Bob McDonnell's right wing exports

Bob McDonnell talks about building business in the Old Dominion, but it appears he's spending time, money, and energy trying to export his right wing views to other states. According to the Green Mountain Daily, the Times Argus, and others the Virginia governor is helping raise funds for ultra conservative Vermont gubernatorial candidate Brian Dubie.

Taliban Bob has been blasted in Virginia as well as across the county and been reduced to fodder for comedians for his controversial, backwards, and downright stupid statements on issues such as sexual orientation, Confederate history month, and women's rights. Well out of the mainstream, many national politicians are distancing themselves from our governor. I guess Bob hopes to get Dubie elected so he'll have someone to sit with at meetings of the National Governors Association.

Governor McDonnell, now is not the time for you to spend any time or energy in the politics of another state. Virginia's budget remains in disarray with education (teacher layoffs), roads (still potholes here), and public safety (sheriffs' budgets cut, judgeships unfilled) demanding attention. While many of us would be glad to see you somewhere/anywhere else, the hard truth is you are the only governor we've got and we expect your focus - 100% of the time - on Virginia's problems. Besides, your controversial record doesn't exactly support Vermont's motto, "Freedom and Unity."

Re-post: Bob McDonnell speaks out of both sides of his mouth

I originally posted this on March 14 when Bob McDonnell had just breezed down Rt. 11 reassuring right wingers that he was an ultraconservative although he appeared to be running as a Mark Warner moderate. It bears repeating. Perhaps it helps explain all the litter spewing forth from his campaign. My post was based on notes taken by a friend who "snuck" into the room at the Augusta Co. Government Center.

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GOP gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell has been cruising the state conducting grassroots meetings with Republican activists. Although billed as open meetings, they are not widely advertised except by their internal messages, word of mouth, and occasionally on blogs.

You may recall an earlier CCC post about McDonnell telling the Washington Post that he is a moderate. That article was reprinted in newspapers around the state. Well, the wingnuts of the GOP apparently don't like the sound of "moderate" one bit!

According to some who have been to the meetings, folks are showing up with the article in hand, wanting to know what he meant by claiming to be a moderate, and demanding that he explain himself. McDonnell, after assuring himself the door is closed, usually says something about the press not be present so he can tell those present the truth. He then launches into a tirade defending his commitment to ultraconservative principles on the hardcore social and economic issues that are red meat for the right wing who have shown up.

I'm not sure who should be more pissed off about Bob McDonnell's duplicity: the media for being lied to, the GOP conservatives for being stabbed in the back for political expedience, the readers of newspapers because reporters don't ask the tough questions, or the voters who are being sold a bill of goods by a slick talking two-faced liar.

McDonnell's Consistent Record

In yesterday's News Leader, the superintendent of Staunton Public Schools, Steven Nichols said he didn't want to sound "doom and gloom" but it was hard to read the article without getting that distinct feeling. The only thing that kept Staunton and most other school districts from large scale layoffs, big cuts in academic and sports programs, and other drastic measures was the federal stimulus money. I guess Nichols didn't totally believe his reassuring words either, because, as he anticipated future budgets he said, "we're in real trouble."

So, that got me to wondering about Bob McDonnells' commitment to k-12 education in the Commonwealth. I know Creigh Deeds is a strong supporter of children and public education - I have had the privilege of occasionally working on education issues with him since he served in the House of Delegates. But, what about Bob McDonnell? In these tough economic times, it is important to know where the men stand and how much of a priority education is while writing a budget.

In his infamous 1989 thesis McDonnell wrote that public schools should only provide a "minimum level of self-sufficiency." He also implied that increased school funding was linked to failing SAT scores. What the cluck? He thinks minimum self-sufficiency is good enough for Virginia's kids? If Bob McDonnell and his friends had been steering the ship of state, Virginia would never have been named the best place for a child to be born and grow up. We'd probably never have been named the best place to do business either... a quality and well educated (not minimum education/skills) is essential to attracting new business and keeping our existing ones.

Bob McDonnell has dishonestly making himself appear to be a moderate much like Mark Warner. But, when it comes to funding public eduction, Bob McDonnell has never delivered. For example, McDonnell opposed Warner's budget amendment that committed an additional $1.5 billion to education, the largest increase in Virginia history. To paraphrase a famous gentleman from Texas, I know Mark Warner, Bob McDonnell is no Mark Warner... not when is comes to a commitment to K-12 education. Or, in any other way!

