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The GOP may want to think twice about this guy before catapulting him to presidential contender. My wife (a moderate republican) voted against McDonnell for his views in his 1989 thesis for a master of arts in public policy where he called working women detrimental to the traditional family, he spoke out against the legality of contraception between unmarried lovers, and he advocated the teaching of christian values in schools. He did distance himself from these statement during the race, saying that he now has different views, but for my wife this was a deal-breaker.

Someone who advocates the State forcing victims of Rape to bear their attackers child based on intolerant religeous beliefs is not someone who appeals to the majority. Virginia is a conservative, white, southern state. I live in Virginia- its not exactly a progressive stronghold. The fact Pro-lifer Bob won is not note-worthy. Sorry.

The republicans next superstar huh? Good luck with that... Lol

In other words, he didn't say how he felt loud enough to make the progressives get out and vote. He was quiet enough to make sure that there was no negative excitement . Not sure how this will turn out, but as someone in the political center but care about the impact it has on others I do have my fears.
I am educated and have a fair income and will do fine no matter who wins, but, I do worry about others.

Republicans have a new "superstar" every week. The GOP doesn't really have anything. They are circling the drain....Time to flush!!

One characteristic McDonnell has shown that I haven't seen since Jack Kemp has been a willingness and an ease to reach out to minorities and Hispanics. He kept his campaign honest and the message in plain English. I think the message here is that if you speak from the heart and don't patronize certain groups of people, people will give you an honest evaluation. I think it's human nature.

Republican party is really on oxygen lacking of any super star trying to make any tom dick and Jerry super star.

"He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy. I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward." That's the way they all start until the religious right gets hold of them.

All of this Hoopla about Bob McDonnell winning; we all have to realize that the Democrats screwed the pooch right from the start by nominating Creigh Deeds. While Mr Deeds is a good man and effective legislator here in VA, he was never the guy to win an off-year election. Mr McDonnell utilized the massive cash pumped into the state by the GOP (so the could claim "referendum") to put a moderate face onto a neoconsrvative and duped the state into believing that he was NOT the man who wrote the Thesis for CBN University that could be likened to the writings of a Muhla rather than an American Governor. One example in ads to the women of Virginia stated that as Attorney General he had hired some 55% of women as State prosecutors, which was true, however he failed to mention that 80% of those had graduated from Regent Law School (Pat Robertsons CBN Law School). You remember, the Law school which trainined those appointees who created the rendition and enhanced interrogation technique approvals and also directed the firing of left leaning federal prosecutors for the Bush administration. So be ready Ye Old Dominion, the Theocracy that you have been seeking is on your doorstep. Ladies of Virginia, say good bye to your equality and hello to your Burqas.

The guy won an election. That's it. That doesn't make him a "superstar." It makes him a guy who won an election. Please let's not anoint politicians as "stars" for the sake of generating more news. That's how we end up with presidents like Barack Obama.

"He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy."

That's the last thing GOP radicals want in their candidates. He better start breathing fire, or he'll be out with the party's 'base.'

Will he take Palin's calls if he goes national?

Hahah yea ok.... somebody break that news to Palin...

So one of his best friends is the leader of the Christian Coalition? We will see how moderate he is after he talks office!

Another middle aged clean cut white male... exactly what the Republicans need.

McDonnell deserves to be a star. He really thought through how to win. He acted accordingly and he delivered. Those who listened to Sarah, went with water like her saying: "Dead fish go with the flow"!

News flash - the GOP's new superstar is Barack Obama.

He's the guy who wrote his thesis paper promoting the subjugation of women right??Now there;s a superstar to hitch your wagon to if there ever was one. Palin/McDonnell 2012 ....

So how many women voted for this jerk?

Sounds good to me! But, like he said, he should stay focused on Virginia for the time being.

Speaking as a Virginian, even though I didn't vote for him I hope McDonell is the best Governor this state has ever had. But for anyone reading these outside the state you should know this election was a landslide because 1) Deeds was invisible. I never even heard him speak (T.V., radio, anywhere) during the whole election and 2) No one outside the GOP base in this state cared about this race. This was not a referendum on Obama. This is an example of what happens when two people no one cares about get together and compete for something.

