Republican governors George Allen and Jim Gilmore had issued similar proclamations but, in 2002, Warner broke with their action, calling such proclamations a "lightning rod" that does not help bridge divisions between whites and blacks in Virginia.
This year's proclamation was requested by the Sons of Confederate Veterans. A representative of the group said the group has known since it interviewed McDonnell when he was running for attorney general in 2005 that he was likely to respond differently than Warner or Kaine. "We've known for quite some time we had a good opportunity should he get the governorship," Brandon Dorsey said. "We basically decided to bide our time and wait until we had more favorable politicians in Richmond." Dorsey said the governor's stamp of approval would help the group publicize the month and aide tourism efforts in the state.
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