Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling tallied at least one vote for himself, and probably two more, as he, his wife, Jean Ann, and his 26-year-old son Matt cast ballots about 10 a.m. in their hometown precinct in Mechanicsville, a suburb of Richmond.

Bolling, who is seeking a second term as lieutenant governor, voted at the Washington Henry Elementary School in the Shady Grove precinct, campaign spokeswoman Ibbie Hedrick said. She said the Bollings' other adult son, Kevin, 22, plans to vote after his classes end at James Madison Unversity.

Afterwards, Bolling began dialing for votes. Later this evening, Bolling will join his running mates -- Robert F. McDonnell, the former attorney general who is at the top of the ticket, and state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, who is running for Attorney General this year--at the Marriott in Richmond.

Farther east, Democratic challenger Jody M. Wagner went to the polls at 6:50 a.m. with her 20-year-old daughter Lizzie. Mother and daughter cast their ballots at the
Association for Research and Enlightenment building on Atlantic Avenue in the Cape Henry precinct of Virginia Beach, campaign spokesman Pete Kavanaugh said.

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2009

Good morning everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

This is it! Election Day has finally arrived. Check back frequently for all of our election coverage throughout the day and night.

In the meantime, here's some morning reading to start your day:

Republican Bob McDonnell will vote outside Richmond this morning, before greeting voters at his childhood precinct in Fairfax County and at a Virginia Beach precint he represented in the House of Delegates.

Democrat Creigh Deeds will vote in Bath County this morning before greeting voters in Charlottesville, which he represents in the state Senate.

Both men will spend election night in the capital city. McDonnell will be at the Marriott downtown with Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general. Deeds will be at the Westin Hotel in Richmond's West End with Gov. Tim Kaine and Jody Wagner and Steve Shannon, candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general.

Monday, Nov. 2, 2009

Good morning everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

The polls open in less than 24 hours!

In what has to be one of the last polls before Election Day, Republican Bob McDonnell leads Democrat Creigh Deeds, 53 to 41, in a Mason Dixon poll released this weekend.

In the same poll, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is up 13 percentage point over Jody Wagner and Republican Ken Cuccinelli is up 14 percentage points over Steve Shannon in the race for attorney general.

Whoever wins the governor's mansion Tuesday will face continuing budget shortfalls and will have to figure out how to pay for ambitious campaign promises.

Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has recorded a phone message encouraging Virginians to get out and vote on Tuesday, while Gov. Tim Kaine makes calls for Shannon.

The last newspaper endorsements came out Sunday, and now it's just up to sophisticated get-out-the-vote efforts to get Virginians to the polls.

It is now not out of the realm of possibility that by Tuesday's election day, Republican Bob McDonnell will have received a three times as much a Democrat Creigh Deeds in late big-dollar donations.

According to the Virginia Public Access Project, as of 5 p.m. on Saturday, McDonnell had collected $1.34 million in big contributions since Oct. 21, when the candidates began having to report gifts of $5,000 or more within 24 hours. Deeds had collected only $549,000 in big donations since then.

Those numbers included gifts through Oct. 30 and they showed that donations to McDonnell have been snowballing in recent days as poll after poll has shown him with big leads and contributors perhaps look to provide some late help to the candidate they perceive as the likely victor.

On Friday alone, McDonnell collected $184,310 in such gifts. Deeds received only $40,000.

The folks at the Richmond Times Dispatch asked all six statewide candidates to answer a series of policy questions and published them today.

They didn't break much new ground (after all, we're only two days from election day) but if you're still trying to decide who to vote for, check out the answers on jobs, transportation, college tuition, abortion and off shore drilling.

Gubernatorial candidates, Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell are here

Lieutenant governor candidates, Jody Wagner and Bill Bolling are here

Attorney general candidates, Steve Shannon and Ken Cuccinelli are here

A final Mason-Dixon poll in the Virginia race shows Republican Bob McDonnell continues to lead big over Democrat Creigh Deeds going into Tuesday's election. The survey, funded by the Richmond Times Dispatch, the Virginian Pilot and other state media outlets, showed McDonnell with a 12-point lead, while his ticketmates Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli led opponents Jody Wagner and Del. Steve Shannon by 13 points and 14 points respectively.

What must be most encouraging for McDonnell about all these late polls that have shown with strong, double-digit leads is that they have provided no indication that core Democratic groups are showing late enthusiasm for Deeds. His campaign is insisting it is running an aggressive effort to reach out to voters who helped elect President Obama last year.

Republicans rallying this morning in Springfield had a new prop: A broom that read "McBolliNelli" on the handle.

The Republican ticket is stumping throughout the state Saturday but began with a traditional GOP pep rally at Interstate Van Lines in Springfield. Gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell was joined by ticket mates Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, attorney general candidate Sen. Ken Cuccinelli and a variety for Republican luminaries, including Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour, chairman of the Republican Governors Association.

It was Cuccinelli-- introduced to the crowd as Ken "Don't Tread on Me" Cuccinelli -- who held up the broom, which he had been handed as he made his way to the load dock that served as a stage.

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009
Good morning Virginia! Here's what's happening in politics across the Commonwealth today.

With just four days until Tuesday's election, we are now at the stage where there is nothing new for the candidates to say. Just many more people for them to say it to, and quickly.

Each have launched their final sweeps through the state, as Republican Bob McDonnell and Democrat Creigh Deeds start multi-day, many stop stumps.

McDonnell's five-day, 25-stop "New Jobs, More Opportunities: It Starts Now!" tour began yesterday, with stops in Glen Allen, Danville, Martinsville and Rocky Mount. Deeds was in Richmond and Roanoke.

Both candidates finished their days Thursday greeting spectators tailgating at the Virginia Tech-UNC football game. The fans surely were eager to discuss issues of importance to the Commonwealth. Or, perhaps they were drunk and excited for the opportunity to hand their cellphones to a candidate, after shouting to their girlfriends/buddies/mothers, "Hey, talk to this guy! He's running for governor!"

Deeds's final tour is a four-day. 20-stop "All in for Virginia" tour, which will focus heavily on get out the vote efforts. The Democrat will hit Northern Virginia today. McDonnell today is in Lynchburg, Waynesboro, Culpeper, Ashland and Virginia Beach.

The way Democrats reckon, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's attendance at the Virginia Military Advisory Council during his four-year term has been perfect--as in, a perfect zero.

In what has become the cornerstone of Jody Wagner's campaign for lieutenant goveror, the Democrat dinged her Republican opponent again this week for being a no-show. In a press release, the campaign accused Bolling of not showing up for Tuesday's meeting of the Virginia Military Advisory Council, one of a handful of boards and commissions to which the lieutenant governor is a member by law.

The Wagner camp also reiterated its assertion that Bolling has missed 64 of 68 meetings in the last four years, an attendance record of less than 6 percent. "Either Bill still doesn't understand the role of the Lieutenant Governor, or he's too busy devoting his time to being a health insurance executive to care," the campaign said. What was not clear at first was whether the campaign had someone at the VMAC to watch the door. (They did, a campaign spokesman said.)

But Bolling took the attack in stride as another shot from a candidate whose team is sliding in the polls. His campaign also took a shot in return, once more reprising its charge that as a top finance official in Virginia, Wagner blew key revenue projections that have aggravated the state's ability to cope with massive budget gaps.

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and possible presidential hopeful, spent a long ay flying across the state with the Republican ticket -- Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinell.

"This is a team that has the experience and qualifications to be able to get this state rolling again, creating jobs,'' Romney said. "This is a jobs ticket."

The four appeared together at a fundraiser in Virginia Beach on behalf of McDonnell, a rally in Roanoke and a press conference in Richmond. They flew in a borrowed plane belonging to Dan Banker, who owns Lynchburg-based Banker Steel, which is helping put together the foundation for the Freedom Tower at Ground Zero.

Romney also headlined a pair of fundraisers for Bolling today -- one this morning in Charlottesville and one tonight outside Richmond. The two events will bring in about $150,000. His fundraiser for McDonnell brought in $100,000.

"We will feel pretty good about where we are in this campaign six days prior to election day,'' Bolling said. "But we know that to win we have to work just as hard the next six days as we have the last six months. And that's exactly what we intend to do."

The GOP ticket will leave for a five-day tour across the state tomorrow morning.

Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2009
Good Morning Virginia! Here's what's happening in politics across the Commonwealth today.

With just a week to go before Election Day, President Barack Obama sweeps into Norfolk for a brief but spirited rally for Democrat Creigh Deeds' bid for governor.

A presidential visit--with its Hail-to-the-Chiefiness and its Air Force One photo ops--is all-consuming to the news cycle of a state race, a fact obvious from a quick glance at this morning's Virginia media. Every outlet in the state carried news of the president, his exhortation "I don't believe in can't," and his plea for his supporters to ignore polls and pundits and work to get Deeds elected.

Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor turned FOX News commentator, said the White House's feud with FOX is only helping the network.

"The ratings are already at the top and now they are soaring to new levels,'' he said in a press conference Monday afternoon. "The sad thing is it's not just FOX news. [Obama] is taking on the Chamber of Commerce and the insurance companies. It seems like if people disagree with him, it becomes very personalized. It's unfortunate. I think it's going to be very troubling to the White House if they continue this tact."