For the Republican to tout his win and the NJ win as something to come is a bit stupid. Everyone knows many folks do not vote in off season elections only the tried and true. Who are the tried and true you ask? Folks who generally are back and forth on who they vote for given the situation they are in. We call them independents but they are just folks who look at what is going on in their localand state governments and how it effect them. Therefore trying to spin these wins as problems with the President is crazy and for the GOP to say it is stupid. These are not a tell tell sign of things to come. Everyone in America want jobs and they don't care how the government goes about getting them jobs. If they need to spend to do it, so do it. Everyone wants healthcare reform and if it takes money to get it so do it. The problem i see is that the folks who will take the increase in taxes are folks who make 250k more and that really don't affect me, so i don't care.

Oh gee Oh golly wolly...governors are more important than representatives, senators, vice president, and president.

Methinks it is because CNN has a republican as a governor and they have to make the most of it ...what laws in DC does he forge, what laws, what bills to benefit the people in the whole country does he make and vote on.

It governors are so much more important than representatives and senators, then why in Hades did the conservative screamers go after the seat in NY 23. Why dont' they just run around the country and campaign for governors and let the representatives and senators be turned over to the democrats. HECK HECK that's a darn good idea.

Social conservative. Two steps forward, three steps back... Ugh....
What is wrong with America??

"McDonnell is a candidate who is very conservative, but he's while he's philosophically sound, he's temperamentally moderate," said Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition director who is a longtime friend of McDonnell's. "He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy. I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward."

Very well written and a great description of the kind of leadership that
is cultivated within the 'conservative' movement.

We have turned a corner, and I have great optimism that God will bless America, if we remember our roots and our Creator.

GO GOP!!! Go Bob McDonnell!!! Clearly, voters demonstrated they're tired of having this ultra-left agenda thrown at them.

Bob's just another middle-of-the-road guy who thinks women shouldn't be in the workforce, that we should all be his brand of Christian, that what goes on in a woman's uterus is the business of Big Government, that the rich should get ever more tax breaks, and that working people can just go screw themselves.

These guys squeeze 2/3 of the political spectrum into 1/10 of the picture. They think the center begins with Rush Limbaugh. Virginia, you'll get what you deserve.

No, no, no. The way for the GOP to win is like NY 23. At least that's what the teabagger victory plan is. Good luck winning with your lunatic base.

McDonnell indeed focused on stuff that matters. If the GOP actually did what McDonnell did nationwide, they would indeed have better numbers. Surprise, surprise - focusing on the issues instead of calling everything marxist or socialist actually works. What a concept. Good for McDonnell. Creigh Deeds ran a terrible campaign, running against the popular public option and having not being clear on what he would do about the issues.

With that said, Democrats John Warner and Tim Kaine won in 2001 and 2005 respectively. This deals with local state politics, like NJ. And other Dems are governors of red states (i.e. Tennessee, Oklahoma, Wyoming, etc).

Now that he will be governor, McDonnell should focus here and now on the problems of today. He starts getting ahead of himself like the previous GOP "rising star" Mark Sanford of S.C. and doing wrong by his constituents, he'll be done.

Will the people of that state give him just 8-10 months to change things like they have President Obama?

No matter how the media/Republicans try to spin this past Tuesday's election, the fact remains that the republicans and Bush got us here over 8 yrs and President Obama has had only 1yr to correct some of the messes.

To all those swing state Democrats do your job the best you can and stop worrying about you job. You will win if you do the people's business not by doing what you think will keep your job.

I am here to tell you we want action not gridlock or you trying to hold onto your job.

This is a prime reason we need term limits then you all will not have to worry so much because you positions are not yours forever.

