ENDORSEMENT: Give GOP a sweep with McDonnell for governor
Published: October 24, 2009
» Bob McDonnell’s candidacy continues its march to Richmond, while Creigh Deeds’ indecision and attacks do little good.
When Virginians head to the polls Nov. 3, all signs point to Republican Bob McDonnell being rewarded for calmly dictating the tone of the governor’s race, connecting with voters through his quiet confidence, integrity, polished leadership and vision for economic growth in the commonwealth.
Throughout the campaign, Democratic opponent Creigh Deeds has gone to great lengths — too far, opinion surveys suggest — to boost his sluggish numbers by painting McDonnell as just to the right of Attila the Hun.
It’s true this year’s GOP gubernatorial candidate can be pegged as conservative. It’s also true that, like McDonnell, much of America in the past two decades has softened on certain social issues while keeping their faith-based, conservative principles as a solid political foundation. People can and do change.
Clearly, McDonnell’s 1989 thesis hasn’t generated enough of an outrage to win this election alone for Deeds. Too bad he’s virtually built his campaign around it, choosing to sling mud instead of expounding on his platform.
Overall, McDonnell’s plan for Virginia is the stronger one, and he brings innovative ideas for how to fund transportation without raising taxes. That said, he should not refuse to consider the dreaded “T” word for much-needed road construction if his plans fail to generate significant revenues and the state’s infrastructure continues to crumble.
On issues like unions, health care, offshore drilling and limited government, McDonnell, unlike Deeds, does not have to try to appear conservative. He’s already there, not saying one thing to please centrist voters and another to pacify the core of his party.
We predict a new day will soon dawn in Richmond, with McDonnell joining Ken Cuccinelli as attorney general and Bill Bolling as lieutenant governor to make it a clean sweep for the GOP.
» Editor’s note: Political endorsements are decided by the Star-Exponent’s five-member editorial board and are not affiliated with the news-reporting process.
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Reader Reactions
It is hard to believe that the CSE would talk about Deeds slinging mud when they have had ads everyday from McDonnell lying (factcheck.org) about Deeds costing VA families $7800/yr.
No Brew he wasn’t. Don’t forget that unlike you I actually voted, yet did not vote for Obama. Since I don’t toss the rhetoric bombs around I am probably better qualified to make a non-partisan call than you. Don’t assume everyone else is as low-class you. Obama ran pretty much above the mud slinging and stayed positive. He didn’t seem to be much for the name calling. McCain was the same way until the dregs of the GOP and “conservatism” realized that if they didn’t act like they supported him they would have no one.
El Debibble, You and anyone else that believes Presidential Candidate Obama was not talking directly about Sarah Palin with the lipstick comment need a dose of reality. Take two tablespoons after breakfast and two more after dinner. Continue until you can face reality.
Way to go Brew, out of all the examples possible you mananged to pick one that fails to make your point.
Obama was not referring to Palin personally and McCain who used the same saying a few years before about Hillary’s health care plan was not referring personally to Clinton.
So yeah, it probably is an arguement they would want to start…if they were arguing with you.
It was a given that the CSE would support the Republican. Cuccinelli and his purely social agenda make McDonnell llke a moderate and they supported him. The “new day” will be the majority of Virginians counting the days until they can correct their mistakes.
And then Democratic Presidential Nominee can say “You can put lipstick on a pig, and it is still a pig.“ when faced with Sarah Palin as an opponent.
But that is okay isn’t it because she is a right-wing anti-abortion member of the NRA?
People can go tit for tat on mudslinging examples by politicians from both sides. I don’t think this is an argument you want to start.
And of course, Mr. Deeds stutters. It’s ok that McDonnell’s campaign made fun of that, right?
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