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By Patrick O'Connor and Carol E. Lee
Virginia's Republican Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, whose win last Tuesday sparked a wave of speculation about President Barack Obama's standing a year after his own historic election, attributed his victory to "Virginia issues" rather than fallout over the national agenda.
"A lot of independent voters, though, and Republicans as well, clearly told me they were very concerned about the direction of the country," McDonnell said on "Fox News Sunday."
"I ran on Virginia issues, kitchen table issues," McDonnell said "That's largely what got people to support our campaign."
But he said national issues, particularly climate-change, also played to his favor with Virginia voters.
McDonnell said on CNN’s "State of the Union" that he looks forward to finding “common ground” with Obama on issues such as education and abortion.
“I made no secret throughout my career I’m pro life,” McDonnell said. “But I think we need to find those areas like adoption, improving the adoption laws, the fatherhood initiative. President Obama has been a leader on that. I’m looking for ways to implement that.”
McDonnell cited plenty of areas where he disagrees with the president, including legislation that would make it easier for unions to organize, cap and trade and health care.
While the governor-elect said he has not read the nearly 2,000-page health care bill the House passed late Saturday night, he voiced strong opposition to the public option and said whether the Senate approves an opt-in or opt-out version, Virginia is unlikely to participate.
“Either way my preference would be not to have Virginia participate, from what I know this plan contains,” McDonnell said. “So however they structure it, if it gives flexibility to the states, that’s a good thing.”
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Gas prices have went up an average of 27 Cents in the last month
So let me see, its okay to pay more for over priced gas and let the oil companies reap billions more in profit and not so much as a peep out of anyone. Yet the mere mention of having a gas tax, which would have benefited all Virginians by being a source of revenue for transportation projects, and the posters went crazy. Where is the rationale. Oil companies overcharge. Its all good yo. Add a few cents gas tax, ahhhh!!! the world will end as we know it. That my friends is the mentality that elected the ultra conservative gang headed for Richmond and has condemned Virginia to a decade or more of going nowhere.
When?
I say again, Open Minded, when is enough, enough? We've had a $40 Billion increase under Kaine and Warner. Many of us think it is enough. Just stop the waste, fraud, and abuse.
Gov Elect Bob McDonnell
Congrats to Bob McDonnell,who ran a race based upon issues instead of mud slinging. This should send a message to Washington that Virginia is not in Obama's back pocket. The Democrats are no longer the party of the working man,but have become more Socialist. The Democrats of old would not recognize those calling themselves Democrats today. As a Senior Citizen, the big issues with me are Health care and the Social Security system. Too many politicians over the years have raped the Social Security System,allowing illegals to draw on it without putting nothing into it.
I sincerely hope that Bob McDonnell can dig us out of the budget mess that the Democrats have put us in for the past 8 years, and hopefully, we can return to our conservative values,and not be a joke for the rest of the world to laugh at. We must remember that first we are all Americans,then Republican, Democrat or Independent,and the greatest power that we have is the power of the VOTE. The politicians would do well to remember this when 2010 rolls around.
"the budget mess that the Democrats have put us in for the past
"the budget mess that the Democrats have put us in for the past 8 years"
You are so funny. The republicans have held one side of the legislature and no bill has been passed without republican approval.
McDonnell will do Virginia proud.
McDonnell will do Virginia proud, unlike part-time Kaine who has done nothing but leave Virginia with pot holes.
I dare you
to not let us in on the public option if there is one.
You are so arrogant to even suggest you would contemplate that. Oh, and same goes for no-Deeds.
The people of this state will not tolerate you keeping us from this.
I think this man is bluffing and will NOT have the cahones to follow through with his threat.