Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia told Meet the Press this morning that Republicans should nominate a governor in 2012. “I would like to see a governor,” he said. “Governors have to balance the budget, they have got to be decisive, they can’t make excuses. They have got to lead and I think that is what we need.”
I thought that David Axelrod made a very valid rebuttal to the Governor on the issue of balancing VA's budget. Alexrod pointed out that McDonnell accomplished a balanced budget by borrowing money against future receipts to the Commonwealth, borrowing against future spending in the state pension program, and taking $1.6 billion in federal stimulus money.
On paper, Virginia's budget was balanced last year; in reality, Virginia spent quite a bit more than it took in in taxes. By that measure, the federal budget is also balanced, in that we taxed and borrowed as much as we spent.
Axelrod was useful... deficits went into overdrive when the Democrats took over Congress. The surpluses from Clinton were largely due to the fact that Social Security was taken in much more than it was paying out. A statistical anomaly that was going to come to an end after 2000 no matter what. Also, Clinton had the benefit of the tech bubble in the stock market that drove tax receipts much higher from stock and option sales in the tech sector. That sector started its decline shortly after the tech spending orgy ended on 1/1/2000.
THE biggest task for the Republican nominee - for the party, really - is explaining why "Preserve Social Security & Medicare 'as is' " is not an option.
We need a happy warrior who'll explain why preserving Social Security, Medicare & other entitlements "as is" isn't possible. Only then will there be support for making the changes required to transform them into something that will work.
To your point Scott, the challenge VA governors face is they can only serve one term and they start off 1 year after the presidential election. If they try to run, as Doug Wilder did back in after being sworn into office in 1990 for the 1992 election they have to neglect their office as governor. If they wait until after they serve as governor their time as governor is largely forgotten.
Doug Wilder thought he could ride the wave as the first elected black governor to the white house, he flamed out and served as mayor of Richmond until 2009.
Budgetary magic aside, our governor would be a good candidate for president. Good, conservative instincts; Southern, but not scary southern (at least to some Yankees) like Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi.
But I'm a selfish Virginian: I want Gov. McDonnell to stay in office all four years. Unlike his predecessor Tim Kaine, the chair of the DNC, who treated the governorship as an impediment to Democrat fund-raising.
Gov. McDonnell is right when he notes that governors have to make decisions and lead. However, having served as a governor is no guarantee of being a good president. Carter and Clinton give witness to that.
My first choice? Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, since Jeb is disqualified by virtue of his last name.
While I agree with Governor McConnell, generally, I would point out that we already have 52+ governors. He, as I, have assumed that we need a leader that will be making lots of big and important decisions, as would come with a big government president. But now I wonder if what we need are people who are ready to operate the federal government within severe limits. If we are going to bring about a new era of government we will need to let the states run themselves as much as possible while the major effort is spent dismantling and repairing the damage done by the big federal government over-reach. Governors working with the President to resume their responsibilities will be needed. I am not a Rubin or Ryan supporter as such, but could be if they, or someone like them would use their expertise in government to prune it sharply as the states pick up their load.
second for Rick Perry - more than a decade as governor, in a big red state, a state that has done well enough when the rest of the country has been in a real depression.
I'd be happy to see a conservative governor run for the presidential nomination. But somehow, you just know McDonnell isn't talking about Sarah Palin. Doing that might cause McDonnell a little embarrassment in front of the media. And we wouldn't want that.
Governors? Perry & Christie. Perry x two terms with Christie as his attack dog, then Christie x two terms. In the meantime Rubio takes the governorship of Florida, then takes White House after Christie in 2028 (Rubio will be about 57 in 2028).
I thought that David Axelrod made a very valid rebuttal to the Governor on the issue of balancing VA's budget. Alexrod pointed out that McDonnell accomplished a balanced budget by borrowing money against future receipts to the Commonwealth, borrowing against future spending in the state pension program, and taking $1.6 billion in federal stimulus money.
On paper, Virginia's budget was balanced last year; in reality, Virginia spent quite a bit more than it took in in taxes. By that measure, the federal budget is also balanced, in that we taxed and borrowed as much as we spent.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseAxelrod was useful... deficits went into overdrive when the Democrats took over Congress. The surpluses from Clinton were largely due to the fact that Social Security was taken in much more than it was paying out. A statistical anomaly that was going to come to an end after 2000 no matter what. Also, Clinton had the benefit of the tech bubble in the stock market that drove tax receipts much higher from stock and option sales in the tech sector. That sector started its decline shortly after the tech spending orgy ended on 1/1/2000.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseMcDonnell would be a GREAT candidate if he was in office just a couple or few years longer.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTHE biggest task for the Republican nominee - for the party, really - is explaining why "Preserve Social Security & Medicare 'as is' " is not an option.
We need a happy warrior who'll explain why preserving Social Security, Medicare & other entitlements "as is" isn't possible. Only then will there be support for making the changes required to transform them into something that will work.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseTo your point Scott, the challenge VA governors face is they can only serve one term and they start off 1 year after the presidential election. If they try to run, as Doug Wilder did back in after being sworn into office in 1990 for the 1992 election they have to neglect their office as governor. If they wait until after they serve as governor their time as governor is largely forgotten.
Doug Wilder thought he could ride the wave as the first elected black governor to the white house, he flamed out and served as mayor of Richmond until 2009.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseBudgetary magic aside, our governor would be a good candidate for president. Good, conservative instincts; Southern, but not scary southern (at least to some Yankees) like Gov. Haley Barbour of Mississippi.
But I'm a selfish Virginian: I want Gov. McDonnell to stay in office all four years. Unlike his predecessor Tim Kaine, the chair of the DNC, who treated the governorship as an impediment to Democrat fund-raising.
Gov. McDonnell is right when he notes that governors have to make decisions and lead. However, having served as a governor is no guarantee of being a good president. Carter and Clinton give witness to that.
My first choice? Gov. Rick Perry of Texas, since Jeb is disqualified by virtue of his last name.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI don't disagree with McConnell, but going the governor route leads directly to the elites favorite candidate, Mitch Daniels.
Personally, I have no desire to support a candidate pushed by Tokyo Rove. I've already seen the type of "conservative" he wants in the White House.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseWhile I agree with Governor McConnell, generally, I would point out that we already have 52+ governors. He, as I, have assumed that we need a leader that will be making lots of big and important decisions, as would come with a big government president. But now I wonder if what we need are people who are ready to operate the federal government within severe limits. If we are going to bring about a new era of government we will need to let the states run themselves as much as possible while the major effort is spent dismantling and repairing the damage done by the big federal government over-reach. Governors working with the President to resume their responsibilities will be needed. I am not a Rubin or Ryan supporter as such, but could be if they, or someone like them would use their expertise in government to prune it sharply as the states pick up their load.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abusesecond for Rick Perry - more than a decade as governor, in a big red state, a state that has done well enough when the rest of the country has been in a real depression.
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuselet's give it a whirl. the senator thing certainly isn't working out.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseI'd be happy to see a conservative governor run for the presidential nomination. But somehow, you just know McDonnell isn't talking about Sarah Palin. Doing that might cause McDonnell a little embarrassment in front of the media. And we wouldn't want that.
Reply to this commentLinkReport AbuseGovernors? Perry & Christie. Perry x two terms with Christie as his attack dog, then Christie x two terms. In the meantime Rubio takes the governorship of Florida, then takes White House after Christie in 2028 (Rubio will be about 57 in 2028).
Reply to this commentLinkReport Abuse