Jim Gilmore in The Washington Times
On Budget & Economy:
I delivered a balanced budget; no deficit when I ended term
Warner criticized Gilmore for delivering [as Governor] a state budget “full of gimmicks” and accused him of implementing fiscal policy that helped create a $6 billion state shortfall. Gilmore said there was no deficit when he ended his term and that he
delivered a balanced budget. He also has noted throughout his campaign that Warner promised not to increase taxes when running for governor but later instituted the largest tax increase in state history.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
On Corporations:
Washington “asleep at the switch” at financial oversight
The two candidates agreed that the country needs more oversight in its financial sector, following the recent crisis on Wall Street. Gilmore said the situation stems from companies allowing too much borrowing against too little assets. “We simply have
to have more oversight right now to make sure that people understand that they can’t operate their businesses that way against the public interest,” he said.
Warner faulted Washington and Wall Street for being “asleep at the switch.” He said the country should look at
Britain’s use of a single financial regulator as a possible model to fix the current crisis. “If there was ever a time to send somebody to Washington that can read a balance sheet... it’s now,” Warner said.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
On Energy & Oil:
Favors drilling ANWR and also drilling offshore
Gilmore tried to distinguish his energy policy from Warner’s by insisting the Democrat would oppose offshore drilling. Warner has said he would be in favor of allowing states to explore the possibility of drilling off their shores.
He said “we need more drilling off the coast.” However, the candidates continue to differ on drilling in the ANWR: Gilmore favors it, while Warner opposes the practice.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
On Tax Reform:
In times of economic stress, don’t raise taxes
Gilmore tried to portray Mark Warner as the mirror image of Barack Obama. “We have to put together an energy policy, financial policies that will do the right things for people, but Mark Warner wants to raise taxes; Barack Obama wants to raise taxes,”
Gilmore said. “This is not going to be healthy for the economy in a time of stress.” Warner said he has expressed support only for rolling back top-tier tax breaks by the Bush administration and is against tax increases on small businesses.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
On War & Peace:
No timeline for withdrawal from Iraq
The two men differed on foreign policy: Warner said he favors the withdrawal of troops from Iraq but not on an “arbitrary timeline.” He said he has not completely agreed with either Obama or
McCain on the issue, but clarified that he previously stated troop withdrawal should begin in January. Gilmore said there should be no timeline for troop withdrawal.
Source: 2008 VA Senate Debate in The Washington Times
Sep 19, 2008
Page last updated: Sep 18, 2022