Today's Washington Post featured this article by Tim Craig discussing the validity of using reader comments from blogs in political advertising. The focus, of course, is on Tim Hugo's use of comments apparently made by a Democratic activist on the blog Raising Kaine.

In the article, Craig quotes a University of Alabama political science professor as saying that "it is like quoting graffiti off the underside of an underpass and using it in a political ad."

Beyond the question of why we are getting Virginia legislative election analysis from a 'Bama prof, is the question of the legitimacy and appropriateness of using such comments in campaign ads.

The 'Bama prof states that "Most people . . . have no way of testing the veracity of something posted on a blog." Yet I feel that this reservation is misguided in the instant case. (I wonder if the professor actually watched the ad or if she just had it described to her) The ad in question features comments under the heading "What others are saying" about Rex Simmons. The only veracity that is relevant in this case is whether others actually made the alleged comments, which they did. Further, the comments were sourced to Raising Kaine so that people could read them for themselves. While it may have been better to source the comments to a particular individual or at least "a democratic activist," I don't think their use here is entirely inappropriate. I also think people are just going to have to get used to seeing blog posts and comments show up in political advertising.

This doesn't mean, however, that it would be appropriate for any candidate to use any blog comments in any context. Had Tim Hugo attempted to appropriate a comment that claimed Rex Simmons was a fan of dogfights or something, then the veracity argument would be valid. Factual claims should be properly validated, but the quoting of someone's opinions, which they have openly published, is another story.

With any luck, these developments will only have a chilling effect on the blogosphere to the extent of the more outrageous comments that are made. Our Virginia blogosphere is an active arena for discussion and this blogger hopes it remains so.

Barring divine intervention, Fightin' Joe Morrissey will be the next Delegate for the 74th District. And even before he takes the oath of office, he is providing a nice stream of very good copy:

Joe Morrissey, who last week won the Democratic primary for the 74th District House of Delegates seat, says he no longer fights with fists. But he’s putting plenty of fight into his legal efforts to resist parting with his assets, according to Thomas Roberts, the attorney representing Garien Wycoff.

Wycoff, a building subcontractor who was beaten by Morrissey in a now infamous July 3, 1999, dispute, won a $1 million court judgment against the once-pugilistic former prosecutor, a judgment that Morrissey has not yet paid off.

Morrissey says Wycoff’s attorney secured a court hearing on the matter within days of the June 12 primary in an effort to electioneer him out of the race.

There's so, so much more to this story.

A big shout out to Don McEachin for leaving this seat vacant so Fightin' Joe could step in and provide some fabulous color to the General Assembly.

Cuccinelli named to Chief Justice’s Commission on Mental Health Law Reform

Centerville, Virginia, June 5, 2007 – State Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37) was asked this month by the Chief Justice of Virginia’s State Supreme Court, the Honorable Leroy Hassell, to join him on a commission to review the current operations of the judicial system with regard to the mentally ill.

The commission’s guiding principle states, “The mental health services system, whatever the source of financing, should assure access to recovery-oriented services needed by persons with severe mental illness, should facilitate consumer choice, and should protect consumers and others from harm.” Cuccinelli remarked that, “As a court appointed attorney for mentally ill patients, I have been advising mentally ill individuals dealing with the judicial system longer than I have been in the Virginia Senate. I am glad to join the Chief Justice in this effort and I am honored to serve on this commission.”

Senator Cuccinelli is the resident expert in the Virginia Senate on this issue of mental health in the judicial system, and he has sponsored bills addressing problems related to mental illness and the judicial system virtually every year since he arrived in the Virginia State Senate.

“I look forward to working with the other members of the Chief Justice’s commission and I truly believe that turning over rocks such as these will really shed some light on where our justice system is excelling and where it is falling short in dealing with the mentally ill”

Thats right, the 37th distirct is represented by a real senator, not a Tim Kaine yes(wo)man. So while Janet Oleszek talks about being a "leader," Cuccinelli is the real thing - and this validates that claim. I've heard Sen. Cuccinelli talk about this before, and his work as a lawyer has exposed him to all sides of the mental health world, with all its problems. He was the one who best explained how Cho snuck through the cracks. Dems want everyone to think that Ken is some right-wing wackjob, but the fact is that he is a real leader and he doesn't have to say it over and over like Commrade Oleszek does to prove it. On issues as important as this, it speaks volumes to Cuccinelli's abilities that he is asked to help in an area so critical to Virginia, especially now.

(originally posted at my blog)

Cuccinelli named to Chief Justice’s Commission on Mental Health Law Reform

Centerville, Virginia, June 5, 2007 – State Senator Ken Cuccinelli (R-37) was asked this month by the Chief Justice of Virginia’s State Supreme Court, the Honorable Leroy Hassell, to join him on a commission to review the current operations of the judicial system with regard to the mentally ill.

The commission’s guiding principle states, “The mental health services system, whatever the source of financing, should assure access to recovery-oriented services needed by persons with severe mental illness, should facilitate consumer choice, and should protect consumers and others from harm.” Cuccinelli remarked that, “As a court appointed attorney for mentally ill patients, I have been advising mentally ill individuals dealing with the judicial system longer than I have been in the Virginia Senate. I am glad to join the Chief Justice in this effort and I am honored to serve on this commission.”

Senator Cuccinelli is the resident expert in the Virginia Senate on this issue of mental health in the judicial system, and he has sponsored bills addressing problems related to mental illness and the judicial system virtually every year since he arrived in the Virginia State Senate.

“I look forward to working with the other members of the Chief Justice’s commission and I truly believe that turning over rocks such as these will really shed some light on where our justice system is excelling and where it is falling short in dealing with the mentally ill”

Thats right, the 37th distirct is represented by a real senator, not a Tim Kaine yes(wo)man. Ken Cuccinelli is, right now, perhaps the best senator in Virginia, and keeping him in Richmond is paramount to every conservative in this state. So while Janet Oleszek talks about being a "leader," Cuccinelli is the real thing - and this validates that claim. I've heard Sen. Cuccinelli talk about this before, and his work as a lawyer has exposed him to all sides of the mental health world, with all its problems. He was the one who best explained how Cho snuck through the cracks. Dems want everyone to think that Ken is some right-wing wackjob, but the fact is that he is a real leader and he doesn't have to say it over and over like Commrade Oleszek does to prove it. On issues as important as this, it speaks volumes to Cuccinelli's abilities that he is asked to help in an area so critical to Virginia, especially now.

(originally posted at my blog)