Jerry Kilgore Interview on WTOP
By: Lowell
Published On: 2/26/2005 2:00:00 AM
For those of you who have never had the dubious "pleasure" of hearing Jerry "Ned Flanders" Kilgore speak, here's your chance -- an extensive radio interview (2/25/05) with Mark Plotkin on WTOP's "Politics Program." In the fast-moving, wide-ranging interview, Ned...er, Jerry discussed his views on the issues, from capital punishment to public schools to voting rights to the Confederate flag. Here are some highlights.
On education, Kilgore claims he's "commmitted to the public school system," that "We can never set the bar high enough," and that "we need to keep our better teachers and give them better pay." (Yeah, but Jerry, where are you going to get the money for that? Inquiring minds want to know!).
On his opinion of other Virginia politicians, Kilgore says that "Governor Gilmore and I have been friends for a long time." (heartwarming, ain't it?) Kilgore says he's "not worried" about Republican opponent George Fitch. He repeats his mantra (by the way, Jerry, don't you ever get tired of being so scripted and boring all the time? C'mon, get wild, go off message for a change, let that inner Ned Flanders come out!): "My opponent is Tim Kaine. We're focused on Tim Kaine."
In relation to newly-declared "Independent Republican" Russell Potts, Kilgore once again repeats his campaign's monotonous (and blatantly false) talking points: "I think there are two Democrats in this race for Governor -- Tim Kaine and Russ Potts;" "Potts will take more votes from Tim Kaine than from me;" "I don't care whether Russ Potts run or not." "I think he will take more votes from Tim Kaine at the end of the day...He and Tim Kaine agree on all the issues." To paraphrase Shakespeare, we think Jerry doth protest a bit too much here. Could that mean he's really worried? Hmmmm...
On gaining "moderate" support for his (far right) candidacy, Jerry says it's all about crime (so much for education, transportation, and every other issue people care about; this guy's so obsessed with crime we worry that he's been watching far too much local TV news!). What it boils down to is this: Kilgore will connect with "moderates" by making sreets safe, dealing with the state's gang problem, protecting our children online, and "leading" in cases like the DC-area sniper (not sure what he means exactly on the last point, since we didn't hear much from Jerry Kilgore during the several-week reign of sniper terror. Wasn't it all Charles Moose, all the time?). Now, how is this an issues that only "moderates" care about exactly? Is there anyone who likes gangs or snipers? We're looking, Jerry, and will let you know if we find anyone!
On gangs, Kilgore states categorically: "The bottom line is we have a serious gang problem in Northern Virginia." To deal with this, he supports "giving prosecutors more ability to win tougher sentences" as well as using the death penatly against gang leaders who order drug transactions in which, subsequently, a murder occurs. Ultimately, though, "it comes down to the local level." Whatever that means.
Kilgore is pressed on his support for the death penalty, despite its "capriciousness" and racial bias. His answer is that the death penalty marks a "huge difference between Tim Kaine and me," even though Kaine has stated that, as govenor, he will uphold the law even though his deep moral convictions as a Roman Catholic are against executing people. Kilgore claims that "Kaine has spoken at rallies, called for moratoriums against capital punishment."
Interestingly, for someone who is such a big fan of using the death penalty, the guy who just served as the state's Attorney General has NO IDEA how many people are on Virginia's death row. He's also "never recommended that any death sentences be commutated." Kilgore seems to have no doubts about the death penalty in any way, brushing aside many peoples' concerns regarding various aspects of the penalty's implementation, fairness, efficacy, etc. Kilgore simply says, unhelpfully, that "You should look at every case on a case by case basis."
On Tim Kaine, Kilgore seems to believe that he will let his personal, moral/religious views on the death penalty get in the way of his ability to enforce the law ("I think it is more unlikely that [Kaine] will allow the death penalty to be carrried out, even for the guilty people"). Kilgore further charges that Kaine is "now...trying to change his views to look more like me." That's fascinating, since Tim Kaine has been utterly consistent on the death penatly issue for years now: he personally opposes it for religious reasons but won't seek to overturn or sabotage it. What part of that don't you nderstand, Jerry? If you'd like, we could explain it to you sometime; just e-mail us at poldir@raisingkaine.com
One caller correctly pointed out that there are contradictions in conservative politics, specifically with regards to how intrusive the government should be in our lives. Libertarians, of course, believe that government should stay out of both our wallets AND our bedrooms. Jerry Kilgore, on the other hand, believes in a much more activist government role on certain social issues, like persecuting homosexuals of course, that's no big surprise coming from this guy (effeminate as he himself is). What is a bit surprising is that Kilgore says he "[does] support cameras for stoplight runners. These cameras save lives and prevent traffic accidents." But isn't that government "intrusion" into people's lives? Boy, this conservative philosophy sure is confusing! Thankfully, though, Kilgore does draw the line somewhere regarding goernment meddling in our personal lives, coming out bravely against the so-called "droopy drawers" legislation. Instead, Kilgore believes that it's up to parents to deal with ("I just encourage parents to take charge" and to encourage their kids to look "professional").
