Talk:Bob McDonnell

WikiProject Military History Assessment

I have added this article to WikiProject Military History due to his military career which is mentioned in the Article intro, but with a Start-class assessment due to that WikiProject's more stringent standards for B-class articles. Any assistance from a more experienced WikiProject Military History member in checking this article against the relevant B-class assessment criteria would be most appreciated. --TommyBoy (talk) 07:08, 27 April 2011 (UTC)

Sir: I have just re-read your truly impressive biography as it is posted on Wikipedia. And I remember your sober and prescient speech following the 2010 State of the Union Address. As one who regards the nation as founded to be great peril, allow me to urge you to stand as a candidate for the Republican Party nomination for President in 2012. The internecine warfare now gripping our party threatens to tear asunder the very roots of the opposition to the statist government that is being imposed on us by staggering debt, energy dependence, and a weakness in our foreign policy. It is now incumbent upon someone of your character, ability, and distinguished record, both in the military and in government, to come forth as the conservative alternative to the present crop of candidates, none of whom in my estimation can defeat President Obama. I live in California and Arizona, and thus do not hear about the achievements of your administration very often. Nevertheless I am convinced that your candidacy will mark a new beginning in this critical campaign and will electrify not only those in our party, but independents and even some moderate Democrats, just as it did in 2009. I note that in a few short years you have produced two budget surpluses, greatly expanded higher educational opportunities for Virginians, reduced unemployment and supported policies that have led to job growth, all of which are a testimony to a highly successful administration and are now badly needed on the national stage. I imagine you receive many such urgings but I do hope you this one will provide you with the impetus to consider this appeal with the seriousness I believe it deserves. Sincerely, Harold Boyer Berkeley, CA Tucson, AZ — Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.164.106.10 (talk) 04:19, 15 December 2011 (UTC)

This is not Mr. McDonnell's inbox. You'll have better luck with this link http://www.governor.virginia.gov/aboutthegovernor/contactgovernor.cfm . This is a talk page for wikipedia's article about this person, and such content is inappropriate.VmZH88AZQnCjhT40 (talk) 20:22, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

Anderson Cooper interview with Bob McDonnell

Governor, What I interpreted from the horses and bayonet reference is that our Navy can kick the next ten countries ass. In no way did President Obama insinuate our Navy is week. As a matter of fact, Anderson Cooper made you look like a deer in his head lights! YOU ARE WAY OUT CLASSED! "LOL" "50 year old whitemail"

Removed Section About the Executive Order Concerning Employment Practices

The section, while containing sources, was not accurate without context. Reading the sources would provide the context however, the viewpoint of most articles was biased. In particular, and the easiest to point out was that Governor McDonnell's Non-Discrimination Order did not remove the Executive Order created by his predecessor Tim Kaine. Tim Kaine's executive order expired. Governor McDonnell renewed the Executive Order on Non-Discrimination using a Bill from an earlier Governor, before Gay rights were acknowledged as the important factor they, and rightly should be, are now. The uproar arose when the Attorney General of Virginia was asked by Delegate Marshall of Prince William about the missing provision. Due to Public colleges and institutions of higher learning being state entities in Virginia they could not create a non-discrimination policy under their own authority but must instead follow the guidelines of the Governor(That is a very rough synopsis of what occurred). If someone wishes to rewrite it highlighting the context of the situation that would be appropriate, but unfortunately in its current form it is inaccurate. There is an accurate version under the page for current Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 174.60.244.48 (talk) 04:05, 25 November 2012 (UTC)

Potential edit war: scandals involving McDonnell

Editor B-watchmework has repeatedly reverted a one-sentence summary in the lede paragraphs about the recent controversies involving McDonnell. These controversies, involving alleged illegal gifts to McDonnell and his family, have been reported frequently in national media, including multi-page reports in the Washington Post. B-watchemework claims that this material is not notable and should not be included in the lede. I dispute this. A well-documented, much reported controversy impacting the political survival of a person sometimes mentioned as a candidate for President is worthy of inclusion in the lede of a wikipedia article. I'm no wiki-lawyer so I don't know how to resolve this dispute, but assistance from somebody out there is requested. Smallchief (talk 23:05, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

