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Coleman also favores presumptive sentencing, an action which would take power away from judges. But, he said, criminals convicted of the same crime in different court circuits will get sentences that are completely different. “I would like to see the judges given a narrow discretion when it comes to sentencing,” hesaid,
"I want criminals to know that for every crime they will receive such and such a sentence. If the offense is repeated, the criminal will get an added sentence. This is going to narrow the ability for abuse in sentencing and will assure that equality is rendered under the law,” he said.
Coleman said that as Attorney General he would “stand up to the utility companies, which is something the Attorney General should be able to do.” While serving in the General Assembly, Coleman said, he sponsored legislation that would make industry responsible for its actions.
Promises Independence
He sees the office of Attorney General as an independent agency that acts without influence from the Governor. “There ought to be a check and balance in state government. An independent Attorney General will assure Virginia of that. This is not to mean that I will seek confrontations with the Governor, but I am not going to be a rubber stamp for anybody. I will be the people’s lawyer.”
Coleman has been able to pick up the support of groups that traditionally support more liberal-minded candidates, but says he remains “a conservative Republican.”
“I passed the acid test while I was in the General Assembly. I am conservative on fiscal matters. I voted against salary increases for members of the General Assembly, feeling that we should make do with what we have. I also feel that government should operate more in the open and I supported lobby reforms in the General Assembly. These are the best of the conservative view of things.”
"My politics are practical. I believe that if it is not necessary to change, then it is necessary not to change. I am not for change for change’s sake,” he said.
He sums up his view of the Attorney General’s duties with this statement. “The greatest qualification is the need of somebody who is willing to confront issues and who is interested in the administration of justice. The Attorney General should take a leadership role, and should constantly be asking the difficult question.”
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