Tim Kaine blocks funding for embryonic stem cell research

By GottaLaff

It's Tim Kaine Day... unfortunately. I just posted this. Now, sadly, I have to report this:

Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, the chairman of the Democratic National Committee, has signed a bill into law banning the use of state funds for embryonic stem cell research.

The move puts the DNC chairman at odds with President Obama, who signed an executive order earlier this month reversing the Bush administration's ban on federal funding for research on embryonic stem cells.

The move also puts him at odds with yours truly. Hugely at odds. It's a very good thing President Obama didn't choose him as his running mate.

Kaine approved the Virginia bill on Monday, according to the governor's office, the same day he enacted legislation that would permit "Choose Life" license plates in the commonwealth — an act that angered state and national abortion rights advocates. [...]

All three of the Democrats vying to replace Kaine as governor this fall — Terry McAuliffe, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds — support using state money for embryonic research.

Welcome to the Kaine mutiny.

BREAKING: Arkansas Democratic chairman shot

By GottaLaff



We'll be updating as we get more information...

Watching CNN now. Little Rock attack, one person was shot at Democratic party headquarters.

Bill Gwatney is in critical condition after being shot three times.

The suspect was shot and apprehended.

UPDATE: Right after this incident, at state Baptist headquarters, a gunman entered, spoke to someone, and ended up running out. They're trying to see if there is a connection, because the circumstances were so similar.

UPDATE:

The gunman asked to speak to the party chairman, Bill Gwatney, and fired three shots at the office near the state Capitol. [...]

The suspect was chased into Grant County, south of Little Rock, and apprehended after being shot, the police spokesman said. The suspect's condition and motive were not known.

Sarah Lee, a sales clerk at a flower shop across street from the party headquarters, said that around noon Gwatney's secretary ran into the shop and asked someone to call 911.

Lee said the secretary told her the man had come into the party's office and asked to speak with Gwatney. When the secretary said she wouldn't allow him to meet with Gwatney, the man went into his office and shot him, Lee said.

She said the secretary described the man as in his 40s and white and drove off in a blue truck. [...]

Gov. Mike Beebe, a Democrat who served with Gwatney in the Legislature, had been on a flight to Springdale in northwestern Arkansas but returned to the Capitol after hearing about the shooting, Beebe spokesman Matt DeCample said.

Karen Ray, executive director of the Republican Party of Arkansas, sent her workers home early "out of an abundance of caution." [...]

Gwatney, who owns and operates three car dealerships in Pulaski County, served 10 years in the state Senate. Gwatney was Beebe's finance chairman during Beebe's run for governor in 2006.

UPDATE: Per CNN, the suspect has died.

Per CNN, Mr Gwatney has died.