McDonnell, Bolling to run as team in ’09

Virginia Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said Wednesday that regardless of how the vice presidential nomination sweepstakes play out, he is committed to running on a statewide Republican ticket with Attorney General Bob McDonnell next year.
Bolling did not rule out running for governor if he is elevated to the job. Gov. Timothy M. Kaine has been the target of recent speculation as a potential running mate to presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. If Kaine is picked and Obama wins, Bolling would become governor.
That would throw into flux a deal worked out earlier this year between Bolling and McDonnell. Bolling agreed to remain in the No. 2 job in support of a McDonnell gubernatorial run.
“Bob and I have made a commitment to run as a team in 2009. We will run together as a team,’’ Bolling said.
But, Bolling added, “should I become govenor, it’s a totally different dynamic.”
Bolling said he and McDonnell have discussed that scenario, and still have concluded that “Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling will run as a team.”
Bolling said he and McDonnell’s staff will share office space and work together on policy statements in preparation for the 2009 election.
Despite recent fractures between conservatives and moderates within the Virginia Republican Party, Bolling senses party unity for the presidential candidacy of John McCain and the U.S. Senate candidacy of Jim Gilmore.
“And as we head toward 2009, I’ve never seen party leaders more excited about McDonnell-Bolling. There is a genuine excitement,’’ he said. 
Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon, is anxiously watching to see where the political dominoes fall, but isn’t sure they’ll land in his favor.
Hanger had considered a bid for lieutentant governor before Bolling’s decision to seek re-election in the spring. He doesn not anticipate a renewed bid for the post.
“I’m not expecting any opportunities to do anything else,’’ he said. “I have an opportunity to impact policy significantly. I’m intending to crank it up on a lot of different policy issues.”
The swirling speculation about potential running mates to Obama and McCain – Rep. Eric Cantor, R-Richmond, is being considered for the Republican ticket – shows Virginia’s importance in this year’s presidential race, said James Madison University political scientist Bob Roberts.
“Virginia is becoming the Ohio of 2004,’’ said James Madison University political scientist Bob Roberts said, referring to Ohio’s status as the swing state in the last presidential election between President Bush and Democrat John Kerry.
Roberts said it is possible that the two presidential nominees are waiting to see who acts first before they make their decision.
While Kaine and Obama have much in common, including their Harvard Law School training and similar views on social justice and equity, Cantor would present a contrast to McCain.
At 45, Cantor is nearly 30 years younger than McCain.
Del. Chris Saxman, McCain’s Virginia campaign co-chairman, said conservatives are excited about Cantor’s possible selection.
“He’s a rock-solid conservative,’’ Saxman said of Cantor.
He said Cantor’s appeal could be felt nationally in such large states as New York, Florida and Ohio.