Virginia Tomorrow

1. No State Income Tax: Will This Be 2009’s Big Idea?

Crystal Clear Conservative  reports that Bob McDonnell referred to states that had eliminated their income taxes in a discussion of policy ideas during Lieutenant Governor’s Bill Bolling’s Blogger’s Day at the Capitol this week. I’m not sure that the issue has yet reached the trial balloon stage, but it does seem evident that the McDonnell campaign is considering developing a “big idea” that might frame the choice for Virginians and excite voters across the Commonwealth. Norm Leahy at Tertium Quids has pointed out that the last two GOP gubernatorial campaigns that were successful- Allen in ‘93 and Gilmore in ‘97- both had big ideas at the core of their message, ones that simultaneously galvanized the base and reached out to Virginians of all parties. I’ve spoken to a number of Democrats who expect McDonnell to run a cautious campaign. But given the mood of the voters this year, Virgil’s axiom that “fortune favors the bold” may be excellent advice.

2. Is Randy Newman Right That “It’s Money That Matters?”

The Democratic gubernatorial candidates released their first quarter fundraising numbers this week. Terry McAuliffe has $2.5 Million cash on hand, Creigh Deeds $1.2 million, and Brian Moran $824,000.  Yet a Daily Kos/Research 2000 poll had Moran in the lead over both competitors in a close race, with more than 40% of the potential Democratic electorate still undecided. The bottom line is that McAuliffe’s fundraising prowess has given him an opportunity to enter the race without much history in Virginia and become competitive. But money won’t buy the Democratic primary. McAuliffe ’s chances will ultimately depend on convincing voters that he has better ideas and a better chance of defeating Bob McDonnell than Moran and Deeds.  The high number of undecideds indicate that he’ll have the opportunity to do this. But the public is not in the mood at the moment to vote for someone simply because they have a ton of money.

3. Tell Me Why

Wasn’t this an old song title by the Belmonts?  Jeff Frederick said this week that he is considering running once again for state party chair at the GOP nominating convention, a month after he was deposed.. The “tell me why” question is on a  lot of Republican minds, including, I think, with some who were not happy to see him removed. If you assume that a key job of state chair is to assist the party in winning elections, here’s the big question.  Why would a party want to have as its chair during a crucial election period an individual that every member of its congressional delegation, its candidate for Governor, and the Speaker of the House  say cannot provide the leadership they believe is necessary right now? Rather than dividing the party between the “grassroots” and the “topdowners,” wouldn’t it be preferable for the GOP to find a party chair that can have the support and confidence of both groups?

4. No Rubber Stamp

Will Jim Webb be for President Obama’s or anyone else’s foreign policy ideas. His press release in response to Defense Secretary Gates’ defense budget proposal for fiscal year 2010 served notice for those who might have thought otherwise. While he commended Gates’ for his “fundamental overhaul of defense procurement, acquisition and contracting,” Webb noted that he has serious reservations about multiple aspects of the plan.  He labeled aspects of Gates’ proposal “highly unorthodox,” focusing on his call for long-term increase in Army and Marine forces in the “absence of a comprehensive strategy.”  He wondered about the impact of proposed changes in our “global basing” posture and noted that Gates’ adjustments in the U.S. Navy’s force structure could generate “new instabilities.” It is clear that Webb intends to apply the same level of scrutiny to the Obama administration ’s defense policies that he did to George Bush’s. Webb is correct to understand that one meaning of “bipartisanship” may be to hold both parties accountable.

5. Thanks, But No Thanks

That’s what the House GOP and Bob McDonnell said to President Obama and Governor Kaine this week about federal stimulus dollars that would have provided about $125 million in unemployment insurance benefits. House Republicans agreed with members of the Virginia business community who contended that the strings attached to the benefits violated basic principles of federalism and would impose undue burdens on Virginia employers (thus reducing job creation) once the stimulus funds ran out.  Democrats immediately attacked McDonnell and the GOP for sacrificing the needs of unemployed Virginians to a heartless ideology. The issue quickly became the first major flash point in the upcoming gubernatorial campaign.

6. The Banks May Escape Nationalization…

But Virginia’s gubernatorial campaign will not.  We learned this week that the Republican Governor’s Association has given $1 million to the McDonnell campaign. For its part, the Democratic Governor’s Association is funding a website and an ad campaign linking Bob McDonnell with Pat Robertson, Rush Limbaugh, George Bush and Jeff Frederick (who McDonnell actually wanted to remove). Democratic-leaning unions have already contributed half a million dollars to McAuliffe and are likely to have an even larger presence as the campaign proceeds. With only two Governor’s races taking place in the nation, Virginia is one of the few places where national political money can flow and national media attention can focus in 2009.

7. Virginia on ITunes U

You may no longer be able to tell your kids to put the IPOd away and get crackin’ on their homework.  Virginia has just reached an agreement to put out an array of educational materials at ITunes U that be accessed on an IPod. Now you’ll be able to use the same technology to do your homework or to avoid it. Seriously, this is a good idea that ought to be tried, so long as we maintain excellent access to the best educational materials for kids who don’t have or can’t afford IPods.