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    <title>All Politics for Richmond Times-Dispatch</title>
    <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/</link>
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        <title>All Politics for Richmond Times-Dispatch</title>
        <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/</link>
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    <description></description>
    <dc:language>en</dc:language>
    <dc:creator>Richmond Times-Dispatch</dc:creator>
    <dc:rights>Copyright 2009</dc:rights>
    <dc:date>2009-07-09T18:50:48-05:00</dc:date>

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         <item>
          <title>Richmond City Council member blasts police car deal</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/SAMGAT09_20090709-082801/278992/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Richmond City Councilman Charles R. Samuels today blasted the city for failing to give vendors a chance to compete for the purchase of police cars. The Richmond Times-Dispatch today reported this morning that city officials violated procurement rules when they bought 40 police cars for nearly $1 million in 2007 without allowing vendors to compete for the business.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 08:28:47 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/SAMGAT09_20090709-082801/278992/#When:12:28:47Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama urges poorer nations to fight global warming</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;07&#45;09&#45;07&#45;08&#45;53</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama said the global recession makes it harder to strike an international agreement to battle dangerous temperature increases, but he urged the poor emerging economies that rejected specific clean-energy goals to &#8220;fight the temptation toward cynicism&#8221; and embrace them soon.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 07:16:44 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>Obama&#8217;s popularity slipping, according to poll of Va. voters</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL09_20090708-222404/278902/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A new poll shows President Barack Obama&#8217;s popularity slipping in Virginia. Obama had an approval rating of 48 percent and disapproval rating of 46 percent in the Public Policy Polling survey of people who are likely to vote in this year&#8217;s general election for statewide offices. Obama carried the state in November with 52.6 percent of the vote.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:01:15 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/POLL09_20090708-222404/278902/#When:04:01:15Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Poll shows Obama popularity slippage in Va.</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/OBAM_20090708-120401/278739/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A new poll shows President Barack Obama&#8217;s popularity in Virginia has slipped below 50 percent. The Public Policy poll of 617 likely general election voters showed Obama with a 48 percent approval rating, which is within the poll&#8217;s margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent. The survey showed 46 percent disapproval and 6 percent not sure.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 12:04:17 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/OBAM_20090708-120401/278739/#When:16:04:17Z</guid>
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          <title>Grogan will run against Loupassi</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GROG08_20090707-214202/278594/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
William K. Grogan, a Richmond lawyer, is running as an independent against Republican Del. G. Manoli Loupassi in the 68th House of Delegates district. The district covers the West End of Richmond and a portion of northern Chesterfield County. Grogan, 63, has run twice before for the House, once as a Democrat and then as an independent.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:01:37 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GROG08_20090707-214202/278594/#When:04:01:37Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Poll: McDonnell at 49% and Deeds at 43%</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SURV08_20090707-214202/278596/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The latest survey by Public Policy Polling shows Republican Bob McDonnell has the support of 49 percent of those polled, and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds has 43 percent, in the race for governor. The result follows polling right after the June 9 Democratic primary that showed Deeds, a state senator from Bath County, with an edge over McDonnell.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SURV08_20090707-214202/278596/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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          <title>Obama&#8217;s grass&#45;roots network builds Va. staff to promote agenda</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/E-OBAM08_20090707-214202/278592/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
They elected him to the White House, and now they&#8217;re pushing his agenda. Voters who made up President Barack Obama&#8217;s corps of supporters are again huddling in living rooms and community centers, but this time, it&#8217;s to promote the administration&#8217;s political wish list. Organizing for America, which is basically a transformation of the Obama campaign&#8217;s grass-roots network, is building staff in Virginia as it prepares to organize community events across the state.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/E-OBAM08_20090707-214202/278592/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; July 8th</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_july_8th/278623/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Who&#8217;s on second? Political columnist Jeff Schapiro says the race for lieutenant governor may come down to a referendum on Virginia&#8217;s budget mess.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 22:16:04 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_july_8th/278623/#When:02:16:04Z</guid>
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          <title>Franken sworn in as Minnesota senator</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/franken_sworn_in_as_minnesota_senator/278514/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Al Franken became a senator on Tuesday, completing the transformation from comedian to politician.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 13:38:03 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/franken_sworn_in_as_minnesota_senator/278514/#When:17:38:03Z</guid>
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          <title>Palin: &#8216;Politically speaking, If I die, I die&#8217;</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/palin_politically_speaking_if_i_die_i_die/278502/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Sarah Palin says she&#8217;s not a quitter, she&#8217;s a fighter, but adds that, politically speaking, &#8220;if I die, I die. So be it.&#8220;
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:28:03 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/palin_politically_speaking_if_i_die_i_die/278502/#When:12:28:03Z</guid>
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          <title>Mixed results for Obama&#8217;s first Moscow summit</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;07&#45;07&#45;06&#45;04&#45;28</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The president wound up getting the expected agreement on deep cuts in nuclear arsenals, but he is leaving Moscow with few assurances of Kremlin help in solving other issues key to his foreign policy agenda.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 06:38:43 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;07&#45;07&#45;06&#45;04&#45;28#When:10:38:43Z</guid>
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          <title>Cantor criticizes stimulus package, suggests alterations</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/B-ERIC07_20090706-210404/278368/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama&#8217;s stimulus package is not working and should be amended to encourage more job creation by small businesses, the House of Representatives&#8217; Republican whip said yesterday. Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, seized on weekend remarks by Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. in which Biden was quoted as saying that the Obama administration misread the depth of the economic recession when it was preparing the $787 billion stimulus package.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:01:03 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/B-ERIC07_20090706-210404/278368/#When:04:01:03Z</guid>
