In response to a report posted by Virginia’s most respected
conservative blog (did you catch the sarcasm?), Bearing Drift, Gov. Bob
McDonnell’s director of communications, Tucker Martin, denied that the ‘gov’ is
resigning. Also chiming in to deny McDonnell’s resignation was Virginia’s omnipresent
political force, Larry Sabato, who “Tweeted”
on Sunday morning, : “Gov. Bob McDonnell is NOT resigning. I have checked. That
is official. Irresponsible rumors are wrong.” When phrases like “irresponsible
rumors” start getting thrown around, you know the discussion has entered the
sphere of “kinda serious.”
Sabato again Tweeted, “I normally ignore a rumor. But it's
so widespread tonite I sought and received official permission to post this.”
Who will eventually triumph as the ultimate victor in this
on-going political saga and rumor-mill involving Gov. Bob McDonnell? Stay
tuned, we’ll find out soon enough.
Although McDonnell SHOULD resign, it seems at this point
that Virginia’s governor would like to ride out the remainder of his term in
the Executive Mansion, barring any federal indictment or further revelations of
unethical or illegal spending or political ‘gift’ receiving allegations or
habits. McDonnell is largely following the Public Relations 101 response to
accusations of unethical behavior: deny, deny, deny, and act as if nothing out
of the ordinary is occurring (like a federal investigation).
Why should the governor, resign, you might be asking? For
one, whether or not Gov. McDonnell’s actions were illegal, ask yourself whether
you would be comfortable accepting a Rolex timepiece from a political
contributor who also has business interests
that would clearly benefit from your largesse? For me, I would have to lean on
the side of caution due to the easily perceived unethical behavior this act
could demonstrate to the people of Virginia!
Secondly, McDonnell’s resignation is simply the right thing
to do amid the crescendo of allegations, revelations, and investigations into
McDonnell’s conduct as governor. For all intents and purposes, in other words,
McDonnell is a REALLY lame-duck governor because he now lacks the moral and leadership
authority to be effective in the role of governor. Of course, maybe I’m biased
against McDonnell, anyways (just a little).
Whether or not McDonnell resigns today or rides out the
remaining months of his term, his legacy won’t be the comprehensive transportation
package, as
he seemed to have wanted. It will be that of a promising politician in the Republican
Party who lost his way amid the free watches, vacation home stays, sports car rides,
and who knows what else. Thanks, Bob, for the important lesson you have taught
all Virginians!
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