Gov. McDonnell Says He'd Consider VP Slot, If Asked
(Image Credit: Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo)
Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell said Thursday he'd consider being vetted for the vice presidential slot if Mitt Romney's team approaches him.
"Well I think anybody that gets a call from the nominee and says, you can help our party, you can help our country. Of course you'd consider it, but I've got the job built by Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry," McDonnell said in an interview with MSNBC's Chuck Todd.
"That's all speculation. That's completely up to Mitt Romney. I'm not looking for, campaigning for it, or expecting it, so we'll see what happens. You'll have to ask Governor Romney what he's planning to do," McDonnell added.
McDonnell has long said he's happy in his position describing it as the best governorship in the country.
McDonnell, whose name is floated as a potential running mate to Romney, addressed the controversial ultrasound bill passed in Virginia this March, arguing that his focus was on jobs and economic policy but saying that the ultrasound bill exemplified the type of policies people in Virginia would like to adopt.
"Standing up for the right to life and embracing a culture of life is something I believe in. It's something most Virginians believe in and amending informed consent bills to provide more information to people was a policy that was supported by people in both parties," McDonnell said.
Asked if Republicans are focusing too much on social issues this election, McDonnell turned the issue on Democrats, arguing they are the party that is heightening the divide in the country.
"The Democrats are the ones that are pretty much talking about it because they can't run on their record," McDonnell said. "The Democrats continue to focus on these issues, these false dichotomies, separating men from women, successful and rich people from the middle class. It's the game of division. We're not going to play that game."
McDonnell was also asked about a Washington Post report which said his PAC, Opportunity Virginia, plans to air positive ads in the coming weeks in an attempt to boost his approval rating, which has dropped since the ultrasound controversy. McDonnell denied the report but said "we're always looking for ways to get out the positive message" about efforts in Virginia.