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          <title>Bolling, Wagner spar on finances</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV071_20090706-233602/278476/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, running for re-election, is blaming Democratic challenger Jody Wagner, a former state finance secretary, for Virginia&#8217;s budget woes. In a newspaper column and a fundraising appeal, Bolling links departing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine&#8217;s former finance chief to the continuing cash crunch, faulting her for flawed revenue projections.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV071_20090706-233602/278476/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Bolling, Wagner spar on finances</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV07_20090706-222604/278443/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, running for re-election, is blaming Democratic challenger Jody Wagner, a former state finance secretary, for Virginia&#8217;s budget woes. In a newspaper column and a fundraising appeal, Bolling links departing Gov. Timothy M. Kaine&#8217;s former finance chief to the continuing cash crunch, faulting her for flawed revenue projections.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 07 Jul 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LGOV07_20090706-222604/278443/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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          <title>In separate addresses, 2008 rivals invoke nation&#8217;s founders</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/POLI05_20090704-195003/278060/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
In dueling holiday addresses, President Barack Obama appealed for public support of his domestic programs, and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., said Americans should side with Iranian election protesters. The 2008 rivals for the White House both cited the spirit of the nation&#8217;s founders in their Fourth of July radio and Internet broadcasts yesterday.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:01:27 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/POLI05_20090704-195003/278060/#When:04:01:27Z</guid>
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          <title>Sunday talk shows</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK05_20090704-195003/278062/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Adm. Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; Reps. Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., and John A. Boehner, R-Ohio. &nbsp; Meet the Press (NBC, 9)  Pre-empted by coverage of Wimbledon tennis. &nbsp; This Week (ABC, 10)  Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. &nbsp; Face the Nation (CBS, 10:30)  Mullen; Sens. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa, and Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:01:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK05_20090704-195003/278062/#When:04:01:19Z</guid>
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          <title>Stakes high for Kaine&#8217;s DNC duties</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN05_20090704-213002/278097/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
He didn&#8217;t ask for this job. The job of chairman of the Democratic National Committee, that is. Now that he has it, six months later, even an outsider might understand why Gov. Timothy M. Kaine was somewhat reluctant to take it in the first place. He has been dogged by state Republican leaders, eager to find an opening in a pivotal state election year to reverse the tide of political success that has given Virginia Democrats control of the governor&#8217;s office, two U.S. Senate seats, the state&#8217;s House of Representatives delegation and the state Senate.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 05 Jul 2009 00:01:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN05_20090704-213002/278097/#When:04:01:16Z</guid>
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          <title>Analyst says Palin could be done with politics</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/PALI04S1_20090703-233202/278012/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin&#8217;s decision to step down during her first term could signal that she&#8217;s done with elective office, a Virginia political analyst says. &#8220;You shouldn&#8217;t dismiss that possibility if she&#8217;s fed up, and that came across at the press conference,&#8220; the University of Virginia&#8217;s Larry Sabato said last night. If she does plan future campaigns, Sabato thinks Palin has made a major error. &#8220;This will prove very useful to her opponent&#8212;she&#8217;s up and quit the only statewide office she&#8217;s ever held, in midterm. That&#8217;s not much of a qualification if you&#8217;re running for president,&#8220; Sabato said.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 04 Jul 2009 00:01:42 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/PALI04S1_20090703-233202/278012/#When:04:01:42Z</guid>
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          <title>Palin resigns as governor; leaves plans secret</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PALIN_RESIGNING?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin abruptly announced Friday she is resigning from office at the end of the month, a shocking move that rattled the Republican party but left open the possibility she would seek a run for the White House in 2012.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 15:46:42 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_PALIN_RESIGNING?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=#When:19:46:42Z</guid>
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          <title>Biden visits Iraq after U.S. troops pull back</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/IRAQ03_20090702-203201/277715/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
BAGHDAD&#8212;U.S. Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. arrived in Iraq yesterday to visit American soldiers, just two days after all U.S. combat troops withdrew from Baghdad and all of Iraq&#8217;s cities and towns. Biden will meet with Iraqi leaders, including President Jalal Talabani and Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki. A White House statement said Biden will reiterate the U.S. commitment to carry out President Barack Obama&#8217;s plan to withdraw combat forces. He also will press Iraqi leaders to make more progress toward political reconciliation.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 03 Jul 2009 00:01:52 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/IRAQ03_20090702-203201/277715/#When:04:01:52Z</guid>
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          <title>Obama on Putin, lost jobs, affirmative action, Michael Jackson and White House chef</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_AP_INTERVIEW?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;07&#45;02&#45;12&#45;34&#45;16</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
With joblessness rising, President Barack Obama said in an interview with The Associated Press that he was &#8220;deeply concerned&#8221; about unemployment and conceded that too many families are worried about &#8220;whether they will be next&#8221; to suffer economically           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:39:08 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_AP_INTERVIEW?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;07&#45;02&#45;12&#45;34&#45;16#When:16:39:08Z</guid>
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          <title>Obama makes health&#45;care pitch in N.Va.</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/OBAM02_20090701-222807/277590/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia took center stage in the national debate over health-care coverage yesterday when Debby Smith rose to tell her story to President Barack Obama. &#8220;Good afternoon, Mr. President,&#8220; the 53-year-old resident of Appalachia, in Southwest Virginia, said at the president&#8217;s health-care forum at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 02 Jul 2009 00:01:44 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/OBAM02_20090701-222807/277590/#When:04:01:44Z</guid>
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          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; July 3rd</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_july_3rd/277518/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Cold campaign. Political columnist Jeff Schapiro wonders why Republican Bob McDonnell is pulling his punches in the governor&#8217;s race against Democrat Creigh Deeds.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 22:04:20 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_july_3rd/277518/#When:02:04:20Z</guid>
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          <title>Obama holding health&#45;care meeting in N.Va. today</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/OBAMGAT01_20090701-063402/277333/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
ANNANDALE&#8212;President Barack Obama will hold another town hall-style session on health care today. The online event will be held at Northern Virginia Community College in Annandale starting at 1:15 p.m. In addition to questions from those in the school&#8217;s auditorium, questions also will come via Facebook, YouTube and Twitter. The event will be moderated by the president&#8217;s senior adviser, Valerie Jarrett.&#8212;The Associated Press           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 06:34:25 EDT</pubDate>
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          <title>State accuses Northrop Grumman of breach</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA01_20090630-222603/277299/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The state now is accusing Northrop Grumman of failing to deliver computer services and hinting at unspecified action against the giant company. In a shift yesterday, the state&#8212;which has been defending its disputed 10-year, $2.3 billion deal with Northrop Grumman&#8212;said the Chantilly-based firm is in breach of contract. Further, the state is demanding a plan from Northrop Grumman within 60 days for ending delays&#8212;some that have continued two years&#8212;and for completing an inventory of computer equipment that was supposed to be finished yesterday.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:01:14 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA01_20090630-222603/277299/#When:04:01:14Z</guid>
