Changes

McDonnell was selected to give the Republican response to [[President Barack Obama]]'s 2010 state of the Union address. <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/21/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6125701.shtml</ref> McDonnell ran for governor as a conservative, but in 2013, he betrayed conservatives by signing into law the largest tax increase in Virginia history.<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/26/va-gov-mcdonnell-faces-conservative-ire-tax-hike/</ref>

McDonnell was selected to give the Republican response to [[President Barack Obama]]'s 2010 state of the Union address. <ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2010/01/21/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry6125701.shtml</ref> McDonnell ran for governor as a conservative, but in 2013, he betrayed conservatives by signing into law the largest tax increase in Virginia history.<ref>http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/26/va-gov-mcdonnell-faces-conservative-ire-tax-hike/</ref>

At the time McDonnell was elected Governor, he faced financial pressures because he had invested in rental properties at the peak of property values which began a sharp decline in 2008.  He then sought a series of personal loans. One loan came from a friend to whom he offered an appointment to a regulatory board. He also received loans and various gifts from Johnnie Williams, the CEO of a company which produces a dietary suppliment.  This included a $6,500 Rolex watch, $15,000 for catering the wedding of McDonnell's daughter and a $10,000 engagement gift to McDonnell's other daughter.  Mrs. McDonnell purchased $15,000 worth of clothing on a New York city shopping spree paid for by Mr. Williams.  Mrs. McDonnell made public appearances on behalf of the product, and the Governor hosted an event at the Governor's Mansion to promote the product.  McDonnell claims that all of his actions were legal, and has returned the gifts and repaid the loans.<ref>{{cite news|title=McDonnell: All 'tangible' gifts returned to supporter|work=Washington Post|first=Rosalind|last=Helderman|date=August 14, 2013|page=B1}}</ref>  [[Ken Cuccinelli]], the current Republican candidate for Governor, asked McDonnell to call a special session to strengthen Virginia's ethic laws, but McDonnell declined.

At the time McDonnell was elected Governor, he faced financial pressures because he had invested in rental properties at the peak of property values which began a sharp decline in 2008.  He then sought a series of personal loans. One loan came from a friend to whom he offered an appointment to a regulatory board.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lender was offered Va. post|first=Rosalind|last=Helderman|work=Washington Post|date=August 9, 2013|page=B1}}</ref> He also received loans and various gifts from Jonnie R. Williams, the CEO of a company which produces a dietary suppliment.  These included a $6,500 Rolex watch, $15,000 for catering the wedding of McDonnell's daughter and a $10,000 engagement gift to McDonnell's other daughter.  Mrs. McDonnell purchased $15,000 worth of clothing on a New York city shopping spree paid for by Mr. Williams.  Mrs. McDonnell made public appearances on behalf of the product, and the Governor hosted an event at the Governor's Mansion to promote the product.  McDonnell claims that all of his actions were legal, and has returned the gifts and repaid the loans.<ref>{{cite news|title=McDonnell: All 'tangible' gifts returned to supporter|work=Washington Post|first=Rosalind|last=Helderman|date=August 14, 2013|page=B1}}</ref>  [[Ken Cuccinelli]], the current Republican candidate for Governor, asked McDonnell to call a special session to strengthen Virginia's ethic laws, but McDonnell declined.

==External Links==

==External Links==