Bolling: "Virginia Is A Purple State"

The Fairfax Connection has an article up on Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's recent visit to Reston where he spoke about the future of the Republican Party in Virginia and realized exactly where we are:

     Gov. Bill Bolling (R) attempted to energize local Republicans on Friday night when he spoke to the Republican Club of Greater Reston at Hidden Creek Country Club. He said the Republicans need to "get back to being a party of issues and ideas," and called on those at the club’s annual Lincoln Day Dinner to invigorate the Northern Virginia Republicans. "Most Virginians are not Republican or Democrat," said Bolling. Instead, he said, most residents of the Commonwealth evaluate candidates’ positions on issues rather than associate with one of the parties. "The truth is, Virginia is a very competitive two-party state," he said. "This is a critical time for our party. Tonight, as we stand here, Virginia is a purple state."

Its something we have known up here since 2001, while many Republicans in the rest of the state have not figured it out yet, or don't want too.  Its easier being a Republican in the rest of the state, where they have the luxury of divisive primaries (Hanger v. Sayre).  But up here things are different, and the rest of the state needs to understand that had recognize before we start winning.  I think many Republicans in Virginia still sit around with a false sense of security as to where this party is right now.  And while some might not want to hear it, Bolling's words need to be accepted so we can properly realize where we start.  We aren't ten points ahead at the start of the gate every time now.  In fact, we are down now 20 points in a US Senate race.  Part of the problem has been the way the party has shut out Northern Virginia in choosing candidates.  Of the statewide candidates since 1993, only 2 where from NOVA (Michael Ferris and Jay Katzen), and the party's treatment of others, such as Rep. Tom Davis, has hurt the image of the party in Northern VA.  Whats refreshing about Bolling is he is from one of reddest parts of the state, suburban Richmond.  Aside from simply stating where we are, Bolling offers two solutions to our problem: unity and ideas,

    TO KEEP Virginia a Republican state in the future, including this November’s elections, Bolling recommended that all Republicans adopt a set of guidelines, among them unity within party members. He urged those gathered at Friday’s event to support U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in his presidential bid. Bolling said he was a Mitt Romney supporter, but supporting someone he agrees with 95 percent of the time is much better than supporting a candidate he disagrees with 95 percent of the time. He said Democratic candidates Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton do not offer American people what they need, while McCain does. While Virginia has voted Republican in every presidential contest since the 1968 election, Bolling warned the 2008 race would not be an easy one for the Republican candidate. "Make no mistake about it, it will not be an easy state. Virginia will be a battle state," said Bolling. "If a Republican loses Virginia, it will be impossible for them to be president of the United States."
    Bolling also urged Republicans to return to being a party of issues and ideas and to be a party that offers a positive vision. "Reagan made us believe it was morning in America," said Bolling, and more candidates are needed who will convey similar messages. He said the past two gubernatorial races were lost to the Democrats because they were not races that discussed issues. He initiated a Web site, www.100ideasVA.com, for Virginians to share their ideas for solving critical issues with the Republican leadership.

I would also hope that the party begins to show more respect to Northern Virignia.  I think that has hurt, a lot.  Democrats have focused on the area, cultivating candidates and a message that tailors to the area.  They have backed liberals and moderates, uniting behind all of them.  Not only that, the party has put NOVA Democrats in leadership positions, areas where these officials can build influence in the region and thus help younger members.  Its not a hard formula.  Republican leaders seem to always think that the rest of the state will pull it out.  But we know better, and apparently so does Bill Bolling.  Its not secret that Bolling ran ahead of all GOP candidates in 2005, and did best among all three in Northern Virginia (against a Northern Virginia candidate, funny enough).  The party can no longer come here and pader, ask us for our votes but deny us a seat at the table.  Thats why the lieutenant govenor's race between Corey Stewart and Jay O'Brien is important, its why Jeff Frederick running for chairman is important, and its why Keith Fimian's race for Congress is important.  Its why Ken Cuccinelli's future in the party is important.  The rest of the state needs to hear Bolling's words and understand them.  Virginia is purple because the Republican Party has lost the confidence of Northern Virignia.  When we win it back when we win back the voters confidence in ideas.

Comments

[pistol pete]

I agree with Bill Bolling-- he has the right ideas.

The best person to do what he's talking about is Bob McDonnell. When I saw him at the Fairfax GOP meeting the other night, he gave a very impressive presentation and I didn't realize that he grew up here.

