Just yesterday Scott Rigell won the Republican primary for the Congressional seat in the 2nd District.

A longtime fixture of Hampton Roads, many recognize him from right away from years of commercials featuring him and his wife on behalf of his business, Freedom Automotive Company. In a crowded field of candidates, Scott was quickly identified as the front runner. He received the endorsement of Governor Bob McDonnell, Congressmen Eric Cantor, and a host of state delegates and senators.

Prior to the primary election, he was kind enough to take some time out of his hectic campaign schedule to let me ask him questions and so I hope you take a moment and learn a little more about Scott Rigell. Disclosure: Just to be on the up and up, I have known Mr. Rigell and his family for some time.

I think voters want to know they can trust their congressman or congresswomen, and so I think right from the start we need to clear up the important matter of musical taste. Best rock band of all time in your opinion?

The candidate.

Besides Guava Jam, the band I am in…. Aerosmith. My main escape from the congressional campaign is to get away and play the drums with my band. I probably consider them a little more pop than rock but I am a big fan of Boston too.

Which of Aerosmith’s songs best describes you?

Walk this way.

(Writer’s note: RUN-DMC’s presence in this video was for me. I can neither confirm nor deny Scott Rigell’s opinion on RUN-DMC… but I can guess that he thinks they are awesome.)

For years, you have been a successful businessman in the region as the Founder of Freedom Automotive, a ubiquitous local brand. What made you want to switch over to politics?

Last year in 2009, when I really started to see our country lose its footing, financially at first. I think the levels of debt we are taking on are unsustainable. It affects and applies to everyone. It is my concern over the fiscal mismanagement of our country that got me into the race last year.

What do people expect, and what should they expect from their congressional representatives?

They should expect leadership and a clear and compelling vision of where the country needs to go. I share this all the time. Leadership matters, and that’s what leaders do they set clear and precise goals. When Allan Mulally , the CEO of Ford Motor Company, very quickly established the right priorities and prepared the company for the tough times ahead. I am looking at this campaign in the same way.

You used to star in many of the advertisements for Freedom, which is how many voters of the second district first got to know you. Do you look back at any commercials today, especially now that you are running for office and just shake your head, saying man I wish I had not made that commercial?

I have always had a real simple and direct approach to retailing. We just look at the camera and tell people who we are, what product we are offering, and the assurance that they are going to get great service. We never did any ads with guys jumping off roofs, or dressing up in gorilla suits. I think our ads is one reason people are responding so well to the campaign, because they feel like they know our family and to a large extent that is true because we have been consistent all throughout the journey of our company since 1991.

On the topic of health care, I propose one yes or no, and one short answer. Ok?

Okay.

Would you have supported the Health Care reform recently passed? Yes or no?

No.

Okay. Let’s try to encapsulate the entirety of the Health Care debate in America and your position in 50 words. I will count.

Reform is desperately needed in terms of expanding access and controlling cost. We agree upon that. I disagree with the approach that has been taken, and I would have suggested that we focus upon those things that we agree upon; affordability, pre-existing conditions, access to pooling resources, and tort reform. I wish we would have focused on those things we can agree upon to move health care reform forward without taking over 1/6 of the economy of the United States.

(80 words… but still impressive parsimony.)

You have created over 200 jobs in the region through your automotive business, correct?

The Rigells.

Well, I have been able to say those two great words, “you’re hired,” literally thousands of times throughout the years, and have a standing workforce of about 240 people.

The automotive industry has taken a big hit with the economic downturn, and we see many American brands consolidating, selling off major parts of their companies, and closing the doors of many others. Is it the end of U.S dominance in the auto industry?

Not necessarily. It depends on whether or not we are really going to be committed to a manufacturing base in America, and that in part depends upon our willingness to properly confront those things that are limiting out ability to be competitive. I do think particularly in automotive manufacturing, that the influence of unions has been detrimental. There are some folks right now that are pushing for a card check, so union members would have to actually vote with an open ballot, not a private ballot, and I think that is a distinctly American tradition for good reason to have a private ballot. It ensures people are not under any undue influence if someone wanted them to vote in a certain way.

