All five of Virginia’s Republican members of Congress have joined the call for state party chairman Jeff Frederick’s exit. . . . U.S. Reps. Randy Forbes, Frank Wolf, Rob Wittman, Bob Goodlatte and the second-ranking Republican in the House, Eric Cantor, signed the letter.
They join the Virginia Senate GOP’s caucus and Bob McDonnell.
Now here is the problem: the conservatives in the Virginia GOP have been burned before — that’s why Frederick is there in the first place. The conservatives demanded him because of past abuses by the liberal GOP faction, which included supporting massive tax increases.
To get the conservatives to go along with it, a conservative is going to need to step forward as a replacement candidate. The First Vice Chair, Mike Thomas, is not an acceptable replacement for the grassroots of the party.
Might I suggest Shaun Kenney? Yeah, I know, he’s no Ed Gillespie. But he’s good, knows the grassroots, and could do the job better than Frederick or a lot of others. And he would be a conservative who could do the job.
There needs to be a conservative alternative to Frederick to make this happen. Kenney would be a good fit. And he’s got a history of strong innovation outside the party to benefit the party.
Steve Maley
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Neil Stevens
I agree wholeheartedly
fulcrum Saturday, March 14th at 10:05AM EST (link)As a Virginian, and having watched his incompetent handling of the race last season, I say- get someone in there who knows what they’re doing. Virginians have to be able to see that the Republican party is still the party of Virginians everywhere. We particularly need to make some inroads in NoVA.
I know there are people out there who know what they’re doing, particularly at the grassroots level. I was out canvassing last fall in Ablemarle county. The work Chris Schoenewaldwith did here was so good that even sites like 538.com and DailyKos admitted he had an amazing team getting out the vote and getting Republicans motivated and active in the community, perhaps unparalelled in the country. Giving the environment the Republican party had to contend with, and the general lack of motivation over Senator McCain, I’d say that’s pretty impressive. There needs to be more Chris Schoenewalds, if serious inroads are to be made in the Commonweatlh.
fulcurm- We are neighbors
Scope (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 12:27PM EST (link)I live just north of Albemarle in Orange county. I have no desire to do any volunteering for the Orange county Republicans, as you will understand if you know the area. I plan on contacting Chris, in order to help with the GOP in your county. Because I am not a resident of Albemarle, I can only do so much to help.
This battle between Frederick and apparently the Central Republican Committee is getting more and more ugly. There is a website dedicated to the Republican Party of Virginia, which I understand was to network all of the Republican committees in the state, and also to be a social network to a lesser degree. It has been in flames with posts for and against Frederick. The website has apparently taken sides with Frederick, and had literally removed a group formed there to promte the replacement of Frederick. It is now filtering down to McDonnell’s Governor’s race. There are some posting that they will work very hard to insure that McDonnell doesn’t win the Governorship, because of his position as to Frederick. It is getting so very nasty, divisive and “ugly” and “incindiary” to the party in VA. It really appears to me that it is all a power play both on the committees part, and Fredericks. It’s disgusting as the citizens of the state are going to suffer with more Liberals because a few can’t work things out for the betterment of the state and party. I have not taken sides, because no one has come forward with facts as to why Frederick should go. I would like to see Frederick and the entire Republican committee of VA go. Then we can get some fresh blood to move the party forward, without destroying the party completely for personal gain.
Chris is a very good candidate
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 6:04PM EST (link)Watching Chris (and Rachael) during the 2008 election period was amazing. I so wanted to live in Ablemarle County during the election.
He is motivating, organized and smart. He also understands the grassroots. His perspective comes not from elitism but from sound principles and understanding the everyman in the party.
I will take one ChrisSchoenewald over a hundred Jeff Fredericks any day.
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
I live in Albemarle too, and Chris would be an excellent choice
johnCV (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 8:40PM EST (link)I always enjoy listening to him on Joe Thomas’ morning show. He has humor and can explain a position as well as anyone I have ever heard.
How do we get him into contention for the Chairmanship? I will help ( a political neophyte, but it’s time to get invloved…)
The best bet is to contact the Ablemarle Committee
Danielle Davis (ocleverone) (Diary) Sunday, March 15th at 3:14PM EST (link)and ask about their call for the convention.
Good luck and thanks for getting involved!
To me, “consensus” seems to be the process of abandoning all beliefs, principles, values and policies. So it is something in which no one believes and to which no one objects … There are still people in my party who believe in “consensus” politics. I regard them as Quislings, as traitors … I mean it. — Margaret Thatcher
Shaun
usrbinperl (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 12:58PM EST (link)Would do one hell of a job, methinks.
Erick, if I may---how do you know Kenney would be a great choice?
smagar (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 4:06PM EST (link)Forgive me, but you’ve made me curious: How do you know, down there in Georgia, that Kenney is the right choice to run the VA Republican Party?
“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)
2-cent: Shaun is a good conservative blogger. Hip hop!
Rod_Patrick (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 4:18PM EST (link)Kenney is also an old timer at RPV….i.e., a hands-on experience.
Other than that, I’m also curious on what Erick will say about Kenney’s other bona fides.
Erick, if I may---how do you know Kenney would be a great choice?
smagar (Diary) Saturday, March 14th at 4:06PM EST (link)Forgive me, but you’ve made me curious: How do you know, down there in Georgia, that Kenney is the right choice to run the VA Republican Party?
“Who will stand/On either hand/And guard this bridge with me?” (Macaulay)