Given the ongoing debacle over Virginia’s presidential primary ballot, I imagine that the only knowledge many of my fellow RedStaters may have of Virginia’s Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling is that he is Mitt Romney’s state campaign chairman and a gubernatorial rival to Tea Party favorite and fighter of Obamacare Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. Neither of these items are likely to endear him to the RedState community or to the conservative movement at large.
Speaking as a committed supporter of both Rick Perry and Ken Cuccinelli, I think this would be a crying shame. That’s why I want to share with you my impressions of Bill Bolling. Admittedly, those impressions are not based on much more than what I have garnered from meeting and speaking with the lieutenant governor a few times on the campaign trail, plus whatever I’ve picked up from reading the news and staying abreast of Virginia politics. Regardless, what knowledge I do have, I would like to share with all of you. The two-part video below is a recording I shot of the lieutenant governor’s talk to the University of Virginia College Republicans on April 15, 2008 (apologies in advance for shakiness and for the lack of transcript). Skip to about the 3:00 mark to get into actual content of his talk.
Part 1
Part 2
I’ll be honest: I don’t know what went on in RPV headquarters during the ballot certification process. I don’t know if favoritism by any members of the state central committee had any role to play Romney qualifying for the ballot on basis of the number of his signatures, while Gingrich and Perry were subjected to greater scrutiny. I don’t know who truly owns a greater share of the blame for this whole mess: the RPV, the candidates’ campaigns, or the rules themselves.
But I do know this: Bill Bolling is a good man and a good conservative, and conservative activists nationwide shouldn’t walk away with any other impression. He’s no RINO or “moderate Republican”, and I do not believe he would be involved in any shady dealings involving the primary ballot certifications.
Bill Bolling is one of the most hard-working, genuine individuals you could ever meet working in politics. He understands that there exists, as he put it, a “fundamental difference” between those who want to take our country on a path towards greater liberty, greater prosperity, and greater security, and those who want to remake our society along a socialistic model. He understands that the answer to the challenges facing us is not bigger government, but lower taxes, lower spending, and more freedom. True, he could be fairly labeled as the “establishment” candidate, but that has far less to do with ideology and everything to do with the fact that, as lieutenant governor for the past six years, he has tirelessly campaigned for Republicans up and down the Commonwealth. His office hasn’t given him much opportunity to take direct action on the issues, but he has poured his energy into the hard work of shoring up and growing the party.
Your Mileage, of course, May Vary, and for all the above, I still plan on casting a ballot to nominate Ken Cuccinelli to be Virginia’s next governor in 2013. That being said, should Bill Bolling garner the party’s nomination, I will enthusiastically support his campaign. Hopefully, his connection with the ballot controversy and his support for Mitt Romney will not prevent other from doing likewise.
Moe Lane
PG DeFreese
Victoria Coates
Daniel Horowitz
Dan Spencer
Thanks for your defense...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 5:00AM EST (link)…I truly don’t know the name Bill Bolling apart from this VA debacle (given that I am not nor ever have been a Virginian), but it would a shame for a man to be ruined forever in the absence of a defense, especially if he did not behave corruptly. That is a big if, I understand.
That's why I wrote this
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 6:42AM EST (link)And I really, really doubt that any corruption took place. Bolling held the same positions as Romney’s campaign chair and as an ex-officio member of the State Central Committee back in 2008, and there were no problems with ballot qualification then (at a time when it would have made far more sense to resort to shenanigans).
I happen to think that the current unpleasantness is the result of a perfect storm of a couple of relatively popular campaigns being strapped for cash and resources before IA, NH, and SC, combined with a legitimately flawed and confusing system for primary ballot qualification. No malice required.
