GOP Governors Successful
"Many may have missed this story buried deep within the doom and gloom news coverage of the 2008 elections, but there is one area where Republicans were actually quite successful last November. Every single Republican Governor won re-election, and to be honest none were seriously challenged.
Even though Indiana passed on McCain, Governor Mitch Daniels won re-election by over 17%. Republicans also held the governorship in Vermont, where many believe being Republican was outlawed years ago.
If there is a bright spot currently to be found for the future of our party, there's a good chance is lies among our team of Republican Governors, who are providing innovative ideas and solutions to our nation's problems within the borders of their home states.
Of course there is much to like about GOP Congressional leaders such as John Boehner, Eric Cantor and the other members of our Virginia delegation, but if the Founding Fathers themselves had to work under Nancy Pelosi in Washington, they'd find themselves spending the vast majority of their time frustrated, road blocked, and probably with their pantaloons in a bunch.
Inside the Beltway, Democrats have no other agenda other than to spend more and increase government even when the majority of Americans oppose their plans. Outside the Beltway, Republican governors don't have the luxury of borrowing their way out of trouble (nor do they care to). Instead they are demonstrating the power and effectiveness of our conservative principles by cutting spending, streamlining services, reforming government, and keeping their word to the voters. This is the future of our Party, and the future is extremely bright.
Exhibit A: Bobby Jindal, whose stunning success during his short tenure as Louisiana's Governor has earned him every percentage point of his sky-high approval rating. After winning an open primary with 54% of the vote in 2007, Jindal passed sweeping ethics reform in Louisiana in just two weeks, earned a 100 percent conservative score with the ACU, and has kept his pledge not to raise taxes. Most importantly, Jindal has moved Louisiana into the forefront of best managed states, with innovative solutions on healthcare, education and job creation.
It is no small event then when Governor Jindal finds a kindred spirit in our own gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonell, and travels to Virginia as he did last week to offer his full and enthusiastic endorsement.
Said Jindal, "Bob McDonnell will be a great Governor for Virginia. He has a proven record of cracking down on sex offenders, he is committed to reining in spending, and more than anything, he knows how to cross party lines to get things done."
Notice that line: "get things done." After all, that is why politicians are elected, to solve problems and, just as importantly, not create new ones. A conservative-leaning approach that starts from the premise that government outlives its usefulness the larger it gets is not only the most popular approach among the American people, but also the most proven over time to actually work.
Contrast the Republican approach to governing with Virginia's Democrat Governor Tim Kaine, who campaigned as a low-tax, small government guy, but governs as a true-blue Democrat. Virginia's reward for trusting Gov. Kaine? A disaster of a state budget built on phony numbers and profligate spending. The coup de grace: the obligatory Democrat tax hike. This kind of governing philosophy is about as modern and forward thinking as signing up for Esperanto lessons, and also about as effective.
There is now ample evidence throughout the nation that Republicans can do better than this -- in their sleep. Following the example of Ronald Reagan decades ago, our Party boasts a healthy stable of accomplished executive quarter horses ready and able to gallop laps around the Democrat competition.
The path has been laid, and next year's elections in Virginia will be a showcase for the Republican brand of leadership as practiced on the state level. Bob McDonnell will campaign on his own record of innovation and accomplishment and show Virginia very clearly that the GOP is the party of ideas, innovation and reform. But next year, it won't be such a well-kept secret."
Jeffrey M. Frederick, Chairman
Republican Party of Virginia
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