Has Bob McDonnell Gone Over to the Light Side?

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/21/2007 7:41:37 AM

With Attorney General Bob McDonnell's decision to allow gym benefits for gay couples, I'm just wondering what's up.  Has the Regent University grad gone soft in his middle age?  Has he moved from the "dark side" to the "light side" of the force?  Or is the ever-hilarious (unintentionally, I presume) Del. "Sideshow" Bob Marshall on (to) something when he asks:

"What if you want to give the benefit to your pet? Does your cat get to go to the gym?" Marshall asked. "What if a guy is in a plural relationship with two girls, do they all get the benefit? If you are bisexual and all live together, do both he and she get to use the gym?"

Uh, ok Sideshow Bob, whatever you say.  Now, what's weird about this is that the guy I used to pillory as "Taliban Bob" (because of his far-right-wing views on social issues) and "Sodomy Bob" (because he said he couldn't remember if he ever engaged in sodomy) looks like the moderate compared to that other "Bob" in his party, the "Sideshow" one.  I'll tell you, it gets confusing trying to sort out which right-wing Republican politician in Virginia is the least bizarre (although we have a new contender in Tricia B. Stall).  Where's Ed Gillespie when you need him?  Ha.

Comments



They're everywhere! (Andrea Chamblee - 6/21/2007 8:52:45 AM)
Gay students in high schools!  Gays in scouting! Gays in the military!  I am sure this will be the first time a gay person has been to a gym!

Boy, for those of us who remember the 50s and 60s, or have read about those times, it's the struggles of women and African Americans all over again.  How many times will we make people jump these hoops?



"the first time a gay person has been to a gym?" (Lowell - 6/21/2007 8:59:57 AM)


It reminds me of Ed Schrock (Susan P. - 6/21/2007 9:29:07 AM)
speaking about gays in the military: "They're in the showers with you.  They're in the bunkrooms with you.  They're in the staterooms with you."  OMG, Ed, they're ... YOU!


In answer to your question: no, of course not. (Silence Dogood - 6/21/2007 10:15:43 AM)
In case you start getting soft on him, just remember this is the same attorney general who thinks that Governor Kaine doesn't have the authority to tell government agencies not to discriminate against any employees based on their sexual orientation.


Don't worry... (Lowell - 6/21/2007 11:25:02 AM)
...and enjoy the snark! :)


Caught in a conservative paradox (Kindler - 6/21/2007 8:46:31 PM)
Perhaps McDonnell found himself caught in the great conflict of conservatism -- wanting to drastically restrict government on the one hand and wanting to regulate our every bedroom move on the other.

Maybe he just decided that trying to regulate who gets to accompany whom to a gym is ridiculous.

But I'm sure this is no great political conversion.  I wouldn't hold my breath waiting to see him march in a thong during the next gay pride parade...



Looking Toward Future Elections (K - 6/22/2007 8:18:31 AM)
This is not a change of heart. This is simply a politician recognizing that if he wants to win in future elections he will have to court votes of people who don't totally hate gays.