Radtke wants Bolling out as state's Chief Jobs Creator

The brouhaha within the state GOP over Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his bid for the governor's office continued Friday as conservative activist Jamie Radtke called on the party's state central committee to censure Bolling.

Radtke sent a letter to the committee Friday asking it to adopt a resolution when it meets Friday in Virginia Beach as part of the party's annual winter meeting demanding on Bolling to apologize for comments made about presumptive Republican nominee for governor Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

At a press conference Thursday explaining his decision to step aside Bolling said he felt he was the better politician to lead the state and more electable among a diverse group of the state's voters. He also disdainfully refused to endorse Cuccinelli at this point.

"I don't violate my principles; I don't do things that violate my conscience," Bolling said Thursday. "And as I look at the candidates that are out there right now, I cannot in good conscience give my endorsement to one of those candidates."

If Bolling doesn't "repudiate" his comments Radtke wants the party to ask Gov. Bob McDonnell to remove Bolling from his role as McDonnell's Chief Jobs Creator - essentially the economic development head of the administration.

"Mr. Bolling's voting record and public positions vary little from those of Mr. Cuccinelli," Radtke wrote to the committee. "Mr. Bolling's personal criticisms of Mr. Cuccinelli are groundless and would be just as offensive and outrageous if directed at a Democrat.  Mr. Bolling has further stated to the media that he will refuse to support Mr. Cuccinelli as the Republican nominee for Governor at the conclusion of our Republican Convention in May, which is in direct violation of our Republican Party Plan.  Conservatives have consistently demonstrated a willingness to abide by the process outlined in the Party Plan. The expectation should be no different with our elected officials." 

Radtke was on hand Thursday as Bolling lamented that he couldn't win a convention nominating process, prompting his decision to suspend his campaign. After a take over of the party's state central committee last spring by conservative activists, the committee voted in June to switch from a primary process - seen as favoring Bolling - to a closed convention nominating process - which gave the advantage to Cuccinelli.

Radtke, who lost a primary bid for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination in June to former Gov. George Allen, said the committee take over was victory for grassroots conservative activists over the party "establishment" 15 years in the making.

"When we finally get smart and say lets control the party apparatus so that we don't have to continue to get bad policy they want to take their toys and go home," Radtke said Thursday.

At the Republican Party of Virginia's "Advance"Friday and Saturday candidates for state office will lobby party faithful and jockey for position ahead of the state GOP nominating convention in May. As the party meets to gear up for the 2013 General Assembly session and elections we can expect the Bolling-Cuccinelli fracas to be front and center.

Here is Radtke's full letter to the RPV state central committee: 

"Dear Members of State Central Committee, 

"I humbly request your consideration to adopt a resolution calling on Lt. Governor Bill Bolling to repudiate his unfortunate statements made earlier this week about the character and electability of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as Governor.  The Committee should resolve further that Governor Bob McDonnell should withdraw his delegation of responsibility to Mr. Bolling for economic development (Chief Jobs Creator) if Mr. Bolling fails to repudiate his statements.

"Mr. Bolling's voting record and public positions vary little from those of Mr. Cuccinelli. Mr. Bolling's personal criticisms of Mr. Cuccinelli are groundless and would be just as offensive and outrageous if directed at a Democrat.  Mr. Bolling has further stated to the media that he will refuse to support Mr. Cuccinelli as the Republican nominee for Governor at the conclusion of our Republican Convention in May, which is in direct violation of our Republican Party Plan.  Conservatives have consistently demonstrated a willingness to abide by the process outlined in the Party Plan. The expectation should be no different with our elected officials.  

"Thank you for your time and consideration of this important proposal that will reaffirm our support and dedication to represent the Republican grassroots of Virginia. Family obligations will prevent me from being at your business meeting Friday afternoon, but I will be in attendance at the Republican Advance later in the day and Saturday.

