Steve Shannon, Democratic candidate for AG, live-blog NOW FINISHED

Out of State Fundraising (0.00 / 0)

Delegate Shannon,

Out of State Fund-raising has been a hot topic in this campaign. Deeds and Moran supporters have highlighted the fact that 90+% of their contributions came from in state (compared to 18% for McAuliffe) while similarly McAuliffe's supporters highlighted the fact that Terry's connections allowed him to raise more money to combat the GOP.

Is it fair for candidate running for high office of Virginia can flood the state with out of state dollars? So, I guess my direct question would be:

Even though you cannot put a block on OOS funds, would you be prepared to promise the people of Virginia that you will not actively solicit beyond a certain number of OOS dollars. If so, what would that number be?  

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by: Bigvinu @ Sat May 09, 2009 at 18:59:07 PM CDT

Thank you for having me here (0.00 / 0)

Thank you to Ken and everyone else who is here for your questions and your interest.  It's a pleasure to be here with you.  In order to answer as many questions as possible I will try to provide answers that are as concise as I can make them.  I will do my best to answer as many questions as possible but if you have more questions at the end of tonight, please feel free to email me at steve@shannon2009.com.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:02:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

glad to see you here - looking forward to your responses n/t (0.00 / 0)

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:03:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Out of state fundraising (0.00 / 0)

No.  I will not limit our fundraising.  We will raise the resources necessary to get our message out to Virginia voters.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:03:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

So.. (0.00 / 0)

..does that mean you do not feel that Creigh and Brian have a point when bragging about their in-state numbers?

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by: Bigvinu @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:04:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks for coming here Steve (0.00 / 0)

Let me first disclose for those who don 't know that I actually met Steve through his wife Abby when she was a legislative assistant for Rep. Nick Lampson of TX, who is a friend.  She covered education among other issues, and I had occasion to work with her.

Steve, I know you have three key priorities for your office.  Please explain what they are and why they are your highest priorities.

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Sat May 09, 2009 at 19:05:44 PM CDT

Welcome, Steve. (0.00 / 0)

US Senator Jim Webb has introduced a wide-reaching plan for criminal justice reform.  Could you elaborate on what specific state-wide reforms you'd work on for Virginia?  (Obviously, jurisdictional constraints require federal action for some issues, such as federal sentencing. But there are reforms which could be applied here, pending more comprehensive federal action.)  

"One person, one vote" died at the hands of SCOTUS, January 21, 2010

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by: KathyinBlacksburg @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 07:24:41 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Sentencing reform (0.00 / 0)

Thanks Kathy.  There are many different policy areas that can be discussed with this question.  We can do a great deal to help troubled kids, for example, by focusing on reaching them through our educational system and through partnering with our non-profits to promote mentorship programs.  The effect of positive adult role models cannot be underestimated in helping our kids to succeed.  It is much tougher to help an adult who has been in the system turn their life around than it is to help a kid who is at-risk.  We need to be very aggressive in seeking out available grants and partnerships with community groups,  religious institutions, and local businesses to help our kids succeed in the long run.    

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:15:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

My Priorities (0.00 / 0)

Thanks Ken.  My top three priorities for the Office of the Attorney General are:

1. Protecting kids.  This is the reason that Abby and I co-founded the Metropolitan Washington AMBER Alert, it's why I became a prosecutor, and it's the reason I ran for the General Assembly in the first place.  The office has direct authority to prosecute cases involving child pornography and internet crimes.  My experience going after these predators as a prosecutor and legislator makes me uniquely qualified to oversee these kinds of prosecutions as Attorney General.  These experiences are among the reasons Governor Kaine appointed me to the Commission on Sexual Violence.

2. Fighting gangs.  When the federal government shifted resources from fighting gangs to fighting terrorism (a decision I agree with) it left a hole in our fight against gangs.  I believe that our response to gang recruitment and gang violence needs to focus on regional solutions, not just local solutions, as gangs do not confine themselves to any particular jurisdiction.  The Attorney General can play a leading role in working with school officials, the non-profit sector, the business sector, other local elected officials, and law enforcement so that we have a comprehensive response across Virginia.  We need to work on prevention by partnering with communities to make sure that we can get to at-risk kids through the school system before we have to get to them through the justice system.

