The Gov.-elect would like to see an end to the law that keeps Virginia Governors from serving consecutive terms. This really is not a new viewpoint amongst previous Governors, but I believe McDonnell is just simply voicing his viewpoint, and not creating a point of contention between himself and the General Assembly (which traditionally has not supported such a change).
I do believe that his proposal to change the years that the biennial budgets from odd to even years (to avoid saddling an incoming governor with a previous governor's budget) is a very smart proposal and one that I believe will be McDonnell's key focus (along with job growth and transportation improvements) in his first year as Governor.
(h/t Delmarva Dealings)
Showing posts with label 2009 election. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2009 election. Show all posts
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Cooch Wrong on Assessment of Deeds
Apparently, AG-elect Ken Cuccinelli thinks that Creigh Deeds would have won if he had moved farther to the left in his stances during the campaign. Either Cooch is trying to throw the Dems off by giving them intentionally bad advice, or he really doesn't know Virginia as well as he thinks he does.
See, the past two governors of this state have campaigned and won on being centrist as Democrats can get. Very "third way", blue dog images. Virginia is, much to the chagrin of "progressives", not nearly as "blue" as they would like to think it is. It's a reddish-purple.
Deeds, IMO, ran to the left of his pre-election image. If he was trying to run as a centrist, he would've used his more conservative views in his campaigning. Instead, he focused on wedge issues like McDonnell's social issues (which were never an issue with him as a legislator, anyway) and touted run-of-the-mill Democratic Party stances such as more progressive taxation and the like (even though he didn't come right out and say it). He did try to carry on the "Warner-Kaine Tradition", as they like to call it, and focusing on that would have HELPED him with independents, which would have given him a much better edge.
However, with the tide turning against the Democratic Party both on a statewide and national level, I don't think any Democratic Party candidate would have had a chance. Even the mighty fundraiser himself, Terry McAuliffe, wouldn't have had much of a chance...McDonnell fundraising resources that he would've been able to tap into on a national level to match McAuliffe. The national GOP was ready to push hard for McDonnell if he needed it.
(h/t Blue Virginia)
See, the past two governors of this state have campaigned and won on being centrist as Democrats can get. Very "third way", blue dog images. Virginia is, much to the chagrin of "progressives", not nearly as "blue" as they would like to think it is. It's a reddish-purple.
Deeds, IMO, ran to the left of his pre-election image. If he was trying to run as a centrist, he would've used his more conservative views in his campaigning. Instead, he focused on wedge issues like McDonnell's social issues (which were never an issue with him as a legislator, anyway) and touted run-of-the-mill Democratic Party stances such as more progressive taxation and the like (even though he didn't come right out and say it). He did try to carry on the "Warner-Kaine Tradition", as they like to call it, and focusing on that would have HELPED him with independents, which would have given him a much better edge.
However, with the tide turning against the Democratic Party both on a statewide and national level, I don't think any Democratic Party candidate would have had a chance. Even the mighty fundraiser himself, Terry McAuliffe, wouldn't have had much of a chance...McDonnell fundraising resources that he would've been able to tap into on a national level to match McAuliffe. The national GOP was ready to push hard for McDonnell if he needed it.
(h/t Blue Virginia)
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Is Kaine Insane in the Brain?
Tim Kaine claims he would have easily been reelected if he would have been able to run in November. While Kaine has had his moments of popularity in this state, he's been on a downward slide since his handling of the aftermath of the Virginia Tech shootings.
Kaine failed to live up to the promises he made to the left of the Democratic Party, and found ways to draw the ire of the state GOP. He squandered the budget and failed to get anything substantial moving on transportation. He would not have been able to rally the independents like he did in 2005, as they had grown disenchanted with both him and the Democrats.
Would Kaine have lost by the same margin as Deeds? Probably not, as he had name recognition. However, Kaine would have lost by 6-8 percent. I'm pretty sure of that. Timmy's got an awful high opinion of himself to make such a bold statement.