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          <title>Minnesota Supreme Court rules for Franken in Senate fight</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/minnesota_supreme_court_rules_for_franken_in_senate_fight/277183/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The Minnesota Supreme Court has ordered that Democrat Al Franken be certified as the winner of the state&#8217;s long-running Senate race.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:19:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/minnesota_supreme_court_rules_for_franken_in_senate_fight/277183/#When:18:19:00Z</guid>
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          <title>Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine&#8217;s DNC travel records</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN30_20090629-221603/277101/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia Republicans will appeal to the court of public opinion instead of a court of law to fight over access to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine&#8217;s out-of-town travel records as Democratic National Committee chairman. &#8220;To continue our pursuit of the documents in question would leave us with the only option of taking the issue to litigation,&#8220; state GOP Chairman Pat Mullins said in a statement released yesterday, responding to a letter sent by Kaine&#8217;s office late last week denying his request for the records.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:47 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN30_20090629-221603/277101/#When:04:01:47Z</guid>
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          <title>Virginia considering regulating car title loans</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/TITL30_20090629-222804/277121/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia is considering putting the brakes on the repo man, but there&#8217;s disagreement on how to do it. A General Assembly panel yesterday opened hearings on a possible clampdown on car-title loans, under which borrowers&#8212;often with poor credit histories&#8212;use their cars as collateral and lose them if they fail to repay. The industry, which typically charges 300 percent to 350 percent in annual interest, operates in Virginia with few restrictions.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/TITL30_20090629-222804/277121/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>VITA contract is six months late, says official</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA30_20090629-221603/277106/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s computer agency is six months behind schedule in putting in place a $2.3 billion contract with Northrop Grumman for info-tech services. Leonard M. &#8220;Len&#8221; Pomata, acting head of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency, disclosed the delay yesterday in the opening of House of Delegates and state Senate inquiries into the controversy engulfing the sprawling department.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA30_20090629-221603/277106/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Va. Republicans drop fight over access to Kaine&#8217;s DNC travel records</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAINGAT29_20090629-165001/277051/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia Republicans will appeal to the court of public opinion instead of a court of law to fight over access to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine&#8217;s out-of-town travel records as Democratic National Committee chairman. &#8220;To continue our pursuit of the documents in question would leave us with the only option of taking the issue to litigation,&#8220; state GOP chairman Pat Mullins said in a statement released today, responding to a letter sent by Kaine&#8217;s office late last week denying his request for the records.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 16:50:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAINGAT29_20090629-165001/277051/#When:20:50:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Legislative hearings begin on state IT problems</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/legislative_hearings_begin_on_state_it_problems/277036/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The state&#8217;s computer super-agency is running about six months behind schedule putting in place a $2.3 billion contract with Northrop Grumman for information technology servvices.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:52:58 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/legislative_hearings_begin_on_state_it_problems/277036/#When:14:52:58Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>New state laws take effect Wednesday</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LAWS28_20090627-221404/276837/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
New state laws that ban text messaging while driving and get tougher on drunken drivers take effect this week. In a 46-day session, the General Assembly approved 879 bills, most of which take effect Wednesday. The session will probably be best known for a measure prohibiting smoking in most restaurants and bars in Virginia. This measure will not take effect until Dec. 1 to give restaurant owners more time to prepare for the ban.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:01:39 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/LAWS28_20090627-221404/276837/#When:04:01:39Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Sunday talk shows</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK28_20090627-194602/276794/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.; Gen. Ray Odierno, top U.S. commander in Iraq. &nbsp; Meet the Press (NBC, 9)  White House senior adviser David Axelrod; Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass. &nbsp; This Week (ABC, 10)  Axelrod; Sen. Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 28 Jun 2009 00:01:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK28_20090627-194602/276794/#When:04:01:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine refuses to give GOP travel records</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DNCC271_20090626-234202/276747/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is refusing to turn over to the Republican Party of Virginia records of his out-of-state travel as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. In a letter late yesterday afternoon to state GOP Chairman Pat Mullins, Kaine communications director Lynda Tran said Kaine has no legal obligation to make public such documents.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:01:16 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DNCC271_20090626-234202/276747/#When:04:01:16Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deeds, McDonnell discuss energy, roads</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20090626-221605/276662/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gubernatorial hopefuls R. Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell, in their first back-to-back appearances on the same stage, told Boys State attendees in Lynchburg yesterday that they could improve transportation in Virginia without raising taxes. Deeds, a Democrat, said he would seek to pay for better roads by promoting business growth that would increase state revenues, but ultimately that growth depends on better roads.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 27 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS27_20090626-221605/276662/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Steelers owner Dan Rooney confirmed as Irish ambassador</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/world/world_govtpolitics/article/ROONEYGAT26_20090626-072002/276516/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was confirmed by the Senate yesterday as U.S. ambassador to Ireland. The nomination was approved by voice vote. Rooney was a lifelong Republican who backed President Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton during Pennsylvania&#8217;s presidential primary last year. He later campaigned for Obama in western Pennsylvania and helped him win the state in November.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 07:20:02 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/world/world_govtpolitics/article/ROONEYGAT26_20090626-072002/276516/#When:11:20:02Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>S.C. lieutenant governor declines to call for Sanford&#8217;s resignation</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GOVERNOR?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;26&#45;10&#45;34&#45;32</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The man who would replace Republican Gov. Mark Sanford if he resigned over his affair with a woman in Argentina said he would try to help him through the next year and a half.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:12:13 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GOVERNOR?