MASON CONSERVATIVE

Do They Really Want Compare Tax Votes?

I noticed the DCTimes editorial about Bob McDonnell not taking the tax pledge, and subsequent faux-outrage on NLS over this.  Look, I understand that there was some push back on McDonnell over the regional tax bill (which this blogger supported, too).  But do Democrats really want to get into a debate over who's better on keeping taxes low between Bob McDonnell and Creigh Deeds?  The thing that makes Deeds a much worse candidate than Warner and Kaine in the past is he has a deep political record of ten years worth of votes in the General Assembly while the other two were comparative blank slates.  The other thing about the regional tax bill that shows us is the difference between McDonnell and Deeds on taking on the issues facing Northern Virginia head on.  I remember a couple months ago a friend of mind pointing out to me when we were discussing the merits of McDonnell versus Bolling that despite the regional tax failure, it was Bob McDonnell who stuck his neck out and tried to find a solution of transportation funding.  I know Rural Courthouse Senator Creigh Deeds wasn't around.  He knows as much about the suburbs and our needs as I know about raising a donkey.  When it came time to find and/or manufacture money for Northern Virginia roads, Bob MCDonnell stepped up to fight for us and Creigh Deeds sat silently on the back bench.  It obviously didn't work out, but I think voters in the suburbs will recognize who fought for them and who is out of touch and has no idea what issues face our region.  

As for the tax pledge, I agree with JR that these pledges are generally silly and I've never taken much stock in them myself.  

Well, as a practical person, I think actions say a lot about a person.
Specifically, when I see that one gubernatorial candidate has voted over 50 times to cut taxes in his career and another candidate voted for the largest tax increase in Virginia history, wanted to impose a 120% increase in the gas tax during a recession, voted for higher cigraette taxes, et al., I think it’s pretty clear to me as to who I can count on to keep my taxes low.
When I see one lieutenant gubernatorial candidate was so off with her state revenue projections that it generated a billion dollar budget deficit, despite repeated warnings from the other lieutenant governor candidate, it’s pretty clear to me who has a better understanding of the state’s financial picture.
When I see one attorney general candidate who’s voting track record has tacked further and further to the left with every re-election and the other’s remain consistently pro-taxpayer, pro-business, and pro-family, it’s pretty clear to me who I can count on to effectively run one of the state’s largest law firms.

They help in primaries or in one-party districts I suppose, but I think that Virginians will recognize that Bob McDonnell will allow his record to speak for himself that he doesn't need to take a pledge when his entire record speaks to vote after vote for low taxes, small government, and pro-business policies that we need to avoid becoming Southern Michigan. 

So yes, please o' please Deeds and Dems, run on who's going to cut taxes and who's not.  I want to talk more about your plan to raise the gas tax during on the worst recessions in a long long time.  I want to talk about Deeds supporting raising vehicle registration fees I want to talk about Deeds supporting fuel tax in Northern Virginia, I want to talk about Deeds voting for the 2004 tax increase while Messrs. McDonnell, Bolling, and Cuccinelli all voted "NO."  Over and over again, "centrist" "conservative" Rural Courthouse Senator Creigh Deeds has voted YES, YES, YES for tax increase.  

So please, lets make who's more likely to raise taxes on the middle class be it directly, or through gas, or through fees a legitimate issue.  Because on the back benches in the Senate, Deeds sat back and voted yes over and over on this.  

There Is Life After The Presidency, Mahmoud

"You've got me straight tripping, boo."

This video is in honor of the Iranian president, hoping that one day he'll find what he needs in his life . . . love.  Love, that is, Andy Samburg-style.  

Jim DeMint Endorses Marco Rubio

Its nice to see a few Republicans are still in the Senate standing up for conservatism.  I have a real problem with Senator Cornyn taking sides in this race when he wouldn't in Pennsylvania.  I'm kind of worried about it, to be honest.  We have some good recruits and some rare oppurtunities that we seem to be capitalizing on (Dodd).  

You know, I think the kind of candidate we need in 2012 is someone ready to lead a real insurgency based on federalism, calling Obama out on his reckless spending . . . and there are a lot worse places to look that Jim DeMint.

Jody Wagner At Work

This is her legacy, and why Bill Bolling should be reelected:

Virginia's shaky revenues took a deep dive in May, falling nearly 16 percent from the year before.

That leaves the state about $1.3 billion short of a year-end revenue target that has already been drastically reduced three times this year, reflecting the worst economy in decades.

The bad news contained in the finance secretary's monthly revenue memo to Gov. Tim Kaine means the state is likely to make substantial cuts soon to avoid a shortfall when the current budget expires June 30.

-- The Associated Press

Virginians For Bob McDonnell

The nomenclature "Virginians For ________" has been around a long time in Virginia politics, starting back in the 50s when Virginians for Eisenhower was set up for Democrats in the Commonwealth to support the general without switching parties.  Ever since then, nearly every campaign has used this line as a way to build a bipartisan coalition of leaders and endorsements.

The last candidate to really use this well was Mark Warner, a vehicle for Republicans to jump to his side.  Normally I don't get excited for this kind of stuff, moderate crybabies looking for more attention but have the clout to make noise.  But what is important about the list that McDonnell released today is that it includes leaders in the state who were once with us . . . including Wyatt Durrette, Judy Ford Wason, Del. Vince Callahan, and others.

This is why the McDonnell-Bolling-Cuccinelli ticket is so good.  McDonnell has been around a long time and really is liked by the establishment types like Durrette and Callahan.  Bolling brings the experience of local government and a record of fighting for small government and economic conservatism of low taxes and smart spending in the state senate.  Cuccinelli will bring out the activists, the voters who passed the '06 marriage amendment even while they voted for Jim Webb.  

As much as I find so many of these types contemptible, at their heart they are front-runners and to see them backing our horse means to me that they see strength in McDonnell and real weakness in Rural Courthouse Politician Creigh Deeds, so this is a good thing to get these guys back in the fold.