41 percent&#8212;a widened lead from an early October survey for the newspaper. Six percent are undecided in the latest poll.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:25 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL01_20091031-222608/302949/#When:04:01:25Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Candidate Q&amp;A: Governor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01GOV_20091031-205404/302883/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
R. Creigh Deeds (Democrat) Bob McDonnell (Republican) Q. If elected, how would you help put people back to work? Deeds: The first job of the next governor is to restore confidence in the economy. I&#8217;ve put forward a comprehensive plan to create jobs in every area of the commonwealth, preserve our low-tax, business-friendly climate, and finally pass a statewide transportation plan. My plan will work best because it gives immediate incentives for job creation, giving a tax cut for every job created. It builds to last by investing in education and training and emerging industries like renewable energy. I led the effort to create the modern Governor&#8217;s Opportunity Fund, which has created or saved over 79,000 jobs in Virginia. I&#8217;ll double that fund and add $10 million for job training to help Virginia compete with neighboring states for top companies to move here. I&#8217;ll make it easier to start and expand a small business, train more nurses and health-care professionals to work in high-need areas, and double our investment in tourism. McDonnell: The top issue in this campaign is jobs and the economy. I&#8217;m running to be a jobs governor. I have laid out innovative ideas to create new jobs and get our economy back on track. I want to make Virginia the best place in America to open and grow a small business. I support expediting the permitting process for small businesses, the enterprise zone program and tax credits for green jobs. I will double the Governor&#8217;s Opportunity Fund to help attract new business. I will give tax credits to businesses that expand or create jobs in economically distressed areas. I will protect the jobs we have by standing up against federal policies like card check and cap-and-trade that, if enacted, threaten thousands of jobs in the commonwealth. We must send a clear message that Virginia is open for business, with a pro-business climate that stands out because of low taxes and incentives for job creation, limited regulation and a fiscally sound government that lives within its means.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:21 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01GOV_20091031-205404/302883/#When:04:01:21Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Candidate Q&amp;A: Lieutenant Governor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01LG_20091031-205404/302884/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Jody Wagner (Democrat) Bill Bolling (Republican) Q. If elected, how would you help put people back to work? Bolling: I have put forth a detailed Jobs for Virginians program . . . that focuses on providing additional tax incentives for businesses creating jobs in Virginia, reducing the regulatory burden on Virginia businesses and investing in proven economic development and job-creation programs. In addition, my More Energy, More Jobs program is designed to make Virginia the East Coast&#8217;s leader in developing traditional, renewable and new and emerging energy technologies. Finally, I will stand in firm opposition to tax increases and misguided federal policies like &#8220;card check&#8221; and cap and trade, which will kill jobs and drive our economy deeper into recession.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:01:04 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX01LG_20091031-205404/302884/#When:04:01:04Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell holds wide lead in Times&#45;Dispatch poll</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/mcdonnell_holds_wide_lead_in_times-dispatch_poll/302894/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Bob McDonnell is favored by 53 percent, while Democrat R. Creigh Deeds is preferred by 41 percent &#8212; a widened lead from an early October survey for the newspaper. Six percent are undecided in the latest poll. 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:19:16 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/mcdonnell_holds_wide_lead_in_times-dispatch_poll/302894/#When:01:19:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Gubernatorial campaigns rely on social media</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SOCI311_20091030-235602/302821/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
As the two men campaigning for Virginia governor make last-minute sound bites to get out the vote on Tuesday, the virtual cocktail parties they host on their Facebook fan pages have exploded in activity. Both campaigns have rolled out Facebook pages, Twitter accounts, YouTube videos and other social media tools to reach voters over the course of the race, in addition to their primary Web sites.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:01:37 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SOCI311_20091030-235602/302821/#When:05:01:37Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>T&#45;D Poll: Republicans lead in down&#45;ticket races</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL31_20091030-223207/302801/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Things are looking up for the Republicans&#8217; down-ticket candidates, according to the latest poll for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:01:04 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL31_20091030-223207/302801/#When:05:01:04Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Candidates begin last campaign weekend</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS31_20091030-222604/302769/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