Huckabee will headline the Family Foundation's gala Monday night at the convention center in Richmond. About 1,300 people are expected to attend, including House Speaker Bill Howell, who will introduce Huckabee. Statewide candidates Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli are on the campaign trail and will not attend.

Huckabee will headline a fundraiser Tuesday in Newport News for McDonnell.

A week before Election Day, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling released a positive new TV ad today highlighting Bolling's accomplishments.

The ad mentions Virginia's Children's Health Insurance Program, securing funding for the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, expanding the Governor's Opportunity Fund in economically depressed areas of the state and his opposition to higher taxes.

Privately, a lot of Democrats are saying they think Jody Wagner's campaign to knock of incumbent Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is showing signs of life, even while their hopes dim about a win at the top of the ticket. Given those sentiments, it would not be surprising to see Wagner take in some last minute money that will help her air more ads like this one.

Today's spot, released this morning, hits what has become a central theme in her campaign--that Bolling was a no-show at state boards and commissions on which he sits. Bolling has said Wagner's math is unfair, for instance, not accounting for meetings missed due to presiding over the state senate.

There are three very similar versions--the one for Northern Virginia mentions Wagner's endorsement by the Post editorial board. One in Hampton Roads calls Wagner "Virginia Beach's own" and mentions her endorsement by the Pilot editorial page. A third version, posted below, includes no reference to newspapers and is airing in Richmond, Charlottesville and Roanoke.

UPDATE: A correction. The Hampton Roads version of this ad does NOT say Wagner has been endorsed by the Pilot--which has not yet made an endorsement in the lieutenant governor's race. It merely says that Pilot has said that Wagner has "proven herself." Our apologies.

Virginia NAACP Executive Director King Salim Khalfani repeatedly criticized Democratic attorney general candidate Steve Shannon and Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for failing to attend the group's candidate's forum last night.

Khalfani mentioned their absences multiple times in front of the more than 100 people gathered at the Richmond Marriott for the candidate's forum as part of the group's annual conference.

He told the audience how Shannon initially agreed to come but then canceled two days ago with a phone call in which he said he assumed his Republican opponent Ken Cuccinelli was not attending either. Actually, Khalfani said, Cuccinelli was the first of six statewide candidates to RSVP and did so personally.

He also said that Bolling's campaign called for the first time an hour before the event to say Bolling could not attend and offered to send a surrogate in his place, but the NAACP told the campaign that the group does not allow surrogates.

Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009

Good morning, politicos! Just 14 days to go until Election Day, and things are looking good for the GOP/bad for the Dems.

A new poll gives Republicans Robert F. McDonnell a substantial lead over Democrat R. Creigh Deeds. We have a few issues with this poll, but there's another one out this morning from Clarus that shows McDonnell up by 8 points, 49 to 41.

Democrat Creigh Deeds says he's still got plenty of time, and that his campaign will now focus on drawing out supporters of President Obama and core Democrats generally.

The candidates for lieutenant governor, incumbent Republican Bill Bolling and Democrat Jody Wagner, took the proverbial gloves off last night in a televised debate.

And Steve Shannon, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, unveiled a tough new ad accusing Republican Ken Cuccinelli of not being tough enough on public corruption because he hasn't called for the resignation of Del. Phil Hamilton.

The gubernatorial candidates meet for their final debate tonight in Roanoke. McDonnell is holed up to prepare, while Deeds will fit in a quick campaign appearance in Tysons Corner at lunchtime today with former president Bill Clinton and his pal Terry McAuliffe.

There's more grim news out regarding Virginia's revenue outlook, raising the obvious question of why all these folks even want the jobs they're seeking.

Lastly, we'll leave you with this thought: Bob McDonnell for President!

Monday, Oct. 19, 2009

Good morning, politicos! Just 15 days to go, and boy has it gotten busy. Republican Robert F. McDonnell and state Sen. R. Creigh Deeds have transformed the race for governor into a sprint, with both zooming through mostly friendly crowds over the weekend to rev up their bases.

On Saturday, McDonnell rallied veterans in Virginia Beach with U.S. Sen. John McCain -- but coverage of the event didn't turn out exactly as planned when McDonnell was asked for his views on climate change. McDonnell went on to attend a Norfolk State-Hampton University football game in Norfolk, a seafood festival in heavily Republican Poquoson, a voter event in Glen Allen with House Minority Whip Eric I. Cantor and a Hispanic reception at a Mexican restaurant in Richmond.

Deeds flooded the zone too, rallying across Northern Virginia Saturday with various ethnic groups seen as crucial to Democratic turnout: Latinos in Baileys Crossroads, Vietnamese at the Eden Center in Falls Church, Ethiopians and more. On Sunday, Deeds hit five black churches in the Richmond area (and if you think that's a lot, wait until next week, when he's planning to visit 15 in one day in Hampton Roads). Terry McAuliffe rallied canvassers at his McLean home Sunday after going at it with Karl Rove on Fox News Sunday (and betting Rove $5 that Deeds will win).

We learned today that if you bring Al Gore into a state to campaign, you're headed for a discussion about the politics of climate change.

Gore, the former vice president (and almost, but not quite president), who won an Oscar for his documentary An Inconvenient Truth and Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global warming, is attending a fundraiser dinner tonight with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Creigh Deeds at a McLean home. (Tickets are $5,000).

Republicans accused Deeds and Democrats of supporting a "devastating" cap on greenhouse gas emissions. Democrats accused Republican Bob McDonnell and the rest of his ticket of failing to believe in the concept of global warming.

September finance reports are due to the state board of elections today at 5 p.m., but we now have our first numbers directly from a campaign.

They're from Democratic lieutenant governor candidate Jody Wagner and they're impressive. According to Wagner's campaign, she raised more than $465,000 in September, leaving her with $875,800 in cash on end at the end of the month to fund the remainder of her effort.

We've just heard that Republican Bill Bolling raised $476,144 in September. He had $1.2 million cash on hand -- also a very impressive number going into the final full month of the campaign.

"Our fundraising success is a testament to the broad support my campaign has received from every part of Virginia," Bolling said. "Raising nearly $500,000 from almost 2,000 donors in just one month speaks to the momentum and excitement behind our campaign."

Wagner had double the cash on hand on Oct. 1 that Bolling had when he ran for the office four years ago. Wagner has raised $2.46 million in total for her effort, about half a million more than Bolling in the last go around. We're waiting to hear from Bolling about where he stands with his reelection effort and will bring it to you as soon as we do.

"Despite the difficult economic climate, thousands of Virginians have generously shown their desire to continue moving the commonwealth forward. We're well above the historic threshold for fundraising for the lieutenant governor's race, and are confident that we have the resources we need to communicate Jody's positive message to Virginians of creating new jobs, investing in education and fixing transportation," said Wagner campaign manager Elisabeth Pearson.

Jody Wagner, the Democratic challenger running for lieutenant governor, unveiled her second television ad of the fall this morning and it's a negative one.

The 30-second spot called "Work," which is airing in Richmond, Charlottesville and Norfolk and on cable in Northern Virginia, follows a line of attack Wagner has been pursuing about Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's (R) attendance record on the boards and commissions to which he has been appointed. It also points out Bolling's second job in the private sector as an insurance industry executive, and concludes: "Virginia has full-time challenges. We can't afford a lieutenant governor like Bill Bolling, who's never there."

Full script after the jump.

Friday, Oct. 9, 2009

Good morning and happy Friday everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

Big news. The Washington Post released a new poll showing that Republican Bob McDonnell has widened his lead over Democrat Creigh Deeds. The entire GOP ticket is up by a hefty nine points.

The poll shows a lack of enthusiasm among many voters who elected President Obama last year and raises questions for the Democrats as they head into the 2010 mid-term elections. Democrats continue to wonder what Deeds's message will be and what the White House's role will be in the remaining weeks of the campaign.

Deeds will be a guest on Mark Plotkin's radio show on WTOP at 10 a.m. Listen here. Tonight, he'll join fans at the Riverbend High football game in Fredericksburg.

McDonnell will attend the Patrick County Rally with former U.S. Rep. Virgil Goode in Stuart and the Greater Richmond Urban League of Young Professionals candidate's forum tonight.

Thursday, Oct. 8, 2009

Good morning everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

Vice President Joe Biden returns to Virginia for a second time to help Democrat Creigh Deeds raise some cash at a mid-day event in Alexandria. It's a busy fundraising day for Deeds. Tonight, he appears with Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley at the Potomac home of lobbyist Barbara Goldberg Goldman.

Republican Bob McDonnell will discuss plans to aid senior citizens at the Herndon Senior Center. Yes, McDonnell is still rolling out policy proposals less than four weeks before the big day.

Questions continue to arise about Deeds's negative message and whether he can make his case to voters in the last month of the race -- with or without help from President Obama.

The Wall Street Journal weighs into the Virginia governor's race for the second day in a row. This time, the paper reports on the Deeds campaign's formation of 60 book clubs to talk about McDonnell's graduate thesis.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling began a new statewide TV ad today -- and his first one attacking his Democratic opponent, Jody Wagner.

What's the attack? Taxes, taxes, taxes. We saw that one coming.

Bolling accuses Wagner, the former state treasurer and secretary of finance, of supporting "every major tax increase proposed over the last eight years."

