Welcoming our New Governor!

There’s something special about seeing the person you helped get elected, become inaugurated. I was fortunate enough, along with some friends, to be able to have this experience. After working as volunteers during the morning, we all trekked over to the staff entrance, flashed our passes, then watched as Governor-elect Bob McDonnell was sworn into the highest office in the state of Virginia. The air was buzzing with energy and excitement as 4,000+ people packed into the bleachers and surrounding areas. The 19-gun salute by Howitzers, placed at the south end of Capitol Square, sounded after the oath of office was taken and F22 Raptor jets soared over head to announce the beginning of a new Virginia.

The start of his acceptance speech pointed out the fact that, yes, he had kept his first campaign promise - "I said it would be sunny and warm in Richmond on Inauguration Day!" Indeed it was.

His speech highlighted many of the issues that he ran his campaign on - job creation, opportunity, education, transportation, and community service. However, it did not dwell on the past. Governor McDonnell focused on the future of Virginia -

“Where opportunity is absent, we must create it. Where opportunity is limited, we must expand it. Where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone... I’ve had people tell me they fear that America may no longer be the land of opportunity it has always been and that Virginia’s history in playing a leading role in the life of our nation may be just that — history,” he declared. “They are wrong.”

He acknowledged the tough tasks that his administration has ahead of them, thanked the Kaine administration for their service, then turned to the thousands of Americans facing him and charged them saying -

"It is right to help one another. It is right to work together to get results and solve problems. It is right to provide opportunities for all. Let us heed the words of the Father of our Country, employ these eternal rules of order and right, and get to work for the good of the people of Virginia. Thank you and God Bless the Commonwealth of Virginia."

You can see the transcript of his acceptance speech HERE.