Gilmore’s credentials could fuel presidential run

Gilmore, who served as Virginia’s last Republican governor from 1998 to 2002, announced Tuesday that he will form an exploratory committee in the new year.

The former governor was elected in a landslide after a campaign in which he promised to cut Virginia’s car tax. He was an early supporter of President George W. Bush in his 2000 presidential run, and following Bush’s election was named Republican National Committee chair. He left the post after less than a year because of disagreements with the White House.

While acknowledging Gilmore is a long shot, experts in Virginia who closely watched his term as governor said he has the credentials to appeal to the Republican base. In a campaign where moderate Republicans are the front-runners, this could work to Gilmore’s benefit.

“The two front-runners for the Republican nomination both have problems,” said Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics. Arizona Sen. John McCain “is viewed as a maverick. [Former New York City Mayor Rudy] Giuliani is looked at as too liberal on social issues by the average Republican.”

“There’s a slot open for the traditional Republican conservative,” Sabato said. “The anti-tax wing of the GOP is large; he has a natural constituency there. Here’s a hero because of the car tax. He’s a true, blue anti-tax Republican conservative.”

George Mason political scientist Toni Travis said a presidential run is unlikely, but Gilmore could be a viable vice presidential candidate.

“He’s got the conservative-base credentials,” she said. “The tax issue is big; he’s strong on family. He’s an economic conservative. I haven’t heard anything negative about him in terms of racial slurs and discrimination,” which led to the downfall of former Virginia Gov. and current U.S. Sen. George Allen’s presidential ambitions.

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