Virginia Republicans say they're ready to deliver

Wednesday was a heady day for Republicans as they basked in the glow of an election that produced a GOP takeover in the House of Representatives, victories in gubernatorial contests around the country and gains in the U.S. Senate.

But lest his GOP colleagues grow too content with those victories, the Virginia congressman who is poised to become majority leader in the House had a message for them:

"Let us be under no illusion," U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia's 7th District wrote in a letter to fellow Republicans, "many of those who cast their vote for Republicans yesterday have their share of doubts about whether we are up to the task of governing; about whether congressional Republicans have learned our lesson.

"I harbor no such doubts."

Cantor, who represents suburban Richmond and Henrico County, leads a new Virginia congressional delegation featuring Republicans in at least eight of the state's 11 district seats - freshman Democratic Rep. Gerry Connolly holds a slim advantage in Northern Virginia's 11th District contest that remained too close to call Wednesday.

Before Tuesday, Democrats held a 6-5 advantage in Virginia dating to the 2008 election, when voters sent a host of Democrats to Capitol Hill.

Republicans interpret the message from voters as a mandate to cut spending and shrink the size of the federal government.

To achieve that, several new congressmen said, they'll target cuts in discretionary federal spending and look to largely spare a defense budget that has long been a boon to Virginia's economy.

That's welcome news in Hampton Roads, where fears loom about the planned closure of the Joint Forces Command, which employs about 6,000, and the possible relocation of a Norfolk-based aircraft carrier to Florida. Defense Secretary Robert Gates in August announced plans to close JFCOM and reduce spending on defense contractors by up to one-third over the next three years with an eye on freeing up money to modernize the military and spend on troops.

"Defense spending has always been important to Virginia," said Rep.-elect Morgan Griffith, a Salem Republican who toppled longtime Democratic Rep. Rick Boucher in Southwest Virginia's 9th District. Griffith said he will work to protect JFCOM and block the carrier move.

Likewise, incoming freshman representative Robert Hurt said he'll oppose plans that would diminish national defense and security capabilities. A veteran of the state legislature, Hurt defeated first-term Rep. Tom Perriello, the Democratic representative in central Virginia's 5th District, which includes Charlottesville.

Other nonessential programs could face tough cuts, said Hurt, who didn't reference any specific spending items. "We have to have a balanced budget," he said. "As much as we want a certain program, and want funding, or may not want to have to make cuts... we have to set priorities. People are prepared to make the tough decisions that are necessary to get our spending in balance."

Democrats smarting from election defeats remain skeptical that Republicans can live up to their campaign pledges.

"Politics is easy because you can say anything you want," retiring Virginia Democratic Party chairman C. Richard "Dickie" Cranwell said Wednesday. "The governing part, that's really difficult."

Cranwell wonders how Republicans will avoid making cuts to the defense budget, which represents a significant chunk of federal spending, or find major savings by cutting discretionary spending that makes up a smaller slice of federal appropriations. "I heard them all talking about shrinking the size of the federal government, cutting spending," he said. "Where are they going to get it?"

A spokeswoman for Cantor said a House Republican proposal to reduce non-defense discretionary spending to 2008 levels will save taxpayers "at least $100 billion in the first year."

The Republican takeover of the House will have some effect on the ability of Hampton Roads' political leaders to protect or expand the region's military installations, two local GOP congressmen say.

But that's not necessarily a negative effect, they said.

While Congress will need to make deep spending cuts next year to begin reducing the federal deficit, it's not a given that the region's defense installations will get smaller, said Rep. Randy Forbes of Chesapeake and Scott Rigell, who will assume the 2nd District seat in January.

Forbes is in line to become chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. The subcommittee oversees military installations, training, construction and any potential base realignments or closures. In a leadership role, Forbes would be among a handful of legislators steering debate and consideration of key defense bills. "I think the most important thing we have now is we're at least guaranteed a seat at the table. ... Nothing is going through the subcommittee unless the chairman signs off on it," Forbes said.

While Forbes' stature rose with the election, other key members of the Armed Services Committee - many of whom were supportive of Hampton Roads' military assets - were tossed out by voters. Seven Democratic committee members lost in Tuesday's election, including Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., and Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Virginia Beach, who was defeated by Rigell.

Forbes said Skelton's likely replacement, Rep. Buck McKeon, R-Calif., has been supportive of his efforts.

Rigell said Wednesday he doesn't believe that cutting defense spending also requires shrinking Hampton Roads' military commands, which he described as "essential for protection of American people."

Julian Walker, (804) 697-1564, julian.walker@pilotonline.com

Bill Bartel, (757) 446-2398, bill.bartel@pilotonline.com