"All my best,

 "Jamie"

 

 

Del. Watson to kick off 2013 campaign at Busch Gardens

State Del. Mike Watson, R-Williamsburg, is kicking off his 2013 relection campaign at Christmas Town at the Busch Gardens amusement park in Williamsburg on Sunday, Dec. 9.

Gov. Bob McDonnell will be on hand to support the freshman delegate's bid for a second term in the General Assembly.

Watson is being challenged House of Delegates 93rd District seat by Williamsburg businessman and Democrat Monty Mason.

Supporters can join Watson and McDonnell by purchasing a $55 ticket from the Watson campaign, which includes parking, entrance to the park, lunch hor d'oeuvres, and a free shuttle to Das Festhaus, where the kick-off will begin at 1 p.m.

To order tickets call 757-645-5298 or email Allison@DelegateWatson.com. 

 

GOP Gov. candidate Salahi on Bolling

Northern Virginia businessman and Republican gubernatorial candidate Tareq Salahi, famous as an alleged White House Party crasher and for starring in the reality TV show "Real Housewives of DC," issued the following statement on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his campaign for the 2013 GOP gubernatorial nomination:

"Lt. Governor Bill Bolling is a fine man who has served Virginia well and continues to do so. Rising from local government to the state level, he has a sharp and rare understanding of the various regions of Virginia and their unique needs. He has selflessly worked, not for his own agenda, but for what is best for the residents of Virginia.

"It is unfortunate that Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli continues to bully Virginians rather than work for a united ticket. Instead of allowing Virginia voters to go to the polls and choose their candidate in an open primary, the decision was made to go with a closed convention, a cowardly and undemocratic maneuver. 

"This type of 'bullying' is characteristic of the AG's behavior and what has led to many recent Republican losses. The focus must be on what's best for Virginians, not what's best for one politicians ambitions.

"Many areas of Virginia are facing high unemployment rates more than twice the state average;  families are struggling, farmers and small business owners are hurting and many Virginians are scared for their future and that of their children. Those things should be our priorities, as should political leadership that act in the best interest for the people, not bitter in-fighting among Republicans at the local party level that is not only divisive, but closed and inaccessible to the majority of everyday Virginia voters.

"I hereby confirm that I will remain in the race for Governor and continue to seek the Republican nomination, because I believe in putting people, not politics, first, and because Virginia needs a common-sense leader, not an extremist that promotes division.  I am in this to win it – and either way, I will be on the ballot for voters to have the chance to elect the right leader that believes in putting Virginians rights first.  I believe in keeping government out of the bedroom and out of the way for businesses to succeed in Virginia.

"Many thanks to Lt. Governor Bolling for his leadership, selflessness, tremendous public service and graciousness. He is truly a gentleman and friend to Virginia.  I welcome Lt. Governor Bolling support and I agree at this point it would be best for Virginians if Mr. Cucinnelli were to bow out  of the race!  The future of the Republican Party is not in our rear view mirror, and its time for fresh and new creative leadership!"

Cuccinelli: "Bill Bolling is a good man"

Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, the person who gains the most from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to end his run for governor, posted the following statement on his campaign website today:

"I am honored and proud to have served with the Lieutenant Governor over the last decade, in the State Senate, as running mates for statewide office and as leaders of Virginia State Government.

"Throughout this race, I have kept to the premise that Bill and I are allies in governance, even if temporary competitors in politics. Bill Bolling is a good man -- a true public servant who has worked hard throughout his career to make Virginia a better place to live and raise our families. I cannot speak highly enough of his service. 

"I will honor the Lt. Governor's service by campaigning for Governor as we both pledged to govern when we were sworn in, in 2010.  I will continue the challenging work of advancing first principles in Virginia's policy arena by creating an environment for maximizing job creation, preserving life, liberty and opportunity, and working to make Virginia a beacon of hope and prosperity in these tough economic times." 

