I have told Marra numerous times that we will review as many candidates as possible during the primary season with an open mind. I want us to listen, to watch, to read, to try to uncover what each candidate could contribute to our country as President. The good and the bad will be discussed, without Daddy whispering too much in her ear. I cannot keep this promise to her, however, when it comes to Jim Gilmore.
During what I recall was the second Republican debate in the spring (might have been in SC), Gimore was asked a question about his conservative credentials. He instantly touted his elimination of the car tax in Virginia as one of his signature accomplishments and proof of his bright red conservative colors. Really. On behalf of all Virginians who still write a car tax check to the government every October 5th, I must ask, "Can I get my money back?" If not, someone has some explaining to do, because those checks get cashed every October for a tax payment that Gilmore claims to have eliminated.
OK, let's give him the benefit of the doubt. Perhaps he doesn't know the meaning of the word "eliminate".
Here's the history of the issue, as I understand it: residents of Virginia pay a personal property tax annually, assessed against the current value of their cars (and maybe motorcycles and boats, too, but I can't afford such luxury conveyances). Everyone hates this tax, for a variety of reasons. First, the bill comes 2 months before Christmas, and that can get the holiday cheer off to a rocky start. Second, it is tax. Third, it is typically a big dollar amount tax. He campaigned with huge signs everywhere saying "No Car Tax". In fairness, he also ran on the issue that crime is scary and bad and coming to your homes, and that only he could stop criminals from raping your daughters and giving drugs to your babies. So he won, on the promise to Virginians that he would make the car tax go away. The legislature passed a phase-out plan for the tax, but it just shifted the revenue shortfall issue to the counties to figure out. What do you think the counties would do to make up for the shortfall? Raise taxes! Perhaps Jim didn't think this car tax thing through...or worse, he did, but figured he'd rather win by pandering rather than lose with the truth.
He will say anything to get elected, and did. I hope that is not what he means when he says he is the only "true conservative" in the race. Certainly, that would be bad for the conservative image.
Here's another Gilmore "signature" - he likes to say the same thing over and over, regardless of its basis in fact or truth, because he subscribes to the theory that if it's repeated enough, it's just got to be true. Don't you think after 8 years of that theory in practice in the White House, that we try a different approach? Just because Gilmore says that he did a great job managing the finances of Virginia during his 4 years (1997 to 2001 - a boom time for Virginia, especially with the explosion of high tech industry in the state, AOL the highest profile example), this doesn't erase the reality that he ran the treasury into the ground. He did such a terrible job that Red state Virginia went for a Democratic governor to succeed him.
Gimore's so-called qualifications: 4 years as Virginia governor (state law limits the governor to one term only); head of Republican National Committee a couple years; stint as Attorney General; coattail rider of George Allen's. That's about it. Pretty thin stuff.
So, Marra, I apologize. We won't be visiting Gilmore headquarters to stuff envelopes or meet the handful of staff members who might be hanging on. We might go to a Gilmore event, however, and hand him our 2007 car tax bill. Maybe he could "eliminate" it for us, preferably with cash. I wouldn't accept a check from him.
JS
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