Asked about his philosphy of government, he boils it down to this: Government should "protect the health and safety of its citizens and protect Virginia values." Uh, Jerry, that's fascinating but do you think you could elaboate just a wee bit more? Sorry, maybe we're a bit dense, but we're still puzzled as to your governing "philosophy" -- could you be any more vague or less specific here? Let's just say that this guy's now John Locke!
Interestingly, Jerry states that he disagrees with Marlyand's Republican governor Robert Erhlich and opposes slots. ("No. I just disagree [with Gov. Erlich] on this issue.")
Well, then, Jerry is asked, how would you solve the state's revenue problems? First, he says he would set "priorities" -- transportation, public education, economic development, public safety. OK, that's very impressive Jerry, but isn't it true that you have supported taking money out of transportation? Jerry responds, les-than-helpfully once again, "We need to target some of the revenue growth in the general fund for transportation needs." Well that certainly clears THAT one up -- thanks Jerry!
There's a very interesting and REVEALING exchange on the issue of tobacco.First, Jerry says "We just increased the tobacco tax" and that "I don't think we need to raise the tobacco tax." When asked, whether or not smoking isn't a public health issue, Kilgore responds with apparent lack of concern: "Smoking is declining across Virginia." That's interesting, because Kilgore's wife apparently is involved with efforts to fight smoking by minors. It's also interesting, because Jerry has taken big, BIG money from tobacco interests (see below on campaign contributions).
On the hot-button issue of the Confederate flag, Kilgore believes that "we blow it out of proportion." He also says that the confederate flag is part of our history and heritage ("We can't rewrite history....We have to market our great tourist sites.") Yes, he "recognize(s) that African Americans see it as a symbol of slavery." But, having said that, he also recognizes that others see it as something from history." He does state unequivocally that he does "not plan to put it on the capitol grounds." Well, thank goodness for that!
On campaign contribution limits, and specifically taking money from large corporate donors, Jerry admits, "I have taken money from tobacco interests." In a fascinating comment that indicates either disingenousness or complete cluelessness, Jerry says that companies who give hime $100,000 do so not because "they want something," simply because "they just want good government." Ha ha ha ha ha ha haha ha. This is so funny becuase Kilgore has taken over $250,000 from tobacco interests but opposes raising cigarette taxes -- yet he sees no conflict of interests there. He also sees no contradiction with his wife Marty's involvement in discouraging kids from smoking, his receipt of big money from tobacco intersts, and his view that Virginia's lowest-in-the-nation cigarette tax should not be increased, for public health or any other reason. Jerry simply says, in a true profile in courage, "These companies have the right to participate in the political arena."
On expanding the rights of people to vote, Kilgore strangely rambles on for a bit about how there used to be discrimination against Republican voters. Is Kilgore trying to argue that Republicans have been historic victims of discrimination here in Virginia just like African Americans? Maybe, maybe not, but he emphasizes that African Americans should support him in part because "I come from an area of the state where we had to fight for rights." Hmmmm....
On two other voting rights isseus, Kilgore OPPOSES same day voter registration (afraid too many Democrats might register, huh Jerry?), and argues that felon give up right to vote even after they've done their time and paid their debt to society ("Absolutely there's a litmus test"). Must be the "compassionate conservative" side of him coming out here.
On mandating a paper trail for electronic voting -- seemingly a commonsense issue; you get a receipt when you cast your vote -- Kilgore grudgingly says "I could support it" but also that "I would be very reluctant to mandate it on localities." Yet another "profile in courage" by Jerry "Tough Guy" Kilgore.
On extending voting rights and Congressional representation to residents of the District of Columbia, Kilgore says point blank: "I do not support voting rights for the District." Why not? Basically, because that's the way it's always been, and anyone who moves to the District knows the rules (qustion for Jerry: what about people who've lived in DC their whole lives? Is that "original sin" or something?).
Finally, on the widly hated car tax, Kilgore is asked how he would make up lost revenues if he completley eliminated it. Back to the talking points again: "Our economy is booming." Glad we got THAT straight!
Anyway, this is just an unofficial synopsis. We here at RaisingKaine urge you to listen to the interview yourself and draw your own conclusions. In addition, it's just nice to hear the sweet, dulcet tones of Ned Flanders...er, Jerry Kilgore's lilting voice. Enjoy!
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