Robert F. McDonnell receives congratulatory handshakes after being sworn in as Virginia's new governor on Jan. 16 at the capitol in Richmond. Maureen McDonnell, the governor's wife, stands nearby. McDonnell had predicted pleasant weather for the event, and in his speech declared it his first completed campaign promise.
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McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, pause during the Pledge of Allegiance before his swearing-in. McDonnell wore a traditional morning coat to his inauguration.
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McDonnell and his wife are greeted by guests as they make their way to the seating area during the inauguration ceremony at the state capitol building in Richmond. The event was attended by all but one of the surviving former governor's of the state (U.S. Sen. Mark Warner had a family medical issue.)
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Chuck Robb helps fellow former Virginia governor Linwood Holton to his seat at the inauguration. Ex-governor Douglas Wilder trails them, while Republican National Committee chair Michael Steele stands on the left. The crowds at Wilder's inauguration in 1990 -- he was the first African American governor in the United States -- remain the largest ever.
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U.S. Sen. James Webb (D-Va.) checks his seating arrangement after arriving at the inauguration ceremony for new Virginia Gov. Robert F. McDonnell.
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Former Virginia governor George Allen has a word with RNC Chairman Steele at the inauguration. "Bob McDonnell's campaign for governor should serve as a shining example for all Republicans looking for success in 2010," Steele said
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Outgoing governor Timothy M. Kaine and his wife Anne Holton arrive at McDonnell's inauguration ceremony. Earlier in the day Kaine officially passed along the key to the governor's mansion, and immediately after the ceremony the Kaines followed tradition by returning to their home in a Richmond neighborhood.
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McDonnell greets Kaine at start of the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast at the Richmond Marriott on Jan. 16.
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Pat Robertson -- in the news recently for suggesting that Haitians brought a devastating earthquake on themselves -- talks with Dr. Steve Long of Richmond at the Inaugural Prayer Breakfast. Robertson also attended the inauguration ceremony, watching from the grandstands.
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F-22s from Virginia's Air National Guard perform a flyover during inauguration ceremonies at the state capitol on Jan. 16.
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Robert F. McDonnell celebrates after being sworn in as Virginia's new governor. Moments later, as he went to the podium to give his inaugural address, McDonnell joked with Speaker of the House William J. Howell that "there are a lot of people here -- it's like one of your fundraisers!"
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McDonnell focused his speech -- and the executive orders he signed shortly after it -- on job creation and shrinking the size of the government.
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"The circumstances of our time demand that we reconsider and restore the proper role of government," McDonnell said. "Without reform the continued growth of government threatens our very prosperity."
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McDonnell hugs his wife, Maureen, after being sworn in as governor.
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McDonnell takes the oath of office as his wife, Maureen, holds a Latin Vulgate Bible that had been presented to his great-grandparents on their wedding day in 1876.
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McDonnell, flanked by his family, is congratulated by the Hon. Barbara Milano Keenan. The Supreme Court of Virginia justice was the first woman to swear in a Virginia governor.
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The text of the oath office: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all of the duties incumbent on me as governor according to the best of my ability.
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Republican Robert F. McDonnell sports a tricorn hat on Jan. 15 in Richmond. He will be sworn in as Virginia's 71st governor at noon Saturday, with the weight of his own promises and the hopes of a resurgent party upon him.
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McDonnell outside St. John's Church during the "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!" re-enactment of the Second Virginia Convention of March 1775. The statement was made by Patrick Henry, who was named the Commonwealth's first governor little more than a year later.
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Col. George Washington, played by Devin Grantz, addresses the audience at St. John's Church as governor-elect McDonnell looks on.
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The governor-elect takes a seat beside his wife Maureen after addressing the audience at St. John's Church.
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From left: McDonnell, Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli and Lt. Governor-elect Bill Bolling speak with reporters outside St. John's Church one day before their swearing in ceremony.
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McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli walk past gravestones at St. John's Church in Richmond. The three Republicans were easily elected in 2009, but likely will have to scale back their ambitions because of the enfeebled economy and Democratic opposition.
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Virginia State Police gather near the base of the George Washington statue outside the State Capitol on January 15.
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Wallace Richardson gives a fresh coat of paint to the reviewing stands outside the Virginia State Capitol in preparation for Saturday's inaugural ceremonies.
