Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell stepped onto the national stage as chairman of the Republican Governors Association on Monday, stumping for the party in New Hampshire. That he was appearing in the first-in-the-nation primary state will only further fuel speculation that McDonnell is considered a possible vice presidential contender for the Republican Party’s 2012 ticket.
The Republican Party of New Hampshire tapped McDonnell for its Concord fundraiser in August because of his popularity in Virginia and clout within the party but before he took over the RGA chairmanship for Texas Gov. Rick Perry. It worked out well for them.
“Certainly back in August there was some speculation of him being on the short list for vice president … and the more well-regarded he is nationally helps us in putting the event together,” said Wayne MacDonald, chairman of the state’s GOP. “We got a bonus when he moved up in the leadership role.”
But McDonnell’s appearance is more a demonstration of the many hats the man wears than any national positioning. “Obviously, the address of [Monday’s speech] intrigues folks, but it’s an opportunity to help a state,” McDonnell spokesman Tucker Martin said.
Republicans are targeting the 2012 New Hampshire governor’s race in hopes of flipping the seat now that Democratic Gov. John Lynch is retiring. McDonnell is there to aid those efforts as “a Republican leader who as both a candidate and governor has shown how to win and govern in a swing state,” RGA spokesman Mike Schrimpf said.
McDonnell’s top political priority remains helping Virginia Republicans gain control of the state Senate, where Democrats now hold a 22-18 majority. Heading into the Nov. 8 election, McDonnell is scheduled to attend six events for legislative candidates. His political action committee, Opportunity Virginia, has $3 million to spend on those races.
As of this week, only one event on his political schedule in the coming weeks is outside Virginia — an Oct. 13 fundraiser for Mississippi Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant, who is running for governor.
McDonnell’s next major national address is likely to be in late November when he speaks at the RGA conference in Orlando, Fla.
That will put McDonnell on a major stage in another state critical to the 2012 presidential election.
