The Man in the Arena ... thank you, Bill Bolling

   

The Man in the Arena

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

(American President, 1901-09)

 

See also Day at the Capitol with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling ... the portrait unveiling

See also A farewell evening with Lieutenant Governor Bill and Jean Ann Bolling
 

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Judi and the Governor

 They met in the hallway of the Virginia State Capitol on Friday ... Dr. Judi Lynch and Governor Bob McDonnell ... two friends seeing each other on his last full day as governor of the Commonwealth.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 10, 2014

A Capitol run-in with Jeff Schapiro

Bow-tied, bespeckled, long-time political reporter Jeff Schapiro with the Richmond Times-Dispatch was hurrying toward the senate chamber Friday when we passed in the Virginia Capitol hallway. He good-naturedly -- with a crack or two joking that it was delaying him -- paused long enough for a photo. I don't always agree with his political opinion but make it a point not to miss his column. Much appreciation for him humoring me and always being willing to pose for my camera....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
Virginia State Capitiol
January 10, 2014

Governor 2014 ... giving Terry McAuliffe a chance

On Saturday Terry McAuliffe became Virginia's 72nd governor. The baton was passed. Republicans lost, Democrats won ... time to govern for ALL the people of Virginia.

He follows an impressive listing of famous Virginians who have served before him:

Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Nelson Jr., Benjamin Harrison, Edmund Randolph, Henry Lee, James Monroe, John Tyler, Peyton Randolph ...

... Harry F. Byrd, Mills Godwin, Linwood Holton, John Dalton, Chuck Robb ...

... George Allen. Douglas Wilder. Jim Gilmore. Mark Warner. Tim Kaine. Bob McDonnell.

Governor McAuliffe's Cabinets picks have been bipartisan. In the words of the Washington Post:

In the nine weeks since Election Day, political observers say, Terry McAuliffe (D) has been shockingly gubernatorial.

With moderate Cabinet picks and an ardent courtship of Republicans, the colorful former Democratic National Committee chairman and political fundraiser has projected an image of seriousness, caution and bipartisanship that critics had doubted he could muster.

Some of the comments I've heard remind me of when I entered high school and the tradition for the upper classmen to harass the freshmen. I vowed that year that when I was an upper classman, I would not join in on that tradition, and I didn't.

As Democratic Governor Terry McAuliffe takes the reins of Virginia, some conservatives are not willing to allow this man to get a day, never mind a General Assembly session, under his belt before judging. If we were to go on their words, he's doomed before he ever begins. As one who is tired of the vitriol from both sides of the aisle, I like what he's done so far and am willing to give this new governor a chance.

Congratulations, Terry McAuliffe ... you're off to a good start. Four years to go....

- McAuliffe sworn in as Virginia governor

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 10, 2014

Trixie and the Governor

Governor Bob McDonnell and Trixie Averill ... they've traveled hundreds of campaign miles together when she was his western Virginia political director and been friends for years. On Friday they met up in the state Capitol hallway outside the senate chamber. It was his last full day as governor of Virginia, a position Trixie worked to get him into four years ago. The photos say it all....

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 10, 2014

PBS lists Virginia State Capitol as #1 of top 10 buildings that changed America

We're number one. We're number one. We're #1!

The Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates had reason to be proud today as he announced that the Virginia State Capitol has been chosen by the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) at the top of 10 influential buildings that changed America in the way we live, work, and play. Of course, we Virginians already knew that the architecturally appealing, historic capitol building that echoes with the footsteps of Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, James Madison, and James Monroe played a big part in the birth of America.

Speaker Howell said it best:

"Virginia's beautiful and historic State Capitol is a source of true pride for all Virginians. The Capitol is an architectural masterpiece, historical treasure and monument to Democracy. Its design has inspired numerous other capitol buildings, including the United States Capitol in Washington D.C. Its history and traditions are rivaled by few other single buildings in America. It is the foundation for modern Democracy and an enduring sign of the strength of our Commonwealth and our nation."

The one-hour show will air next Sunday, May 12, at 10 p.m. EST.

Virginia actually ended up with two buildings in the Top 10 list with the inclusion of Dulles Airport in Chantilly, Virginia.

The list of the Top 10 buildings that changed America:

1. Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
2. Trinity Church, Boston, Massachusetts
3. Wainwright Building, St. Louis, Missouri
4. Robie House, Chicago, Illinois
5. Highland Park Ford Plant, Highland Park, Michigan
6. Southdale Center, Edina, Minnesota
7. Seagram Building, New York City
8. Dulles International Airport, Chantilly, Virginia
9. Vana Venturi House, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
10. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles, California

The program is hosted by Geoffrey Baer, an Emmy Award-winning producer and program host, best known for his popular feature-length specials about Chicago architecture and history.  The program is written and produced by Dan Protess, who has been creating critically-acclaimed television programs for WTTW in Chicago for more than a decade.