Well the 2009 Virginia Republican Convention is complete and the ticket is as well. Bob McDonnell, who was unopposed, is the nominee for Governor, while Bill Bolling won his bid for nomination to be re-elected as Lt. Governor. Ken Cuccinelli came out victorious over his two opponents, John Brownlee and Dave Foster.
I was a delegate for Pittsylvania County at the convention this year, and to be honest, I wanted Foster. However, it became apparent throughout the day that Cuccinelli was the odds-on favorite. Foster and Brownlee graciously conceded the nomination and Cuccinelli took his place alongside McDonnell and Bolling at the end for a photo-op.
Several Republican heavyweights made appearances over the weekend, including Sean Hannity, George Allen, Jim Gilmore and Eric Cantor. The highlight of the day, however, belonged to Bob McDonnell. This was his day. The entire convention was a very well designed celebration of McDonnell. In between other people's speeches were McDonnell campaign ads and other videos featuring the Gubernatorial candidate. Then after a well-delivered introduction from his daughter, Jeanine, McDonnell hit the stage. The speech, which lasted about 30 minutes, featured many highlights. McDonnell focused mostly on jobs and how he plans to create them.
"To every Virginian who needs a job
To every small business owner trying to make payroll
To every retiree alarmed at losses in their retirement account
To every homeowner concerned about their home value
To every parent writing that next tuition check
To every clergyman fighting to keep a strong community
To every young person who just wants an opportunity to live and experience the American Dream.
This campaign is for you. This campaign is about you!"
McDonnell seemed to be boasting a newfound confidence and slight swagger about him, that differed a little from his usual calm, laid-back approach. Not cocky, but definitely showing that he has not only the demeanor to be Governor, but maybe more in the future.
McDonnell also mentioned his accomplishments:
Four years ago you nominated me to serve as your Attorney General.
After my "landslide" victory, we worked together to establish a 25-year minimum sentence for sex offenders who commit violent crimes against children, and stiffened penalties for drug dealers and gang members.
We made Virginia a national leader in fighting Internet Crimes Against Children and identity theft.
We dramatically improved our homeland security and mental health laws.
We fought to protect marriage, the right to life, and parental rights.
Each of these accomplishments represented not only a promise made at election-time, but a promise kept at governing-time.
92 of our 105 legislative proposals became law with broad bipartisan support.
Then he mapped out some of his plans:
During the previous two administrations, the average college tuition bill has increased by nearly 80%.
Maureen and I have a daughter at JMU, one who just finished at VCU and twin boys on their way to college in a year. Parents and young people know we must make college more accessible and affordable if we are to expand the opportunity to achieve the American Dream.
We have overspent on our present and failed to invest in our future.
Our future ability to attract new employers to Virginia will be determined by our current commitment to the education of our citizens.
As Governor I will put the Commonwealth on track to award 100,000 additional degrees over the next 15 years, so more of your children can get into Virginia's great colleges and universities.
We will focus them on math, science, engineering, technology, health care, and education so we will stay competitive in the global economy.
Our community colleges will become the backbone of workforce development and retraining.
Virginia will be one of the most highly-educated states in the country and that will result in new industry and new jobs.
You like to hunt and fish? You like to hike and camp? As Governor, I will conserve an additional 400,000 acres of land for future generations of Virginians.
Conservation is a conservative value. It helps the economy because employers like to locate where workers like to live.
A government that inspires the trust and confidence of the citizenry honors the vision of Virginia's founders. We will institute true budget accountability and transparency. The more citizens can see, the less politicians will spend.
We will create a watchdog commission to root out waste in our state agencies. We will conduct a performance audit to help our major state agencies, and we will start with VDOT.
Reducing congestion on our roads gives you more time with your family and brings more business and jobs to our state.
We are going to upgrade US 460 to make it a modern highway from Suffolk to Petersburg. We will widen 66 inside the Beltway. We will get started on high speed passenger rail from DC to Richmond to Hampton Roads.
On these and other projects we will not accept excuses anymore. We will get dirt turned and projects moving by using public-private partnerships, market-based solutions, budget prioritization, and innovation and technology.
I will be a Jobs Governor. I will advance policies that will put Virginians to work.
And then he drew the contrasts between him and his possible opponent(s):
I will offer big ideas and positive solutions -- we will be the party that embraces reform and says YES.
On energy, our opponents will say NO to offshore drilling, NO to clean coal, NO to nuclear, and NO to the new jobs and investment that come with it.
When it comes to promoting energy independence:
They'll just say NO, we'll just say YES!
When it comes to the job-killing card check bill which threatens Virginia's Right to Work law, a cornerstone of our business success, our opponents will say NO to protecting the secret ballot, and NO to safeguarding Virginia's Right to Work law.
When it comes to keeping Virginia competitive:
They'll just say NO. We'll just say YES!
When it comes to educating our children, our opponents will say NO to more educational choices, NO to charter schools, and NO to performance pay for our best teachers and principals who help our children to achieve excellence.
When it comes to improving our schools:
They'll just say NO. We'll just say YES!
On the issue of government efficiency and spending, our opponents will say NO to eliminating burdensome regulations, NO to making government simpler and more user-friendly, NO to reducing unnecessary permits, fees, licenses, and decals, NO to reducing wasteful spending.
When it comes to government accountability:
They'll just say NO. We'll just say YES!
There will be a clear choice in November. We will offer positive, innovative solutions to create new jobs and provide greater freedom and opportunity for all Virginians.
When it comes to Virginia's future and the need for changes in Richmond:
We'll just say YES!
The excitement level was definitely high this weekend as Republicans see a bright future ahead with McDonnell leading the way. He has the ability to bring in Republicans, Independents and even some Democrats with his common sense solutions and bold ideas for Virginia's future. It's his proven track record of bringing people together and getting things done that makes him so appealing to the average voter.
I'll be posting more post-convention thoughts and photos this week, but for now, I'm going to sit back and enjoy the moment. It's a good day for Virginia.
written by
Lee Vogler
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