Virginia Republicans Nominate a Strong Ticket

On Saturday over ten thousand Virginia Republicans gathered at the Richmond coliseum to nominate candidates for Virginia's three statewide offices; Governor, Lt. Governor and Attorney General.

To the lead ticket, Virginia Republicans nominated Bob McDonnell for Governor, and Bill Bolling was nominated for Lt. Governor, a position he currently holds.

In accepting the Republican Party nomination, Bob McDonnell pledged to run a positive, issue oriented campaign telling delegates:

"To every Virginian who needs a job, to every small-business owner trying to make payroll, to every retiree alarmed at losses in their retirement account, to every homeowner concerned about their home value, to every parent writing that next tuition check ... this campaign is for you,"

The only race which was truly contested was for Attorney General. However, requiring only one ballot Ken Cuccinelli defeated former GOPAC-Virginia Chairman David M. Foster and former U.S. Attorney John Brownlee.

In addition, Pat Mullins was elected State Party Chairman.

The convention was the largest in 15 years, and Republicans were upbeat as the left the Richmond Coliseum.

As usual state Democrat leaders labeled the GOP ticket as 'divisive and right wing', but the Republican ticket is very strong, and privately Democrats have to be worried about getting swept in November.

(Photo by the Washington Times)

Virginia Gentleman Endorses Pat Mullins for Chairman.

I would like to announce my endorsement of Pat Mullins for Virginia State Party Chairman. I got to know Pat in Fairfax County, and saw first hand how he led the Republican Party in Fairfax county back to victory.

Pat has the grass-roots experience, and a record of success that we need in Richmond. He is a man of principle who has held fast to his conservative values while at the same time reached out to moderates and Independents. Pat believes in a big tent that includes conservatives.

I urge all my fellow Republicans to join me and vote for Pat Mullins on Saturday at the State convention.

Democrat Gubernatorial Candidates Struggling to Inspire Voters.

It seems all three Democrat Gubernatorial candidates are having problems inspiring Virginia voters. In today's Post there is speculation that turnout for the Democrat primary on June 9th will be very low.

I'm not surprised, McAulliffe, Deeds, and Moran are totally uninspiring. I find it hard to believe that many Virginians will take time out of their day to vote for any of these jokers.

McDonnell Maintains Lead

According to the latest poll, conducted by Research 2000, on the Virginia's Governors race, Republican Bob McDonnell maintains a lead over all potential Democrats in the race.

The poll also shows that on the Democrat side Terry McAuliffe is gaining on his two rivals, but his negatives remain very high.

McAuliffe Brags About Discriminating Against Non Union Workers

In his quest for union support, Democratic candidate for governor Terry McAuliffe boasted in the final debate of the primary season that he had created jobs in Florida and hired all unionized workers in an apparent violation of that state's right-to-work law. Florida, Virginia and twenty other states have laws that prohibit compulsory union membership as a condition of employment. To require union membership as a prerequisite for a job would be discriminatory against non-union applicants.

At the debate McAuliffe stated:

"I've gone into states like Florida -- right-to-work," McAuliffe said yesterday in a debate hosted by the Washington Post and News Channel 8 at Northern Virginia Community College's Annandale campus."And hired all union workers."

Washington Post Wonders if Deeds May be too Conservative to Win Dem Nomination

In a column in Today's Post,there is an article suggesting that Deeds's moderate(the Post calls it conservative) voting record might hurt him with Dem primary voters. I think it will, but for what it is worth I kind of like the Deeds voting record. According to the Post:

Those votes have included support for a family life program in schools that would define abstinence before marriage and fidelity within marriage as "moral obligations and not matters of personal opinion or personal choice," a mandate that the words "In God We Trust" be displayed prominently in every school and a bill to increase the penalty for killing a fetus.

Deeds voted to designate English as the official language of Virginia, to make illegal immigrants ineligible for state or local benefits, and against a bill to allow illegal immigrants to pay in-state college tuition rates. He voted to void contracts between members of the same sex that would have provided rights associated with marriage, such as hospital visits, and voted against adding sexual orientation to a list of hate crime categories.

Maybe he should consider joining the GOP. If so I might vote for him.

NRA Endorses Cuccinelli

The National Rifle Association has endorsed State Senator Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General.

"Your exemplary record of past service in the Virginia Senate clearly illustrates your commitment to protecting the rights of law-abiding firearm owners and sportsmen. Based upon your proven record and firm pledge to continue to serve as an advocate for Virginia's law-abiding gun owners, you have earned an A plus rating from the NRA-Political Victory Fund."

Good news for Cuccinelli. We need an Attorney General that will protect Virginians right to keep and bear arms.