It looks like you and Scope are going to have to fight this out...
nathanalbright (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:11AM EST (link)…since you apparently both know Bill Bolling and like Lizzy Bennet said about Darcy in Pride & Prejudices, I hear such different accounts of the man that I can’t make them out. This campaign looks corrupt and that is probably going to be enough to sink Bolling in the eyes of many people. Whether that’s fair or not, that’s the price of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
That's exactly right nathan
Scope (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:36AM EST (link)I cannot believe the number of Virgina voters that I’m reading will not be voting in the primary. Some of those saying that have said they have never not voted, and this will be the first time.
To add insult to injury here in VA, the RPV has now ruled that in order to vote in the March 6 primary, every voter will be required to sig a “loyalty pledge” promising to vote for the Republican candidate in the General. I’ve read that that isn’t even legal, mostly because of time constraints. They would have had to announce that move at least 90 days prior to the primary.
This morning I heard on local radio that the RPV has backed off the “loyalty pledge” and instead will go with a closed primary. I haven’t been able to verify that info. anywhere, so I don’t know if it’s true. It was said that the Ron Paul supporters would be very angry if that is the case. I seriously doubt they can close the primary now, as voters would have to register with a party affiliation on your voters registration card which currently does not exist.
You are correct, this entire debacle that is playing out in VA right now will sink any chances of Bolling winning the Gov. seat. I hope Cuccinelli doesn’t suffer for this mess, but, I am very fearful now that VA will go back to the Democrats, including Tim Kaine as the next VA Senator.
That's crazy talk
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:09AM EST (link)The closed primary thing, that is. No way a closed primary could happen, since as you noted, we don’t have party registration, and we would have to require every voter in the state to reregister by March 6 in order to make it work. As far as a loyalty pledge goes, I know that it has happened on the local level before. They don’t have any legal power whatsoever; they’re just depending on peoples’ consciouses to enforce them. Which is…yeah, pretty dumb.
Now, as far as the 2013 pessimism…got to disagree with you there. The ballot matter may cost Bolling the primary, but by the time the general election rolls around, it’ll be ancient history (baring the revelation of actual fraud at the RPV, which WOULD change matters). Like I said in my article, I’m a Cuccinelli guy through and through, but I think both him and Bolling could very well stomp whichever loser the Democrats put forward. McDonnell’s been a very solid governor, and I expect our nominee to have a highly favorable climate to run in. In case my guy doesn’t make, I want to make sure the other guy doesn’t get kneecapped before he has a chance to make his case.
As far as Tim Kaine goes
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:10PM EST (link)Stopping him is in George Allen’s hands. Which…eh, I’ll confess, I’m less than enthused about, but thems the breaks. At least Allen will be running in a year with (hopefully) national coattails.
The Beauty of Debate!
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 12:03PM EST (link)Both sides present their spirited arguments, and let those watching decide which has more merit. Then we vote! When that happens, it is a sign that the system is working. When no debate is going on, that’s generally a good sign that you need to look around and make sure you haven’t somehow wound up in North Korea.
Also, part of me cannot believe that I am mounting the Bill Bolling defense on this one. Come the 2013 primary season, my best friend and I will pretty much have to stop talking politics, because she’s a Bolling girl and I’m all for Ken Cuccinelli, and neither of us shy about defending our preferred candidates. Things could get ugly.
Chalk it up to that pesky Catholic conscience, I guess.
For the sake of fairness and statesmanship, MikeG,
westcoastpatriette (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:27AM EST (link)I wish I could agree with you that there is probably no malice required to explain the mess in VA.
But the way this is being handled makes that an impossible option for me to believe. The silence coming from those who have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo speaks volumes to me about their willingness to allow “the perfect storm” to blow in their favor.
For these reasons, I am very glad Perry is suing. Even if he loses, at least he is letting everyone know that he smells the stink that the rest of us smell.
Thanks for your response, wcp
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:20AM EST (link)I totally get where you are coming from. And you will note that I said NOTHING about the potential culpability of any of the other members of the State Central Committee. For all I know, they’re guilty as hell. But that doesn’t change my opinion that, if actual wrongdoing (as opposed to general incompetence) occurred, Bill Bolling wasn’t any part of it.
