Where Do We Go From Here?

Mick Staton's loss today in the 33rd district Senate race to replace Bill Mims has drawn the curtain on what could be one fo the worst election seasons in recent memory for Virginia Republicans, culminating tonight with Tim Kaine's speech on behalf of the national Democratic Party. Too Conservative, one of the real mainstays here on the blogosphere, has an impassioned plea for change in the NOVA party. And I agree with him. The jist of what TC is talking about is the continuing infighting in this party. My first big post here on MC was called "Where Have You Gone, Vance Wilkins," and I believe that post is even more relivent right now. What this party is in desperate need of is adult guidance. Instead of every race being defined by conservative vs. moderate, we need to make it Republican vs. Democrat. This is a Republican state, and we are losing because we are eating our own and just assuming that the voters will come out in state races like they do in presidential races. Its time to get real.

For so long, I think Republicans have looked to George Allen for leadership, but the party needs to understand Allen has moved on, and is going to run for president. There is no shortage of talent or energy in this party, what we lack is direction, drive, and leadership. Kate Griffin has brought none of it. I think she thought that she was headed for the US Senate or something, but the job just has not been done. We haven't made our case, and if the Chairwomen can't make the case, how on earth can local candidates win? Too Conservative is right. . .the people in NOVA don't think Republicans are tax-raisers, but wackos. Whether we like it or not, the Bush-style social conservative does not work! Now I'm not ready to believe that Cuccinelli, O'Brein, and JeannieMarie will lose in '07, because they are incumbants and all the races we lost in NOVA were open seats, but still the possiblity is as alive as ever.

Instead of some lame, do-nothing task force, we need to bring into leadership conservatives who are both principled, but practical. Men like Tom Davis and Sean Connaughton. I am was incredibly impressed by Connaughton, to the point where I voted for him in the primary.

Part of our problem has to be arrogance. After election after victorious election, Republicans thought we could be lazy and still win because the raw numbers favor us. We forgot that people think, that they take each candidate on their merits. Instead of Craddocks and Goldens, we need more Connaughtons and Davises. Now neither of them are dark red conservatives, but they are pracitcal men on the right who understand not only how to win elections, but to create a message of growth and taxes without looking like maniacs. I remember an add about Michaeld Golden which showed a base jumper flying off a bridge. It was so effective.

Here is my perscription for the party in NOVA:
1. Remeber the 11th Commandment--Special interest groups, most notably the VA Club for Growth, have done as much to destroy the NOVA party as any Democrat. The anti-tax challengers last spring ripped this party like nothing the Democrats could ever do.

2. Stop with the "conservative" and "moderate labels." We are all Republicans, whether your Gary Reese or Ken Cuccinelli. We defeated ourselves before we got to Novemeber. And I am not saying we should not have open primaries. But the "conservatives" act like "moderates" should not even be in the party. I work at a Copy Center, and this guy who worked for Steve Chapaman (who ran against Harry Parrish) came in to copy some fliers. I saw what it was I started talking. I told him I liked Craddock (I was in Centreville at the time), but didn't like all the infighting. He was nice, but the way he talked about Del. Parrish kind of stunned me. He was with vitriol, like he was the enemy. I'm all for primaries, but I think that they ned to be respect. The attitude of the anti-taxers towards those against them were with suich arrogance, at least in my experience. I can't speak for everyone, but that conversation stuck with me.

3. A New Chairman, and I mean NEW. Previously I caused a bit of a ruckus by arguing for Jim Gilmore. But I understand that Gilmore is divisive. What we need is someone who speaks softly, but can carry a big stick. I have some names:
Sean Connaughton
Paul Harris
Tom Davis

The problem seems to be the ultras on the right who are completly inflexible. To be fare, at times I have been over there. But we are in freefall in NOVA, and without it, we can't win anythingn statewide. Though I can never forgive some of the Squisies like Potts or Chichester, we cannot mark every single Delegate who doesn't vote a certain way on ONE issue. WE ARE KILLING OURSELVES!!!

A new chairman, some vision and leadership, a stronger adherrance to the 11th commandment, and the secession of arbitrary political labels that weaken us before we even get to the Democrats in November. Its not fun, but we need to spend 2006 refueling and flushing out our GOP system. Lets get to it.

Comments

[Shaun Kenney]

Wow -- that's a decidedly (and disappointingly) different track than your previous posts.

[Steve]

I think your assessment of the Stanton race is incorrect. Stanton lost on growth issues. Everyone wants to blame the social conservative message or messengers but in reality where are the social conservatives in a feeding frenzy. Tom Davis said Jerry Kilgore lost because for too long conservatives have been overfed. If that is the case please show me. We have a GOP dominated Senate and House and you wouldn't know it by seeing the legislation that comes out of them. No, the problem is that republicans have lost sight of the successful days of the GOP, and our most notable leader, Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan was a conservative and didn't hide it. Republicans today like to champion his name and say I'm a Reagan Republican when in fact they have no idea of what it is. Moderates such as you have mentioned only contribute to the demise of the party because they don't inspire. That is what our party is missing, inspiration, for each other and to carry out to non-republicans to hopefully bring into the fold.

Thanks,

[GOPHokie]

I think a better question is, who runs the Virginia Republican Party? Sure, you have Speaker Howell, LG Bolling, Chairman Kate, Pro Tempe Chinchester; but who really is in charge. The answer is no one. Power is divided so many ways its not funny.
I am not in favor of Jim Gilmore being party chairman, but he did runs the show when he was governor. I think a person like him who can take control of all areas and all levels of races can bring the party back.
I dont know if Kate or Speaker Howell should be removed, Chinchester obviously needs to be, but we need a leader. If Howell or Kate wants to take the intitative great. If not, we will find someone who will.

How dare you lump Golden with Craddock? Ask anyone from Connaughton to Howell to Callahan to Hogan (and maybe even Davis), and they will say Golden was one of the smartest candidates in recent memory. More important, he "got it." That's why he got (and featured) the endorsements of the Rusts and Connaughtons and Callahans and Warners and McCains. And that's why I worked my ass off for him. Craddock, on the other hand...

We need more Goldens and Harrises and smart, principled people, and fewer Reeses, Dillards, Chichesters, and other mean-spirited egomaniacs. And if you disagree with that, you just don't get it.