Glenn Youngkin on the secrets to Republican success in Virginia

[mountaineer]

Glenn Youngkin on the secrets to Republican success in Virginia
by Salena Zito, National Political Reporter
May 12, 2023 09:15 AM

GLEN ALLEN, Virginia — Sixteen months after going from underdog Republican candidate for governor in a solidly blue state to the avatar of substantive conservative governing, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s lanky frame glides with ease through J.J.’s Grille in suburban Richmond as he chats with locals there for a late lunch. The first Generation X governor of the Dominion State talked to the Washington Examiner about the results of the first conservative Virginia government in a dozen years and what lies ahead for Youngkin and the GOP nationally.

Washington Examiner: You signed an executive order expanding treatment for those addicted to fentanyl and directing harsher punishments for those who manufacture or deal it, among other details. What brought you to this order?

Gov. Glenn Youngkin: We have a crisis. We truly have a crisis. It's an epidemic, and sadly, it's one that has recently been let loose. The fentanyl overdoses today are 20 times what they were just 10 years ago. This is just a matter of getting, first, the word out. Second of all, making sure people understand what to do, so we're training people all over Virginia today.  ...

Washington Examiner: Then is the solution to get the upper chamber to have a Republican majority? Both former Presidents Barack Obama and Donald Trump lost state houses and state senate seats in their midterms. How do you intend to rebuild in Virginia?

Youngkin: Well, I'll just remind you that when I launched our campaign at the beginning of 2021, Republicans had not won a statewide election for 12 years. The bottom line was we'd forgotten one basic truth, which is we have a lot in common. In fact, we have to fill the tent up, not restrict people from coming in it.

This was all about party building. Of course, what we found is that the issues are not just Republican issues — they're Virginian issues. Safe communities, so let's back law enforcement. Good schools, let's stand for excellence and put equity off to the side and stand for excellence. Let's support parents, and let's recognize that God put parents in charge of their children, not politicians and bureaucrats, and let's stand up for them. Let's recognize that Virginia's overtaxing Virginians, and let's go cut taxes and lower the cost of living. Finally, let's run government better.   ...

Washington Examiner

[ScottinVA]

It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach.  He and his governing team have done great work here in Virginia.  And let's not forget about the preventive work done by his campaign to watch, report and deal with potential voter fraud, especially in the northern counties.  His methodology should be a blueprint for Republicans going forward.

[Kamaji]

It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach.  He and his governing team have done great work here in Virginia.  And let's not forget about the preventive work done by his campaign to watch, report and deal with potential voter fraud, especially in the northern counties.  His methodology should be a blueprint for Republicans going forward.

[PeteS in CA]

Listening to ordinary people instead of attacking them as enemies might have helped.

[Fishrrman]

Scott wrote:
"It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach."

OK.
But let's see him win re-election next time 'round.

[ScottinVA]

VA governors are term-limited to one term.  He can’t run for re-election.

[Free Vulcan]

It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach.  He and his governing team have done great work here in Virginia.  And let's not forget about the preventive work done by his campaign to watch, report and deal with potential voter fraud, especially in the northern counties.  His methodology should be a blueprint for Republicans going forward.

Me too. It was a textbook win. Unfortunately from experience it will probably be forgotten.

[ScottinVA]

Especially by the MAGA gang who “thinks” the “Trump-or-die” stance can win in places like VA.

[Fishrrman]

Scott wrote:
"VA governors are term-limited to one term.  He can’t run for re-election"

That's ridiculous.
The guy can't even run for re-election a single time based on his record.

I'm for term limits -- so long as they're within reason.
In Virginia, it seems as if they are not.

[cato potatoe]

Winsome Sears is the obvious choice for 2025, if she is interested.  She might prefer to take out one of the senate trolls.

[Kamaji]

Winsome Sears is the obvious choice for 2025, if she is interested.  She might prefer to take out one of the senate trolls.

She's cool!

[libertybele]

VA governors are term-limited to one term.  He can’t run for re-election.

I'm surprised that he hasn't jumped into the presidential race.

[mountaineer]

I'm surprised that he hasn't jumped into the presidential race.

His name is being mentioned. It's still early.

[ScottinVA]

I'm surprised that he hasn't jumped into the presidential race.

With Trump sucking the oxygen out of the room and GOP voters only too happy to lose in ‘24 by backing him, it’s best to wait until Trump is off the scene.

[Kamaji]

With Trump sucking the oxygen out of the room and GOP voters only too happy to lose in ‘24 by backing him, it’s best to wait until Trump is off the scene.

Exactly.

[Hoodat]

It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach.

The best thing Youngkin had going for him is that the VA GOP didn't think he could win.  Had they realized that Youngkin could indeed pull it off, they would have kicked it into high gear to help McAuliffe win just as they did in 2013.

[sneakypete]

It'd be quite helpful if people would listen to Youngkin.  He ran about the most flawless campaign I've ever seen in a state that clearly appeared to be out of reach.  He and his governing team have done great work here in Virginia.  And let's not forget about the preventive work done by his campaign to watch, report and deal with potential voter fraud, especially in the northern counties. His methodology should be a blueprint for Republicans going forward.

@ScottinVA

Sure sounds like it.

[sneakypete]

VA governors are term-limited to one term.  He can’t run for re-election.

@ScottinVA

I had no idea.

Anyone know how many other  states term-limit their governors to one term?

[Hoodat]

Scott wrote:
"VA governors are term-limited to one term.  He can’t run for re-election"

That's ridiculous.
The guy can't even run for re-election a single time based on his record.

I'm for term limits -- so long as they're within reason.
In Virginia, it seems as if they are not.

Back in the day, Virginians like George Wythe, George Mason, James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, etc. did not view political offices as careers.