McDonnell-Bolling 09 and Not a Peep from the Left

The Left is scared stiff here in the Commonwealth of the McDonnell-Bolling ticket in 2009. How do I know? Bolling announced that he will NOT run for governor and WILL run for re-election as LG on a McDonnell-Bolling ticket in ’09, and there is no reaction from the Left. The Right is talking feverously about a dream ticket in ’09 and no more than a report (NLS tried to break the story) from the Left.

Don’t believe us, try quick search on BNN.

Developing . . . Read More. . . .

NO! – A Response to NLS

Recently NLS asked Is Bob McDonnell Finished? He joined a host of other opportunistic bloggers here, here, and here trying to drum up some political capital over Marshall v. Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. The Supreme Court of Virginia ruled the regional taxing authority unconstitutional. The Court held:

If payment of the regional taxes and fees is to be required by a general law, it is the prerogative and the function of the General Assembly, as provided by Article IV, Section 1 of the Constitution, to make that decision, in a manner which complies with the requirements of Article IV, Section 11 of the Constitution.

Supporters of Creigh Deeds, Brian Moran, and Bill Bolling see this Court decision as an opportunity to attack Attorney General Bob McDonnell over HB 3202. Oddly enough they have chosen a bipartisan bill as the catalyst of their venom.

The irony is that every major candidate for Governor in 2009 and party leaders from both sides of the aisle supported this bill, specifically the Transportation Authority. Governor Tim Kaine supported the authority stating:

I applaud the House of Delegates for approving this proposal and sending a transportation plan to the Senate. . . . [The transportation problem is] especially acute in the Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads regions. A solution will require substantial additional revenues. And the discussion also must include reforms that promote accountability and strengthen the link between transportation and land use.

Speaker Howell was its Patron. It passed by overwhelming majorities in the Houses (85-15) and Senate (29-10), and Governor Kaine signed it. Congressman Brian Moran and Senator Creigh Deeds not only supported it, they voted for it. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling wrote an Op-Ed where he stated his support for the Transportation Authority. He touted:

But our Republican accomplishments go far beyond the abolition of parole, welfare reform, or higher academic standards in the public schools. While Republicans have led our General Assembly . . . We have provided $3 billion in new funding for transportation construction, created innovative new tools to enable localities to better plan for growth and prevent sprawl and instituted performance and accountability measures to improve VDOT and its road-building operations.

Bill Bolling. “The Republican Record: GOP moves Old Dominion Forward.” The Washington Times. November 5, 2007, Monday, OPED; A17.

As NLS correctly noted, McDonnell helped bring the House of Delegates and Senate together on a compromise for this bill. As always, compromises aren’t perfect, but every member of the compromise must take responsibility for the bill that results. The idea that you can ignore some supporters and string up others is ludicrous.

As far as the claim that somehow McDonnell supported this bill more than all the others because he defended it in Court, it is just uneducated at best. It is the Attorney General’s duty to defend laws passed by the General Assembly, regardless of his or her personal viewpoint. McDonnell did his job, the job he was elected to do. He along with all of the other potential candidates for Governor supported the bill, and it has been ruled unconstitutional.

So to NLS and the rest of the opportunists, if McDonnell’s done then so are Kaine, Howell, Moran, Deeds, and Bolling. Realistically, they are all in the same boat on this bill. Read More. . . .

Breaking: State Senate Resorts to Unconstitutional Budget

The Democratic controlled State Senate passed the budget today by a 22 to 18 margin. However Lieutenant Governor Bolling used a rare maneuver that caused quite a commotion. He read the State Constitution, which states that when the Senate wishes to pass a budget that diverts funds from the Virginia Lottery education fund it must do so by four-fifths margin.

The Senate overruled his interpretation and has passed an unconstitutional budget. In a statement Bolling stated:

“Article X, Section 7-A of the Constitution of Virginia, which was ratified by the voters on November 7, 2000, requires the General Assembly to establish the Lottery Proceeds Fund and provides that the Lottery Proceeds Fund shall consist of the net revenues, or profits, of any lottery conducted by the Commonwealth.

“The Constitution further states that the proceeds of the fund shall be appropriated ‘to the Commonwealth’s counties, cities and towns, and the school divisions thereof, to be expended for the purposes of public education.’

“Finally, the Constitution provides that the General Assembly may appropriate amounts from the Lottery Proceeds Fund for other purposes, but only by a four-fifths vote of the members voting in each house.