3. Protecting consumers.  The Attorney General is the advocate for the consumer.  With the downturn in the economy, it is particularly critical to focus on protecting our citizens from financial fraud, scams that target our seniors and other vulnerable populations, and deceptive marketing practices.  Bad actors in the market not only hurt our citizens but also make it difficult for good businesses to compete.  In addition to the work that the Office of the Attorney General can do directly to protect our citizens, we will work with other agencies to help them carry out their consumer protection duties as well.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:07:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The 11th Amendment (0.00 / 0)

gives state governments immunity from civil rights suits.

Should the Commonwealth waive 11th amendment immunity?

Under what circumstances?

Thanks Steve!  

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by: The Donkey @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 11:23:36 AM CDT

11th Amendment (0.00 / 0)

As Attorney General, it will be my job to protect the legal interests of the Commonwealth and its citizens.  From this perspective, I don't believe that it would be appropriate for me to advocate in advance that my client forgo its constitutional rights.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:18:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

How closely should state law enforcement coordinate w/feds? (0.00 / 0)

In which areas is this important, and in which should the state possibly ensure its independent action?

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 12:39:35 PM CDT

Coordination (0.00 / 0)

As Attorney General, I will work with the federal government whenever it can be a resource to the Commonwealth.  In each of the areas I mention above (i.e., protecting kids, combating gang activity, and protecting consumers), there will be opportunities to work with our federal partners, whether they involve assisting us in obtaining federal grants that would otherwise go to other states, assisting with investigations, or assisting with litigation on behalf of our citizens.

Just as importantly, I think we ought to work with other state Attorneys General when issues cross state borders.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:22:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

relationship between offices of Gov and AG: (0.00 / 0)

what should it be, and how might it be different if, as has been true during Kaine's time, the offices are held by different parties?

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 14:03:18 PM CDT

Relationship with Governor (0.00 / 0)

The role of the Governor is to set policy in conjunction with the Legislature.  The Attorney General has many responsibilities, including the enforcement of our laws, providing legal counsel to the executive branch and its agencies, providing legal opinions to the public, and providing legal advice, upon request, to the Legislature.  The Offices of the Governor and Attorney General are distinct.  Both should always be as cooperative as possible, but it must be emphasized that both offices have different responsibilities to the public. I will uphold the independence of the Office of the Attorney General.    

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:27:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Powers that AG does not have compared to other states (0.00 / 0)

what are some examples of powers of AGs in other state that you think should be given to the AG, and why?

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 14:03:59 PM CDT

Powers of A.G. (0.00 / 0)

I think the greater challenge is to make sure that we fight for the people of the Commonwealth by better using the tools that the Attorney General currently has available and by making sure that the Attorney General works closely with others agencies when the Office does not have direct jurisdiction over a matter.  If we then discover that we need further tools to protect our citizens, I will work with the General Assembly to remedy that.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:31:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Full Term (0.00 / 0)

Delegate Shannon,

The last time an Attorney General of Virginia served out his full elected term was J. Marshall Coleman (1978-1982). The plain fact is that the Attorney Generalship has become a stepping stone for higher office, and nothing of real substance. Would you be willing to promise the people of Virginia your commitment to serve all 4 years of you attorney generalship? If not, how can you defend such an answer?

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by: Bigvinu @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 15:53:33 PM CDT

Full term (0.00 / 0)

I am running for Attorney General because I believe that this is where I can best serve the people of the Commonwealth.  My intention is to serve out the full term.  I would point out that Attorney General Mary Sue Terry, the last two-term Attorney General, served a full term from 1986 to 1990.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:43:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You say you want to protect (0.00 / 0)

citizens of Virginia, making Virginia a safer place. What can the Virginia AG really do about things like predatory lending practices, credit card fraud, predatory credit practices of credit card companies (always a problem, but which have become truly vindictive and unfair during the economic downturn)?

Also: After seeing how the New York AG tried to go after some of Wall Street's outrageous gangster banksters, is there anything the Virginia AG can do to protect Virginians from out-of-state financial outfits, including mortgage lenders and such matters as foreclosures pursued  without any serious effort by lenders really to re-negotiate punitive terms?
(Sometimes such properties are foreclosed while desperate owners actually thought they had negotiated an agreement with another office of the lender, and sometimes the property is tenant-occupied and the tenants are stunned when evicted without warning by a distant bank.)

Can you, will you recommend legislation and pursue its passage to address such problems? Can you prosecute?

