Well, if nothing else, you have to give the Republican nominee for Governor in the Old Dominion, state AG Bob McDonnell, some credit for originality:
For the first time in recent memory, a Republican candidate is actively embracing the tenure of George W. Bush, citing the economic growth up through 2006 as a template of governance he'd like to pursue.
Yeah, that meteoric economic growth of the Bush years, where his best year would have been Clinton's third WORST year. (data source via the International Monetary Fund here):
Annual Rates of Economic Growth: 1993 Through 2008
The Clinton Years:
1993 2.67%
1994 4.02%
1995 2.50%
1996 3.70%
1997 4.50%
1998 4.18%
1999 4.45%
2000 3.66%
The Bush Years:
2001 0.75%
2002 1.60%
2003 2.51%
2004 3.64%
2005 3.07%
2006 2.87%
2007 2.19%
2008 0.52%
McDonnell's Bush nostalgia, it seems is based on taxes. Like the former President, McDonnell is planning on being a tax-cuttin' machine if he makes it to the governor's mansion:
"President Bush put in a ten-year tax-cut on everything from the death tax to capital gains tax and it was followed by an unprecedented period of economic recovery and economic growth," he said. "In fact, it almost overheated the economy through about 2006. So, I think that's the way you stimulate business. And that's the kind of governor that I'm going to be to reduce those impediments to entrepreneurship, to let small businesses grow and thrive and create some opportunity."
It has been obvious for some time that Republicans view taxes as some sort of electoral magic elixir that will cure them of all their ailments (several past electoral results to the contrary). But embracing Bush to get there? A curious move from Mr. McDonnell, bordering on his own personal macaca moment, it would seem.