“In determining how this Constitutional requirement applies, we must consider two issues:

“First, we must consider that the strict Constitutional requirements set forth in Article X, Section 7-A requires two things. These provisions require that that the proceeds in the Lottery Proceeds Fund be appropriated ‘to the Commonwealth’s counties, cities and towns.’ These provisions also require that such funds be used solely for ‘the purposes of public education.’

“Second, having established these Constitutional requirements, we must consider the effect that the transfer of funds from the Lottery Proceeds Fund to the Commonwealth’s general fund would have in practical application.

“Currently, 100% of the proceeds in the Lottery Proceeds Fund are currently returned to the counties, cities, towns and school divisions of the Commonwealth and used for public education purposes. Approximately 60% of these funds are used to support basic aid to public education, otherwise known as the Standards of Quality. The remaining 40% are used to provide additional educational funding, adjusted for such factors as average daily membership and the composite index. In addition, the General Assembly uses significant general funds to provide additional educational funding to public education in Virginia.

“Under the Senate budget, a portion of the existing general funds that had been earmarked for public education would be redirected to other government programs leaving a hole in the total money needed to fund public education programs in the Commonwealth. To plug this hole, the Senate budget included moving $65 Million from the Lottery Proceeds Fund to the general fund in FY 2008, 2009, and 2010, and using that money to plug the hole in education funding that is created by the proposed general fund transfer I discussed earlier.

“The net result of this action would be the creation of a similar hole in the Lottery Proceeds Fund, which the Senate budget does not fill. Therefore, the net effect of these actions would be to reduce overall funding for public education in Virginia.

“At best, the scenario contemplated by the budget bill is a shell game. By taking money from one fund and transferring it to another, the Senate budget tries to create the perception that since all of the involved dollars are being used for public education the shell game is somehow acceptable, but it is not. The shell game ultimately results in less funding for public education in Virginia, less funding from the Lottery Proceeds Fund and more funding for new and expanded government programs. This is exactly what the Constitution seeks to prevent.

“While the Constitution does make provisions for using money in the Lottery Proceeds Fund for other purposes, it requires a four-fifths vote to do so. That is to make certain that monies are not redirected from the Lottery Proceeds Fund and public education and to other programs without the approval of a super majority of the members of the General Assembly.

“For these reasons, I ruled that the budget bills before us would require a four-fifths vote for final passage as long as the proposed transfer of moneys from the Lottery Proceeds Fund remains a part of the bill. Public education, fiscal responsibility and strict adherence to constitutional requirements should not be a victim of a shell game.”

The Virginian Federalist will have more as this story continues
Developing . . . . Read More. . . .

Bill Bolling Governor?

Todays Richmond Times Dispatch reports "Barack Obama says Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine would be on his short list for a role in his administration." With Kaine's term expiring in January 2010, and the new presidential administration taking office in January 2009, does an Obama victory result in a Republican Governor in Virginia? Inquiring minds want to know. (Bolling photo courtesy of our friends at RightsideVA)
Read More. . . .

Bolling on Romney’s Exit

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling released the following regarding Romney’s decision to suspend his campaign. The full text is below the fold.

STATEMENT OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BOLLING ON SUSPENSION OF ROMNEY PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN

“I am very disappointed by Governor Romney’s decision to suspend his campaign for President. We had put together a strong organization for Governor Romney in Virginia, and I confident that we would have been very competitive in next week’s Virginia primary.

“However, I understand and respect the reasons for Governor Romney’s decision, and I greatly admire his desire to put the interests of our country and our party ahead of his own personal interests. That is the mark of a true leader, and it will long be remembered by Republicans across our country.

“I chose to endorse Governor Romney for President last July because I believed he was the best person to carry our party’s banner into the fall campaign and the right person to lead our country into the future at a critical time in our nation’s history. After working with Governor Romney for the past eight months, I am more convinced than ever that I made the right decision in supporting his candidacy.

“Through this campaign Mitt Romney has emerged at the conservative conscious of the Republican Party. He is a full spectrum conservative who understands the need to remain committed to the conservative principles and values that Ronald Reagan told us about. I am confident that Governor Romney will remain actively involved in our party, now and in the future. He has a lot to give our party and our country, and I look forward to working with him again in the years to come.

