Hager or Frederick

BVBL and Shaun Kenney make the case of both candidates for GOP Chairman.  We'll be good with either one of them, but we'll be better with Jeff Frederick.  Some have a problem with Frederick being an elected official, but I don't.  The fact that Frederick has to go back and campaign and interact with voters every two years will keep him plugged into the electorate and make him a better chairman.  The last chairman who was an elected, Randy Forbes, oversaw the rise of the GOP in Virginia (1996-2001).  But I am also inclined to Frederick's youth and more authentic conservatism.  There is an energy in Frederick, a sense of purpose of really electing Republicans.  There was a saying I heard over and over hear in Fairfax during the most recent elections.  Never rely on RPV for anything.  Not for money, voter lists, or support.  It was just never enough.  Thats why candidates like JMDD and Cuccinelli set up their own system outside of the party apparatus.  And while Frederick us unproven, I'll take potential right now over more of the same.  I have nothing but respect for John Hager and his service to the party.  He came in in a very difficult situation after Ed Gillespie turned tail and ran back to Washington and helped calm things down.  But its time to move on, its time for the next generation to start getting the party moving again.  And its also time to have a Chairman that can effectively communicate a conservative message with Virginians and help win back areas we have lost. 

At the convention in Richmond, I'll be supporting Jeff Frederick.

Comments

[Kilo]

"There was a saying I heard over and over hear in Fairfax during the most recent elections. Never rely on RPV for anything. Not for money, voter lists, or support."

Not just in Fairfax my friend. Good post.

[J. Tyler Ballance]

The Times-Dispatch's Jeff Shapiro was on the local affiliate of National Proletariat Radio (NPR), this morning and he repeated the line that Frederick is considered arrogant and headstrong by his colleagues. Whenever the Press refers to someone as arrogant, you can bet that means that the person is a Republican who is a real threat to the Leftist agenda.

Basically, anyone who is competent and has conservative beliefs and traditional values, is considered by the Left as "arrogant."

As for Mr. Hager, he has been a great mouthpiece for the tobacco interests. Other than that, he has acted to further erode the Constitutional liberties of our citizens. For example, I am sure young drivers will remember him always as the guy who championed restrictions on their freedom to have passengers in their cars.

To me a good Republican should be measured by how many laws he has repealed and how many burdensome government programs he has either reduced or cut. Hager has consistently grown government's intrusion into our lives; especially with regard to increased police powers and increased use of surveillance cameras in public places, where our citizens rights to be secure in their persons is now consistently violated.

I generally don't go in for guilt by association, but Hager's connection with the Bush family should be a red flag for all freedom loving Americans. The sooner we are rid of the Bushes, the sooner the Republican Party can rebound in popularity with the People, provided that we return to our libertarian roots and again promote: LESS GOVERNMENT and MORE FREEDOM.

[Chris]

Tyler, I'm less worried about Hager's relationship with Bush and more worried about the fact that Hager worked in Mark Warner's administration.

[Big Picture]

I think the comments about RPV in the last cycle are misinformed. If we should be criticizing anyone, it’s the Senate and House caucuses and the RLSC teams that demanded the party keep out of the state races. In both Cuccinelli and JMDD’s races, the party was asked to stay out and let them operate their own organizations. Nobody wants to acknowledge that the party provided more resources to campaigns in 2007 than in any previous cycle. I was told that the use of the party mail permit saved campaigns hundreds of thousands of dollars. Hager only has had a few months as chairman and he is rebuilding our party’s unity and strength. I’m for Hager. Give him a chance to lead!

[Chris]

And what did we get Big Picture? Loss after loss after loss. Whats that old saying about the definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different outcome?

Its time for a change.

[Big Picture]

I respectfully disagree. I think that the party has made major changes for the better and they are continuing to improve. Hager has not had enough time to make his mark. Frederick doesn't have the ability that Hager does to really make the rest of the changes that are needed. Where was Jeff Frederick while Northern Virginia was seeming falling apart?? Fasil Gill was right next door to Frederick in a tight race and I didn't see anyone from Jeff's camp running over to give them any help.

[Come On]

That's Jeff Frederick for you: always there when he needs you.