Sic Semper Tyrannis

Folks, I’m sorry that this is just now being posted. I meant to have this online yesterday afternoon, but got swamped. My apologies.

First, it was a true pleasure for SST to host this Roundtable Blogger Conversation. I want to thank Tucker Martin for arranging the conference call. I’d like to also thank my colleagues Norm Leahy and Veritas. Moreover, thank you Attorney General McDonnell for taking time out of your busy schedule to interact with the blogosphere.

It is clear from the conversation that the Attorney General is committed to open dialogue and outreach to the blogosphere. He understands that the internet is an incredible tool for political communication. Blogs are “a great expression of our first amendment rights,” as the AG remarked. That’s why since taking office he has been committed to engaging in as many blogging events as possible. The AG has been tremendously in this endeavor, participating in at least one blogging event (live blog, podcast, or “blogger roundtable”) per month. We are honored to bring several bloggers together for this “conversation” with the Attorney General.

I will do my best to outline some of my observations from the roundtable. I look forward to reading the comments of Norm and Veritas.

I had the honor of the first question. It was on the topic of very important public policy matters: What’s the AG having for lunch today? The answer: A Commonwealth Club. Good choice. Norm, took the wheel and steered us on to more serious matters…. thankfully. The “lunch” question was really the only softball we threw the AG. From this point we dove into deep discussions of policy matters, beginning with the leadership at RPV.

RPV Leadership

The Attorney General commended the job Ed Gillespie did as chairman of RPV bringing national leaders to Virginia, fundraising for the party, and providing leadership. McDonnell applauded the direction the party was going under Gillespie’s lead and remarked at the difficulty of the position. He commented, “Anyone who takes that position and works hard, I have a lot of respect for. Ed was a good and effective chairman.”

Conversation then continued to the realm of primary challenges and inter-party squabbles with history going back to the aftermath of the 2004 tax increase. McDonnell pointed out that the Democrats had just as many primary challenges as Republicans. The difference for each party? The Republicans focused on issues such as government spending and taxation. The Democrats focused on “who was helping the GOP too much” (Sen. Lambert for example). Despite what may have looked like instability, the republican leaders in the General Assembly got along better in 2007 than they had in years past while in Richmond. McDonnell reminded us that “our General Assembly leaders did a good job on a number of issues in the session.” That brings us to our next section….

General Assembly Successes
July 1, a host of new laws will go into effect. I asked the AG which of these new laws he was most proud of. His response focused on safety for kids and interet security. “We had a terrific year last year with regard to that,” McDonnell said. Other accomplishments include everything from tripling penalties for child predators to keeping the internet safe from criminals. “We think it will improve the safety of the internet and keep our kids safe.”

George Allen

What about former Senator George Allen’s role in the primary challenges? Allen supported incumbents such as Stosch and Hanger, who many conservatives will not forgive for their support of higher taxes in the past. The AG stayed out of these battles, choosing not to endorse, this was a different strategy than the one employed by Allen. McDonnell said he wanted to “let the local parties work it out.” He said that in such decisions he wanted to make sure local Republicans got to make the right decision for them. Nevertheless, the AG remained supportive of Allen saying that he “was a terrific leader” and “I have a lot of respect for him.” Allen is raising money for “our team,” has been, and continues to be a great leader for our party.

What does the future hold?

I love political speculation focusing on the question – “what if?” When asked whether he would consider a run for United States Senate in 2008 if Senator Warner decided not to seek re-election, McDonnell remarked that he has “no interest in running.” He has great respect for the work that our federal leaders do in Washington, yet believes that he can make the biggest difference in public service at the state level.

Making a difference at the state level – in what position? Governor. McDonnell made it clear that he planned to run for Governor in 2009 and was putting together a base to garner support for this goal. However, in the meantime, he is working hard to be an effective and competent Attorney General for Virginia and leader for the Republican Party. He is doing things that people care about. He is traveling to different parts of Virginia to articulate the message of our party’s creed and our principles. Moreover, he is getting results at the AG’s office.

The AG’s most likely opponent for the Republican nomination is Bill Bolling. The Lt. Governor was mentioned briefly as a “fine person and a good family man.” I was very impressed that McDonnell kept things very positive. Rather than focusing on what distinguishes the two men, McDonnell asked folks to look at his record of tremendous leadership. Republicans will have to look for the one who gets results. It seems to this point that that person has been the Attorney General. McDonnell commented that his fingerprints were everywhere “if you look at the most significant things we have accomplished in Virginia in the last decade.” This is especially true for taxes, public safety, child protection, healthcare, regulatory reform, and the list goes on and on. The AG said, “Performance is what I’m going to ask folks to look at.” When you look at performance, the AG has a remarkable record. 60 out of 65 bills passed in the past 2 years. He has brought folks together to solve problems: internet security, eminent domain, senior protection, regulatory reform, and youth safety. I was impressed with the AG’s response to questions speculating on 2008 and 2009. (It is no secret that I’m a McDonnell guy in 2009.) That’s what leadership is all about folks. That’s what we want as conservatives in government. We don’t want folks that just think right and speak right; we want leaders who actually get the job done.

