Today is the big day, the start of the 2009 convention for the Republican Party of Virginia.
We have three contested contests.
- Lieutenant Governor: Recommendation – Bill Bolling
- Attorney General: Recommendation – Ken Cuccinelli
- RPV Chair: Recommendation – Do not have one
From my perspective, Bill Bolling and Ken Cuccinelli are easy choices. Both men have extensive records of public service. Both have been reliable Conservative standard bearers. None of their opponents have comparable track records. In each case if we elect the alternative, we can only guess what the result might be.
On the other hand, the contest for RPV Chair pits two men against each other that I know too little about. Pat Mullins is the apparent choice of the GOP Establishment. Since I have little use for what the GOP Establishment has accomplished here of late, I must admit considerable suspicion. What is the endorsement of the GOP Establishment actually worth?
It seems to me we should regard the endorsement of the GOP Establishment as detrimental. The GOP Establishment too often puts getting along with the other side ahead of party principles. In order to pacify the Liberal news media and special interests such as the teacher’s unions, the GOP Establishment has readily given ground on core Conservative issues. For example, remember what Conservatives had to do to get President George W. Bush to pick two rock solid Conservative judges. One can only guess how many non so Conservative judges Bush appointed to the lower courts.
When we elect people who abandon the Conservative agenda, what is the good of winning? Unfortunately, we are not going to replace the GOP Establishment overnight. That leaves a problem. We cannot trust much of the GOP Establishment. So whenever the GOP Establishment offers us its choice for anything, we must seriously consider alternatives. In this case, the alternative is Bill Stanley. Unfortunately, I have not had as much time as I would like to investigate either Mullin’s or Stanley’s background. Nonetheless, Stanley does have a public record, and he also has his share of respectable endorsements. So I hope delegates to the convention will consider his candidacy seriously.
Other Views
Bearing Drift post a final review here.
Old Virginia News describes what is to come here.
Roanoke Valley Republicans makes predictions here.
The Institute for Legal Reform offers its analysis here.
Virginia Virtucon upset with the change of venue here.
Crystal Clear Conservative provides its endorsements here.
