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I am proud to announce that at 10 A.M. this morning I will be meeting with Governor Jim Gilmore who will be joining us on Too Conservative for a live blog to discuss the 2008 election.
The Governor will answers questions from me as well as from readership.
If you have questions please leave them in this thread or email me them at vincent at tooconservative.com
I will also be trying to get a video of the Governor’s views on primaries vs. conventions and upload it.
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Dec 06th by Too Conservative
Hi Jim Gilmore
Your car tax cut was one of the biggest financial disasters the state of Virginia has seen in many, many years. You were not upfront about the revenues in the state and you didn’t really come up with a plan to phase it out with recommended cuts. With such a fiscally irresponsible decision, how do you expect us to even consider voting for you now? Under a Republican controlled General Assembly, the state budget has grown faster than ever. More tax increases have been approved and more spending has taken place under this Republican control. That’s not our party.
Considering your irresponsible action as governor, why should we even consider you for Congress? You led your party to have to make some of the largest tax increases this state ever saw.–Gray
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gray
on December 3rd, 2007Mr. Gilmore, where do you and Mark Warner differ on national security?
Chris
on December 3rd, 2007Do you support or oppose giving amnesty to illegal immigrants?
Rachel
on December 3rd, 2007When Mark Warner took office he never spent a dime on transportation. As Governor, how much did you spend on transportation?
Arlington Independent
on December 4th, 2007Why do you support a convention over a primary as the method of nomination?
Interested Onlooker
on December 4th, 2007Gov. Gilmore: how do you respond to the argument that your car-tax plan was really a tax increase in disguise, given the fact that the state has to spend nearly $1 billion each year to reimburse localities for their lost revenues? Far from a tax cut, the plan in reality shifted the fiscal burden from local governments to the state government. Was that the true intent of your plan?
NJH
Not Jack Herrity
on December 4th, 2007Gov. Gilmore: Thank you for joining us on Too Conservation. My question is:
How do you feel about English being the official language of the United States?
Loudoun Moderate
on December 4th, 2007Carrington, I have a comment awaiting moderation, but perhaps this one will move through more quickly.
I agree that it is sad (shocking, not too much) that religion and faith play such a role in politics today.
But this is huge part of the dynamic of today’s Republican Party brought to you by those that seek to merge religion and government or create majorities by pandering to those that vote religious interests first and good government, well, way down the line.
Perhaps this is the question that would be more palatable to LI:
Governor Gilmore, discuss your views on the concept of church/state separation. What do you think is the proper role of religion in politics.
edmundburkenator
on December 4th, 2007Gov. Gilmore – Republicans have met some difficulty since you left office in winning statewide elections. How would you forge a coalition of conservatives and moderates throughout the commonwealth?
RWN
on December 4th, 2007If you do not support any form of “amnesty” for undocumented immigrants, what do you believe to be a realistic solution to the problem of an estimated 12 million undocumented immigrants currently living and working in the US?
Laura V
on December 4th, 2007Gov. Gilmore – while it’s commonly acknowledged that the “No Child Left Behind” Law is in serious need of significant transformation, whatever transformation or updating does occur is likely to be continued to be focused necessarily on those at the lower end of the educational readiness spectrum…we’ve come to understand that this focus is therefore creating disadvantages for those at the higher end of the spectrum, who continue to need explicit attention from an acceleration and opportunity perspective if we’re going to produce globally-competitive Virginia graduates in the years to come. What’s your perspective on making sure that the so-called “gifted” students aren’t actually “left behind”? How about additional, state-funded “Magnet” schools or academic programs in Northern Virginia?
Elise
on December 4th, 2007Gov;
Your thoughts on four important topics.
1. illegal migration
2. spending in washington
3. rolling back the size and scope of the federal government
4. do you regret your staunch support of George Bush givin his dismal record on the topics 1 2 and 3.
G.Stone
on December 4th, 2007Why did you get fired at the RNC after so short a term ?
A.Question
on December 4th, 200712… and who do YOU THINK is using them?
You using the old worn out and trashed excuse of Munsey and S.Smith…(the latter is one who engaged in such hypocrisy) as the premise for undermining all the support of the agendas that they opposed??
10 feet tall and Bulletproof
on December 4th, 2007How exactly would Virginia be better served by you as Senator rather than Mark Warner?
Erik
on December 4th, 2007I’m going to do a final edit of these comments from my perspective, then leave the rest up to Vincent. Please be concise and respectful.
