Spank That Donkey

  Bringing Virginians Together

The wise leadership of Gov. Jim Gilmore sought to bring all Virginians together during times when some politicians & political activists only sought to move us apart along lines of race, creed, religion or heritage.  My previous post highlighted Gov. Gilmore's historic, first in the nation, Declaration of a separate state holiday for Martin Luther King Jr.

This is Jesse Jackson Jr's take on Gov. Gilmore's leadership on the issue:

"Gilmore has proven adept at stealing Democrats' issues and throwing the opposing party off balance. Transportation had been viewed as a Democratic issue--until the governor came up with his own plan to spend $2.5 billion over six years. Same with scrapping the food tax, which Gilmore adopted as his own.

The governor's efforts to reach out to the black community are earning him praise from civil rights leaders who have long been critical of Virginia's Republicans."

Jesse Jackson Jr. continues:

"Gilmore proposed the King holiday after consulting with former governor L. Douglas Wilder (D), the nation's first elected black governor. As a legislator from Richmond in the 1970s and 1980s, Wilder worked hard to secure passage of a stand-alone holiday for King, but by 1984 had to settle for a Lee-Jackson-King day on the third  Monday in January, which became the federal King holiday as well.  "Some people believe it's a sop," to lump all three historical figures into one holiday, Wilder said. "It's offensive to all."

"The Gilmore-Wilder alliance may seem unusual, but it pays practical dividends for both politicians. For Gilmore, the friendship with Wilder helps develop his record as an inclusive governor. Gilmore has helped an impoverished black town on the Eastern Shore, offered significant financial aid to two historically black colleges and proposed measures to close the "digital divide" between rich and poor Internet customers."

"Gilmore has just penned a state budget that includes $1 million for a national slavery museum in Jamestown, a pet project of Wilder, the grandson of slaves. The Gilmore connection also allows Wilder, elected in 1989 during the heyday of Virginia Democrats, to gig activists in what he now regards as a moribund party. "

Leadership involves building coalitions and bringing 'warring' factions together, exactly how many Chief Executives of Virginia can claim success on issues that were this divisive in our Commonwealth?

No wonder "Gov. Jim Gilmore will Eat into the Democrat Base".  Gov. Gilmore has credibility with Virginians of African Heritage, which obviously was a another factor working against Sen. George Allen in 2006.  Just another reason why Gov. Jim Gilmore will win the Senate Seat being vacated by Senator John Warner this November.

cross posted to B4G