Richmond Times-Dispatch Endorses Bolling for Lieutenant Governor

Says Bolling's "center-right mainstream" positions, "reform credentials" have earned him a second term

RICHMOND - Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling today was endorsed by the Richmond Times Dispatch.

The Richmond Times-Dispatch becomes the most recent paper to endorse Bolling's campaign for re-election, joining Farmville Herald, Bristol Herald Courier, Waynesboro News Virginian, Culpeper Star-Exponent, Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star, News and Messenger and Arlington Sun-Gazette.

The paper emphasizes that Bolling has "earned" a second term and highlights his extensive public service, "center-right mainstream" positions and "reform credentials":

"The incumbent, Bolling personally has earned a second term. His service as county supervisor (in Hanover), state senator, and, for the past four years, in statewide office has allowed him to observe government from diverse perspectives. He stands in Virginia's center-right mainstream. Commitments to merit-based judicial selection and to non-partisan redistricting affirm Bolling's reform credentials ..."

The paper also calls Jody Wagner's attacks on Bolling's meeting attendance as "superciliousness" and a "non-issue":

"The campaign for lieutenant governor has descended into superciliousness. Jody Wagner, the Democratic challenger, accuses Bolling of missing numerous meetings of state boards, commissions, panels, needlepoint clubs, and chowder societies. Bolling answers that he appeared at meetings where his presence was essential and sent emissaries in other circumstances. This rates as a non-issue ..."

The full text of the endorsement can be found here: http://www2.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/opinion/editorials/article/ED-AGLG28_20091027-180804/301904/