Bolling Launches New Campaign Website

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today launched a new web site -
www.billbolling.com, which will serve as his official campaign web site
during his re-election campaign this year.

"I am very pleased to announce that our new campaign web site is now live,"
Bolling said. "Our new site is a state-of-the-art platform designed to
educate Virginians on my 'New Ideas For A Better Virginia' and communicate
with voters through a myriad of email, text messaging and social networking
services."

The theme of the new BillBolling.com is "New ideas For A Better Virginia".
The site includes information on Bolling's background and accomplishments in
state government and details his proposals to find realistic and workable
solutions to the challenges currently facing Virginia, get our economy
moving again and create jobs for Virginians.

Bolling's new website also utilizes state-of-the-art technological features
to communicate with Virginia voters. The site integrates social networking
pages (Facebook, MySpace, etc.), streaming video with YouTube and blip.tv,
photo links through Flickr and constant campaign updates through email,
Twitter and text messaging systems.

Please visit the new BillBolling.com at www.billbolling.com.

Bolling was elected Lieutenant Governor in 2005 after serving with
distinction in the State Senate for 10 years. He is running for re-election
to Virginia's second highest office this year on a unified ticket with
former Attorney General Bob McDonnell.

The Virginia Gentleman interviews GOP Chairman Pat Mullins

VG: Pat, congratulation on you appointment as State Party Chairman. I remember when you became Fairfax County Chairman in the 1990’s. Then, like now, you took over a divided party, coming off a losing streak. Do you see any similarities between then and now?

PM: There are some parallels, but some differences. Yes, it is true we were coming off a string of defeats, and the media was declaring us dead. Also, when I took over as Chairman we didn’t have much money.

However, there are some differences, if you remember; the county party was divided between conservatives and moderates. Once elected Chairman I reached out to my moderate opponent’s supporters, and worked to unify the party. In the current situation the state party is unified for the most part. Now there are some of Jeff Frederick’s supporters that feel let down by what happened, but I think we can heal the rift.

VG: What must our Party do to start winning again in Northern Virginia?

PM: First let me say that contrary to what the media says, social conservatives and fiscal conservatives aren’t afraid of each other. And for the most part can work together. I think we win in Northern Virginia by talking about taxes, spending and the need to control the growth of government.

VG: In the General Election do you expect Obama to spend much time on the campaign trail?

PM: Absolutely. There are only 2 gubernatorial elections this year. So it is very important, and since Obama is the first Democrat to carry Virginia in over 40 years I think the Democrats believe he is an asset, and heck Obama doesn’t have far to go to campaign in Virginia, just across a river. I expect him to make several visits to northern Virginia, several in tidewater, and maybe Roanoke.

VG: Will Bob McDonnell be able to raise enough money to combat national Democrat money?

PM: There will be a lot of National Democrat money coming into the state, especially if Terry McAuliffe is the nominee. In fact both Moran and Deeds have attacked McAuliffe over his out of state fundraising, but I am confident we can raise enough money to get our message out and win in November.

VG: Like me I understand you are a big Redskins fan. Any prediction on how they will do this year?

PM: Yes, I have been a Redskin fan since the Sonny Jorgensen and George Allen years, so I guess you could say I am a diehard Skins fan. How will they do this year? Well, I think at this time of the year we always start talking about a Superbowl, but realistically I think 10-6 and a wild card bid is possible. A lot of it depends on Jason Campbell doing well.

VG: Thanks for taking my questions and good luck.

PM: Thank You, my pleasure.

Photo by The Richmond Times Dispatch

Republicans Gain Two Seats on Alexandria City Council

In yesterdays city council elections Republicans did what I never thought was possible, that is picking up two council seats in liberal Alexandria.

Republican Frank Fannon, and Republican backed Alicia Hughes won enough votes to get on the council.

"A lot of people in Alexandria thought there was no way Republicans can win," Fannon said. "The citizens of Alexandria are ready for a change -- and not having a one-party system. People like to have options."

The Republican comeback continues here in Northern Virginia.

I think Brian Moran is Reading the Virginia Gentleman.

Earlier this week I urged Brian Moran to attack Terry McAuliffe over his investment in Global Crossing. And at last nights debate he did just that, according to the Washington Post:

"Moran, a former delegate from Alexandria, repeatedly questioned the millions of dollars McAuliffe made in his investment in failed telecommunications giant Global Crossing."

It seems that McAuliffe turned a $100,000 initial investment in the company into $18 million in less than a year and a half—a nifty 18,000% profit. After McAuliffe sold his stock the company went broke.

Good job Brian, keep it up!