Politics

My apologies for this taking so long...

This is the second part of a two part series on the recent Conference call with Bob McDonnell.

Part I -Sw X Se

Part II - Norm Leahy

Part III - Veritas

This post, Part IIII Cross posted at The Virginian Federalist

I really enjoyed the way the conversation went, we had the opportunity to probe Bob’s mind about some national political issues. I think Bob's willingness to involve the Blogosphere will aid him in the future.

RPV
The first such issue discussed was the fact that recently the Republican party of Virginia’s chairman Ed Gillespie, has left to become a council to the President. When asked about how he thought Ed did…

“Ed Gillespie did a great job in six months…I applauded the direction that the party was going…it is a part time job, very difficult and demanding”

Primaries
This lead into a discussion about the recent June 12th primaries, we discussed how the democrats and Republicans had in-fights over two very different issues. The Democrats fought to defeat “conservative” liberals, such as Lambert and Jannoua. This in contrast with the Republicans who fought to de-throne Republicans who were straying from Conservative ideals. Bob said,
“both democrat and republican parties have very different viewpoints” In discussion whether this was good to have such “in-fights” McDonnell simply put it, it is the

“Natural order of democratic process”

George Allen
When asked whether Allen’s endorsements of some incumbent Senators helped or hurt Allen. he replied,

“George Allen is the best Governor of my lifetime…he is entitled to do what he thought he should do, I had a different view, I stayed out of those 6 contested primaries”

When asked about Senator Allen’s future ambitions, Bob made it clear that he and Allen are on the same team…

“He will continue to raise money for all the republican team.”

Senatorial and Gubernatorial
Naturally the issue of the 2008 senate race, Bob was asked “if Warner stepped down, would you run?”

“I don’t have any interest to run for the united states senate” “with respect for federal legislators, the real action should be in our states, if the federal government is working properly...my plans are to run for governor in 2009”

There you have it, no senate race, and gearing up for a gubernatorial race
He then was asked what differentiates him from his likely opponent Bill Bolling.

“that I know how to properly articulate the views of the republican party…I have a great deal of respect for Bill”

but he feels he is the man, “who gets results”
He went on to list several things he “either wrote, carried, or had some major roll in getting done” He also said that, “60 out of 65 bills advocated passing” when AG McDonnell was asked what he thought about the possibility that Bill Bolling could soon be in the “limelight” if the Republicans lose the Senate and Bill becomes the deciding vote. Bob quickly replied,
“first of all I am gonna work hard enough so we are not at 20”
Which this may be the thing that struck me most, his first concern wasn’t about Bill being the deciding vote, his concern was to work hard enough so that Republicans still hold the senate.

2008 presidential
When asked about 2008 speculation on presidential races or any characteristics to look for.
“presence, record of conservative leadership…someone who really understands what this global war on terrorists is all about…secondly someone who is gonna get something done on immigration, and continue to nominate conservative judges…I am still taking a look at a couple of candidates”
When asked about the Current President he mentioned,
“Immigration, spending, mainstream issues, we had hoped the president would have dealt with by now.”
Bob has Also already met with Five candidates, so far.

Immigration
When asked “If you had to craft a bill what would it do”
“Well, I think there are three or four elements to a successful bill…we need to welcome legal immigrants, I’m a second generation immigrant from Ireland my grandfather got off the boat… must have a strong form of bordering security” visible fence, invisible fence…ability to enforce it, I as the Attorney General have no ability to enforce federal immigration laws”
and when asked about how to change Legal immigration he said simply
“do it in a timely manner”
I could not agree with him more on these issues, legal immigration is the solution, and making it quicker for those willing to come over legally.

“we have a great need for workers…we cannot find enough current American civilians to fill these jobs…people are outraged that we are getting a huge number of illegal immigrants here in Va, and not having to pay there dues or paying taxes, that people committing crimes are not being prosecuted and deported…we can’t have people doing it under the radar screen, people don’t’ assimilate and stay in illegal enclaves as you will”
He listed how these are the problems with Illegal immigration, he then went on to say that
“we are that becon of freedom”
but as he pointed out, this beacon of freedom, must be a beacon for those who stand for what is right.

Governor Kaine
Lastly the Attorney General was asked for a Midterm report card on governor. He pointed out that he is the Governors top lawyer and has met with him many times, and finds him to be a class act, and praised his handling of the tech tragedy, but also pointed out, very little Governor Kaine has done is outstanding.
“I don’t see any major huge mistakes, and I don’t see any huge accomplishments in the general assembly"
Bob also pointed out that the,
“key issues we are dealing with up here, it is still republicans in house and senate leading the way.”
The Republicans seem to be the ones still leading the way on the issues, notably transportation. And on that note, I bid thee farewell.