Bob McDonnell Live Blog

Continuing his journey around the Virginia blogosphere, Attorney General Bob McDonnell will be here today to chat with you live at noon.  Leave your questions here.

UPDATE:  We are getting started at 12:05

Comments

[PolicySoup]

What are the greatest challenges facing Northern Virginia's business climate and how can the State government address those?

Mr Attorney General,

Did your press secretary write this email in his private time or while he was on the taxpayer's clock?

Folks, in the upcoming days you will obviously be reading about, and discussing, the issue of Northern Virginia and the future of the Republican Party in Virginia. Obviously this is an important discussion that will continue for years to come. I just want to take two seconds to point out, as this conversation moves forward, that Bob McDonnell is a Northern Virginian, a fact that too often gets lost.

Bob was raised right near Mount Vernon, in a subdivision that is actually on land that used to be part of George Washington's estate. He attended Bishop Ireton High School. He worked, as a teenager, at the old Dairy Queen that used to be on Route 1 just south of Alexandria. His dad still lives in the house he grew up in, and his in-laws live just a few miles away. Bob is a Northern Virginian, as is his wife Maureen. Their families are still there, and they are in Northern Virginia constantly. Just wanted to pass this on for what it's worth. Too often this gets overlooked, but its important stuff to remember in the years ahead.

Bob is a statewide officeholder who was raised in Fairfax, raised his family in Virginia Beach, and now lives in the fast-growing suburbs of western Henrico.

Tucker Martin

Mr Attorney General,

Do you plan to support Delegate O'Bannon's payday lendors bill as a sign of standing up to an industry who bankrolled your AG campaign?

[York Co.]

The AG typically has a legislative agenda every year for consideration by the General Assembly. Can you give us a preview of what bills you will be presenting for the upcoming session?

General McDonnell-

I read in the Capital Connection that Bill Bolling will be concentrating heavily on turning the democratic tide in Northern Virginia over the next few years (of course to bump his recognition for a possible 09' run).

Is throwing a Christmas Party your offensive plan to winning again in NoVA?

Follow Up: Do you think changing demographics or not talking about NoVA issues has lead most to recent Republican struggles in NoVA?

[Q]

General McDonnell. Thank you for taking time to answer questions here at NLS. What's in the works for 2009? Recently, with your national tv appearance with governor Kane and your support for Allen's campaign, you have become the front runner for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. I really think you'd be a great governor. What are your plans? Can you tell us?

How do you respond to Bill Bolling's "strategy" of predicting the defeat of Republicans in the days before a close election? Do you think Bolling believes this will help the GOP?

Do you think that his open pessimism towards George Allen's re-election in the final days of the campaign hurt Senator Allen on Election Day?

How do you respond to Bill Bolling's "strategy" of predicting the defeat of Republicans in the days before a close election? Do you think Bolling believes this will help the GOP?

Do you think that his open pessimism towards George Allen's re-election in the final days of the campaign hurt Senator Allen on Election Day?

[Not Anne Petera]

Mr. Attorney General-

What exactly did you see that qualified your 20-something-year-old Campaign Manager to be your Director of Administration?

Can you explain why those that receive political appointments are viewed so negatively by the regular civilian government workforce?

[Outside the Belway]

Just before the election, Lt. Governor Bolling publicly questioned Allen's chances at the polls. Do you think this this cost Allen the election? Do you think it costs Bolling support within the GOP?

[Outside the Belway]

How will you work with - will you be working with Sen-elect Webb?

[Not Ed Gillespie]

Did you see this post (http://masonconservative.typepad.com/the_mason_conservative/2006/11/say_no_to_ed_gi.html) at Mason Conservative asking the Republican Party to say no to Gillespie? What is your opinion of Ed?

Do you think Sen. Warner will run again in 2008?

[Married Man]

I really admire how you've been able to reach out to the blogosphere. Keep up the good work. Can you tell us about your work on the Youth Internet Safety Task Force? You had a recent event didn't you? This week?

[David]

Mr. McDonnell,
What is your opinion of those who will primary from the right against Republican state Senators and Delegates in 2007? Do you support such efforts or do you support the incumbent Republicans?

[Not Harry F. Byrd, Sr.]

Has the Commonwealth developed any action plan to deal with the inevitable challenge to the Marshall-Newman Amendment and the challenges to various state laws that are likely?

[Helen O'Beirne]

General McDonnell -

Thanks for taking the questions of the public. It is always great to see our elected officials taking note of who they represent!

I am wondering about your position on predatory lenders. Storefront owners claim that good reform bills like O'Bannon's 619 would just drive borrowers to the internet. Since internet lending is already illegal in Virginia, is your office prepared to enforce these restrictions?

If so, this will help poke another hole in the industry's red herring arguments.

[Mason Conservative]

Mr. Attorney General,

Given Republican setbacks statewide in the last six-seven years, what do you think the GOP in Virignia needs to do differently to get out its message to all parts of the commonwealth? And if I could add another, what do you think was the main reason for George Allen's defeat?

[Not Ben]

AG McDonnell,

Could you give us a general overview of the Commonwealth's argument in Miller v. Brown, now that Mr. Miller has been found to have standing?

[?]

The General Assembly session will be here soon. What is your legislative package for the upcoming session?

[ZB]

Mr. Attorney General,

Why, as chief law enforcement officer of Virginia, did you feel the need to wade in so heavily in favor of the Marshall-Newman constitutional amendment that will do absolutely nothing to protect marriages?

Also, do you believe it should continue to be legal in Virginia for gay and lesbian citizens to be fired from their jobs purely on the basis of their sexual orientation?

[Southwest by Southeast]

General McDonnell, I see that you are involved in helping out the needy at the Virginia Foodbank. I recently posted on the topic over at SWxSE – http://southwestbysoutheast.blogspot.com/2006/11/thanksgiving_21.html – but since we have this opportunity to ask you questions here I’ll ask you if you expect to continue working with these folks over the course of the next few years? Great work on this important subject. Very timely as well with the holidays approaching.

[Southwest by Southeast]

It’s amazing that it was a year ago you were going through the recount. It seems to have been a busy year for you, from all that I have read: defended the boy scouts, stood up for Abraham Cherrix, defeated the Governor on National TV, and gotten some of the nation’s toughest sexual predator laws passed. Did you ever imagine that it would be this busy last December when you won?

[Not Chad Dotson]

Which is the bigger loss for Virginia, Chad Dotson deciding to stop blogging at Commonwealth Conservative or Senator Allen's defeat to Jim Webb?

Mr Attorney General:

Does your staff actually do work during the day for the Commonwealth?

"UPDATE: It was unfair to characterize Mr Tucker's email as SPAM. I get sometimes two notes a day from him. All of the notes are addressed to the same group mail list that many other Virginia bloggers are on. I obviously have the option to disenrole from getting further notes from Mr Tucker and he assures me that he will cheerfully comply. I am convinced that Mr. Tucker's efforts at distributing public information to the VA blog community are well-intentioned if a bit too frequent for my tastes."

[Andy]

This weekend Virginia Tech and Virginia play in their annual rivalry. Any comments on the game?

Oh my gosh! The Communications Director communicates with people--bloggers even!!

Send in the militia!

Yes, he should be allowed to send out campaign emails for 4 years! The work of the commonwealth be damned!

and all the receptionists should be allowed to continue stuffing campaign contribution mailings too!

There are no agencies to be regulating or assisting!

Tucker! Tucker! He's our man if he can't spam us nobody can!

Is this the same Tucker Martin involved with Speaker Wilkins?

or the one involved with the eavesdropping scandal?

[DukieDem]

Mr. Attorney General,
What odds do you give your Fighting Irish against Southern Cal on Saturday?

Mr. Attorney General,
Whar are your thoughts on the proposal for a new Business 460 to releive traffic congestion between Metro Richmond and the Tidewater area?

[TLM]

Mr. AG

Now that you have saved Virginia and marriage from those scary taxpaying gay couples, will you now push to make divorce illegal in Virginia?? Afterall, isn't that the real threat to marriage today given a 50% fail rate for most straight couples??

But seriously, will you lead an effort to cleanup the laws now on the books to ensure that those unintended consequences really can't happen.. especially those relating to parental rights of gay couples with children? You do care about the children right?

[Southwest by Southeast]

This is ridiculous. I am a blogger who appreciates Tucker Martin and the job he is doing. I cannot believe someone is going after him for doing his job. As someone said at 2:30 - imagine that, a communications director actually communicating with bloggers. The AG and the AG’s office has been very supportive of the blogging community. They recognize the power of this media and the impact it has on the future of the Commonwealth. I appreciate the notices that Mr. Martin sends out on a regular basis. I found out about the AG doing this live blog via email.

I know Tucker cares deeply about Virginia. I know he dots his i's and crosses his t's, he follows the rules. To assert that he is stuffing campaign contribution mailings from a government agency is ridiculous. Also, if you are passionate in your hatred of Mr. Martin's work - why don't you post your name rather than staying anonymous?

[Southwest by Southeast]

One more thing…

As a blogger, I have noticed that the Mr. Martin’s policy of communicating with bloggers in his role as Director of Communications. Look, he sends out these emails because he respects the new media and wants to make sure bloggers get the same press releases and advisories as the traditional main stream media press corps. Bloggers should be happy about this equal treatment. We’re on the same level of continuous communication as is the MSM. Am I the only blogger that is happy about this? I love those emails and wish the Governor’s office, Lt. Governor’s Office, etc. all did the same. I think that if anyone doesn’t want to get the press releases could just send an email to Mr. Martin and would be removed from the list instantly.

See, the whole purpose is to inform Virginians about what the AG’s office and the AG are doing.

Furthermore, Tucker Martin has NOTHING to do with the eavesdropping scandal or Vance Wilkins. Where did you get that? You must be mixing him up with someone else. Get your facts straight.

[Not Larry Sabato]

1) Anon, you got your point across, stop the Tucker bashing.

2) I got that email, and it came from his AOL account.

3) Southwest- All three offices do those emails, so ask to be put on the list for the LG and the Governor.

[Southwest by Southeast]

I will. Thanks NLS. Thanks for hosting this live blog as well.

[Doug in Mount Vernon]

How does Lisa Jenkins-Miller have the right to undo decades of federal family custody law precedent by undermining the civil union agreement she entered into with Janet Jenkins-Miller in Vermont?

How will the child be harmed if her mother Janet is allowed to be a part of her life and support her in her growth and development?

[Southern Democrat]

My first question was to be on the repealing of the Payday Loan Act of 2002, but a previous comment addressed that.

So, my next question:

This weekend, the Virginia Tech Hokies face uva in their annual clash. Please share with us more than your thoughts (as suggested earlier) but your PREDICTION! You MUST predict a winner, the score doesn't matter!

[Not Larry Sabato]

You are being too easy on Bob. I want the score. :)

[Scott Martin]

Tucker Martin is the man.

[Jay Speer]

Large out-of-state car title lending companies are gouging Virginians with predatory loans of more than 300% interest. These lenders claim they can ignore the Virginia 36% interest rate cap on small loans by exploiting an exception for open-end loans. Several people have sued these lenders for violating state law and obtained quick settlements. Do you plan to take action to stop these lenders?

[Anonymous]

AG

While I commend you, your hardwork and temperment, your 20 something year old campaign manager/director of administration has lousy people skills. You are a public official and your advisors are a reflection of you.

[Southern Democrat]

Alright, at the blessing of Ben,

Mr. Attorney General:
Aside from the winner, I now ask that you provide us with a score to the VT-uva game this saturday :)

In a GOP Primary for Governor where both candidates are, essentially equally conservative and both come from roughly equal population bases, which factor will prove more important: TV Good looks tempered by campaign disorganization and mediocre intellect or A face for radio that is combined with intellect and drive?

[Darth Vader Switched Sides]

Whomever ragged on Janet Polarek earlier was just plain wrong...Throught her efforts in the position as Director of Administration at the AG's Office, she has does much to boost the morale of the staff; worked with key elected officials in the legislature to secure needed resources to add staff to fight internet predators who go after children; she is a proven leader. The same folks that criticize Janet Polarek are the same ones the criticized Webb's campaign manager, Jessica Van Denberg. Make way for the new generation folks...women like Janet and Jessica are leading the way...back off of the testosterone for a minute and make way for a new type of effective leadership...from WOMEN who can make a difference. Or is it just a shred of insecurity exist in you when you see women like Polarek and Vandenberg achieve success when many of their male counterparts went down in flames over the last few years. At least Polarek and Vandenberg WON for their candidates...even though both races were less than one half of one percent. You criticized it, you own it. Step up and defend yourself you mere unic.

[t]

Bob, what specific pro-life proposals will you champion in your AG legislative package. Much to my dismay, abortion continues unabated in the Commonwealth.

t weeps

[Not Kansas]

In many states there has been a debate brewing between those who would continue the teaching of evolution and those who would teach "intelligent design." Given how this debate is spreading, it is in inevitable that the issue will come up in Virginia in the next few years. Do you believe that Intelligent Design should be taught in Virginia's public schools? Should localities have that option? Should it be part of the SOL's and science curriculum?

[Shaun Kenney Groupie]

Does your hiring of Senator Bill Mims means that you support Mims' vote for the '04 tax increase? And would you support Mims should Mims run in a GOP Primary in the future given the fact that he is a tax-raiser?

[Fairfax]

General McDonnell,
What role will you play in next year's legislative elections?

Thanks for doing this BobbyMac!

Do you feel the hiring rule in the AG's office preventing the hiring of any attorney who graduated from a non-accredited law school should be changed in light of the fact that Regent was not accredited when you graduated and you would not have been able to get a job in his your own office had you applied at the time?

[t]

t strongly believes that Intelligent Design should be taught in Virginia's public schools.

[J. Sarge]

Ladies and Gentleman (and I use those terms loosely):

I understand that blogging is a relaxed forum. I also realize that anonymity is a way of life in the blogosphere (given my pseudonymous nature). Nevertheless, the manner in which some people have presented themselves in this thread is deplorable.

I am not a supporter of the Attorney General, but I respect the office and am certainly willing to give its occupant the grace I would afford any other fellow Virginian. He is taking time out of his schedule to answer our questions, and we have an opportunity to ask the tough questions in an open forum.

To those who believe you are asking "gotcha" questions, I can only surmise that you are posting in the hopes that the AG declines to engage in your gutter-wrestling. Then you can say "Aha, he won't answer the tough questions - what a weakling!" If that is your thought, you are immature (and naive) beyond words. Not to mention wrong. If you are simply throwing rhetorical bombs, I suggest saving them for later or another venue. The only thing they can accomplish here is to cause Mr. McDonnell to decline participation. Then what have you done? He has failed to go on the record altogether and none of the (legitimate) tough questions are asked.

There are many interesting topics hiding in these threads. I am curious about several of the issues raised by some of the most boorish posters. It is a shame that they have given the Attorney General ample cause to ignore their questions.

_____________________

Mr. Attorney General, to the extent that you continue to participate (and have made it this far down the thread), thank you for again entering the blogosphere. My question:

Is it your policy to defend against ALL challenges to the acts of the General Assembly, and, if so, how do you ensure zealous advocacy of those positions with which you personally disagree and may consider not only bad but also potentially dangerous?

Thank you for participating.

- J.Sarge

________________________

Dear Attorney General,

Do you have a position on the lawsuit against the Attorney General's office stemming from the termination of many career employees of the office under your predecessor and can you give us an update on the lawsuit?

[J. Sarge]

Anon 8:32,

I don't mean to preempt the Attorney General, and I may misunderstand your question, but I believe the Supreme Court of Virginia has already ruled on that suit. The opinion can be found here:

http://www.courts.state.va.us/opinions/opnscvwp/1051041.pdf

I apologize if I misunderstood.

XXXXXXX

(Update from NLS: Sorry "A Concerned Citizen", I'm not allowing questions on that topic today I've edited your comment to delete it.)

[t]

"Concerned citizen" - you have such wonderful class. Hopefully you are proud of yourself. You are so certain that you are funny. You are so oblivious to the fact that you are pitied even by your fellow NLS liberals. You are truly a pitiable creature.

Censorship is alive and well on NLS!

OK, let me rephrase the question to take it out of the realm of the personal. Does Mr. McDonnell still believe, as a public policy matter, that someone who has had oral sex should be disqualified from a high office like a judgeship?

[Not Scott Martin]

Good call on hiring Tucker Martin. Anytime you hire a Hopewell native, it is a good thing.

Serious policy question given the time of the year and your future political career ambitions - are you more of a stuffing man, or do you prefer mashed potatoes??

The constituencies of both starch camps anxiously await your response.

[Not Larry Sabato]

OK, I saved my question for last.

Could you explain why you chose not to appear with Allen on election night? The Times-Dispatch ran an editorial on this, but I didn't understand what you were doing.

[William Jackson]

Mr. Attorney General,
During your next election, for whichever office it may be, what area of the state do you deem to be most important?

[Bob McDonnell]

Hey folks, sorry to be a little late, just getting back from a press conference with the Central Virginia Food Bank, a very worthy organization here in Richmond. On to the first question.

OK, I saved my question for last.
Could you explain why you chose not to appear with Allen on election night? The Times-Dispatch ran an editorial on this, but I didn't understand what you were doing.
Answer:

Ben, I’ll take yours first as you are the host. When it became clear that the Senate race might be headed to a recount I had to remove myself from any appearance of partisanship to ensure that my duties as Attorney General were satisfied. Namely, I am counsel to the State Board of Elections. The Board would have needed legal advice and it would be my role to help provide. I took off my political hat and put on my professional hat, as I must do as the Commonwealth’s Attorney General

[Bob McDonnell]

The AG typically has a legislative agenda every year for consideration by the General Assembly. Can you give us a preview of what bills you will be presenting for the upcoming session?

Posted by: York Co. | November 21, 2006 at 12:17 PM

Good question York. At this point I have not publicly released my 2007 legislative agenda, so while I can't give you bill numbers and specifics, I can talk generally about what I want to accomplish this session.

I want to ensure that Virginia is prepared in the event of a natural or manmade disaster to handle whatever may result. I want to continue my effort to better protect Virginia's children, with a focus on their online activities, this will be achieved through the recommendations of my Youth Internet Safety Task Force. Thirdly, we will continue our work to combat gangs and drugs in the Commonwealth.

[Bob McDonnell]

Alright, at the blessing of Ben,

Mr. Attorney General:
Aside from the winner, I now ask that you provide us with a score to the VT-uva game this saturday :)

Posted by: Southern Democrat | November 21, 2006 at 06:11 PM

Alright Southern Democrat I will pick a score, how about VT 31 UVa 17, but as I type this my Wahoo fans in the office are booing me!

As for me, Saturday my focus is on Notre Dame-USC, and I won't be answering any phone calls between 8-11PM!

[Not Larry Sabato]

Now we just have to see if your football prediction is as good as Bill Bolling's prediction on Allen. :)

[GOPHokie]

Glad to see you are right in one out of 2 football picks (I cant stand ND).

You are giving the uva offense too much credit though.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Mr. Attorney General,

Why, as chief law enforcement officer of Virginia, did you feel the need to wade in so heavily in favor of the Marshall-Newman constitutional amendment that will do absolutely nothing to protect marriages?

Also, do you believe it should continue to be legal in Virginia for gay and lesbian citizens to be fired from their jobs purely on the basis of their sexual orientation?

Posted by: ZB | November 21, 2006 at 02:05 PM

Answer: Under Virginia law I am head of the Department of Law, and not technically the Chief Law Enforcement officer in Virginia, though that is a common misconception. The role of Chief Law Enforcement officer is actually held by Colonel Flaherty at the State Police, and in the localities your Police Chief or Sheriff. I do have substantial law enforcement duties pursuant to statute and work very closely with state, local and federal law enforcement, but I wanted to point out that technical note.

As for the marriage amendment. As the head of the Department of Law I respond to opinion requests and I got multiple requests for an opinion on the potential legal impacts of passage of the Marriage Amendment. Specifically, legislators wanted to know what the impact would be on unmarried Virginians legal rights. I provided a detail legal opinion, available on our website.

As you know as a legislator I was a supporter of the constitutional amendment and other statutes protecting traditional marriage.I believe that strengthening marriage prevents a host of social problems, which the citizens of Virginia must endure and pay for the amelioration of through social services.

As for the second half of your question concerning employment, I don't support the hiring or discharge of any state employee on any basis other than merit. My office policy is to hire the best and brightest attorneys and staff who are committed to public service and have integrity and a strong work ethic.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: How will you work with - will you be working with Sen-elect Webb?

Posted by: Outside the Belway | November 21, 2006 at 12:42 PM

Answer: As Attorney General my job is to work with all elected and appointed government officials to serve the best interests of the citizens of Virginia. I currently have an excellent working relationship with Governor Tim Kaine and his staff, and I believe they trust the legal advice they recieve from our office.

While I was, and am, a very strong supporter of George Allen, who I believe was the most effective Governor of the modern era and an excellent Senator, the people have chosen a new leader. I have long said that I respect Jim Webb's military service and leadership of the United States Navy, we both had children (and his son is still there) serving in Iraq at the same time. So I will find common ground to work with Senator Webb on issues important to all Virginians.

[Publius]

Attorney General McDonnell,

How effective have the new Child Sexual Preditor Laws been in keep these individuals away from our children?

[Bob McDonnell]

Answer: Mr. Attorney General-

What exactly did you see that qualified your 20-something-year-old Campaign Manager to be your Director of Administration?

Can you explain why those that receive political appointments are viewed so negatively by the regular civilian government workforce?

Posted by: Not Anne Petera | November 21, 2006 at 12:35 PM

Answer: Let me start by saying that Janet Polarek is doing an outstanding job as the Director of Administration and has the full confidence and trust of those who report to her. As a result of her leadership office morale is high. Major strategic reorganizations and new personnel programs have been implemented, dramatically improving office performance.

The Office has recieved praise from many quarters such as the auditor for office administration, and the State Librarian for records retention. We have been able to recruit some of the best and brightest lawyers and staff into public service.

I don't know where you are getting your information but it is absolutely innaccurate. People forget that individuals like Janet Polarek have given up more lucrative private sector opportunities to come here and serve the people.

PS: You have her age wrong, but she will appreciate it!

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Attorney General McDonnell,

How effective have the new Child Sexual Preditor Laws been in keep these individuals away from our children?

Posted by: Publius | November 22, 2006 at 12:34 PM

Answer: Thanks for the great policy question, on an important issue of the day. As you know we were successful in championing whole sale reforms of our sexual predator laws this session of the General Assembly. The General Assembly passed all 12 of our bills unanimously and the Governor was kind enough to sign them all at a joint press conference in April.

Most of the bills went into effect just 4 months ago, so their success is not yet truly measurable. However, we are certain that the reforms to enact a 25 year mandatory-minimum for first-time violent child sex offenders, impose GPS tracking upon release, and institute a state of the art sex offender registry website will protect children better and reduce victimization in Virginia.

[Used2Bneutral]

Question: Mr. Attorney General
While Virginia is one the real leaders in the technology of the Internet and the home to companies like AOL, The incidence of Cyber-Crime and in particular identity theft has been become rampent.... It was my understanding that the Virginia State police have only one Cyber trained State Policeman for all of Fairfax county and most of Northern Virginia..... there is no other police organization that has the authority and scope to deal with crimes now in the $1000 to $50000 range that cross at least county and local boundaries.... we as citizens of both Virginia and the Web have been at a big disadvantage for a long time.... any ideas?? The Feds have trigger amounts now in the $250k range before they even get interested.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Mr Attorney General,

Do you plan to support Delegate O'Bannon's payday lendors bill as a sign of standing up to an industry who bankrolled your AG campaign?

Posted by: | November 21, 2006 at 11:59 AM

Answer: Your question is fraught with inaccuracies in terms of campaign finance. I raised nearly $6 million in my race for AG from a number of individuals and businesses to finance my campaign. In my role as head of the Department of Law my job is to enforce state laws concering payday lenders and any other Virginia business, and I take that job dead seriously. I have not had an opportunity to personally review what Delegate O'Bannon intends to file on this subject this year.

[Publius]

Thank you Mr. Attorney General for your work on this and many other issues important to the good people of the Commonwealth.

With Virginia turning into a "Purple State" do you have any thoughts about '08 and '09 politically?

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Mr. Attorney General, to the extent that you continue to participate (and have made it this far down the thread), thank you for again entering the blogosphere. My question:

Is it your policy to defend against ALL challenges to the acts of the General Assembly, and, if so, how do you ensure zealous advocacy of those positions with which you personally disagree and may consider not only bad but also potentially dangerous?

Thank you for participating.

- J.Sarge

Answer: That is an excellent question, and I thank you for asking it. My job as Attorney General is to defend the statutes of Virginia from attack against claims of unconstitutionality or other legal actions. As such, I make no judgement on the law based on how I may have voted in the General Assembly. We are currently defending statutes in court based solely on the law, and applicable legal principles not personal philosophies.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Which is the bigger loss for Virginia, Chad Dotson deciding to stop blogging at Commonwealth Conservative or Senator Allen's defeat to Jim Webb?

Posted by: Not Chad Dotson | November 21, 2006 at 02:13 PM

Answer: All of us in Virginia politics will miss Chad's great contributions to the blogosphere. He was one of the leading conservative bloggers who took a responsible approach to the exercize of first amendment rights and focused on substantive policy issues, as well as running a great caption contest! We will miss Chad, but I bet he can't stay away long.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Does your hiring of Senator Bill Mims means that you support Mims' vote for the '04 tax increase? And would you support Mims should Mims run in a GOP Primary in the future given the fact that he is a tax-raiser?

Posted by: Shaun Kenney Groupie | November 21, 2006 at 07:30 PM

Answer: Wait a minute, he voted for what?! "Janet, prepare the pink slip!"

In all seriousness, I hired the brightest lawyer I could for the position of Chief Deputy. Bill Mims is an excellent manager, a lawyer with outstanding intellect and people skills and he is doing a great job in office.

I disagreed with him on the tax vote in 2004 and on other issues. But overall Bill has a solid conservative record as a legislator for 14 years. He runs this office well.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Do you think Sen. Warner will run again in 2008?

Posted by: | November 21, 2006 at 12:47 PM

Answer: In a time of war it is great to have a Senator like John Warner with a 61 year connection to the United States Military. He is a great Virginian, and a steady hand in Washington.

[Bob McDonnell]

Question: Mr. Attorney General,
What odds do you give your Fighting Irish against Southern Cal on Saturday?

Posted by: DukieDem | November 21, 2006 at 02:54 PM

Answer: The Irish are due. They've got a terrific passing attack which I hope is superior to the USC defense. I expect a high scoring affair with the Irish coming back to pull out the win in the 4th Quarter.

My more immediate concern though is whether the Irish will beat UVa Friday in the NCAA soccer Tournament in C'Ville!

[Bob McDonnell]

Alright folks, I tried to stay 5 minutes late to make up for the late start. Sorry I couldn't get to all the questions, but I got to as many as we had time for. I hope everyone enjoys their long Thanksgiving weekends and if you have a moment, visit your local Food Bank to volunteer or donate, they do great work.

We are all blessed to live in this great Commonwealth and have much to be thankful for, Republicans and Democrats! Enjoy Thanksgiving.

[Used2Bneutral]

Thanks for you interest and your participation, it was much appreciated

[Not Larry Sabato]

Thanks for participating and have a good Thanksgiving. We'll link back to this on Monday so anyone who is already with their families will get to check in on your answers. Thanks again.

this is a man who wants to imprison people (except, apparently, himself) for engaging in oral sex and he gets questions about football and mashed potatoes. jesus f'in christ...

[Terry]

Anon 4:03pm, good point, but what do you think the chances are that McDonnell would EVER come back if he were asked why he wanted to imprison people for oral sex? lol.... By the way, did NLS edit any of teh comments in any way??

[Southern Democrat]

I asked about football ONLY because my first question about payday lending and O'Bannon's bill was already asked.

Anon 4:03-
If you are such a critic, why didn't you ask those questions yourself?

ummm...i did.

[Terry]

"Now we just have to see if your football prediction is as good as Bill Bolling's prediction on Allen. :)"

LMAO, nice.

Virginia's sodomy laws, though still on the books, are no longer in force becuase of the Supreme Court's decision in Lawrence v. Texas.

The consideration of the judge that prompted your question dealt with her sitting on the bench in judgment of others after allegations of sexual harassment, not imprisonment for oral sex (very creative of you, though).

The sodomy laws are moot--so is your question.

PS-- no one's going to jail, so go wild!

[Southern Democrat]

Alright, well I just mostly sifted through what he answered and not the globs of what was written. I think I misunderstood you.

Anon 5:48pm, that's a very interesting interpretation of recent events, but unfortunately it's quite off the mark. As recently as Nov. 2005, a Virginia court upheld the state's sodomy statute, which continues to carry with it a 5-year prison sentence for violators. And while there were indeed allegations of sexual harassment against the judge in question, Mr. McDonnell did specifically comment at the time that someone who'd committed sodomy (not just someone who'd committed sexual harrassment) should have their qualifications for office called into question. This was not a gray issue in any way. He was clearly playing to his Christian Coalition base. But thankfully a reporter had the balls to ask him if he himself had ever committed sodomy, to which he replied, infamously, "I don't recall." Which has to be the single most craven and stupid thing a Virginia politican has ever said (and yes, I'm including George Allen here).

For more info. see http://www.sodomylaws.org/usa/virginia/virginia.htm

6:22 PM-- I clicked the link you provided--

The November '05 prosecution was for solicitation of "oral sex from an undercover officer in a department store restroom."

So you think this should be legal? I'm not sure a woman approached in a bathroom solicited for sex would agree with you.

[mosquito]

Very disappointing live blog w/ an elected representative....he was able to come, appear, and deal with easy fluff questions....

Buzz..Buzz...