Ah, Virginia

Hard to believe sometimes that Virginia is where America started; the birthplace of presidents; among the first places where 'commonwealth' was adopted as a governing philosophy.

4 out of the first 5 presidents of this amazing country were sons of Virginia, but lately, we've had Vaginal Bob McDonnell and Kenny the Kooch Cuccinelli and now - just so the Dems don't feel left out (and also too, so pundits and press poodles can propagate the "both sides" meme), we get Phil Puckett.

Former state Sen. Phillip P. Puckett, D-Russell, said Monday that his daughter’s future as a judge was a large reason behind his decision to resign.

Senate Republicans had balked at backing Puckett’s daughter, Martha P. Ketron, for a full six-year appointment to a juvenile court judgeship in Southwest Virginia, saying they oppose giving judicial appointments to family members of sitting legislators.

“She cannot be confirmed into the position permanently as long as I serve in the General Assembly,” Puckett said. “My colleagues on both sides of the aisle acknowledge that she is fully qualified for the position.

“At this point in my life, I feel that I cannot allow my political career to hamper my daughter’s future and her desire to serve the families and children of our area on the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.”

--and--

Puckett’s resignation ignited a firestorm by effectively giving the Republicans a 20-19 majority in the previously Democrat-controlled chamber. It altered the landscape of deadlocked negotiations over a new state budget and whether the spending plan will include Medicaid expansion.