"During a time of record unemployment and significant economic decline, Virginians should be very concerned about Jody Wagner's consistent support of job-killing tax increases," said Matt Wells, Bolling campaign manager.

"Bolling and his campaign once again proved they just do not understand the state's finances if their chosen line of attack is to degrade Jody Wagner's fiscal record -- a record that includes balanced budgets, the two largest investments in education in Virginia history, two 'Best Managed State' awards, eight 'Best State for Business' awards, and maintaining our AAA credit rating," said Elisabeth Pearson, Wagner campaign manager.

Jody Wagner, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, began airing her first TV ads of the general election today in Richmond, Norfolk and Roanoke.

The positive ad highlights Wagner's role as treasurer and secretary of finance for Mark Warner and Tim Kaine and touts her role in cutting billions of dollars to balance the budget during the worst national recession in decades.

Her Republican opponent, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, has been on the air for several weeks.

The script is below:

Four years ago, the Virginia Police Benevolent Association endorsed Democrat Leslie Byrne over Republican Bill Bolling for lieutenant governor. This year, the group is going with Bolling.

The PBA, which represents more than 2,000 law enforcement officers in the state, endorsed Bolling today.

"Lt. Governor Bolling has demonstrated his support for the issues that are important to law enforcement,'' PBA President Jason Knorowski said. "The Virginia PBA encourages all Virginians to support strong, effective law enforcement by re-electing Bill Bolling as our Lieutenant Governor."

The group cited Bolling's support of efforts to increase the number of state-funded local law enforcement positions, increased retirement benefits for law enforcement officers and funding for a task force on internet sexual predators.

In his press release, Bolling again criticizes his Democratic opponent, former Secretary of Finance Jody Wagner, for "mismanaging" the state's finances to the point that $150 million has had to be cut from the budget in the last two two years.

Update: Wagner's campaign responds. "Jody Wagner has won accolades from Democrats and Republicans alike for her fiscal stewardship of Virginia -- its why we've been named the 'Best State for Business' seven times in the last four years -- not to mention the 'Best Managed State' twice,' '' said Elisabeth Pearson, Wagner campaign manager.

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009

Good morning everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

Election Day is exactly five weeks away. And it feels like it. The campaigns are in full swing -- working around the clock, rolling out policy plans, airing new TV ads.

Democrat Creigh Deeds heads back to a metro station this morning -- this time, to unveil an endorsement from former Republican Gov. Linwood Holton. (Didn't we already know Holton supported Deeds? After all, he's Gov. Tim Kaine's father-in-law and he's endorsed Democrats in most recent statewide elections, including Barack Obama).

Deeds debuted a TV ad yesterday featuring U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, arguably the most popular politician in the state.

Republican Bob McDonnell rolls out another policy -- on mental health -- this morning on a conference call with reporters.

McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling released the second part of their good government plan yesterday. McDonnell also raised $350,000 at a pair of fundraisers with
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.

Virginia Business magazine takes a look at how Deeds and McDonnell plan to create jobs and boost the economy. And as part of his voter series, Joel Rubin of Cox1Hampton Roads has posted new interviews with Deeds here and here, and McDonnell here and here.

Republicans Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling rolled out the second part of their "good government plan" to bring more fiscal responsibility to Richmond through changes to the way the state budgets and spends money.

The plan includes a more accurate revenue-forecasting model, increasing the size of the rainy-day fund and instituting performance audits of major agencies. Read the whole plan here.

Back in May, they released a plan calling for bipartisan redistricting, limits on political contributions to executive branch officials, creation of a watchdog group to eliminate waste in state agencies and greater lobbyist disclosure.

"We must put an end to the roller coaster spending by Richmond,'' McDonnell said. "That will require exercising spending restraint, not just in bad times but in good times, too."

McDonnell used the call to -- again - to criticize Democrat Creigh Deeds for supporting a tax hike and to praise former governor Doug Wilder, who as we all now know snubbed Deeds last week by announcing that he would not support him.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) debuted his second television ad of the campaign this week, making use of the ample financial advantage over Democratic challenger Jody Wagner he reported in recent fundraising disclosure forms.

In the ad, titled "Plan," Bolling promises to act as the state's first "jobs creation officer," to "continue" creating incentives to attract jobs to Virginia, to "root out" wasteful government spending and to oppose "job-killing" tax increases.

"These are challenging times," Bolling says. "We have to do more to create jobs and help families."

In Bolling's first ad, "Lessons," the lieutenant governor took credit for writing legislation extending health care to lower-income children, and he promised to increase teacher pay and send more money to classrooms (without raising taxes). "Lessons" has been on the air for two weeks, but the campaign boosted the ad's airtime on Tuesday, so now it is airing everywhere (except pricey Northern Virginia, where it appears on cable only).

According to the Virginia Public Access report, Bolling had $1.3 milllion in the bank on Aug. 30, compared to Wagner's $600,000.

Watch "Plan" below, and "Lessons" below that:

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009
Good morning Virginia! Here's what's happening in politics across the Commonwealth today.

For the fourth year in a row, Forbes.com has ranked Virginia the best place in the country to do business. It's good news for the state, coming on the heels of word that the unemployment rate has dipped and the Commonwealth now has the lowest rate of people out of work of any large state.

It's also good news for Democratic candidates for office, who have used the Forbes accolade as proof that Democratic leadership has been good for the state's economy and the candidates took little time to crow.

Not persuaded: The Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, which Wednesday endorsed Republican Bob McDonnell for governor. The chamber says they believe McDonnell would be more likely to spark private sector growth. The Chamber slammed Deeds for not putting forward a specific funding proposal for transportation.

Last week, Democrat Creigh Deeds said he would consider raising taxes for much-needed road improvements (though he had a little trouble actually saying it) -- something Republican Bob McDonnell has pledged not to do.

Now, McDonnell's running mates, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli, are trying to to pin down their Democratic opponents, Jody Wagner and Steve Shannon, on the sticky issue of taxes and whether they agree with the man at the top of their ticket.

"Today I am asking Jody Wagner to state in clear terms to the people of Virginia whether or not she supports Creigh Deeds' plan to raise taxes to pay for transportation," Bolling said. "The voters deserve a simple 'yes or no' to this fundamental question."

"Will he or won't he stand with Creigh Deeds in support of higher taxes?" Cuccinelli said..

Bolling and Cuccinelli are touting their "strong" records of opposing tax hikes, including the one Virginia politicos can't seem to stop talking about -- former Gov. Mark Warner's 2004 increase.

It looks like bungling the answer to questions about collective bargaining on organizational questionnaires is contagious. Republicans hit Democrat Creigh Deeds this week when he blamed a staffer for incorrectly filling out a Fraternal Order of Police questionnaire on the topic.

But look who did much the same thing. Republican Lt. Gov Bill Bolling, who told the business group Virginia Free that he "strongly supports" collective bargaining for public employees. In a statement, Bolling spokesman Matt Wells said Bolling "misread the question in an online survey." He notes that though Bolling checked a box indicating his support for binding arbitration, collective bargaining and meet and confer rights, he went on to explain that he "also strongly opposes card check legislation currently pending before Congress."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling may have raised less money than his Democratic rival in the most recent fundraising period, but he already has a good start on the next report with several events with a slew of high-profile Republicans this month.

Today, Bolling expects to raise $50,000 at a fundraiser headlined by former House Speaker Newt Gingrich at the Northern Virginia home of U.S. Rep. Tom Davis. About 160 people are expected to attend.

He raised another $75,000 at a fundraiser attended by 180 people yesterday in Richmond with Steve Forbes, publishing tycoon and former presidential candidate.

Two weeks ago, U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor helped him raise another $40,000 at a Sept. 2 event attended by 90 people in Newport News.

And on Friday morning, he will appear with Mitt Romney -- former Massachusetts governor and possible presidential hopeful -- at the home of Fran and Gant Redmon in Alexandria. About 75 people are expected to attend.

Mitt Romney, former Massachusetts governor and possible presidential hopeful, will headline a fundraiser for Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell on Monday in Washington.

The event will be held at the offices of the American Gas Association on Capitol Hill. About 100 people are scheduled to attend the fundraiser, which is expected to bring in about $100,000.

Romney spent two days in Virginia in May campaigning for Virginia's top Republicans, including McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and received an enthusiastic welcome when he spoke at a sold-out fundraiser of 1,300 for the state party in Richmond.

Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty campaigned with McDonnell last week. A slew of other Republican stars have helped out McDonnell, including Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal and Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is running for re-election, raised a little more than $546,000 from 3,225 donors in the two-month period ending Aug. 31, according to his campaign.

Bolling has $1.3 million in the bank.

Jody Wagner, his Democratic opponent, outraised her better-known opponent. She raised $636,074 and has $593,067 cash on hand, according to her campaign.

OMG, did you hear what Kanye West said at the MTV video music awards? Kidding, here's what's happening in Virginia politics today.

The candidates for Virginia governor stump in separate parts of the state today, with Republican Robert F. McDonnell addressing attendees at a rural summit in Lynchburg and Democrat R. Creigh Deeds in Norfolk and Virginia Beach, where he is planning to announce what his campaign has billed as a "major endorsement." The ad wars took a sharp turn late last week, and the two men will clash in person at their second debate of the season Thursday in Fairfax.

