Reclaiming Our Delegation

Some quick names that jump out at me for the lost three congressional races (and yes, I think Virgil Goode has lost.  I don't see how he can overcome the numbers).

2nd:  Thelma Drake could run again, but I just don't like it when lost incumbents run again (see Ann Northrup).  The name that immediatly jumps out at me is state Sen. Ken Stolle, who has lusted for this seat since Ed Schrock resigned and lost to Thelma Drake.  He has real power in the state senate, but not strong enough at home to elect his brother.  The other name that comes to mind is Del. Sal Iaquinto, who's more conservative and has done nothing like Stolle did to anger conservatives mainly and Republicans in general by supporting Mark Warner's tax increases.  The other name that springs to mind is Delegate Sal Iaquinto, who is a rising star in the party and one of a great group of young Assembly members that are looking to take over the part.  His ties to Bob McDonnell, now the unquestioned leader of the state party, doesn't hurt either.  There are probably more people, I'm not as familiar with the area as others.  But if it came down to Stolle and Sal, you know where I would go. 

5th:  Virgil Goode is a great conservative, but his downfall shows us the lesson that if you piss enough people off, you won't last.  He has the stones to run again, but I'm afraid if he did he might lose by more.  I think its best to wash oursevles of a lot of our 08 candidates and use this as an oppurtunity for new voices.  One that comes to mind here is State Senator Robert Hurt, a proven winner and good conservative that covers much of the district.  Other names?  Maybe Delegate Danny Marshall?

11th:  This is my wheelhouse now.  My previous declaration of no-08 candidates comes with a caveat for Ketih Fimian because he was not an entrenched incumbant who's record failed him.  Kieth made a tremendous race literally from scrach and I would love to see him run again and to stay involved.  But my heart is with Delegate Tim Hugo, who is the Assembly's version of Frank Wolf.  Like Wolf, Hugo is a good conservative while allowing enough room for pragmiticism that allows him to win  Like Wolf, he gets aggressive challengers that really attack him hard.  And like Wolf, he just flat out wins.  There is also Pat Herrity, who if he is able to claim the Chairmanship of the county for the GOP would skyrocket him in the party ranks.

Comments

[200 Grande]

How about we wait and see how any of these people articulate a vision for our Party on all levels: local, state and even national?

That will go a longer way toward filling the leadership vacuum as opposed backing people who have seemingly "paid their dues."

Part of that vision should include Party-building of which Keith Fimian failed miserably.

Stolle could easily win the 2nd back but I don't believe he can get the nomination if it is decided by convention. Drake never seemed like a good fit for the district. Not sure why, she just seemed out of place at times. It was only a matter of time until she lost the seat.

If we can any type of decent candidate for the 5th we should have a very easy pickup in two years.

Hugo or Connaughton would be ideal candidates for the 11th. Fimian did quite well but is probably too conservative for the district in the long run.

[The Northern Virginia Conservative]

Whoever steps up in the 11th is going to have to be ready for war, because that is what Connolly and his minions will wage.

[NoVA Scout]

If Virgil Goode is a great conservative, my dog is a Rhodes Scholar.

[The Keith Fimian & Sarah Palin twins]

For those who watched the 11th CD debates and forums, the realization was clear that Keith Fimian had the same lack of working knowledge as Sarah Palin. That was painfully obvious. Too bad Keith Fimian was against mercy killings because it came to mind to put the poor bastard out of his misery.

William & Mary may want to recall that diploma, or maybe Keith Fimian played too much football without a helmet?

The republicans will feel the loss of Davis for years, and they have no one in the minor leagues to step up and take on the democrats in the 11th. Fimian was a bad joke, and he spent a lot of his wife's money proving it.