They are two classy people. Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Jean Ann Bolling welcomed and thanked everyone for attending “Burgers With Bill” to celebrate his 60th birthday. Many thanks for bringing together the large crowd of Republican friends for an evening of fellowship, laughter, and happy memories.
My Bill and Missy’s Shaun.
Trixie and Bill.
Trixie, Donald Williams, Nancy Williams
[It has been 242 years since Virginia’s own Patrick Henry issued his “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech at St. John’s Church in Richmond. Remembering that important part of Virginia and American history, I was reminded of 2007 and a special recognition presented from Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Originally published March 11, 2007.]
In 1775, unrest in America was growing (see background history here). When Delegate Patrick Henry stood up to speak, his words rang out in St. John’s Church but it was the closing lines that most remembered, then and today.
“Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!”
Two friends .. Bob and Bill
At this 2014 Burgers With Bill event, the crowd sang “Happy Birthday” to former Governor Bob McDonnell and former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling who share today as their birthdays. In November 2009, Bob won by historic proportions with Bill easily winning reelection. Together, they made a good team for Virginia with both recognizing the importance of cultivating a relationship not just with Virginia’s citizens but also with Virginia’s citizen journalists — the bloggers.
Bob and Bill were some of the first politicians who worked with bloggers at a time when that group was trying to break through as an information network. Bill hosted an annual Bloggers Day in Richmond for seven years, held while the General Assembly was in session, setting up opportunities for those writing for blogs to sit in on meetings at the capitol, meet with GOP legislators and leaders, and observe the State Senate and House of Delegates in action (see LG Bill Bolling hosts 5th annual Bloggers Day). It always ended in the evening with a complimentary dinner at a nearby downtown Chinese restaurant hosted by Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Bolling … except the year we all were invited to a reception at the Governor’s Mansion hosted by Governor and Mrs. Bob McDonnell. All were wonderful opportunities.
At one of the Republican Party of Virginia Advances, probably around 2004, then-Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who would become the next governor, hosted a meeting of bloggers attending the annual event at the Homestead. Congressman Eric Cantor also recognized bloggers and welcomed them to his events.
Bill’s Burgers With Bill became an annual cookout fest. The last one was two years ago when over 400 guests joined him along with Mrs. Bolling in Richmond on a hot afternoon. It offered the opportunity to spend time with fellow Republicans who had worked together for years, and to greet Mitt Romney, Ed Gillespie, and many other familiar faces — a fantastic event that was much appreciated by all.
Happy Birthday, Bob and Bill! Thank you for all you’ve done throughout the years for Virginia Republicans … we have not forgotten.
See also:
By Lynn R. Mitchell
Congratulations to Hanover County Supervisor Angela Kelly-Wiecek (Chickahominy District, former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling’s former supervisor seat) on her election as vice chairman of the board of supervisors.
Angela was elected in November 2011. She chairs the Board’s Legislative subcommittee and also serves on the Finance and Safety/Security Committees. Ms. Kelly-Wiecek represents Hanover County as member of the Board of Directors of the Greater Richmond Partnership. She also represents Hanover County on the Capital Area Workforce Investment Agency Policy Board, the Capital Region Collaborative, and is the current Chair of the Richmond Regional Planning District Commission.
By Lynn R. Mitchell
Donald Trump stepped over the line with his latest outrageous accusation, as noted by Marybeth Glenn (see Donald Trump goes after George Bush for 9/11):
There’s a thick and blurry line between being politically incorrect, and being a total schmuck with uncontrollable word dysentery; Trump took to pole vaulting over it like two months ago. Now he’s taking it to a whole new level.
Donald Trump took an unprovoked slap at George W. Bush in an interview broadcast Friday, blaming the former U.S. president for not preventing the 9/11 terror attacks.
Asked by Bloomberg Television anchor Stephanie Ruhle how Americans might trust him to keep them safe, the Republican presidential front-runner bristled at the mention of Bush’s role as comforter-in-chief after 9/11, and President Barack Obama’s similar position following the December 2012 school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut.
‘OK, I think I have a bigger heart than all of them,’ he said. ‘I think I’m much more competent than all of them.’
‘When you talk about George Bush – I mean, say what you want, the World Trade Center came down during his time.’
Governor Jeb Bush immediately responded by tweeting out, “How pathetic for @realdonaldtrump to criticize the president for 9/11. We were attacked & my brother kept us safe.”
By Lynn R. Mitchell
As the U.S. House of Representatives looks for its next Speaker, some have suggested Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-6th) of Roanoke who currently heads the judiciary committee.
Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling noted on his Facebook page:
Well, this is an interesting development. I am now officially promoting Bob Goodlatte of Virginia to become the next Speaker of the House. Paul Ryan would also be a good choice, although he has previously said he does not want the job. We’ve got to find someone who can bring the various factions of the GOP conference together, and that won’t be easy.
Rockbridge-Lexington Republican Committee Chairman Roger Jarrell took to Facebook to suggest:
Ed & Cathy Gillespie at Republican State Convention 2014. Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
By Lynn R. Mitchell
Monday afternoon certainly perked up when the news began circulating that Mark Obenshain had decided not to run for the Republican nomination for governor in 2017 (see Obenshain will not run for Va. governor).
The immediate response from GOPers was who would run?
For the Republican Party of Virginia, we really need Ed Gillespie as our candidate for governor. His narrow loss when he challenged U.S. Senator Mark Warner in 2014 showed he was able to pull together the factions and unite a hurting party that is looking for a leader.