I also saw what he did this week, anouncing that Virginia would deport illegals who are sex offenders.

Bolling is a great talker and McDonnell is an effective leader. It's a good team and I think McDonnell/Bolling/Cuccinelli ticket is the way to go.

[Springfield Interchange Scout]

MC - You are correct! The 2005 election results are no secret
http://www2.sbe.virginia.gov/web_docs/Election/results/2005/nov2005/html

However, I wonder where you got your numbers that state Bill Bolling ran ahead of all Republican candidates that year. The numbers I saw on the SBE website clearly show Bob McDonnell to be the lead Republican vote getter in the 8th, 10th and 11th Congressional Districts. In fact, in your unit (Fairfax City), Bob McDonnell has a 162 vote lead over Bill Bolling (3,056 to 2,894). And Bob McDonnell led Bill Bolling in Fairfax County and other NOVA units. After spending tonight in reviewing the 2005 Election Day results, I have to say, MC, that you are incorrect in your statement that Bill Bolling "ran ahead" of the other Republican statewide candidates in Northern Virginia.

Bob McDonnell knows and understands NOVA. The amount of time he has spent in NOVA dates back to his childhood where he lived with this family near Mt. Vernon; was educated in NOVA; and graduated from Bishop Ireton. Many members of his family and his wife's family still live in NOVA. Between his family, job as AG, and Republican leader, he's in NOVA on a regular basis.

Bill Bolling is correct that we are the Party with the issues and ideas. Bob McDonnell has been a leader of ideas and issues. He's led the fight to keep children safe on the internet; fight gang activity; and worked hard to combat illegal immigration. He supports an individual's right to own a gun, voluntarily cut the Attorney General's Office budget by 5%, urged the General Assembly to eliminate the $1 Jamestown 400th anniversary fee, and the lists goes on. You can read more of his accomplishments at www.bobmcdonnell.com.

Just this week, Bob McDonnell along with ICE and the Va. State Police announced the deportation of more than 170 criminal alien sex offenders, of which 20 were from NOVA.

http://www.bobmcdonnell.com/news/contentview.asp?c=45078

Several on-line posts on the Washington Post's coverage of this week's announcement applauded the Attorney General's leadership.

Bob McDonnell has developed many good business and political relationships in NOVA, which today are keeping Virginia safe and strong, including NOVA. He has pro-actively taken action on his ideas and proposals. Bob McDonnell IS the leader that NOVA is looking for and needs!

[Darth Vader]

Being form NOVA, Bob McDonnell has thge best chance to deliver the NOVA vote. He knows the territory quite well--its his friggin back yard. McDonnell spens more time in NOVA than any other Republican elected official. Bolling has no NOVA connections AT ALL.

Proof? McDonnell ran ahead of Bolling in Loudon and Fairfax in 2005. Talking about "ideas" is great, but with Bob McDonnell we actually have a leader who is targeting criminal illegal alien sex offenders for deportation...thats 171 to be exact. Any reasonable person would tell you that 171 concrete examples of fighting illegal immigration beats 100 ideas that have yet to be realized. The future GOP candidate for Governor in Virginia should be about results, not rhetoric. Bob McDonnell is a man of concrete results on the issues that matter to NOVA.

[Chris]

Sorry, I meant to say that Bolling ran ahead in Virginia.

I like Bob McDonnell a lot, don't get me wrong. But I get the feeling that this state has chosen too many Attorneys General for the governorship and have lost all accept one (Coleman, Earley, Gilmore, and Kilgore). The argument has always been that they have a record.

But Bolling has spent the last two years fighting for ideas, which is what we are goig to need to win this time. There's too much concern for regionalism. Not that I'm against McDonnell, who I personally respect a great deal and would gladly vote for. But right now, Bolling is impressing me with his ideas moreso than simply trying to stretch his personal background to fit every part of the state. Republicans have been trying to do too much of that.

[Springfield Interchange Scout]

I accept your apology that you meant to say that Bill Bolling ran ahead in Virginia. However, getting back to the 2005 Election results, Bob McDonnell garnered more votes than Bill Bolling in NOVA.

I would like to know what relationships has Bill Bolling built and what initiatives has he promoted that will resonate with NOVA voters.

Yes, Bill Bolling took his 100 Ideas Listening Tour to Loudoun and Prince William but he has yet to have a stop in Fairfax County and/or inside the beltway. These needs differ from ROVA.

