Donald - first off, thanks for coming on RK to do some live bloggin.  It's great to have you here.

Obviously many politically involved Democrats feel strongly about Lambert betraying the party to campaign for George Allen and campaign with George Bush.  But from your discussions with the "average voters" in the ninth, how would you classify their feelings toward Lambert?  Are they knowledgeable of the situation and as fired up to remove Lambert as we are?  Or is this shaping up to be a difficult battle for you to unseat an incumbent due to a disengaged voter base?

First of all let me thank the folks here at RK for this opportunity to chat with the blogosphere.

I have found it interesting that the "average" democratic primary voter in the 9th Senate District is well aware of what transpired last year with Benny's endorsement of George Allen. However, the key to winning for me will be to work hard and raise money.  I ought to take a moment to say thanks to RK for its fundraising efforts as well as to Senator Webb for his efforts via Born Fighting.  To all of you out there...keep the dollars coming.

This is a question I've been asking all our live bloggers recently:

From the local level to the global level protecting the environment has become a crucial issue, yet Virginia is falling behind by the day.  Yesterday the Washington Post had a front page article about how neighbor to the north, Maryland, is making strong positive moves on this key issue. 

What specific plans, if any, do you have for pushing Virginia forward to be a leader in addressing environmental matters? 

Our Caucus has so much knowledge in this area.  Del Adam Ebbin and Del David Englin have put in many pieces of enviromental legislation that I have been supportive of, and we have an opportunity to elect another great leader in that regard-Albert Pollard.  I look froward to renewing my working relationship with Albert in the Senate and continuing the work we have begun under the leadership of Adam and David in the '08 session.

is lambert still on the democratic committee. he violated the so called rules. he should be out.

embryonic stem cell research?

And if not, why not, I'd add, along the lines of some of the discussion here.

And I guess I would follow with his views on abortion:

a. Do you support Roe v. Wade?
b. If you could change something about our national abortion laws/policy what would it be?

On Women's Rights
c. If a new Equal Rights Amendment (recently reintroduced into Congress) makes it out of Congress, would you support it in the Virginia legislature?

On Gay Rights
d. Would you support a law that sought to end legal discrimination against gay couples, without going so far as permitting gay marriage?

On adoption:
e. Would you support a law, like the one Delegate Caputo introduced last session, to reduce the economic burden on couples wishing to adopt (since fees often run $20,000 or more) by giving the adopting couple a tax credit in the year of adoption?

I support Roe v. Wade.  I beleive that abortion should be safe legal and rare.

I am familiar with the original ERA, assuming that this new version is substantially similar I would support it.

I am against discrimination in all forms.  We must pass laws that end  discrimination against gay people. During the last election cycle I campaigned actively against the marriage amendment.

I admire Del Caputo and have enjoyed serving with him in the House.  I think his idea of a tax credit for an adopting couple is a great one and I support it.

I support state funding.  Stem cell research holds the key to many promising breakthroughs in medicine.  Who can forget Michael J. Fox's plea on behalf of this issue last year? You can put me in the yes column.

Now, can you try and convince Gov. Kaine please?  :)

lead on environmental issues in turning Virginia into a "Cool Commonwealth?"

I'm still trying to figure out what's going to happen with Fort Monroe.  I know that they made progress this session, but I can't find anything that describes the outcome in detail.  This is a critical piece of Virginia history, and its disposition will make a statement on how we regard ourselves, yet I can't find a thing about it...

This from Wikipedia:

[edit] Redevelopment possibilities
It is unclear as to what will become of the post after closing. Generally, surplus military installations are turned over to the respective states. Redevelopment will be facilitated by the fact that most of the land on which the fort stands was loaned by the state of Virginia to the federal government, and will revert to the state once Fort Monroe closes.

Virginia historically has given local government strong consideration in determining disposition at that point, such as occurred at Fort Pickett in Nottoway County (near Blackstone) in the Southside region. Given the historic significance of the post, the decommissioned fort will be a good candidate for portions to become one of the preserved historical sites located throughout the greater Hampton Roads area. Redevelopment to help offset the economic loss of a base closure is usually a priority as well.

The City of Hampton has recently received numerous unsolicited proposals for high-end residential and commercial development on the site once Fort Monroe is decommissioned. Because of the scarcity and desirability of waterfront property, the fort area is prime development property. The historic Chamberlin Hotel, for example, has already been sold to a developer and is being renovated as retirement apartments.

There are several groups competing for control of the site. The Citizens for making Fort Monroe a National Park are advocating turning the National Historical Landmark site over to the National Park Service to ensure its historic preservation. Several public meetings have been held, with no clear plan as to which faction will or should control the Gibraltar of the Cheaspeake.

