November 5, 2009 GOP Paints the State Red Republican Call for Change Pays Off Statewide by FORD PRIOR the Breeze
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His win and the GOP sweep of Vir- ginia were celebrated Tuesday with hip-hop music thumping and beach balls bouncing amid a large crowd in downtown Richmond’s Marriot Inn. “Eight months ago I applied for the job of governor of Virginia,” McDonnell told the cheering crowd. “Tonight you have chosen me.” After eight years of Democratic lead- ership in Virginia, the Republicans took all the top positions: Bill Bolling was re-elected lieutenant governor, Ken Cuccinelli won attorney general and Republicans took of open House of Delegates seats across the state. “I think Bob ran as good a campaign as Deeds ran a bad campaign,” said Stephen E. Baril, member of McDon- FORD PRIOR/The Breeze nell’s nance committee. “Bob stayed Republican Bob McDonnell celebrates his overwhelming victory Tuesday against Democrat Creigh Deeds. Throughout the campaign, McDonnell led Deeds in the polls. focused his issue, and… Deeds was just ring blanks.” The tide of red is, to some, a clear indication of dissatisfaction with cur- rent administrations in Virginia and Republican Resurgance Leaves Democrats in Dust Washington. “This is a warning shot,” said th By MATT SUTHERLAND and his ticket — Jody Wagner for lieu- Commonwealth University student Throughout the campaign, Deeds District Rep. Eric Cantor of the GOP’s The Breeze tenant governor and Steve Shannon for attending Deed’s party, believes swing trailed behind Republican Bob McDon- overwhelming conquest. “Voters are attorney general — o ered concession voters were important in the Republi- nell in the polls. e Associated Press looking for a di erent direction. ey’re RICHMOND — Democratic guber- speeches before a tearful audience. can victories. declared McDonnell the winner close looking for change… The Republican natorial candidate Creigh Deeds may “We cannot pack up and go home,” “A lot of people are worried about to p.m. resurgence begins again tonight, and have lost Tuesday’s election by an Wagner said in front of enthusiastic vot- health care and the lack of jobs right e election marked a signi cantly history will record that it began right -point margin because of national ers. “ is election is complete, but our now,” Sentelle said. “I think the next low point in voter turnout for Virginia. here in Virginia.” dissatisfaction with the current Obama tasks remain. We have got to focus on election may be different. Democrats With nearly percent of the precincts administration, many people believe. the next generation.” will have had time to prove they’ve been see VICTORY, page 4 At Richmond’s Westin Hotel, Deeds Stephen Sentelle, a Virginia doing a good job.” see DEFEAT, page 4 Landers Signs with Richmond Revolution By JAMES GWINN contributing writer No one would ever envision a JMU football player wearing Richmond across his chest, but it will soon be a reality. For- mer JMU quarterback Rodney Landers (’) has signed to play with the Rich- mond Revolution of the Indoor Football League for the season. e Indoor Football League was cre- ated in as a merger of the Intense Football League and United Indoor Foot- ball. It is made up teams from all over country. Richmond, an expansion team, begins its inaugural season in March. “I’m very excited about the signing and the chance to play again,” Landers said. “I’m looking forward to an exciting new style in the Indoor Football League.” The IFL is the third major league in indoor/arena football. The other two DAVID CASTERLINE/The Breeze are Arena Football , created in to Brock Wallace, censured for encouraging the tampering of votes in the Homecoming Banner contest, issued an apology to ROBERT BOAG/fi le photo replace the Arena Football League, and SGA senators at Tuesday’s meeting. Andrew Elgert (left) was already censured at the Oct. 20 meeting. the American Indoor Football Associa- Rodney Landers was one of the most tion, created in . e IFL is expected beloved players in JMU history and led to be on the same par as the AIFA and the Dukes to the national semifi nals. slightly less competitive than AF. Although an expansion team, the caliber squad. SGA Censures Second Member Revolution is full of talented and expe- “He can get the job done,” said former rienced players that played at