Bob McDonnell's "plan" for fixing Virginia's transportation problems is to borrow (get out the credit card) and to take $5.4 billion out of the General Fund. Now all that sounds painless, right? Well, economists understand (even if McDonnell doesn't) that everything has a cost, known as opportunity cost. Since the General Fund pays for K-12 and higher education, for public safety, for parks, and most other core services, if McDonnell robs Peter to pay Paul the cost will be borne by local schools, by Sheriff's Departments, and by local government. What? The McDonnell plan will mean fewer teachers, fewer deputies on patrol, and may force my county to raise taxes? Yep... it is dishonest budgeting that I'd call shift and shaft. No wonder a number of fiscally responsible Republican leaders who understand the state budget are supporting Creigh Deeds, his sound transportation plan, and his career-long commitment to education.

We can at least say Bob McDonnell is consistent. Consistently bad for public education.

Questions for Taliban Bob

The more Virginian's learn about Bob McDonnell, the more questions they have. It isn't about "character" as McDonnell says in an ad - nobody was questioning that (but now that you mention it...!). The questions Virginians have raised concern McDonnell's beliefs and his agenda if elected. It isn't just about McDonnell's thesis, it is also about his right wing record while in public office. His beliefs and years of actions actions give us guidance about the scary priorities Taliban Bob would pursue as Governor. We cannot believe the slick TV spots that whitewash the man and his record. We have to look at what he has said and done.

No wonder Creigh Deeds has been gaining ground fast in recent polls. He's rock solid, common sense, straight talking, with a long record of service seeking pragmatic solutions rather than policies driven by conservative religious dogma. Creigh gained 11 percentage points in the most recent WaPo poll closing the gap to the margin of error. Poll analysis indicates McDonnell's controversial thesis and his ultra conservative record are key reasons for his collapse in voter support - despite the fact that 54% of respondents knew nothing or little about the thesis written for Pat Robertson's university.

Desperate Measures By Cracked Eggs

The national GOP is desperate for a win in Virginia and is dumping $7 million into Bob Mc's campaign... mostly to fund negative ads. I'm using the word "dumping" for a reason. While I'm sure they think this is money well spent, I predict a pro-Deeds backlash. Virginians don't like outsiders telling us what to do.

The desperation to win at all costs has apparently hit the Repugs in the central Valley, too. One big "Deeds Country" field sign was vandalized with (family values) obscenities. Another was totally stolen (hope they at least recycled it!). Both were placed on private property at the landowners' requests. Guess the Valley GOP has something against free speech?

The tougher and nastier the wingnuts get, the better it is for Creigh Deeds.

Taliban Bob's blueprint for taking Virginia backwards

Backwards Bob

Some Deeds supporters in the Shenandoah Valley are less than happy that Creigh Deeds has told the truth about Bob McDonnell's crusade to ban all abortions, even in cases of rape or incest:

They want to know why bring this hot button issue up now? Why bring it up at all?

Earlier this summer Bob McDonnell spent several hundred thousand dollars on TV ads designed to reshape his image, to rebrand himself, to mislead Virginia voters. In those slick commercials, McDonnell was portrayed as a moderate consensus builder, open to all ideas, and willing to work across party lines. Using shades of blue, Taliban Bob seemingly attempted to paint himself almost as a Democrat. In June, with the Democrats focused on their primary, McDonnell was able to use the power of TV to fabricate an image of him as a moderate that gave him a midsummer bump in some polls.

The reality is, of course, quite different - Bob McDonnell is a hard right Republican with an agenda sharply in contrast to the majority of Virginians and most folks right here in the Shenandoah Valley. McDonnell has again and again introduced legislation to limit and even ban all abortions, including those in the horrible circumstances of rape and incest. Creigh Deeds, the actual common sense moderate in the gubernatorial race, decided to call the weasel out on his misrepresentations on the issue of a woman's right to choose.

Most Virginians support a fair, balanced, and common sense approach to reproductive rights. One that reduces abortion by making education, factual information, and birth control choices available to all women of child bearing age. An approach that ultimately keeps big government out of personal matters and leaves the decision to the woman, her doctor, and her spiritual advisor.

Creigh Deeds will continue calling Bob McDonnell out for speaking out of both sides of his mouth by talking like a moderate in public while preaching to the right wing firebrands in private. For his lies and misrepresentations on a host of other issues - public education, transportation, public safety, jobs, vouchers, and much more.

That's why this issue. That's why now. Taliban Bob had the stage to himself during the campaign's opening act and he put on a good show pretending to be something he isn't. During Act II, Act III, and all the way to Election Day Creigh Deeds, Democrats, and many Republicans will be letting folks know about Bob McDonnell's filthy lies and the man behind the mask.

