Governor Bob McDonnell (R-VA)
He told CNN he “would love to” lead the group, which raises money for Republican gubernatorial candidates and political activity in the states.
“I would have to still enjoy the support and confidence of colleagues, and I have talked to a couple of them about that and told them I would be very interested and honored to be the leader for the next year and a half, for the 2012 session,” he said.
The role would allow McDonnell, a rising star within the GOP, to travel the country and raise his profile among party activists and donors alike.
The comments came in light of questions regarding Texas Governor Rick Perry and his presidential aspirations.
The two things I get from this are (a) Rick Perry is moving closer and closer to running for president and (b) Bob McDonnell is really looking for a way to get more in the national spotlight.
This is especially important considering 2012 is around the corner and the GOP nominee will be looking for a veep candidate. Chances are good that Perry would certainly look at his current RGA vice-chairman if he were to win the nomination. Governor Mitt Romney would certainly take a look at him too as conservatives in the Republican Party would demand a new face to national politics with strong conservative credentials. Bob McDonnell serves both those purposes.
But what if Perry or Romney don’t win the nomination? Did McDonnell back himself into a corner with these comments:
“Of course when we get governors together we talk about 2012,” said Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell. “There is a general thought that a current or former governor will make the best candidate for the Republican Party.”
Former Utah Governor Jon Huntsman doesn’t have a chance and Former Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty isn’t catching on the way he had planned. I still say Romney has all but secured the nomination (even though there is a LONG way to go and ANYTHING can happen) but we don’t know for sure. If Rick Perry gets in the race, which I think could be too late to put together a credible campaign, there is potential it could be a game-changer.
At some point though McDonnell will be on the national stage. He has done a phenomenal job as Governor of Virginia, is well respected by every conservative faction out there, and has the charisma to inspire disgruntled Republicans (like myself).
Any way it turns out political junkies like myself will be watching attentively.
