Bolling's Challenge

Recent blog chatter has been up about the upcoming governor's race here in Virginia, maintaining that Bob McDonnell is the clear frontrunner.

For that, I am certain.

The narrative then takes us to the next logical question, what about Bill Bolling? McDonnell's office is ripe with oppurtunity to show leadership on any number of issues. Bolling's is not. McDonnell has the ability to create news and a put together a substantial legislative package to affect real change. McDonnell has used the office to its utmost, not only doing a couple of very important things, but using that to get a good headstart in the race. Its no secret that the AG's office, in modern Virginia history, has been used by everyone from Andrew Miller to Jerry Kilgore to launch gubernatorial bids.

So where does that leave Bill Bolling? What Bolling's office lacks in size and responsibility, it makes up for in one precious comodity in politcis. . . .

Time.

And Bill Bolling seems to be putting that time to good use. While Bob McDonnell will be running on his record as Attorney General, Bill Bolling's only chance of victory will come with his 100 Ideas initiative. Bolling has to bank on an a platform of new ideas to excite Republicans more than McDonnell's personal appeal and record as AG. Another thing to remember? Since 1969, only two AGs have won the office--Gerry Baliles and Jim Gilmore.

Bill Bolling's challenge is to turn the 2009 governor's race into a race of ideas. The problem with too many AG candidates, including the last one, rely too much on a record in the office and forget to propose anything new for the future. Perhaps the greatest strength of the AG's office, that your constantly busy, is also its greatest weakness. By comparison, past LG's John Dalton, Chuck Robb, Doug Wilder, and Tim Kaine have all used the time alotted to them over four years to look to the future. Despite the numbers, history nods to Bolling if he can capitalize on it.

(cross-posted at SST)

Comments

[Citizen Tom]

A campaign about ideas would be nice. Unfortunately, the press prefers to cover negative campaigns. To get media interest, Bolling will have to advocate some ideas that generate and maintain interest and excitement.

Bolling has made no secret of the fact he intends to run for governor, and most people take him seriously. Sometimes telegraphing your next move is a good thing. If he works at it, he can generate interest in his ideas.

What adds still more the interest to this situation is there may be another statewide job opening. When is Senator John Warner going to retire? The man 80 years old, and the 2008 election is not that far away.

[Chris]

Are you advocating Bill Bolling for US Senate?

[GOPJeff]

Bolling is onto something with the 100 Ideas initiative. It is creating interest and positive buzz, not only among the blogs, but also with editorial writers, business leaders, citizens and party activists. Bolling is saying all the right things about what we need to do to get our party back on track.

[Straight Forward]

You are right regarding McDonnell, his number of employees more than quadruples the total number of employees he even had working on his AG campaign. Yes, the AG's office does alot of things, but its a team of hundreds of lawyers doing their required job.

Bolling has what, 4-5 staffers, and that's it? Bolling has stood strong for his values from the beginning and will continue to do so. I look forward to his support of conservative (TRUE REPUBLICAN) candidates this fall, and his VERY BENEFICIAL position as a tie-breaker in the Senate, which will likely be even more important this session.

Campaigns should always be on IDEAS and RECORD. I think both candidates have as strong of a record as the other. (Remember, ole Bob isn't the poster child for all conservative values - see NRA endorsement from AG race, and other issues)

I still hope that we will not see a competition between Bolling and McDonnell, but in knowledge and in political experience and position, I maintain that Bolling still proves to the be the best GOP candidate for the next election.

[George Templeton]

Bob McDonnell won't make the same mistake other AGs have made. I think he is too a man of ideas and a man of action. Plus as NLS so brilliantly pointed out, McDonnell is very good with people. Nothing against Bolling, he is a good man, but to me McDonnell is a more dynamic person, someone who will be an asset to our state party for many years to come.

[Phantom08]

McDonnell will ultimately be saddled by some inescapable facts - he supported the tax referendums in 2002, he has a poor record on the 2nd amendment, and he like to consider himself the architect of the recent transportation package, which is terribly unpopular among conservatives, especially in NVA and Hampton Roads.

Focusing for a second on the transportation deal, I'm afraid that the aggressive driver fines may ultimately cost the Republican Party seats in November. Most average people that I know are scared to death that they are going to lose their drivers license/jobs due to their inability to pay steep fines for relatively minor offenses.

[Virginia Patriot55]

Bolling has done a very good job as our Lieutenant Governor.
In doing this, he has stood up to the Governor when he had to, and he has worked with the Governor when he could. That IS leadership. And he's one of the best public speakers I have ever heard. Many politicians, McDonnell being one of them, have a terrible habit of depending upon meticulous speeches, where it sounds as though he is simply reciting to you, or running for senior class president. Bolling always sounds as though he is really conversing with you - and that's what it takes to inspire people.
Bolling has it. McDonnell does not.

[Not Ron Mexico]

Bolling's legislative agenda has been a great success over the past couple years. Bob McDonnell has the advantage of having several full-time press secretaries in addition to a fully-stocked legislative team -- taxpayer financed of course.
We need more leaders like Bill Bolling in VA -- leaders who step up to the plate on the tough issues. If he can be this successful with only a handful of staffers, image what he can do in the Governor's Office! Go Bill!