Is Abortion #1 Issue?
The candidate Bob Marshall and his bloggers proclaimed he was "more pro life" than his opponent Jim Gilmore. They called Gilmore a Baby Killer. They preached about his ties to Barr Pharmaceutical. The life issue is always a important one here in Virginia. Is that changing? Indeed. After all the grandstanding on abortion, Bob Marshall and his crew failed to win the nomination. In fact, they failed to energize rural Virginia where these life voters are prevalent. Why?
One reason could be the out right absurdity of the Marshall crew's attacks on Gilmore. The past Governor had a strong pro life record and the attacks on him left many voters confused. That was bad enough but the Marshall crew then started the Barr Labs foolishness. Lost in all of that was what has or can Bob Marshall do for the voter. His Sierra Club Global Warming views cost him here at home. His "route 58 is just another public works project" comment did not help.
Jerry has the post! - Don't Let The Door Hit You In The ... Is Abortion the #1 GOP issue? I think that day has passed. It will take more than being pro life to win the support of the voters.
Comments on "Is Abortion #1 Issue?"
Kilo--I strongly disagree! Marshall not only had more delegates on the floor (forget weighted votes), he came within less than 1% of winning.
Marshall only decided in January to run. He was outspent 12 to 1 by Gilmore. He was written off a long time ago by folks like you and Spanky.
And yet he almost toppled Gilmore.
As long as we ignore the sanctity of life, as long as we fail to protect the most innocent, then our country is doomed. We MUST speak for and protect those who can't speak.
So please don't be so flippant about life.
Why did the pro life candidate loose a convention?
Anne,
I am pro life. So is Jim Gilmore and Bob Marshall.
The point is the so called "More pro life" candidate lost. He lost in my area and most rural areas...That is the pro life bread n butter zone. Is abortion the #1 voter issue anymore? It makes you wonder.
Gilmore outspent Bob, but lets be honest, not much of that money went against Marshall as it did against Mark Warner. Gilmore ran against Warner - Marshall ran against Gilmore.
I would also submit that Marshall did as well as he did because of his opposition to HB3202, which for us Easterners has become the political equivalent of support for US58 in the SW.
BTW, Carl, a number of us are calling for the transportation special session to consider download secondary roads (numbered 600 and higher) to counties and cities. I'm curious as to your thoughts on that one (as it could free up funds for primary roads, such as 58).