A little while ago, Tim Kaine sent out an email expressing "grave concern" over "Bob McDonnell's long-time political philosophy," as revealed in yesterday's now-classic Washington Post story. According to Kaine:...this political blueprint contains unflattering references to working women, gays and lesbians, and many others. It also contains references to policy positions - such as opposition to contraception and child care availability - that most Virginians would find quite troubling.I couldn't agree more with Tim Kaine on this one: Bob McDonnell's believes ARE sincerely held, but they're also extreme, divisive, and the totally wrong prescription for our Commonwealth in the 21st century (heck, they would have been wrong in the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries too!).
All people are entitled to their personal beliefs. After years of working with Bob, I believe this article is an accurate reflection of his sincere and long-standing views. But I do not believe that this philosophy, which Bob has worked strenuously to implement as an elected official, is the right direction for Virginia. In fact, I think it would take us backwards and jeopardize much of the success we have achieved in the Commonwealth in recent years.
I also agree with Tim Kaine that, at least with Creigh Deeds, nobody will "have to wonder whether he had another agenda." Basically, that's a moderate, "business friendly" Democratic philosophy, one that I wish was more progressive but certainly is in the mainstream of where Virginia's been since Mark Warner came to Richmond. To the contrary, based on his writings, Bob McDonnell makes Jim Gilmore and George Allen look like raging liberals!
As if all that's not bad enough, McDonnell shares something else with George Allen - they both think George W. Bush was a great president (Allen voted 96% with Bush, McDonnell says he thinks Bush economics brought a great "revival" in this country). Brilliant!
