UPDATE: My personal opinion. I see more character and integrity in Mr. Bolling’s decision than I do in the General’s political maneuvering to get the rules changed to his advantage.
Once again Bill Bolling has stepped aside.
This time leaving the door to running an independent campaign, if not wide open, slightly ajar.
Leaving also the media, Tea Party folks, and bloggers of all persuasion to sling barbs and darts his way.
Even RNC Chairman Pat Mullins had this to say.
”I am disappointed by Lt. Governor Bolling’s remarks over the past 48 hours. Lt. Governor Bolling has a stellar record of public service, and has long been a strong voice for the conservative cause. Nowhere in his statements does he mention a policy disagreement with the Attorney General.
The proper venue for challenging a fellow Republican is during a nomination contest. Lt. Governor Bolling chose to suspend his campaign. I hope he will take his own words to heart and work to bring our Party together.”
At about the same time a friend of mine, who has “been there, done that” said this.
Let me say this, few people understand the utter despair that grips you when you first realize something you’ve dreamed of achieving all your life is no longer attainable. It’s not a good feeling.
All the hard work, sweat, tears and blood you’ve put into achieving your goal seems wasted. You start to reflect on the road not taken, opportunities missed and you start second guessing yourself.
One minute you might be angry with yourself for even thinking you were good enough to achieve your goal, the next you’re depressed and feel unworthy, and then the next moment you’re angry with those around you, hoping to cast blame on someone else for what feels like a humiliation that won’t go away. And all that is compounded by the fact that deep down inside, even after you’ve accepted the reality of the situation, you still feel a tinge of fire in the belly, that now unattainable goal still calls out to you, but you have to suppress the urge to reach for it. And honestly that breeds a little bitterness.
So now you have anger, depression and bitterness swirling around inside but instead of the world leaving you be, it just keeps on poking at you, asking you asinine questions that it already has the answer to, expecting you to put on a damn smile like a Cheshire cat, getting upset when you dare give an honest answer or express how you truly feel.
My two cents, let’s just leave the Lt. Governor alone for a bit. Okay?”
I think my friend has it right. Bill has given much to the Commonwealth. He’s stood by his principles, and the Southwest Virginia values by which he was raised.
If I know Bill like I think I know Bill he will shed his bitterness soon and return to the service of Virginia that he’s always been known for.
In some capacity.
Final question. Many have already disparagingly said he will launch an independent run for Governor.
Personally I don’t think he’s eager to increase the membership of the Russ Potts, Brandon Bell, Jeff Evans club.
If he does make that move, and as I said I don’t expect him to, I do think he has the character, charisma, and organization to pull it off successfully, which would keep him out of that exclusive club.
And unlike Brandon Bell, a member of a much more exclusive club, he won’t resort to Democrat Party funding to do it.
