June 05, 2007
VA GOPers Swing For The “Grand Slam”
After failing to close the last two statewide elections, the Republican Party of Virginia is hoping to score big in what Chairman Ed Gillespie calls the upcoming "Grand Slam" of Virginia politics. The Grand Slam, and the chairman's corresponding goals, are:
--2007 state Senate elections -- retain the six-seat GOP majority.
--2008 U.S. Senate race -- keep John Warner's seat in GOP hands.
--2009 House of Delegates -- secure the/a majority (currently at 14 seats).
--2009 gubernatorial -- reclaim the Executive Mansion.
"The party that wins the Grand Slam, or wins three out of four [of its contests], will be the dominant party of the next generation" in Virginia, the chairman says. The legislative elections, and especially the state Senate races this year, are crucial because they will determine who cuts congressional lines after the U.S. census in 2010.
To hit his goals, Gillespie has taken steps to repair an RPV that has been damaged by a series of defeats and internal conflicts. He's revamped the fundraising operation by recruiting major fundraisers such as Fred Malek and hosting Rudy Giuliani and Fred Thompson at RPV dinners. He plans to double the 2006 budget to a proposed $2 million in 2007, although AP's Bob Lewis has the RPV's figures lagging behind the Democrats' at this point.
Gillespie has also scraped the political director job based in Richmond in favor of four regional positions -- one each to tailor the GOP platform for Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads, Richmond/Southside and Western Virginia. NoVA Republicans, such as Rep. Tom Davis (R), seem to be pleased with Gillespie so far. "He is a good chairman. He is trying to restore some unity to the party," Davis said.
This Sunday, Politico's Jonathan Martin reported that Gillespie is
considering leaving his post to serve as counselor to President Bush. Martin had Gillespie's friends saying that he is leaning "60-40" toward the White House job. If he stays as chairman, his term ends in June, 2008. [PATRICK OTTENHOFF]
Posted at 09:07 AM
Comments
The Grand Old Corrupt Party is doomed for dfeat everywhere during next couple of years. When a party is hell bent on sending our young kids to to a meat grinder called Iraq based on lies is doomed to fail. So no one will be able to save the corrupt and immoral party. Even the national figures like Giuliani, McCain, Mitt, Thomson are nothing but power hungry Bush sycophants who outdo Bush on the war.
Sam | 06.05.07 09:22 AM
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It seems like Ed Gillespe takes after that other VA GOPer, George Allen, in overemploying sports analogies when speaking of politics.
Alex | 06.05.07 10:21 AM
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Until Republicans in Virginia find a way to bite the bullet on transportation issues in the Northern part of the state, the state GOP will continue to have problems.
nctodc | 06.05.07 12:14 PM
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Since his masterful handling of the Transportation issue in session and historic leadership in the aftermath of the Virginia Tech tragedy Governor Tim Kaine (D) has emerged from the shadows of former Democratic Governor Mark Warner to take his rightful place as a true leader of the Commonwealth and emblem of Virginia's great future and historic legacy. His Warner-level approval ratings (nearing 70%) clearly show the truth of this.
He is a Virginian first and a Democrat somewhere thereafter, which is the position of the vast majority of Virginia Dems. Unfortunately for the RPV, Virginia knows that anyone Republican-Virginian is a Republican first and a Virginian long thereafter. Which is truly why Virginia is for Democrats.
Josh | 06.05.07 01:47 PM
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Interesting spin, Josh.
The reality is that it took compromise legislation proposed by Republicans in the House of Delegates, and a brave group of Senate Republicans who defied Democratic obstrutionism, to pass this bill and move Virginia forward.
It's a miracle Kaine signed it, given the stone-walling that was going on in the legislature by Democrats. Yep, really putting Virginians first.
Jim Hoeft | 06.06.07 12:56 PM
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