“I also want to thank the hundreds of dedicated volunteers that had actively supported Governor Romney’s campaign in Virginia. I know they share my disappointment in Governor Romney’s decision to suspend his candidacy, but they should know that their steadfast support is deeply appreciated.”

“On a personal level, I have enjoyed developing a deep friendship with Governor Romney and his family over the past eight months. I wish Governor Romney, his wife Ann, and their wonderful family all the best in their future endeavors.”

Read More. . . .

Lt. Gov Bolling's 2nd Annual Blogger 's Day

I had the good fortune and distinct pleasure to attend Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's 2nd Annual Blogger's Day Wednesday in Richmond. Bloggers from a wide range of Virginia blogs participated. Vivian Paige, Virginia Virtuacon, Not Larry Sabato, Leslie Carbone, Bearing Drift, I'm Not Emeril, and others were there. It was a congenial group despite the considerable political difference of the participants.

A particular highlight was watching from the gallery as the Senate voted to abolish the nearly uniformly despised abusive drivers fees adopted in the previous session.

Lt. Gov. Bolling's warm welcome, gracious hosting, thorough planning, and evident interest in blogging and the participants made the day pleasant, rewarding and useful. It is refreshing to realize that, fostered by fine public servants like Bill Bolling, a state government can be close to its people, and maintain itself as the cornerstone and hallmark of a democratic republic.
Read More. . . .

Bob McDonnell Clear Frontrunner

Attorney General Bob McDonnell is off to a strong start as eyes begin to glance at the Commonwealth's Gubernatorial election next year.

According to The Virginian Federalist Reader Poll that was conducted all last week, Bob McDonnell has a 60% advantage over Bolling. Readers were asked who stood to gain the most from Allen’s announcement that he would not seek the Governor’s Mansion.

The statistical results are below the fold.

Who stands to gain from Allen’s exit?

Bob McDonnell
20 (80%)

Bill Bolling
5 (20%)

The Democrats
0 (0%)

Votes so far: 25
Poll conducted January 8-13, 2008. Read More. . . .

Allen’s Out so Who’s In?

Amid the national presidential flurry, big news breaks here in the Commonwealth. George Allen squashed speculation of another run at the Governor’s Mansion telling the Associated Press:

We will always fondly recall our time in the Governor's Mansion as an unparalleled honor and a period of historic initiatives and transformational accomplishments for Virginians. Yet, as we look forward, we are excited about other significant ways we can serve and contribute outside of elected office. Therefore, I will not be a candidate for Governor in 2009.

This is big news for both Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling as they seek the Republican nomination next year. The big question is who stands to gain the most from Allen’s decision? It would seem that the McDonnell would gain the most. McDonnell and Allen have always had a close working relationship. Currently they are serving as co-chairs for the, albeit floundering, Thompson campaign here in Virginia.

It is now the speculation that Allen will eventually endorse his close friend McDonnell for the Governorship.

But what do you think? We are placing a poll on the sidebar of The Virginian Federalist for the remainder of the week. Vote and leave us a comment as to why. Read More. . . .

Bolling No Longer Hinting at Senate Run

In his live blog with The Virginian Federalist last night, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling told us, "I can tell you this, despite significant encouragement to do so, I do not currently have any plans to run for the United States Senate in 2008." This is the first time that Bolling has so strongly stated that he was not seeking to replace John Warner in the U.S. Senate, and the comment is a significant turn from recent hints by the Lieutenant Governor, such as those he made at the Blogs United Conference.

Although LG Bolling has not totally ruled out the possibility of running for Senate, it now appears that his future plans involve a 2009 run for Governor. However, he could also hope to receive a Presidential appointment in a Romney administration, as we noted on August 1st.
Read More. . . .

Bolling Live Blog Transcript

Lumen said...

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, welcome to The Virginian Federalist. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to join us to discuss some important issues. Also, thanks to all our readers who have suggested questions for this interview.

In the interest of getting the most out of our time together, here is the first question, suggested by one of our readers. VAPatriot (not associated w/ Governor Gilmore’s blog) said, “L.G. Bolling, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions today. I was wondering how your 100 Ideas Initiative is going? How is it progressing through the Commonwealth? What major issues are arising from it that would be of interest to all Virginians? And I was also wondering what exactly they might produce in terms of 2008 legislation?”

Lieutenant Governor Bolling said...

