Will the GOP retake Richmond?

　
So I drive a Town Car, live in a gated community, and vote Republican. What’s not to like about that? What’s more, we Virginians next fall get to start turning our fine state red again, like God always meant it to be.

True, the Democrats have won the governor’s race in two straight elections, fair and square. But now it’s the Republicans’ turn.

Back in 1970, Linwood Holton finally broke the Democrats’ death grip on Virginia’s top office that had held for the 20th century. Then came two other GOP winners, followed by three straight Democrat governors (Robb, Baliles and Wilder). Then voters chose the GOP for two terms (Allen and Gilmore) and then two Dems (Warner and Kaine).
Frankly, I got the biggest gubernatorial kicks out of Doug Wilder and Jim Gilmore. What ch aracters they were. If Virginians survived them, we’ll survive anybody, for sure.

I’ve always voted Republican. And this time, how could I do otherwise in the governor‘s race? Aside from a major age difference, GOP candidate Bob McDonnell and I both had fathers who served in the military; we played football in high school, got ROTC commissions in college, lived in northern Virginia and Chicago, and named our first daughters Jeanine (his) and Jeanenne (mine).

Bob served in the military for over two decades. His Jeanine has served in the Army, in Baghdad. As for his Democratic opponents who scrambled for the nomination to run against him, their combined military service: Zero.

As a state representative in Richmond, McDonnell won several “legislator of the year” awards before becoming Attorney General in 2006. He has seen 83 of his 94 legislative proposals become law. This remarkable conservative has been pro-life, anti-union card check, and has proposed strong measures against teen gangs statewide.

Few legislators can duplicate his track record of involvement and success.”--Tidewater’s Virginian-Pilot.

Further, in their liveliest nominating convention in years, state Republicans in Richmond last weekend chose their slate for the fall race: McDonnell for Governor, Bill Bolling for Lt. Governor, and Ken Cuccinelli for Attorney General.

One problem. The Dems last fall turned Virginia blue for the first time in modern history, electing President Obama handily. They’re not about to give up the governor’s mansion without a fight. They consider Virginia a crucial state in keeping national control--White House, Senate, House, Government Motors, etc.

So who are they going to run against McDonnell? Terry McCauliffe, a former hack for Bill Clinton who has never won public office, is said to be leading two other candidates with real credentials. They are Brian Moran who served 20 years as a local prosecutor and in the Virginia House and Creigh Deeds who has been in the Virginia House and Senate for 17 years. The Dems decide on June 9.

The brash New Yorker who’s had virtually no ties to Virginia is nevertheless expert at raising money. However, former Gov. Wilder, who has not endorsed in this contest, has warned that, “If McAuliffe gets the nomination, there will be a formation of Virginians For McDonnell,” a coalition of Democrats and independents--according to Real Clear Politics.

Net: Virginia’s GOP, recently left for dead, ain’t.