RPV Chairman Pat Mullins' comment about Democrat ticket

Republican Party of Virginia Chairman Pat Mullins today issued the following statement regarding the selection of Democratic candidates for statewide offices Tuesday. The Democratic ticket will now feature Creigh Deeds for governor, Jody Wagner for lieutenant governor and Steve Shannon for attorney general. Mullins’ statement is as follows:

“Virginia Democrats have nominated a slate of three candidates that would raise taxes as soon as possible and lead with the people’s checkbook as their weapon. Should they succeed in their mission, these three candidates would increase the financial strain on Virginians and private enterprise, depress economic growth and stifle job creation.

“Republicans are the Party of ‘Yes.’ We will promote energy independence. We will protect our Right-to-Work law and keep Virginia competitive. We will promote education reform through charter schools and performance pay for teachers. We will demand efficiency in spending and eliminate burdensome regulations to make government simpler and more user-friendly. And we will offer innovative solutions to stimulate the economy and promote job growth. At each step of the way, Republicans will say ‘yes!’ to these ideals, while our opponents will say ‘no!’

“Given the dismal voter turnout in their primary election, it is clear that there is little excitement in their party and an even smaller appetite for the kind of expansive government their candidates represent. By contrast, our party is enthusiastically behind our excellent ticket of Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli, as proven by the attendance of over 8,000 Republicans at our recent convention. Everywhere I travel in Virginia, local Republican interest is high, which bodes well for our chances in November.

“In Creigh Deeds, Democrats have selected a candidate for governor who has answered every question government faces by seeking new taxes to hike. He has consistently looked into the pocketbooks of hardworking Virginia families to fund his priorities, including supporting a 30-percent increase in the gasoline tax – even at a time when gas was hovering around $4.00 a gallon. Additionally, he leads a ticket that refuses to oppose Card Check, which damages the economy and kills jobs. As we fight to emerge from a difficult economic period, Virginia simply cannot afford a governor whose first options are to find more of the people’s money to throw around and embrace policies that hurt job creation.

“Jody Wagner brings a record of failed economic and financial policies of the past to the general election. She has supported raising nearly every tax imaginable on Virginia's families and businesses and was the leader of the financial team that created $5 billion in budget deficits. A close ally of Big Labor, she also opposes efforts to expand nuclear power, clean coal and development of Virginia's off shore energy resources, which would create thousands of new jobs.

“Steve Shannon is looking to leave behind his status as a back-bencher in the legislature to continue to promote his belief in higher economic burdens on working families. His record reflects full-voiced support for higher taxes and staunch opposition to tax relief. When Virginians are hurting and are in need of new and better jobs, his view of the taxpayer as an unlimited funding source is the last thing we want.

“Finally, the rejection of Terry McAuliffe indicates that even Democrats are disillusioned about the direction their party and leadership have taken. When a wealthy, insider financed, nationally prominent, personal friend of the Clintons is rebuked in such a manner, it is a clear indicator of a party in disarray from top to bottom. On the Republican side, we are energized and look forward to the road ahead.”

So is Creigh Deeds Virginia's version of Jimmy Carter?