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Bob McDonnell for Governor
By RHarrison | 24 March 2008 | Virginia Politics | 13 Comments
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has announced that he will not be running for Governor next year. This should give Attorney General Bob McDonnell a clear shot at the Republican nomination. Bolling will be running for a second term as Lt. Governor.
Not Larry Sabato has the scoop.
I like Bolling and am disappointed that he won’t be running for Governor, but this was a gracious thing for him to do. Many politicians would refuse to make this decision for as long as they could, enjoying the spotlight and attention, even if the actual decision not to run had been made months before. By telling people he will not be running, Bolling allows the spotlight to shift to McDonnell, where it needs to be. This reinforces my perception that Bolling is an honorable man and a good Republican.
The top two spots on the Republican ticket in 2009 now appear to be set. It is unlikely that anyone will launch a credible primary challenge against a McDonnell - Bolling ticket, so they both can start raising money and preparing for the general election.
The Democrats don’t have a candidate with either McDonnell’s or Bolling’s stature in the state and will have a fierce primary. Their two candidates, Brian Moran and Creigh Deeds, lack a state-wide presence and will likely have to fight a tough primary. You have to give the advantage to McDonnell and Bolling at this point. (Of course, Allen looked strong against Webb at this point too.)
The Presidential race started to break the Republican’s way when Romney graciously declined to continue fighting an uphill race, allowing McCain to shift his focus, and resources, to the general election. The Chair of Romney’s Virginia campaign has now provided a similar service to the Virginia Republican Party.
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13 Comments
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I like Bolling, but thank goodness. Now Stewart will stay as chair and we won’t have to deal with Chairman Nohe.
Chairman Nohe is scary enough but I don’t think I could deal with “LG Stewart.” I like Bolling a lot too, but for who can win against the Dems in 2009-it’s McDonnell all the way.
I wish Jay would have had more a chance…another Senate run in 2009?
Bolling made a noble and very difficult decision and I think he should be commended for his bold commitment to the party. I think we will hear many more great things out of this man in the coming months and years and I look forward to it.
I don’t know if we want a Republican candidate for governor who was in charge of this “unconstitutional” transportation plan. To me this spells a recipe for disaster. I fully realize party unity is important but what are we unifying around? McDonnell has been a total disaster handling the constitutional issues surrounding the #1 issue(transportation) in Virginia.
I predict that with Bolling staying as LG and McDonnell running unopposed, the party will look for an AG candiate from the western part of Virginia. I believe U.S. Attorney John Brownlee will get in and win. He has great support with law enforcement and a strong record against public corruption, corporate fraud, and drug dealers. He and Bob McDonnell have worked together on many issues, and they gave the Virginia State Police over $43 million this year from the OxyContin case. I think McDonnell will want a strong candidate from the west to keep the base happy and interested.
From the west??? That’s like nominating Dick Cheney for VP because of all the votes he can get for the ticket from that electoral powerhouse, Wyoming.
McDonnell is from Tidewater (right?), Bolling is from Henrico, so what’s missing? That’s right: Northern Virginia, where 40% of the electoral clout in the state is found. That’s Ken Cuccinelli.
Brownlee is a good guy, but where’s Brownlee from? Roanoke? Buchanan County?
It looks like Star City is around other blogs calling himself “Big West.” Nice try.
The west has been won. McDonnell will look toward NOVA to try keeping the GOP losses there to a minimum.
Anonymous said on 24 Mar 2008 at 6:34 pm:
I don’t know if we want a Republican candidate for governor who was in charge of this “unconstitutional” transportation plan. To me this spells a recipe for disaster. I fully realize party unity is important but what are we unifying around? McDonnell has been a total disaster handling the constitutional issues surrounding the #1 issue(transportation) in Virginia.
DITTO!
McDonnell and Bolling bring great strength to the ticket. McDonnell brings Hampton roads and his native Northern Virginia into play, while Bolling brings Richmond and his native Southwest Virginia. With both running as a ticket, there should be a great unifying effort in the Republican party. Today’s news is truly great for Virginia Republicans!
In terms of transportation, McDonnell showed leadership in getting his party to unify around a plan that the Governor ultimately tweaked. The AG’s office is supposed to defend the constitutionality of laws the General Assembly passes with the assumption that they are constitutional when they pass. The transportation bill still has been the best step forward in 20 years for Virginia infrastructure. McDonnell has had great accomplishments in making the Internet safer for our children, making reforms in mental health, combating gangs, and even finding solutions to immigration. He has had a proven record as AG and is ready for a greater challenge!
The first time I saw Bob McDonnell was a hot summer night in July ‘06 at a crowded library in Reston Town Center. Folks there were all over him on the illegal alien issue. They had the same complaints as we’ve heard over and over at the PWC BOCS citizens’ time: Overcrowding, degradation of neighborhoods and schools, crime, undercutting legitimate businessmen, etc. Bob’s answer was that there is very little that can be done at the State level, that it’s a federal problem. I got up and called him a few choice adjectives (spineless, Freddy Prinz not my job imitator, ostrich, etc.) to the applause of the crowd. Since then, he’s done a 180 on the issue and has urged Guvnor Goober to enter into a 287g agreement, lent support to local initiatives like our Rule of Law Resolution, and supported anti-illegal alien legislation. At least he’s a politician that sees the light when he feels the heat, and he’s not afraid to go out and listen to the folks. That puts him head and shoulders above anyone else ready to run for the position. I imagine he enjoys a good scotch every now and then, being Irish.
No good Irishman would drink Scotch. Bushmills or Jameson all the way…
Exactly. No good Irishman would drink Scotch! Pullllllllease!
I’m pleased with Bolling’s decision. He will win reelection.
McDonnell looks vulnerable to me and I don’t want to underestimate the effects of the transportation fiasco.
For attorney general, I am concerned. I think the Democrats take that one with either Shannon or, if they are smarter than they look, Peterson. I don’t agree with the people who think Cooch can win, especially against either of those opponents.
Cooch won his senate seat by 100 votes, he will not get the nod.