"During an appearance on MSNBC’s 'Andrea Mitchell Reports' Wednesday, Gov. Bob McDonnell [R-VA] said he believes Sarah Palin 'is qualified' to be president: 'I think Sarah Palin’s been a mayor, she’s been governor of a state. I happen to be partial and think governors make great chief executive officers and have the experience to be good chief executive officers of the United States.'"- JP
"I have a great deal of respect for Sarah Palin,'' McDonnell said. "I thought she added a great deal of energy to the Republican ticket with John McCain. She's a principled conservative. She's not afraid to say some tough things."McDonnell also defended RNC Chairman Michael Steele, who is in hot water again, this time for allegedly spending tens of thousands of donor dollars for luxury hotels, private jets and other expenditures.
McDonnell again denied that he did not want the former vice presidential candidate to come to Virginia to campaign on his behalf last year. "I think you've got that wrong,'' he said. "We could not get her here because she was in such demand."
Last year, Palin's spokeswoman told us that McDonnell repeatedly and personally asked her for help but then changed his mind. Palin, the spokeswoman said, still offered to come all the way up until Election Day.
"I think he's a good leader. People always like to focus on the controversy and not on the good news,'' McDonnell said. "Listen, he helped to win the governors races in Virginia and in New Jersey, helped to win the Senate race up in Massachusetts. That's a pretty good track record. I think ultimately you're judged by your results."Steele helped funnel a record $8 million to the campaigns of Republicans in Virginia last year.
A Victory for Common Sense and Fiscal Sanity- JP
Congratulations to the new Governors-Elect of Virginia and New Jersey! I’d also like to offer a special word of support to the new Lieutenant Governor-Elect of New Jersey, Kim Guadagno, the first woman to hold that office.
Of course, the real victors in this election are the ordinary men and women who voted for positive change and a return to fiscal sanity. Your voices have been heard.
The race for New York’s 23rd District is not over, just postponed until 2010. The issues of this election have always centered on the economy – on the need for fiscal restraint, smaller government, and policies that encourage jobs. In 2010, these issues will be even more crucial to the electorate. I commend Doug Hoffman and all the other under-dog candidates who have the courage to put themselves out there and run against the odds.
To the tireless grassroots patriots who worked so hard in that race and to future citizen-candidates like Doug, please remember Reagan’s words of encouragement after his defeat in 1976:
“The cause goes on. Don't get cynical because look at yourselves and what you were willing to do, and recognize that there are millions and millions of Americans out there that want what you want, that want it to be that way, that want it to be a shining city on a hill.”
The cause goes on.
- Sarah Palin
"Virginia, hello, this is Sarah Palin calling to urge you to go to the polls Tuesday and vote to share our principles. The eyes of America will be on Virginia and make no mistake about it, every vote counts. So don't take anything for granted, vote your values on Tuesday, and urge your friends and family to vote, too."Money for this call is coming from the Virginia Faith and Freedom Coalition, marking perhaps the strongest example yet of Sarah's public commitment to "values-voting" and its crucial role in the conservative destiny. Interestingly enough, McDonnell's campaign had opted last year to stop seeking Sarah's approval and instead pursue a McCain-style "let's aim for the swing voter" stance. With all due respect to Bob McDonnell, the landslide victory upon which he's currently poised is not going to be triggered by wishy-washy RINOs. The base had been galvanized, and is about to make its presence known. Much the same can be said for the New Jersey race, where Sarah proves that she does indeed have the GOPs rejuvenation firmly in her cross hairs. She's taken third-party candidate Chris Daggett to task on her Facebook page, wagging a finger at him for "playing loose with the facts" as Republican Chris Christie begins to edge his Democrat rival in the polls.
Like other independent Americans, you know I don’t always see eye-to-eye with Republican political committees, so when I tell you that the Republican Governors Association has my complete support and confidence in its campaign efforts back East, know that I really mean it. The RGA is helping lead the conservative comeback, BEGINNING THIS YEAR, and its involvement in the East Coast races is significant. I hope you'll support these efforts, which are vital to the cause for America's freedom and prosperity...Read Sarah Palin's full Facebook op-ed here.
Let's consider the governor's race in New Jersey. The state has the highest tax burden in the country and the incumbent democrat governor has only added to the economic burden. He eliminated property tax rebates for middle class homeowners while the sales tax increased. Altogether, taxes on the people in the region have increased by billions of dollars. It’s no surprise that New Jersey has the highest unemployment rate in the region! Thankfully, there is an alternative. Residents there will be better off under an administration that understands the benefits that result when workers are allowed to keep more of what they earn. Watch New Jersey's economy come alive under new leadership that will put government back on the side of the people! Chris Christie promises this new leadership.
[...]
Then in Virginia - there is a clear difference between Republican Bob McDonnell and his liberal opponent. Republican Bob McDonnell is fighting for cheaper American energy and lower taxes, while his opponent wants to raise taxes, and, amazingly, even bragged about having more earmarks than any other state legislator. Bob McDonnell promises to fight for Virginia's hard working families, and he opposes some heavy-handed union leadership efforts that could ultimately hurt employers and employees...
Americans who believe in smaller government and free enterprise have a chance to show Washington that people all across the U.S. don’t want an ever-increasing national debt, more dependency on foreign energy sources and more wasteful government spending. If, like me, this is what you want to show Washington, then I hope you'll support Chris Christie and Bob McDonnell, and the RGA, as great efforts are put forth in these East Coast races.
"I think she was -- she added a lot of enthusiasm to the Republican ticket with John McCain last year. I think she'll stay a voice in national politics to some degree. But we're welcoming people from around the country that want to help us raise money and help us campaign on reform minded ideas to come to Virginia, Republicans and Democrats."McDonnell was asked if he would welcome Palin to campaign in Virginia on his behalf:
"I think she'd be a good spokesman. She's a successful governor in Alaska. She's a popular governor in Alaska. Got a lot of things done on taxes and regulations, and ethics. And those are some of the things that I'm interested in getting done here in Virginia."Earlier today on FNC's "Fox and Friends" morning program, the chairman of the Republican National Committee welcomed Palin to become more engaged in national politics:
"I'm very excited about the opportunity to have Sarah Palin freed up now to engage across the country to help, you know, reorient the party and grow it. She said she now wants to be able to contribute in a different way, and as RNC chairman, I absolutely welcome it. So Sarah, come on in. The water’s nice."Steele refused to play the guessing game about Gov. Palin's political ambitions:
"All this speculation about whether or not she's running for president is ridiculous. I think you need to focus on the fact that she made a personal decision. It was a difficult one. And we, you know, take her at her word."Some of Alaska's Republicans don't seem to realize how fortunate they are to have Sarah Palin at a time when Californians and New Yorkers appear to be fed up with their own governors. Palin is too valuable an asset to be put on ice in the great frozen north. Ask Chairman Steele, and he will tell you that she is a national treasure.
"Sarah Palin will be the ultimate arbiter of when she will engage and how she will engage. And all the speculation not withstanding, she will make that decision."