McDonnell Deeds The Republican statewide ticket rolled into the GOP heartland yesterday exuding confidence but urging stepped-up get-out-the-vote efforts. &#8220;Put up the last sign, talk to someone at the water cooler, send out another e-mail,&#8220; gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell told about 75 Republicans crowded into the Homemades by Suzanne catering shop in Ashland.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS31_20091030-222604/302769/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Lt. gov.: few duties, but steppingstone to higher office?</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV30_20091029-222404/302522/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s lieutenant governor has just two constitutionally mandated responsibilities. Yet the short job description hasn&#8217;t stopped Republican Bill Bolling or Democrat Jody Wagner from spending millions of dollars to win election.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:01:16 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV30_20091029-222404/302522/#When:05:01:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Governor candidates begin last dash to race&#8217;s end</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS30_20091029-223203/302540/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Sensing a winner, out-of-state high rollers are pumping fistfuls of cash into Bob McDonnell&#8217;s gubernatorial campaign, while Democrats suggest Republicans and their allies are outspending R. Creigh Deeds on television nearly 2-to-1. While burning through millions of dollars on advertising, mail and voter mobilization in the run-up to Tuesday&#8217;s election, the candidates yesterday dashed through the Richmond area, reaching out to key constituencies.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:01:12 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS30_20091029-223203/302540/#When:05:01:12Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Candidates gather force in march to Election Day</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/candidates_gather_force_in_march_to_election_day/302361/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
GOP&#8217;s Bob McDonnell warns against overconfidence while Democrat Creigh Deeds said he can prevail despite gloomy forecast in public opinion polls.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:39:40 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/candidates_gather_force_in_march_to_election_day/302361/#When:17:39:40Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Group halts Va. voter mailing amid legal questions</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/group_halts_va._voter_mailing_amid_legal_questions/302348/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A nonprofit group has halted a planned mass mailing that would have the disclosed the voting history of thousands of Virginians after questions were raised about its legality.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 10:53:51 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/group_halts_va._voter_mailing_amid_legal_questions/302348/#When:15:53:51Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GOP headliners hopscotch Virginia for McDonnell</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS29_20091028-223202/302298/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts, ex-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani of New York campaign for McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:01:26 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS29_20091028-223202/302298/#When:05:01:26Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Protesters push to have late absentee ballots counted</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX29_20091028-222809/302274/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Louise Amato stood outside the State Board of Elections office at 1100 Bank St. in Richmond yesterday and held up a large sign that read: &#8220;Those who count the votes, decide everything.&#8220; She was quoting the Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and making the point that late absentee ballots from military personnel serving in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere should be counted.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 29 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX29_20091028-222809/302274/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; Oct. 29th</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._29th/302209/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
This past week, Creigh Deeds was very much an Obama Democrat.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:39:45 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._29th/302209/#When:02:39:45Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>At Norfolk rally, Obama urges backers to boost Deeds</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEED28_20091027-222807/302037/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Having previously distanced himself from the president as a potential liability, R. Creigh Deeds now is embracing Barack Obama in what may be the Democratic gubernatorial candidate&#8217;s last chance to shift momentum.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:37 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEED28_20091027-222807/302037/#When:05:01:37Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Money rolls in for statewide candidates</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH28_20091027-223204/302049/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A.T. Massey Coal Co. gave $40,000 on Monday to Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell and $10,000 to GOP attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli&#8212;an example of the kind of money being plunked down in the closing days of the statewide contests. While those were among the larger contributions that came in this week, donations of $5,000 or more are being received by candidates of both parties, and special-interest groups are continuing their push, according to the Virginia Public Access Project.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH28_20091027-223204/302049/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>16 Va. localities fail to meet absentee&#45;ballot deadline</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE28_20091027-222602/302033/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Despite court prodding and changes in state election laws, 16 Virginia localities have failed to meet a deadline to allow absentee ballots of military personnel serving overseas to be counted on time. Nancy Rodriques, secretary of the State Board of Elections, said she did not know how many ballots will not be counted. The local election districts include the cities of Richmond, Colonial Heights and Williamsburg as well as Caroline County.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE28_20091027-222602/302033/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Language in D.C. same&#45;sex marriage bill is debated</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DCGA28_20091027-221607/302003/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Take the terms &#8220;bride&#8221; and &#8220;groom&#8221; off D.C. marriage licenses and replace them with the word &#8220;spouse.&#8220; That&#8217;s one change being suggested as supporters and opponents of a proposed bill to allow same-sex marriage in Washington take a hard look at the bill&#8217;s language. The bill was introduced this month and had its first hearing in a City Council committee Monday. Part of the reason for the hearing is to rigorously examine the bill&#8217;s language and propose changes.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DCGA28_20091027-221607/302003/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Diradour drops bid to unseat Cantor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CANT28_20091027-215604/301972/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
