Bob Marshall Makes It Official
By Greg L | 7 January 2008 | Virginia Politics, US Senate | 43 Comments
Bob Marshall has officially announced his candidacy for the United States Senate. His statement today should make any Virginia conservative proud, in that there’s actually someone out there who is willing to go to bat for our principles, and demonstrably doesn’t care who that manages to upset. This is about as pure a policy platform as Barry Goldwater proposed, with a nice populist touch. It should play awfully well.
Today I am announcing my candidacy for the United States Senate. Over the past two and a half months Virginia citizens and Republican Party officials have asked me to consider running because they want someone who will represent their views and values, a candidate who is not afraid to articulate these values and who will stand on principle. What are the banners Virginians want held high?
• Protecting the right to life of all children from conception;
• Defending “liberty and justice for all;”
• Understanding that taxpaying citizens are not bottomless ATM machines for government;
• Empowering states to deal with illegal immigration;
• Keeping the focus of American capital and jobs here at home and not overseas;
• Refusing to sell military technology to foreign nations just to reduce our trade imbalance;
• Attacking the federal debt that puts American citizens at the mercy of foreign bankers and politicians;
• Honoring America’s sovereignty by avoiding backdoor executive agreements;
• Empowering parents to direct their children’s schooling and health care;
• Ensuring that every person is judged by the content of their character not the color of their skin;
• Recognizing that American and Allied troops have won the war and Iraqis must now win the peace;
• Aggressively achieving energy independence for the United States;
• Increasing private sector jobs, not government bureaucracy;
• Restoring respect for marriage and the traditional family;
• Preserving the gift of our world’s natural resources for our posterity;
• Making government procedures transparent and holding leaders accountable to the public;
• Rejecting campaign reforms that favor millionaires over all other citizens.
I know that our rights come from the hand of our Creator, that government derives its just powers from the people expressed through their elected representatives, that the purpose of government is to protect our rights, and that government leaders must be the people’s servants, not their masters.
My desire to protect every human life, to promote individual freedom and responsibility, and to seek the common good are the reason why I entered public service 16 years ago and why I am running today. Experience has shown that the best means to secure our rights and limit government power are the institutions of private property, churches, private charities, and the family, with elected officials answerable and accountable to the public.
If Republican candidates can articulate and fight to restore these ideas, which have drawn so many to participate in the public process, then we will again succeed at the ballot box.
Virginia is the seedbed of the American Experiment, and it can be a field of hope for restoring the American Republic.
The undying example of our nation’s Founders, and their unyielding sacrifice, should be our guiding star. Their clear thinking held that rights that proceed, in the words of the Declaration of Independence, from Nature and Nature’s God. This creed should thrive in the heart of anyone seeking public service.
And because they thrive in my heart, I ask the voters of Virginia, I ask you to consider making me your choice for the United States Senate. Thank you.
The opinions expressed here are solely the views of the author, and not representative of the position of any organization, political party, doughnut shop, knitting guild, or waste recycling facility, but may be correctly attributed to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy. If anything in the above article has offended you, please click here to receive an immediate apology.
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43 Comments
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great - now we have to stop Jim Gilmore who has a significant lead in securing the nomination (inside lead)
This is the best news since Mike won iowa
This platform sounds a lot like former Republican Senator George Allens’s!
You all might want to consider why George Allen lost his seat in 2006 before getting too excited about 2008.
Republicans already lost one VA Senate seat and are poised to lose another.
Ducky
George Allen lost because of a word (macaca) that was blown out of proportion by media that was gripped firmly in the balls by the Clinton machine, Hillary! sent Webb in to pick off George Allen because he was a front-runner for the 08 Gop nod and would pose a significant threat to the ice lady. Plus I doubt you would call that election a real loss 0.20 percent of the vote? come-on thats hardly a Democratic landslide especially considering the headwind that took out Burns and Talent
Does Bob Marshall have a website up yet?
PW,
Spin it however you want, all I know is, Jim Webb in Senator, George Allen isn’t.
And the issue of illegal immigration was a major issue during the 2006 election all across VA - except for where it wasn’t.