Friday, Sept. 11, 2009

Good morning everyone. Here's what's happening in politics around the state today.

Republican Bob McDonnell will be a guest on Mark Plotkin's radio show on WTOP at 10 a.m. (listen live online here) while Democrat Creigh Deeds is taking a day off from public events.

Deeds and McDonnell spoke about business issues -- many of them federal -- in a candidate's forum yesterday in McLean.

Later, the GOP ticket -- McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and attorney general hopeful Ken Cuccinelli -- talked health care. No surprise that they're not fans of President Obama's plan, and instead introduced their own.

The ads are coming fast and furious these days. Deeds launched a new TV ad accusing McDonnell of supporting power rate hikes in Southwest and Southside. Meanwhile, the Republican Governors Association started airing TV and radio ads focusing on Deeds's past support of tax increases.

Former Democratic candidate Terry McAuliffe gets back into the game by accusing McDonnell of stealing his energy slogan. (By the way, what was The Macker doing at the Palm with Billy Crystal and Pat Sajak?)

Today, Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling became the first statewide candidate in one of the downticket races to air TV ads.

The positive ad is airing solely in Hampton Roads -- the home base of his Democratic opponent Jody Wagner -- and focuses on children and education.

Bob McDonnell, joined by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, unveiled the fourth part of his education plan (yes, fourth!) -- designed to boost money for schools by $480 million a year -- in Alexandria this afternoon. And no, he's not proposing a tax increase.

Instead, McDonnell and Bolling want to shift money from administration to the classroom by an average of 4 percent, so that 65 percent of education dollars will go to the classroom. Some schools already do that, but the proposal would be implemented statewide.

"Our children will get the best education by having the best teachers, best textbooks and best technology, not excessive administration and bureaucracy,'' McDonnell said. We need to put education funding in the classroom, where it counts."

McDonnell tried to steer attention away from the uproar over his 20-year-old thesis, but that was difficult. He was greeted at T.C. Williams High School by reporters who peppered him with questions. For the second day in a row, McDonnell, who was surrounded by female supporters carrying pink "Women for McDonnell" signs, was prepared for the onslaught .

"Listen, this campaign to me is not about a 20-year-old thesis," he said. "This campaign is about who's got the best ideas about jobs and the economy and transportation and education. These are the things people all over Virginia have told me that they care about."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), who stepped aside so Bob McDonnell could run for governor and has been campaigning for re-election as McDonnell's running mate, dismissed the GOP candidate's thesis as a 20-year-old academic paper.

"A candidate with 18 years of public service in the House of Delegates and as attorney general should be judged by his record in office, not by a term paper he wrote as a college student,'' Bolling said. "Bob's record is clearly one of supporting women and families."

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II of Fairfax County, the Republican nominee for attorney general, said that he had not read the thesis and that his initial reaction was that the Post's article had taken the quotes out of context, and merely wrote about it because it was written while McDonnell was at Regent University.

Bolling said the issue will not affect his race against Democrat Jody Wagner. Cuccinelli said he doesn't know if the thesis will impact his race, though he acknowledges that his campaign, in part, depends on McDonnell's success. "Creigh Deeds is desperate to change the subject,'' he said.

More than 350 Republican activists from around the state will gather at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Richmond tonight to hear from the party's three statewide candidates -- Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli.

Also speaking: former governors George Allen and Jim Gilmore and former U.S. Rep. Davis. Rep. Rob Wittman, House Speaker Bill Howell and several members of the General Assembly will be in attendance.

The "Victory Dinner," an annual fundraiser for the state party, will raise about $250,000.

We expected Democrats to call for GOP Del. Phillip A. Hamilton to resign in response to emails showing he sought a job at Old Dominion University while securing state money for the school. But now Republicans leaders are calling for his resignation too.

In extremely strong statements, gubernatorial hopeful Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Pat Mullins, chairman of the state GOP, all said tonight that Hamilton should resign.

"From what I have seen of published news accounts containing emails and admissions, it appears that Delegate Hamilton has violated the public trust,'' McDonnell said. "Based on this public information it would be in the best interests of his constituents for him to step down."

McDonnell and Mullins called for the resignation, but acknowedge that Hamilton has the right to defend himself in any investigations first if he chooses to do so.

Updated: Hamilton said in a statement late tonight that he was disappointed in the statements of the statewide candidates but "their collective opinions have not lessened my resolve to continue serving the people of the 93rd District."

"These gentlemen have cited the best interests of the people of the 93rd District as their
reason for calling on me to resign,'' he said. "Yet, it appears that only Governor Kaine and Senator Cuccinelli possess sufficient confidence in those voters to permit them the privilege of expressing their opinion at the ballot box. I share that view, have confidence in the fairness and judgment of the people I serve, and will continue to campaign for their support."

Read the full statements from Republican leaders and Hamlton below:

No, Bob McDonnell is not attending an upcoming fundraiser with Republican House of Delegates candidate Catherine Crabill. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling won't be there either. Attorney general candidate Ken Cuccinelli II also will not appear with Crabill.

In fact, the Republican Party of Virginia has formally decided it will be giving Crabill no support for her campaign against Del. Albert Pollard, and chairman Pat Mullins has sent word to Crabill that he would prefer that she step aside and not run for the seat.

Crabill, who is the Republican nominee running in Virginia's Northern Neck, has said the federal government might have played a role in the Oklahoma City bombing. She was caught on video recently advocating "resorting to the bullet box" if her supporters do not win at the "ballot box."

Top campaign aides for McDonnell opponent Creigh Deeds were asked during a press call today about a report, erroneous it turns out, that McDonnell and Bolling would soon be campaigning with Crabill.

In the end, it didn't matter that Creigh Deeds had performed surgery on farm animals.

The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation's PAC endorsed Bob McDonnell today over Deeds in the governor's race.

Both candidates spoke a couple of weeks ago in front of the state's farmers at a candidates forum. Deeds grew up on a farm (and performed surgery on animals), but the group selected McDonnell because of his record on property rights as a legislator and attorney general. "Protecting the rights of property owners has been and continues to be a priority issue for the Virginia Farm Bureau," said Wayne F. Pryor, VFBF president and chairman of the Virginia AgPAC board of trustees.

The decision wasn't a total surprise. The group endorsed McDonnell over Deeds in the attorney general's race in 2005.

The group did not split its ticket. It also endorsed Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli for attorney general, both Republicans.

And you thought rest stops were just a convenient place to break up a long road trip, use the facilities and grab a Mr. Pibb from the vending machine.

Rest areas have become a hot political issue after VDOT announced that it will be shuttering 18 of the roadside respites, beginning tonight, as a cost-saving measure. The decision has provoked criticism from those who say Virginia's tourism industry will suffer (you know, all those pamphlets). More importantly, they say, it will rob the highways of some of a safe space for a drowsy driver to take a break before getting back on the road.

No fewer than three politicians have sent out alerts to the media today demanding that the rest areas be kept open. Lieutenant Gov. Bill Bolling has suggested using paving money to keep the rest stops operating. Rep. Frank Wolf (R) sent a letter to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) "imploring" him to "reverse this terrible decision." Gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell went so far as to say that, if elected, he would reopen them within 90 days of assuming office.

"If the rest stops do close tomorrow, and remain dark in the months ahead, that will end when I am elected governor," he said in a statement.

When asked about the issue in a conference call this morning, McDonnell's Democratic opponent Sen. Creigh Deeds one-upped the former attorney general, saying he would reopen the rest areas within 60 days.

Republican Bob McDonnell used the announcement of his jobs plan Thursday to attack the man he wants to replace.

McDonnell complained that Gov. Tim Kaine (D) has not used all the money available to him through the governor's opportunity fund to help attract new businesses to the state. He said the account has a balance of $11 million. "If I was governor, I would be dispersing that money immediately,'' he said.

The plan, unveiled by McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, calls for doubling the fund and broadening rules to allow companies that generate additional state and local tax revenue to qualify.

"The governor's opportunity fund can be a powerful weapon in the fight to attract new employers to the commonwealth. And fight is the right word,'' McDonnell said. "We are competing against every other state, and increasingly many other nations, for the private companies that bring with them high paying jobs and much needed tax revenue."

McDonnell's opponent Creigh Deeds is running as the heir apparent to the past two Democratic governors, Kaine and U.S. Mark R. Warner. Deeds was the sponsor of the original bill in 1996 to create the fund, while McDonnell voted at times to trim money from the fund.

Jody Wagner sure hit the ground running after her landslide victory in Tuesday's primary.

This morning, Wagner, the Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor, challenged Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) to a series of monthly debates across the state.

That's a lot of debates -- more than we will likely see in any of the three statewide races.

"I believe it's important that voters have a clear understanding of both candidates, including our records, priorities, and visions for the future,'' Wagner wrote to Bolling in a letter. "I believe voters throughout the commonwealth deserve to hear from both of us, so they're able to make informed decisions in November about the direction they believe is best for Virginia."

Matt Wells, Bolling's campaign manager, said he looks forward to a "vigorous discussion of the candidate's qualifications, their records and their vision for the future of Virginia,'' but would not commit to a certain number of debates. "I'm confident there will be opportunities for debates during the course of the campaign," he said.

