Virginia's Governor Has Relationship With Koch Brothers

This article reports on visits by the Governor of Virginia to conferences sponsored by the Koch brothers.  The Koch brothers are billionaires who use their wealth to advocate radical right wing directions in government.  They have been leaders in promoting global warming denial, and for a smaller role of government in the economy.  Their father was a founder of the far right John Birch society, which accused President Eisenhower of being a communist.  Extreme views, like their accusations about the Republican president, eventually led to public disfavor and the breakup of the John Birch society.  The Koch brothers have decided that it would be better to gain control over the Republican party than to form a third party like they did when the John Birch society was in vogue.  They have been behind much of the funding and the organization of the Tea Party in the US.  The Tea Party gives them a position within the populist movement that has influenced the direction of the Republican party.  They have also funded think tanks that advocate far  right policies. One of their think tanks is the Mercatur Center which is located in George Mason University in the state of Virginia.  They also offered to provide funding for a professorship in George Mason's economics department under the condition that they get to select the professor.

The relationship between the Koch brothers and the Governor of Virginia suggests that they have common views about the direction of the US, and more directly, the state of Virginia.  The recent problems at UVA may be related to the views of its Governor.  He placed 8 members on the 16 person Board at UVA after his election.  Governors usually select members for the Board who contribute to their campaigns.  Governor McDonnell has most likely selected Board members who are also advocates for his political views which are similar to those of the Koch brothers.