Kaine failed to live up to the promises he made to the left of the Democratic Party, and found ways to draw the ire of the state GOP. He squandered the budget and failed to get anything substantial moving on transportation. He would not have been able to rally the independents like he did in 2005, as they had grown disenchanted with both him and the Democrats.
Would Kaine have lost by the same margin as Deeds? Probably not, as he had name recognition. However, Kaine would have lost by 6-8 percent. I'm pretty sure of that. Timmy's got an awful high opinion of himself to make such a bold statement.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
McAuliffe Files...Dems Have a Problem
Former DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe has filed his committee papers and looks to be throwing his hat into the ring as a potential Democratic Party nominee for the governor's race in 2009.
So now, you've got McAuliffe (potentially, and most likely), running against Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds in the Dem primaries...meanwhile, current state Attorney General Bob McDonnell will being going unopposed for the GOP nomination.
This could create a real problem for the Democrats in this state, as now you've got a bit of a division. Moran would have had NoVa sewn up in the primary voting, but McAuliffe eats right into that base. Also, most of your Blue Dogs and rural Democrats will be going for Deeds.
The key is which one of these 3 will snatch up the vote in the Tidewater area? I believe that's going to be up to Deeds or McAuliffe, as well. Also, the Richmond/Petersburg area will be key, and I would imagine that area will lean towards McAuliffe or Deeds as well, as Moran will probably be seen as too liberal for these more conservative, albiet left-leaning, areas.
Deeds and Moran will lose votes as McAuliffe occupies the space between them on the "center-to-left" spectrum. Also, while I thought that Governor Tim Kaine might implicitly back Deeds, now you can't be so sure. Remember that McAuliffe funneled $5 million in DNC funds to Kaine when he ran in 2005, which is a record sum for a non-Presidential race. Basically, Kaine OWES McAuliffe a LOT...which will hurt Deeds in the process.
Hurting Deeds will hurt the Dem's chances with swing voters if he isn't nominated. Kaine and Mark Warner were seen as centrists, and Deeds fits that mold. However, neither Moran or McAuliffe can be classified as such. While Virginia is a purplish-blue state right now, it is still more of a Blue Dog than a Deep Blue state, and the Dems cannot afford to move too far to the left in a statewide campaign such as this.
So now, you've got McAuliffe (potentially, and most likely), running against Del. Brian Moran and Sen. Creigh Deeds in the Dem primaries...meanwhile, current state Attorney General Bob McDonnell will being going unopposed for the GOP nomination.
This could create a real problem for the Democrats in this state, as now you've got a bit of a division. Moran would have had NoVa sewn up in the primary voting, but McAuliffe eats right into that base. Also, most of your Blue Dogs and rural Democrats will be going for Deeds.
The key is which one of these 3 will snatch up the vote in the Tidewater area? I believe that's going to be up to Deeds or McAuliffe, as well. Also, the Richmond/Petersburg area will be key, and I would imagine that area will lean towards McAuliffe or Deeds as well, as Moran will probably be seen as too liberal for these more conservative, albiet left-leaning, areas.
Deeds and Moran will lose votes as McAuliffe occupies the space between them on the "center-to-left" spectrum. Also, while I thought that Governor Tim Kaine might implicitly back Deeds, now you can't be so sure. Remember that McAuliffe funneled $5 million in DNC funds to Kaine when he ran in 2005, which is a record sum for a non-Presidential race. Basically, Kaine OWES McAuliffe a LOT...which will hurt Deeds in the process.
Hurting Deeds will hurt the Dem's chances with swing voters if he isn't nominated. Kaine and Mark Warner were seen as centrists, and Deeds fits that mold. However, neither Moran or McAuliffe can be classified as such. While Virginia is a purplish-blue state right now, it is still more of a Blue Dog than a Deep Blue state, and the Dems cannot afford to move too far to the left in a statewide campaign such as this.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
George Allen NOT Going to Run for Governor
He announced this earlier today.
Which is fine, with Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling looking at bids for the GOP nomination, we don't need any more contention. McDonnell and Bolling are both pretty popular across the state as-is.