BTW: I agree with you on one thing. George Allen should have been crusing to the Republican Presidential nomination right about now. Instead he’s, what, flipping burgers?
bobmarshall2008.com
The Webb in the Senate spin is just that…pure spin and BS. You really have no clue about how Webb’s candidacy evolved. Hint: Leave the Clintons out of it.
The war in Iraq and George Bush probably did more to unseat George Allen than anything else. Macaca was just a diversion. Democrats, Independents, and Republicans know this.
Take a look at the issue the Republicans very effectively grabbed up to keep damages to a minimum during this past election.
Marshall is going to have to temper that temper and become much more mainstream to have a fighting chance against the Warner machine.
Ducky said on 8 Jan 2008 at 3:33 am:
BTW: I agree with you on one thing. George Allen should have been crusing to the Republican Presidential nomination right about now. Instead he’s, what, flipping burgers?
Soon to be joined by do-nothing Webb.
Hee hee. I have visions of William Scott…
Hmmmm I heard nothing about Jim Webb resigning from the Senate.
PWC at 1:03 am - Surely you jest!
Ducky at 3:33 am - George Allen would have been a nobody if it hadn’t been for his famous Redskin father. Just as George W would have been a nobody hadn’t it been for his father and grandfather. Another thing they have in common is their love of Western clothing. Allen, having grown up in LA (I believe) and in the east, turned cowboybooter and -hatter when it suited him.
The macaca incident simply proved that his concern for others was nil. Good riddance.
“cruising to the Republican nomination by now…” Ducky, Ducky, the American people know a nincompoop when they see, or rather HEAR, one (most of the time).
The Mark Warner Machine? Have you checked out his website lately? If that is a machine, then it is BROKEN. No issues section. Nothing of substance at all. Worst web site of all three announced candidates.
shhhhhh! Sleeping giant alert.
PUH-leez. Mark Warner has won 1 election and that was a few weeks after 9/11. Whenever Mark Earley tried to discuss issues and show the differences between the two, Warner would cry that Earley was engaging in a partisan attack upon him. Warner has never won an election based on issues. If Gilmore or Marshall runs an issues-oriented campaign, including a discussion of Warner’s record, he is vulnerable.
Mark Warner in 2001, followed by Tim Kaine in 2005, followed by Jim Webb 2006, followed by the Democratic takeover of the House in 2007…
Ah, does anybody see a trend here?
Yes, Ducky.
Dems lie about what they’ll do (or won’t do) during a campaign and then go back on their words once elected.
And you mean the State Senate, not House.
George Allen lost because all self-indulgent, arrogant, ignorant children of privilege deserve to lose and sometimes in this life, people get what they deserve.
Virginia is blue, you just have to except that.
Allen was polling at 49% before the Macaca and he ended up with 49%. Macaca didn’t cost him the election.
As for the “Hillary” media machine in Virginia…..that is to funny to even comment on.
But if you all want Bob Marshall to be your nominee then by all means go for it. I will even go vote in your primary just to make sure it happens. The only candidate that would lose by a larger margin than Jim Gilmore is Bob Marshall. And that is saying a lot since Gilmore is the reason that VA is blue.
Lafayette and Dolph hi-five Anonymous @2:51! You rule!
Advocator, no argument here.
Agree with Advocator. But, alas, not all people get what they deserve.
Anonymous 2:51–
You won’t get the chance. The GOP nominee will be chosen in a convention. When it looked like it would be Tom Davis challenging Gilmore, those who though Davis was a little too moderate or liberal pushed for a convention (which will favor someone more in line with party principles).
Virginia’s not Blue (yet)–maybe a nice shade of purple. The VA Congressional Delegation is still majority Republican. The HOD is still Republican. Webb squeaked a win in an interesting race when public sentiment nationally favored Democrats.
While I may think Bob Marshall is a bit loopy and certainly don’t agree with him on much (except some of his environmental stands), he is not someone to be taken too lightly. HOD 13 is an extremely large district (almost 90,000 voters–larger than several State Senate districts). Marshall has been voted back by the 13th time and again. In the last election cycle, Democratic candidates for State Senate took some of the precincts in his districts, but Marshall held them for a pretty impressive win against Bruce Roemmelt.