[cary]

Chris- You are certainly welcome to your opinion of course, but I've got to question what you are saying

Essentially you are saying that Bolling has "ideas" but has never done anything with them, so he has no record. You like that

Then you say that McDonnell has ideas, but has acted on them with success, and has a record. You don't like that.

So you think that a candidate who just says "hey I have ideas!" but can't prove he's ever done anything to advance those ideas and therefore has no record, is someone voters would actually respond to?

No offense, but a politician saying he has "ideas" but then doing nothing to advance those "ideas" is pretty much what voters dislike the most.

Plus, how long do you think Bolllng can actually get away with his "100 ideas" rhetoric with nothing to show for it? Everyone gets its just a campaign ploy to sign up folks for his email lists, but right now they are just being polite and looking the other way (while behind the scenes folks are laughing)

[Chris]

Well Cary, the last two times we ran with guys who had "a record" as Attorney General and what happened?

The fact is, being Attorney General is deceptive as to what kind of "ideas" you have. The job is very different from being governor, and clearly voters have understood that. With the list I gave you, don't forget about Democrats Andrew Miller and Mary Sue Terry.

I guess it actually has nothing to do with Bob McDonnell at all. If you read this blog and know me, you know history has a big influence on me. This job has not been good for getting elected. Since the Byrd Machine fell, we have elected 8 AGs, and 7 of them have been nominated for governor. Only two won (Gilmore and Baliles). Miller, Coleman twice, Terry, Earley, and Kilgore all lost.

If this job gives you the market on having a "record" it doesn't seem to translate with the voters. Now McDonnell can win, especially since the Dems seem content with retread Creigh Deeds or lefty Brian Moran for their nomination. But the argument seems to be that Bolling has no record because of his office, yet the AG office seems to be where politicians go to die.

[Crystal Clear Conservative]

Chris,

While I agree that Bill Bolling would be a great gubernatorial candidate, Bob McDonnell definitely has been taking more of a leadership stance, which has been setting him up for the title of Governor. After being part of the 100 Ideas initiative, I realize that it is not going anywhere. McDonnell has the sound ideas and has been taking an active stance against tougher enforcement against illegal immigrants and identity theives. Bolling is a great guy, and he has been making some good statements through his reports on the General Assembly. My pick is McDonnell, because he stands the best chance to win the governorship in 2009.

[Springfield Interchange Scout]

When is Bill Bolling have his 100 Ideas townhall meeting inside the beltway?

[Virginian for McCain]

Chris,

I know that it seems that these points have been made, but your post has me a little fired up. Having been personally involved in '05, I would have to strongly disagree with your posts and thoughts above. McDonnell has better NoVa street cred than anyone who ran in '01 or '05. In 09, his NoVa credentials will again be at the top of the list. It will be interesting to see who runs for AG among Dave Foster, Ken Cuccinelli, Mark Obenshain and others. For LG if Bill Bolling does not run for re-election, I think Corey Stewart will have the upperhand over Jay O'Brien.

Although I have the utmost repect for our Lt. Gov. and hope he wins an overwhelming re-election for LG next year, in contrast to your post, the AG did very well in NoVa compared to the rest of our 2005 GOP ticket.

Having spent months in Fairfax in '05(McDonnell received 112,943 votes, Bolling=108,959 votes, Kilgore=103,285 votes),

Prince William County (McDonnell=34,343 votes, Bolling=33,576, Kilgore=32,178 votes) and

Alexandria in 2005 (McDonnell=10,189 votes, Bolling=9,946 votes, Kilgore=9,173 votes) promoting Bob McDonnell for AG, I know that he did best personally in these three localities over any other statewide Republican.

Although the LG received 90 more votes in Arlington than the AG that was probably my fault because I put a lot more time in Fairfax and Alexandria (the AG's home base) rather than "MY" home base of the People's Republic of Arlington.

In fact, I put up 12 4' by 8' McDonnell signs and hundreds of yard signs in Alexandria and even went to the Bishop Ireton High School 40th Anniversary/Reunion Oyster Bake or whatever they called it to represent Bob McDonnell when he was running and many in attendance knew him, which confirmed his NoVa roots to me early on compared to anyone else running on our GOP ticket in 2005. In '09, I would love the chance to campaign against Brian Moran, aka, Rep. Jim Moron's bro...

Anyway, all the best and let's hope whomever wins the gop nomination, we win in '08 and '09.