The only smoke and mirrors you will have to deal with in regards to this Gilmore announcement are those created by the Democrats of Virginia.

For instance, there never was a budget shortfall in Virginia, EVER. If there was a slowdown it was from the recession at the end of the Clinton administration and, of course, 9/11. Remember that both of these affected all 50 states.

To clarify that there was no budget deficit, just two weeks after the state's largest tax increase ever, and well before any tax dollars were collected and accounted for, Warner announced that there was actually a $544 million surplus in the state budget. This was very different language than just weeks before when he essentially claimed Virginia was bankrupt. Also, over Mark Warner's term, the state budget increased from ~$40 billion to ~$67 billion. How can a state budget increase at such an incredible rate when it is "in shambles"? Smoke and mirrors maybe?

Democrats in Virginia will also attack "Virginia's credit rating". If there was a credit rating issue, why was it never brought up until Mark Warner wanted to raise taxes? Why was it never brought up during Gilmore's administration? The answer is simple: it never existed.

The attacks on Gilmore are nothing more than Mark Warner attacks on the last popular Republican Governor of Virginia. Do not be fooled into believing their one sided ramblings. It's essentially like listening to a broken record. There are accusations but no facts supporting them.

Governor Gilmore was a fantastic Governor. He cuts taxes for all Virginians, stayed true to his word and promises, revitalized the education system in Virginia (hired over 4,000 new teachers in 4 years, cut all state university tuitions by 20% making college affordable to all Virginians), and also led a forerunner commission to the department of homeland security.

On a side note, Many democrats will criticize his homeland security credentials. They obviously have not read his committee's near 1,500 page report on terrorism that preceded the 9/11 attacks. Of his 167 recommendations made, 145 of them have been put into the department of homeland security.

This post will be attacked. It will be attacked by the same individuals who have been putting out lies for five years now. Just remember, they tell no truth in what they say.

Governor Gilmore is the only true conservative considering a Presidential run and he will indeed fill the void missing in America today.

Go Gilmore!

And saying Gilmore isn't charismatic is not true! I've known him for a good 10 years, met him at some politial rally, and he's a very funny guy. All I can say is, Go Gilmore!

Governors, generals, and billionaires pretty much all have "a shot." They have an instant credibility which allows them to get heard. Jimmy Carter was unknown in 1976 and won it all. Ross Perot had a nice boomlet in 1992. People were begging Colin Powell to run in 1996 and 2000. Howard Dean looked like he was going to run away with the Democratic nomination in 2000, even though almost no one had heard of him in 1999. Wes Clark had a shot in 2004 and is looking at another in 2008.

I wasn't in Virginia when Gilmore was governor so have no strong impression of him, other than some appearances on the Sunday shows as RNC Chair. He seemed pleasant enough, although hardly inspiring.

There's a race to be "the conservative alternative" in the GOP field for 2008 and there's no obvious front-runner. Gilmore has as good a shot at getting that title as any of the presumptive candidates.

...isn’t the most charismatic guy in the world.

Neither is George W. Bush. In fact, of the last eight Republicans to get elected President, only one could really be considered charismatic.