Beyond that, we have the second highest corporate tax rates in the world. This is a disincentive to invest in America. In a global economy investors can choose where they will put their money, and if we are not competitive in our rate structure companies can get up and go, and they will. That is one reason I am concerned about the direction our country is heading. I see more taxation, more regulation. Folks think that they can just add layer after layer of bureaucracy on top of our job creating businesses, and it’s just not sustainable.

What is your plan to get people working again?

Hampton Roads families are really hurting, you know that. Three families we know well are going through personal bankruptcy. I have good friends who are not able to get jobs, and I know many examples of young people coming out of college who are unable to get jobs or become fully employed, so this issue has my full attention. As a person who has been creating jobs for about twenty years, I know the types of policies we need to create jobs in America. We need to lower our overall corporate tax rate to 25% or less, and also locally what we have the opportunity to do is to properly leverage those wonderful energy resources that we have off of our coast. We need to responsibly and in an environmentally sound way, in full cooperation with our partner in the United States Navy, get that energy that is off the coast of Virginia; both wind and natural gas and oil.

Given DOD and NASA’s opposition to offshore drilling, how can you reconcile your stated goals of keeping all of our military here in Hampton Roads and drilling off the shore of Virginia?

I have made a living overcoming objections, and if I accepted “No” at the beginning of every business negotiation I would be unemployed. The fact that the Navy and NASA have expressed concern is perfectly understandable. I would reach out to the Navy, and spend whatever effort is necessary to look at the charts and the maps and find a way to work with our partners in the Navy. We need to be clear with them that we appreciate them being here, that we respect the training requirements that they have. But that said, I am certain, and so many retired flag officers of the Navy are certain, that we can accomplish both. We can put up the right equipment, in an environmentally responsible way that allows the Navy to continue with training, and allows us to put Americans back to work, tapping American sources of energy, to fuel American homes and businesses.

We have 700 billion dollars a year going out of our economy to dictators like Hugo Chavez, whose values are diametrically opposed to ours, when we have that same energy off the coast of Virginia. We can put Americans to work tapping that energy, instead of having our money we spend going to build economies overseas.

In light of the atrocious BP spill, do you support the moratorium on offshore drilling?

The loss of life and the ongoing environmental catastrophe that continues to unfold in the Gulf of Mexico is tragic and inexcusable. British Petroleum and our federal government failed in meeting their basic responsibilities; both should be held accountable. Our moral obligation to leave our children with clean air, clean soil and clean water leads me to strongly support the moratorium on offshore drilling. We must learn from this painful drama, as we have done with other national tragedies, including the loss of life at NASA. The essential goal of moving American to energy independence through (in part) off-shore energy exploration should continue, but only after we have absolute confidence that we have the systems, equipment and contingency plans to fully safeguard human life and our environment.

What is the most beautiful place in the second district?

Future Congressman? We'll see.

For me it’s looking out across the Chesapeake Bay from any vantage point. Whether it be from Hampton, or fisherman’s island, to think about the American history that has flowed through this area gives you chills.

I think your ten commitments are great. In particular number seven, “I WILL ALWAYS BE ACCESSIBLE, INCLUDING AT HOME. MY PHONE NUMBER IS: 757-496-4113.” How did this come about?

We put up our home phone number years ago when we were getting our business started. We had it listed at all of our salesmen’s desks. The reason we could do that it because that document that is up on the wall (points to Freedom Automotive vision statement). We all know it and do our very best to follow it. I used to say this is like our constitution. Our company vision statement is what holds us all together as a company. I know no other way to lead other than how I have been leading for the past 20 years, which means bringing that same level of accountability. You will find that same number on all our literature and our website, and if you call and we are home we will talk. If we are not home you will get the answer machine, and we will call you back.

Have you gotten a lot of calls?

A few, probably about once a week.

How many people have you spoken to so far?

It’s in the thousands, and for me I love that part. It is Americana.

Have people come to you with any really “out-there” issues?

Can I get chiropractic care added to Tricare coverage, and other really specific questions like that, but nothing really “out-there.”

