Posted on 12/21/2006 7:23:40 AM PST by ReagansRaiders
Richmond, VA – Jim Gilmore, a tax-slashing former Virginia governor, announced he will explore a presidential bid in 2008.
Citing what he said was the lack of a true conservative in the field of GOP White House prospects, Gilmore said Tuesday he will charter a federal committee in January that would allow him to assess his chances for the race himself.
"There is not a committed conservative in the field who can put together a national campaign. I am and I can. I have people on the ground right now in Iowa and in South Carolina," Gilmore, 57, said in a telephone interview from New York.
His comments were directed not only at others preparing for a GOP presidential run, including Sen. John McCain of Arizona, former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani and departing Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney. It's also yet another of his many slaps at lavish federal spending by the current Republican administration and Congress.
"I am not someone who has to evolve as a conservative. I don't have to evolve my position," he said.
Gilmore was easily elected governor in 1997 on a promise to cut the despised property tax local governments assess on personal cars and pickup trucks. He served one term and could not seek re-election because Virginia uniquely bars successive terms for its governors.
Wow - an actual conservative? What about Bill Owens?
Good news. We need a real primary process to make a selection. Not a pre-annoiting of McCain because it is "his turn."
Owens isn't even running for Senate in '08 if Allard retires. He has some baggage.
Is he as conservative as the AP says?
Good.
Gilmore is a great choice. He is my favorite as of now.
Didn't he lose his state race, though? How can a guy lose a governor's race and hope to win nationally? (well, ok, Nixon did it . . . with some gap in between).
No, Gilmore could not seek reelection. We have this nasty little law in VA where you cannot succeed yourself as Gov. That is why both George Allen and Mark Warner only served 4 years as Gov., too.
Gilmore won the race for Governor. Since it's a single term position by law, he had to leave office after the next election.
My mistake. It was Warner. My apologies.
Who was the Republican candidate then who lost to the last Dem gov?
Here is Gilmore's bio from the Heritage Foundation:
James S. Gilmore, III was born on October 6, 1949 and raised in Richmond, Virginia. He received an undergraduate degree in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1971. After a three-year tour as a U.S. Army counterintelligence agent in West Germany, he entered the University of Virginia Law School, graduating in 1977. After working for a decade in community service and as a lawyer in private practice, he was elected Commonwealth’s Attorney in his home county of Henrico in 1987 and 1991.
He was elected Virginia Attorney General in 1993 and Governor in 1997. As Governor, he established a record of success in improving education in Virginia and providing tax relief to Virginia’s working families. Governor Gilmore led the successful implementation of rigorous new academic standards and testing to ensure students are learning and that teachers and school administrators are being held accountable. Governor Gilmore had a solid record of cutting taxes. In the firs two years of his administration, he enacted more than a dozen tax cuts, led by the virtual elimination of Virginia’s personal property tax on cars and trucks—the largest tax cut in the state’s history. He also cut income taxes for military personnel living in Virginia, lowered college tuition by 20 percent, and eliminated Virginia’s tax on prescription drugs.
Former Governor Gilmore created the nation’s first secretariat of technology, established a statewide technology commission, and signed into law the nation’s first comprehensive state Internet policy. During his term as Governor of Virginia, he chaired the national Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce, which was charged with making recommendations to Congress on Internet taxation, an issue of global significance. The E-Commerce Commission opposed taxation of the Internet.
Currently, former Governor Gilmore chairs the Congressional Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction, a national panel established by Congress in 1999 to assess federal, state, and local governments’ capability to respond to the consequences of a terrorist attack. The panel is submitting its findings to the President and Congress for the next two years and was essential in developing the Office of Homeland Security. Also known as the “Gilmore Commission,” you can visit www.rand.org and type in “Gilmore Commission” in the search box to view the commission’s recommendations.
Jerry Kilgore lost to Tim Kaine in '05 and Mark Early lost to Mark Warner in '01.
From the DraftGilmore.org website, here is a brief synopsis of his record:
Enacted the largest tax cut in Virginia history
Drafted the basis of national Homeland Security policy
Lead the effort opposing taxation of the internet
Coordinated Virginia's response to 9/11
Slashed taxes on military personnel
Kept schools accountable with high academic standards
Lowered college tuitions by 20%
Created the first state Secretary of Technology
Here is Gilmore on the issues, again from DraftGilmore.org:
National Security- Proven Visionary Leadership
Gilmore chaired the "Gilmore Commission" during its entire existence from 1999-2003. Gilmore was warning the Clinton and Bush White Houses of the threat from a 9/11-style attack long before it actually happened. In the aftermath of 9/11, 146 of the Commission's 164 recommendations on Homeland Security were adopted and became the foundation of America's first line of defense.
As Governor of Virginia, Gilmore guided the state through the fallout of the 9/11 attacks on the state. Gilmore took charge in coordinating relief efforts. The attack on the Pentagon in Northern Virginia and the closure of Ronald Reagan National Airport also took their toll on the state's economy, but thanks to low tax policies the state was able to rebound with record revenues several years later.
Immigration- Securing Our Borders
Gilmore has long been a strong advocate of strengthening immigration and border controls to restrict the movements of terrorists crossing our borders and operating within our borders. Border security will be a priority in a Gilmore administration.
Government Spending- Stopping The Pork
Jim Gilmore doesn't hesitate to criticize his own party when it come to out-of-control government spending. Gilmore is someone we can trust to rein in pork spending in Washington.
The Economy- Increased Revenues Through Free Enterprise
Jim Gilmore's economic policies encourage business and trade and in turn generates increased revenue for Government. Gilmore understands that the key to economic growth is free enterprise and the best way to encourage it is lower taxes and less regulations.
I'd vote for him.
I thought he was RNC chair for a while. That would form the basis for a nationwide campaign.
Does this mean tha Sam Brownback is not a conservative? Hogwash.
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