highly teammate and JMU kick returner Scot- By KATIE THISDELL DIVIDED RESPONSES regarded colleges. Landers is joined ty McGee. “Whether it be at, you know, The Breeze by fellow Colonial Athletic Association running back, quarterback. I mean, we “Brock chose to be very “It’s not us he should players Sherman Logan and Stephen called him Superman here. He can do More than two weeks after the proactive... I respect that apologize to... There’s a very Howell of Richmond and Stephen it all.” speaker of JMU’s Student Government Cason of William & Mary. He is excited e JMU star was high on the Revo- Association admitted to tampering he faced us all in a room disgruntled and disappointed about the possibilities of this team and is lution’s priority list. Landers was also with the Homecoming banner con- and confronted it head on in student body out there...” intrigued at how quickly they can mesh test, the senate censured a second that he issued an apology.” — Adam Hall together and form a championship see LANDERS, page 4 member for encouraging the action. — Kaitlin Solomon SGA senator Junior Brock Wallace, vice presi- SGA senator dent for student a airs, apologized to the senators at the opening of Tues- day’s meeting. deeply regret these actions. It was a submitted the censure, which is a Driver Charged in Cyclist’s Death During the SGA’s Oct. meet- huge lapse of judgment on my part. public reprimand, senators called ing, the senate censured speaker ese kinds of actions are things that for changes to the wording based on Tuesday, police charged Jessica He said he learned this objective atti- Andrew Elgert for creating a a leader should not be doing.” Wallace’s earlier apology. Chandler, , of Port Republic, with tude from his father. computer program to boost the orga- As part of his responsibilities Wal- “Brock chose to be very proactive in reckless driving after she allegedly hit “Just trying to imagine being in nization’s online votes to ,, lace was also responsible for several how he chose to apologize,” Sen. Kait- and killed a cyclist Aug. the driver’s standpoint,” Nic said, “I which ultimately caused the banner’s Homecoming activities, including the lin Solomon said. “I respect that he The charge comes more than two wouldn’t be able to live with myself.” disquali cation. Purple Out T-shirt giveaway and the faced us all in a room and confronted months after the death of cyclist Dr. During his ride, Joseph Mirenda was “Yes, I did support what he did,” Mr. and Ms. Madison competition. Joseph Mirenda, , of Virginia Beach. struck from behind by Chandler, who Wallace said to the SGA. “However, I After senior senator James Lazo see APOLOGY, page 4 Mirenda had been riding miles was driving a Ford Taurus, about a mile from Wintergreen to Harrisonburg to east of Cross Keys Road. surprise his son Nic Mirenda, a JMU The past two months have been a freshman. rollercoaster here at JMU for Nic, but Police looked at Chandler’s cell staying busy with schoolwork has NEWS page 3 LIFE page 7 phone records to determine if she had helped him get through. Students sell shot glasses to push for Interested in adopting a rescued cat? been texting or talking on the phone “Maybe the worst is yet to come,” Nic dialogue on the drinking age. Visit Cat’s Cradle downtown. at the time of the incident, which said. “I haven’t been home a lot, and I could have resulted in a more serious think that’s when it’ll hit me.” Inside charge. He is planning a bike race next year OPINION page 5 SPORTS page 9 “I’m glad she didn’t get a felony or in his father’s memory, possibly follow- John Scott’s commentary on today’s Men’s Soccer assimilates eight anything like that,” Nic said. “She’s ing the same route his father took. Judicial hearings. players from around the globe. already going through a lot, and she obviously didn’t do it on purpose.” — staff reports 2 Thursday, November 5, 2009 breezejmu.org A Chilly Night on Campus The Breeze Photo Contest Serving James Madison University Since 1922 MISSION Send us your The Breeze, the student-run newspaper of James Madison University, serves student, faculty and staff readership by ‘end of fall’ reporting news involving the campus and local community. The Breeze strives to be impartial and fair in its reporting and photo! firmly believes in its First Amendment rights. 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