Bill “Snacks” Bolling Opposes Special Session for Ethics Reform (Here’s Why)

So let’s go through a list of folks who oppose a special session on ethics!

House Speaker Bill Howell?  OPPOSES.
Democratic nominee Tery McAuliffe?  DEFINITELY OPPOSES.
Bill Bolling?  OPPOSES.
Governor McDonnell?  DEFINITELY OPPOSES.

…Ken Cuccinelli?  All for it.

Folks, I’ve repeated this over and over and over: McDonnell’s gift scandals are horrible in and of themselves, but they are symptomatic of a culture of giving in Richmond, one which both parties participate in and enjoy mightily.  It’s why a special session on ethics is not only warranted, it’s absolutely necessary.

But those are issues, and for all the posturing on “issues” from guys like Bill Bolling, when the rubber hits the road stuff like ethics reform just isn’t an issue “Snacks” wants to talk about.

For those who don’t know, Bolling’s nickname in Richmond was “Snacks” — earned from a bevy of snacks he would produce from his office drawers.  Personally, I think he might have earned that nickname from the $105,551 in gifts Bolling took since 2001:

Care for a taste?  Just one snack?

Any small wonder why Bolling opposes a special session on ethics reform?

This is what absolutely kills me about Bill Bolling.  I want to like the guy — I really do.  I agree with him when he says that Republican principles need to be able to govern in practice, and I agree with him when he says campaigns tend to be absolutely devoid of serious policy discussions in lieu of trash talking our opponents…

You know, trash talk like this:

Bolling had planned to run for governor this year, but was outmaneuvered by Cuccinelli, whose allies changed the nominating process from a primary to what became a conservative-dominated convention of 8,000 Virginians. Since declaring late last year that he wouldn’t seek the governorship, Bolling has been critical of the GOP and his putative rival, Cuccinelli.

…and this:

“The convention process did what it was intended to do, it nominated the most conservative and ideologically driven candidates who were running,” said the lieutenant governor. “That’s what the leadership of the Republican Party of Virginia wanted. That’s why they opted for a convention, as opposed to a primary.

“It’s a ticket that will certainly excite the base of the Republican Party,” Bolling added. “The question is, how will it be received by the more moderate independent voters whose support you have to have to win an election? I guess we’ll get an answer to that question in November.”

Or when it comes to Snacks carrying McAuliffe’s water on Greentech (now under SEC investigation):

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling has Democrat Terry McAuliffe’s back when it comes to GreenTech Automotive’s choice of Mississippi over Virginia for a manufacturing plant.

. . .

“I certainly couldn’t criticize Mr. McAuliffe and GreenTech about taking the project to Mississippi,” Virginia’s second-ranking Republican said in an interview Monday. “The truth is Mississippi offered them a very attractive incentive package . . . . Virginia would have been unlikely to match.”

Let’s face it — trash talking is A-OK when it comes to trash talking the Republican ticket.   Bolling is perfectly happy to bewail the lack of issues being discussed in the gubernatorial campaign… until that issue is a special session on ethics reform:

In a statement, Bolling (R) said a “series of unfortunate events” in recent months revealed deficiencies in state laws concerning the acceptance and disclosure of gifts.

…and what is this immediate, swift action that will restore the confidence of Virginians?  A special session where the 140 members of the General Assembly cannot hide, with the Sword of Damocles hanging over the Governor’s Mansion in a bid by both parties to out-do one another on ethics?  Wow — talk about a serious commitment towards eth–

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is calling for a $250 cap on gifts to elected officials…

Wha??

Just in case folks were wondering, T-Mac and the Democratic ticket called for a *drumroll please* $100 cap on gifts.  So way to go there, Bill Bolling.

Of course, McAuliffe’s way of thinking on a special session on ethics reform?

On Monday, he rejected Cuccinelli’s call for a special session.

“I just think this is another gimmick by the attorney general,” McAuliffe said.

Ethics reform is a gimmick.  Write that down…

Is it any small wonder why a special session would be considered a gimmick by those who have their noses deep in the trough?  McAuliffe wants it there — no question about that.  Bolling certainly has participated in the gifts system in Richmond (and perhaps that $250 cap is soothing to the conscience of a man who has taken $100K+ in gifts during his career in Richmond?) and the House GOP’s underwhelming plan to sweep ethics reform under the rug for the 2014 session of the General Assembly?

Riiiiight… everyone can see through that play.

Want to see real leadership?

In a statement, Cuccinelli said he was “disappointed” that McDonnell and “some others in state government” had declined to join his call to bring lawmakers to Richmond.

“I’m disappointed, because I believe Virginians want solutions right now, not sometime down the road,” he said. “Working together, there is an opportunity for improvement right now. I think we can achieve more in August than we are likely to achieve in January.”

BOOM.

…and that’s what’s at stake in November.