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=HOME&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;26&#45;10&#45;34&#45;32#When:10:12:13Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine: Security cost will be reimbursed</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN26_20090625-221804/276454/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, who recently has been criticized by state Republican leaders for his out-of-town trips as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, says his security detail on those trips cost less than $10,000 in his first six months in the post. Kaine said he has kept records of the security expenditures and has instructed the DNC to reimburse the commonwealth for the costs.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:17 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN26_20090625-221804/276454/#When:04:01:17Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>VITA chief praises employees</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA26_20090625-221804/276457/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The acting head of Virginia&#8217;s embattled computer agency is praising employees for &#8220;doing heavy lifting&#8221; and urging them to ignore critics. Leonard M. &#8220;Len&#8221; Pomata yesterday met with about 100 employees of the Virginia Information Technologies Agency at its Chesterfield County headquarters. Other workers listened by phone conference call, as did a reporter for the Richmond Times-Dispatch, who was supplied the numerical pass code. Some employees submitted questions to Pomata by e-mail.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA26_20090625-221804/276457/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>State gets failing grade on disclosure laws</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/FAIL26_20090625-214005/276434/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s disclosure laws for the members of its General Assembly have received a failing grade from the Center for Public Integrity. Virginia is among 20 of the 50 states that were given a failing grade after a 43-question survey that measures public access to information about legislators&#8217; employment, investments, personal finances and property holdings. The center defined a failing grade as a score of less than 60 points on the survey.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/FAIL26_20090625-214005/276434/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GOP candidates to be first on ballot</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX26_20090625-214005/276433/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The Republican candidates for statewide office will be listed first on the ballot for the Nov. 3 statewide elections. The GOP name was drawn from a bowl at a State Board of Elections meeting yesterday. The Republican candidates&#8217; names will be first in House of Delegates races as well. So it will be Bob McDonnell, then R. Creigh Deeds for governor; Bill Bolling, then Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor; and Ken Cuccinelli, then Steve Shannon for attorney general.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ELEX26_20090625-214005/276433/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Kaine &#8216;really felt sad&#8217; for Sanford, his family</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SANF26S_20090625-205202/276405/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, yesterday declined to criticize South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford after revelations that an extramarital affair was behind the Republican&#8217;s recent unaccounted-for absence. &#8220;My main reaction once I realized . . . it&#8217;s a family issue,&#8220; Kaine told listeners during his monthly radio call-in program on WRVA in Richmond. Kaine said he knew Sanford and his family from Sanford&#8217;s membership in the Southern Governors&#8217; Association.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SANF26S_20090625-205202/276405/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>Kaine says he sees S.C. governor&#8217;s problems as a sad family issue</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_he_sees_s.c._governors_problems_as_a_sad_family_issue/276329/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
On monthly radio show, Kaine, chairman of Democratic National Committee, declines to criticize Republican Gov. Mark Sanford, who yesterday admitted sneaking to Argentina to meet woman with whom he was having an affair.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 12:34:10 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_he_sees_s.c._governors_problems_as_a_sad_family_issue/276329/#When:16:34:10Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Military budget faces veto by Obama</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/DEFN25_20090624-221003/276212/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;Preparing for a possible showdown with Congress, the White House yesterday threatened to veto legislation authorizing a $680 billion military budget if it contains money for jet fighters the Pentagon doesn&#8217;t want. The White House Office of Management and Budget said the $369 million that a House committee added to the bill as a downpayment for 12 additional F-22 fighters runs counter to the &#8220;collective judgment&#8221; of the military&#8217;s top leaders.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:01:41 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/DEFN25_20090624-221003/276212/#When:04:01:41Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. &#8216;partial&#45;birth&#8217; abortion ban upheld</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ABOR25_20090624-222804/276246/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A federal appeals court in Richmond voted yesterday to uphold Virginia&#8217;s 2003 law that bans a type of late-term abortion, which means the case might be headed for the U.S. Supreme Court. The 6-5 ruling reversed two 2-1 rulings by a panel of the appeals court. The panel had struck down the Virginia law, which prohibits what opponents of the procedure call &#8220;partial-birth abortion.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ABOR25_20090624-222804/276246/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell&#8217;s TV ad to run 10 days</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO25_20090624-222405/276239/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican Bob McDonnell yesterday became the first candidate for governor to go on television in the general election campaign. McDonnell&#8217;s 30-second ad, which pushes job creation and entrepreneurship, will run for 10 days on broadcast and cable TV markets, excluding the expensive Washington market. McDonnell is spending about $300,000 on the ad run, according to The Associated Press.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/MCDO25_20090624-222405/276239/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. candidates reserved in discussing Sanford</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SANF25S_20090624-222002/276223/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
When it comes to the adultery scandals involving two prominent Republicans, mum&#8217;s the word for Virginia&#8217;s usually voluble gubernatorial candidates. Neither Democrat R. Creigh Deeds nor Republican Bob McDonnell had much to say about South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford&#8217;s tearful, televised admission yesterday of infidelity, which came only days after Sen. John Ensign of Nevada said he&#8217;d had an affair with a former staff member.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/SANF25S_20090624-222002/276223/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>S.C. GOP leader wants unfaithful gov&#8217;s resignation</title>
          <link>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GOVERNOR_WHERE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=NATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;24&#45;21&#45;32&#45;35</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Top senator says law may have been broken when Republican Gov. Mark Sanford abandoned state to visit lover in Argentina without transferring power to lieutenant governor.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:00:47 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SC_GOVERNOR_WHERE?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=NATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;24&#45;21&#45;32&#45;35#When:04:00:47Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; June 25th</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_june_25th/276260/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Political columnist Jeff Schapiro says Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell may be reluctant to make an issue of Virginia&#8217;s controversial computer contract because he went along with it as a state legislator.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 23:02:54 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_june_25th/276260/#When:03:02:54Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Fairfax Democrat not seeking House re&#45;election</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/fairfax_democrat_not_seeking_house_re-election/276064/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democrat Kristen Amundsen is retiring from the House of Delegates.