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Bob McDonnell on 'FNS'

Title:

Bob McDonnell on 'FNS'

Published: Sun, 8 Nov 2009

Description: Does Virginia's governor-elect have a winning strategy for the GOP?

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Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)

" Result of the Virginia governor's race was striking. Last November Barack Obama became the first Democrat to carry the state for president. In 44 years but says that Republican Bob McDonald took back Virginia for the GOP in a landslide. The governor elect joins us now from his alma mater Notre Dame. Congratulations on the election if not on yesterday's football games aren't welcome back to FOX News Sunday. Thanks Chris with a great Wake Forest for very honored and nice to be back on with the after your landslide victory on Tuesday a number of top Republicans across the country say that you're. Election campaign as a model for how Republicans can and should run. In 30 and 32 what parts of the your campaign -- can be replicated across the country."

" very flattering people would would say that. We try to focus on the issues we knew people cared about it was jobs the economy economic development transportation. The things that the citizens overwhelmingly said they want government to fix secondly we. Kept that overwhelmingly positive giving people an uplifting alternative for the future. And and thirdly we I think captains some of the settlement that the national level on the issues of cards -- cap and trade and some underfunded mandates and things like that there were not resonating well with Virginia businesses and Fam Liz and together with a lot of hard work I think it was a winning strategy."

" To what do you think is the message if there is a larger message for Republicans looking into it to get healthy again and 30. Stick to your conservative principles -- focus on the quality of life issues. That the citizens are most concerned about and focus on getting results. People. Say that there's this massive spending it the federal level that state. Level they want a better bang for their buck out of government and fiscal conservatism. Is is the way to deliver that that the way to deliver that message. I wanna run a clap from the news conference you held the day after your election let's take a look. -- just want everybody in Virginia to know that I intend to govern. The same way I campaign. Governor elect McDonnell experts say that while you obviously have a long record as a social conservative view largely stayed away from that and as you say. I campaign primarily on kitchen table issues like education like jobs like transportation. Is that what you mean when you say that you're gonna govern the way you campaign."

" It's gonna mean that -- and put the priority is that I outlined during the course of the campaign is the first order -- business with our higher unemployment rate. And are budget deficits that the fiscal issues Chris. I have got to be the first order business but -- those. Completely clear during the campaign that I on a pro life fire broke family and I'm gonna support. Those issues that in the general someway but I'm going to a focus on getting results on this campaign promises I think that's where you keep trust with the people."

" But one of the issues and other races especially that congressional Reiss an upstate New York was. Conservative activists especially social conservatives. And tea party activists. Saying they want attention paid to their red shoes how do you balance their concerns. With the concerns of a lot more moderate voters who just won a focus on jobs. Why rams versus."

" state agencies and retool government to find ways to. Keep taxes low whether it's. And when the economy returns find ways to reduce. The tax burden on working families use tax cuts is the way is to promote. Economic development these are clearly things that my friends in the my conservative friends and I are very interest it and in doing. And then to make sure that these important issues of protecting. Family is promoting fatherhood looking for options and education like Charter Schools in America and these are things that I ran on. As part of the overall the over Wellman they overarching theme of the campaign and I intend to pursue those as well fight I think that the the overall welding conservative message with a focus on practical results. Is exactly what people have elected me to do but --"

" They ask you about some of the issues that -- on the right wing activists are now saying they want you to focus on one. Will you move to make planned parent put it ineligible for state funds."

" I've said that state policy ought to be the same as -- Hyde amendment in fact in the federal health care bill last night -- usually both Democrats and Republicans joined. To make sure that there was not federal funding. For birth abortion services and health care bill I think that's the right policy across the board people don't want. Taxpayer funding to go for those kinds of services and so I think that ought to be the state policy as well."

" When you work to expand Virginia's death penalty to not only the president pulls the trigger but also to anyone involved and number. Yes I supported that from arm early days of the prosecutor. Through the General Assembly those bills have gotten the governor's that's the last couple years and advocates are now I'll sign that bill. Let's talk a about a few national issues as you well know the US house like last night passed a major overhaul of health care reform. If that right now as it was passed by the house should become law. What do you think that would do to the nation's economy and to the nation's health care."

" I'm very concerned about the bill 1900 pages. 34. Hundred represented. Uses of the word shall call. Other clarity great mandates on businesses families. And the state now had not read all of 1900 pages of it but I think that with about a one point two trillion dollar top price tag tax increases 400 billion. Or so taking from Medicare. That it will ultimately increased cost and reduce choices for -- across Virginia Chris I heard people's concern about that. And we're obviously gonna to see the way it passes what the Senate does what that before I can. If your final opinion I'm very concerned about what -- what I saw in that bill."

" There's been quite a debate about what Tuesday is election is not only Virginia but across the country man do you think that voters were sending. President Obama if only directly a message."

" On the -- that up to a lot of other -- to decide I will say -- I ran on Virginia issues the kitchen table. Issues. That were based on our conservative principles and I think that flow largely what got up people to support our campaign a lot of independent voters though. When and Republicans as well clearly told me that they were very concerned about the direction of the country the spending. The taxes card check cap and trade unfunded mandates intrusions into the free enterprise system and I think that's import. Why some of the folks serve came back in and voted for me this time I made got cap and trade in particular. An -- so the answers yes I think -- in part Virginians said were concerned about what's going on the federal level we'd like your fiscal conservative message in Virginia. On taxes and spending and that's why we're voting for him."

" I'm gonna turn subjects and -- it sounds silly to bring up less than a week after your election but some political junkies here in Washington some very powerful ones. Are already saying that you will be on the short list. Of vice presidential candidates come 32 for the Republican Party do you. Harbor any national ambitions --"

" I really don't know now love Virginia. Served in this state government now for eighteen years I've got a very ambitious set a policy initiative Chris about like to get. Accomplishes very -- people talk in those terms but I real -- focus a 100% of my time. On Virginia -- great -- we've got some challenges I've committed to fixing some of those problems than a limited right to work that this week."

" Well governor elect you can put all that chatter chatter to rest right here so let me be the very first one to ask you will you promise. To serve the whole full four year term -- the twenty forte. Yeah I said that I would in other governors. Have looked at those kinds of things in the future rebut I don't have any aspirations beyond being governor of Virginia at the -- four full years. That's my blood. Governor elect McDonnell we wanna thank you so much congratulations again thanks for joining us and good luck in your new job. Thank you -- to be back on what I appreciate it thank you."

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