RWN, there is only one IP that gets two identities and that is the dynamic duo of t and Grapes, out of deference t their long service to the blogosphere. 10 Foot has changed his name and that’s fine, but don’t go skipping around from one to the other.
Loudoun Insider
on December 4th, 2007Governor Gilmore,
While I think Gray could have found some way to ask the exact question with a little more tact, I would agree with him that a good number of folks you’d like to vote for you would ask exactly that question if given the chance to interview you. How would you respond.
10 feet tall and Bulletproof
on December 4th, 2007Tact? Tact? That’s exactly how it should be asked: with a slice of reality, a touch of opinion, and a hard question. Tact?
Personally, it is more respectful than I wanted to be. The guy ruined this state’s budget
gray
on December 5th, 2007LI is a great man.
RWN, quit your sanctimonious holier than thou whining.
Grapes
on December 5th, 2007gray,
Maybe it has something to with you don’t have a shred of evidence to back up your claims.
Here is a challenge to you gray, if you are brave enough to accept it and wish to prove you actually mean what you write:
If you’re so vehemently opposed to Governor Gilmore and his car tax cut, by all means, mail the difference in to the State Government, I’m sure they would love to have your money. Or are you the kind of person who reaps the benefits of something, but still complains?
as an addendum:
I am not going to ask a question to Governor Gilmore because as I’m sure both Vince and Loudon Insider can attest to, I have been quite vocal on this board and don’t want to give the impression that he’s getting softballs from a supporter.
Back to you gray: Will you accept my challenge?
John
on December 5th, 2007[...] Too Conservative is live-blogging Friday with Gov. Gilmore…check it out! [...]
Bearing Drift - Virginia Politics and Podcasts » TC to live-blog with Gov. Gilmore
on December 5th, 2007John, I will accept your challenge. But, I have to ask, what “evidence” do you want?
The mere fact the car tax hasn’t been phased out is one piece of evidence. Now, the problem with my negative GOP friends is they want to blame it on Warner, but that’s hogwash. The car tax was not phased out by a GOP controlled General Assembly. That’s a problem. Many longtime GOPers said Jimmy Gilmore made a very irresponsible decision, one that had no fiscal backing.
So, John, why hasn’t my car tax been phased out by this Republican controlled General Assembly? Ken? Ken Cuchinelli, you there? Bob Marshall? Hey guys, what’s going on? Why did I still pay 180 on my car tax?
More evidence later.
gray
on December 5th, 2007Governor Gilmore,
Governors Kaine and Warner have both protected employees in their administrations from employment discrimination based on their sexual orientation. Governor Allen did the same in his Senate office, as have Senators Webb and Warner and Presidents Clinton (42) and Bush (43).
Why did you not include sexual orientation in your non-discrimination executive order and would you have a non-discrimination policy in your Senate office should you become a U.S. Senator?
ZB
on December 5th, 2007Hey Gray! Guess What!!!!!! You just made an intelligent question for the Governor!!!! SHOCKER!
I personally would petition the LI to keep his current question up, because I think it’s a significant question to the nature of the Republican Party, NOT Governor Gilmore.
I don’t personally believe you’ll send in a check for close to $1,000. I would love to see you do it though, at least walk the walk if you’re going to talk the talk.
John
on December 5th, 2007Grapes – you’re a big fan of Delgaudio and now you’re saying LI is a great man? In case you haven’t seen his posts, LI hates Delgaudio in the worst way.
RWN
on December 5th, 2007Mssr. Gilmore-
Merci bien pour votre courage pour etre tres conservatife! My question est: How are you going to raize ze funds to compete avec le liberal Mssr. Warner? I hear zat you spent a lot of money dan le pursuit of president et zat you have ze debt pour ze campaign. Et Warner haz beaucoup d’argent, n’est-ce pas??? Oh, by ze way, I zink ze official language of ze Amerique should be, bien sur, le Francais!!!
Jean-Charles
on December 5th, 2007Laura:
You still cannot bring yourself to use the correct term illegal alien. Therefore. the former Gov and anyone else for that matter should simply ignore your question.
In Laura’s world someone driving a car without a drivers license is simply an undocumented driver, not an illegal driver.
Sorry, we cannot let the apoligists for illegal aliens re- frame the debate via bogus language and mis-information. Everytime someone attempts to hi-jack the language surrounding this issue I and a million others will call them on the carpet.
Laura, Words have meaning. The meanings cannot be changed based on your agenda and support for illegals.
They are illegal aliens.
G.Stone
on December 5th, 2007I said LI was a great man. Even great men sometimes have flaws.
