Virginia Republican Nominee for Governor Has Bizarre Views About Women, Families

August 31, 2009 RSS Feed Print
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By Bonnie Erbe, Thomas Jefferson Street blog

Virginia, my beloved home state, has produced yet another out-of-sync Republican candidate who is trying to lead the commonwealth. When will the religious right learn that when "true believers" are unmasked, their bizarre beliefs don't resonate with mainstream voters? Robert McDonnell, the GOP's candidate for governor of Virginia, was caught by the Washington Post expressing his true beliefs:

At age 34, two years before his first election and two decades before he would run for governor of Virginia, Robert McDonnell submitted a master's thesis to the evangelical school he was attending in Virginia Beach in which he described working women and feminists as "detrimental" to the family. ...

During his 14 years in the General Assembly, McDonnell pursued at least 10 of the policy goals he laid out in that research paper, including abortion restrictions, covenant marriage, school vouchers and tax policies to favor his view of the traditional family. In 2001, he voted against a resolution in support of ending wage discrimination between men and women.

McDonnell is singing that "I've changed my tune" tune. Somehow I'm not believing him. Reminds me a bit too much of a candidate who promised hope and change, and has failed to deliver much of either.

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The way this country is headed, it may not actually be a bad idea to try and move more towards traditional family values and God. Instead this country continues to move towards everything that is anti-God and is so offended whenever Godly morals and representations of a Christian life are brought to the forefront...I wonder why this is and if it's actually turning out so good for this country that has it's finding in God and those traditional values..........

Robin of VA 4:59PM October 14, 2009

after oboma was saying one thing and meaning another about healthcare last week why should i complain about what mcdonnell said 20 YEAR,S AGO lets face it democrats and liberals alway,s get away with there remark,s

keith of VA 6:47PM September 15, 2009

Hi there,

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Computers & Tech of AL 5:24AM September 15, 2009

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe

Bonnie Erbe is a contributing editor at U.S. News & World Report and hosts PBS's weekly news analysis program, To the Contrary with Bonnie Erbe. She also writes a weekly syndicated newspaper column for Scripps Howard News Service.

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