To assist, following is the exact text and references that B-watchmework has repeatedly reverted. "An investigation is underway over allegations that Gov. McDonnell failed to report over $140,000 worth of improper gifts he and members of his family received from Star Scientific CEO Jonnie Williams". The references are: http://www.timesdispatch.com/news/state-regional/government-politics/mcdonnell-won-t-answer-questions-on-rolex/article_b4fabf2e-8429-5692-bdb0-96f97da93a16.html and http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/va-politics/mcdonnells-corporation-wife-benefited-from-120000-more-from-donor-sources-say/2013/07/09/79b29880-e5b4-11e2-aef3-339619eab080_story.html

More references could readily be located. Smallchief (talk 23:20, 15 July 2013 (UTC)

It's obviously not reliant in the lead, McDonnell hasn't broken any laws, yet; what your justifying violates WP:Undue weight. Under your argument - Obama's birth certificate controversy should have been added to his page's lead. You also reverted my restructuring (e.g. fixed grammatical errors and added subsections) of the controversy section without explanation. B-watchmework (talk) 04:39, 16 July 2013 (UTC)

Smallchief, I believe its time to consider WP:Third opinion, and I think you agree.

Note: I returned page to the original form (i.e. before this discussion took place).

I have no objection to seeking a third opinion, although as described by wikipedia a third opinion is sought when there is a disagreement about a fact. There is no disagreement here about facts. The controversy involving McDonnell's receipt of inappropriate gifts is a well-attested fact. Thus, the only question is whether this is notable enough to be including in the lead paragraphs. I believe it is.

My objective for inserting material about the controversy surrounding the governor was an attempt to balance what is an overly laudatory lead to the article. The one sentence concerning the controversy which I added is as notable as the material you and others added to the article stating that McDonnell is a "popular and respected governor." {You also reverted my factual insertion that his popularity has fallen below 50 percent according to a recent poll. If we are going to include in the lead paragraphs a statement that McDonnell is a "popular and respected governor", balance to that laudatory statement is needed.) McDonnell's term as governor has not been without controversy, and "popular and respected" is a characterization that requires qualification. What you are proposing is to bury all negative material deep within the body of a lengthy article and highlight all positive material. That is not neutral.

In the meantime, as a temporary compromise and pending resolution, I have allowed your revert to stand -- but I will delete the sentence saying that McDonnell is a "popular and respected governor." I will make other edits, if needed, to achieve a neutral tone in the lead to this article. I will also revisit the issue of including material concerning the scandal in the lead as additional information comes out. Smallchief (talk 11:15, 16 July 2013 (UTC)

I'm ok with the current solution, seems fairly balanced, however, I believe subsection of opinion polls should be included. B-watchmework (talk) 20:15, 16 July 2013 (UTC)

Are we going to wait until charges are no longer pending?VmZH88AZQnCjhT40 (talk) 20:30, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

Self identified as embarrassment

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2013/07/23/mcdonnell-loans-apology-virginia-governor/2579601/

Surely we can note that he has called himself an embarrassment? Hcobb (talk) 23:35, 23 July 2013 (UTC)

Who's Not Answering?

One must give notice though to an article in the Washington Post: "A state prosecutor found no evidence that Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli II broke the law when he failed to disclose substantial stock holdings in Star Scientific and some gifts from the company’s chief executive." That is, Ken complained of Bob but has not answered the questions posed to him as well as Bob has, according to news sofar. (bob answered with appology rather than argument, and repayment)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/virginia-politics/investigation-cuccinelli-did-not-break-law/2013/07/18/9ac18f7e-ef2b-11e2-a1f9-ea873b7e0424_story.html

I think bob is a loved Virginian polititian we'll all remember. If there was a spending problem it was kicking the can down the road by allowing State (and County indirectly) employees sprawl with luxury homes while hanging up the phone on people calling for assistance. Not Bob's doing really. Infact I'm sure I saw he at times objected.