One month after announcing his bid to unseat Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, Richmond businessman Charlie Diradour is bowing out. He cited dedication to his family and to Richmond in a statement released yesterday announcing his withdrawal. Diradour, who doesn&#8217;t live in the 7th Congressional District, was seeking the Democratic nomination to run against Cantor in 2010.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 28 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CANT28_20091027-215604/301972/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell leads Deeds in poll, cash</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20091026-221205/301774/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell enters the countdown to the gubernatorial election comfortably ahead in the latest poll and flush with cash, while Democrat R. Creigh Deeds is looking to a presidential visit today to boost his lagging campaign. On the eve of President Barack Obama&#8217;s appearance with Deeds at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, a poll by The Washington Post yesterday showed McDonnell leading by 11 percentage points&#8212;55 percent to 44 percent.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:01:19 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20091026-221205/301774/#When:05:01:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Attorney general candidates have similar stories, different views</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ATTG26_20091025-221604/301586/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli stepped offstage last week after a particularly heated debate with rival Stephen C. Shannon and quipped that people never would believe they are friends. They do get along and in some respects have moved in similar circles. Both attended Gonzaga College High School in Washington, D.C. Both attended the University of Virginia, though years apart.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:01:55 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ATTG26_20091025-221604/301586/#When:05:01:55Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Politics in the blood of rural Democrat Deeds</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEED25_20091024-222204/301506/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A steady, raw drizzle descends on Petersburg as the Chevy Suburban carrying Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Creigh Deeds pulls into the parking lot of Virginia State University. On this soggy Thursday night, VSU is playing host to Virginia Union University in the annual gridiron clash between the historically black schools. Deeds, 51, a state senator from rural Bath County, isn&#8217;t about to play favorites. To have any chance of winning Nov. 3, he will need just about every eligible vote in the sodden stands.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:01:05 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEED25_20091024-222204/301506/#When:05:01:05Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>State accepts only parts of Northrop Grumman&#8217;s plan</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24S_20091023-221606/301295/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
While acknowledging parts of a Northrop Grumman fix-it plan for the government&#8217;s troubled IT network could work, Virginia is not retreating from its claim that the giant company has violated its contract with the state. Northrop Grumman, hired under a 10-year, $2.3 billion contract that is at least a year behind schedule, is asking for more time and a freer hand to complete Virginia&#8217;s switch to a privately managed information-technology system.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:01:50 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24S_20091023-221606/301295/#When:05:01:50Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>After delay, PCs headed to health agency for swine&#45;flu effort</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24_20091023-223008/301343/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Extra computers are headed to health offices as part of Virginia&#8217;s response to swine flu after the company providing IT services to the state initially resisted supplying the gear because it was uncertain it would be paid. Northrop Grumman attributes the holdup to a misunderstanding. The Virginia Health Department blames confusion that, once cleared up, led to a better deal for the agency.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:01:18 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24_20091023-223008/301343/#When:05:01:18Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deeds urges aid for Isle of Wight paper&#45;mill workers</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS241_20091023-234002/301406/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
R. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor, is promising fattened jobless pay and health insurance for thousands who will be thrown out of work by the shutdown of a paper plant near Franklin. Deeds, who visited the International Paper Inc. factory Thursday, said on a conference call with reporters yesterday that the closing is &#8220;just devastating&#8221; and will leave a &#8220;gap in the landscape of Isle of Wight County.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS241_20091023-234002/301406/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Attorney general hopefuls&#8217; debate takes on racial overtones</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBA23_20091022-223007/301144/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Cuccinelli Shannon The final debate in the campaign for attorney general took on racial overtones yesterday as Democrat Stephen C. Shannon accused Republican Ken Cuccinelli of being &#8220;an ideological crusader&#8221; who favors states&#8217; rights. Shannon, a delegate from Fairfax County, likened it to an agenda that produced some of Virginia&#8217;s worst movements, such as secession and the fight to maintain segregation.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:01:24 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBA23_20091022-223007/301144/#When:05:01:24Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Virginia tribes take another step on road to federal recognition</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/INDI23_20091022-223007/301146/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Six Indian tribes in Virginia and the Lumbees of North Carolina yesterday took another step toward federal recognition, which would make them eligible for federal aid. The tribes would be eligible for up to $800 million in federal funds under two bills passed by the U.S. Senate Indian Affairs Committee. The bills, which bar the tribes from building casinos, already have passed the House.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 23 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/INDI23_20091022-223007/301146/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>When they were young &#8212; Deeds, McDonnell. Special video report</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/gubernatorial_election/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
When they were young &#8212; Deeds, McDonnell. Special video report           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:27:32 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/gubernatorial_election/#When:14:27:32Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>When I was very young: Bob McDonnell</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/when_i_was_very_young_bob_mcdonnell/300953/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
As a young man in northern Virginia, Bob McDonnell held his faith and ethics close to his heart, and a pigskin close to his jersey.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:24:07 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/when_i_was_very_young_bob_mcdonnell/300953/#When:14:24:07Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>When I was very young: Creigh Deeds</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/when_i_was_very_young_creigh_deeds/300951/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
From hunting deer as a child in Bath County to a short-lived stint as school newspaper publisher, Creigh Deeds&#8217; early years were a reflection of rural Virginia.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 09:21:53 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/when_i_was_very_young_creigh_deeds/300951/#When:14:21:53Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Attorney general candidates to debate in Richmond today</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/attorney_general_candidates_to_debate_in_richmond_today/300939/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The candidates for Virginia attorney general will meet today in a debate.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 06:47:03 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/attorney_general_candidates_to_debate_in_richmond_today/300939/#When:11:47:03Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Lawmakers warn against changes in VITA contract</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA22_20091021-221408/300869/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lawmakers are warning the state&#8217;s computer chief and Northrop Grumman against ramming through potentially pricey changes in a disputed contract ahead of a looming shakeup in Virginia&#8217;s information-technology bureaucracy. Though by law it falls to Chief Information Officer George F. Coulter to accept or reject revisions, he and Northrop Grumman&#8217;s Virginia project boss, Samuel Abbate, were told modifications should be vetted by the next governor and General Assembly.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:01:47 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA22_20091021-221408/300869/#When:05:01:47Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Obama helping Deeds&#8217; campaign for governor</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS22_20091021-221802/300871/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, trailing in the polls, is getting a late push from President Barack Obama, with a new TV ad, an email plea and an appearance in Hampton Roads slated for a week before Election Day. Deeds, a state senator from Bath County and the Democratic nominee for governor, hopes the infusion will reignite voters who helped Obama become the first Democratic presidential candidate in 44 years to carry Virginia.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:01:35 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS22_20091021-221802/300871/#When:05:01:35Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; Oct. 22</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._22/300835/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Political columnists Jeff Schapiro says a few victories in the House of Delegates and Bob McDonnell in the governor&#8217;s mansion could give Virginia Republicans a chance to redraw districts in 2011 and hang onto legislative power for a decade.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:42:18 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._22/300835/#When:02:42:18Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>VIDEO: Deeds, McDonnell meet in final debate, Pt. 2</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/video_deeds_mcdonnell_debate_pt._2/300656/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Part 2: Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell meet in the final gubenatorial debate of the 2009 campaign.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:24:33 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/video_deeds_mcdonnell_debate_pt._2/300656/#When:05:24:33Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>VIDEO: Deeds, McDonnell meet in final debate, Pt. 1</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/video_deeds_mcdonnell_debate_pt._1/300655/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Part 1: Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell meet in the final gubenatorial debate of the 2009 campaign.