That said, a few commercials featuring some of Bob Marshall’s venomous speeches on the floor of the House (chemical love canals, anyone) and a bit of exposition on some of his other social policy stands (which are glaringly omitted from his Senate candidacy Web site), and I think Mark Warner walks away with this one. Riley can write-off Warner’s victory, but Warner’s tenure as governor left him in a great position in the state with extremely favorable polling numbers, national recognition, and a state-wide recognition factor Marshall will have a hard time overcoming. Virginia Virtucon has a humor pair of posts explaining how Marshall will win it all. That win is predicated on winning NoVa. Not likely. While HOD 13 has moved a little to the left (meaning it’s not a far right wing district, it’s only a mostly right-wing distict), HOD 13 is not Fairfax or Arlington where Marshall will have a very hard time gaining traction with the general electorate. Further, some of Marshall’s environmental and conservation stands may actually hurt him in some of the rural parts of the state as well. Of course, it’s a long time until November and who the Presidential candidates are will also influence this race. So hang on for what may be a very fun ride.
Warner is not only dull himself, he is the cause of dullness in others. If Marshall runs an issue oriented campaign, after he wins the convention, (Anon), and ignores Warner he can win. If he gets off on his favorite topic he will get his clock cleaned.
Anonymous said on 8 Jan 2008 at 2:51 pm:
Virginia is blue, you just have to except that.
Exception accepted!
Krusty on 8 Jan 2008 at 11:10 am:
He was hell with a chaw of ‘bacca!
Ducky said on 8 Jan 2008 at 2:09 pm:
Mark Warner in 2001, followed by Tim Kaine in 2005, followed by Jim Webb 2006, followed by the Democratic takeover of the House in 2007…
Ah, does anybody see a trend here?
Certainly do! the Virginia and the Federal both have gone to hell!
ducky
Bob Marshall 1991 Bob Marshall 1993 Bob Marshall 1995 Bob Marshall 1997 Bob Marshall1999 Bob Marshall 2001 Bob Marshall 2003 Bob Marshall 2005 Bob Mcdonnell 2005 Bob Marshall 2007 Bob Marshall Am I the only one sensing a pattern here?
yes, the 13th district went to Hell back in 1991 and has never escaped.
Dolph: The number of the District is quite fitting. Unlucky 13th for 17yrs running now.
Now then, the question is who will run for Marshall’s seat for 13th?
Lafayette said on 8 Jan 2008 at 8:26 pm:
Now then, the question is who will run for Marshall’s seat for 13th?
Unfortunately for the residnets of the 13th district Marshall is running for the senate in 2008; his House seat is not up for grabs until 2009, which means that when he loses the senate to mark warner he will still hold his House seat
Anonymous @ 8:46pm.
Thank you for setting me straight there. So, in other words it’ll be just like Dave Mabie holding his Clerk’s position after loosing to Chuck election before last.
I Think Sup. Covington would be a good delagate
PWConservative said on 8 Jan 2008 at 10:39 pm:
I think he’d make a judge myself.(IMHO)
I can’t say I rule out your Delegate theory. I will need to think on that one a little. Please, note I’m NOT disagreeing with you.
corr
I think he’d(Wally) WOULD make a good judge myself.(IMHO)
I think he would be well suited for any position, He is probably the most trustworthy politician in the county
The 9200 liberty folks give themselves credit for Allen losing. Apparently it was a friend of theirs who was the original “macaca” and they used their film skills & connections to spread the story. Check out Annabel Park’s myspace comments (archives), as well as Eric Park’s. They are quite involved in a number of groups who want to take the US in a “new direction” (socialism).
Sorry, I meant Eric BYLER, above. If you google their names as well, you will find them in various places in the country.
Warner 57%-Gilmore 43%
Warner 63%-Marshall 37%
GL, start a contest
Warner 67 - Gilmore 33
Warner 99-Marshall 1
Wally Covington, most trustworthy? On what basis do you form your opinion? You may want to talk to the Buckland people and the Nokesville civic assocation before you jump on that bandwagon! Wally is trustworthy to his personal financial gain only. He has been working to undermine the Rural Crescent since he was elected. Why would he want to dismantle the most useful land use tool we have to keep our taxes down and preserve some of our most precious resources, like clean water you may ask? Because he and his family own hundredes of acres in the Rural Crescent.
Marshall - 53%
Warner - 32%
Third Candidate - 15%
Marshall 52% Mark Warner 46% Third Party 2%