The Political Bear

Published by bear

Jim Gilmore is running for the U.S Senate from the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Wikipedia Facts:

James Stuart “Jim” Gilmore III (born October 6, 1949) is an American politician from the Commonwealth of Virginia and a member of the Republican Party. Gilmore served as the Attorney General of Virginia from 1994 to 1998, and Governor of Virginia from 1998 to 2002.

Gilmore campaigned for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination until July 2007, when he became the first major Republican candidate to leave the race. However, Gilmore recovered and was successfully nominated as the Republican candidate for the Virginia United States Senate seat being vacated by John Warner.

Issues Through Gilmore’s Eyes:

Protecting The 2nd Amendment: Guns are good

Illegal Immigrants: They are Bad (They cost us money)

Protecting the Taxpayers: Tax Nanny (I just don’t understand this category)

Preserving Traditional Values: Preach and Legislate Morality

Solving the Transportation Challenge: I did it as Governor. Why not?

Improving Education: Hire More Teachers

Safeguarding Against Terrorism: I am a Vet, what do you think?

Generally everything he stands for is good. Of course, after looking at every Senate campaign website I am a little burnt on basic political rhetoric, but he has all of the basics. I would like to see some more individual ideas though, and as a fiscal conservative I would like to see him move away from the social conservative arguments that although are meritorious are indefensible in a logical progression with some of his other fiscal claims (or what is unclaimed).

I believe that the right (conservatives) are powerful because of the logic that our policies are derived from. There are no flaws (almost) in a fiscally conservative argument. When you start regulating anything, inefficiencies are introduced into the system. The cost/benefit of those inefficiencies needs to be what the debate is about, but Republican social conservatives, sometimes bypass this argument by attempting to claim that moral legislation is merely an extension of the a fiscal ideology.

Why the rant, Gilmore’s website runs a line. Is he more morally or fiscally conservative? I am not sure.

However, I do know that while he was Governor he almost created fiscal conservative magic! That is actually why he has my support. To quote from his website,

“As Governor of Virginia, I cut 16 different taxes totaling $1.5 billion, created more than 250,000 new jobs and gave the state its lowest unemployment in 40 years. I helped lead the national fight to block taxation on the internet and to repeal federal communications taxes in place since 1898. I believe high taxes are too great a burden on the nation’s economy and on working families. I will work to close tax loopholes, reduce runaway spending and create jobs and opportunity for our citizens.”

That I can stand behind!

Disclaimer: I was added to the Gilmore campaign blog’s blogroll around a month before this post

Jun 24, 2008
Filed under: analysis, conservative, Jim Gilmore, Review, US Senate