There are signs Virginia Republican lawmakers, who now control both chambers of the state legislature, and Governor Bob McDonnell(R), are being pushed back to the center on a variety of proposed laws drawing national attention and negative local reaction.
House votes on a series of anti-abortion measures and a gun law allowing the purchase of more than one gun a month have been delayed and Governor McDonnell has backed off his previous unconditional support of some of the anti-abortion language being pushed by GOP lawmakers.
Talks Tuesday seemed to indicate Republican sensitivity to the national focus on the GOP agenda and a poll that came out over the weekend suggesting most Virginia residents are not in favor of the rightward turn on social issues.
For Governor McDonnell, this all creates added concerns. He is about to head to Washington for the annual Winter Meeting of the National Governors Association where he will be a sought after spokesman for the Republican Party. He is currently the chairman of the Republican Governors Association.
In that role, he will be paired off against Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley(D), the head of the Democratic Governors Association, who is about to sign a gay marriage bill into law. O’Malley will relish nothing more than being able to paint McDonnell and Virginia Republicans as an example of GOP “over-reach” with a lack of focus on important issues like jobs and the economy.
And on social issues, O’Malley will enjoy the opportunity to describe Democrats as forward looking and inclusive as compared with Republicans who appear to be intrusive, particularly on abortion.
Read More: Washington Post – McDonnell Shifting and Richmond Times Dispatch – Votes Delayed
