Marshall Seeks Concessions From Gilmore
Del. Robert G. Marshall (R-Prince William) said today he won't run as an Independent candidate for the U.S. Senate, but probably will not be endorsing GOP Senate nominee James S. Gilmore III, either
In an interview, Marshall said he remains upset about mailers Gilmore sent out during the final days of their race for the nomination. Gilmore, a former governor, defeated Marshall by less than 1 percent at the state GOP convention on Saturday.
A few days before the convention, Gilmore sent out a mailing that questioned Marshall's conservative credentials. The Gilmore campaign said it was responding to three negative mail pieces that Marshall had sent out.
"Why would Jim want my endorsement?" Marshall asked. "He says I am dishonest, so why would an honorable man like Jim Gilmore want an endorsement from someone he says is dishonest?"
But Marshall, who based his campaign on his staunch opposition to abortion and tax increases, added he will throw his support behind Gilmore if the former governor comes out in favor of banning all abortions. Gilmore supports abortion rights until the 8th week of pregnancy, a stance that prompted Marshall to challenge him for the nomination.
"I would campaign harder for him than I would myself, if he comes out for life," said Marshall, adding he put 215,000 miles on his car during his Senate campaign this spring.
Gilmore appears unlikely to change his stance on abortion, but he still plans to reach out to Marshall and his supporters.
"We are very excited and enthusiastic moving forward and welcome both Del. Marshall's support and that of his delegates," said Ana Gamonal, a Gilmore spokeswoman. "Our message to conservative voters in Virginia is that they have a clear choice in the upcoming U.S. Senate elections, to vote for the former governor [Gilmore] which signed every single pro-family, pro-life legislation that came to his desk or to vote for the former governor [Mark R. Warner] which vetoed every single pro-family, pro-life legislation that came to his desk."
It remains to be seen whether Gilmore will be able to win over Marshall's supporters, many of whom were drawn to his candidacy because of his strong opposition to abortion.
"If (Gilmore) gives them 10 percent, they will give him 10 percent," Marshall said. "If he gives them 20 percent, they may give him 20 percent. Why should they give them more than he gives?"
But one prominent conservative Marshall supporter - state Sen. Ken Cuccinelli (R-Fairfax) - is already vowing to work hard for Gilmore in the fall.
"Nobody should go to a (convention) and leave not ready to support the nominee," Cuccinelli said. "It is totally unreasonable to not support the other candidate when they beat your guy."
By Tim Craig |
June 2, 2008; 12:42 PM ET
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Tim Craig
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Posted by: Forrest Gump | June 2, 2008 3:05 PM
Someone needs to remind that worthless piece of human waste, Jim Gilmore, that there is no national car tax. That one trick pony is a disgrace. It just shows how delusional, tired, boring and predictable the Grand Ole American Nazi Party has become.
Posted by: Jim Gilmore is an idiot | June 2, 2008 5:05 PM
What a loser.
And what kind of car does he drive? Did it need any repairs? This could be a good advertisement: I put 215,000 miles on my car and got my ass handed to me in a forum designed for me, but the car still runs!
Posted by: Anonymous | June 2, 2008 5:05 PM
Marshall's abortion fetish is interesting - can he identify any piece of legislation that could possibly pass the Senate in the next 10-20 years where his difference with Gilmore would matter at all?
Didn't think so.
Posted by: Just wondering | June 2, 2008 5:07 PM
215,000 miles?? Let's assume "this spring" means the last six months, or 180 days. That would mean he would have to drive 1200 miles a day - 150 miles in an hour in a 8 hour day - or 80 miles in an hour over a 15 hour day. Really?? Go Knight Rider!
And someone please educate any "spokesperson" for a campaign in proper grammar - referring to a human being, as in a governor, is "who signed" or "who vetoed" - not "which."
This campaign should be good for a ton of laughs! "F Troop Runs For Senate"
Posted by: RCranium | June 2, 2008 6:58 PM
Ken Cuccinelli sounds the voice of reason.
Posted by: c. dickson | June 2, 2008 9:36 PM
Maybe Virginia statewide pols will learn not to stiff arm the SCV like the Republican Gov candidate just before the Dem Warner was first elected Gov
Posted by: Respect Southern Heritage | June 3, 2008 5:57 AM
What kind of car is this? I would like a car like that. Will Obama-Oprah give me a car?
Posted by: Anonymous | June 3, 2008 10:01 AM
215,000 miles? that must be why the price of gas is os high
Posted by: klb | June 3, 2008 4:33 PM
So now, not only has Marshall driven up the price of gas and caused more than his share of traffic congestion, but by losing he has doomed the prospects of the Ban-Abortion-Before-A-Pregnancy-Test-Is-Even-Possible Act of 2009!
Posted by: nooooooooo | June 3, 2008 5:13 PM
When I am president, all cars will go more than 215,000 miles, but only if they are holding hands with another car.
-Your Messiah
Posted by: Barack Hussein | June 3, 2008 7:46 PM
I think that Barry Hussein would veto the Ban-Abortion-Before-A-Pregnancy-Test-Is-Even-Possible Act of 2009 because what America needs is change.
Posted by: Walnut | June 4, 2008 10:23 AM
Hillary should refuse to endorse Barack Hussein until after he promises to enact Hillarycare in its entirety without exception.
Posted by: Tina | June 4, 2008 1:32 PM
Marshall's candidacy was very helpful for Gilmore because it shows what extremism really looks like.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 4, 2008 7:03 PM
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Run Bobby, Run!