The Commonwealth of Virginia is suffering. Our unemployment rates are rising, our healthcare and educational systems are failing, and our transportation system is a joke. We need real solutions to these problems, we need innovation, dedication, strength, and boldness. These are the qualities which Bob McDonnell embodies. From the beginning, he has worked to offer solutions to the issues that most affect the people of this commonwealth, rather than focusing on running a smear campaign as his opponent has done. He has found creative ways to fill the budget gaps that our state is coping with, ways that will work to remedy our Commonwealth's fiscal problems without cutting funding from essential programs such as education, as the current administration has done. He will work to instill a public funded charter school program within the commonwealth, creating competition that will ensure a better education for our students, he will work to promote adequate pay for all of Virginia's teachers and ensure that we hire only the best teachers available to educate our children. When asked by Leon Harris of WJLA-7 News in Washington DC what he plans to do to reform the healthcare system in Virginia, he gave a multitude of viable options, including TORT reform, Group Insurance sales for small businesses, rewarding companies who encourage healthy habits of their employees, focusing on prevention, and calling on Insurance companies to cover preventative treatment such as mammograms, while his opponent only referenced pooling health insurance for small businesses. Though I would appreciate a consideration of the public option, in some form, neither candidate seems to view it as a viable alternative to the status quo, therefore it is not pertinent in my decision making. On transportation especially, McDonnell has proven that he has what it takes. His plan on transportation will include light rail, a widening on I-64 and I-81, an emphasis on mass transit, as well as expanding Metro to Dulles. Growing up in both NoVA and Hampton Roads, McDonnell has a clear understanding of what the majority of Virginian's need in terms of transportation reform. Currently, Northern and Southeastern Virginia only retain roughly 25% of the tax dollars they send to Richmond. As Governor, McDonnell will work to end this disproportionate allocation of funds in order to ensure that both Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads get their due. Additionally, McDonnell has worked to provide innovative solutions regarding how to pay for transportation funding, including revenue from the sale of liquor stores and offshore oil drilling. While this plan is not perfect, it is different, it is new, it is potentially effective, and it is what Virginia needs right now. Contrast that with the plan proposed by Sen. Deeds, one which focuses primarily on raising the gas tax, putting even more financial strain on Virginia's families, and the choice is clear. In all, Bob McDonnell is a man of character and of integrity, he has proved that with his service to this nation and to this commonwealth. He is a man of great faith and great ingenuity, who has run a campaign that remained largely unfettered by relentless, baseless attempts at a character assassination from his opponent. This is a man who will continue the progress Virginia has made over the past eight years and who will, in my estimation, make an exceptional governor for the state of Virginia. So, with that said, I submit to you, for your consideration and vote, Mr. Robert F. McDonnell for Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Bob McDonnell on the Campaign Trail