For months, Democrats have been painting the GOP as "the party of no." Well, Republicans tried to turn the tables on their Democratic critics today with a whirlwind "Just Say Yes" tour of the state.

Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli -- who on Saturday won the GOP nomination for Attorney General -- touched down at Dulles International for a brief rally as part of the tour. In a private hangar at the airport, McDonnell rattled off a litany of policy positions ranging from education to energy, and led supporters in a chorus of, "Just say yes!"

"This is the positive, can-do, results-oriented, friendly, enthusiastic, conservative ticket that's going to support right to work and the rule of law, all the way to victory on Nov. 3," said McDonnell. "And we're going to be the party of yes to the reforms that we need."

UPDATE: The Democratic Party of Virginia released a statement late today by spokesman Jared Leopold calling the tour "a cynical attempt to mislead Virginians...Today's new advertising slogan is nothing more than shiny new packaging for the same failed product."

The state Republican convention will kick off shortly at the Richmond Coliseum (where people are not allowed to bring in bottled water, but they are allowed to bring in guns).

More than 10,000 delegates have gathered here for an event that seems a lot like a national political convention complete with colorful political signs, campaign literature covering seats, cardboard cutouts of Mitt Romney, campaign buttons that declare "No Bama."

Bob McDonnell, the former attorney general, will officially accept his party's nomination for governor this morning. Delegates will pick Republican candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general, and chose a new party chairman.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling faces Alexandria lawyer Patrick Muldoon. Former federal prosecutor John Brownlee, Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II of Fairfax and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, are running for attorney general. Pat Mullins, a longtime Fairfax County GOP leader tapped by the party's governing board to serve as interim state leader, faces Bill Stanley, the Franklin County party chairman.

We'll be offering occasionally updates as the day progresses. Check out the latest below:

Good Afternoon. Today we come to you live from the Ritz-Carlton Tyson's Corner, where all four men seeking the governor's mansion in Virginia are about to begin addressing a roomful of business leaders and electeds for the Virginia Free lunch. The room is packed. Folks are now munching on salad. And Clayton Roberts is now reading the lengthy list of influential folks in the audience. We'll get started with a live blog in just a couple minutes, when the speechifying begins and keep with it as long as our technology holds out.

Mitt Romney, who's considering another run for president in 2012, will spend the weekend right here in the Old Dominion helping the state's top Republicans get elected.

The former Massachusetts governor will be the headliner at the sold-out Commonwealth Gala in downtown Richmond Friday night as part of the annual state GOP convention.

He will be featured at a trio of fundraisers across the state for Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who was Romney's campaign in Virginia last year before he dropped out of the race. He will also make an appearance at an Arlington business forum on the Employee Free Choice Act, the federal legislation that would make it easier to form a union.

Romney is hoping he won't be forgotten in Virginia -- now a swing state in presidential elections -- come 2012.

Some interesting policy roll-outs today on both sides of the aisle. In the morning, Brian Moran put out a plan to provide more benefits for Virginia veterans and this afternoon brought together the duo of Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling with a series of good government proposals, including endorsing bipartisan legislative redistricting and a two-term governor.

About 400 of the 13,354 signatures provided to the Virginia State Board of Elections by lieutenant governor candidate Michael Signer are missing required information, according to state and Democratic party officials.

If the 4,000 signatures are thrown out, his name would not appear on the ballot.

The state requires candidates to submit at least 10,000 signatures, including those of least 400 registered voters in each of Virginia's 11 congressional districts, to be on the June 9 Democratic primary ballot.

The state board of elections determined that the notary used by Signer made an error when he did not ensure the addresses of those collecting the signatures were included on the paperwork.

Former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner (D) raised $375,000 for her campaign for lieutenant governor in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials announced today.

Wagner, who has more than $410,000 in the bank, boasted that she had raised more than Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R), who collected more than $300,000 in the same period, though he was barred by law for raising money during the 45-day legislative session.

"I'm grateful to have the support of so many grassroots volunteers, elected officials, and party leaders, and I know we all look forward to a common goal of defeating Bill Bolling in November," Wagner said.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) raised more than $300,000 from 404 contributors in the three-month period that ended last month, campaign officials announced today.

Bolling, who was barred from raising money during the 45-day legislative session, has $735,000 in the bank. Since he kicked off his re-election campaign in March 2008, he has raised $1.3 million.

"I am honored that hundreds of hard working Virginians have invested more than $300,000 in my reelection campaign in just a few short weeks," Bolling said. "I know that times are tough and people are worried about their budgets and jobs. That makes me appreciate even more the generous support that I have received from so many people."

Bolling will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination next month.

Three Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner and former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner. Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, withdrew from the race last week.

More than 500 enthusiastic supporters turned out in Annandale today to cheer on Republican Robert F. McDonnell as he officially began his campaign for governor.

U.S. Rep. Frank R. Wolf and former congressman Tom Davis greeted McDonnell, his wife, Maureen, a former Washington Redskins cheerleader, and all of his five children at a fire station. Eldest daughter Jeanine, 28, a former Army lieutenant who served in Iraq, introduced him.

McDonnell began his six-day "New Jobs, More Opportunities" tour of the state with a mostly positive speech outlining broad policy goals that focus on creating jobs and boosting the economy, partly by cutting bureaucratic red tape to allow Virginians to open a business in 48 hours. He mentioned jobs 19 times.

"To every Virginian who has lost their job, to every small-business owner trying to make payroll, to every retiree afraid to look at their retirement account, to every homeowner struggling to make the next mortgage payment, to every parent worried about writing that next tuition and book check: This campaign is for you," he said to cheers.

Former attorney general Robert F. McDonnell officially kicks off his campaign for governor this morning at a rally at an Annandale fire station. Several hundreds of supporters are expected to attend.

Later today, McDonnell will knock on doors on Wagon Wheel Road in the Mount Vernon section of Fairfax County to speak to potential voters on the street where he lived from age 8 until he left for college. He will then fly to Richmond, Virginia Beach and Roanoke.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) and others elected officials are expected to attend today's events. Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee will join McDonnell on Monday.

McDonnell, the Republican nominee for governor, will embark on a six-day tour of the state that will include visits to every region of Virginia.

See below for the full schedule:

Former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich will headline Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's campaign kickoff gala in Richmond on April 17.

Gingrich, who served as speaker from 1995 to 1999, co-authored the 1994 Contract with America, a detailed plan of action for Congress, and helped end four decades of Democratic majorities in the House.

Bolling will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination.

Four Democrats are running: Jon Bowerbank, a businessman from Russell County, Pat Edmonson, a member of the Virginia Beach School Board, Michael Signer, an attorney who worked for former governor Mark R. Warner and former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner.

Rich Savage, a Democratic political advisor in Richmond, announced today that he is dropping out of the race for lieutenant governor in November.

"The worsening economic downturn presents too great a financial hurdle for my campaign to overcome,'' Savage said in a statement.

Savage jumped into the race in January by unveiling a 10-point education plan that included tuition forgiveness for graduates who serve as teachers for five years.

"The necessity of rebuilding our state's intellectual infrastructure does not end with my campaign,'' Savage said. "I call on the candidates who remain in the race - all of them good people and capable leaders - to seize the mantle of education reform. I will certainly continue to speak out for innovative solutions to the challenges that our schools face."

Savage is the founder of Media Directions, Inc., a political advertising firm that has done work for Democratic candidates in Virginia and the nation.

John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, announced today that U.S. Rep. Robert W. Goodlatte (R-Va.) endorsed him in the race for attorney general.

"I have known John Brownlee for many years. I know him to be a dedicated public servant, a good family man and a solid conservative,'' Goodlatte wrote. "John's conservative values, his military service and - especially - his prosecutorial experience uniquely qualify him for the position of attorney general."

Brownlee faces two other Republicans -- state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax) and David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board. Only one Democrat, Del. Stephen C. Shannon (D-Fairfax), has announced his intention to run.

Brownlee also is being supported by Jerry Falwell, Jr., chancellor of Liberty University in Lynchburg.

Rich Savage, a Democratic political advisor in Richmond, announced today that he will run for lieutenant governor in November.

As part of the announcement, Savage unveiled a 10-point education plan that includes tuition forgiveness for graduates who serve as teachers for five years.

"As Lt. Governor, I will dedicate my fullest efforts to rebuilding our intellectual infrastructure to ensure that Virginia students are prepared to compete for jobs in the global marketplace with students from India, China and Europe," he said. "Virginia needs leaders who will answer the call to lead, take charge during these tough times, and provide new ideas to meet the challenges we face."

Former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner and Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, are also seeking the Democratic nomination. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination.

C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, told supporters in a brief email today that he will not run for lieutenant governor next year.

Cranwell, a 30-year fixture in the House of Delegates who plans to step down from his post when his term expires in 2009, practices law in Roanoke.

"This past Sunday, after much thought, I decided I could not make all the pieces of the puzzle fit together,'' he wrote. "Thus, I will not be a candidate for statewide office in 2009."

Former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner and Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, are seeking the Democratic nomination. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) will face lawyer Patrick Muldoon for the Republican nomination.