More Speculation

Norm mentioned a Schapiro column from the weekend speculating on the Lt. Governor’s role in the General Assembly if the Republicans were to lose the majority. This situation would certainly raise the LG’s profile. However, McDonnell said that he was “working hard enough that it will not be 20” in the Senate, “it’ll be 20 plus.” The AG said he was working hard in various regions of the state to ensure that the Republicans did not lose seats in the State Senate and House of Delegates in the upcoming November elections.

Race for the White House

When asked about the 2008 Presidential Battle, McDonnell said that he worried it was going to be a tough cycle once again for the Republicans. He spoke about conservative’s loss of confidence in national republicans on issues like immigration, spending, and Iraq. Yet, he was upbeat about the GOP’s possibilities to win back the White House.

Which candidate does McDonnell support? So far, the Attorney General has met with five candidates and he hopes meet with a few more. He hasn’t decided and has not endorsed anyone yet. What is he looking for in the GOP nominee? He said that he wants someone who understands the global war on terrorism. He wants a conservative who will hold the line on spending, immigration, and will appoint conservative judges. Based upon those criteria, he’s still looking at 2008. There’s a long time between now and then.

Immigration

The Roundtable focused quite a bit of attention to the issue of immigration. McDonnell focused upon the problem that you can’t have a free market system that turns a blind eye to the rule of law. That is a recipe for a failed system. He briefly mentioned the Reagan amnesty 20 years ago and its lack of success in dealing with the problem.

In order to correct the problem, McDonnell suggested beginning with the broader security standpoint. Stopping the flow of illegal immigrants is crucial to our national security and should be the first priority for our federal lawmakers. Next, you have to enforce existing laws. This involves increasing funding to state enforcement mechanisms. Finally, you must have a coherent immigration system that makes sense and works.

Why are conservatives upset about this issue? People are coming here and instantly getting the benefits of citizenship without paying their dues. That’s what the frustration is all about. That’s why McDonnell is a firm supporter of legal immigration.

The AG shared that his Grandfather was an immigrant from Ireland in 1912. He worked hard to become a citizen. As Americans, we all must recognize that immigration is important and vital for our culture. It strengthens us on many levels – not just economically. And yes, we do need laborers. But ultimately, we need people come here lawfully.

The UVA Opinion

On the recent AG’s opinion on UVA he commented that “If you read the paper, you had no idea on what I actually wrote.” The opinion is available at the Office of Attorney General website: www.vaag.com.

McDonnell reminded us that his job is not to say what the law ought to be, not to be an activist Attorney General bending the law to personal beliefs, but to simply “call balls and strikes.” Furthermore, the opinion “isn’t about the culture war.” Rather, it was a narrow legal question about whether or not it is possible for the University of Virginia to control their policy with regard to who can go in a gym. According to the law, they can set up a policy to expand the guest membership to folks in the household which could include your grandmother, your best frend, or whoever. That’s all the opinion does. McDonnell says, “I feel very strongly that whatever the opinions I give, must be the correct law.” If people don’t like that opinion, he remarked, “Ask the General Assembly to change the law.”

How’s Governor Kaine doing?

When asked to give a mid-term report card on the governor, McDonnell commented that he would give the Governor his due – on BRAC and Regulatory Reform he has worked hand in hand with the AG for the best interest of the Commonwealth. And he noted that the Governor is a good person, with good values. However, as far as significant legislation, the Governor has not been as successful. Recently, for example, Kaine and Democrats tried to kill transportation reform so that they could campaign on it in the 2007 elections. The Republicans in the House and Senate are the one’s leading the way on positive legislative reform for Virginia.

Transportation

On the subject of transportation, McDonnell was asked whether the new higher penalties for driving violations constitutional. He said that “the laws of the General Assembly are presumed constitutional and I will defend those statutes. That’s my job.” There will likely be legal challenges, but anytime you get a new bill passed, there are inevitably questions about the laws constitutionality.

In Conclusion

I was extremely impressed by the Roundtable discussion. The Attorney General answered some tough questions. He was fair, open for dialogue, and more than generous of his time.

I look forward to parts two and three of our Blogger Roundtable Discussion from Norm and Veritas.