To be quite honest, other than lack of hard evidence, the only reason I’m not shouting “CONSPIRACY!!!” from the rafters is because the RPV is one of the most clownish group of buffoons ever to wield clout. I doubt they could find their collective a%@&s with both hands, much the less pull of the kind of scheme this would require without somebody either screwing up or tattling.
However, that’s a problem that long predates LTG Bill Bolling and AG Ken Cuccinelli, and out of fairness I don’t want to see the blame for it fall on either of their doorsteps.
Your second paragraph explains everything, MikeG,
westcoastpatriette (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:45AM EST (link)and gave me a good laugh to boot. Having an abundance of the kinds of buffoons you describe here in Cali, I completely get what you are saying.
God help us all.
LOL Indeed WCP
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:55AM EST (link)I don’t know what scenario is the scarier: having highly INCOMPETENT people running government, or highly COMPETENT people running government.
Best argument I ever heard against 9/11 Truthers is from my dad, a 20-year Navy vet and now a DOD career professional, “No way the US government could have pulled off that kind of massive operation and cover-up: WE’RE NOT THAT GOOD!”
The Bill Bolling I know
Scope (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 9:03AM EST (link)has an agenda. I know Bill Bolling from shaking hands with him at campaign stops when he was running alongside Bob McDonnell and Ken Cuccinelli for the top three positions in VA in the 2009 elections. I also keep abreast of VA politics through reading publicans and conservative websites in VA and elsewhere. I know Bill Bolling as well as you do, though I didn’t record any speeches he made anywhere.
The Bill Bolling I know was willing to take one for the team, and even though it was “his turn” to run for the Governor’s seat in 09, he made a backroom deal with the then Atty. Gen. Bob McDonnell, to step aside and let Bob McDonnell run for the Governor’s position, in exchange for Gov. McDonnell’s endorsement and support for his 2013 run, long before anyone had any idea who may want to challenge for that seat in 2013.
The Bill Bolling I know stated on his website that he is supporting and working for Mitt Romney in hopes that a President Romney would work for and support Mr. Bollings 2013 bid for the Governors seat, even knowing that the seat is also being sought by the current Atty. Gen. Ken Cuccinelli, who is a very popular political figure in the state, with many many conservative accomplishments to add to his resume.
Atty. Gen. Cuccinelli has already been warned that the elite state’s long knives will be after him because he refused to “get in line” and wait for “his turn.” If you follow VA politics, you would have already read the numerous articles written by some within the state, who claim to be insiders, or have knowledge of insider politics, who have already started the campaign against Ken Cuccinelli. There will be an effort to bloody Cuccinelli as much as possible, until he is proven to be unelectable, in hopes that the voters will run from him.
I’m sick and tired of being told who I must vote for and support, with the current system in VA which honors the “next in line” candidate, and to the detriment of anyone who chooses to challenge the chosen one.
That is the Bill Bolling I know, the one who has been a good Republican team member, makes backroom deals, and who is willing to do anything necessary to become the next Gov. in VA, just as it is Mitt Romney’s “turn” to be the next president. Isn’t this the very same shaddy antics that the conservatives want to put out to pasture. It should be about choice, not who the party insiders think should be next, like them or not.
This ain't beanbag
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 11:49AM EST (link)Everyone knows that the coming primary battle is going to be a nasty, vicious one replete with long knives and broken bottles. I said that myself here just the other day. Personally, I hope Cuccinelli gives as good as he gets. That’s how the game is played, and there is no point spilling tears over it. Besides, we all know what happens when a candidate arrives on the big stage WITHOUT being vetted in that manner (cough cough Herman Cain cough cough).
But I gotta tell yah, there’s no conservative principle that says two guys can’t both want and compete for the same job at the same time. Isn’t doing the opposite (everyone lining up and waiting their turn) what you are railing against? Do you think Bolling should call up Cuccinelli and say, “Ken, I know you really want this, and you’re a rising conservative superstar, so don’t worry, I’ll run in four years time,”? If he did that, and four years from now the next hotshot AG wanted to be governor, would you support Bolling then, or demand that he once again stand aside?