The Republicans are full of crap. They lost two congressional races in California and New York. The NY 23rd loss for the Republicans/conservatives is a repudiation of them. That district was about as solid Republican as a district can get and they lost! Now they need to get lost! Historically voters are more conservative "at home" and more progressive with representation in the Congress. So no matter how the Republicans try to spin McDonnell's win the one true thing is that, as he said, there is a lot of Kool-Aid in DC and the Republicans are drinking it.

For the Rep Michelle Bachmanns zombies/ tea party "freedom fighters" going to d.c to confront Dems members of congress over health care reform, right now you have the freedom to die or go bankrupt with the status quo. Good luck.

One of MANY that can easily take on the corrupt and misguided Obama administration in 2012.

I just sneezed up something that has more charisma than this guy.

This is the yupe of Republican that will never win nationally and the reason why people are disgusted with Republicans in general. He is probably OK as Gov of Virginia, but to make him out to be their savior is just plain crazy.

Here is a heads-up from the Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

"McDonnell is a graduate of Pat Robertson's Regent University, and the TV preacher and his family made large contributions to McDonnell's campaign." – - see au.org

There is nothing illegal about that. I, however, want to vote for political candidates who are alumnae of the prestigious and fair-minded Howard Stern and Bill Maher University. I'd bet that Howard and Bill would make sizable contributions to the political campaigns of their institution's graduates, and there would be nothing illegal about that. What, me worry?

IT IS WRITTEN "...stay loyal to conservative principles, maintain a personal appeal that connects with voters, and focus like a laser on kitchen table issues."

Dang, this is NOT why got McDonnell elected!! He got elected because DEMOCRATS – mainly African Americans (and I am BLACK and approve this message) and voters under 30 – STAYED HOME!!!

Second, CREIGH DEEDS ran a crappy campaign – CASE and POINT!! McDonnell DID NOT WIN, Creigh Deeds LOST!!

Talk about the race in NC where a GAY mayor won; talk about the first African American Democrat that won in NC since Harvey Gantt… YES WE CAN!!! So your PRINCIPLES mean NOTHING!!!

NOW – Bring the JOBS and fix the roads WITHOUT raising taxes like you promised. We're about to LAY off teachers and employees next year – SAVE THAT – because my job was saved through the STIMULUS the last time – Now What???

It demonstrates how much disarray characterizes the current Republican Party that a first-term governor of a seconf-tier state (population wise – no disrespect to Virginians intended) suddenly becomes a "superstar". Its clear that the Republicans have virtually no national-level bench strength.

I'd be very happy if McDonnell turned out to be good for Virginia, and if he did not let his Party get in the way of working with the new administration whenever the chance presented itself. It just seems that as soon as Republicans get elected into office they morph into blindly irrational human beings, and throw decency, common sense and civility out the window. As I see Shrub and Clinton socializing, however, I am fairly certain that the transformation only lasts as long as their term in office, thankfully.

Congratulations Gov. McDonnell.

Here comes the Liberal trash-talkers I'm sure! You weaklings just can't help yourselves can you? Hahahah!

Us Americans never learn do we?

The best than can be said for Bob McDonnell is that he's a bit less likely than a Democrat to go on wild spending sprees with other people's money. Virginia taxpayers should be relieved he won, but are going to have to watch him very closely to make sure he doesn't start inflicting neo-con, bible-thumping, nuttiness on them.

just another boiler-plate politician. (yawn....)

nothing has changed.

"I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward."

So, the face of the republican party should look/sound moderate but actually be really conservative? Is this the same Ralph reed that used evangelical Christians to further his career because he knew they would blindly follow his lead? Nice. McDonnell is Virginia's problem, there is less a Republican can mess up at the state level.

Just what we need, another politician.

As if he would make any difference to anything.

Probably not. See, this election wasn't so much about McDonnell as it was about the electorate, which has been well-documented as center-right. Obama was able to snow a lot of folks by playing both sides during campaign 2008, but now that he and the Democrat-controlled Congress have had the run of Washington for almost a year, people are waking up. What we're getting is business as usual on steroids.

He may have won, but can he really lead the legislature in what needs to get done? Can he cross party lines and do what is needed in VA? That remains to be seen.

