Free Republic

What's the fiercest rivalry in American politics today? There's Obama-Romney, of course, but try O'Malley-McDonnell—neighboring governors battling across the Potomac River over how best to resuscitate a moribund economy. Martin O'Malley, Maryland's liberal Democratic governor, is competing for jobs, businesses and tax dollars with Bob McDonnell, Virginia's conservative Republican chief executive. Both are rising stars considered potential presidential hopefuls in 2016. Both are Irish Catholics—Mr. McDonnell playfully calls Mr. O'Malley "the big Irishman to our north"—and each leads his party's association of governors. The two regularly spar on the Sunday talk shows, on the pages of Washington-area newspapers, and over...

On C-Span Speakers today include: • RNC co-chairman Sharon Day • Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn • Convention chief executive officer William Harris • Tampa Bay Host Committee chairman Al Austin • House Speaker John Boehner • Chairman of committee on rules John Sununu • Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, chairman of committee on resolutions • U.S. Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota and U.S. Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee, co-chairs of committee on resolutions • Actor Janine Turner • Former U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum • U.S. Sen. Kelly Ayotte of New Hampshire • Ohio Gov. John Kasich • Oklahoma Gov. Mary...

The Republican Party looks set to adopt platform planks at the upcoming GOP national convention in Tampa to support an audit of the Federal Reserve and to call for a commission to study a return to the gold standard, according to news reports. Analysts had a range of reactions to the news, varying from excitement to disdain and disbelief. Despite media claims that Republicans were seeking an end to centrally managed fiat currency and a return to gold-backed money, drafts of the platform revealed far less ambition. According to sources within the GOP cited in reports, the party is simply...

The Talk Shows August 26th, 2012 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife, Ann.MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Republican former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus; Rep. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn.; Republican former Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.THIS WEEK (ABC): Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell, chairman of the Republican Platform Committee; Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, chairman of the Democratic National Convention. STATE OF THE UNION (CNN): Priebus; Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, R-Texas;...

The Talk Shows August 19th, 2012 Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows: FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Ed Gillespie, adviser to Romney's campaign; Robert Gibbs, adviser to Obama's campaign. MEET THE PRESS (NBC): Govs. Martin O'Malley, D-Md., and Bob McDonnell, R-Va.; Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed; Ted Cruz, Republican Senate nominee in Texas.FACE THE NATION (CBS): Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill.; former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani; Grover Norquist, president of Americans for Tax Reform; Neera Tanden, president of the Center for American Progress.THIS WEEK (ABC): Stephanie Cutter, deputy campaign manager for President Barack Obama's re-election campaign; Kevin...

A potentially large change of events as former Virginia Governor Doug Wilder appeared at a Romney fundraiser today. This came after his criticism of Joe Biden for his "chains" comments the other day. According to Pajamas Media, Wilder (D-VA) was a surprise guest and was introduced by current Governor Bob McDonnell at the fundraiser in Richmond, VA. Wilder had said that slavery was not something for Biden to joke about:

August 10, 2012 10,000 Dead Virginia Voters Christian Adams The Virginia State Board of Elections provides an example of how states should be conducting election administration. While many U.S. counties have over 100 percent of living adults registered to vote, Virginia has none. Even better, Virginia has purchased the Social Security Death Index database so state election officials can run computerized matches against Virginia voter rolls.The new policy of the Virginia State Board has paid off.Virginia’s initial sweep has yielded 10,000 dead voters who were never before removed from the rolls. These zombies won’t be able to vote, through a...

A retired Navy captain is asking Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell to support adding marriage equality to the GOP platform. McDonnell chairs the committee that will propose a platform at the national convention in Tampa later this month. Retired Navy Capt. Joan Darrah, in a letter to McDonnell, said the freedom to marry is in keeping with the party’s ideology. “If given the opportunity, we will testify in support of the inclusion in the Republican platform of both the repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), and the right of same-gender couples to marry and for those marriages to...

In just a matter of days, presumptive GOP nominee Mitt Romney will announce his choice for his 2012 running mate. No matter who Romney picks, however, the liberal media's line of attack is already clear. The Media Research Center reviewed news coverage of several potential picks, and found many have already been caricatured as too far right or outside the mainstream. Last year, for example, MSNBC’s Ed Schultz slammed Senator Marco Rubio as a "pretty boy" and a "hack," screaming that his "policies are downright ugly." A few weeks later, CNN sought out New York Times columnist Paul Krugman to...

Yesterday, I suggested there were some clues pointing to Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) as Mitt Romney’s VP pick. There might be clues leading to other figures (e.g. Mitt Romney will be in Ohio next week, Sen. Rob Portman’s stomping grounds). Anyone in the party or pundit class trying to influence the pick is probably barking up the wrong tree... But a number of readers were puzzled: Why McDonnell? Rather than make the case for him, let’s look at how Romney, the only voice that matters, would see him and another frequently mentioned contender, remembering that Romney likes to gather...

