Posted on 12/05/2009 6:19:02 PM PST by HokieMom
WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (AP) - What a difference a year has made for Virginia's Republican Party.
Hailing a turnaround that seemed impossible after a historic 2008 trouncing in a Democratic sweep led by Barack Obama, jubilant Republicans cheered the party's newest star, Gov.-elect Bob McDonnell, at their annual winter meeting Saturday.
"The Republican resurgence has begun in Virginia," McDonnell told a crowd attending the party's 26th Annual Donald W. Huffman Republican Advance in Williamsburg.
In Staunton, nearly 160 miles west down Interstate 64, the Democratic Party's central committee hunkered down under a heavy snowstorm.
McDonnell's victory by 19 percentage points over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds _ along with the sweep of two lesser statewide offices and a net gain of six House of Delegates seats _ was inconceivable at last year's gathering.
*break*
The former attorney general repeated his pledge not to boost taxes to balance the critically underfunded budget after he takes office Jan. 16. But his loudest ovation came as he promised to uphold causes dear to the social conservatives who have been his strongest supporters.
"I was a pro-life attorney general for Virginia and I will be a pro-life governor. I was a Second Amendment attorney general for Virginia, and I will be a Second Amendment governor," McDonnell said.
(Excerpt) Read more at wtop.com ...
I hope Virginia gets its budgetary house in order, so it keeps jobs in commuting range from Maryland.
I hope Maryland goes red next election but I think we’d need to amputate Baltimore from the state to do that.
Like the article points out, a year ago no one thought the results would have been so decisive in Virginia this year. There’s hope for Maryland, even with Baltimore in the mix.
Kaine is doing some monkey business to force McDonnell to make tough choices. Kaine signed a state wide ban on smoking and is pushing to raise taxes before he gives the keys to the Governor’s mansion to McDonnell. Plus the WaPo is monitoring the 700 Club to look for crazy statements by Pat Roberston to link them to McDonnell. The Dems see McDonnell as raising star and they are determined to bring him down like George Allen.
Here’s one to make your point:
Kaine proposes expanding health benefits to [homosexual] partners
And PG county and Montgomery country...
Now, govern like you should.
NO compromise with the left. NO “reaching across the aisle” crap.
Conservative governance is the ONLY thing that can save our Nation, if it can be saved at all at this point.
Personally, I think it is already too late.
Here’s one battleground.
Both Sides Gear Up for Battle Over Future of State-Run Liquor Stores
http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/12/05/fairfax/news/fe350.txt
They’ll fail, even if Pat Robertson makes non-P.C. statements..
“I hope Maryland goes red next election but I think we’d need to amputate Baltimore from the state to do that.”
I think that you also need to amputate Montgomery and Prince Georges Counies to achieve that.
Check out the recent Survey USA polls about VA’s attitude toward the Dems.
Job Approval Ratings
Jim Webb: +45 / -49
Mark Warner: +52 / -43
Tim Kaine: +45 / -51
Obama: +37 / -60
http://www.surveyusa.com/client/PollReport.aspx?g=d03aa4b5-7e22-4397-a312-263fdab83422
Looks good for next few years for the GOP if they can figure out how to continue to attract the angry mob.
Virginia parties look to next fall
GOP HOPES TO CONTINUE GAINS
Hundreds of jubilant Republican activists descended on historic Williamsburg on Saturday to celebrate their landslide victories in Virginia last month and begin plotting to extend the comeback to the 2010 midterm elections and beyond.
The rest: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/12/05/AR2009120503018.html
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