Grapes
on December 5th, 2007Governor Gilmore-
Two questions, please:
Question 1:
Your original car tax reduction focus was based on car value. The final format was based on the amount of car tax the owner paid.
I have heard over the years that the Western part of the state considers the ultimate form of the reduction a giveaway to NoVA, where presumably there is wider ownership of more expensive cars. This charge was recently revoiced by Brandon Bell on his blog.
Do you think this a fair criticism? Why did you change your focus?
Question 2:
You ran for governor touting elimination of the car tax. Ultimately there was a sizeable, but not complete, car tax rollback.
As a practical matter, how do you plan to deal with the very simple campaign attack that you promised to get rid of the car tax, but didn’t?
bwana
on December 5th, 2007Greg Stone- my question was not for you. I am very familiar with your views on the subject so please don’t launch into one of your boring, cheesy, catch phrase soused daitribes that frankly even most conservatives can barely stomach. You may not like the way the question was framed but it doesn’t change the issue at hand. So often our representatives say they are catagoricaly against anything that resembles amnesty but they fall short of providing an alternative solution – which I believe is relevant to all concerned with this issue.
In order to get an answer to my question without being issued a ticket by the king of political cheese I will re-ask the same question in a second post to follow.
Laura V
on December 5th, 2007Governor Gilmore – If you do not support any form of “amnesty” for illegal migrants, what do you see as a possible, practical, and achievable solution to an estimated 12 million illegal migrants currently living in the United States?
Laura V
on December 5th, 2007Grapes….how do you know if LI is actually of the male gender? Is it just an assumption?
10 feet tall and Bulletproof
on December 5th, 2007John,
I think you are confused. Really. I don’t want to ask the question why the car tax hasn’t been phased out like Gilmore said, because that’s an easy exit question for a politician like himself. He will say: Because they didn’t have political will to do. He will not answer truthfully and say: because it was a bad plan and there wasn’t enough money to phase it off, and I had no idea it would actually choke local governments.
He knows it was a poor plan. He did it so he could champion “I cut taxes” everywhere he goes. Heck, I could cut taxes too if I were governor.
gray
on December 5th, 2007#26, Jean-Charles,
Go back to making your manta-sting ray covered wallets in St. John. We’ll change our language with Napoleon’s second coming.
Governor Gilmore;
How will you distance yourself from the ultra-right wing of the party and become the moderate that I believe you were before the rise and demise of that faction? And what strategy will you use to buck the trend of our state electing Democrats?
Jose Kinusee
on December 5th, 2007Gray,
You speak as if you know what Gilmore thinks. Have you ever heard him say it was a bad plan? No.
In fact, it was an effective tax cut that actually reached the people of Virginia.
It did not drain money from localities, in fact it ADDED money to localities.
Are you sure this isn’t just some personal grudge you have? Please, show me anywhere in the budget Gov. Gilmore submitted that shows he left Virginia with a $3 billion deficit. Are you aware that it’s constitutionally mandated that a balanced budget must be submitted? Are you aware that the state’s Rainy Day fund was completely full at $1 billion. Are you aware that the United States was in a recession from 2000 until 2001, and greatly increased by 9/11?
Do you have anything to say of substance other than quotes from Mark Warner?
Can you cite sources such as these?:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/21/AR2005072102289.html
http://www.heartland.org/Article.cfm?artId=15458
Your straw man arguments aren’t impressing me gray, we should be leaving those to Mark Warner.
John
on December 5th, 2007Governor — I went through the RNC’s Campaign Managment School many years ago, work on the Hill and have volunteered on more campaigns than I care to remember. Unfortunatley the qulaity of campaign leadership in Va. has gone steadily down hill. We’ve lost several statewide races because of simple lack of planning, attention to detail and clueless campaign staff. For example, in 2006 I drove from Woodbridge to Arlington each weekend to volunteer because George Allen had almost no organization in Prince William county, arguably the second largest jurisdiction in the state; in 2005 I asked Kilgore’s NOVA field rep about lit drops at slug lines and she replied “what’s a slug line?”. Also, both Kilgore and Allen had very good stories to tell about their support for transportation infrastructure; but Kilgore buried his 6 layers deep on his web site and Allen limited his to 3 lines on one lit piece. After several years of this type of nonsense, I sat out the 2007 races and only voted rather than worked because I was tired of wasting my time.
As a candidate, how are you going to structure your staff and campaign plan to ensure that field reps are familiar with their territories, critical issues are not overlooked and your message is delivered to the voters effectively with a strong GOTV followup?
