Mark Warner Slams Jim Gilmore: Let the Campaign Begin!

ALEXANDRIA -- "Virginians will have an opportunity to make a clear choice between two starkly different records and two dramatically different styles of leadership. 

"Do they want to be represented by someone with a record of fiscal irresponsibility and extreme partisanship, or do they want a U.S. Senator with a proven record of bringing people together to get results and create real change?

"We look forward to making the case for Mark Warner's brand of commonsense, results-oriented leadership. We welcome Jim Gilmore to the campaign and we look forward to a spirited discussion."

[UPDATE:  The DSCC slams Gilmore too.  See the "flip" for all about how "Jim Gilmore's term as governor was a disaster."]

GILMORE BRINGS RECORD OF FISCAL MISMANAGEMENT TO SENATE RACE

Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore, who left the state hundreds of millions in dollars in the red when his term as governor ended, announced he is running for the Senate today.  Gilmore brings a long record of failure to the campaign - in addition to his failed term as governor, he served briefly, and unsuccessfully, as chairman of the Republican National Committee before later launching a run for president he was forced to abandon after failing to gain any traction and ending with thousands of dollars in campaign debt.

"Jim Gilmore's term as governor was a disaster, and Virginians are not looking for a repeat," DSCC spokesman Matthew Miller said.  "Gilmore's misplaced priorities and faulty management left the state swimming in red ink.  At a time when the country needs bold leaders who will confront the serious problems in Washington, Jim Gilmore offers nothing but a failed record from the past."

Car Tax Cost was Double What Gilmore Predicted. In 2002, the Richmond Times Dispatch reported, "It's old news that the no-car-tax program carries an escalating cost and that the bill so far has been more than twice that projected by Gilmore." [Richmond Times Dispatch, 10/6/02]

Editorial: Gilmore Can't Be Trusted on Fiscal Issues. In 2001, the Roanoke Times editorial board wrote, "LITTLE about Gov. Jim Gilmore's record of fiscal stewardship suggests that his financial counsel should be taken seriously. The man who underestimated the revenue cost of car-tax relief by a factor of almost three is not someone in whom the prudent would rush to entrust the commonwealth's welfare." [Roanoke Times, 7/27/01]

Gilmore's Stubbornness on Car Tax Led to Major Spending Cuts. In 2002, the Virginian-Pilot reported, "Gilmore's refusal to slow the scheduled phase-out of the car tax forced an unprecedented budget impasse that left teachers without raises, museums without funding and college construction delayed." [Virginian-Pilot, 1/9/02]

Editorial: Gilmore's "Fiscal Shell Games" Resulted in "Unpleasant" Budget Cuts. In 2001, the Roanoke Times editorial board wrote, "IF ONLY the fiscal shell games played by Gov. Jim Gilmore to defy a General Assembly controlled by his own Republican Party were just the standard spitting contests of politics, intramural division. Then, Virginians could behold, laugh and move on to more edifying entertainment. Unfortunately, the governor's games have consequences, and the consequences tend to be unpleasant. For instance: a fiscal year that began July 1 with no state money for teacher pay raises, nor for many museums and cultural institutions, nor for state-worker raises, nor for a host of other items in urgent need of attention." [Roanoke Times, 8/9/01]

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