On 7/12/2013 8:34 AM, F.O.A.D. wrote:


Bob McDonnell's stunning fall from grace
By: Alexander Burns
July 12, 2013 05:01 AM EDT

In 2010, the political world pegged Bob McDonnell as a president in the
making. Last year, they put him on every VP list. As recently as May,
they called the popular Virginia governor a political model for his
would-be successors in Richmond, Democrat and Republican alike.

And now – well, now nobody’s sure what to call Bob McDonnell.

Suddenly under legal and political siege, McDonnell is the subject of
one of the swiftest downfalls in recent memory: once known as a
spotlessly clean, law-and-order politician, the governor stands accused
of questionable financial dealings that range from the tacky to the
jaw-dropping.


The McDonnell saga has gripped Richmond – and increasingly Washington –
as a cascade of embarrassing disclosures have buffeted the governor and
his wife, Maureen. A series of Washington Post stories have documented
their cozy relationship with a donor, Star Scientific CEO Jonnie
Williams, who gave financial gifts to the McDonnell family including a
cumulative $120,000 in the form of a check to Maureen McDonnell and a
cash infusion to a family company.

With a federal investigation well underway, downcast McDonnell allies
say they see little hope that the governor’s reputation will recover,
and some privately express doubt that he’ll be able to serve out his
term. They describe a pervasive mood of shock and gloom throughout the
governor’s extended political family.


http://tinyurl.com/kegtv7r

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If McDonnell steps down, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling will succeed
him until the next inauguration. This is ironic, because Bolling
previously stepped aside for McDonnell and ran for a while against Ken
Cuccinelli, the current GOP nominee for governor. Though a Republican,
Bolling is considered a reasonable politician, and the current
Democratic nominee for governor has committed to finding a place in his
administration for Bolling if he is elected.

As crazy as McDonnell is in matters pertaining to women, sexuality,
and reproductive issues, Cuccinelli is worse. I hope the Democrats can
use this GOP scandal effectively.

If only your mother hadn't reproduced you, just think of how much better
this newsgroup would be.