Which is fine, with Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling looking at bids for the GOP nomination, we don't need any more contention. McDonnell and Bolling are both pretty popular across the state as-is.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Wow, Bob McDonnell's Got Some Support!
They really let it be known that the current Attorney General of Virginia and probable Gubernatorial candidate (I say probable, as he's all but guaranteed a run), is their man for Governor in 2009. My comments section had quite a few McDonnell supporters providing me reasons why McDonnell is a better choice for the Republicans than current Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling.
One post in the comments section suggested that Bolling will try to keep the LG's seat in 2009. A bit odd to assume that, since usually LG's want to move beyond that post once they've ascended to that position.
However, I have to assume that despite the respect both men hold in the eyes of the GOP, Bob McDonnell is the definite early favorite for the GOP nomination. The reason, from the McDonnell supporters, seems to be that McDonnell has stepped up and been a leader and more vocal about his stand on issues, whereas Bolling has not been has vocal and upfront on his various stances and has not shown as much in the way of "leadership" qualities to many people.
One post in the comments section suggested that Bolling will try to keep the LG's seat in 2009. A bit odd to assume that, since usually LG's want to move beyond that post once they've ascended to that position.
However, I have to assume that despite the respect both men hold in the eyes of the GOP, Bob McDonnell is the definite early favorite for the GOP nomination. The reason, from the McDonnell supporters, seems to be that McDonnell has stepped up and been a leader and more vocal about his stand on issues, whereas Bolling has not been has vocal and upfront on his various stances and has not shown as much in the way of "leadership" qualities to many people.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Creigh Deeds Announces Candidacy for Governor
From the welcome page at Deeds' campaign website.
We have much to celebrate here in Virginia. After six years of progressive leadership under the watch of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, our future has never been brighter. I’m running for Governor to keep Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family…the best place for all of us to call home.
Friends and supporters from every corner of the Commonwealth say the reason we’ve been so successful these past few years is because we’ve focused on building consensus and delivering results. They’re right: the only way to keep Virginia moving forward and to tackle the challenges of the 21st Century is to continue the Warner/Kaine brand of leadership. Now that Mark Warner is running for the U.S. Senate and we’ve delivered new partners for Governor Kaine in the State Senate, I’m ready to provide that same leadership if given the privilege to serve as your next Governor.
Well, I don't know about all of that talk about the greatness of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, but I will say that Creigh Deeds is a better choice for Virginia than some of the other rumored Dem candidates (I'm looking at you, Brian Moran).
Deeds is currently a State Senator from the 25th District, which covers Allegheny/Bath/Nelson Counties as well as large parts of Rockbridge and Albemarle Counties and 2 precincts in Buckingham County, this includes the cities of Covington, Clifton Forge, Charlottesville, and Buena Vista.
Deeds, unlike most Dems in the House of Delegates, knows and gets rural voters. He is surrounded by a lot of VERY red Republican districts. He does have statewide name recognition for his run at the Attorney General's office in 2005, where he lost to Bob McDonnell by an extremely close margin.
A lot of NoVA Dems have scoffed at the idea of a Deeds run in favor of Delegate Brian Moran, the Democratic House Caucus chairman and a popular figure in Fairfax County Dem circles.
Two things make a Moran/Deeds primary interesting.
- Moran opted not to run for AG in '05 because he is friends with Deeds and Deeds had already announce. If Moran decides to run, I wonder what kind of friction this would cause.
- The brewing storm within the Democratic Party known as NoVA (Northern Virginia) vs. RoVA (Rest of Virginia). Deeds vs. Moran is the epitome of this schism.
Read more reaction to Deeds' announcement at SkepticalObservor, Raising Kaine, Rule .303, Virginia Virtucon, The Colette, Cobalt6, Virginia Politics, and Not Larry Sabato.
We have much to celebrate here in Virginia. After six years of progressive leadership under the watch of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, our future has never been brighter. I’m running for Governor to keep Virginia the best place to live, work and raise a family…the best place for all of us to call home.
