Steele: 'Republican Renaissance' starts in Virginia
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/04/13/art.bobmcdonnell.com.jpg caption="Virginia gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell will face the winner of the June 9 Democratic primary."]
(CNN) - Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele praised Bob McDonnell Saturday for receiving the official party nomination in the state's gubernatorial race, and said he is part of a "Republican renaissance that starts this year in Virginia."
“I would like to congratulate Bob McDonnell for being selected by Virginia Republicans today as their candidate for governor," Steele said in a statement. "It is going to be a tough fight, but we are well positioned for victory in November."
Steele said the RNC is committed to devoting its "full attention and significant resources" to helping McDonnell take back the governor's mansion in November.
Former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe is now in the final weeks of a tough three-way primary battle for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination. He has received an enthusiastic endorsement this year by former President Bill Clinton.
GOP renaissance in Virginia? Michael Steele and the GOP are delusional...that party brings nothing to political discourse except embarrassing, out of touch, out of date, out of time stupidity. Steele can only be described as "amateur" at political calculation. The remaining "face" of the new GOP, Limbaugh, Gingrich, Cheney, can't hold a candle to the sense of optimism that President Obama brings to the country, despite the sorry mess left by their group when finally toppled from power.
Now, what would possess the good people of Virginia to want to return to the dark days of Republican control? maybe limbaugh is sharing from his drug cache to anesthetize the voters ...
I saw a McDonnell campaign event with people wearing confederate flag patches. If you want to vote for the stealth racist and want to be identified as such, go right ahead and vote for McDonnell. Another republican miscalculation. His campaign is destined to disintegrate as did George Allen. The chips are about to fall.
Republicans 2009: Empty promises, a recent history of calculated betrayal of the American people, sociopathic greed, habitual complainers, irritating whiners, lacking in reason, void of judgement, leaderless, and one act away from joining the circus. I don't know whether to reach for the aspirin bottle or my hip flask.
For the sake of this country, GOP should remain a minority.
This nation does not need a Conservative renaissance. Conservatism has done enough damage to America. What we need is for Conservatism to disappear.
Conservatism has no agenda except more power for the poweful and greater wealth for the wealthy.
What is Conservatism? First, Conservatism is not a political philosophy. Conservatism cannot describe the ideal society and it has no goals. Conservatism simply opposes any effort to increase the wealth of the middle and lower classes. That is why American Conservative leaders have opposed the abolition of slavery, equal rights for minorities and women, equal pay for minorities and women, equal opportunity for minorities and women, the 8 hour day, the 40 hour week, overtime pay, sick pay, health benefits, retirement benefits, medicare, social security, workplace safety regulations, the abolition of child labor (American corporations still employ children in those nations where it is tolerated), child health programs, any improvement to the national infrastructure, antipollution laws, and laws designed to protect the climate.
Imagine an America in which Conservatism had won the fight in each of those areas. That is the nation that Conservatism would build.
"Conservatism: it is not good for children and other living things."
Let's hope not.
Renaissance (n) a movement or period of vigorous artistic and intellectual activity.
I doubt it.
He wasn't challenged. let's not read to much into this. Remember we still have Eric Cantor to screw it up for the Repubes.
Not a chance. The Virginia Republicans are thier own worst enemy. The Northern/Coastal Repubs and the Central/Southern Repubs are at polar ends on the issues of roads/mass transit and and the environment. Pick one solution to an issue of importance to the citizens of Virginia that the Virginia Republican Party came out with AND PASSED over the last 6 years. You will not find one.
How can it be a renaissance if the Republicans have had control of Virginia for YEARS!
I believe most of the people in Virginia are too smart to fall for the GOP schmuck any longer,
The entire country is changing away from the rule of the wealthy old white men that seek to further strengthen only the wealthy.
Boot out all Repubs, Virginia.
Republican renaissance ... Now THAT is funny...
Why do politicians always call elections "fights?" Regardless of what side you support, in the end the winner is decided by who spent the most money. They should just call elections "buy-outs."
An old white guy is the GOP's nominee . . . how unexpected
Gop is dead as a dodo!!, the party needs new ideas, kick out the divisive old men from the party. Preach moral conservatism which is the base of morallity after all a liberal state such as California have proved they are morally superior than New-Hamshire, Iowa, or Massachusets. Preaching fiscal conservatism is not enough if there is moral decay! continue hammering and pushing for christian values through the black churches and hispanic catholics and before long the party will be stronger than ever!!
Is that the "real Viginia?" GOP language confuses me. I don't know if they are talking about the Real Viginia or the Virginia Reel but they will have to do more than block Obama. May the partyof "NO" become the party of "NO ONE"
Huh, what?
It will be a "Renaissance" if they become a party for the average American citizen instead of a party that is of,by and for the wealthy and powerful only.
Who is the more tangible fool? Steele for his zig-zaggery or the Republican party he so zealously advocates for despite its absence of principles and lack of a coherent plan?
This is the same thing Michael Steele said about the NY 20th Congressional District special election .... and he was wrong.
My bet: the Democrats will win the VA and NJ gubernatorial races.
My hope: Michael Steele, Newt Gingrich, Rush Limbaugh, et al, will continue to turn off Independent voters with their rants & raves right on through the midterm elections in 2010.
McAuliffe's campaign has seemed to me like it's counting on national Democratic party momentum and boatloads of cash to bring it success rather than giving consideration to representing the people of Virginia and meeting their needs. It doesn't surprise me that McDonnell leads in the polls.
It is the beginning of the new beginning.
Hope not. A used to be Republican doesn't ever want to see these bums back.Would like to see some dems go too. Lets get term limits on the ballots,
If McDonnell was running against McAuliffe he could win but since he'll be running against OBAMACORN he doesn't stand a chance.
This is irresponsible journalism. Mr McAuliffe is not even leading in the most recent polls. Please at least mention the other two candidates in the VA Democratic Primary.