Is Rigell really a conservative?

Rigell’s past stands on issues indicate a leftist leaning liberal-moderate.

A local respected elected official, notably missing from Scott Rigell’s list of endorsers, poses two statements to neophyte political hopefuls. First, “ Do you have any skeletons in your closet?” and then, “Politics is all about favors”.

Follow up:

There is no doubting that Rigell understands the later, but has floundered on the former. As former Senator Chuck Robb conveyed of himself, Rigell also has dents in his “conservative” armor.

As Governor, I need a working partner in Washington, committed to fighting for lower taxes and less regulation, and helping to create the environment where we can create more jobs. - Governor “Bob” McDonnell

The Governor’s search for a working partner for lower taxes seems somewhat in doubt. Rigell was an openly avid supporter of passing a referendum for the largest sales tax increase in the Commonwealth’s history. The referendum was soundly defeated by a 3-2 margin.

As for less regulation, Rigell was also among those, who through contributions, advocated for an additional level of un-elected government with taxing authority at the region level. The Virginia Supreme court unanimously deemed this travesty unconstitutional.

Rigell advertisement as being supportive of creating jobs in the private sector certainly was not case when he spoke before the Chesapeake City Council. There he urged government control of waste facilities. This made the waste industry anti-competitive because haulers were required to deposit the waste at selected facilities at non-competitive tipping fees. Also, this proved not economical because the cost of processing some of the waste was more expensive than services provided by private industry. Moreover, it caused the loss of private sector jobs and expanded government.

The largest single tax increase perpetrated on the citizen’s of Virginia was crafted by Governor Mark Warner who was financially supported by Rigell.

Finally, in a letter to the Virginian-Pilot editor, Rigell praised and defended a city council member’s trip to Japan where the entourage cost the citizens of Virginia Beach $25,000 and numerous dog and pony show jaunts to Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle all at taxpayer expense.

When these examples are presented to Rigell endorsers with a why, the statement of that wise, old politician comes to mind, "Politics is all about favors."