Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell appeared this past Sunday on CNN’s “State of the Union” with Candy Crowley to discuss Republican leadership and how it will serve to benefit the country.
As head of the Republican Governor’s Association and oft-mentioned name in the Romney “veepstakes”, McDonnell appeared on the show to talk about today’s Wisconsin recall election and what it means for the nation.
“I think – this [election] is about results,” said McDonnell about Gov. Walker’s leadership. “Does it take guts and leadership to tell people we can’t afford to do these things anymore and we need to change to be more competitive in Wisconsin? Sure. But he’s done it. Now he’s getting the results. And that’s why he’s going to win.”
We’re used to seeing this kind of optimism and straight talk about jobs and economic growth from McDonnell here in Virginia. And as McDonnell takes this message across the country he is gaining in national popularity.
But in addition to his national popularity, he’s not doing too shabby here in the commonwealth.
Rasmussen released a poll showing the governor with a popularity of 64 percent. That’s the highest it’s been since February 2010 and has shown an increase of six points since April and 11 points since March.
“The governor gets results, and at the end of the day that’s what voters want to see. He’s kept spending under control, not raised taxes, and unemployment in the state is down to a three year low,” said Tucker Martin, McDonnell spokesperson.
Martin says that McDonnell has been delivering on critical issues like transportation funding, citing that last year’s legislation provided the most new money for roads and rail in a generation. He also points to the governor’s leadership regarding access to higher education and his successful funding package that has led to the smallest yearly tuition increases at Virginia schools in over a decade.
“The Governor gets results on the issues voters care about. Not a complicated formula, just an unfortunately rare one in today’s political world.”
The rest of the country is only just now finding out what those of us here in Virginia already know: we have a no-nonsense governor, who governs practically, pragmatically, and conservatively. And that’s a popular – and winning – combination.