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Seats and reviewing stands are arrayed around the stage where Governor-elect Bob McDonnell will be sworn in Saturday, and a path the subsequent inaugural parade will traverse.
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Just before 11a.m. on Jan. 14, a herd of lobbyists, association representatives and General Assembly members make their way to the Capitol for meetings and sessions, passing by a statue of George Washington and his horse.
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In Richmond, Va., recently assembled stands await crowds for the inauguration of Bob McDonnell. McDonnell will be the first Republican to occupy the governor's office in 12 years.
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Lobbyists linger outside the office of Speaker of the House William Howell's office in the General Assembly Building in Richmond.
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Hours after narrowly winning a special election, freshman State Delegate David Marsden (D-Fairfax), right, has an early morning meeting with House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry). The senate seat was vacated by Republican Attorney General-elect Ken Cuccinelli.
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State Delegate David Marsden (D-Fairfax) is introduced to the Senate during the opening of the 2010 Virginia General Assembly session.
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On the first day of the new legislative session in Richmond, House Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford) was re-elected Speaker of the House of Delegates.
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Del. Robert "Bobby" Orrock Sr. (R-54th) -- a district that encompasses parts of Caroline and Spotsylvania counties -- plays with his granddaughter Abigail, 8 months, on the opening day of the new legislative session for Virginia's General Assembly in Richmond.
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Del. Thomas A. "Tag" Greason (R-32nd) - Loudon County -- sits with his children, Matthew, 10, Jenna, 7, and Grace, 4, in the House of Delegates on the opening day of the new legislative session in Richmond.
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William Howell (R-Stafford) takes the oath as Speaker of the House of Delegates during the opening of the 2010 Virginia General Assembly session in Richmond.
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The 2010 legislative session in Richmond is expected to be dominated by wrangling over how to slash the state budget. Several bills aimed at crippling federal-level legislation also have garnered attention.
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Freshman delegates Mark Keam (D-Fairfax), Luke Torian (D-Prince William), Kay Kory (D-Fairfax) and Robin Abbott (D-Newport News) take the oath of office.
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Delegates Charles Poindexter (from left), Joe T. May and Robert "Bobby" Orrock Sr. greet one another as they return to the Capitol for a new General Assembly session.
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Newly elected state Sen. Dave Marsden (left) chats with colleague George Barker on Jan. 13 in Richmond. Both represent parts of Fairfax County.
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New Republican delegate Barbara Comstock bows her head alongside veteran Republican delegates Thomas Davis Rust (from left), Joe T. May and Robert "Bobby" Orrock Sr. during a prayer before the opening of the session.
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Governor-elect Bob McDonnell hugs his wife, Maureen, and Diana Cantor, the wife of U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor, before he volunteers at the Central Virginia Food Bank. Not wanting a lavish inaugural given the state of the economy, McDonnell has focused the run-up to his swearing-in on service events.
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McDonnell talks with Del. David Marsden, a Democrat who won his Fairfax County seat in a special election the previous night, at the Central Virginia Food Bank. "While we may not agree on every issue, I know that Dave and I share a commitment to making this a better Virginia for all our citizens," McDonnell said in a statement released the previous night.
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McDonnell talks with Davis Rennolds, his Advance Coordinator, just before a press conference at the Central Virginia Food Bank. McDonnell's upcoming stops include a homeless shelter and a prison.
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McDonnell will be sworn-in as governor on Saturday. That will be followed by a parade and an inaugural ball at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.
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Gov. Kaine greets Sharron Kitchen Miller of the Virginia Commission for the Arts as he enters the House Chamber for his State of the Commonwealth Address on Wednesday night.
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Kaine shakes hands with Del. Harvey B. Morgan (R-98th District) on his way to the podium.
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The bulk of Kaine's speech was focused on the accomplishments and progress of the state during his tenure in office. "No state in America has enjoyed the success we have seen in recent years," he said.
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Legislators applauded Kaine's mentions of the steady stream of economic plaudits the state has received in recent years, as well as the 424,000 acres of open space protected during his term as governor.
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The governor wipes away a tear during his final speech to the Joint Assembly. In closing his address, Kaine offered thanks to the state's legislators, cabinet secretaries, public employees and citizens.
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Kaine exits the House Chamber after his speech. "I rejoiced on the great days and prayed for strength on the hard days, humbled and honored to play my small role in the grand sweep of Virginia history," he said.
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