And this from Create Fort Monroe National Park .org

NEW (3/28)  HERE'S THE NATIONAL PARK PARAGRAPH FROM THE NEW LAW THAT GOVERNOR KAINE SIGNED ON MARCH 23: In formulating a reuse plan for Fort Monroe, the Authority shall give due regard to (i) the site's 400 years of public ownership, (ii) its status as a National Historic Landmark, and (iii) its unique natural resources and outdoor recreational opportunities located at the confluence of Hampton Roads and the Chesapeake Bay. The Authority shall request the U.S. Congressional Representative in whose district Fort Monroe is located to seek a reconnaissance survey from the U.S. Department of Interior to help the Authority evaluate whether Fort Monroe should become affiliated with the National Park System to help manage and preserve the historic and natural resources at Old Point Comfort.

So, what's this "authority" that will determine the Fort's fate under these guidelines and what's going to happen to it after Congress does its "reconnaissance survey"?

Seems like there's a long way to go before this thing gets settled.

I keep seeing the right wing pushing education vouchers in various states.  I think it's just a way to get taxpayers to subsidize their own preference for private schools, personally.  And there's some religious element in it too.  Having declared my opposition to vouchers, I will say I could be persuaded by an argument that some sort of trial program in an area with chronically underperforming schools might be ok.  But from what I've read there's no clear evidence they work.

What's your take on the whole vouchers issue?

This issue is one that seperates me from Senator Lambert.  Seemingly every year a voucher bill in one form or another comes before the General Assembly.  Senator Lambert has supported these measures, I have opposed them.  Thatis one of the reasons that Rob Jones of VEA appeared at my announcement for the Democratic nomination for the 9th District.

There is nothing more important that we can do than to protect education funding for public schools.

I enjoy this debate...public schools or vouchers.  Too bad it is such a sophomoric and unintelligent debate on both sides of the aisle (and from the McEachin).  Suggesting vouchers is a horrific (non democratic) idea is as short sighted as suggesting that the only stimulus public schools need is more funding.

Vouchers, if implemented thoughtfully, can provide assistance to children in underperforming school districts.  That is why the data has been uncertain.  It comes down to the implementation.  If every district has a different method of implementing the voucher system the data is going to be varying.

The same argument can be made about funding public schools.  Many schools have great programs and a system that utilizes funding and achieves fantastic results.  Other schools fail for various reasons. 

It is all about implementation...regardless if its vouchers, alternative schools, public schools, private schools, home schooling, etc.

What does McEachin plan to do for underperforming schools?give them more money and walk away?  Has he even given this issue thought?

What's your position on renewable energy?  Should Virginia be promoting green roofs?  What else can we be doing to promote alternate sources of energy?

I'd be interested to hear what he has to say about this, too.  I think someone told me that McEachin attended a quite exclusive private school in Richmond.  Vouchers could cut both ways.  They could allow people more choice where in places like the city of Richmond the public schools are reportedly abysmal (as opposed to Henrico and Chesterfield County where they are quite good), but the vouchers could allow people to opt of of trying to fix a bad situation because they can avoid the problem in its entirety by taking their vouchers and going elsewhere.  Because many of these private schools are very competitive to get into, those taking the vouchers and leaving would end up leaving the less fortunate, and often less wealthy, people holding the bag.  Could just perpetuate a bad system.

Thanks for live blogging here!

If the Congress has not passed an increase in the minimum wage by next year, an increase to 7.25 will be my first bill.  As you know we fought that fight this year because Democrats understand that the minimum wage has not been raised in over a decade.  Democrats understand that in that same time period the Congress has raised its salary by 28,000 dollars.  A member of the General Assembly makes more than a minimum wage worker-and we are part time.  That is not fair.  The average CEO in this country makes over 900 times what a minimum wage earner makes.  Thatis not fair.  The working people of our state deserve this increase.  If it has not happened by the time we convene in January, we must fight this battle again.

to sit down and start responding to your comments and questions. Keep them coming!

Delegate McEachin,

What one bill, new business or development would most help your district?

Ok I know you said what ONE issue, but I think these two issues are on the minds of most voters. When I came out of Law School with a little help from my parents I was blessed to be able to buy a home.  Today housing costs are skyrocketing.  We have many new subdivisions in the 9th an many of them start in the 200K range.  I feel for those young people who are coming out of school and cannot afford that first home.  I feel for those parents with growing families that have a difficult time trying to find a larger home for thier family. We need to address this issue in a comprehensive fashion.

I just helped my 80 year old mother bury my 103 year old grandmother. I watched and helped her deal with my grandmother's health issues. Thankfully we have great insurance which helped a lot.  I know that not every family has such insurance. Making sure health insurance is affordable and health care is accessible is major issue in this state.

My question is where do you stand on term limits? Thank you! I can't wait to see you beat Lambert!

Sorry that I have to run know.  Its time to take my middle daughter to piano practice.  If you have other questions you can email me at: del.mceachin@gmail.com

Let's do this again soon.

Thanks

Donald

Hope to chat with you again soon.  In the meantime, take it to Benedict! :)

No b.s.  Just -- this is my position and here's why.