A Day Just Like Any Other … I’m back at home after a trip to the NBC studios on Nebraska Avenue. (For the record, my first trip there was in 1983 as a member of Fairfax High School’s “It’s Academic Team”). Had a nice chat with the host of the Rachel Maddow show at 9:15 pm, regarding the subject of my letter today to the Governor. My wife and oldest daughter came with me as my style coaches; they sat in “the Green Room” and critiqued my clothing, hairstyle and serious demeanor. Oh, well. I didn’t say anything in today’s letter to the Governor that I haven’t said on this blog or in the public sphere over the past three months. Namely, the Governor has to come clean on what gifts he received from Star Scientific and Jonnie Williams — and he needs to return any consumer items that he’s still holding. (And if a family member receives a gift based on their status as your child/spouse, then that gift is received by YOU). If he’s not willing or able to come clean, then he needs to step down and let the Lt. Governor finish out the term. I take zero joy in staking out this position. I’ve known Bob McDonnel for twelve years, including four years in the House of Delegates. I always found him to be sincere in his dealings, forthright in his statements, and unfailingly courteous. I still can’t believe that he would permit this type of dealings in his household. That’s why the Star Scientific reports are such a shock. In the end, there has to be an integrity to our democracy in Virginia. We don’t serve as elected officials in order to become wealthy — or to get special privileges. We cannot let private gifts impact our public policy. Why get involved? For me, staying silent in the face of the Star Scientific scandal is not an option. It gives the impression that $6,00o Rolex watches and $15,000 catering bills are ordinary and accepted gifts for elected officials in Virginia. They’re not. They never will be, as long as I have a say in this process. I’ve served with hundreds of people at the state and local level, Republican and Democrat, dating back to 1998. They don’t do it to get fancy gifts or clothes. That’s not how we do business in Virginia. So today was a day just like any other. Still speaking out on what we think is right. Just a slightly bigger stage than usual.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Jul 2013 03:54:50 +0000
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