Republican National Committee Chair Reince Priebus announced Monday that Gov. Bob McDonnell of Virginia has been tapped to serve as chair of the influential committee responsible for drawing up the party’s platform at the Republican National Convention.
Mr. Priebus said that Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota and Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee will serve as co-chairmen of the Committee on Resolutions — also known as the Platform Committee.
“The principles of our party and our vision for the country are contained in the platform,” Mr. Priebus said in a statement. “It is a document of immense importance and a testament to our dedication to individual liberty, economic freedom, and limited government.”
Mr. McDonnell has been mentioned as a possible running mate for presumptive nominee Mitt Romney, and he campaigned alongside the former Massachusetts governor during the primaries in Virginia.
But he also came under fire earlier this year from women’s rights groups and was ridiculed by late-night comedians during a legislative fight in Richmond over reproductive rights, which saw him sign a law requiring women to have an abdominal ultrasound before having an abortion — though he backed away from supporting legislation that would have required a transvaginal ultrasound, which women’s rights groups said was intrusive.
On Monday, Mr. McDonnell said he was “honored” to chair the committee and that he plans to listen to voters in order to give a voice to their concerns and priorities.
“The Obama presidency has been a difficult time for Virginians and for Americans. Our platform will outline the way forward for our economy and a new and better direction for our country,” he said.