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:22:30 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/video_deeds_mcdonnell_debate_pt._1/300655/#When:05:22:30Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Control of House will come down to few races</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH21_20091020-222205/300609/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Control of the House of Delegates might come down to a handful of heavyweight bouts, several of which are nearing $1 million in cash raised. Committees affiliated with the state parties and with legislative leaders are placing their bets, donating hundreds of thousands of dollars to promising challengers in marquee matchups, according to reports compiled by the Virginia Public Access Project.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:01:49 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH21_20091020-222205/300609/#When:05:01:49Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>WCVE to air House of Delegates candidate forum</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS21_20091020-220404/300563/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Fifteen Richmond-area candidates for the House of Delegates will take part in a two-hour forum tomorrow night airing on WCVE (88.9 FM) public radio. The candidates will respond to questions submitted by participating organizations during the forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters, Leadership Metro Richmond, the Partnership for Housing Affordability and the Richmond First Club.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:01:49 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS21_20091020-220404/300563/#When:05:01:49Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>In final debate, Deeds and McDonnell discuss health care</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBA211_20091020-235201/300651/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell said Virginia shouldn&#8217;t participate in a federal health-care program that contains a &#8220;public option.&#8220; Democrat R. Creigh Deeds said  it might save money for the state.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:01:32 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBA211_20091020-235201/300651/#When:05:01:32Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>B. Clinton stumps for Deeds in N.Va.</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CLIN21_20091020-222010/300595/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
With Democrats trailing late in Virginia&#8217;s contest for governor, former President Bill Clinton lent his star power to R. Creigh Deeds yesterday during a lunchtime rally for the party faithful. &#8220;Never underestimate this man,&#8220; Clinton said of Deeds, who soundly defeated a Clinton friend, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, in a June 9 primary.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 21 Oct 2009 00:01:04 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CLIN21_20091020-222010/300595/#When:05:01:04Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Deeds, McDonnell set for final debate</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/deeds_mcdonnell_set_for_final_debate/300437/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell are preparing to debate one last time.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 06:33:33 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/deeds_mcdonnell_set_for_final_debate/300437/#When:11:33:33Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Lawmakers eye using budget as a tool against Northrop Grumman in IT deal</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA20_20091019-222006/300370/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
State lawmakers are floating the idea of using the budget as a hammer to force the state&#8217;s IT contractor to make do with $236 million in annual payments. Members of the House Appropriations Committee yesterday criticized both the state and Northrop Grumman during a nearly two-hour report on a state watchdog group&#8217;s investigation of the state&#8217;s privatization deal. The budget writers spread the blame&#8212;poking at everything from the state&#8217;s lack of an accurate count of its equipment to murky language in the contract with Northrop Grumman.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:01:48 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA20_20091019-222006/300370/#When:05:01:48Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Lieutenant governor hopefuls&#8217; debate becomes heated</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV201_20091019-233602/300420/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The candidates for lieutenant governor hurled insults at each other last night in their first and only debate. &#8220;That was a meaningless platitude about nothing,&#8220; Republican Bill Bolling told Democrat Jody Wagner at one point in the debate at Roanoke College. &#8220;Bill, I don&#8217;t need a lecture from you about fiscal responsibility,&#8220; Wagner told Bolling at another point.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:01:35 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV201_20091019-233602/300420/#When:05:01:35Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Decline in state&#8217;s September revenues darkens economic picture</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BUDG20_20091019-223207/300408/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s revenue picture continues to darken, dropping 7.5 percent last month&#8212;just as Gov. Timothy M. Kaine started pruning state spending an additional $1.2 billion because of the continuing cash squeeze. Secretary of Finance Richard D. &#8220;Ric&#8221; Brown told the House Appropriations Committee yesterday that nearly all major sources of tax revenue fell in September from the same month a year ago.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BUDG20_20091019-223207/300408/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Deeds campaign to focus on getting Obama supporters to polls</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS20_20091019-221205/300353/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
