VA GOP Candidate Praises Bush: I Want His Economic Record

The legacy of George W. Bush has weighed heavily on the Republican Party, casting a large shadow over GOP candidates in the past two national elections.

But is that toxicity beginning to wane? For the first time in recent memory, a Republican candidate is actively embracing the tenure of George W. Bush, citing the economic growth up through 2006 as a template of governance he'd like to pursue.

On Saturday, former Virginia Attorney General and current gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell delivered the following remarks at the Boys State Convention in Lynchburg, Virginia.

"President Bush put in a ten-year tax-cut on everything from the death tax to capital gains tax and it was followed by an unprecedented period of economic recovery and economic growth," he said. "In fact, it almost overheated the economy through about 2006. So, I think that's the way you stimulate business. And that's the kind of governor that I'm going to be to reduce those impediments to entrepreneurship, to let small businesses grow and thrive and create some opportunity."

To be fair, it is hard to draw a larger trend from one snippet of one speech of one candidate for what is still considered a Republican state (though increasingly a political toss-up). Additionally, McDonnell has praised Bush in the past. But as the economic environment becomes increasingly owned by the Obama administration it will be curious to see not just how frequently Republicans whack the president on this front, but how willing they are to tie themselves to the early Bush years. Will McDonnell be the exception or the norm?

Comments

[grf67]

What a stupid schumk. Virginia can't afford another republican governor. The last one left the state $2 billion in debt. bush doubled the national debt and this guy thinks that this was good? He ensured that he will not get my vote.

[Republicrats]

It was pretty good, except for that last part.....

[thegreatgiginthesky]

Another republican who can't keep time. Probably subscribes to the newsletter of the group that believes that Bush's presidency began in 2002 and ended in 2007.

[jsrl317]

Excellent, another nonviable GOP candidate. Keep 'em coming GOP. Let me know when the funeral for your party is, as I would like a front row seat at the memorial services.

[Genep34]

If the people of VA buy this stuff they deserve him.

So he supports the worst economic collapse since the great depression. So smart.

[zest]

Just another repub pretty face empty head canidate.

[RedneckDem]

In VA, we are still paying for the mishaps of another republican governor who landed us deep in debt (Gilmore). Luckily, we've had Mark Warner and Kaine to help us get back on the path to recovery (even in this crappy economy).

[whcjr46]

What a dumb comment. He won't get elected governor.

[sonoffestus]

NEVER underestimate the ability of the American voter to vote against their best interest.

[MikeDu]

The idiot right never let the facts get in the way of a good talking point.
They stand up and blythly claim the sky is not blue and water is not wet; that the war wasn't a colossal pointless waste; that the top 1% oligarchs have not legally looted their own corporations; that lack of oversight did not foster a culture of kleptocracy. Deaf, dumb and blind.

[affidavit]

He wants Bush's economic record, just like he might want Hitler's peace record, and the KKK equal rights record.

[oberkythin]

"In fact, it ALMOST overheated the economy through about 2006."

Guess its a good thing that the economy didn't get over heated...I mean think about the consequences they're terrifying... we must have just barely avoided the sort of boom and bust bubble that would have....

wait a minute....

This is ground that should not be ceded....

[peter777]

Translation- We can continue to cut higher education to even lower level, have more people without health insurance, have lower middle income and low income salaries, and keep our unemployment figures high, if Virginians will just elect me Governor. We can then grant more tax breaks to corporations and the wealth, so they can fund deportation of American manufacturing. Yeah! Elect me the Guv!

[Buddy McCue]

They can't state this agenda THAT plainly.

[Emerald1943]

I can't believe that, with the economic situation as it is now, anyone with any sense would vote for this guy!! Is he serious???

I think he may have just put the "kiss of death" on his campaign!

[boogiewoman]

Lynceberg? Fits the GOP perfect.

[CitizenJ]

Well, the first 6 Bush years are what got us to where we are, so I guess this guy wants to screw whoever follows him just like Bush did.