Jim Gilmore at 7th CD Convention

By Jane | May 7, 2008
Filed Under Campaigns and Elections, Republicans |

[photo of Jim Gilmore]Former Virginia Governor Jim Gilmore spoke to the home crowd at the 7th Congressional District Convention on Saturday, May 7, 2008, and they cheered enthusiastically. Gilmore was upbeat, loose, and confident, but well aware that he will be the underdog compared to mega-millionaire Mark Warner. After thanking the crowd and reviewing his life-long ties to Henrico, Gilmore turned to today’s issues.

He said as he talks to people in his travels, the thing they say concerns them most

is gas prices. We have to get domestic production up, partly as a matter of national security. (Note that in 2005 then-Gov. Mark Warner vetoed a bill to allow offshore drilling, supposedly on technical grounds. He says on his website that we need a new energy policy that “eliminates our dependence on foreign oil” but is a little skinny on how this would be done without using domestic resources).

Gilmore also brought up Warner’s wish to do away with many of the Bush tax cuts: if the cuts go away it will mean in increase in the marriage penalty, and increase in the death tax, higher taxes on dividends, on capital gains for small businesses, etc.

One striking thing about the speech was his frequent use of “we and “let’s.” As in, “that we are going to get together and we’re going to fight together to win this Senate race.” “We’re going to be unified. We’re going to beat this guy in November.”

Marshall’s surrogate seemed to be from the school of leadership by discouragement.

Warner’s attitude seems to be that we are children who have been victimized by Republicans so we should elect him and other Democrats to patch things up (his website and speeches say - we need to “fix” this and “fix” that).

In a refreshing contrast, Gilmore on Saturday was explicitly entrusting himself to the good will and hard work of the crowd. He finished by asking people to do several things: go to the convention (May 30-31) and vote for him - “I’m asking you for your support.” Even in this friendly crowd, he was asking: not assuming. Also, “go into the community and speak out for our party and for our candidates - our great Attorney General and our great Congressman [Cantor].” At the beginning and at the end of the speech he said of everyone in the room, “You are leaders.” “You must go from this room today and lead.”

Photo details: Canon EOS5D, ISO 3200, 200mm, 1/125 at f/2.8.

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Comments

8 Responses to “Jim Gilmore at 7th CD Convention”

  1. Conservativa » 7th CD Convention Blogging on May 7th, 2008 10:31 am

    […] Jim Gilmore at 7th CD Convention […]

  2. Shaun Kenney on May 7th, 2008 10:39 am

    That is *precisely* the same outfit he wore to the 5th District convention (no tie, yellow shirt)!

    Heh.

  3. J.R. on May 7th, 2008 10:58 am

    It’s a good look for him. Why change what’s going good…like pro-growth policies, lower taxes, strong principles on national defense…

  4. Shaun Kenney on May 7th, 2008 8:13 pm

    …increased spending, soft on life, a budget mess, GOP majorities that have raised taxes twice on working families in Virginia, condemning U.S. soldiers in Iraq as “occupiers”, calling for a timetable in Iraq, getting sacked at the White House and at RNC, and leaving his 2008 presidential campaign six-figures in debt.

    Not to mention taking credit for Governor Allen’s hard work on parole and pro-life issues. :)

    This list could go on, ya know…

  5. J.R. on May 7th, 2008 8:36 pm

    Ah, the convention is going to be interesting.

  6. Crystal Clear Conservative on May 8th, 2008 9:07 am

    The convention is going to be very interesting. Go Marshall Go!

  7. Stephen Gunter on May 8th, 2008 9:41 am

    Yeah, Go Marshall Go!

  8. Spank That Donkey on May 8th, 2008 11:59 pm

    Shaun Kenney former RPV spokesman says:
    “a budget mess,”

    Wow Shaun, are you sure you weren’t the DPV spokesman? One Billion dollars in the Rainy Day Fund.. what a mess… Largest and longest lasting tax decrease in VA’s history…. what a mess… lowering college tuiton 20% and freezing it for four years… what a mess… etc, etc.

    Oh, vetoing Bob Marshall’s supported bill in 2000 to create an unelected body with taxing authority, PRICELESS!

    http://www.spankthatdonkey.com/spankthatdonkey2/2008/5/8/would-bob-marshall-have-sued-himself.html

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