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 13:15:44 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/fairfax_democrat_not_seeking_house_re-election/276064/#When:17:15:44Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Michael Morva goes on trial for helping his brother escape</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/michael_morva_goes_on_trial_for_helping_his_brother_escape/276026/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A man is going on trial on a charge of helping his brother plan a jail escape that led to two slayings and a manhunt that shut down the Virginia Tech campus.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 11:31:29 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/michael_morva_goes_on_trial_for_helping_his_brother_escape/276026/#When:15:31:29Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Supreme leader says Iran won&#8217;t cede on election</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/world/world_govtpolitics/article/supreme_leader_says_iran_wont_cede_on_election/275981/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Iran&#8217;s supreme leader says the government won&#8217;t give in to pressures over the disputed presidential election, effectively closing the door to compromise with the opposition.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 06:40:52 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/world/world_govtpolitics/article/supreme_leader_says_iran_wont_cede_on_election/275981/#When:10:40:52Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine, GOP at odds over IT agency</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24_20090623-222806/275930/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Democratic Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and General Assembly Republicans are wrestling over who should run Virginia&#8217;s computer super-agency as a state report urges financial penalties for delays by the giant firm hired to provide information technology services. During an online chat yesterday at the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Kaine said the Virginia Information Technologies Agency would be more accountable if its director reported directly to the governor.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:49 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA24_20090623-222806/275930/#When:04:01:49Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine says DNC will repay state for security expenses</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN24_20090623-220804/275877/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
If you want to know where Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine is, just ask him. That&#8217;s the message Kaine delivered yesterday to state Republican critics who say he has been sneaking off to tend to his high-profile, part-time job as chairman of the Democratic National Committee.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:38 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/KAIN24_20090623-220804/275877/#When:04:01:38Z</guid>
        </item>
    
         <item>
          <title>S.C. governor to return after hiking trip</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/SANF24_20090623-205202/275837/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
COLUMBIA, S.C.&#8212;South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford will cut short an Appalachian Trail hike and return to work today after revelations he&#8217;d been gone for four days with no contact with his staff, wife or state leaders. &#8220;Governor Sanford called to check in with his chief of staff this morning,&#8220; Sanford spokesman Joel Sawyer said yesterday in a statement. &#8220;The governor was somewhat taken aback by all of the interest this trip has gotten [and] communicated to us that he plans on returning to the office tomorrow.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:36 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/SANF24_20090623-205202/275837/#When:04:01:36Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama&#8217;s budget&#45;cutting requests largely ignored</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/CONG24_20090623-215804/275867/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;Democrats in Congress crafting spending bills are largely rejecting the roster of program and budget cuts wanted by President Barack Obama. Obama proposed the cuts last month after what he promised would be a line-by-line scrub of the federal budget to counter Republican charges that he&#8217;s spending the country into too much debt.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:24 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/CONG24_20090623-215804/275867/#When:04:01:24Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>FOI Act used to lay groundwork for personal care workers advocacy group</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CARE24_20090623-222204/275901/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
An offshoot of a large national government employees union has used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the names of more than 6,600 Virginia personal-care workers to organize them into an advocacy group for higher wages and better health care. While state and local government employees are not allowed under state law to bargain collectively, Krissi Jimroglou, a spokeswoman for the Virginia Association of Personal Care Assistants, said, &#8220;We are organizing with the hope that there will be a collective bargaining agreement somewhere down the road.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CARE24_20090623-222204/275901/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine says state IT agency should report to governor</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_state_it_agency_should_report_to_governor/275794/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The troubled Virginia Information Technologies Agency would be better off if the head of the agency reported directly to the governor, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said in an online chat on TimesDispatch.com.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:53:31 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/kaine_says_state_it_agency_should_report_to_governor/275794/#When:18:53:31Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>VIDEO: Ask the Governor</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/video_ask_the_governor/275790/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
In an online chat today with TimesDispatch.com, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine answered readers&#8217; questions.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 14:47:28 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/video_ask_the_governor/275790/#When:18:47:28Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Liberty U. reaches deal with student Democrats</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEMOGAT23_20090623-101201/275750/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Liberty University&#8217;s student Democratic club has reached an agreement with the school on its status. Chancellor Jerry Falwell Jr. said today that a change in university policy will allow the Liberty University College Democrats to exist as an unofficial club. The policy change, which took effect yesterday, also changed the College Republicans from an officially recognized campus group to the new unofficial status.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 10:12:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEMOGAT23_20090623-101201/275750/#When:14:12:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama to hold Rose Garden news conference today</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/obama_to_hold_rose_garden_news_conference_today/275700/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
A White House spokesman says the president will open the afternoon event with remarks on health care reform, energy legislation and Iran&#8217;s disputed elections.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 06:52:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/obama_to_hold_rose_garden_news_conference_today/275700/#When:10:52:19Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell ducks on mining question while stumping with Mississippi governor</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BOBM23_20090622-211203/275468/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell talked jobs and energy yesterday at a news conference with Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour. McDonnell also ducked on two issues that have been in the limelight recently. McDonnell said he would defer judgment on whether to allow uranium mining in the state and what to do about Virginia&#8217;s troubled information technology agency, VITA, until studies have been completed.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BOBM23_20090622-211203/275468/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama signs anti&#45;smoking bill, cites own struggle</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_TOBACCO?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;22&#45;14&#45;46&#45;23</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President makes law the the nation&#8217;s strongest-ever anti-smoking bill and praises it for providing critically needed protections for children.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:42:36 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_OBAMA_TOBACCO?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;22&#45;14&#45;46&#45;23#When:19:42:36Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>LIVE TODAY: Ask the Governor</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ask_the_governor/275346/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will answer your questions in a live video chat  today at 1 p.m.
 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:54:55 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/ask_the_governor/275346/#When:18:54:55Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>UPDATE: Jones appoints deputy administrator</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/jones_to_appoint_deputy_administrator_will_clarify_cao_choice/275313/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Richmond Mayor Dwight C. Jones announced tonight Byron C. Marshall as his choice for the city&#8217;s chief administrative officer.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2009 12:07:43 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/local/local_govtpolitics/article/jones_to_appoint_deputy_administrator_will_clarify_cao_choice/275313/#When:16:07:43Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>President Obama&#8217;s new Chief Technology Officer is a Virginian</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/president_obamas_new_chief_technology_officer_is_a_virginian/275062/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Tapped by President Barack Obama this spring to be the nation&#8217;s first chief technology officer, Aneesh Chopra is plugged in to a brave new world. 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 21 Jun 2009 00:01:45 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/president_obamas_new_chief_technology_officer_is_a_virginian/275062/#When:04:01:45Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. GOP wants records on Kaine&#8217;s DNC duties</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/RPVS20_20090619-222605/274955/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The Republican Party of Virginia yesterday requested under the Freedom of Information Act records of Gov. Timothy M. Kaine&#8217;s out-of-state travels and state expenditures related to his work as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. Lynda Tran, a spokeswoman for Kaine, said the office will respond to the FOIA request the same way it treats all FOIA requests.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 20 Jun 2009 00:01:12 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/RPVS20_20090619-222605/274955/#When:04:01:12Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. Republicans file FOI request for Kaine&#8217;s DNC travel</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOPS20_20090619-120001/274801/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The Republican Party of Virginia has filed a Freedom of Information request with Gov. Timothy M. Kaine to disclose the extent and costs of his political travels as chairman of the Democratic National Committee. The request was filed today. Kaine is in Kansas City now raising money on behalf of President Barack Obama. The trip to Kansas City was not on Kaine&#8217;s public schedule.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 12:00:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOPS20_20090619-120001/274801/#When:16:00:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Communications system for troopers, others is criticized</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/STAR19_20090618-222804/274738/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The head of a Virginia State Police advocacy group says the new statewide communications system being developed for the state police and 20 other state agencies is so unreliable that many troopers use their personal cell phones to communicate.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:04 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/STAR19_20090618-222804/274738/#When:04:01:04Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deficits pose trouble for Obama&#8217;s agenda</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/OBAM19S_20090618-223004/274747/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The solid armor of President Barack Obama&#8217;s popularity may have a crack&#8212;a nearly $2 trillion-size one. There&#8217;s considerable public restiveness over eye-popping federal budget deficits, a potential danger for Obama&#8217;s ambitious agenda and his political fortunes. About $1.3 trillion when Obama took office, this year&#8217;s deficit now is on track to soar to a record $1.85 trillion after his massive influx of federal spending to stimulate the economy; help struggling homeowners; stabilize credit markets; and bail out banks, automakers and insurers.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/OBAM19S_20090618-223004/274747/#When:04:01:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Furor over IT agency deal dismays Va. lawmakers</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/FINA19_20090618-221002/274728/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lawmakers readying to investigate Virginia&#8217;s hiring of Northrop Grumman to run its computer systems say controversy surrounding the deal is an embarrassment. &#8220;The integrity of our governmental processes has been questioned . . . as a result of last week&#8217;s events,&#8220; said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince William, referring to the abrupt dismissal of the state&#8217;s information-technology chief, Lemuel C. Stewart Jr.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/FINA19_20090618-221002/274728/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Contested races for House of Delegates seats increase</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS19_20090618-220603/274719/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The major political parties are competing for 58 House of Delegates seats this fall&#8212;an increase from recent election cycles. An unofficial tally by the Virginia Public Access Project shows 68 of the 100 seats will be contested, up from 41 in 2007 and 49 in 2005. But 10 of this year&#8217;s contests involve a major-party candidate running against an independent. Independents generally have little chance of beating a major-party incumbent.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 19 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DELS19_20090618-220603/274719/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Bush says businesses will lead economic comeback</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/bush_says_businesses_will_lead_economic_comeback/274600/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The country will emerge from the recession on the backs of businesses &#8212; not the government, and the private sector will thrive as long as the United States continues to promote free-market expansion, former President George W. Bush said Wednesday night in one of his rare appearances since leaving office.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 15:25:34 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/bush_says_businesses_will_lead_economic_comeback/274600/#When:19:25:34Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>State panel outlines start of IT agency investigation</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITAGAT_20090618-115201/274592/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia legislators today roughed out their forthcoming investigation of the state&#8217;s troubled information technology agency and its $2.3 billion contract with Northrop Grumman. The Senate Finance Committee is turning over the inquiry to a subcommittee responsible for overseeing the nuts and bolts of government. That subcommittee is headed by Sen. Yvonne Miller, D-Norfolk. It holds its first meeting on June 29.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 11:52:51 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITAGAT_20090618-115201/274592/#When:15:52:51Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Hillary Clinton fractures elbow in fall</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/HILLGAT18_20090618-064401/274567/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton fractured her right elbow during a fall yesterday, her chief of staff said. Clinton was on her way to the White House when she fell and injured her elbow, chief of staff Cheryl Mills said in a statement released late last night. Clinton was treated at The George Washington University Hospital, just a few blocks from State Department headquarters, before going home. She will undergo surgery to repair her elbow in the coming week, Mills said.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 06:44:46 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/HILLGAT18_20090618-064401/274567/#When:10:44:46Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Deeds campaign changes aides</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEEDGAT18_20090618-055001/274558/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The gubernatorial campaign of Democrat Creigh Deeds is changing press secretaries for the fall stretch run. Jared Leopold, spokesman for the Democratic Party of Virginia, is taking over as the chief spokesman for the Deeds campaign. Deeds faces Republican Bob McDonnell in the November election. Leopold replaces Brooke Borkenhagen, Deeds&#8217; press secretary during his primary campaign, which ended in last week&#8217;s surprisingly easy victory.