Monday, April 07, 2008
Gilmore confident in Senate race
First he must meet Bob Marshall's primary challenge, then Democrat Mark Warner.
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roanoke.com/politics
RICHMOND -- Former Gov. Jim Gilmore talks about his candidacy for the U.S. Senate as if the 2008 race already has been narrowed to a one-on-one contest between him and another former governor, presumptive Democratic nominee Mark Warner.
Gilmore spells out contrasts between him and Warner on issues such as taxes and energy policy. He asserts that Warner will be tainted by an association with the Democratic presidential nominee, whether it's Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton. And he predicts John McCain, who has secured the GOP presidential nod, will help deliver majorities for him and Virginia Republicans in November.
"The good news is the environment is getting better every day," Gilmore said in a recent interview.
But as he eyes a fall contest with Warner, Gilmore has an unlikely obstacle in his path to the GOP nomination. Del. Bob Marshall, R-Prince William County, is challenging Gilmore from the right and drawing some support from social conservatives, anti-tax activists and libertarians. Gilmore acknowledged that Marshall has made some waves, but insists he will win the nomination at the state party's May 31 convention.
"We are paying attention to the convention because we can't take anyone or anything for granted," Gilmore said. "Bob Marshall is running on a very strict pro-life platform that has some appeal to some people and, as a result, we have to take it seriously. But there is not a nomination issue here. We'll win if we'll just go out and ask people to support me vigorously and sincerely."
Marshall, perhaps best known for his relentless opposition to abortion rights, said he should not be underestimated.
"I'm very pleased at the progress we're making," he said last week.
A third candidate, Republican activist Robert Berry of Fairfax County, also is seeking support for the nomination.
Gilmore, 58, has not run for statewide office since his 1997 campaign for governor, when he rode to victory on a promise to virtually eliminate the personal property tax on vehicles. He made a short-lived run for the 2008 GOP presidential nomination before deciding last fall to seek the Senate seat being vacated by Republican John Warner, who is retiring after five terms.
Gilmore appeared to cinch the GOP Senate nomination when the state party's governing body decided to choose a candidate in a convention rather than an open primary. That decision drove U.S. Rep. Tom Davis, R-Fairfax County, a moderate who was long considered a likely candidate for the seat -- out of the race.
Gilmore had a sometimes quarrelsome relationship with moderate Republicans during his gubernatorial term, particularly on issues such as taxes. He said Republicans now "need to reunify the party" and he has been traveling the state to raise money and reconnect with local activists.
"I think there's no harm at all in going back and seeing people and talking to people and asking them for their support, and I'm doing it," Gilmore said in an interview late last month, shortly before traveling to Roanoke for a private fundraiser.
Gilmore has the support of key party leaders such as Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, who likely will head the GOP's statewide ticket in 2009. Republican officials said Gilmore also appears to have solid support in Western Virginia, where he is much better known than Marshall.
Republican activist Trixie Averill of Vinton said Gilmore seemed to have strong support at several county and city mass meetings held in the region to select delegates to the state convention.
Del. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem, said he has seen little evidence that Marshall is making inroads in the region.
Marshall, 63, announced his candidacy in January and immediately challenged Gilmore on abortion, criticizing the former governor for not opposing abortion rights for women in the first eight weeks of pregnancy. He also has criticized Gilmore for sitting on the board of directors of Barr Pharmaceuticals, which manufactures an emergency contraception drug commonly known as the "morning-after pill."
Gilmore has defended his record, noting that he pushed for legislation requiring parental notification for minors seeking an abortion and to ban a later-term procedure known as "partial birth" abortion.
Marshall said he is making inroads with social conservatives who oppose abortion and support home-schooling. He also has gained a following from anti-tax activists for winning a lawsuit that challenged the taxing powers of regional transportation authorities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Marshall likened his victory in the Virginia Supreme Court to hitting a World Series-winning home run.
"The lawsuit I won could not have been timed better," he said. "It really put me front and center as someone who is serious about fighting improper taxation."
Marshall supporter Mickey Mixon of Roanoke County acknowledged that Gilmore has "far more name recognition" than the Prince William County legislator. But Mixon said that Marshall can gain support from conservatives -- particularly those who care deeply about social issues -- if he can spread the word about his record.
"He's a guy who walks the walk on those issues," Mixon said.
Gilmore has largely ignored Marshall, focusing instead on a likely general election matchup with Mark Warner, who succeeded Gilmore as governor. Warner announced his candidacy in September and will ramp up his campaign later this spring.
While the two former governors likely will clash over their records, particularly their handling of state finances, Gilmore also is trying to draw distinctions on issues such as domestic oil production and whether to extend tax cuts enacted under President Bush.
Gilmore also argues that he will benefit from running in a presidential election year, citing the fact that no Democratic presidential nominee has carried Virginia since 1964. Gilmore said Warner will be inextricably linked to the Democratic nominee and won't be able to campaign as a moderate.
Warner spokesman Kevin Hall said the Democrat trusts voters to judge him on his own record and agenda. But Warner won't seek to distance himself from his party's presidential nominee, Hall said.
"He will work hard for and campaign with the Democratic nominee this fall," Hall said.
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