GOP Ticket Visits Abingdon

ABINGDON, Va. –  Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob McDonnell emphasized the importance of coal in the state’s energy future Monday, when he kicked off a day of campaign stops across the state.

Fresh from receiving their party’s nominations Saturday, McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, nominee for attorney general, spoke to a crowd of about 40 here, during a hastily organized morning rally at Virginia Highlands Airport. It was the first of six events Monday in which the candidates emphasized differences with the Democratic Party.

“Coal is an important part of our energy plan,” McDonnell said later in a phone interview. “And the promise of clean coal is so important to Southwest Virginia. Coal will be a part of our energy program along with natural gas, nuclear, offshore drilling and the green initiatives like wind, biomass and renewables.”

McDonnell said the state and nation already rely heavily on coal and he expects carbon sequestration and capture technology to drastically reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants.

“Once the CO2 is removed, the coal industry will boom. That is vital to Virginia because we have one of the nation’s largest natural deposits, especially with the new plant in Wise and likely the one in Surry County,” McDonnell said, referring to the construction of a coal-fired power plant in Wise County.

The visit marked McDonnell’s second to Southwest Virginia in about a week. Late last month, the former state attorney general attended an event at the Bristol Public Library with Michael Steele, chairman of the Republican National Committee.

Democrats will select their nominee during a primary election June 9. That field includes state Sen. Creigh Deeds, of Charlottesville, former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, of Fairfax, and former state Delegate Brian Moran, of Alexandria.

McDonnell said the GOP plans to offer clear alternatives to the Democratic candidate who emerges from next week’s primary election.

“There are significant differences between our opponents and us,” McDonnell said. “This ticket will offer positive, innovative solutions to create new jobs and provide greater freedom and opportunity for all Virginians.”

Bolling said the GOP ticket wants to be known as the party that will “just say yes” to workable solutions that solve the state’s problems.

“We have to get the economy moving again and create jobs Virginians need to protect their economic security,” Bolling said. “To do that, we need experienced leaders who can work together to get results and that is what we will offer the people of Virginia.”

Bolling, who grew up in Dickenson and Tazewell counties, said the GOP ticket’s theme is to promote positive changes in economic development and higher education.

“The most important issue is to get the economy moving again,” Bolling said. “That means offering a regulatory environment that is favorable to creating jobs, protecting small business, protecting the coal industry and its stance on right-to-work laws. Those are all important parts of providing a pro-business environment.”

In response to the GOP “Just Say Yes” tour Monday, state Democratic Party Communications Director Jared Leopold issued a statement Monday evening.

“We’re glad to see Bob McDonnell and the Party of No trying to expand their vocabulary,” he wrote. “Today’s tour is a cynical attempt to mislead Virginians and rewrite the last eight years of history. For nearly a decade, Bob McDonnell has said no to Mark Warner and Tim Kaine’s plans to move Virginia forward. McDonnell said no to preserving Virginia’s economic stability, he said no to transportation solutions and he said no to $125 million for Virginia’s unemployed.”

Cuccinelli, the Republican attorney general candidate who spoke by phone moments before speaking at a similar event at the Shenandoah Valley Airport in Weyers Cave, said he is “honored” to be part of the ticket.

“I hope to follow in some big footsteps and make this five in a row for the Republican Party in the AG’s office,” Cuccinelli said.

The tour also included stops at airports in Roanoke, Dulles, Fredericksburg and Norfolk.

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