A group of Hispanic leaders will endorse Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) for Virginia governor tonight at the City Club of Washington.

The Hispanic Coalition, made up of Republicans and independents from Cuba, Mexico, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Ecuador and Bolivia, also will endorse Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling in his re-election bid next year.

Republican party officials in Virginia and across the nation have talked for years about the need to attract minorities, especially the growing Hispanic community. McDonnell and Bolling, who have been running together for months, said they plan to work hard to expand their base to other groups, such ethnic minorities, in Virginia.

Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, hired campaign manager Jon Paul Lupo and national pollster Geoff Garin for his campaign for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor next year.

Lupo worked on U.S. Sen. Jim Webb's campaign in 2006 and as the deputy campaign manager for U.S Sen. Tim Johnson's re-election campaign in South Dakota in 2008.

Garin has worked on several successful Virginia political campaigns, including Mark R. Warner 2001 gubernatorial campaign and 2008 Senate campaign. Other clients include former lieutenant governor Don Beyer and U.S. senators Hillary Clinton of New York, Dick Durbin of Illinois, Dianne Feinstein of California and Russ Feingold of Wisconsin.

HOT SPRINGS, Va. -- Republicans Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling kicked off their joint campaign today for the state's two top jobs next year in front of a packed room at the annual GOP Advance at the posh Homestead Resort.

The luncheon had the feel of a campaign rally. McDonnell-Bolling signs adorned the ballroom. Supporters waved red and blue campaign signs. They chanted "Bob" and "Bill" and gave each candidate a standing ovation.

McDonnell, who is the Republican nominee for governor next year, came to the stage to the U2 song A Beautiful Day after attendees saw a new McDonnell biography video that aired on two large screens.

"Let's get together, let's join together and do this hard work," McDonnell said. "Fellow Republicans, we're a little bit down, but we're not out."

HOT SPRINGS, Va. -- About 500 Republican activists from across Virginia gathered Friday at the Homstead Resort in the Allegheny Mountains in the far western part of the state for the 25th annual GOP Advance. They will attend speeches, receptions and training sessions throughout the weekend.

Most candidates running statewide next year hosted parties, including Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, running for governor, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, running for re-election and the three men running for attorney general, John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, and state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax).

Those five candidates, as well as Alexandria lawyer Patrick Muldoon who is running for lieutenant governor, were certified to appear on the ballot in 2009. When news broke at a meeting of the party's governing body that McDonnell had been certified, the crowd stood up and applauded.

U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor and Prince William Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart also hosted parties.

Others spotted at the Advance: Jerry Kilgore, former attorney general and Republican nominee for governor in 2005, former governor James S. Gilmore, who lost the Senate race last month, and a handful of legislators, including House Majority Leader H. Morgan Griffith (R-Salem).

Former Finance Secretary Jody Wagner announced endorsements today from several city and county officials in Northern Virginia in her race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor next year.

"I'm honored by the support of these outstanding public officials from across Northern Virginia," Wagner said. "Having a strong relationship between state and local officials is critical to moving Virginia forward, and as lieutenant governor will be one of my top priorities."

Wagner faces Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County, for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor. State Democratic Party Chairman C. Richard Cranwell declined again this week to say whether he will run. Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) is seeking re-election.

The full list of endorsements is below:

Former Finance Secretary Jody W. Wagner announced today that she has hired Elisabeth Pearson to be her campaign manager in her bid for lieutenant governor next year.

Pearson was the campaign manager for the Democrats' coordinated campaign this year when the party picked up three U.S. House seats and one U.S. Senate seat and Virginia voted for its first Democratic presidential candidate in more than four decades.

"Elisabeth's leadership of the 2008 coordinated campaign was key -- and her joining our campaign gives me tremendous confidence,'' Wagner said in a statement. "With the future of our commonwealth at stake once again in 2009, we couldn't ask for a better campaign manager to keep our momentum."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who is expected to easily win the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor next year, released an extensive list of party leaders and elected officials who are supporting his re-election bid.

The list includes every Republican in Virginia's congressional delegation, more than 70 Republicans of the General Assembly, almost every member of the party's state central committee and more than 100 of the party's committee chairs. Also included are former governor and senator George Allen, former governor James S. Gilmore, former lieutenant governor John H. Hager and Jerry Kilgore, former attorney general and 2005 gubernatorial nominee.

"I am very pleased by the pledges of support that my re-election campaign has gained from Republican party leaders and activists all across Virginia," Bolling said. "Their friendship, confidence and support mean a great deal to me, and their willingness to stand by my side at this early stage shows the broad strength of my campaign for lieutenant governor in 2009."

Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former presidential candidate Steve Forbes will campaign for Republican presidential nominee John McCain in Virginia on Saturday.

Giuliani and Forbes will hold a small business rally in Richmond with Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore. Giuliani will then attend a veterans victory rally in Virginia Beach with Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and John McCain's son, Doug, who lives there.

Several mayors and other local elected officials from Hampton Roads today endorsed former Finance Secretary Jody W. Wagner for lieutenant governor.

"Local governments across Virginia are facing tough times in this economic climate," Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim said. "We need strong leaders in Richmond who can maintain the fiscal discipline and strong management we've grown accustomed to under Governors Warner and Kaine. Jody Wagner will be that kind of leader."

Wagner, a long time resident of Virginia Beach, served as Virginia treasurer under former governor Mark R. Warner (D) and as finance secretary under Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D). She resigned earlier this year to run for lieutenant governor.

Wagner's main opponent for the Democratic nomination is Jon Bowerbank, a wealthy businessman from Russell County. A third possible candidate for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, state Democratic Party Chairman C. Richard Cranwell, is not expected to make up his mind on whether to enter the race until after the Nov. 4 election.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) is running for re-election.

A year ago, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling pledged to lose 30 pounds. This year, his goal is 20 pounds.

This week, Bolling (R) and a group of health care officials kicked off a new campaign to promote heart health education, healthier living, increased physical activity and improved diet and nutrition.

"By taking simple steps toward healthier living - losing weight, increased physical fitness and proper dieting - Virginians can significantly mitigate their risk of contracting heart disease," Bolling said.

Bolling, who plans to run for re-election next year, lost 28 of the 30 pounds and hopes to lose 20 more through a program put on by the National Lieutenant Governor's Association. Virginia was the first state to participate.

In an effort to boost the army of Republican volunteers who make calls and knock on doors, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who are running for governor and lieutenant governor next year, challenged local parties to double their membership over several months.

The results are in: Fifty-four of the 124 cities' and counties' parties met or exceeded the goal. At least thirty-two units increased membership but fell short of the goal.

Total, the exercise added more than 3,000 new members to the party, according to the Republican Party of Virginia.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) announced today that he will return his state car, reduce his salary by two percent and trim his office budget by nine percent following this week's news of a possible $3 billion state budget shortfall.

"These are difficult times,'' he said. "This economic downturn, and sustained uncertainty, is forcing Virginia families and businesses to make hard decisions, and Virginia's government must do likewise."

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) will begin implementing the statewide cuts early next month after releasing the state's new forecast for the rest of the two-year, $77 billion budget period that began July 1.

ST. PAUL --- Many members of 123-member Virginia delegation, who spent the day at back-to-back events, had not yet heard the news Monday afternoon about the pregnancy of the 17-year-old daughter of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, Sen. John McCain's running mate. Those who had took it in stride, saying it was not a story and not an issue that would hurt the race.

"It's always unfortunate when something like this happens," said Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, a convention delegate. "It's a challenge to any family. But it kind of shows there is no difference [between the Palin family] and what any other American family has to deal with. Families involved in politics and leadership aren't any different."

Bolling said the news will probably not hurt McCain because Palin's daughter made the right decision to have the baby and get married.

"It's unfortunate,'' said Brian O'Connor, a delegate who lives in tiny Rice, Va., near Farmville. "But they made a decision to get married."

MINNEAPOLIS -- Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's re-election campaign canceled an order for 150 guidebooks produced in the Twin Cities that devoted a section to gay and lesbian tourists.

Bolling (R) had planned to give the guidebooks, published by the Rake, to the 123 members of the Virginia delegation to the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

A Bolling spokesman said Monday that the lieutenant governor never saw a copy of the guidebook but would not have had a problem with it.

A staffer reviewed a copy and canceled the order because of the section for gays and lesbians, said Randy Marcus, Bolling's chief of staff and a convention delegate. Bolling's campaign ordered another guidebook for the delegates and alternates instead.
.

MINNEAPOLIS -- A couple hundred Virginians began their first official day at the Republican National Convention at a breakfast where they prayed for Gulf Coast hurricane victims and GOP presidential and vice presidential hopefuls, Sen. John McCain and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.

A slew of speakers talked up McCain, including James Woolsey, CIA director during the Clinton administration; retired Major General and Medal of Honor recipient Patrick Brady; Ken Blackwell, former Ohio secretary of state and first African-American to be a candidate for governor of a major party in that state; and U.S. Rep. Dan Lungren of California.

"No other leader in America, no one today, has had his experiences, has demostarted his guts or is better qualified to lead American in a time of war,'' Brady said.

The "McCain surrogates" were making the rounds at various delegation breakfasts and other events at the convention this week. They spoke about energy, abortion rights, homosexuals in the military, flag burning and other issues.

