And for that he got slammed in a Washington Times editorial today.
Poor Bob. He’s getting it from both sides.
10 thoughts on “McDonnell won’t sign “no tax” pledge”
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And for that he got slammed in a Washington Times editorial today.
Poor Bob. He’s getting it from both sides.
Comments are closed.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Kind of like his pledge to “uphold and defend the constitution”, then creating the unconstitutional regional taxing authorities. Gotta keep those back-doors open Bob! Even if he took a pledge, his word isn’t worth a hoot!
Well, he has been all over the map. In some of the ads that were playing in NoVA, he was Big-Government Bob. In others, he’s been Limited-Government Bob. In some speeches, he has talked about making our education system world class, bringing jobs to Virginia, and fixing transportation. All things I would normally expect to require additional government revenues.
But I am starting to piece it together, which puzzles me as to why he wouldn’t sign the pledge. On transportation, I know he wants to use the Public-Private Transportation Act (and he has stated so). So, privately built and/or maintained roads only costs the state whatever we do for financing (and if it is just guaranteeing some debt and securing federal loans, then nada). And if we opt to lease transportation assets to them, then we might even get money back out of the arrangement (akin to selling your furniture to make your mortgage payment). On jobs, I understand that he just wants to maintain the status quo (i.e., no new regulations and no changes to existing labor laws). So, that doesn’t cost any money, but it is hard to see how that does anything to affect our current economic situation either.
On education though, I haven’t figured out what the catch is here. So, how do we get world class education that doesn’t cost taxpayers more money? And maybe that is why he hasn’t signed the pledge. Or it could be that he doesn’t need to. If Republicans still control the HoD, then doubtful he could even get a tax increase even if he wanted one. Well, I take that back, he just need call it a “Fee” and then they are all over it like flies on well, you know.
I thought the education piece was charter schools?
And you are correct on the “fee” thing. 😉
From my limited exposure as a former campaign volunteer for Bob McDonnell many years ago, I remain convinced that Mr. McDonnell is both honest, and sincere in his beliefs. However, during the Bush years, when our civil liberties and our Constitution were being ignored, Mr. McDonnell did nothing to protect Virginians. In fact, he acted specifically to give even more power to government over our citizens.
As for the, “No Tax Pledge” the recent “Regional Taxing Authority” debacle, was a direct result of Republican Delegates who were seeking ways to meet transportation needs, without being seen as violating their respective no tax pledges.
Bob McDonnell is right not to sign such a ludicrous pledge. None of us knows the future. Even the most fiscally stingy official may need to support changes to the tax code in response to emerging needs.
The only pledge that any of these candidates must take is the pledge to uphold the Constitution, something that Bush and his team violated on a daily basis during their reign.
The principle reason not to vote for Bob McDonnell is that he never spoke out against the Bush violations of our civil liberties, not because he won’t sign the, “No Tax Pledge.”
And Obama is continuing the Bush tradition of violating the Constitution on a daily basis.
“As for the, “No Tax Pledge” the recent “Regional Taxing Authority” debacle, was a direct result of Republican Delegates who were seeking ways to meet transportation needs, without being seen as violating their respective no tax pledges”
Bob McDonnell ran around Richmond telling everyone who would listen in 2007 that HE and HE alone “negotiated” the regional taxing authorities! it was his baby! And he wanted everyone to know it! You can’t blame the House of Delegates, although they certainly voted for it, when it was Bob’s big plan! An UNCONSTITUTIONAL PLAN at that!
No question that Deeds voted for the final HB3202 but only after Kaine made numerous changes. Deeds didn’t run around, flailing his arms, screaming at the top of his lungs that HE and HE alone “negotiated” this illegal scheme! The regional taxing authorities in all of its unconstitutional glory belong to Bob McDonnell. He wanted credit for it, and now he’s not going to dodge it.
McDonnell does what he is told to do by the Republican “leadership” (oxymoronic as that may be) and has dropped the ball, every chance he’s been given it!
Who am I voting for?
Lt. Governor – Bill Bolling (R)
Att. General – Ken Cuccinelli (R)
Governor? I’ll be voting for Creigh Deeds (D). I won’t make the same mistake I did last time.
A lot of fiscal conservatives are mad at McDonnell for stabbing his fellow Hampton Roaders in the back with HRTA.
A lot of civil libertarians that believe in property rights don’t appreciate the garbage McDonnell tried to foist on us as eminent domain reform. Thank goodness that failed and REAL reform was passed the following year.
Then ya got the loving couples that like to exchange what McDonnell calls a felony.
Remember that all powerful uber evil gun lobby you love to hate? They’ll likely be on your side on this one.
I’m gonna vote the same way partywise Dem for governor and AG. I did the same in the last election.
Deeds for Gov
Bolling for Lt Gov
Shannon for AG
I commend Bob McDonnell for not signing the no tax pledge, but I just don’t think his agenda will move us forward.
JTB is right that the regional transportation fiasco was the result of Republicans in the House trying to find a way to raise taxes to pay for roads while still trying to claim they were living up to their “no tax pledge.”
It’s always seemed to me that a politician willing to sign the pledge is telling you that while he’s real interested in politics and getting elected, he has zero interest in the realities of governing.