Governor McDonnell recognized by tech council for extraordinary leadership

Governor Bob McDonnell has excelled the past four years leading Virginia in the right direction, and Wednesday night he was recognized for that accomplishment. McLean-based Northern Virginia Technology Council presented their Chairman's Award to the Governor in recognition of "his extraordinary leadership of the Commonwealth and his successful efforts in ensuring Virginia remains a top state for business."

For a man who campaigned as "Bob's For Jobs," it is a recognition that he kept that campaign promise, and more. He joins a Who's Who of leaders including former Senator George Allen, former Congressman Tom Davis, former Senator John Warner, Senator Mark Warner, and Senator Tim Kaine.

Appreciative of the award, McDonnell noted:

“Over the past four years we’ve worked across party lines to bring Virginians together to get positive results for the Commonwealth. In this effort we’ve had no greater partner than the Northern Virginia Technology Council.

"Through the leadership of President Bobbie Kilberg, the group has been a consistent and effective advocate for a number of our policy proposals including our successful efforts to make college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students, help Virginia’s technology community thrive and succeed in an increasingly competitive global economy, and finally put in place the long overdue, long-term transportation funding plan Virginia businesses needed to keep creating good paying jobs for our citizens. Today, unemployment is down and the Commonwealth is headed in the right direction. I thank the members of the NVTC for their hard work in helping make these accomplishments possible, and I greatly appreciate tonight’s award.”

NVTC President and CEO Bobbie Kilberg was complimentary of McDonnell, commenting:

“We are very pleased to present the 2013 NVTC Chairman's Award to Governor Bob McDonnell in recognition of his exceptional service to the Commonwealth. During his four years in office, Governor McDonnell has advocated for policies that promote technology, entrepreneurship and innovation, backed increased funding for education with a focus on producing more graduates with science, technology, engineering and math degrees, and championed much-needed comprehensive transportation funding legislation. His extraordinary leadership and policy initiatives have helped ensure that Virginia remains a top state for business.”

Congratulations to Governor McDonnell for this well-deserved recognition.

John Warner hospitalized

Sen. John Warner, 81, R-Va., has been hospitalized with an abnormal heart beat.

Augusta County GOP Chair encouraged by possible Saxman bid for U.S. Senate

Jim Riley over at Virginia Virtucon explored the possibility of Delegate Chris Saxman running for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by John Warner. Saxman (R-Staunton) won election to the 20th House District in 2001 on his conservative principles.

I posed the question to political insiders in SWAC. One of the more interesting conversations was with Augusta County Chairman Dr. Kurt Michael who was encouraged by the fact Chris Saxman was thinking of running for U.S. Senate. Some of the points he mentioned were Saxman's involvement in the Virginia Cost Cutting Caucus and Americans For Prosperity, his support of the Marriage Amendment, and his work to bring about legislation for school choice.

Chairman Michael said Chris Saxman is a rising star in the Republican Party, has shown mature leadership in the Shenandoah Valley, and is someone who works well with both moderates and conservatives while holding to his beliefs.

This is going to be an interesting election cycle. I am sure I will be posting more about these developments.

Elle: "Senator Warner -- Thank you for stepping down"

It's great to have SWAC blogger Elle back on the keyboard again. She has a thoughtful post today related to Senator John Warner's criticism of the GOP: "Senator Warner -- Thank you for stepping down." Check it out.

Gilmore the choice of conservative leaders?

He's from a blue collar background and understands the everyday man on the street. His dad was a butcher; his mom was a church secretary. He had goals and drive and determination ... made his way through UVA Law School, became Attorney General and then Governor of Virginia ... and Jim Gilmore has not slowed down since.

An unabashed conservative, Governor Gilmore has never backed away from standing up for the unborn or drawing the line on taxes. He is being urged by conservative leaders throughout the Commonwealth to run for the U.S. Senate seat that will be vacated by John Warner.

A Washington Times article made that clear:

"We need Jim Gilmore's steady, conservative leadership in the U.S. Senate," said David Keene, chairman of the American Conservative Union, and Paul Weyrich, chief executive officer of Free Congress Foundation, a District-based conservative think tank.

It may be a contest between Jim Gilmore and Rep. Tom Davis for the Republican nomination. Announcements of any candidacies will be after the November 6 election.

Just say NO to John Warner

Hey, John! Why not try standing united with the President?

It only takes a minute to sign this online petition telling John Warner that you do not agree with his resolution questioning the President's plan to send additional troops to Iraq. Here is the Petition's wording. Click on over and join the 28,000-plus who have already signed.

NRSC Pledge

If the United States Senate passes a resolution, non-binding or otherwise, that criticizes the commitment of additional troops to Iraq that General Petraeus has asked for and that the president has pledged, and if the Senate does so after the testimony of General Petraeus on January 23 that such a resolution will be an encouragement to the enemy, I will not contribute to any Republican senator who voted for the resolution. Further, if any Republican senator who votes for such a resolution is a candidate for re-election in 2008, I will not contribute to the National Republican Senatorial Committee unless the Chairman of that Committee, Senator Ensign, commits in writing that none of the funds of the NRSC will go to support the re-election of any senator supporting the non-binding resolution.