Candidate Mcdonnell's stumble only a distraction

Republican Bob McDonnell isn't as callous as he sounded when he told revelers at the Shad Planking, "I'm actually now a retired state employee, sort of unemployed myself."

There's no arguing that the comment was poorly timed, coming a week after Republican legislators rejected $125 million in federal aid for Virginia's truly jobless.

McDonnell resigned as attorney general earlier this year so he could run for governor. His former law firm stepped in to offer him an interim position that ensures he'll still be getting steady paychecks in 2009.

Democrats have rushed to portray the GOP gubernatorial candidate as cruel and heartless. McDonnell is neither. He is, though, a leader too often hobbled by a desire to make everyone happy.

The fight over federal unemployment aid offered no opportunity for universal bliss. The issue pitted Virginia's jobless families against businesses that fear new benefits will require them to pay just over a penny a day per employee in new taxes.

McDonnell attempted to dance around the issue in an intricate minuet but has succeeded only in tripping himself. Earlier this year, he expressed concerns about long-term debt resulting from the federal economic stimulus package but said Virginia should accept its share of the money anyway.

When Republican lawmakers rejected a majority of the money available for jobless assistance, McDonnell backed them up, saying requirements that the state expand eligibility would harm economic growth in Virginia.

A few days later, as Republicans were being hammered for their vote, McDonnell told a conservative blogger he hoped the state could still get the money without making long-term changes to its eligibility requirements.

The federal government has never had the power to impose permanent changes in state unemployment law once the stimulus funds are spent, a fact McDonnell and Republican lawmakers had previously chosen to ignore.

Just two weeks after their vote, it is clear already that in rejecting federal aid, Republicans misjudged the mood of Virginians, who recognize those dollars were intended to ease the suffering of their neighbors. Holding GOP lawmakers - and their titular leader - accountable for that vote is only right. Dwelling on a thoughtless remark is an unnecessary distraction.