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by: Teddy Goodson @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 17:52:35 PM CDT

Predatory Lending (0.00 / 0)

The Attorney General's office enforces many of the consumer protection laws and can do a lot to prevent predators from victimizing our citizens in the marketplace.  In those areas where the Attorney General lacks direct enforcement authority, I will work with the appropriate agencies to protect our citizens.  Likewise, if there are shortcomings in the government's overall enforcement ability, I will work with the Governor and General Assembly to fix that.  We need to make sure that our citizens are aware of the resources available through the Attorney General, which must be a major initiative, and that we allocate the necessary staff to ensure that we can respond effectively.  It is also important that we work with other state Attorneys General to protect Virginians from deceptive marketing practices and otherwise bad actors.

Likewise, it's important that we work to educate consumers about their responsibilities and make sure that we promote financial literacy starting in our schools.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:38:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Despite being a "right to work" (0.00 / 0)

state, is there any way as AG you would be able to protect on a state level the conditions under which workers work, some of whom may want to seek to self-organize and bargain with employers, not only about pay scales but safety and health issues on the job?

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by: Teddy Goodson @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 17:57:10 PM CDT

Workers rights (0.00 / 0)

Virginia's Right to Work Law does not preclude workers from forming unions and bargaining with employers for better wages and working conditions.  As Attorney General, I will work to make sure that both our labor laws are fairly enforced and also that workers are able to join a union if they so choose.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:47:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

good response n/t (0.00 / 0)

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:51:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Full Faith and Credit Clause (0.00 / 0)

Does Virginia refusing to recognize other state's same-sex marriages violate the Full Faith and Credit Clause in your opinion?  

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by: Bigvinu @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 18:35:34 PM CDT

Full Faith and Credit (0.00 / 0)

Like many states Virginia law recognizes only those marriages which are between a man and a woman, and it will be my job to enforce the law.  I am not aware of successful challenges to the applicable federal law based on the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:53:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

not yet n/t (0.00 / 0)

This is my world and welcome to it

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by: teacherken @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:54:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Regarding the Balance of Law Enforcement and Civil Liberties (0.00 / 0)

Please forgive the length of this.  Following the Virginia Tech shootings, it seemed the then Republican AG didn't seem to care about the rights of the mentally ill.  I have said previously, including here at BC in a different context, that how we treat those society tends to marginalize tells us who we are. Because the mentally ill commit violent crimes at a lower level (percentage) than the rest of the population, such disregard of civil liberties accomplishes little purpose, except to further stigmatize, and scapegoat a part of our citizenry.  Even so, some critics don't think the new laws go far enough in an even more intrusive direction.

As a resident of Blacksburg, graduate of Virginia Tech, mother of a grad, and spouse of an employee, I really want the campus to be safe.  At the same time, we should not use the event to run rough-shod over the mentally ill.  Virginia, especially Montgomery County, was beginning to make progress with innovative programs, including a ride along program to counsel police when they encountered a problem with a mentally ill person. The risk is that some of these enlightened programs will fall by the wayside.

How will you balance the need for information with the civil rights of the mentally ill?  Do you think the recent state changes do that?  And, if not, what are your recommendations?  

"One person, one vote" died at the hands of SCOTUS, January 21, 2010

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by: KathyinBlacksburg @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 19:50:35 PM CDT

Civil Liberties (0.00 / 0)

My first responsibility as Attorney General is to public safety.

As Attorney General, I will work to make sure that the police have the training and resources they need to be able to work with people who are mentally ill and protect the public while respecting the privacy of the individuals involved.  On another point, the Attorney General serves as counsel to our public universities and community colleges.  I will make it a priority to make sure that schools have the tools they need to keep students safe as well as giving them the tools to protect an individual student's confidentiality.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 20:59:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What, if anything, can be done (0.00 / 0)

to address the saturation of fraudulent phone calls:

--phony (alarmist sounding) calls "about your credit card," which attempt to get folks to give away their information.

--phony "warranty" calls

--those offering to "help" seniors fill out their Medicare forms (of course then the seniors find out they are not on real Medicare, but rather Part C, privatized Medicare).

--phony calls from "debt" collectors who harass anyone (not necessarily those who owe money) and try intimidate them into paying so the company can label the case closed.  There is a very aggressive such company operating just over the border in NC.  They harass innocent folks at all hours, sometimes for months or years.  If that becomes an increasing problem in VA, would you have any tools to deal with that in VA and if not what would you recommend the House and Senate pass?


