Live Blog of the Lieutenant Governor's Debate

Tonight, the Lieutenant Governor’s Debate is taking place in Roanoke.  Right now, I am watching the webcast of the debate on WSLS and will be reporting some of the key highlights from the campaign.

Opening Statements:  Jody Wagner starts off by touting Virginia’s reputation as being one of the best managed states, then she slams Bill Bolling on his attendance record.

Bolling started off by stating his record and saying that Wagner’s opening statement shows why the Democratic ticket keeps failing.

Question 1:  What issues do you think you relate to with Bob McDonnell? What issues do you agree with McDonnell on?

This question was posed to Wagner.  Wagner said that Creigh Deeds will be elected next Governor, and would work with McDonnell, if he is elected, to help get job growth initiatives pushed forward.  Wagner ignored the question, but said she would work with him on job initiatives.

The question was then posed to Bolling, and he was asked the same question with Creigh Deeds.  Bolling demonstrated that he was able to work with Tim Kaine on various initiatives, and he would do the same with Deeds.  Bolling also said that each Lieutenant Governor has its own initiatives.

Wagner offered a rebuttal that did not quite make sense.

Question 2 was posed to Bolling about the meeting attendance record.  Bolling has attended the meetings or has sent staff liaisons to these meetings.  Bolling has been at 80% of those meetings.  When the General Assembly is in session, Bolling presides over the State Senate, so it can be quite difficult to attend every meeting.  Some of the committees mentioned by Wagner in her accusations against Bolling’s attendance record, Bolling had no participation in those meetings.

Question 3 was again posed to Bolling about why he should be elected to continue addressing the economic issues.  Bolling mentioned Wagner’s record as Lieutenant Governor, and said that we need to work on improving transportation and boosting job growth initiatives.

Wagner’s theme is to question Bolling’s leadership.  Wagner mentions that she is not in favor of raising taxes (NOT).

Bolling followed up by mentioning Wagner’s favorability of raising taxes.  Bolling followed up by mentioning a Washington Post article, where Wagner appeared before a meeting at Greenspring Retirement Community in Fairfax, where she said “Bring It On!” with regards to taxes.

Wagner tried to argue, but the moderator cut her off by saying there would be time for this later.

The commentator asked Wagner to clarify her tax record.   Wagner did not mention which taxes she intended to raise (again avoiding the question).   She also mentioned that Deeds did not have a plan to raise taxes.  (Is she oblivious?  Deeds mentioned this…perhaps, she needs to watch the clip.)

Bolling, then asked if Wagner, if she would join with the McDonnell-Bolling plan considering that she was against Deeds’ tax increase plan.  Then, he mentioned another article (which Wagner said was a violation of the rules…Bolling refuted that it was not a violation).

Wagner called Bolling a liar by saying that she does not intend to raise taxes.

The next question focused on the budget.  Wagner indicated that she does not want education cuts in the budget, and she avoided the question regarding what she would cut.  Bolling mentioned the overly optimistic revenue projections.  We need to balance the budget by reining in taxes.  Wagner followed up by mentioning his attendance record at the meetings.

The follow up question asked Bolling if he is over exaggerating the budget projections.  Bolling said no, and mentioned that the budget was mishandled.  Bolling also focused on the need to balance the budget by cutting taxes.  Wagner indicated that this was a political attack, and again, focuses on the number of meetings that Bolling has missed.  Bolling, then followed up by focusing on the state debt doubling and taking money out of the rainy day fund, due to the budget shortfalls, made by Wagner.

Another question was posed to Bolling about McDonnell’s plan to name him Chief Jobs Creation Officer.  Bolling mentioned his pro-business record, and the endorsements he has received from pro-business organizations.  Bolling said that he has a record of helping to create employment.  He indicated that we need to create more jobs by reducing the tax burdens on businesses and providing more incentives.

Wagner mentioned that we need to make investments on green energy and said she has a plan on her website that will help boost those jobs.  Wagner again attacked Bolling on the fact that he hasn’t been at his own job (this is not true).

Bolling asked Wagner if she supports card check legislation.  Wagner avoided this question and accused Bolling of running a negative campaign.

How would you improve education?  McDonnell and Bolling have an education plan that will not cut the quality standards of public education.  We just need to channel that spending into the classroom and take it away from the central office bureaucracy.  By putting money into the classroom, teacher pay will be raised to the national average.

Wagner mentioned that there needs to be more preparation in helping students learn and boost college preparatory curriculum.  Wagner indicated that she will be a presence in at risk high schools helping to boost graduation rates.  Wagner attacks Bolling on the fact that money will be taken away from public education.

The theme of the evening has been on distortions and dishonesty by the Deeds and Wagner administration.

Finally, the closing statements began with Wagner calling Bolling out on being dishonest, and that she is the best candidate to handle the challenges.  She mentioned that Bolling has been focused on being a part-time Lieutenant Governor.  (The office of Lieutenant Governor, according to the Constitution of Virginia, is a part-time position.)

Bolling closed out by mentioning his endorsements by pro-business organizations, and that he is dedicated to leading Virginia through the challenges.  Bolling also mentioned that he will remain dedicated to restoring Virginia back to fiscal responsibility by balancing the budget without raising taxes.

Overall, this debate was a victory for Bolling, as Wagner often dodged the hard questions and kept on attacking Bolling for missing meetings of committees, in which he was not an member.  Wagner offered no vision or initiatives for job growth or improving the current financial state in Virginia.  Bolling has solid initiatives that will improve job growth, transportation, and restore fiscal responsibility.