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 05:50:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/DEEDGAT18_20090618-055001/274558/#When:09:50:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Jeff&#8217;s Notes &#45; June 18th</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_june_18th/274493/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Political transformation. Columnist Jeff Schaprio explains Republican Bob McDonnell&#8217;s strategy to convince Virginians that the politician is more important than the party.            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Thu, 18 Jun 2009 00:01:21 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/jeffs_notes_-_june_18th/274493/#When:04:01:21Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Obama assails &#8216;culture of irresponsibility&#8217;</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FINANCIAL_OVERHAUL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;17&#45;08&#45;10&#45;05</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President seeks sweeping financial regulatory overhaul, including a new consumer protection agency, to prevent a repeat of the worst crisis to hit Wall Street in seven decades.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 08:25:25 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_FINANCIAL_OVERHAUL?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;17&#45;08&#45;10&#45;05#When:12:25:25Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Nevada GOP Sen. Ensign admits extramarital affair</title>
          <link>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ENSIGN_AFFAIR?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;17&#45;03&#45;17&#45;28</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Just two weeks after taking the first steps toward a 2012 presidential bid, rising conservative star is admitting to an extramarital affair last year with a campaign aide.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 07:29:52 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ENSIGN_AFFAIR?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=US&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;17&#45;03&#45;17&#45;28#When:11:29:52Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>AP says Obama giving federal benefits to same&#45;sex partners</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/BENEGAT17_20090617-062201/274326/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;President Barack Obama, whose gay and lesbian supporters have grown frustrated with his slow movement on their priorities, is extending benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees, a White House official said. Obama plans to announce his decision today in the Oval Office, the official said yesterday. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the president hadn&#8217;t yet signed the presidential memorandum.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 06:22:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/BENEGAT17_20090617-062201/274326/#When:10:22:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Kaine signs bills to assist Va. military families, veterans</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VETS17_20090616-213802/274243/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday ceremonially signed more than a dozen bills designed to assist Virginia&#8217;s military families and veterans. Legislation passed during the 2009 General Assembly session provides uniform treatment and expedited record-sharing in education for military children who transfer between school districts and states. Virginia has the most school-age children&#8212;76,352&#8212;of active military personnel in the nation.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VETS17_20090616-213802/274243/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McCain dumps Caddie for Ford Fusion hybrid</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/HYBRIDGAT16_20090616-060001/274139/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
WASHINGTON&#8212;Former Republican presidential nominee John McCain is getting a new set of wheels. The Arizona senator said on his Twitter feed yesterday that he was buying a new Ford Fusion Hybrid. His office says he&#8217;s getting the 2010 hybrid in silver and was impressed by its fuel-efficiency. The hybrid gets 41 miles per gallon in the city and 36 mpg on the highway. McCain&#8217;s spokeswoman says the senator was &#8220;sold when he left the parking lot.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:00:01 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/HYBRIDGAT16_20090616-060001/274139/#When:10:00:01Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. Senate panel to investigate VITA</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA16_20090615-222402/274087/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Lawmakers will investigate the state&#8217;s troubled information technology agency, spurred by the removal of its boss and questions about the $2.3 billion Virginia is paying Northrop Grumman for computer services. A state Senate panel that oversees government operations will conduct the inquiry and report to the Senate Finance Committee, whose chairman, Sen. Charles J. Colgan, D-Prince William, ordered the review.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:01:14 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA16_20090615-222402/274087/#When:04:01:14Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. budget gap stands at $300 million</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BUDG16_20090615-222002/274077/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The state&#8217;s revenue numbers from May are in, and things are worse than officials thought they would be. Based on the month&#8217;s revenues&#8212;which fell 15.6 percent compared with the same month last year&#8212;Virginia&#8217;s forecast budget gap widened another $75 million, for a total of $300 million for fiscal year 2009, which ends June 30. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine tempered the tepid financials by saying that the state will bridge the gap with the cost-cutting measures already in place&#8212;and the use of about $109 million in federal stimulus funding and $49 million in unallocated budget surplus from the two-year, $77 billion spending plan for fiscal 2009-2010.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BUDG16_20090615-222002/274077/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>McDonnell goes for bipartisan support; Obama praises deeds</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BOBM16_20090615-220803/274073/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell has formed a group called Virginians for McDonnell to entice Democrats and independents to support him. In an e-mail yesterday, President Barack Obama also made a pitch for bipartisan support, for Democratic gubernatorial candidate R. Creigh Deeds. The McDonnell group is led by Judy Peachee Ford Wason, a former Republican political operative who led a similar group that brought bipartisan support to Democrat Mark R. Warner in 2001, and by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Wyatt Durrette, who supported Democrat Timothy M. Kaine in 2005.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Tue, 16 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/BOBM16_20090615-220803/274073/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Va. partnering with Microsoft to provide free technology training</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/va._partnering_with_microsoft_to_provide_free_technology_training/274018/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The state of Virginia is partnering with computer giant Microsoft to offer free technology training and skills certification to thousands of displaced workers in the commonwealth. 
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 15:41:41 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/va._partnering_with_microsoft_to_provide_free_technology_training/274018/#When:19:41:41Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>President to push health plan to AMA, meet with Italian leader</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/president_to_push_health_plan_to_ama_meet_with_italian_leader/273987/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
President Barack Obama travels to Chicago today to promote his health care reform proposals to a very important audience.
