Pondering Gov. Bob McDonnell's Political Future

What's going to happen to Gov. Bob McDonnell?

Some political pundits are all but shoveling dirt over the political future of Virginia's Republican governor, who is reportedly being investigated for accepting a $15,000 gift from a major donor that he didn't report and for possible improper billing and misuse of his official staff, according to the Washington Post.

After the series of possible missteps, the Republican governor, who has been mentioned in some circles as a contender for president, has hit a bumpy road as he begins to wind down his term as governor of the Commonwealth.

"What hurts the most politically is when the public perceives leaders as using public office for personal gain, especially when it involves taxpayer money," said Mark Rozell, acting Dean and Professor of Public Policy at George Mason University in Fairfax, in response to questions from Patch.

"Generous personal gifts from political donors and those with a direct stake in certain government policies are not looked upon favorably by the public," Rozell said. "But using taxpayer dollars for personal items goes to an even different level altogether. Does it end his future political prospects?

"I'd say his prospects don't look favorable at all right now, but let's keep in mind that some political figures recently have made comebacks, or are attempting comebacks, with much greater baggage," Rozell said.

Former South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford is one politician who, after resigning his office after disclosing an affair with an Argentine journalist, is now walking the halls at Capitol Hill as that state's newest member of Congress.

Former Congressman Anthony Weiner, who resigned his job in disgrace over a Twitter scandal, recently threw his hat in the ring in the New York City mayoral race.

Others say that the cloud hanging over the Virginia governor will be reason for Republicans to cross McDonnell off their list for higher office. In a story last week by Jill Lawrence in the National Journal: "A GOP strategist who does not advise McDonnell says a nominee would be asking, " 'Is there any good reason we should not pick this person?' And if that question has a ready answer, that makes it more difficult."
 
The article goes on to quote Larry Sabato, director of the Center for Politics at the University of Virginia, who said: "Who wants this baggage? Answer: No one."

A poll released last month by Public Policy Polling noted that Virginians don't want McDonnell to run for president. Only 17 percent think he should make a run for the White House to 57 percent who are opposed to the idea. Among Republicans, 30 percent think he should go for it to 37 percent who think he should not.