Virginia Hiker
on December 5th, 2007Dear John aka Gilmore Staffer,
The car tax is not phased out. The Virginia Republican-led assembly has increased taxes more than any other assembly in the history of this state. Those same Republicans blame Jim Gilmore for his irresponsible tax “cut.”
And I’m using Warner talking points? No, John, aka Gilmore flak, I am using GOP talking points.
I’ve been busy and I get home late. I will return with more evidence, but I will wait until Mr. Gilmore answers these questions. He’s played the tarradiddle game enough already. Time for some truth in politics!!!!!!
gray
on December 6th, 2007It’s always the same tune. You can take 4 times in a day to throw baseless arguments at me, but you’re too busy to post any facts supporting your claims. I do believe it is because facts are an inconvenience to you.
Which GOPers are you referring to? Ken Stolle? Walter Stosch? Or maybe John Chichester. I KNOW, Russ Potts. Please, divulge it to us!
Why don’t you quote Bob McDonnell? Bill Bolling? Eric Cantor? What do they have to say?
ps. Being a Gilmore supporter does not make you a Gilmore staffer
John
on December 6th, 2007#34, Jose Kinusee-
How dare you insult ze honor of Jean Charles!!! Zis eez ze forum to pose des questions to Mssr. Gilmore, not ze forum to attack your fellow coservatife!!! Vive la resistance!!!
Jean-Charles
on December 6th, 2007Governor Gilmore-
Thanks so much for coming online in this medium!
Does life begin at conception?
Patriots Fan
on December 7th, 2007Yes, life begins at conception and should be cherished and protected.
Wonder if Gilmore has the gonads to say that.
I doubt it.
t
on December 7th, 2007The live blog will begin soon.
Feel free to leave questions during the process.
Too Conservative
on December 7th, 2007In reference to the Car Tax questions. The car tax policy is very good for taxpayers and regular working people. This was a way of delivering real value to the pockets of working people. Before my Administration everyone paid giant and sudden taxes on the right to own an automobile. This was a severe burden on working people and families who were trying to meet their bills. It was good policy and remains good policy. The program was and is affordable. The fundamental question is, do you want to prioritize resources to give people tax relief or not? I chose to utilize resources for tax relief and kept my word.
It is absolutely not true that the car tax cut was a burden on any locality. The whole point of the financial program was to reduce spending at the state level and to take that money and send it back to the localities 100% to reimburse them for the tax cut. The car tax cut cost the localities nothing. It is the state that had to reduce spending and send that money back to the localities. In fact, since many localities had trouble finding each and every tax payer, and the state sent back 100% of the tax cut, many localities made money.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Mr. Gilmore, where do you and Mark Warner differ on national security?
I chaired the national commission on terrorism and homeland security for the federal government. I was Governor during the 9/11 attacks and had to deal with the response and consequences of the attack. I am a US Army veteran. I have traveled extensively throughout the world, through Israel, Afghanistan and Pakistan. I have been a spokesman for national security across the United States. I have had a deep involvement in national security policy. I don’t believe Mark Warner has any similar credentials or policies.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Do you support or oppose giving amnesty to illegal immigrants?
I oppose amnesty for illegal aliens. We have previously done an amnesty and it didn’t solve this issue. I believe we have to secure the border as a fundamental element of national sovereignty. We should not allow any automatic path to citizenship for people who have broken our laws. As a private attorney, an elected prosecutor and former Attorney General I stand for the law of the land. For many many decade the US has developed immigration laws and policies. We cannot ignore those laws now.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007When Mark Warner took office he never spent a dime on transportation. As Governor, how much did you spend on transportation?
We increased transportation expenditures without raising taxes. I supported public-private partnerships to get work done on roads. I went to work to reform VDOT, placing an Inspector General in that office. I reformed environmental procedures for road projects. When I became Governor there was no money, any where, to build the Woodrow Wilson Bridge. I went to Senator Warner and the Democratic Governor of Maryland. We obtained the money to build the bridge. We also placed the Mixing Bowl on a priority basis and did extensive road projects across the state. Former Governor Warner raised taxes, after promising not to do so, but none of that money went to transportation despite the Democratic Party’s complaints.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Why do you support a convention over a primary as the method of nomination?
I am not wedded to any particular form of nomination as a general rule. Although I do believe that in Virginia and nationally we should following rules that allow Republicans to nominate the Republican candidate. In this instance, former Governor Warner is an extremely wealthy man. His party is very unified. In order to win the Senate race this year it has been my belief that we had to choose a method that would allow the party to unify and not spending precious resources on Republicans fighting with other Republicans. My goal is to focus our finances, policy and attention on defeating the Democrat and especially the resources of time available to us now as a result of the party’s decision.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007How do you feel about English being the official language of the United States?