MINNEAPOLIS --The 123 members of Virginia's delegation to the Republican National Convention started to arrive in the Twin Cities Saturday.

A Radisson hotel near the University of Minnesota will be home to both the Virginia and U.S. Virgin Islands delegations for the next week. Huge banners erected on the front of the hotel greeted both groups.

The Republican of Virginia is providing each delegation member with a goodie bag -- courtesy of corporate sponsors CSPAN, Capitol One and others -- that includes Virginia peanuts, hand sanitizer, an alarm clock, a red-and-blue stress ball in the shape of an elephant, a small towel and a pin with the American and Virginia flags.

The Republican National Committee also supplies each delegate from across the nation with its own gift -- a bag that includes a copy of Sen. John McCain's book Faith of My Fathers, a pocket guide to the U.S. Constitution, a pedometer, a water bottle, popcorn and macaroni and cheese.

Virginia Republicans came out swinging this morning at Sen. Barack Obama's pick to be his running mate. The quick response is another indication that the GOP is not taking Virginia for granted, even though Gov. Timothy M. Kaine will not be on the ticket.

Until recently, it was Virginia Democrats who were known for their quick response in the race between Obama and Sen. John McCain, the presumptive Republican nominee.

Here are statements released this morning from McCain's leadership team in Virginia:

Del. Chris Saxman, campaign co-chairman:
"By selecting Joe Biden for vice president, Barack Obama has shown voters that not even Governor Tim Kaine can hide the fact that he is out of touch with the core values held by the hard-working families of Virginia. Virginians deserve a president and a vice president who understand that we need a comprehensive solution to the energy crisis, lower taxes for Virginia's families and who have a record on strong national security. What Virginia doesn't want is an inexperienced presidential ticket that will raise taxes on families and industries that are most important to Virginia's economy. John McCain believes in lower taxes, energy solutions and a stronger national security. Voters in Virginia will support John McCain for president because they always know where he stands."

Former Attorney General Jerry Kilgore, campaign co-chairman:
"Barack Obama has sent Virginia voters the message by choosing Senator Joe Biden as his running mate that he just wasn't seeing the momentum in Virginia that he had hoped. Barack Obama spent two full days campaigning in Virginia, and his message is not resonating. There is no question in the minds of voters that he will raise taxes on Virginia families, ignore the energy crisis and continue to support retreat and surrender in Iraq. Voters in Virginia will support John McCain because he is a proven leader and ready to be commander in chief on day one. He believes in lower taxes for Virginia families and has an 'all of the above' plan to solve our energy crisis. I am proud to help John McCain to victory in Virginia in November."

C. Richard Cranwell, chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, is considering running for lieutenant governor next year.

Cranwell, a 30-year fixture in the House of Delegates who plans to step down from his post when his term expires in 2009, told friends that he is considering running for the Democratic nomination in 2009.

House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) said he will wait to decide who to support until Cranwell makes his decision.

"I learned a lot from him,'' Armstrong said. "He's one of the best legislators I have known."

Jody M. Wagner resigned today as Virginia secretary of finance. She is expected to announce in the coming days that she will run for lieutenant governor next year. Her last day is Aug. 8.

"Jody Wagner's fiscal stewardship is one of the reasons why Virginia has been named best managed state and best state to do business," Gov. Timothy M. Kaine said in a statement. "Her dedication and talents have secured Virginia's triple A bond rating and helped keep Virginia on the right track in a challenging economic environment. She has devoted herself to service, putting Virginia first, and she will be missed as an invaluable member of my team."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) plans to run for re-election. Wagner will face fellow Democrat Jon Bowerbank, a businessman and member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, who is already running.

Jody W. Wagner, secretary of finance, may not have officially resigned to run for lieutenant governor yet but several people close to Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) say he has already picked her replacement.

Richard D. Brown, director of the Department of Planning and Budget, is expected to be named finance secretary after Wagner resigns next week to launch a bid for lieutenant governor in 2009.

Wagner said last week that she plans to consider her options while on vacation this week. But several people in the Kaine administration say she has already told the governor that she will resign.

Thousands of people withstood the 90-plus-degree heat today for the unveiling of a monument outside the state Capitol that commemorates those who helped bring about the end of school segregation across the state and nation.

They included NAACP Chairman Julian Bond, actor Blair Underwood, poet Nikki Giovanni, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, former governor Mark R. Warner, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, House Speaker William J. Howell and several other members of the General Assembly.

But L. Douglas Wilder, the nation's first elected black governor, who now serves as Richmond's mayor, was noticeably absent.

Jody W. Wagner, secretary of finance for Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), is expected to resign in the coming weeks and launch a bid for lieutenant governor in 2009.

Wagner said today that she plans to consider her options while on vacation next week. But Democrats who are close to Kaine's administration said Wagner plans to resign by the end of the month after returning from vacation.

"I'm trying to figure out what to do,'' she said.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) plans to run for re-election. Wagner will face fellow Democrat Jon Bowerbank, a businessman and member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, who is already running.

Former GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney will be in Virginia Thursday to help Lt. Gov Bill Bolling ( R) raise money for his 2009 reelection bid.

Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and potential GOP vice-presidential candidate, will appear with Bolling at a fundraiser Thursday afternoon at The Ritz Carlton in Arlington. Romney and Bolling will then travel to Richmond for a "Burgers with Bill" barbecue. The two are also planning several joint media appearances.

Last year, Bolling endorsed Romney's presidential bid and later served as the co-chairman of his Virginia campaign. Romney dropped out of the presidential race a few days before Virginia's primary on Feb. 12. Bolling is expected to run unopposed the Republican nomination next year but will have to try to fend off a challenger in the general election, although a Democratic candidate with high name recognition has yet to emerge.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling celebrated an early birthday with hundreds of supporters tonight at the state Republican convention in downtown Richmond.

The state's two top Republicans have been appearing frequently together in recent weeks to promote their ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in 2009. They offered drinks and cake with the words "2009 Winning Team" written in icing to toast their shared birthday of June 15.

"Bill and I don't just share a birthday, we share the same beliefs,'' McDonnell said to a packed room.

Almost 500 Republicans from across the state gathered in downtown Richmond tonight to hear Vice President Dick Cheney speak at the party's annual fundraiser. Cheney, who plans to build a house in McLean after he leaves office in January, encouraged those in the audience to vote for Republicans in November, including Sen. John McCain for president in November.

"You and I belong to the party of limited taxes, limited government and free enterprise,'' he said to applause. "We understand that government exists not to be the people's master but rather their servant."

Jon Bowerbank, a businessman and member of the Russell County Board of Supervisors, filed papers with the state Board of Election to run for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor in 2009.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) plans to run for re-election.

In honor of Memorial Day, the state's top Republicans, Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, paid tribute in a ceremony at the state Capitol to Virginia soldiers who died in the last year. A pair of F-18 fighter jets and Blackhawk helicopters flew overhead.

It was the second year that McDonnell - a likely candidate for governor next year - has organized the event.

Last year, people in downtown Richmond were alarmed by the loud noise made by the fighter jets so this year, the Attorney General's Office tried to make sure more people knew about the event.

John Brownlee, the former top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, is expected to announce tomorrow that he is running for the Republican nomination for attorney general next year.

Brownlee, whose last day on the job was Friday, has scheduled a news conference tomorrow morning in Roanoke.

Brownlee, 43, has been U.S. Attorney since 2001. A graduate of Washington and Lee University and the William and Mary law school, Brownlee previously served as an assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. In Virginia, Brownlee is best known for efforts to combat illegal drug use, including going after the makers of Oxycotin for alleged deceptive marketing.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John H. Hager anounced today they are leading an effort to build the party's grassroots organizations across the state.

The effort calls on local Republican committees to double their membership lists by Labor Day. Those that do will receive extra money to support their activities, including get-out-the-vote efforts for the November elections.

"Reaching out to those Virginians who share our principles and getting them involved is essential to strengthening the Republican Party and winning elections," Hager said. "This initiative reflects the unity within the party and will pay dividends not only in 2008, but in years to come as well."

David M. Foster, former chairman of the Arlington County School Board, announced today that he is considering running for the Republican nomination for attorney general next year.

Foster, 54, a long-time member of the Arlington County Republican Committee, served on school board from 2000 to 2007.

State Sen. Ken Cuccinelli II (R-Fairfax), one of Northern Virginia's few conservative elected officials with grass-roots support across the state, recently announced plans to run. Former House of Delegates member Paul Harris and U.S. attorney John L. Brownlee, the top prosecutor for Virginia's western district, also are considering running.

In a sign that Virginia Republicans are ready to move beyond their recent internal divisions, 50 elected and party officials announced today they are supporting Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling in next year's state races.

Last month, Bolling announced he will seek reelection next year, which cleared the way for McDonnell to run for governor. McDonnell, so far the only GOP candidate in the race, said he and Bolling will run as a team, giving the GOP ticket a potential advantage over the Democrats, who may be distracted by a primary battle for governor between Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria) and Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath).

In a letter, all eight Republican member of Congress from Virginia, every Republican district chair, the entire General Assembly GOP leadership team and the leadership of the state party said they were endorsing the McDonnell-Bolling ticket.

