The Virginian-Pilot
©
Bob McDonnell's quest to become governor has gotten a little easier.
Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a Republican, announced Monday that he will not run for governor in 2009. Instead, Bolling said he will run for re-election as lieutenant governor.
The announcement leaves McDonnell, the state attorney general, as the likely gubernatorial nominee of the Republican Party.
McDonnell is from Virginia Beach. He holds a law degree from Regent University and was a partner with the Beach law firm of Huff, Poole & Mahoney. He was elected attorney general in 2005, the same year Bolling was elected lieutenant governor.
At a news conference Monday at the state Capitol in Richmond, Bolling said family finances and the necessity of building a new business precluded a costly full-time run for governor, an office he said he still wants.
Bolling said he will support McDonnell and said his decision would unify Republicans next year after two straight gubernatorial election losses to Mark Warner and Timothy M. Kaine.
"Bob McDonnell and I are stronger running together than either of us would be running individually," Bolling said.
McDonnell issued a written statement praising Bolling and the Republican Party's chances in 2009.
"Virginia Republicans have not held the office of governor for the last two terms," McDonnell wrote. "That is a lifetime in the public policy arena.... The first key to winning back the office of governor is returning unity to our party. By Republicans uniting early, and listening to all Virginians, while the Democrats face a lengthy primary contest, we will gain a significant and powerful advantage heading into the general election next November."
The Democratic Party has no clear frontrunner for the nomination. State Sen. Creigh Deeds of Bath County, who lost to McDonnell in 2005 in the attorney general campaign, and state Del. Brian Moran of Alexandria are contenders.
In January, Republican George Allen announced that he would not run for governor in 2009.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Marc Davis, (757) 222-5131, marc.davis@pilotonline.com
Delicious
Digg
Reddit
Facebook
Twitter
Google
Yahoo
Is it me????
Or does he look like Howdy Doody?
A prayer group hosted by Pat and Bob...
... has been scheduled for late 2009 that will attempt to redirect approaching hurricanes into predominately Democratic-party voting districts. Please bring a covered dish.
What about "Bob"
Based on Mr. McDonnell's performance vigorously defending HB3202 as he said he would do, and his little knowledge of Virginia's laws and Constitution, I think he the perfect Republican candidate. I can't imagine anyone supporting this guy.
WE DON'T NEED PAT ROBERTSON RUNNING VIRGINIA
I might feel better about McDonnell if he had graduated from a real law school. Unfortunately, he got his law degree from the blatantly biased, fundamentalist Regent University. He has been, and will continue to be, nothing more than a parrot for that lovable Oliver Cromwell wannabe, Pat Robertson.
Whatever you do . . .
DO NOT say Macacca . . or anything remotely close to it.
Bob, the bobbing head McDonald
Bob has done a great job, at what,I don't know, but, he's done a great job. Not for the voters of Virginia, that's for sure. Maybe for business interests and the interests of the Reverend Pat Robertson. I cannot recall seeing where Virginia's top cop has interceded on the behalf of the consumers of this state.
He's a pretty face...
...just what the republicans need.
Coming from Regent U. and having been on Pat Robertson and Ralph Reed's team of Christian Coalition attorneys really gives me the willies. How about you?
HE'S TOO BIASED FOR MY TASTE
If we have to have a lawyer for governor, can't we at least have one that graduated from a real law school and not the blatantly biased fundamentalist factory that Pat Robertson runs?
Republican Candidate..
From the AP photo provided, I see no evidence that he has a full set of choppers as well. He may also share the "runaway eyebrow" syndrome that is reportedly afflicting Gov. Kaine(D). Maybe he DID know it was unconstitutional, & voted for the HB anyway....It's a shame George Allen is not running. I would rather be called a Macaca. At least that doesn't cost me anything financially.
RE: Mcdonnel 09!
"McDonnell has done an excellent job as Attorney General"
Pray tell, just what is that "excellent" job McDonnell has done?