The English language is a major unifying factor in American culture. While the Army trained me in the German language, and I believe that a command of a foreign language is good for Americans, a consistent language in the US is best for American culture.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Gov. Gilmore – Republicans have met some difficulty since you left office in winning statewide elections. How would you forge a coalition of conservatives and moderates throughout the commonwealth?
First, we need to unify our conservative base and provide a home for all of the elements of conservative support for our party. Secondly, we need to reach into the middle by talking about issues of concern to all Virginians and addressing solutions from a conservative point of view. Empowering people and controlling government spending and taxation are very mainstream issues. Finally we need to offer a home to Democrats who have been taken for granted for years by an appeal on the basis of good education, opportunity and self sufficiency which are universal in the mainstream of American thinking. This approach offers a solid majority of the citizens of Virginia, and the US.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Life questions
I have always believed in the sanctity of human life. The discussion that we are all having is when legal prohibitions and limitations should apply. My record has been one of solid support for pro-life rules and laws. In my Administration we passed a 24 hour waiting period, informed consent, and I signed the partial birth abortion ban. I opposed and passed the first anti-human cloning bill in Virginia. I intervened in the Hugh Finn death case which resulted in major criticism from the liberals, additionally I sponsored major abstinence programs and right choice for youth conferences. I assisted pro-life lobbyists on a regular basis so their views could get a fair hearing the Virginia legislature.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007How exactly would Virginia be better served by you as Senator rather than Mark Warner?
As a conservative Republican I concerned about the welfare of regular people, therefore I am concerned about uncontrolled government spending which always turns into tax increases. I am a strong advocate of education to empower people. I keep my word in public life and run on solid values and principles.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Thank for the opportunity to be on TooConservative.com. I would ask everyone viewing this blog to visit http://www.JimGilmoreForSenate.com. Please make a contribution of any amount to enable us to get our message out.
Jim Gilmore
on December 7th, 2007Mssr. Governour-
Porquois est-ce que vouz n’avez pas responder a mes questions?
I am very upzet zat you skip my question.
I zink it is time for “t” to announce zat he run for ze Senate. t, you have ze support of Jean-Charles mon vieux!
Jean-Charles
on December 7th, 2007Thanks to TC and LI for the live blog…
edmundburkenator
on December 7th, 2007Mr. Gilmore.
I was struck by two comments that you’ve made. They have altered my view of your standards and outlook on the state of the Party here in Va.
Both were pleasant suprizes.
You advocate reaching into the middle and welcoming former democrats who have gravitated to the right of center. I could not agree more.
And you have advised against spending Republican resources fighting other republicans. This echoes “Big Tent” to me, and I agree wholeheartedly.
Thank you for participating, and I believe that you have the wisdom to attempt to stop the devisive efforts of RINO hunters, and I agree with your stance on issues more than I thought I did.
10 feet tall and Bulletproof
on December 7th, 200710 ft,
Basically, Gilmore’s strategy follows what Mark Warner has been successful at doing–starting at the middle and working his way slightly to the left and right. However, in addition, Warner had one more ace up his sleeve; a lot more money to do things such as set up ‘Economic Enterprise Zones’ using his venture capital group. He set these up throughout Virginia’s economic sectors which he used to his advantage to ‘capture’ the VA monied elite. The smell of money has no political stature.
Jose Kinusee
on December 7th, 2007Jean Charles #53. Had you asked the question in English instead for French/Frenglish, you may have received a response.
Loudoun Moderate
on December 7th, 2007I still zink “t” ees ze best for Virginie!!!
Jean-Charles
on December 7th, 2007800 million dollars to be spent in Loudoun County on education, and no education questions?
Elise
on December 7th, 2007[...] Posted by bwana on December 8, 2007 Blogs can serve as a method for candidates to speak directly to the public, and leave those answers on the record as long as the blog stays in action. Virginia blogs have been quite adept at the “live blog” format, where questions are posted prior to and during a blog session, and the candidate answers the questions. RK pioneered the form, and a search of their site shows at least 30 live blogs over the past two years. NLS had on Judy Feder, Phil Forgit, and on the GOP side Too Conservative live blogged with Jim Gilmore last week. [...]
Live Blogs-Democrats answer questions posed, Gilmore not so much « Renaissance Ruminations
on December 8th, 2007