           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2009 06:05:23 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/president_to_push_health_plan_to_ama_meet_with_italian_leader/273987/#When:10:05:23Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Sunday talk shows</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK14_20090613-191803/273740/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Sens. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., and Charles E. Grassley, R-Iowa; Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. &nbsp; Meet the Press (NBC, 9)  Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. &nbsp; This Week (ABC, 10)  Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius; former Gov. Mitt Romney, R-Mass. &nbsp; Face the Nation (CBS, 10:30)            ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:55 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/TALK14_20090613-191803/273740/#When:04:01:55Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>GOP slams climate bill as an energy tax</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/GOPS14_20090613-204802/273753/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Republicans yesterday slammed a Democratic bill before the House that seeks to address climate change, arguing that it amounts to an energy tax on consumers. In the GOP&#8217;s weekly radio and Internet message, Indiana Rep. Mike Pence said Congress should instead open the way for more domestic oil and natural gas production and ease regulatory barriers for building new nuclear power plants.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:41 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/GOPS14_20090613-204802/273753/#When:04:01:41Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Election battles turn into street fights in Iran</title>
          <link>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAN_ELECTION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=NATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;13&#45;22&#45;09&#45;15</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Opponents of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad clashed with police in the heart of Iran&#8217;s capital Saturday, pelting them with rocks and setting fires in the worst unrest in Tehran in a decade. They accused the hard-line president of using fraud to steal election victory from his reformist rival.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:19 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAN_ELECTION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=NATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;13&#45;22&#45;09&#45;15#When:04:01:19Z</guid>
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          <title>Va. &#8216;very happy with Northrop Grumman,&#8216; Kaine says</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14_20090613-205002/273755/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Gov. Timothy M. Kaine yesterday gave a vote of confidence to Northrop Grumman, the giant firm that Virginia is paying $2.3 billion for information-technology services. &#8220;We&#8217;ve been very happy with Northrop Grumman as a partner. That doesn&#8217;t mean that there aren&#8217;t some things to work out,&#8220; Kaine said after a rain-hastened rally with the new Democratic ticket at the College of William and Mary.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:13 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA14_20090613-205002/273755/#When:04:01:13Z</guid>
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          <title>Deeds and McDonnell meet again in changed landscape</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS14_20090613-221605/273804/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
They battled for attorney general in 2005. Now they&#8217;re facing off for governor. But Democrat R. Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell meet on a decidedly different political landscape than they did four years ago. Deeds, a state senator from rural Bath County who was defeated by McDonnell for attorney general by 360 votes, heads into this year&#8217;s rematch buoyed by a surprisingly strong primary victory. An early public poll by Rasmussen Reports suggests that victory has bumped Deeds slightly ahead of his old foe, 47 percent to 41 percent. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.5 percentage points.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sun, 14 Jun 2009 00:01:07 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/GOVS14_20090613-221605/273804/#When:04:01:07Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Dual role of new Va. IT chief questioned</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA13_20090612-223104/273665/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
The state&#8217;s computer czar was replaced by the secretary of technology to put &#8220;fresh eyes&#8221; on changes to a $2.3 billion contract between the state&#8217;s information technology department and its contractor. James F. McGuirk II, chairman of the department&#8217;s oversight panel, said Lemuel C. Stewart Jr. was removed as chief information officer for the Virginia Information Technologies Agency and replaced temporarily with Leonard Pomata because he has the experience to navigate a transition in how the state pays for technology.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01:39 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA13_20090612-223104/273665/#When:04:01:39Z</guid>
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          <title>Rivals claim victory in Iranian election</title>
          <link>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAN_ELECTION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=INTERNATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;12&#45;17&#45;42&#45;33</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Iran&#8217;s interior ministry said today that President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad was far ahead with nearly 80 percent of all votes counted, but his pro-reform rival countered that he was the clear victor and warned of possible fraud in the election. The dispute sharply boosted tensions after an intense monthlong race between the combative president and his main challenger, Mir Hossein Mousavi, who has the backing of a youth-oriented movement.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01:15 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://customwire.ap.org/dynamic/stories/M/ML_IRAN_ELECTION?SITE=VARIT&amp;SECTION=INTERNATIONAL&amp;TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&amp;CTIME=2009&#45;06&#45;12&#45;17&#45;42&#45;33#When:04:01:15Z</guid>
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          <title>Watchdog defends his work</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/WALP13_20090612-210403/273554/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
An inspector general fired by President Barack Obama said yesterday that he acted &#8220;with the highest integrity&#8221; in investigating AmeriCorps and other government-funded national service programs. In a letter to Congress on Thursday, Obama said he had lost confidence in IG Gerald Walpin and was removing him from the position. Obama&#8217;s move follows an investigation by Walpin finding misuse of federal grants by a nonprofit education group led by Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, an Obama supporter and former NBA basketball star.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01:12 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/WALP13_20090612-210403/273554/#When:04:01:12Z</guid>
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          <title>Key senators have health&#45;care ties</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/SENA13_20090612-212402/273564/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Influential senators working to overhaul the nation&#8217;s health care system have investments and family ties with some of the biggest names in the industry. The wife of Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, the lawmaker in charge of writing the Senate&#8217;s bill, sits on the boards of four health-care companies. Members of both parties have industry connections, including Democrats John D. Rockefeller IV and Tom Harkin, and Republicans Tom Coburn, Judd Gregg, Jon Kyl and Orrin Hatch, financial reports showed yesterday.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01:10 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/SENA13_20090612-212402/273564/#When:04:01:10Z</guid>
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          <title>Patrick Kennedy seeks help</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/KENN13_20090612-212402/273563/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Rep. Patrick J. Kennedy, who has struggled with depression, alcoholism and addiction for much of his life, said yesterday that he has checked into a medical facility for treatment. The Rhode Island Democrat, who sought treatment three years ago after an early-morning car crash near the U.S. Capitol, said in a statement that his recovery is a &#8220;lifelong process.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Sat, 13 Jun 2009 00:01:06 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/national/national_govtpolitics/article/KENN13_20090612-212402/273563/#When:04:01:06Z</guid>
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         <item>
          <title>Panel ousts Virginia&#8217;s technology chief</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA12_20090611-221806/273416/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Virginia&#8217;s computer czar was fired hours after he questioned a multimillion-dollar monthly bill from the giant company that the state is paying $2.3 billion for informationtechnology services.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:01:36 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VITA12_20090611-221806/273416/#When:04:01:36Z</guid>
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          <title>Cantor was alerted on museum attack</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VHOL12_20090611-213102/273342/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, says he was alerted Wednesday after a man opened fire in the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in the House of Representatives, said he does not know whether other members of Congress also were alerted. &#8220;It is a horrible thing,&#8220; he said. &#8220;It is a reminder that there is hatred out there. It requires vigilance on the part of all of us.&#8220;           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:01:04 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/VHOL12_20090611-213102/273342/#When:04:01:04Z</guid>
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          <title>Cantor stands by remarks on Obama, Putin</title>
          <link>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CANT12_20090612-003001/273469/</link>
          <description><![CDATA[
Rep. Eric I. Cantor, R-7th, is standing by remarks he made to The Associated Press yesterday comparing some of President Barack Obama&#8217;s economic policies to those of Russia&#8217;s prime minister and former president, Vladimir Putin. In a brief telephone interview, Cantor, the No. 2 Republican in the House, said Obama&#8217;s policies are increasing uncertainty and raising the price of risk.           ]]></description>
          <pubDate>Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:01:00 EDT</pubDate>
<guid>http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/CANT12_20090612-003001/273469/#When:04:01:00Z</guid>
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