Friends and supporters from every corner of the Commonwealth say the reason we’ve been so successful these past few years is because we’ve focused on building consensus and delivering results. They’re right: the only way to keep Virginia moving forward and to tackle the challenges of the 21st Century is to continue the Warner/Kaine brand of leadership. Now that Mark Warner is running for the U.S. Senate and we’ve delivered new partners for Governor Kaine in the State Senate, I’m ready to provide that same leadership if given the privilege to serve as your next Governor.
Well, I don't know about all of that talk about the greatness of Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, but I will say that Creigh Deeds is a better choice for Virginia than some of the other rumored Dem candidates (I'm looking at you, Brian Moran).
Deeds is currently a State Senator from the 25th District, which covers Allegheny/Bath/Nelson Counties as well as large parts of Rockbridge and Albemarle Counties and 2 precincts in Buckingham County, this includes the cities of Covington, Clifton Forge, Charlottesville, and Buena Vista.
Deeds, unlike most Dems in the House of Delegates, knows and gets rural voters. He is surrounded by a lot of VERY red Republican districts. He does have statewide name recognition for his run at the Attorney General's office in 2005, where he lost to Bob McDonnell by an extremely close margin.
A lot of NoVA Dems have scoffed at the idea of a Deeds run in favor of Delegate Brian Moran, the Democratic House Caucus chairman and a popular figure in Fairfax County Dem circles.
Two things make a Moran/Deeds primary interesting.
- Moran opted not to run for AG in '05 because he is friends with Deeds and Deeds had already announce. If Moran decides to run, I wonder what kind of friction this would cause.
- The brewing storm within the Democratic Party known as NoVA (Northern Virginia) vs. RoVA (Rest of Virginia). Deeds vs. Moran is the epitome of this schism.
Read more reaction to Deeds' announcement at SkepticalObservor, Raising Kaine, Rule .303, Virginia Virtucon, The Colette, Cobalt6, Virginia Politics, and Not Larry Sabato.
Monday, December 3, 2007
If You Needed a Reason to Vote for Bob McDonnell for any Office
Extreme Mortman has a pic of current Attorney General of Virginia's wife, Maureen, when she was a Redskin's cheerleader back in 1974.
I agree with NLS, that should be on every piece of Bob McDonnell campaign literature should he run for Governor in 2009 (which it looks like he will).
I agree with NLS, that should be on every piece of Bob McDonnell campaign literature should he run for Governor in 2009 (which it looks like he will).
Thursday, August 2, 2007
AG McDonnell's Live Blog at Daily Whackjob
I must say that, despite the 1 hour time constraint that McDonnell had, he answered a good number of questions with solid answers. I liked his answer to my "cross-aisle" appeal question should he run for Governor in 2009, and the allusion to his "very civil relationship" with Governor Tim Kaine, even though they publicly disagree on issues (as he puts it, they disagree "amicably, because that's what Virginians expect and deserve from their statewide leaders").
His stance on the smoking ban is the same as mine (and many others, like phriendlyjaime).
Eileen's question on DGIF (which I felt she was trying to get the AG to say something she could jump on) was handled very well by the AG, when he replied with one sentence..."The long-standing, bipartisan, policy of this office is we do not comment on ongoing investigations."
So McDonnell doesn't have The Podium or Daily Whackjob as a favorite blog...boo! He does read some excellent blogs, such as Mason Conservative, Bearing Drift, and Sic Semper Tyrannis. I do like that he does have his staff keep an eye on the blogs, McDonnell knows the value of blogs in measuring the public mood.
Read all of McDonnell's answers here.
His stance on the smoking ban is the same as mine (and many others, like phriendlyjaime).
Eileen's question on DGIF (which I felt she was trying to get the AG to say something she could jump on) was handled very well by the AG, when he replied with one sentence..."The long-standing, bipartisan, policy of this office is we do not comment on ongoing investigations."