R. Creigh Deeds&#8217; handlers say the Democratic prospect for governor can overtake Republican frontrunner Bob McDonnell by harnessing the vote that tipped Virginia to President Barack Obama. &#8220;If we can&#8217;t get them out on Election Day, it&#8217;s game over,&#8220; campaign manager Joe Abbey said in a conference call yesterday with reporters. Democrats are boasting that a vigorous get-out-the-vote operation could save Deeds on Nov. 3.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS20_20091019-221205/300353/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Deeds&#8217; staff says Democrat can overtake McDonnell</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/deeds_staff_says_democrat_can_overtake_mcdonnell/300285/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The Deeds-for-governor campaign is making a case today that it&#8217;s turning around the Virginia race and can overtake Republican frontrunner Bob McDonnell.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:13:07 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/deeds_staff_says_democrat_can_overtake_mcdonnell/300285/#When:21:13:07Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deeds fights to hold Obama&#8217;s Va. coalition</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE19_20091018-222005/300177/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Last November, Bernard Peyton, a retired warehouse worker, was excited to cast his ballot in the presidential election. &#8220;Barack Obama being an African-American, that&#8217;s a natural thing,&#8220; said Peyton, a black Henrico County resident. On Nov. 3, Peyton, 65, plans to vote for R. Creigh Deeds for governor. But he doesn&#8217;t detect the same kind of fervor for the state senator from Bath County.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 19 Oct 2009 00:01:46 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE19_20091018-222005/300177/#When:05:01:46Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>McDonnell, a poised presence, could lift the GOP</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO18_20091017-222405/300078/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
As a young Army lieutenant stationed in Germany, Bob McDonnell made the Guinness Book of World Records. He organized his hospital unit to carry a 120-pound woman on a stretcher on a record-breaking trek&#8212;93.4 miles in 32 hours. Thirty-two years later, McDonnell is doing a different kind of heavy lifting, as he seeks to break Democrats&#8217; eight-year hold on Virginia&#8217;s governorship.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:01:42 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO18_20091017-222405/300078/#When:05:01:42Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Where Deeds, McDonnell stand on the issues</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ISSU18_20091017-211607/300019/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
ECONOMY  Would provide a tax credit for every job created by a small business; would double the Governor&#8217;s Opportunity Fund to $20 million and put $10 million more into job training; proposes regular audits of state agencies.  TRANSPORTATION  Would assemble a bipartisan commission to craft a comprehensive transportation package. He is willing to sign a tax increase for transportation, as long as it arises from a bipartisan consensus.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:01:34 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ISSU18_20091017-211607/300019/#When:05:01:34Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>McDonnell addresses climate change at McCain event</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS18_20091017-220406/300036/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell said yesterday that he believes the globe is warming but wouldn&#8217;t fix blame on man-made carbon emissions as its cause. McDonnell said after a veterans rally with Sen. John McCain that he remains firmly opposed to legislation intended to slow global warming by reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:01:12 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS18_20091017-220406/300036/#When:05:01:12Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Northrop Grumman seeks to soften criticisms in report</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA17_20091016-222206/299869/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lobbyists and executives for Northrop Grumman are quietly pressing General Assembly investigators to soften a report that was sharply critical of the company for failing to deliver computer services to the state on time. Northrop Grumman representatives met privately yesterday for more than two hours with staff members of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission to discuss possible revisions in JLARC&#8217;s findings.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:01:24 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA17_20091016-222206/299869/#When:05:01:24Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Obama to appear with Deeds on campaign</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS17_20091016-222406/299875/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama will make a late campaign appearance with Democratic gubernatorial nominee R. Creigh Deeds a week before Election Day. The time and site of the Oct. 27 appearance will be announced later, the Deeds campaign said. News of the visit ended speculation among some pundits that the president might not make another foray into the contest for fear of losing political capital, because Deeds trails Republican Bob McDonnell in the polls.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:01:17 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS17_20091016-222406/299875/#When:05:01:17Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Va. violated voting rights, U.S. judge rules a second time</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE17_20091016-222406/299882/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A federal judge in Richmond has ruled for the second time that Virginia violated the voting rights of American military personnel and overseas citizens by failing to mail absentee ballots in sufficient time for them to be counted in last year&#8217;s presidential election. &#8220;The right to vote means a right to cast a ballot that will be counted,&#8220; U.S. District Court Judge Richard L. Williams ruled Thursday.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 17 Oct 2009 00:01:14 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VOTE17_20091016-222406/299882/#When:05:01:14Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Judge orders state to count disputed absentee ballots</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/judge_says_va._mailed_absentee_ballots_too_late_last_year_to_military/299759/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A federal judge has ordered the state to count absentee ballots that were mailed too late to military personnel overseas last year.