McDonnell in Roanoke
Yesterday evening Bob McDonnell was in Roanoke for a "thank you" dinner as part of his tour of western Virginia. It was well attended as the room was at overflow capacity. He spoke about how things are going so far as AG and also pointed out his legislative successes this year (getting 20 of his 21 bills passed). There was also a discussion about the bill that wasn't passed on eminent domain. Bob assured the group that our law would be fixed eventually (maybe in the special session) but that all the sticking points had still not been ironed out.
No one publicly asked him about his ambitions for 2009, but a few in attendance could be heard privately giving their support for his impending gubentorial campaign.
In 2009 it will be interesting who the Roanoke area supports. Many would think Bolling b/c he seems to play better in rural areas, but Roanoke is a suburban area in the middle of rural Virginia. That may play into McDonnell's favor as we near '09.
No one publicly asked him about his ambitions for 2009, but a few in attendance could be heard privately giving their support for his impending gubentorial campaign.
In 2009 it will be interesting who the Roanoke area supports. Many would think Bolling b/c he seems to play better in rural areas, but Roanoke is a suburban area in the middle of rural Virginia. That may play into McDonnell's favor as we near '09.
posted by GOPHokie @ 9:35 AM
3 Comments:
At 3/16/2006 4:23 PM,
Spank That Donkey said…
I think that NRA endorsement is pretty important in the Valley. Take the city of Staunton, Deeds beat McDonnell, Kaine beat Kilgore, but Bolling beat Byrne. Same voters big differnce in outcome.
Deeds was "hometown", but it also helped immeasurably to have the NRA endorsement.
At 3/16/2006 6:19 PM,
GOPHokie said…
Kilgore got the NRA endorsement as well so that doesn't really explain it.
I think you are right the NRA makes a difference, especially in a Republican primary in the Valley.
If you remember, they did not make an endorsement in our AG primary this year.
The likely nomination process in '09 will be convention though. NRA doesnt carry as much weight there.
NJB, we always need to keep an eye on the future.
At 3/17/2006 3:18 PM,
GOPHokie said…
Essentially what I think will begin to happen is Bolling and McDonnell will start getting their supporters on state central (which determines covention or primary) and then come early 2009 whichever way they see as their best chance at the nod they will go with.
If someone like Davis or Connaughton were to run as well Bolling and McDonnell would want a convention to more easily beat them (and then jockey for their suporters on the 2nd ballot).
The entire party could be changed by 2009 though b/c the '07 elections will have a major bearing on the party direction come '09.
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