So McDonnell doesn't have The Podium or Daily Whackjob as a favorite blog...boo! He does read some excellent blogs, such as Mason Conservative, Bearing Drift, and Sic Semper Tyrannis. I do like that he does have his staff keep an eye on the blogs, McDonnell knows the value of blogs in measuring the public mood.
Read all of McDonnell's answers here.
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
Memo...
Would someone tell Virginia Oddsmaker that, while STD says "no" to Myron (Republitarian) and Arin Sime...Myron, Whackette (from Daily Whackjob), and myself all say "it's time for Sime". I'd say Sime's odds are at least 10-1 (if not better) if David Cox has been running 6-1 odds.
:) Just having fun with the VOM guys, they're quickly becoming one of the most influential blogs in Virginia.
:) Just having fun with the VOM guys, they're quickly becoming one of the most influential blogs in Virginia.
AG Bob McDonnell Q-and-A at Daily Whackjob
The current Attorney General and potential 2009 Gubernatorial candidate answers your questions at Daily Whackjob!
Click here to post your questions.
Click here to post your questions.
Monday, July 30, 2007
Thoughts on Creigh Deeds' Live Blog at DWJ...
The potential candidate for AG/Governor in 2009 answered reader questions at DWJ last week...my personal thoughts on his answers are a bit mixed. Some answers I liked, some I didn't.
- In response to my question about what would make him a candidate that is appealing to Republicans/conservatives/right-leaning moderates...he responded that it's the same thing that makes him appealing to the left...that he "gets things done". That's all well and good, and certainly admirable given the lack of "things getting done" by our government at times. However, I felt his answer was a bit of a "canned" answer. I was hoping that he would elaborate a bit on his personal stances, and how they would appeal to someone with a right-slanting P.O.V.
- His reference that the media does not focus enough on the bipartisan efforts of government to improve the lives of it's citizens was pretty much right on target, though.
- I felt Brian Kirwin's question about Deed's speech at Blogs United was a bit much, all things considered...Deeds' reply was good, and made his point very clear.
- The joke that, if he were a Republican, he would have a pet elephant named "Ron" (since he's a Democrat with a pet donkey named Harry S. Truman) was funny.
- Deeds seems to have no problems pinning the bipartisan disaster that these abuser fees have turned into on the Republicans. His statement of incorporating out-of-state drivers into these sources of revenue for transportation funding is a bit ironic...considering it was Tim Kaine that struck it out of the abuser fee legislation.
- He almost too matter-of-factly answered Jay Hughes' question about doing 82 in a 65, but it was the right answer to that question.
Overall, I don't think Deeds is a bad guy at all. He does hold pretty well to the party line, but he is a pretty efficient politician when it comes to pushing his agendas. I respect his direct answers to most of the questions (he was probably the least direct, in my opinion, when it came to my question). Would I vote for him for Governor? Probably not, as his political beliefs are just too different from mine...however, I do think that his directness and efficiency do make him a power player in the 2009 elections, and if he ran for a position like Attorney General, I don't think I would have a problem with electing him to that position (so long as Mark Obenshain isn't running).
Just my opinion.
- In response to my question about what would make him a candidate that is appealing to Republicans/conservatives/right-leaning moderates...he responded that it's the same thing that makes him appealing to the left...that he "gets things done". That's all well and good, and certainly admirable given the lack of "things getting done" by our government at times. However, I felt his answer was a bit of a "canned" answer. I was hoping that he would elaborate a bit on his personal stances, and how they would appeal to someone with a right-slanting P.O.V.
- His reference that the media does not focus enough on the bipartisan efforts of government to improve the lives of it's citizens was pretty much right on target, though.
- I felt Brian Kirwin's question about Deed's speech at Blogs United was a bit much, all things considered...Deeds' reply was good, and made his point very clear.
- The joke that, if he were a Republican, he would have a pet elephant named "Ron" (since he's a Democrat with a pet donkey named Harry S. Truman) was funny.