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 14:49:04 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/judge_says_va._mailed_absentee_ballots_too_late_last_year_to_military/299759/#When:19:49:04Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Former President Clinton to campaign for Deeds</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/former_president_clinton_to_campaign_for_deeds/299734/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Former President Bill Clinton will journey to Virginia Tuesday to campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds, his campaign staff said today.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:37:40 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/former_president_clinton_to_campaign_for_deeds/299734/#When:15:37:40Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Statewide candidates report healthy treasuries</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH16_20091015-222406/299648/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Television viewers can expect a large onslaught of political-campaign commercials over the next 16 days. In the race for governor, Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell each raised more than $3.5 million in September, with McDonnell taking in $3.8 million and Deeds $3.5 million. But, for the final weeks of the campaign, McDonnell had cash on hand of $4.5 million, compared with Deeds&#8217; $2.7 million.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:01:51 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH16_20091015-222406/299648/#When:05:01:51Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>VITA oversight board battles over control of agency&#8217;s boss</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA16_20091015-222203/299642/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
On the heels of a report depicting the state&#8217;s IT contract as bungled, the board overseeing the Virginia computer bureaucracy yesterday dissolved into disagreement over greater control in agency decisions. Citing the abrupt firing of several top executives critical of the company that runs the state&#8217;s information-technology systems, legislative appointees to the board governing the Virginia Information Technologies Agency pressed for a requirement that the agency&#8217;s new chief notify the panel of any major changes.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:01:51 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA16_20091015-222203/299642/#When:05:01:51Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Top donors to the McDonnell and Deeds campaigns in September</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH16G_20091015-222604/299656/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Top donors to the McDonnell and Deeds campaigns in September: &nbsp; McDonnell  $400,000, Republican National Committee  $100,000, Republican Party of Virginia  $75,000, Richard Gilliam, Keswick  $50,000 Sheila Johnson, Middleburg  $50,000, Washington Redskins, Washington &nbsp; Deeds  $500,000, Democratic National Committee            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 16 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CASH16G_20091015-222604/299656/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama visits Fairfax site to promote his stimulus package</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS15_20091014-220806/299416/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama talked up his stimulus package yesterday in Northern Virginia, but he didn&#8217;t say a word about the fellow Democrat who could use a boost from the White House: gubernatorial hopeful R. Creigh Deeds. Obama visited the site of the Fairfax County Parkway extension, the biggest project in Virginia financed under the president&#8217;s plan to jump-start the economy through massive federal spending.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:01:46 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS15_20091014-220806/299416/#When:05:01:46Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; Oct. 15</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._15/299420/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
What if Virginia goes Republican? Political columnist Jeff Schapiro speculates on the fallout from a possible GOP sweep of statewide offices.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:53:22 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_oct._15/299420/#When:02:53:22Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Legislators, Kaine warn defiant Northrop Grumman</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14_20091013-222405/299227/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and legislators are warning the state&#8217;s computer contractor, Northrop Grumman, that they won&#8217;t allow Virginia&#8217;s privately run IT system to become a money pit. Following the release yesterday of a General Assembly report sharply critical of Northrop Grumman and the state&#8217;s information-technology bureaucracy, lawmakers told the company that righting the embattled, 10-year, $2.3 billion project should not come at additional cost, particularly when Virginia is slashing spending by billions to balance its budget.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:01:44 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14_20091013-222405/299227/#When:05:01:44Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell up by 7 points in poll</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS14_20091013-222405/299223/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Another new poll shows Republican Bob McDonnell with a solid lead over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds in the race for governor. McDonnell, a former state attorney general, led Deeds, a state senator from Bath County, 50 percent to 43 percent with 6 percent undecided in the Rasmussen Reports telephone survey taken Monday. The survey of 500 likely voters had a margin of error of plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:01:13 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS14_20091013-222405/299223/#When:05:01:13Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Gubernatorial candidates trade jabs on VITA contract</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14S_20091013-221002/299201/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The finger-pointing over Virginia&#8217;s troubled move to a privately run IT system is extending to the governor&#8217;s race. Democrat R. Creigh Deeds&#8212;in response to a Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission report critical of the state&#8217;s contract with Northrop Grumman&#8212;blamed Republican Bob McDonnell for headaches surrounding the deal.