Sauvienne, Lial--Nationalist Governor Todd Pergich (Lial) won some rare praise today--from his predecessor, former Gov. Gavin Gymbal, a prominent Conservative.
Speaking to the Collester Press Corps during a meeting with President Brenton Menuhaeo, Gymbal, who served as governor from 2006-2010 and subsequently was re-elected to his former Assembly seat of Mansill in southwestern Lial, told reporters Pergich is "doing relatively well" as governor.
"I'm really actually quite impressed with the job Todd Pergich is doing. He has governed, thus far, with an even-handed, common sense approach. He's been fiscally responsible and he has made public safety a top priority. The economy, I think, is still struggling in Lial, and I think there's a lot of improvement that could be made in that aspect, but overall, I think Todd Pergich is doing a reasonable job as governor, and I think Conservatives find him easier to work with than some of the former NAT governors we've had," said Gymbal.
Gymbal's flattering comments are rare for a state that is known for its bitter relations and fierce political battles between the two major parties. And his comments contrast sharply with his reputation as a fierce partisan.
"My vision of government and governance is not one of bitter feuds between the parties and a nasty rivalry. In my earlier days, I took pleasure in castigating the other side and engaging in political warfare with the opposition. But my time as governor really re-shaped my thinking. It challenged me to reach across the aisle, and I met many Nationalists in Clothen that were open-minded, independent-minded people, who love their state and embrace the common good rather than sticking to their party's agenda. That was a fundamental change in my thinking," Gymbal said.
"I've softened over the years," Gymbal said, laughing.
The assemblyman was meeting with President Menuhaeo to discuss agriculture, national security, and environmental issues. And though Gymbal was striking a bipartisan tone, he was not afraid to voice his differences with the NAT.
"The President and I have very different views on these issues. We do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. But that doesn't prevent us from sitting down over a cup of tea and discussing the issues that are facing my constituents and the Grassadellian people," said Gymbal.
The President concurred with Gymbal's assessment.
"Over the years, Gavin and I have butted heads, frequently. But during that time, I think we've found some common ground and we've found that we can still be friends and have different view points. The people of Mansill are lucky to have Gavin Gymbal as their assemblyman," said Menuhaeo.
Pergich's office did not return calls or emails seeking comment on the matter.
But Gymbal's affectionate words for his successor cannot be helping the CNS, as it seeks to attack and undermine Pergich's standing with voters, as the incumbent governor is up for re-election in 2014.
Despite his praise for the incumbent, Gymbal stopped short of endorsing Pergich.
"I'm not endorsing anyone at this point. I'm simply saying, I think the governor is doing a good job on a number of issues. There are some areas where I think he could be doing better, primarily economic issues. I think I would be handling that differently. But he deserves to be recognized for the good work he is doing."
The Conservative party has yet to find a top-tier candidate to challenge Pergich, and party insiders say the race will likely be written off and resources devoted to races where Conservatives have a better chance of winning.
Speaking to the Collester Press Corps during a meeting with President Brenton Menuhaeo, Gymbal, who served as governor from 2006-2010 and subsequently was re-elected to his former Assembly seat of Mansill in southwestern Lial, told reporters Pergich is "doing relatively well" as governor.
"I'm really actually quite impressed with the job Todd Pergich is doing. He has governed, thus far, with an even-handed, common sense approach. He's been fiscally responsible and he has made public safety a top priority. The economy, I think, is still struggling in Lial, and I think there's a lot of improvement that could be made in that aspect, but overall, I think Todd Pergich is doing a reasonable job as governor, and I think Conservatives find him easier to work with than some of the former NAT governors we've had," said Gymbal.
Gymbal's flattering comments are rare for a state that is known for its bitter relations and fierce political battles between the two major parties. And his comments contrast sharply with his reputation as a fierce partisan.
"My vision of government and governance is not one of bitter feuds between the parties and a nasty rivalry. In my earlier days, I took pleasure in castigating the other side and engaging in political warfare with the opposition. But my time as governor really re-shaped my thinking. It challenged me to reach across the aisle, and I met many Nationalists in Clothen that were open-minded, independent-minded people, who love their state and embrace the common good rather than sticking to their party's agenda. That was a fundamental change in my thinking," Gymbal said.
"I've softened over the years," Gymbal said, laughing.
The assemblyman was meeting with President Menuhaeo to discuss agriculture, national security, and environmental issues. And though Gymbal was striking a bipartisan tone, he was not afraid to voice his differences with the NAT.
"The President and I have very different views on these issues. We do not see eye-to-eye on a lot of issues. But that doesn't prevent us from sitting down over a cup of tea and discussing the issues that are facing my constituents and the Grassadellian people," said Gymbal.
The President concurred with Gymbal's assessment.
"Over the years, Gavin and I have butted heads, frequently. But during that time, I think we've found some common ground and we've found that we can still be friends and have different view points. The people of Mansill are lucky to have Gavin Gymbal as their assemblyman," said Menuhaeo.
Pergich's office did not return calls or emails seeking comment on the matter.
But Gymbal's affectionate words for his successor cannot be helping the CNS, as it seeks to attack and undermine Pergich's standing with voters, as the incumbent governor is up for re-election in 2014.
Despite his praise for the incumbent, Gymbal stopped short of endorsing Pergich.
"I'm not endorsing anyone at this point. I'm simply saying, I think the governor is doing a good job on a number of issues. There are some areas where I think he could be doing better, primarily economic issues. I think I would be handling that differently. But he deserves to be recognized for the good work he is doing."
The Conservative party has yet to find a top-tier candidate to challenge Pergich, and party insiders say the race will likely be written off and resources devoted to races where Conservatives have a better chance of winning.
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