The time of choosing rapidly approaches. This coming Saturday, Virginia Republicans will hold a convention and select their party’s nominee to fill an open Senate seat. Because the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party is considered an especially strong candidate, the choice is critical. Unless Republicans select their strongest possible candidate, their nominee is unlikely to win.
Two choices stand out: Jim Gilmore and Bob Marshall. What distinquishes these two men? Although they are very similiar, their websites reveal much about them. Gilmore’s website is big on videos and all the speeches he has made. Marshall’s website, on the other hand, has a detailed explanation of the candidate’s stand on each of the major issues. When you visit Marshall’s website, you do not have to dig to figure out what Marshall will do once he is elected. Whereas Gilmore busies himself attacking Mark Warner, Marshall has taken the time carefully explain why you should vote for him.
If you visit Gilmore’s website, you will learn why you should not vote for Mark Warner (You can also find that out by visiting Warner’s website.). If you visit Marshall’s website, you will find out why he thinks should vote for him.
Why do people running for publice office try to avoid explaining what they will do if they are elected? The problem is that most of us are stupid. We vote against the candidate we do not like. That is, if a politician says something we do not like, we vote against him. So candidates try to avoid saying anything that might offend anybody.
There is an old proverb.
“Better the Devil you know than the Devil you don’t”
We would well advised to consider the wisdom in that old proverb.
Don’t assume you know what Jim Gilmore will do as your senator. Because he has carefully avoided telling you, you do not. In fact, because Gilmore has not held legislative office, you can only guess how well Gilmore will perform as a legislator.
Consider instead what Marshall has to say about why Gilmore will not debate.
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| NEWS FOR RELEASE: On Receipt April 14, 2008Says Race ‘Still Too Close to Call’ MARSHALL: GILMORE’S ‘NO’ TO DEBATES LEAVES DELEGATES ‘IN THE DARK’ Del. Bob Marshall (R., Manassas) said Monday (April 14) that Jim Gilmore’s refusal to debate is leaving delegates to next month’s Republican State Convention “virtually in the dark” on important issues before they select a nominee for the U.S. Senate. Marshall and Gilmore are vying for the nomination. On Friday, Marshall proposed that Gilmore and he, along with a third candidate, meet in a series of debates before the May 30-31 nominating convention at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. The Washington Times has offered to host the first debate. “Jim Gilmore, by refusing to engage in debates, is disappointing a great many Republicans who’ll be delegates at the party’s nominating convention next month,” Marshall said. “Jim’s unwillingness to discuss the issues in a debate format denies delegates the opportunity to gauge us under fire. Without debates, how will they know which of us is better able to take a winning fight to Mark Warner in November? They’ll be left virtually in the dark.” Marshall scoffed at a news report that Gilmore will not debate because he believes he is ahead in the delegate count. About a third of the delegates have yet to be elected. “If he’s ahead,” Marshall said, “he should have no fear of debating the issues – if, of course, he’s ahead. We know he’s not. Nobody knows what the final delegate count will be, and we might not know until the convention. What we do know for sure right now is that this race still is too close to call.” Marshall noted that Gilmore and he have appeared jointly at mass meetings and other GOP events, but that they only were permitted to make speeches. The two were not questioned jointly on issues from those attending, he pointed out. “Canned speeches, especially those written by someone else, really don’t provide a very good way to learn what separates us on where we stand on important issues.” Marshall said. “On the other hand, debates would do exactly that, and that most likely explains Jim’s reluctance.” -XXX-
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Unauthorized and paid for by nobody. 
Virginians don’t know what Jim Gilmore will do in office? Oh c’mon. Really. Gilmore has been elected twice by all of Virginia to office. He isn’t a stranger to Virginians.
That’s why Conservatives trust him.
I like Marshall’s focus on issues. He’s a good Conservative and ideological teacher. He’s wrong on a few things – like foreign affairs where he’s uninformed and unexperienced, but he is bold Conservative. Perfect for the GA.
Gilmore will be perfect for the Senate. He brings more on Homeland Defense than any of the other 99 senators.
Anyone who loves Liberty must support Bob Marshall.
The voters correctly see Jim Gilmore as still carrying water for the Bush Neocon movement that has trashed our Constitution.
We need to signal to the voters that the Republican Party is moving forward from the Bush era (error).
Bob Marshall is our Champion of the Constitution who will lead the U.S. Senate back into its proper role as checking the power of what has become an Imperial Presidency.
Jeff Frederick will excel as our new GOP Chairman. His energy and tenacity scares the Democrats to pieces. He comes to the leadership of our Party fully equipped to do battle with all of the weapons available to a proven Twenty-First Century campaigner.
James – Compared to Warner, I trust Gilmore. Compared to Marshall, I do not trust Gilmore.
Marshall trusts us to read his positions on the major issues. Gilmore does not even trust us to hear him in a debate with Marshall.
Let’s assume Gilmore comes out on top Saturday. When Gilmore asks Warner for a debate, and Warner says no, what is Gilmore going to say?