Well played! It's like a real life House of Cards.

[DinoDoc]

Va. lawmaker to resign, paving way for jobs for self, daughter, according to associates

Republicans appear to have outmaneuvered Gov. Terry McAuliffe in a state budget standoff by persuading a Democratic senator to resign his seat, at least temporarily giving the GOP control of the chamber and possibly dooming the governor’s push to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act.

Sen. Phillip P. Puckett (D-Russell) will announce his resignation Monday, effective immediately, paving the way to appoint his daughter to a judgeship and Puckett to the job of deputy director of the state tobacco commission, three people familiar with the plan said Sunday. They spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter.

The news prompted outrage among Democrats — and accusations that Republicans were trying to buy the Senate with job offers in order to thwart McAuliffe’s proposal to expand health coverage to 400,000 low-income Virginians.

Del. Scott A. Surovell (D-Fairfax) said Republicans were unable to win the policy argument about Medicaid expansion, so they have resorted to other means.

...

I have to admire the audaciousness of it. They've likely undone the results of an election and turned McAuliffe’s gambit with the budget on its head. All with a simple deal no one appears to have the ability to stop.

[AAAAAAAAH!]

Is it just me or are these jobs not be awarded based on merit?

[Guynemer]

Ahhhh. Good old fashioned American governance at its... well, not best, obviously... um... how about at its most American governance.

[pchang]

I don't see how the Governor would not have influence over the make up of the State Tobacco Commission or any state judge positions. The governor would not have control of any federal judge positions, but you figure Obama could help him out there.

[DinoDoc]

I don't see how the Governor would not have influence over the make up of the State Tobacco Commission or any state judge positions. The governor would not have control of any federal judge positions, but you figure Obama could help him out there.

From the article:

Less clear is whether Democrats, including McAuliffe, have any recourse to block the job appointments that Puckett apparently negotiated. Although the executive director of the Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission is a gubernatorial appointee, it is the commission, not the governor, that controls job appointments below that level. The commission is a 31-member body made up of legislative and gubernatorial appointees; its chairman and vice chairman are Republicans.

Judicial appointments at the level of district judge are strictly a legislative prerogative in Virginia.

[Ben Kenobi]

Finally. I've never seen that before - a Democrat selling out against his team.

[MrFun]

Va. lawmaker to resign, paving way for jobs for self, daughter, according to associates

I have to admire the audaciousness of it. They've likely undone the results of an election and turned McAuliffe’s gambit with the budget on its head. All with a simple deal no one appears to have the ability to stop.

So you think that what those Virginia Republicans did was right?

[pchang]

So you think that what those Virginia Republicans did was right?

I'm pretty sure DinoDoc is an "ends justifies the means" kind of guy.

[Dinner]

Oh, we know that's true.

[DinoDoc]

I'm pretty sure DinoDoc is an "ends justifies the means" kind of guy.

Right or wrong doesn't really enter into it wrt this specific instance. I have to stand in awe of this deal. Seriously, they aren't even bothering to hide the nature of the deal. I have to admire the sheer brazenness and chutzpah of it.

This kind of thing seems par for the course in VA politics though. Again from the same article:

During the General Assembly session this year, Republicans cried foul when McAuliffe appointed longtime GOP operative Boyd Marcus, who had crossed party lines to endorse McAuliffe in the campaign, to a six-figure position on the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Republicans blocked the appointment, saying the job was essentially “sold” for the endorsement.

[MrFun]

Right or wrong doesn't really enter into it wrt this specific instance. I have to stand in awe of this deal. Seriously, they aren't even bothering to hide the nature of the deal. I have to admire the sheer brazenness and chutzpah of it.

Why don't you just say that you lack any sense of right or wrong?

For the record, that Democrat who took the bribe is just as despicable.

[PLATO]

Democrats and Republicans working together


Actually, I have to agree with MrFun on this one...despicable politics.

[Guynemer]

despicable politics.

You repeat yourself.

[Berzerker]

For the record, that Democrat who took the bribe is just as despicable.

thanks for correcting the record

[The Mad Monk]

Is there no honor left in Virginia?