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14S_20091013-221002/299201/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Rehabilitation tax credit urged for schools</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOLD14_20091013-213806/299186/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Former Gov. George Allen and former Virginia Democratic Party Chairman Paul Goldman say they&#8217;ve come up with a way to address the state&#8217;s crumbling public school infrastructure and the need to put people back to work in the construction industry. All it takes, they said, is a common-sense fix in the federal tax code that would allow application of a historic-rehabilitation tax credit to the renovation of the nation&#8217;s aging school buildings&#8212;28 percent of which were built more than 50 years ago.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOLD14_20091013-213806/299186/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Candidates for governor clash on taxes, Obama</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS131_20091012-233002/299058/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democrat R. Creigh Deeds last night blasted Republican gubernatorial rival Bob McDonnell as a &#8220;smooth talker&#8221; who runs from his conservative roots, while McDonnell tied Deeds to the disputed policies of President Barack Obama.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:01:46 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS131_20091012-233002/299058/#When:05:01:46Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Poll: Nearly half in Virginia oppose Obama&#8217;s plan for health&#45;care reform</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/HEAL13_20091012-223403/299057/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Nearly half of Virginia voters oppose President Barack Obama&#8217;s health-care initiative, according to a Richmond Times-Dispatch poll, which also shows his popularity here fading. Forty-nine percent are against the Obama program, while 39 percent favor it and 12 percent are undecided. The poll, conducted for The Times-Dispatch last Tuesday to Thursday by Mason-Dixon Polling and Research, indicates eight in 10 voters fear that a defining feature of the Obama proposal&#8212;a public option for health insurance&#8212;will drive up their taxes.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 13 Oct 2009 00:01:19 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/HEAL13_20091012-223403/299057/#When:05:01:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deeds, McDonnell face off in live debate</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVSGAT12_20091012-200401/298967/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
In their first debate on statewide television and radio, Virginia&#8217;s gubernatorial candidates broke little new ground on the issues in this year&#8217;s contest. Democrat R. Creigh Deeds tonight blasted Republican gubernatorial rival Bob McDonnell as a smooth talker who runs from his conservative roots, while McDonnell tied Deeds to the unpopular spending and social policies of President Barack Obama.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:04:56 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVSGAT12_20091012-200401/298967/#When:01:04:56Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. governor&#8217;s race debate tonight</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBATGAT12_20091012-060001/298909/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell are going to meet in their first live, televised prime-time debate of Virginia&#8217;s race for governor. Tonight&#8217;s event is critical for Deeds. Trailing in two statewide polls by eight to nine percentage points just three weeks before Election Day, Deeds needs a breakout performance. Television stations in most Virginia markets are carrying the hourlong 8 p.m. debate originating from the studios of WCVE, a public television station in Richmond.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:00:01 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEBATGAT12_20091012-060001/298909/#When:11:00:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Poll: GOP&#8217;s Bolling, Cuccinelli lead</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV12_20091011-215403/298814/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s Republican candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general hold sizable leads over their Democratic opponents, but large swaths of voters remain undecided, according to a poll conducted for the Richmond Times-Dispatch. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is seeking re-election, led Democrat Jody Wagner 44 percent to 31 percent, with 25 percent undecided, in the survey conducted Tuesday to Thursday by Mason Dixon Polling &amp; Research Inc.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 12 Oct 2009 00:01:00 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV12_20091011-215403/298814/#When:05:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Panel of experts discusses Va.&#8216;s economic outlook</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ECON11_20091010-194805/298671/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
MASSIE: I agree. . . . But I do think Virginia has a very attractive set of public policies in place that make Virginia a great place to do business. . . . If you have low taxes, low regulation, right to work [under Virginia law, union membership may not be a condition for employment], your economic performance has been substantially better than those states that have exactly the opposite.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:01:29 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ECON11_20091010-194805/298671/#When:05:01:29Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Poll: McDonnell leads Deeds, 48 percent to 40 percent</title>
          <link>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL11_20091010-222007/298724/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell holds a comfortable lead for governor over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds, lifted by strong support in GOP regions of Virginia and growing appeal among independents, who in recent years have preferred Democrats, a Richmond Times-Dispatch poll shows. McDonnell is favored by 48 percent and Deeds by 40 percent in the poll conducted Tuesday to Thursday by Mason-Dixon Polling &amp; Research Inc. Twelve percent are undecided.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 11 Oct 2009 00:01:16 EST</pubDate>
<guid>http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL11_20091010-222007/298724/#When:05:01:16Z</guid>
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