McDonnell speaks to E.C. Glass students

An E.C. Glass High School AP government class got an up-close look at civics when Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell stopped by Tuesday.

The issues
McDonnell took students’ questions. Here’s a look at how he stood on some of the issues.

- When asked about the federal stimulus, McDonnell said there are points where he disagrees. For example, he told students there are not enough tax cuts, too little money for infrastructure and too much money allocated in the future.

“Money in your pockets now will stimulate the economy,” he said.

McDonnell also admitted to students he hasn’t read the 1,000-page bill. He said most congressmen haven’t either, and that’s a problem.

- Students also peppered McDonnell with questions about his stance on second amendment rights, which he staunchly supports.

“If you commit a crime with a weapon, then you ought to be punished,” he said, but added individuals do have the right to bear arms.

When asked about guns on college campuses, particularly Virginia Tech, McDonnell said there is a policy in place that states guns are not permitted on that campus. However, he said if a policy were in place allowing professors and administrators to carry guns, he would not object to that.

- McDonnell also touched briefly on education, saying he would like to see merit pay and the use of charter schools.

- When it came to energy issues, he told students Virginia has more coal than any other state, and he wants to see a greater focus on clean coal plants. He also said he supports offshore drilling and nuclear power.

“It’s so important that young people understand and care about democracy,” McDonnell told students before taking questions on everything from the federal stimulus package to gun control issues.

The former attorney general spent about an hour with the senior students, many of whom will have their first chance at the voting booth for Virginia’s gubernatorial election. Teacher Jessica Bibb, who delayed a test so students would have the opportunity with McDonnell, said it’s important her students realize their impact. She also wants to make sure increased youth turnout in recent elections isn’t just a trend.

“Everything the government does affects them,” Bibb said.

For example, a majority of her class is headed off to college, she said, so higher education issues, particularly funding, affects them.

Bibb, who has been at E.C. Glass for three years, recalled President Barack Obama’s campaign trail stop at the high school last fall. For her, that, along with McDonnell’s visit, stand out as prominent political guests the school has had.

“Any time I can get someone in the process, it’s a bonus,” she said.

Bibb’s students were able to score time with McDonnell because his nephew is in the class. McDonnell, who was in Lynchburg for two days, also spoke at Liberty University’s convocation and attended a Lynchburg Regional Chamber of Commerce legislative breakfast.

Bibb said she was “pleasantly surprised” by the frank conversation between McDonnell and students.

Senior Bennett Whitehouse said the exchange highlighted the issues, and he liked that McDonnell talked with a small group of students.

“We live in this world, too,” he said. “We don’t know how everything affects us.”

Classmate Charlie Kitts, who is also a senior and self-proclaimed McDonnell fan, said he was excited to have the former attorney general in class because he cares about voters, notably young people.

“We really are the future generation,” Kitts said. “I’m so excited politicians care about our issues.”