The Mordant Traditionalist

It's Official: Sen. John Warner, R-VA not seeking re-election

Today, Sen. Warner, R-VA announced that he will not seek re-election to his senate seat in 2008.  With his decision the flood gates are now open to various candidates from both parties in Virginia to run for this seat.  The early front runners are Rep. Tom Davis, R-VA and former Gov. Mark Warner, D-VA.  Various other Virginia politicos will probably throw their names into the fray, but I suspect that if either or the two front runners enter the race, it will be theirs to lose in their party's nominating process.

Citizen Backlash over "Abuser Fees"

There has been considerable citizen backlash over the new fees that bad drivers will have to pay in addition to the normal traffic fines.  While I can understand the reactionary response of the residents of Virginia to these new fees, I think that if these same people were hit with higher and higher taxes, their outrage would be more. 

There is a way to avoid paying these new fines, try driving the way one is suppose to drive.  The outrage is misplaced and foolish.  If you are a law abiding citizen, then you are not affected by these new fines.

The new "Civil Remedial Fees" go into effect July 1st in Virginia

These new fees were a part of the General Assembly House Bill 3202 that was passed this past spring.  The fees are aimed at those drivers that violate the rules of road in Virginia.  The fees only apply to Virginia residents, so those of you passing through do not have to worry about the added fees.

The fees are effective July 1st, and only apply to certain types of violations.  The payment of the new fees are in three installments, spaced over several months.  The initial payment is due after your court appearance and conviction.  The second payment is due in within 14 months must be paid to the DMV.  The final payment is due within 26 months must be paid to the DMV.  Traffic infractions are not assessed these new fees.  The more serious traffic violations are subject to these fees.  So as you go about your daily routines, keep in mind that speeding 20+ mph over the limit is reckless driving in this Commonwealth and may now cost you a bundle of cash. 

My Candidate for Republican Party of Virginia Chairman is

Mary Matalin.  The chairman that follows Former Chairman Ed Gillespie has to be someone who can continue to raise money at the same level or higher than Gillespie did.  The Chairman has to understand that Virginia is going to be a battleground state in 2008 and also must be someone who has fought through some tough elections in the past.  RPV needs a winner right now.  We need someone who can come into the position and hit the ground running.  Virginia needs someone who understands the value and importance of Northern Virginia both on a National and Local level.  RPV needs someone who can speak to all Virginians from a credible and intelligent background on the importance of winning elections at a local level and help drive our national election results. 

Whatever names are bandied about by other Republicans in Virginia, I do not think that any of them would have the same kind of impact upon this party as someone like Ms. Matalin.  Oh by the way, she is a reside of Northern Virginia.

Its Official - Gillespie Resigns

It is now official, Ed Gillespie has resigned as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia to become Counselor to President Bush in the White House.  Here is the text of his Memo:

MEMO

To: Republican Party of Virginia Leadership
CC: State Central Committee, Unit Chairs, Volunteers
From: Ed Gillespie, Chairman RPV
Date: 13 June 2007


I have some important news to share with you this morning.

As you know, Dan Bartlett recently announced that after 14 years of service to President Bush, he is leaving his current position as Counselor to the President to enter the private sector.

Dan is one of the President’s most trusted advisors, and his counsel has been invaluable. His departure leaves a critical void in the White House.

Like most, I was surprised when I learned this news. I was even more surprised to learn that President Bush felt that I was the person best suited to fill Dan Bartlett’s position.

I was also very flattered by the President’s confidence in me, and when he invited me to the Residence yesterday to offer me the position, I was honored to accept it. The White House will make this public later today, but I wanted to let you know before that happened.

While I am excited by the opportunity to serve, I regret that doing will require me to resign my position as Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, a job I have loved.

Together, we have accomplished much in the past six-and-a-half months. We have already raised an amount equal to an entire year’s budget in past years, hired a growing staff of top-notch professionals, helped to foster a greater sense of unity within our Party, worked with our elected officials, candidates and units to attract new people to our cause, and developed a plan to guide us to victory in November.

Obviously, if seven months ago I had any idea that I would be asked to serve our President and our country in this new capacity less than a year after being elected to lead the RPV, I never would have sought the chairmanship.

I did so because I felt that revitalizing the Virginia GOP was how I could most directly make a difference for our commonwealth and, given Virginia’s growing importance in the national political arena, make a difference for our country.

It’s not easy to leave such a great organization and the many friends I have made in my brief tenure, but I have a unique opportunity to serve my country. And with brave Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan and other places making real sacrifices to serve, there was no way I could in good conscience have declined such an opportunity at this critical time in our history.

I will take it as a sign of some success if you’re disappointed by this announcement, but I hope you can understand my sense of loyalty to our President and our Country. I hope, too, that you’ll agree that the momentum the RPV has established in the first half of 2007 can continue regardless of who is serving as chairman.

The RPV will shortly notice a call for a new election. In the meantime, Mike Thomas has (once again!) agreed to serve as interim chairman. Under the strong management of Executive Director Charlie Judd, along with the commitment of the team of professionals he has assembled on Grace Street, I am confident that we will continue meeting our fundraising goals, registering new voters and growing our units.

Thank you for the support you have shown me during my all-too-brief tenure. I look forward to working with you for our party and our commonwealth again in the future.

Sincerely,

Ed Gillespie

This memo was obtained from the RPV.org website.

Edward W. Gillespie to Resign as RPV Chairman

The Richmond Times Dispatch is reporting that Gillespie will step down as Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) Chairman, and assume the duties of Counselor to President Bush in the White House.  While I can understand Gillespie taking such a position from a personal point of view, when one looks at this move from a party point of view, it makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.  Virginia is a pivotal state in the eyes of the Democrats and the Republicans as the 2008 national elections approach, and there will be tons and tons of campaign dollars flowing into this state by both parties to help sway the state in either direction.  Gillespie's arrival in December of last year provided the state Republicans with a needed shot in the arm to help motivate the grassroots people and also to help bring some unity back to the party. 

If Gillespie is leaving as reported, then expect the infighting and chaos to reign again in this party.  Hopefully the leaders of the opposing factions will realize that the true enemy is the Democrats and not the Republicans within the party that view things from a slightly different point of view than they might.  There is a lot at stake this year in Virginia and Virginia Republicans need strong leadership to help guide the party through important and trying times.   

The Hunt for Red November rolls through Virginia

I attended the Republican Party of Virginia's, RPV.org, annual Commonwealth Gala with special guest speaker Senator Fred Thompson this evening, and must say that the natives were very restless.  As reported by newly installed Chairman Ed Gillespie, this year's Gala had over 400 attendees versus last year's attendance of just over 200 people.  The private reception and photo opportunity with Senator Thompson was also well attended. 

When it was time for Senator Thompson to step to the podium, he received a rousing three to foul minute standing ovation.  The crowd's excitement and enthusiasm for the Senator were very evident.  Senator Thompson gave a very rousing speech that focused on what brought him into the Republican party and what motivates him today.  While most in the crowd were hoping that Senator Thompson was going to announce his candidacy for the Presidency this evening, he didn't.  But there were a couple hopeful moments during his speech in which he teased the crowd with statements like, the change can start tonight and right here in the Commonwealth of Virginia where freedom and liberty began some 400 years ago, to paraphrase the Senator.

The Senator also touched on how the American people were looking for real leaders to deal with the real issues that the country is and will face in the future.  The Senator made a couple of great statements, about Illegal Immigration and the War on Terror that I found to be inspiring and in touch with how most of the American people feel and think.  He also talked about why republicans need to remember why they are republicans and reasons why the people have elected republicans into office.  He did touch on how some in the party had lost their way and that we as a Party need to refocus and reclaim our Republican beliefs. 

I came away from this year's Gala feeling like Virginia's republicans are charged up and ready to starting winning elections again.  You can read about the Gala here, and here and here.  I am looking forward to Senator Thompson's July 4th announcement.