"A McDonnell-Bolling ticket will unite our Republican party around its core conservative principles," the letter stated. "After two successive Democratic administrations, now is the time for our Republican Party to unite behind this strong, energetic ticket."

Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey A. Stewart (R) said today he will not run for lieutenant governor next year now that Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) has announced he will seek reelection.

Bolling said Monday he will support Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) for governor instead of seeking the nomination himself.

"I was surprised. I had no idea it was coming," Stewart (R-At Large) said of Bolling's announcement. "I really want to be lieutenant governor, but this is the strongest ticket. It's the best thing for the party."

Bolling's decision also upset the political futures of Del. Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax) and former state Sen. James K. "Jay" O'Brien (R-Fairfax), who also said they will not seek the nomination for lieutenant governor.

--Kristen Mack

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov Bill Bolling, both likely GOP candidates for governor next year, today endorsed James S. Gilmore III in the U.S. Senate race.

Gilmore, who was governor from 1998 to 2002, is running against Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) for the GOP nomination for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. John W. Warner (D). The party will select its nominee at a convention in May.

In a statement, Bolling said Gilmore is one of "the most consistent and principled conservative leaders" he has ever known.

"Jim Gilmore knows what he believes in, and he fights for it, when it's easy and when it's not," Bolling said. "That's the kind of leader we need representing us in the United States Senate."

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, chairman of Mitt Romney's campaign in Virginia , released the following statement after Romney decided to drop out of the presidential race:

This week's winners

House Speaker William J. Howell -- Despite lots of pressure from delegates, Howell stands firm in opposing an increase in the daily allowance, or per diem, citing the state's budget shortfall.

Del. Steve Shannon (D-Fairfax)- Campaign finance reports show that Shannon, a possible Democratic candidate for attorney general next year, has over $202,000 in the bank. Shannon is also speaking more often on the House floor, which may help raise his profile in preparation for a statewide campaign.

Del. Lionel Spruill Sr. (D-Chesapeake) -- Spruill earns headlines nationwide over his bill to make it illegal to hang rubber testicles from a vehicle hitch.

Earlier today, we told you how much money Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) has in the bank as he considers a run for governor in 2009. Some of his potential rivals have as much or more money than he does.

Republican Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling's political action committee, Building a Better Virginia, had $418,000 cash on hand at the end of the year.

On the Democratic side, Del. Brian J. Moran (D-Alexandria), had about $600,000 in his two accounts for Friends of Brian Moran and Leadership for Virginia's Future. Meanwhile, Sen. R. Creigh Deeds (D-Bath) has almost $300,000 in his three accounts.

Get ready to be inundated with a series of potentially competitive elections.

Because of the Democratic resurgence in Virginia, voters are going to be facing more choices at the polls over the next two years than they have in decades.

It all starts Feb. 12, with the Republican and Democratic presidential primaries.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) has endorsed a bill by Del. L. Scott Lingamfelter (R-Prince William) that would allow Virginia voters to register with a political party.

Bolling sent a letter to lawmakers today that says party registration would "maintain the integrity of the party nomination process in Virginia" and allow candidates "to more effectively identify voters and efficiently communicate with them."

In an interview last night, former governor and U.S. senator George Allen said he probably would not be taking sides in the brewing fight between Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell for the GOP nomination for governor in 2009.

"They are both well qualified and would be outstanding governors," said Allen, who yesterday ruled out his own bid for governor.

Even if the former governor stays on the sidelines, McDonnell and Bolling will immediately start battling to win over his supporters.

Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) unveiled his legislative priorities Tuesday, a day before the state's lawmakers get to work for this year's 60-day session in Richmond.

It came the same day former governor and U.S. senator George Allen announced he will not run for governor in 2009. Allen's announcement clears the field a bit for McDonnell, who could face Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling for the Republican nomination.

Lt. Gov Bill Bolling (R) said today Virginia Republicans believe they would have a much harder time defeating Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) than they would Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY) in this year's presidential race.

A Democratic presidential nominee has not won Virginia since 1964, but Democrats believe their luck may change this year.

Bolling, who is state chairman of Mitt Romney's presidential campaign in Virginia, said he thinks a Republican will still win Virginia's 13 electoral votes. But Bolling said "without a doubt" he thinks Obama would pose a stiffer challenge to the GOP nominee.

"He is a new face, a fresh face with a very appealing message, and no where near as divisive as Hillary Clinton," Bolling said in an interview. "Clearly, he would be a stronger candidate for Democrats."

As first reported this morning by the Associated Press, former governor and U.S. senator George F. Allen (R) announced today he will not run for governor again in 2009.

Allen's decision sets up a potentially nasty fight for the GOP nomination for governor between Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling.

Allen's statement:

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) sent a letter today to Republicans in the General Assembly today outlining his support for a repeal of the abusive driver fees and encouraging them to support a repeal as well.

Bolling, a potential GOP candidate for governor in 2009, said he and many Republicans initially thought the fees would be a legitimate way to raise money for transportation and make Virginia's highways safer. But, he said, the legislation inadvertently applied the unpopular fees to less serious offenses and will generate less money than expected.

" While this was the most noble of efforts, it simply has not worked out the way it was intended, and it has become terribly unpopular in the public eye,'' Bolling wrote. "That is why I favor the total repeal of the abusive driver fees, as opposed to their modification."

The annual Virginia Republican Party Advance is the ultimate venue for schmoozing, jockeying for attention and laying the groundwork for future bids for office. So here's my take on the winners and losers of this weekend's event, which drew about 650 party activists and leaders to the Hyatt Regency at Crystal City.

Advance Winners -

Attorney General Bob McDonnell - The attorney general hosted a party for GOP activists on Friday and Saturday nights. Both were well attended, and there were plenty of people throughout the weekend wearing "Bob McDonnell" stickers. There also was a strong sentiment from GOP activists that McDonnell should run for governor in 2009, even if former governor and senator George Allen enters the race.

George Allen - While Allen wasn't nearly as visible as McDonnell was, the former governor and senator gave what many considered to be a strong, inspiring speech in support of Fred Thompson's presidential bid.

Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney today became the first Republican presidential candidate to qualify to appear on the ballot in Virginia's Feb. 12 presidential primary. A day earlier, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama qualified as the first Democrat.

At 1:30 p.m. today, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling (R) and Del. Christopher Kilian Peace (R-Hanover) submitted the necessary petitions and paperwork to the state Board of Elections in downtown Richmond to include Romney on the ballot.

For those who can't get enough of Virginia elections, time to look ahead to the governor's race in 2009.

Yes, there is a U.S. Senate and presidential election next November. But with former governor Mark R. Warner (D) an early favorite to win the Senate race, the election for governor will be the contest that will really decide whether Virginia is turning blue or if party gains this decade were caused largely of President Bush's unpopularity.

An occasional list of people in the news who came out on top. Or not.
This Week's Winners
George Allen - The former governor and senator reemerged onto the political stage this week with an op-ed in the Richmond Times Dispatch and a press conference announcing his support for Fred Thompson's bid for the GOP nomination for president. In both settings, Allen began to reassert his influence into the Virginia Republican Party. At the press conference, Allen was affable, humble, folksy and talkative.

Planned Parenthood - After Democrats' success in the Nov. 6 legislative elections, the women's rights organization feels emboldened to crow about its renewed influence in state politics. The organization sent out a press release Monday noting that Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D) wants to cut off state funding for abstinence-only sex education programs. Planned Parenthood says the election results proves Virginia voters back Kaine's approach because they are "tired of ideology."

While most Republican and Democratic leaders in Virginia will be sweating the results of tomorrow's crucial election, GOP state party chairman John H. Hager will be partying at the White House with President Bush.

Hager, a former Bush administration official and future father-in-law of the president's daughter, will be a guest at a dinner honoring French President Nicolas Sarkozy.

Earlier this week, Gov. Timothy M. Kaine and other prominent Virginia Democrats kicked off a week-long tour of the state to energize voters to go to the polls Tuesday. Virginia Republicans countered by saying they, too, were having their own bus tour around the state.

Each day this week, the Republican Party of Virginia has said it would send out information on the tour, scheduled to start Friday. But as of Friday morning, we have not heard a word.

Winners:
Mark Tate- All campaign finance fraud charges were dismissed against the former GOP Senate candidate from Loudoun County after the prosecutor said the case had been tainted by allegations of improprieties in the investigation.

Tim Kaine Two different polls came out during the past week showing Kaine's approval ratings remain strong, despite the summer-long controversy over abuser fees and illegal immigration. Kaine has also proved he's a prolific fundraiser. Kaine's political action committee, Moving Virginia Forward, has $1 million in the bank to spend in the campaign's final days. With three weeks to go until the election, Kaine is popular and rich. What more could a politician ask for?

Jim Gilmore: The former governor scores a big victory by convincing the Republican State Central Committee to hold a convention over a primary to select its nominee in next year's U.S. Senate race. Gilmore also appears hungry to get back into the game. He showed up at the central committee meeting and was personally lobbying members right up to the vote. His chief rival, Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.), was campaigning for his wife, Sen. Jeannemarie Devolites Davis.

It looks like Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is getting ready to do some serious campaigning. No, not for himself. He's hitting the road to help Republicans running for local and legislative offices in Nov. 6 election.

Just check out his schedule next week: