Bolling feels good about McCain’s chances in Virginia

By Bob Stuart

Published: August 28, 2008

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said the real campaign for president is just starting, and he likes fellow Republican John McCain’s chances in both Virginia and the country in November.
“There is still a huge block of undecided voters,’’ said Bolling prior to helping open the Waynesboro Republican Committee headquarters on Thursday night. “I’m very optimistic about where we are.”
Bolling said he thinks Virginia will vote Republican again in November, just as it has in every presidential race since Lyndon Johnson won the Old Dominion in 1964.
When speaking to a packed room of Republicans inside the Willow Oak Plaza headquarters, Bolling said McCain has the advantage over Democratic nominee Barack Obama on the major issues.
“I don’t think he has the background knowledge and experience to be president,’’ Bolling said of Obama. “John McCain does.”
Bolling said the United States cannot afford “a de facto surrender in the war on terror,’’ and said the country must remain in Iraq and Afghanistan until the work is done.
He said McCain’s economic strategy is also a correct one that emphasizes the cutting of taxes, reduced government spending and the private sector.
“Barack Obama thinks we must raise taxes and have larger government,’’ he said. And Bolling said McCain also wants to begin drilling for oil and has a better grasp on energy policy.
While the Shenandoah Valley is a bastion of Republican strength, one prospective statewide candidate urged the local GOP members not to get complacent about the elections.
Fairfax Sen. Ken Cuccinelli, a 2009 candidate for attorney general, urged area voters to make sure they came out in force for 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte on Nov. 4. He said a vote for Goodlatte is likely a vote for McCain in a state he needs to win the presidency.
“Do not take the Goodlatte race for granted,’’ Cuccinelli said. “Everyone who votes for him will vote for McCain … And I don’t think McCain can win without Virginia.”
  A similar message came from Del. Steve Landes, R-Weyers Cave, who represents Waynesboro. Landes said the real work lies ahead for local Republicans “who need to get their friends and neighbors” to the polls in November to vote for McCain, Goodlatte and U.S. Senate candidate Jim Gilmore.