Even Before The Debate, Gilmore Throws a Punch
Former governor James S. Gilmore III, the Republican candidate for U.S. Senate, is trying to undercut Democratic candidate Mark R. Warner's credibility as the two prepare to face off at their first debate Saturday at The Homestead resort.
Gilmore sent out a statement today reminding reporters that Warner, also a former governor, pledged during his 2001 gubernatorial debate with Republican Mark L. Earley that he would not raise taxes.
Warner, who faced a budget shortfall after he took office in 2002 that he says he inherited from Gilmore, ended up pushing for a $1.4 billion tax increase in 2004. Gilmore, who denies he left Warner a shortfall, sent out video today of Warner's promise not to raise taxes.
"Just remember, when you hear Mark Warner at the debate this weekend, keep in mind, that one thing Virginia's working families have learned about Mark Warner is that where he stood yesterday, or where he stands today, has nothing to do with where he may stand tomorrow," Gilmore's statement says.
Kevin Hall, a Warner spokesman, responded by saying "no one should be surprised that Mr. Gilmore would resort to form with more of the mean-spirited, name-calling for which he is known."
"Governor Warner is eager to contrast a bipartisan record that fixed Mr. Gilmore's fiscal incompetence, saved Virginia's bond rating and set the state on a positive course for the future," Hall added.
By Tim Craig |
July 17, 2008; 6:51 PM ET
| Category:
Election 2008/Congress
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Election 2008/U.S. Senate
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James Gilmore III
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Mark Warner
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Tim Craig
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Posted by: HM | July 17, 2008 8:30 PM
HM, let's get something straight. I'm no huge Jim Gilmore fan. But there was NEVER a budget "deficit." Regardless of the rhetoric that Warner and Kaine have spewed for the last seven years, there was no deficit. There was a budget "shortfall." But all that meant was that the size of state government increased at a slower pace than projected. It STILL increased. In fact the state budget is now TWICE what it was when Warner entered office.
Posted by: Michael | July 17, 2008 10:01 PM
Does Gilmore write Ken Cuccinelli's material, or does Ken Cuccinelli write Gilmore's?
Michael, get your head out of the sand, or stop with the Revisionist history.
Gilmore left Virginia state finances in an absolute shambles with both the Legislature and Creditors. Check with those Captains of Capitalism on Wall Street and see what their opinions of the fiscal state of the Commonwealth were when Gilmore left. They were about to cut it's Credit Rating (Can you say, Pay more to borrow?) until Warner (and Republican Legislative leaders) got the Commonwealth to bite the bullet with fiscal common sense.
Posted by: Which One? | July 18, 2008 11:39 AM
The Independent Green candidate on the ballot Gail "for Rail" Parker should be included in the debate.
Mrs. Parker collected over 22,000 petition signatures to get on the ballot..
Posted by: Alice Garnett | July 19, 2008 1:21 AM
It seems the Warner tax-raising crowd is getting nervous that the truth is coming out.
Posted by: Truth Coming Out | July 19, 2008 10:21 AM
Truth Coming Out, like Col. Jessep said, you can't handle the Truth.
If you're not Michael, then you're like him, you have to re-write history to fit your Greed is Good concept of life. - Life is a Free Luch, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee! I don't have to pay for it either because taxes are evil. Responsible politicians should not be allowed in office! Vote for the Wingnuts!
Posted by: Truth? | July 19, 2008 11:17 AM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Good heavens, does Gilmore actually believe the garbage that comes out of his mouth? Having lived in VA through both of them, I'd say that the one with credibility and integrity -- and the gumption to make unpopular but necessary decisions is Mark Warner. As opposed to the irresponsible pandering that Gilmore did leaving us with a huge deficit. Unbelievable.