Ed Gillespie could be that leader.
Former Lieutenant Governor agrees. On his Facebook page Monday he noted:
This is good news for the Virginia GOP. It gives the party a chance to unite behind a mainstream candidate for Governor in 2017. Ed Gillespie ran a great campaign for the U.S. Senate in 2014. Should he decide to run for Governor, Ed is the kind of candidate the party could unite behind.
Could Ed Gillespie be the gubernatorial candidate to run in 2017? Stay tuned….
By Lynn R. Mitchell
Former Virginia Lieutenant Governor John Hager with then-7th Congressional District Chairman Linwood Cobb … 2014.
Birthday greetings to one of the hardest working Republicans in Virginia — former Lieutenant Governor John Hager! He travels all over the Commonwealth to events and supports candidates, something he continues to do. He’s everywhere! Together with wife Maggie, they are in-laws to the 43rd President of the United States, George W. Bush, and former First Lady Laura Bush. Their son Henry is married to the Bush’s daughter Jenna. Here are just a few of the many photos I have taken of the LG at GOP events throughout the years with a sincere thanks for all he has done to advance the causes we all believe in. Happy Birthday, John Hager!
Photo by Steve Helber/AP.
Former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling shared this Washington Post link and noted, “I love this picture from the Washington Post. It was taken on the floor of the Senate. John Hager and I are keeping a close eye on Senator Donald McEachin.”
It is a good picture of the two Republican lieutenant governors overlooking the proceedings.
Everyone at LynnRMitchell.com wishes the happiest of birthdays to our managing editor
Dr. Kurt Michael!
He has met many people along the way so here’s a little walk down Memory Lane. We’ve had an exciting year that will continue and only get bigger as we grow. Wishing this long-time friend many more birthdays!
“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” –Galatians 6:9
Kurt and Ed Gillespie
Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Kurt at the Capitol.
Governor Mitt Romney and Kurt
By Lynn R. Mitchell
A rising chorus of voices are calling on the Republican Party of Virginia’s state central committee to vote for a Presidential Primary on June 27. Among the many who have opined on the issue is former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling who took to his Facebook page Thursday to voice his support for a primary:
“If the Virginia GOP opts to nominate our candidate for President in a closed party convention, as opposed to an open statewide primary, it will be a HUGE mistake. We cannot survive if we are determine to be a party of exclusion, as opposed to a party of inclusion. We need more poeople, with more diverse views nominating our candidates; not fewer people speaking in an echo chamber. This could be a defining moment for the Virginia GOP. Let’s not repeat the mistakes of the past.”
Indeed.
Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
By Lynn R. Mitchell
During the weekend of April 4, 2015 and the commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the fall of Richmond during the Civil War, tourists were invited for a brief walk-through tour of Virginia’s Executive Mansion.
Terry, were you home? We stopped by to visit….
Patrick Henry
By Lynn R. Mitchell
[It has been 240 years since Virginia’s own Patrick Henry issued his “Give me liberty or give me death!” speech at St. John’s Church in Richmond. Remembering that important part of Virginia and American history, I was reminded of 2007 and a special recognition presented from Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling. Originally published March 11, 2007.]
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling has the “Patrick Henry Award” that he bestows to folks around the Commonwealth. Yesterday, at the SWAC-GOP Breakfast, I was very surprised and honored when the Lt. Governor presented the Patrick Henry Award to me.
By Lynn R. Mitchell
In 2009 Virginia Republicans faced a possible blood bath between their top two state officials. Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Bob McDonnell both had their eyes on the gubernatorial race, and long-time activists, volunteers, and supporters were dreading the split a battle between the two could do to the party. As a result, Bill Bolling stepped away from the plate, leaving the nomination for Bob McDonnell, and a unified Republican Party went on to sweep the Top 3 state offices with Bob McDonnell winning governor and Bill Bolling reelected as lieutenant governor.
Fast forward to 2015 and the news that both Democratic Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam and Democratic Attorney General Mark Herring have indicated they will run for the gubernatorial nomination (see Ralph Northam confirms he’s running to become next Va. governor):
By Bill Wheaton
Guest Post
I recently came across an interesting Op Ed article in The Freelance-Star, Fredericksburg, VA that caught my attention for two reasons. One was the title, “Russ Moulton’s Election Spells Doom for Virginia Republicans,” and the second was the author, William J. Murray.
This article’s prediction, published on June 2, 2002, came to pass in the 2013 election when liberal Democrats swept all three statewide offices.
The article begins, “The election of Russ Moulton as chairman of the 1st District Republican Committee begins an era of exclusion politics that could destroy the Republican Party in Virginia.”
When I read “exclusion politics,” I immediately thought of the situation we have right here in Campbell County with former Supervisor Rick Boyer. Boyer is a master of “exclusion politics.” I know all too well as I have been a victim of it.
The article goes on, “During his direct and surrogate management of the Spotsylvania (County) Unit Republican Party, dozens of good conservative people, including elected Republican officials, have been purged from the rolls.”
When I read that, I thought to myself the exact thing has happened here in Campbell County. After Boyer was soundly defeated in the 2010 election for Clerk of the Court, he actively worked to purge conservatives such as myself and long time elected officials from the party rolls.
The article continues, “He (Moulton) has accused pro-life advocates as being pro-abortion and called those who have fought for lower taxes ‘liberals.’ ”
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