WASHINGTON - The governor of Virginia became the latest politician to offer his perspective on a controversy that could banish Chick-Fil-A from jurisdictions nationwide. When asked about the backlash stemming from the fast food restaurant's public opposition to gay marriage, Gov. Bob McDonnell said, "I love chicken." Following a pause, the governor continued: "If we start having governments issue permits or zoning changes, or withholding those because of someone's political or religious beliefs, we are going down a very bad road." "I think people have an ability to start and grow a business regardless of their political beliefs," he said,...

As we are nearing the long awaited "Who Shot JR Moment",It's safe to assume it's down to Ryan,Portman,Rubio and McDonnell. Portman is considered the "Vanilla Candidate" and Romney would choose him if he desperately needed Ohio.But keep in mind,Neighboring McDonnell could do the trick. As we all know,Romney is going to choose someone who is very prepared to be President god forbid anything happens to Mittens,and also a VP who could run a very succsesful campaign in 2016. McDonnell could help carry Virginia,Ohio,The Carolina's and maybe even Pennsylvania. he would definitley "Energize And Reload The GOP Ticket".

Asked on Friday who he’d prefer to see as Mitt Romney’s running mate, three-time Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich offered an entire roster of would-be veep choices. “Well, I think the people who would do the best job is somebody like either Sen. Rob Portman, Sen. Marco Rubio, Sen. Kelly Ayotte, Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia, maybe Gov. Bobby Jindal,” he responded. “There are five or six people who each has the ability to be a good president and each of whom will help win the election and each of whom will broadly share the values that the Republican Party...

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has emerged as one of three Republican officeholders who political handicappers say have the most potential to unify the party and boost the fortunes of GOP standard-bearer Mitt Romney as a running mate in November. While Mr. Romney has revealed little about his vice-presidential search, Mr. McDonnell, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio are widely seen as reliable economic and social conservatives at a time when the party faces the possibility of factional divisions heading into next month’s convention in Tampa, Fla. The Virginia governor, experienced analysts note, is a staunchly pro-life Catholic...

Gannett paper, link only: http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2012/07/24/romney-bus-with-two-possible-vp-picks-aboard-will-be-in-iowa-this-week/

By LARRY O'DELL Associated Press RICHMOND, Va. - Virginia Republican leaders on Thursday denounced the U.S. Supreme Court's decision upholding President Barack Obama's health care overhaul as an assault on individual freedom, while a top Democrat said the ruling clears the way for improved access to health care. The court ruled 5-4 that the law requiring individuals to buy health insurance or pay a penalty is constitutional. Attorney General Kenneth Cuccinelli had argued to the contrary in a separate lawsuit that was tossed out by a federal appeals court. "This is a dark day for American liberty," Cuccinelli said in...

On Tuesday, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has denied his request for the Virginia State Police to join the 287(g) program which trains local and state law enforcement to identify illegal aliens in custody for possible deportation. Gov. McDonnell told reporters: "I'm incredibly disappointed with the Obama administration." In August 2010, McDonnell asked DHS to allow 28 state troopers to receive the specified training in order to identify illegal aliens charged with serious crimes such as "major drug offenses or violent offenses such as murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and kidnapping, as well as...

Once again, the Virginia Citizens Defense League has delivered for Virginia gun owners. Thanks to the tireless efforts of VCDL activists, the 2012 Legislative Session was even more of a rousing success than the 2011 Session. Not only was every single anti-gun bill opposed by VCDL defeated but the session ended with almost a dozen VCDL supported bills passed by the Legislature and signed by Governor McDonnell. These important changes will take effect on July 1st … Better Protection For Gun Owners During Declared Emergencies I have written before about the dangers of emergency declarations stripping citizens of their right...

Dear In April, I announced that I would not seek another term in elected office in order to focus on rebuilding my marriage and my family. That remains my highest priority, and I have concluded that the time has come for my family and me to leave public life. Therefore, earlier today, I submitted to the House Clerk, the Speaker, and Governor McDonnell my resignation from the House of Delegates, effective August 31. To ensure the best possible stewardship of taxpayer resources, I also conveyed my hope that Governor McDonnell will schedule the special election to coincide with the general...

After a day of legislators competing to heap scorn on President Obama at the Chicago Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell took a novel approach: talk up the presumptive GOP nominee, Mitt Romney, as well. "We need a change, and that change is Mitt Romney. This is a guy that is a man of faith, a man of character. A guy I know a little bit about. I'm honored to be a surrogate going around the country for Mitt Romney," McDonnell said.