Something is happening in America, Jay, and I really believe this. I am meeting with grown men and women who are saying things like, “Scott I am scared, I am frightened.” One women in our home said, “Scott, I am terrified,” and these are strong men and women, not people with some emotional problems. These are just good, strong men and women, some of whom have even been in combat, but there is this real sense that we are at a defining moment and we have to get this election right, and get back to fiscal sanity. Whether or not you like the health care bill, the fact is we really can’t afford to do what the president and the speaker put us into. They were not upfront with the American people on the costs of this. All cost cutting they took that upfront, but the expense part is delayed. It is not good accounting. It is like Enron accounting, and as a business person I see through it, and frankly I don’t appreciate it. We need better leadership in Washington.

Two of your primary opponents come out with the “Contract with Congress.” This contract includes 9 reforms they feel should be enacted in congress. The Virginian-Pilot ran a story saying that your campaign indicated that this “Contract” may have been stolen from your campaign. Is this the case?

I did not use that phrase, and I think it is unfortunate that the Virginian-Pilot chose to use that phrase. I do think it is more than coincidental that the documents they both produced matched ours. I am flattered that they thought so much of it that they wanted to adopt it and make it their own. I am glad that they joined me in this, and I compliment the two of them for joining our efforts to reform Congress.

What do you think the Republican Party is saying to young people and what do you think it should be saying?

Every time I meet a young person I say, “Listen. I am running for you,” and I mean it. I am really committed to seeing everyone crossing the economic finish line, and that is why I am so active in reaching out to our Hispanic, African American, and Filipino communities. Just to make sure that everyone feels a part of our campaign and is participating in it. I want to create opportunities for young African American and Hispanic entrepreneurs. As an entrepreneur myself, I love the idea of more and more Americans participating in the American dream of doing well and giving your kids a great opportunity. That’s what I think the new Republican Party is fully committed to doing. You know we had the mantle of leadership, and we lost it. It was the right principles of limited government, more personal freedom and responsibility, and less reliance on government. If we get an entitlement mindset, that is a path that will hurt America in the long run.

Bi-partisanship? Would you work across the aisle?

The best indicator of future performance is past performance. I have a long track record of no matter the group of looking for the best ideas. I have one mission in life, and that is to serve and represent the American people. To help every single American have the full benefits and opportunity of liberty and freedom, and I have the courage to stand up to any leader in my party if someone across the aisle has got the best idea.

Now, bi-partisanship is not the objective in my view. The objective is good policy. Bi-partisanship for its own sake is a dangerous mindset. I think the harsh rhetoric of the right, and the harsh rhetoric of the left has hurt America. I don’t think that folks that disagree with me have horns and hooves. I have said from the beginning of our campaign that I want the quality and logic of our argument to be so compelling and sound that people would want to be a part of it, whether they are a Republican, Democrat, or independent.

20 years from now what does Hampton Roads look like?

With the right leadership it is going to be a vibrant, healthy, growing region, where we properly leverage the energy resources off of our coasts. We have full, vibrant employment for our young people, and our educational institutions have been strengthened because the proper funding was there. We are full strong partners with our United States Navy, and the most important commands are housed here. We are a leader in renewable and nuclear energy. We have full employment for all retiring members of the military. We are also doing everything we can to be part of the fabric that is America. Remaining to be that shining city on the hill, that people across the world still look to.

If you had to pick a slogan for Hampton Roads, what would you make it?

A region with an incredible history and a region with incredible opportunity.

If you could have a conversation with any person throughout history who would it be and why?

I’d like to have a conversation with Abraham Lincoln. He understood that the promise of America needed to apply to every person. I’d like to hear about the difficult decisions he had to make along the way, and to thank him for the extraordinary leadership that he provided in holding our union together. I believe he really pushed us to fulfill the promise that is found both in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Parting words for the 2^nd district. Things you would like to mention?

What gets me to work early, and what has me leaving late, is that I am sounding an alarm to the people of Hampton Roads that all is not well with our finances and it is not something that can long be ignored. Every person, every business, and every country is subject to the universal laws of finance, and some people in Washington are simply disregarding that. They think we can borrow to excess without any consequence. Respectfully said, they are wrong.

People keep saying to me, don’t change. I am so passionate about congressional reforms. If you look at my proposals you will see that these are things that can be lived out by members of congress whether or not they are enacted as law. I want to change Congress without having it change me.