AG McDonnell liveblogged over at Goodsense-Va. People asked good questions, and he was able to get to many of them during the hour (see the comments link). Here was mine, with the answer:
Question: Mr. Attorney General,
This fall the entire legislature is up for election. Please set out your case for sending the Republicans back, to keep their majority. Bring exhibits. Courtroom theatrics welcome. ‘Cause this is the blogosphere! Seriously, in particular, what do you say to people who say, “Why should Republicans keep the majority? They’re not really that different from Democrats. Let’s just vote for ‘change.’”
Answer: That claim is absolutely false. Only Republicans govern from the premise that government must keep taxes, regulation and litigation low, that the free enterprise system and not government programs is the key to economic prosperity, and that traditional values must be preserved. In looking at the record of results by the parties there is no comparison. Republicans have dramatically improved Virginia government with abolition of parole, welfare reform, juvenile justice reform, significant improvements in laws cracking down on drunk driving, gangs, and sexual predators. Republicans alone have ushered in accountability in schools with SOL tests, while investing record new sums in K-12 education. Just this session Republicans enacted the first major transportation funding bill in 21 years, significantly private property rights protections, and championed Youth Internet Safety. Democrats can point to nowhere near the same record of results that benefited the Virginia citizen. It is a record Republicans will proudly run on this fall. Similarly, in articulating a vision for the future Republicans have made concrete proposals to crack down on criminal illegal aliens, reform the mental health system, strengthen our school construction programs, and provide property tax relief. There has been no similar vision apparent from the Democrats, that is unfortunate. Thanks for the question Jane, sorry for the long answer, but its a critically important topic.
Sounds like he will be urging Republicans to shake off any lingering grumpiness from last Fall’s election and to draw the real comparisons between the Republican and Democratic records. (And I say don’t buy into guilt that our record is not flawless. No one’s is). This bears repeating:
Only Republicans govern from the premise that government must keep taxes, regulation and litigation low, that the free enterprise system and not government programs is the key to economic prosperity, and that traditional values must be preserved.
The premise and the record. We can be proud to discuss both.
Photo details: (photo taken earlier this year, not during liveblog). Canon EOS 30D, 24-70mm, 1/60, f/4.5, ISO 800, bounce flash, cropped in Photoshop and contrast increased slightly.
Yes, this is a leaf turning red.
Spotted on a car, parked at the grocery store. The ribbon says, “Just Pretend It’s All Okay.” The car had other bumper stickers, including one that said, “You want a theocracy? Move to Iran.”
Del. Kirk Cox 
