Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell met with Republican members of the General Assembly more than 60 times in the past month — from formal meetings to glitzy social gatherings at the Executive Mansion — and he often cautioned them to exercise restraint.
McDonnell warned his fellow Republicans to limit their socially conservative legislation and focus on job creation and the state budget, according to legislators. Otherwise, he said, they risked miring the session in needless disputes that would not benefit the GOP. He even signaled which bills he would support, a departure from previous practice.
“We know what he meant,” said Sen. Bill Stanley (Franklin), a conservative Republican from Southside Virginia who attended some of the gatherings.
Bob Holsworth, a former professor at Virginia Commonwealth University with a deep knowledge of state politics, said the governor has been successful at managing conflicting goals. “McDonnell is a national figure,’’ Holsworth said. “He’s simultaneously running two campaigns: one for his budget and other priorities and one a silent campaign for the vice presidency.’’
But observers say that balance could be jeopardized by the General Assembly, where Republican leaders have set the agenda this session, including lifting a one-a-month limit on handgun purchases and implementing adoption guidelines that critics say discriminate against gay people.
“His preference is consistent with what he ran on: ‘Bob’s for Jobs,’ ’’ Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City) said. “He respects the social agenda, but he thinks jobs and economic development are the priorities.’’
But McDonnell has had to spend time behind the scenes reining in fellow Republicans, who continue to ask him to back highly divisive bills.
House Minority Leader David J. Toscano (D-Charlottesville) said McDonnell has told him, “I’m doing what I can” to restrain the push on social issues.
This year, in a significant move, McDonnell announced which bills he intended to sign, a break from past practice. On the one hand, he signaled his willingness to sign the adoption legislation and the bill to repeal the one-a-month limit on handgun purchases. On the other, he expressed opposition to two particularly controversial abortion and gun bills, and they died.
