Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell is enjoying a 66% approval rating in the latest Roanoke College poll that was released on Thursday, up from 57% in December. After a landslide win in November 2009 and after more than a year in the top position, he has been highly praised for his leadership ability.
Often mentioned as a rising star on the national stage, McDonnell continues to lead as the 71st Governor with the same high energy, hands-on work ethic he has applied to his life.
Balancing the budget without raising taxes during the 2010 General Assembly showed he was willing to work on both sides of the aisle while keeping a campaign promise to bring jobs to Virginia, something he has continued during his fourteen months in office.
At the conclusion of this year’s 2011 legislative session, 92% of his agenda passed the General Assembly as he worked to solve transportation issues, make higher education more accessible, and streamline state government. On Thursday, he signed the first part of his “Opportunity at Work” legislative package designed to help attract new businesses to Virginia and help existing businesses grow and expand.
As vice chair of the Republican Governors Association and set to become chairman in 2012, McDonnell has been looked at from a leadership perspective and his name has been mentioned and added to the mix for Vice President in 2012. In February 2011, Anita Kumar with the Washington Post wrote, “Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Tuesday morning he would run for vice president on the Republican ticket in 2012 if asked, but that he was not seeking it out.”
Because of McDonnell’s leadership accomplishments in Virginia, his respect among business and community leaders as well as grassroots supporters, and his willingness to work with those on both sides of the aisle, I have to agree with Jim Hoeft at Bearing Drift blog and ask, “Why is this man not in the discussion for President?”
Bob McDonnell for President 2012? With Republicans looking for someone to lead, a McDonnell presidential run may not be out of the question.