Wake up he was elected because the economy was in the toilet and he ran against an unknown, people did not elect him because of his "consevative politics"

Sounds like Roland McDonnell were I could get some fries.

You know the rich religious right (how are they helping the poor which is what Jesus preached???) backed this guy so they have another puppet to ruin the Republican party. All the ignorant, small-minded, followers then will go out and vote for their poster boy, because it's a requirement to get into heaven. ( I'm being sarcastic ) Just drive out to some of the rural counties outside of Northern VA – Confederate flags a flying. That's the type of mentality that exists. Hatred and fear of differences.

Maybe someday we will have government officials that won't play to the masses' weaknesses. They would use their voices to explain complex issues with logic and class, and won't tout the Bible as a governing rulebook over a country that is supposed to enforce the separation of church and state. This is what tears nations all over the world apart, and allows for religious-ruled killings and hatred in the name of God.

What about Chris Christie? He's pretty good too just overweight. Also, the Democrates better talk to Obama and get him to stop being so liberal or he's going to be in a world of trouble.

Ok, don't talk about all the issues you believe in, just talk about a couple so people don't know how you really feel. That is lying by ommission. Nice strategy.

So maybe he can also win a nobel prize for doing nothing except get elected.

Can't wait to see the posts from the liberal hypocrites about this. bring on the hate and racebaiting of Michael Steele.

And he can even use the language correctly. Regardless, one governorship does not a rebound make (or even two.) Republicans looking for a better national result next year better start praying that their representatives stop blocking every blessed thing and start working for America instead of for face time on Fox News. Health care reform is long past due, and demonizing segments of this country does not work (remember what happened to your precious Sarah.)

Now that you've found your magic elixir, keep repeating it and you'll see the true results. This is a classic case of mistaking trees for the forest. The underlying story that's not being spoken of here is that for governorships, mayoral and local races, these voters are more concerned with local issues as opposed to national issues. The GOP would like everyone to ignore the fact that the Democrats picked up additional House seats on Election Day – these are the votes that matter when it comes to federal policy as opposed to Governor races. Also, I see the Republicans rushing to push O'Donnell out onto the national stage which will ultimately result in a backlash at home to him. It would be best for O'Donnell to keep his head close to home, do his job to the best of his ability and let the national GOP handle their own problems. He risks becoming Palinized if he begins to be used as a critic against the President.

WHAT??? Republican renaissance? So they finally are admitting they are in the dark ages?

Thing is he didn't stay loyal to conservative values. He ran pretty hard to the center, which that and NY23 show that's what Republicans have to do to when in this climate.

The Democrats made gains in the House the other day by retaining their seat in California and winning NY-23 from the Republicans. In what sense have these relatively inconsequential gubernatorial victories 'halted' Democratic gains?

Two new Republican Govenors do not make a Republican President in the White House........remember the issues were State Issues.......the consevative movement will not take over this country.....the young were not present at the polls, that is normal during State elections, but national elections are different and they will be out in force 2012.....Palin is the death panel to the GOP, you want the independent vote and the moderate democratic vote then get rid of Palin, Beck, Limbaugh, Hannity, O'Reily, and the Tea Baggers, racists, radicals and the far right wing religious nuts that carry your Party

Thank goodness Virginians didn't fall for Deeds' scare tactics. Trying to incite fear in women voters was so exploitative! As a woman, I was insulted by Deeds' grossly distorting the thesis and trying to scare women into fearing McDonnell was going to take us back to the Dark Ages. Please!

He just won the election two days ago and he's a superstar???? Why don't we wait until he actually takes office and see what he can do. All he's proven so far is that he can beat a lackluster candidate who couldn't articulate what he stood for.

"McDonnell is a candidate who is very conservative, but he's while he's philosophically sound, he's temperamentally moderate," said Ralph Reed, the former Christian Coalition director who is a longtime friend of McDonnell's. "He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy. I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward."

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While I agree with this, he is not the typical candidate the GOP has been putting out. Hoffman on the NY 23 is a perfect example. If the GOP does put out more guys like McDonnell, they have a chance. Unfortunately the GOP base does not want to put these types on the national tickets.

