RIGHT SPEAK: Gov Bob McDonnell (R-VA) interview with WAPO's Jennifer Rubin

I sat down with Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell today to ask him about progress on his agenda and about a controversial attempt by Republican state senators to grab extra seats in a redistricting measure voted on when a Democratic state senator was absent for the president’s inauguration.

McDonnell is riding high in the polls, but isn’t sitting on his laurels in his final year as governor. He launched ambitious transportation and education proposals, both of which have drawn substantial support from labor, business, technology and other groups. His transportation bill drew some flak from out-of-state anti-tax advocates because he would raise more revenue by replacing the gas tax with a dedicated portion of an increased sales tax. He says the lack of opposition within the state was no surprise. “We laid a lot of groundwork,” he tells me. “You have to reach critical mass with Democrats and Republican [on the need for a fix].” Although he says he is “surprised and pleased so many people have come on board,” the measure faces two critical days of legislative maneuvering. He concedes that had he not governed as a fiscal conservative and helped drive down the unemployment rate to a four-year low (5.5 percent) he would have faced stiffer opposition. “It gives me continued credibility we’re using a business-friendly, fiscally responsible approach,” he says.