"One person, one vote" died at the hands of SCOTUS, January 21, 2010

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by: KathyinBlacksburg @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 20:00:40 PM CDT

The other kind of crime (0.00 / 0)

Steve, we warmly welcome you to Blue Commonwealth.

My question:  It is easy for AGs to be "tough on crime" when it involves throwing low-class hoodlums into jail.  What's a lot harder politically is to go after corporations that bilk consumers, the state, or the common interest -- particularly when those corporations are the source of so many political donations.  

Can you please give some examples of the ways that, as AG, you will hold corporations in Virginia responsible for their actions?

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by: kindler @ Sun May 10, 2009 at 20:33:37 PM CDT

Corporate Crime (0.00 / 0)

As a legislator, I have worked hard to protect our citizens in several areas.  I spearheaded legislation to protect the personal information of our citizens when a company has a security breach.  I worked successfully to pass legislation for tougher penalties for illegal polluters.  My guiding principle is that Virginia can only have a business friendly environment when all market actors play by the rules.  When bad actors exist in the marketplace, they distort the market and make it harder for good businesses and individuals to compete.  The right thing to do then is to make sure that those who are breaking the law are punished and bad actors can no longer distort the marketplace.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:09:16 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Do you describe yourself more as a... (0.00 / 0)

1. Conservative Democrat
2. Moderate Democrat
3. Liberal Democrat
4. Teddy Roosevelt Progressive
5. Populist
6. Independent
7. Other

...and why?

Thanks.

Lowell

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by: Lowell @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 04:44:15 AM CDT

Democrat (0.00 / 0)

I am a Democrat because, on the whole, I believe the Democratic Party does a far better job of fighting for working families and sticking up for the rights and responsibilities we face as individuals in this country.  As Democrats, all of us have far more in common than what separates us.  I don't think I fall into the category of any particular "type" of Democrat, but rather someone who tries to find solutions to real problems facing our citizens while building coalitions in the process to accomplish this.    

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:02:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What's the best thing and what's the worst (0.00 / 0)

thing that Bob McDonnell has done as Attorney General?

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by: Lowell @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 04:44:54 AM CDT

as a followup to this (0.00 / 0)

How would your tenure as AG differ from our most recent AG?

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by: Josh @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 09:31:03 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Pharmaceutical Records Ransom (0.00 / 0)

Given the recent hacking into the State's pharmaceutical records and demand for ransom, what can the Attorney General do through working with or advising the Governor to improve security of this information. Also what role, if any should the Attorney General do to assist in the investigation and prosecution of this case?

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by: DanielK @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 15:37:07 PM CDT

Thanks for asking this, DanielK. (0.00 / 0)

It's a really important and relevant question.

"One person, one vote" died at the hands of SCOTUS, January 21, 2010

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by: KathyinBlacksburg @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 17:07:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Amen (0.00 / 0)

Privacy of computerized records is a huge issue that almost no politicians seem to talk about much.

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by: kindler @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 18:16:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Pharmaceutical records (0.00 / 0)

This is a classic case of the kind of internet crimes that threaten the privacy of Virginia consumers.  Meeting these new security challenges will be a priority for me as Attorney General.  The Attorney General can play a proactive role in working with state government, our federal partners and the private sector to protect Virginians from these kinds of crimes.  As Attorney General I will work with federal authorities to make sure that the people responsible are brought to justice.

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:20:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Delegate Shannon, (0.00 / 0)

Recently Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said he would be open to having talks about legalizing marijuana in his state because of the positive effects it would have on the economy.
Do you think California should be able to legalize marijuana, and if so would you support legalization in Virginia?  

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by: YoungVaDem @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 19:45:11 PM CDT

Thank you (0.00 / 0)

Thank you Ken and all the other people who joined us tonight.  The questions asked were excellent, and I'm sorry that I was not able to get to all of them.  If you have any other questions please check out our website at Shannon2009.com or feel free to drop me a line at info@shannon2009.com.

Thanks again to everyone, and have a good night.

Steve

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by: steveshannon @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:24:48 PM CDT

Thanks, Steve! n/t (0.00 / 0)

"One person, one vote" died at the hands of SCOTUS, January 21, 2010

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by: KathyinBlacksburg @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:25:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Good live-blog! (0.00 / 0)

Very informative about how our next Attorney General will handle a lot of these issues!

Deeds, Signer and Shannon Supporter!

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by: DanielK @ Mon May 11, 2009 at 21:54:58 PM CDT