Sorry if the issue Creigh raised made you a bit uncomfortable. Sorry if it stirs ups the WASPS in the Valley Family Forum. But, it was time to call out Bob McDonnell for saying different things to different audiences. It it time for all Virginians to know the truth about the real Bob McDonnell. What they'll find in his Pat Robertson, Jeff Frederick, Jim Gilmore tainted past, and in his own record, Virginians won't like one bit.

Taliban Bob plays dodgeball

Bob's "blue" ads

Earlier I posted that Bob McDonnell's early summer run of TV ads is evidence he is (1) worried about Creigh Deeds and (2) running from his own "raised on Pat Robertson's knee" past.

His overly slick ads been running heavily on Shenandoah Valley stations. Now that alone says something - if Taliban Bob is worried about hanging on to this Republican stronghold, he does have major problems.

After seeing the ad, it is becoming obvious that McDonnell is trying to morph into... hard to believe... a Democrat. And its not just the blue shirt. He, one of the most extreme partisan hacks in Virginia politics, talks about working in a bipartisan fashion and not caring who gets credit. Excuse me, was that ever part of his political persona? McDonnell is the most transparent blue when he talks about making Virginia a good place for business. Democrats have been there, done that, and keep on doing it. Governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine have led the Commonwealth to #1 rankings as a great state to do business. Most recently Forbes, CNBC, and Pollina Corporate Real Estate all praised the business climate in Virginia. More here and here.

I suppose McDonnell has little choice. Virginia is changing but most Republicans haven't. He has to find some way to leverage independent voters who are increasingly voting Democratic. So, his ad guys are hustling to create a new, and patently false, image. I'm sure those ad guys are smart, but I think they underestimate Virginia voters - who won't buy the lie. The truth about the real Bob McDonnell is too damning to cover up with sound bites.

Virginians know they've had seven years of responsible leadership in the Governor's Mansion. Leadership that has been recognized for running efficient and effective government and creating a good environment for business and job creation. Voters know Creigh Deeds will continue moving Virginia forward with that same brand of common sense leadership.

Early summer political grist

Bob McDonnell will start a 10 day blitz of TV ads across the state, hitting most areas with the exception of northern Virginia. The fact that he is spending $300,000 to improve his image during the early summer political lull, shows just how worried he is about Creigh Deeds. Taliban Bob is trying to spin out of his own past and distance himself from his political mentor, Pat Robertson.

Complicating the Democrats quest for a House majority, Delegate Kristen Amundson announced she will not seek a 6th term. Admundson, a reliable progressive from Mt. Vernon, cited financial reasons as the key factor in her decision. The district has a strong record of voting Democratic, but her withdrawal means Democrats will have to move quickly to nominate a candidate. Scott Surovell, Democratic chair in Fairfax Co., announced he will run. Republican Jay McConville and perpetual independent candidate Gail Parker are already in the race. The seat will remain Democratic, but now the party will have to shift some resources to a race that should have been on cruise control.

In case you missed it

You may have missed the recent issue of The Hook and its excellent article about Creigh Deeds' victory in the Democratic Primary. The Hook's Lindsay Barnes was at the Omni Hotel for Deeds victory party as the early results came in. Barnes watched as Bob Gibson, executive director of the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership, followed early returns on a laptop. Deeds was beating McAuliffe and Moran in Northern Virginia - their home turf. "It is over," said Gibson.

Deeds placed much of the credit for his victory on popular Democratic governors and their successes in Richmond:

Whether it was cast in Abingdon or Arlington, Highland or Henrico, or right here in Thomas Jefferson's hometown, Charlottesville, it was a vote to continue the progress we've made under Democratic governors Mark Warner and Tim Kaine.

A companion article at the same link examines the role of the Washington Post endorsement of Deeds, something that drew previous CCC attention.

Anyone who followed his political career, or who has read about Deeds' victory, knows Creigh is a winner and his opponents take him lightly at their own risk. Creigh won elections to the House of Delegates in areas where Republicans have an edge, He survived, even prospered, when the GOP gerrymandered his Senate district. Now he humbled two well-known and well-funded opponents in the primary.

Taliban Bob better be afraid... very afraid.

Extreme Makeover

Actually an extreme political makeover that Bob McDonnell is trying to perform. In announcing a group called "Virginians for McDonnell," Taliban Bob is trying to shed his right wing scales and put forth a more warm and fuzzy moderate feel. He's picked up support from a couple of Mark Warner Republicans and says people who join his group are free to support Democrats for other offices. How do you spell "SELLOUT" Bill Bolling, Ken Cuccinelli, and House candidates?

Virginians will see through Bob McDonnell's caked on makeup dollar store makeup - underneath they'll find Pat Robertson, the Christian Coalition, the 700 Club, and Regent University. Extreme makeover trying to cover up extreme right. It won't fly, Bob.