 

Gov. McDonnell statement on Bolling

Gov. Bob McDonnell issued the following statement on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his 2013 gubernatorial campaign:

 

"I am saddened that my great friend Bill Bolling has decided not to seek the Republican nomination for Governor next year. Bill has been a strong governing partner over the past three years and I know this decision was not easy for him. Bill is a conservative statesmen committed to bringing people together to find solutions and do what is right, an exceptional quality for an individual in public office. He would have been a very good Governor.

I've known Bill for many years, since we began serving as legislators in the General Assembly in the early 1990's. Beginning in 2006, we served together as Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. That fact put us on what, in most circumstances, would have been a path to an unavoidable electoral showdown. But in 2008, when our Party was suffering through a string of losses and was in need of unity to move forward, Bill took an incredibly magnanimous and selfless step. He offered to run for re-election as Lieutenant Governor in 2009, support my campaign for Governor, and run and govern as a team. I committed to him then that I would support him for Governor in 2013. Bill's move eliminated a potentially costly and divisive inter-party fight. And it played a major role in ensuring a united, reinvigorated Republican Party in 2009 that swept all three statewide offices by historical margins. Those Republican wins in 2009 were replicated in 2010 for Congress and in 2011 in the state legislature. That string of Republican success was put in motion in large part by the selfless actions of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Virginia Republicans owe Bill a debt of gratitude for his commitment to our Party and its principles.

More importantly, every Virginian, in every region and of every political persuasion, owes a debt of gratitude to Bill Bolling for his work on behalf of our state. As Lieutenant Governor, and as our Chief Jobs Creation Officer, he has always put the needs of the citizens of this Commonwealth ahead of any and everything else. As the Administration official overseeing our efforts to help the private sector grow and create more good paying jobs, his record speaks for itself. Since we took office in January 2010 unemployment has fallen from 7.2% to 5.7% and over 135,000 net new jobs have been created in our state. Bill Bolling gets results. There hasn't been anyone more dedicated to the mission of getting our economy back on track and Virginians back to work than Bill Bolling. That record would have made him a formidable general election candidate for Governor. I'm sorry he won't get to share his record, and his positive vision, with the voters of Virginia next year.

I have spoken to Bill about his decision. I know he believes it is the right one. I have also told Bill how much this Commonwealth needs him to stay involved in public life in the years ahead. And I know he is not done advocating positive conservative ideas. Bill is a smart and principled leader of character. I sincerely thank him for his service to Virginia.

 

Now, as we prepare for the 2013 campaign, I look forward to helping elect Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli as the next Governor of Virginia."

RPV chair Mullins on Bolling

Republican Party of Virginia chairman Pat Mullins issued the following statement on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his campaign for governor:

"Lt. Governor Bolling's decision to suspend his campaign today was as surprising to me as it was selfless. For the better part of two decades, Bill Bolling has been a dedicated public servant. The Commonwealth of Virginia is a much better place because of his service in the Senate and as Lt. Governor.

 

Our party was truly blessed with two fantastic candidates for Governor this year, and Virginia would have done well under a Bolling administration, just as it will do well under a Cuccinelli administration." 

Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe's statement on Bolling

Democratic candidate for governor Terry McAuliffe issued the following statement on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decsion to suspend his caqmpaign for governor:

"It is disappointing that more mainstream Virginia Republicans are being driven out of leadership by the far-right. Virginia voters have repeatedly made clear that they prefer mainstream leaders building consensus instead of politicians pursuing their own ideological agenda. I intend on running a campaign that will unite Virginians across parties who share my focus putting job creation and common sense fiscal responsibility above divisive partisan crusades."