Additionally, “for the party” is a mantra that conservatives have rightly come to shudder at, as it usually betokens surrender, but party loyalty is not always a bad thing. One of our complaints against the Paulbots is the fact that they will almost certainly not turn out to vote for anyone other than their candidate in the general election. That’s party DISLOYALTY in the most blatant fashion! Yes, Bolling is extremely loyal to the GOP, and frankly I can’t tell you what wins out in his heart: being a Republican or being a conservative. That’s why I support Cuccinelli. I feel I can tell what comes first for the AG.
But none of that makes Bill Bolling a crook, or a liberal in sheep’s clothing. It just makes him moderately conservative Republican politician who would make a perfectly respectable and successful governor, and an acceptable second choice for conservatives. That’s all I’m saying.
MikeG- Just to be sure you understood my post
Scope (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 1:12PM EST (link)I never implied that Bolling should step aside to allow Cuccinelli to run in 2013. I said quite the opposite, I want the voters to have a choice, not just simply to be force fed with the one that is considered the next in line. As Cuccinelli said himself, he “didn’t agree to get in line.” Now there is no question that he will pay in every way possible because of his unwillingness to march in lockstep, and take one for the team, with the Republican old guard ruling the roost in VA elections.
I thank you for correctly titling Bolling a “moderately conservative Republican.” Earlier in your reply you said that you weren’t sure if Bolling is more Republican, or more conservative. Let’s settle on “moderate Republican.” So far, we have a conservative and a moderate to choose from in the Gov. race.
Bolling certainly knew that he was going to be running for the Gov. race in 2013 when he accepted the job as Romney’s VA campaign chair. Did he not forsee that that may result in the appearance of a conflict of interest? Does he lack the judgement to not make incendiary statements that he is hoping that a President Romney will help him to win his Gov. race, even after Cuccinelli had already also declared for that race? I’m certain that everyone is hoping that this whole ballot mess will be long forgotten about by 2013, but this has been such a tremendous disaster, whether it was the RPV who caused it or whomever, but you can bet this will be a huge issue in 2013, and the optics will be very bad for Bolling, whether he had anything to do with it or not. I personally think that Bollings willingness to work for Romney, and the statements he has made since, to be very bad judgement on his part.
I think you're making something out of nothing
MikeG (Diary) Thursday, December 29th at 7:18PM EST (link)I agree that Cuccinelli “didn’t agree to get in line”, and I’m glad that he didn’t. However, I don’t think that entitles him to an expectation that his opponent’s supporters aren’t going to come out at him swinging. Of course they’ll go to bat for their candidate, just as we will for ours, and the primary voters will choose between the two of them. That’s how elections work.
I don’t see how Romney’s state campaign chairman stating that he wants to see Romney win the presidency is a “conflict-of-interest”. Of course he does, otherwise he wouldn’t be campaigning for him! I would hope that any Republican president would campaign for our nominee for governor in 2013, and Bolling was just reiterating his already-declared choice for which candidate he wants to see in the White House. That’s no worse than, say, Katherine Harris simultaneously serving as Florida’s Secretary of State and as George Bush’s state campaign co-chair.
Don’t put words in my mouth. I said “moderately conservative Republican”, and I’m sticking with that descriptor. You’re free to characterize Bolling however you want. I don’t understand why he is supporting Romney, but unlike Mittens, I think Bolling actually possesses a certain measure of core principles and beliefs.
I think you are overstating the long-term impacts of this. Hey, if I’m wrong, and this winds up torpedoing Bolling, great! But I’m not holding my breath. Right now, only die hard political junkies are paying attention to this story, and without any evidence of actual corruption or wrong-doing (of which there is currently NONE), this will be long forgotten by 2013.