An article by Jeff Schapiro in today's Richmond Times-Dispatch noted the sudden appearance of famous political figures for Jerry Kilgore and Tim Kaine. As this campaign winds down, both Republicans and Democrats are flocking to Virginia to help their respective gubernatorial candidates. It's interesting, though, how we're NOT seeing much of certain Republicans these days.For instance, where are George W. Bush and Jim Gilmore as the campaign nears its end? You'd think they'd be ubiquitous, given that Jerry Kilgore has stated repeatedly that these two guys are his role models for leadership, that he intends to govern like Bush and continue Mr. Gilmore's "great leadership."
Why, then, are these two prominent Republicans NOT being featured in Kilgore's campaign? Can it be because Jerry has belatedly discovered that Virginians no longer think so highly of those paragons of leadership, Bush and Gilmore? That we don't recall Gilmore's past mismanagement - skyrocketing budget deficits and deteriorating state services -- with any fondness?
Come to think of it, perhaps our lack of warm feelings for Kilgore's role model, Jim Gilmore, is one big reason why we elected Mark Warner and still approve of him so strongly. Perhaps our memories of Gilmore, and our current experience with George W. Bush, are two strong reasons why we should NOT elect their protege, Jerry Kilgore.
Do you think the absence of Gilmore and Bush from the Kilgore campaign trail has something to do with the fact that Virginians are fed up with Republican corruption and mismanagement? Can you blame Jerry for worrying about drawing attention to his own eavedropping scandal and disastrous tenure as Virginia's Secretary of Public Safety? For trying to keep Virginians' minds off the recent, Hurricane Katrina, Republican management meltdown? For realizing that we're utterly disgusted with the negativity and divisiveness displayed by national Republicans, on dispaly right here in the Old Dominion with Kilgore's "Hitler" ad?
The great thing is that on November 8th, Virginians will go the polls with a chance to send Jim Gilmore, George W. Bush, Karl Rove, Tom DeLay and Scott Howell a powerful message. On November 8th, we have a chance to tell all these people loud and clear that here in Virginia, we prefer the positive view of the future offered by Mr. Kaine - not the negativity and divisiveness of Gilmore, Bush and Kilgore. On November 8th, we have the opportunity to show everyone that Virginia voters will reward great management, as displayed by Mark Warner and Tim Kaine the past 4 years, and punish the opposite.
You know, I was a Republican for 64 years. But on November 8th, I will be voting for Tim Kaine for Governor. For the good of Virginia. For the good of our country.