As you may know, we kicked this initiative off on April 10, 2007. The purpose of the initiative is to help get our party back to being the party of issues and ideas. My belief is that Republicans win campaigns when we focus on the issues Virginia’s families care about and relate them to our conservative principles and values.

We designed this to be a two year initiative, so I’m not sure it will produce a lot by way of legislation in 2008, although some of the ideas we have been talking about have already been embraced by candidates across the state.

The first year of the initiative was designed to be the solicitation phase, during which we set a goal of conducting 100 Town Hall Idearaisers in various parts of Virginia. These Idearaisers give us a chance to interact with business leaders, political leaders, government leaders, civic leaders and citizens on the issues of interest to them.

So far we have done about 50 Idearaisers and we have been very pleased with the results. We have had good attendance everywhere we have gone, the press coverage has been excellent, and we have received lots of useful input on issues ranging from education to the environment and everything in between.

So far we have posted 92 possible ideas on our web site – www.100IdeasVA.com. You can view them there and comment on them if you wish. More ideas will be posted in the coming weeks as a result of additional Idearaisers that we have planned between now and the end of the year.

The second phase of the initiative will come in 2008, when we work with the Lieutenant Governor’s Advisory Committee and the Steering Committee to evaluate the ideas that have been submitted and prioritize them. Once that is done we will put forth the final package of issues that we want to focus on as we approach 2009 and beyond.

Publius said...

As you know, endorsing a candidate for public office in a primary can be a very risky move for any politician. You were one of the first elected officials to endorse a candidate for president here in Virginia. What is it about Governor Mitt Romney that has convinced you that he is the right person to lead our country in the future? (Question submitted in advance)

Lieutenant Governor Bolling said...

This is a critical time in the history of our nation and the world. As we look ahead to 2008, it is very important for us to elect a President who has the background, knowledge and experience to lead our country; and the right stand on the important issues facing us at home and abroad.

Over the past several months I looked closely at each of our Party’s major candidates for President – Governor Romney, Mayor Giuliani, Senator McCain and former Senator Thompson. While I think they are all very fine men, and they each have their relative strengths and weaknesses, I came away from those conversations with the firm belief that Mitt Romney is the best candidate to carry our party’s banner into the 2008 campaigns, and the right person to lead our country into the future.

As far as his background is concerned, Governor Romney is what I call a “turn around guy.” He has a record of going into situations where companies, enterprises and governments were not performing well and turning them around. He did that in private business, he did that at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, and he did that in Massachusetts. I think Washington, DC is a mess, and we need a President from outside the beltway – someone who can go in there and turn the place around. I think Mitt Romney can do that.

I also believe that Romney is offering the right vision for the future of our country. He has a solid platform that focuses on the things American’s care most about – a stronger military, a stronger economy and stronger families. In each of these areas he has put forth specific proposals that are consistent with my conservative values, and he articulates his vision very effectively. You can learn more about his at his web site – www.mittromney.com.

I think this is the type of background, knowledge and experience we need in our next President; and the type of leadership our country needs in the years to come.

Finally, and on a more pragmatic political note, I think Mitt Romney can beat Hillary Clinton in 2008. Mitt has proven his ability to reach across the isle and attract independent voters and clear thinking Democrats. If we are going to win in 2008 I think we need a nominee who can do that, and I believe that Mitt can do it better than any of our other candidates.

It is always easier to set on the sidelines and let these campaigns unfold, but that’s not what leadership is about and that’s not my style. I think Mitt Romney is our best candidate for President, and I hope folks will give him a fair look. If they do, I think they will like what they see and he will generate the same groundswell of support here in Virginia that he has generated in Iowa, New Hampshire, Nevada, Michigan and numerous other early primary states.

Cominius said...

How do you plan to address the reluctance of many Evangelicals in Virginia to support Mitt Romney because of his religion?

Lieutenant Governor Bolling said...

Frankly, we’ve not encountered that. For example, I consider myself to be an Evangelical Christian, and I’m supporting Mitt; and we have not seen any widespread opposition to his candidacy because of his faith. I’m not saying that it won’t be a factor for some people, but I don’t think it will be a factor for most people. In fact, just the opposite has been true. I think most people want a President who is a person of faith, but they don’t necessarily expect to agree with every aspect of a candidates particular religious beliefs. I can tell you from the time I have spent with him that Governor Romney’s faith is a very important part of his life, and I think that’s what people want