Editorials

Editorials

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Terry, Beyer; Dolan

Too much of the rhetoric in this year’s statewide races for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general has been negative, focusing on personalities rather than issues.

That’s too bad, because the Democratic ticket has much to offer Virginia, both in terms of experience and in its vision for the future.

Former Attorney General Mary Sue Terry, making a bid for the state’s highest office, has a breadth of experience in both her private law practice and her years as an elected official. During the deep recession that has gripped Virginia during the past few years, the Wilder-Beyer-Terry administration has cut spending and kept the state budget under control, leading Financial World magazine to rate Virginia as the best-managed state in the nation for the past two years.

Ms. Terry has been at the forefront of efforts to combat drugs and crime. She established the CADRE anti-drug training program which has been emulated by other states, fought to increase penalties for drunk drivers, and supports strict regulations on the purchase of handguns.

Ms. Terry’s critics have charged that she is soft on crime. The fact is that, like the rest of the country, crime is up in Virginia. That trend cannot be blamed on Ms. Terry.

She has a reasonable plan to crack down on violent criminals while using high-tech methods like home incarceration to punish less dangerous offenders. This will make the streets safer, but not bankrupt the state treasury with new prison construction.

Ms. Terry also plans to continue the economic development initiatives begun by her predecessors, as well as to create a publicprivate partnership through a Board of Trade that will not just seek new jobs — but will create and administer the economic development policies of the Commonwealth.

Donald S. Beyer Jr., seeking a second term as lieutenant governor, has put his considerable business experience to work for Virginia. Beyer has also carried his message of personal responsibility across the state, urging Virginians to take charge of their lives and rely less on the government.

Beyer says he will spearhead a review of the entire state bureaucracy, looking to streamline both programs and personnel. For those affected by such “streamlining,” both in government and t private industry, Beyer advocates retraining programs and support of new business opportunities.

William D. Dolan III, a Northern Virginia attorney and former president of the Virginia Bar Association, brings 22 years of legal experience to his bid for attorney general.

Dolan supports Ms. Terry’s plan for a five-day waiting period on handgun purchases, and also advocates leaving family planning decisions in the hands of the family — not the state.

Dolan also supports a change in state law to allow juries to be informed about the prior criminal history of a defendant prior to sentencing. That one change, more than some of the radical reforms proposed for the justice system, would ensure that career criminals spend serious time in prison — and that first-time offenders are offered a chance at rehabilitation.

Mary Sue Terry, Don Beyer and Bill Dolan will work for Virginia, and they will put Virginia to work. Political campaigns may be won on style, but effective governing requires substance. Terry, Beyer and Dolan have proven that they have the experience and expertise to govern Virginia.