He has yet to been sworn in as the 71st governor of Virginia, but the Republican Party appears to have found its newest superstar in Bob McDonnell.
With his resounding win Tuesday in the battleground state of Virginia - a victory that halted a decade of gains for Democrats - top Republicans are boasting that McDonnell has uncovered a winning GOP formula for 2010 and beyond.
The blueprint, his supporters argue, is fairly simple: stay loyal to conservative principles, maintain a personal appeal that connects with voters, and focus like a laser on kitchen table issues.
In other words, do what's worked in the past, but be more telegenic. If that's all superstar status requires, then the next president will be from central casting.
But along with the new status come the hangers-on, and they are an unsavory bunch, with this guy among the vanguard:
"McDonnell is a candidate who is very conservative, but he's while he's philosophically sound, he's temperamentally moderate," said Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition director who is a longtime friend of McDonnell's. "He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy. I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward."
That Ralph Reed is slithering through Virginia again ought to give folks pause. Seriously.
Even more so if any of this comes to pass:
Some Republicans in Washington are already chattering about how McDonnell could boost the 2012 Republican ticket as a vice presidential candidate, a scenario that might put Virginia back in the GOP column after Barack Obama won the state in 2008. Others believe he could be a presidential candidate himself down the road.
Good lord.
And what's this? Yet another George Allen sighting?
"Bob was advocating ideas of jobs, economy, energy, education and transportation that people cared about," he said. "The lesson from Bob's campaign is, offer ideas but keep your party united and attract independent voters."
Every day, it seems, we get closer to the return of George Allen to Virginia's political stage. Is that good or bad? I'm not sure. I was under the impression, imparted by people close to him, that he enjoyed life away from political office. But that was a couple of years ago.
11 comments:
Now this sounds like an essay from the "Old" (more moderate) Norm we all knew and loved....But perhaps Norm's not just being temperate...smart conservatives know that this is the approach (distancing themselves from the wingnuts) that will actually preserve their viability. Look out conservatives! Your own fringe movement may split off and do to you what our own "Ralph"...(Nader) has been doing to us for years..siphoning off votes that are needed in close elections.
Why can't the two Ralphs recognize that most people (in both parties) are more middle of the road than either of them? Because their EGOS won't let them!
I wish this article could be distributed to all Republicans in the Commonwealth & be req'd reading.
har. "slithering" har.
When were you moderate Norm?
The return of George Allen, eh, nothing to get excited about.
I did vote for Clinton in 1992...and Nader in the DC primary that year (I was young, single and what the heck, it was DC, after all).
Prediction: Keep those criticisms of a "part-time governor" handy. By spring 2010 McDonnell will be making speaking engagements in Iowa and New Hampshire.
"The blueprint, his supporters argue, is fairly simple: stay loyal to conservative principles..."
Did these people watch the same campaign we did?? Bob ran to the middle faster than than a cat springs out of a bathtub. He and his campaign consultants even admitted it several times in the media.
He also wouldn't sign a pledge not to raise taxes, and when asked if he would swear off taxes without signing a pledge, he would only say "I'm not PLANNING to raise taxes. That's the best I can tell you." (My emphasis.)
He also totally disavowed his socially conservative college thesis and said he had changed his views since then. However, many of his socially conservative voters AGREED with his thesis, so wasn't he disavowing their beliefs?
Additionally, a few weeks ago in a campaign rally with John McCain, he stated that he is a believer in global warming and that we must stop it. When did the conservatives adopt that plank on their platform?
McDonnell is certainly a better choice than Creigh Deeds, but he will require constant supervision over the next four years to ensure he doesn't grow government and taxes.
Brian, I agree with your statement that McD (and ALL) politicians will need supervision.
and Norm: do you think the "slithering" comment is what is driving up the traffic today?
Kelley, I don't know about the traffic. But I stick by "slithering."
P.S. - I want to be clear that although I am hammering on Bob McDonnell, I think he is a decent person. I also think George Bush is a decent person. However, I do not think that either has a firm understanding of the concepts of the free market and individual liberty that made this country great.
If you are running a state or a nation and call yourself a conservative, it is unacceptable to be ignorant of these concepts.
Even hinting that (1) we are not taxed enough, or (2) that it is the government's responsibility to ensure everyone can afford college, or (3) that government can create jobs better than the private sector by favoring select industries with targeted tax credits, or (4) that the Supreme Court's decision to "allow" people to use contraception is "taking the concept of individual freedom too far," shows a complete lack of understanding for someone who wants such a powerful influence over our lives.
McDonnell may be a nice guy, but he MUST gain a deeper understanding our founding principles before he takes office. That will take him from the realm of nice guy to that of great governor.
More reactions from both sides: http://www.newsy.com/videos/gubernatorial_victories_could_be_big_for_republican_party
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