News Leader: 'Bill Bolling's good ideas'

Jean Ann Bolling, Dr. Kurt Michael, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
Overlooking downtown Staunton, Virginia / August 17, 2013

Yesterday the Virginian-Pilot applauded Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's ideas presented by his Virginia Mainstream Project PAC. Today, the Staunton News Leader agreed:

Monday, as the federal government stumbled toward shutdown and Virginia’s lamentable gubernatorial campaign dragged toward November, we received a much-needed reminder that some elected officials are still serious about governing.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the man who would be our next governor had Republicans had the sense to nominate him, released some excellent government reform proposals.

The Pilot noted the LG is not up for reelection, commenting:

In each case, Bolling's propositions settle right in the mainstream of Virginia politics. They are proposals that serve voters rather than political parties. They are neither obviously Democratic ideas nor clearly Republican.

They are, quite simply, legislative initiatives that should be - and no doubt would be - welcomed by the vast middle of the commonwealth's voters.

Unfortunately for all those voters, the man who proposed them will soon be out of state government, a victim of the same forces that kept those legislative ideas in a desk until Monday.

The Roanoke Times opined, Imagine: ideas, not ick. The first paragraph probably echoes what many are thinking in these final weeks of the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial race:

Another week. Another palm slap to the forehead. Another “Gee, we could have had Bill Bolling” moment for Virginia voters.

For those who will point fingers and again accuse of sour grapes (I'd like to see how they would handle how many in the Republican Party have been treated by the current crop), the editorial continued:

Cynics will say that Bolling found his moral high ground only after losing the GOP gubernatorial nomination to Cuccinelli. While we wish the lieutenant governor had shown more verve in his response to partisan machinations that thrust him aside in favor of his flashier opponent, it would be unfair to suggest Bolling’s motives are so shallow. He has a genuine heart for good government, as demonstrated by his long-time support for bipartisan redistricting reform despite its unpopularity within his own party.

Read all the proposals presented by the LG's Virginia Mainstream Project.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell