Mason Conservative Stands With Jim Gilmore

I have been graciously asked to join this website to help elect Jim Gilmore to the US Senate and I am proud to do so. Many who read my blog regularly do know that I was not sold on the candidacy of Gov. Gilmore, and I think many felt the same way I do. But I also understand how harmful the circular firing squad can be. In an uphill battle like this, we must rally around our man and help push him across the finish line. I am proud to now stand shoulder to shoulder with these bloggers here and with Jim Gilmore. Here are the two overirding reasons that has made up my mind:

1) Honesty. Jim Gilmore is the last Virginia governor to follow through as governor what he campaigned on as a candidate. He told Virginians that he stood against taxes and signed numerous tax cuts as governor. He fought hard for fiscal restraint and balanced budgets, a refreshing change from both Democrats and Republicans in the US Senate. His opponent will continue in his own tradition of raising taxes needlessly while spending spirals out of control.

2) He Fights. This more than anything else gets me excited about Jim Gilmore. Since 2005 Republicans have sat around arguing what is wrong with us. I see this here every day in Northern Virginia. We look to blame an opposing wing of the party, a region, a candidate, Iraq, or George W. Bush. In doing so we have lost our vigor and our concentration. From every speech I've heard the Governor give since he's announced, he plans to not only unify the party but also concentrate his fight on the right target, Mark Warner and the Democrat record, and not on fellow Republicans. Its hard to spend weekends knocking on doors or making phone calls for a candidate who isn't putting in the same effort as your are. Gilmore understands this race will be won by appealling the Virginia's conservative heritage and attacking the Democrat record nationally.

In 2005 I felt Jerry Kilgore took his victory for granted and was caught like a deer in headlights when things went sour and he didn't know what to do. George Allen was so busy running for president he took his own reelection for granted, then got caught on tape saying something he shouldn't have and decided to declare war on the media rather than apologize. With Jim Gilmore, I see a candidate who fully understands what he is up against and will do everything he can to win, and win on a conservaitve platform that will unite Republicans and give Democrats a fight they don't even see coming. I look forward to not only posting here but on my blog and help people understand why Jim Gilmore must be our next senator, for the sake of our country, our commonwealth, and our party.