- Deeds seems to have no problems pinning the bipartisan disaster that these abuser fees have turned into on the Republicans. His statement of incorporating out-of-state drivers into these sources of revenue for transportation funding is a bit ironic...considering it was Tim Kaine that struck it out of the abuser fee legislation.
- He almost too matter-of-factly answered Jay Hughes' question about doing 82 in a 65, but it was the right answer to that question.
Overall, I don't think Deeds is a bad guy at all. He does hold pretty well to the party line, but he is a pretty efficient politician when it comes to pushing his agendas. I respect his direct answers to most of the questions (he was probably the least direct, in my opinion, when it came to my question). Would I vote for him for Governor? Probably not, as his political beliefs are just too different from mine...however, I do think that his directness and efficiency do make him a power player in the 2009 elections, and if he ran for a position like Attorney General, I don't think I would have a problem with electing him to that position (so long as Mark Obenshain isn't running).
Just my opinion.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Creigh Deeds at Daily Whackjob
Leave your questions here today, and Deeds will be answering them tomorrow.
So far, the first 3 questions all deal with a possible 2009 run at the Governor's mansion.
So far, the first 3 questions all deal with a possible 2009 run at the Governor's mansion.
Monday, July 16, 2007
Gilmore Gone...For Now
Ok, so Jim Gilmore is out of a presidential primary race that he really, to be honest, had no chance to win anyway. However, now the chatter is regarding a possible Gilmore run in 2008 for the retiring John Warner, or even another run at the Governor's mansion in 2009.
Either way, Gilmore evokes strong emotions on both sides of the coin. This is a gift and a curse for Gilmore, and much of his success depends on who wins the Presidency in 2008 and what kind of job they do. It also depends on who runs against him.
If a centrist Democrat ran against Gilmore, he would be in trouble. Gilmore is a solid conservative, and that stance will only help him if a Republican wins the 2008 Presidential election and manages to become at least mildly popular with the public. If a Democrat wins, Gilmore has to deal with a more left-friendly voting public.
If Gilmore draws an opponent who is a further-left Democrat, he could capitalize on that polarization, as I believe that Virginia voters (as a whole) would prefer a solid conservative over a solid liberal, if given the choice. This state is pretty much a "purple state", but it's still got heavier shades of red within that purple fabric.
Gilmore, however, has been around since the 90's as a name in the mouths of the political pundits of our state. Many believe that, in order for the GOP to have future success in Virginia, they need to bring out more "fresh faces".
Then again, we haven't seen much of Gilmore outside of the primary debates...so even though he's not a "fresh face", he's also been out of Virginia politics for quite a few years, now. Maybe Gilmore could reintroduce himself to the voting public. To be honest, it's not like there are many other GOP choices out there that aren't already stalwarts and common names in the Virginia political scene.
Either way, Gilmore evokes strong emotions on both sides of the coin. This is a gift and a curse for Gilmore, and much of his success depends on who wins the Presidency in 2008 and what kind of job they do. It also depends on who runs against him.
If a centrist Democrat ran against Gilmore, he would be in trouble. Gilmore is a solid conservative, and that stance will only help him if a Republican wins the 2008 Presidential election and manages to become at least mildly popular with the public. If a Democrat wins, Gilmore has to deal with a more left-friendly voting public.
If Gilmore draws an opponent who is a further-left Democrat, he could capitalize on that polarization, as I believe that Virginia voters (as a whole) would prefer a solid conservative over a solid liberal, if given the choice. This state is pretty much a "purple state", but it's still got heavier shades of red within that purple fabric.
Gilmore, however, has been around since the 90's as a name in the mouths of the political pundits of our state. Many believe that, in order for the GOP to have future success in Virginia, they need to bring out more "fresh faces".
Then again, we haven't seen much of Gilmore outside of the primary debates...so even though he's not a "fresh face", he's also been out of Virginia politics for quite a few years, now. Maybe Gilmore could reintroduce himself to the voting public. To be honest, it's not like there are many other GOP choices out there that aren't already stalwarts and common names in the Virginia political scene.
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