Yeah, right. There's going to be plenty of buyer's remorse when he suddenly decides to implement his ultra-right-wing whacko social agenda. It will be just like it was with Gilmore – suffocate the state budget; watch services, education and transporation decline; and then elect a democrat to clean up the mess. Seems pretty typical these days...

Are they going to start grooming him for Prez now?

I voted for McDonnell and he has a lot of great qualities but lets see how he does as governor first. One thing is for sure, many campaigns will try to follow his positive model this year.

Who is the typical American independent voter? He is white, middle or working class, relatively uneducated, devoid of philosophical beliefs, social conscience, or patriotism but brimming with selfishness. His only concerns are his wallet and his stomach.

Republicans will use any arguments which resonate with the voters to get elected but their sinister agenda is hidden behind the attractive rethoric: intolerance, social injustice, and a support for cut-throat capitalism.

Anybody but Obama!

The term "superstar" in the GOP is a pretty low bar these days. If somebody can fog a mirror and not put their foot in their moth for 24 hours they qualify.

Anyone supported by Rex Reed is suspect. While chairman of a Christian coalition, Reed was responsible for helping funnel millions of dollars from gambling interests in Mississippi into the anti-lottery movement in Alabama. (Mississippi's casinos did not want competition with an Alabama lottery). Hardly a person of principle.

Na..the Superstars would be those people, Republicans or Democrats that will be replacing Pelosi, Reid, Dodd, Shumer, Boxer Barney Frank and the rest of the far left wing of the democratic party come 2010.

"McDonnell is a candidate who is very conservative, but he's while he's philosophically sound, he's temperamentally moderate," ... "He's a consensus builder. He's a reasonable guy. I think that's the kind of face Republicans need to start putting forward."

He may be the kind of face the GOP needs, but Ralph Reed's comments make clear we are dealing with the heart of George Bush. ("Very conservative...philosophically sound." Really? Those of us who are not fundamentalists disagree.) No, thank you. We've had enough wolves in GOP clothing. We're still trying to clean up the mess the last bunch left.

A quick NO!!!
Deeds ran a horrible campaign.
I still can't understand why women would want to vote for this Neanderthal. His sons go to school. His daughters go to grandma's house!

"The blueprint, his supporters argue, is fairly simple: Make a little noise as possible about how you support causes of the right wing crazies while paying lip service to good governance."

Yep, looks like a clear path for the Party of God: obfuscation and patronization.

Obummer has blamed Bush for these peskey republicans wins in NJ & VA.

Just wait till he has to govern. Let's see how well those things like banning birth control go over once he's in office. Voters were fooled by the elction mask. The Virginia version of the "compassionate conservative" snow job. The only baffling thing is how short people's memories are. We've seen this act so many times, it is like the rubes falling for a shell game over and over and over again.

If he fails to bring those conservative issues see how well the rightards who understood the lack of attention to old macdonalds extremust veiws was just a nod and wink to them and that he would get back to being a pat robertson devotee as soon as the votes were counted.

He can either govern as a Democrat, which is how he ran, and thus isolate his own party, or he can govern as a republicon and isolate the 78% of the electorate who think republicons are a step or two below the level of foot fungus.

Ah yes, the start of a new Leftist campaign to elevate yet another Republican to the ever-growing pool of possible presidential candidates.

Let the man govern and just do his job for a change.

America has woke up!!! Fianally realizing that Obama is clueless along with Pelosi... Democrats are eating crow and spewing hate!!!!

This is the same (expletive deleted) crown who went ballistic over President Obama's Nobel Prize .... ranting and foaming at the mouth that the President hadn't done anything yet ....

Now, McDonnell, less than 24 hours after wining a basically republican state is now "The Great White Hope" of the party ,... totally ignoring the fact the man has not accomplished one of his campaign promises!!!! The (your choice of adjective) has had almost a day .... and he hasn't done anything! What do you mean ... give him time! He's hasn't solved one problem yet and the GOP is running him for President!