McDonnell stands by Malek

Governor Bob McDonnell mounted a passionate defense on Friday for the man who will lead his effort to reform Virginia government.

Fred Malek, a donor to the McDonnell campaign, and Republican activist, has come under fire from Democrats because of his role tracking  Jewish people during the Nixon administration. Democrats have called for McDonnell to remove Malek as the Chair of his Government Reform and Restructuring Commission.

The Governor refuses to bow to the Democratic pressure, accusing them of standing in the way of reform. He pointed to the six current members of the commission who are Democrats and have not stepped down, despite the problems party activists have Malek’s role.

You can see my story on the controversy and the first meeting of the commission on NBC12.com.

The Governor held a testy exchange with reporters following his opening remarks to the group. He rejected the notion that Malek could be a distraction to their efforts to reform Government.

Meanwhile Malek, who had not commented on the controversy, also spoke briefly with reporters and called his work in the Nixon Administration a mistake, “The biggest one I ever made in my life.”  He also said that he never offered to step down from his role as Chair to elminate the distraction for the Governor.

McDonnell gathers reform commission while Democrats attack Malek

Governor Bob McDonnell will meet today for the first time with his bi-partisan Government Reform Commission. The effort was a key component during his campaign and has the potential to change the way state government operates in many ways.

The formation of this commission has not been easy for the Governor, in part because of his appointment of Fred Malek. Malek is a longtime Republican donor and activists and was asked by McDonnell to Chair the effort. Democrats have worked overtime to discredit Malek by recalling his role in the Nixon Administration, tracking Jewish people working in Government.

Malek has apologized for his actions during that time, but the Democrats attempts to dredge up the past have been aided by the revelation of old documents and audio recordings that have given a more in depth picture of just how involved he was.

You can see my report on Malek’s past from Thursday night on NBC12.com.

McDonnell has not wavered a bit on his support for Malek. His surrogates have argued that the coordinated attack on the businessman has more to do with his role in the American Action Network. The conservative political action committee has pledged $25 million to Republican candidates during the 2010 midterm elections.

We will be there today as the Commission gathers for the first time. I will have reports tonight on NBC12-TV and updates on Decision Virginia.