Home Dem leader pushes McDonnell on interest in WH run
Region/State

Dem leader pushes McDonnell on interest in WH run

Chris Graham

Virginia Democrats are seizing upon an apparent attempt at hedging by Gov. Bob McDonnell in an interview with The Washington Post about whatever interest he might have in running for president in 2012.

“Either he intends to serve his full term as Governor or he doesn’t,” Democratic Party of Virginia Chairman Dick Cranwell said, citing a blog post from Post writer Jennifer Rubin, who wrote today that she asked McDonnell, a Republican, if he would make a promise not to run for president.

“He didn’t bite. He merely said that he has ‘many new initiatives’ he wants to see through and that ‘there are any number of good candidates, including some former and current’ governors, he would look forward to supporting. Yes, he sure left some wiggle room there,” Rubin wrote.

“If he is so interested in being governor of Virginia until his term ends in 2014, it shouldn’t be difficult for him to come out and say he is not, and will not be a candidate for higher office before then. If he can’t make a firm declaration about his own future, how can the people of Virginia count on him to make the tough decisions about theirs?” Cranwell said.

Story by Chris Graham. Chris can be reached at [email protected].

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Chris Graham

Chris Graham

Chris Graham is the founder and editor of Augusta Free Press. A 1994 alum of the University of Virginia, Chris is the author and co-author of seven books, including Poverty of Imagination, a memoir published in 2019. For his commentaries on news, sports and politics, go to his YouTube page, TikTok, BlueSky, or subscribe to his Street Knowledge podcast. Email Chris at [email protected].

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