Democratic Party on Bolling and "Cuccinelli-Akin-Mourdock"

The Democratic Party of Virginia has weighed in on Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his gubernatorial campaign, with a memo titled: "Cuccinelli-Akin-Mourdock Politics on the Ballot in 2013"

Here's the memo:

"On November 6^th, 2012 voters in Virginia and across the country chose results-oriented Democrats like President Obama and Tim Kaine to serve them in Washington. One of the key takeaways of last year's elections was Americans' widespread rejection the divisive agenda of politicians like Todd Akin and Richard Mourdock, who made national headlines and alienated voters in their states and across the country. The high profile losses of hyper-partisan Tea Party candidates are instructive as Virginia Republicans prepare to nominate Ken Cuccinelli for Governor in 2013.  While Cuccinelli was not on the 2012 ballot, his extreme and divisive ideology was and it lost by wide margins in Republican states.

"Their stories are similar: Akin, Mourdock and Cuccinelli all gained prominence because they feel that most elected Republicans are too moderate, especially on issues like women's health. They all took power by activating a vocal minority within the Republican Party.

"And they have succeeded in driving more reasonable leaders and mainstream voters away from the GOP.

"In Indiana and Missouri, Cuccinelli's allies each lost large polling leads after their voters came face to face with their radical agenda. They each lost moderates by over 30 points, independents by over 10 points, and women by double digits. Those results were a direct outcome of their desire to use government to impose a radical and divisive social agenda.  But for Cuccinelli, the election results are evidence that his party is actually too moderate.

"Cuccinelli's worldview is far from Virginia's reality. This year, 45% of Virginia's diverse electorate identified as moderate, far surpassing both liberals and conservatives. The vast majority expressed mainstream views on issues like the economy and women's health. Few would align themselves with Cuccinelli's identity as an extreme ideological firebrand pursuing a divisive agenda.

"The more mainstream Republican Party of the past may have isolated these fringe extremists. Now, those extremists control the Republican Party and the people being isolated are the mainstream Republicans. Here in Virginia, the Cuccinelli wing of the Republican party has seized control over party infrastructure from more mainstream supporters of Governor Bob McDonnell and cleared the path for Cuccinelli's nomination.

"That coup sets up yet another choice for voters between a results-oriented Democratic agenda and a radical, hyper-conservative partisan whose approach to government has more to do with advancing his personal ideology than making people's lives better."

Lieutenant governor candidate Pete Snyder statement on Bolling

Pete Snyder, the northern Virginia businessman and former Fox News contributor who is seeking the GOP nomination for lieutenant governor, issued this statement in response to Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's decision to suspend his gubernatorial campaign:

“Bill Bolling has been one of the most thoughtful and selfless leaders that has served Virginia. He has been a strong conservative leader who consistently puts cause, country, and the Commonwealth first.

“Having worked closely with Bill over the years, I want to thank him for his laser-like focus on jobs and the economy. His efforts as Lt. Governor and Chief Jobs Creation Officer have made a huge impact for Virginia during troubled times.

“I look forward to working with Bill over the coming months and years as both he and his wife Jean Ann will no doubt continue to be important voices in the party and in the public arena.” 

There is (at least) one unanswered question: What are the odds of Bolling running for re-election?

Bolling suspends campaign for governor

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling suspended his campaign for governor this morning, seemingly guaranteeing that the GOP nominee will be Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli.

It was just two weeks ago that Bolling sent an email to supporters saying, "I am running for Governor because I firmly believe that I am the only Republican candidate who can actually defeat the Democrats and win next November. Polling has shown that I can defeat Terry McAuliffe, the likely Democrat nominee, while McAuliffe will defeat Ken Cuccinelli."

What changed?

Bolling (whose full statement is below the fold) says he determined that he could not win in a convention format and did not want to spend the time, effort and money to challenge Cuccinelli prior to the convention. 

The party originally planned to hold a primary election to choose its nominee, but this year's members of the State Central Committee voted to rescind that decision in favor of a convention.

What does Bolling's decision say about the future of the GOP in Virginia? Is he perhaps suspending his campaign in the hope that, come convention time, delegates will decide to draft a moderate rather than accept the extremely conservative Cuccinelli?

We'll be looking for answers to those questions, and will be updating this Daily Press story throughout the day.

Bolling's full statement follows: