The Virginia GOP and their Election Day hangover

Attorney General Bob McDonnell plans to run for governor next year, and he is probably a good place to start in considering the future of the Virginia Republican Party.

In a letter to supporters, McDonnell offered congratulated President-elect Barack Obama gave the first hint of where he would take the GOP.

Interestingly, he cited former Congressman Tom Davis, a moderate from Northern Virginia, who has called on Republicans to reach out to all constituencies and broaden the base.

McDonnel said the right message of the GOP is still promoting limited and efficient government, lower taxes, high standards in public education, better infrastructure and personal responsibility.

It is hard to argue with any of those concepts at face value, but it will be interesting to see how Virginia Republians sharpen this message as we head into 2009.

(Oh yes, there's a big election next year. Keep your wallet handy.)

The party clearly has some work to do. It has lost governor's races in 2001 and 2005. It has lost U.S. Senate races in 2006 and 2008. It lost control of the Virginia Senate in 2007.

A Republican carried Virginia in the presidential election of 2004, but he's so radioactive that he didn't even campaign with McCain this year.

Then again, history teaches us that the pendulum always swings back eventually.

Thoughts anyone? If you were advising the Republican Party right now, what would you tell them?

Here's the text of McDonnell's e-mail:

Dear Friend,

On Election Day history was made in America. While I am very disappointed that John McCain did not win this election, as an American I am pleased to see a new chapter added to the great story of America. This is the land of unlimited opportunity in which any child, regardless of background, can grow up to do anything. The American Dream is why people from foreign lands move heaven and earth to reach our shores, from which shines the brightest beacon on Earth. I congratulate President-elect Barack Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden on their historic victory. There will be time ahead for strong debate on what's best for America, but today is one to acknowledge this great achievement.

Protecting the American Dream led Senator John McCain to sacrifice nearly all in defense of our freedom. The freedom to choose leaders and make history could never happen without the courageous service of John McCain and all those who have served in defense of our nation. I was honored to serve as Co-Chairman of Senator McCain's campaign in Virginia. As I came to know the Senator, my admiration and regard for his leadership and character only increased. John McCain is an American hero. He is an example to all our citizens of what it means to truly serve our country. John McCain's gracious and exemplary concession speech on Election Night permanently enshrined him in the list of leaders our nation will long remember.

Election Day in Virginia was a tough one for our Party. Governor Jim Gilmore was unsuccessful in his effort to win a seat in the United States Senate. As I said on Election Night, one unsuccessful campaign does not undo the many great reforms Jim Gilmore secured for our Commonwealth as Attorney General and Governor. He cut taxes, dramatically increased aid to historically black colleges, cracked down on drug dealers, reduced college tuitions, and was a prescient leader in our homeland security efforts. The contributions of Governor Gilmore to the prosperity and safety of Virginia will not be forgotten.

I congratulate Senator-elect Mark Warner on his success, and pledge that I will be a working partner on issues where we can unite to make life better for the citizens of Virginia.

I am pleased to see that the voters of Virginia have returned Eric Cantor, Bob Goodlatte, Frank Wolf, Rob Wittman and Randy Forbes to Congress with wide margins. These five men get results for Virginia, and their leadership will be crucial in the years ahead as we work our way back to the majority. It is still too close to call the races in the 2nd and 5th Districts. Thelma Drake and Virgil Goode have been great champions of the voters in their districts, and they understand both Richmond and Washington like few others. I sincerely hope they will prove successful in their re-election efforts.

Now, our attention begins to turn to the future. The victories that we have earned as Republicans over the past 15 years have led to dramatic reforms that have benefited every citizen in this Commonwealth. We should never hesitate to remind voters about these successes. Building on our conservative principles we achieved: welfare reform, abolition of parole, lower taxes, a falling crime rate, high academic standards, reduced tuitions and a strong pro-business climate.

We kept taxes and regulations low and businesses moved here. We made our communities safer and new families came. We are a diverse and dynamic state. Now, voters want to know what elected officials are going to do to make tomorrow better.

As a Party we have much work to do to win. Congressman Tom Davis has wisely counseled Republicans about the need to reach out to all communities in Virginia. He is right. Our message: A limited and well-run government, lower taxes, high standards and accountability in education, individual access to capital and opportunity, a strong free market and private sector to grow the economy, better infrastructure and higher education, and personal responsibility. This is the right message for the family at home in Manassas Park, a veteran in Abingdon, the small business owner in Chesapeake, and the new Virginian in Arlington.

Republicans in Virginia know a little something about making history. One hundred years ago the idea of a Republican winning any statewide office in Virginia was as foreign as the idea of putting a man on the moon. Virginia has changed dramatically over the past century. Republicans must confront these changes with bold, innovative, practical conservative solutions to the problems Virginians face.

I'm running for Governor to lead that effort. Together with my running mate, our outstanding Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, we are going to spend this next year talking to every possible voter and outlining common sense solutions to the problems Virginia voters care about. Virginia Republicans will win again with innovation and with an open door that welcomes all Virginians.

I was raised in the Mount Vernon area of Fairfax County. My old neighborhood still looks the same. Same houses, same ball fields. But on recent election days my old neighborhood hasn't been voting for my political party. It's time to change that. So next year I'm going to start in my old neighborhood. I'm going to walk down Wagon Wheel Road where we moved in 1962 and talk to the voters there. And then I'm going to spend time in my old neighborhood in Virginia Beach where Maureen and I lived for 21 years, raised our 5 children, and got our start in politics. I'm going to talk to the voters there. And I'm going to talk about our positive reform plan with the voters of Prince William, Loudoun, Henrico, Roanoke, Danville, Winchester and every community in Virginia. The time is now for Republicans to start a new conversation with all the citizens of our New Dominion.

It is time to reenergize our Republican Party. Bill and I are ready to lead. I hope you will join us in this effort.

Comments

[Hugh]

The fear-mongering in the GOP... there's divisiveness? You say this "as if" the other side is just as pure as the driven snow... Oh, no fear-mongering there... In campaigns, things get said... What did Governor Palin say? That O "pals around" with terrorists? It's not exactly untrue.

I agree that the right has its share of hacks and that they go over the line.

But then, I think back to the perpetual claims of the left that "fill in the blank" is going to take away your social security/medicare/pension/school lunch, throw poor folks out into the streets, your grandparents will have to resort to eating dog-food to afford their medicine. Or, "they're going to pollute the air and the water", or cut funding for this or that (pet project). The left INVENTED fear-mongering.

There are many very thoughtful and kind folks on both sides who see their own version of fear-mongering and divisiveness. Neither side has a lock on it.

[Phillip Paul]

Its going to get worse, before it gets better!
Sadly, the only people left in the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) are the very far right wing ideologues, who are intolerant to any other point of view. A good example of this kind of person would be their party chairman, Jeff Frederick, or say a Mike Wade in Hampton. Full of hate, quick to call someone a name who doesn't tow the party line and passionate about alienating anyone who dares to disagree with their narrow vision of the RPV.

So they will drive, all, if there are any left, center thinking Republicans away. They've already driven the "conservatives" away, as the votes for both Warner and Obama prove. The "conservatives" have abandoned the RPV by flocking to either the Democrats, Libertarians or just sitting on the sidelines waiting to see what happens.

The proof of this can be found in the total lack of grassroots action before both the Senate race (Warner vs Gilmore) and the Presidential race (Obama vs McCain), and complete lack of door to door and poll workers. Many polls had not one Republican reprentative working them.

While its anecdoctal, I've heard this same story from across the state. I got two visits, to my door from Democrats, with literature, asking me, nicely, to vote for Obama/Warner. NOT ONE VISIT FROM A REPUBLICAN. I live in a neighborhood that should traditionally be a Republican area. But not one hand out. Not one mailer. No effort by the Republicans at the grassroots level.

Who's to save the Virginia Republicans, if anyone?
McDonell? He'd done. Stick a fork in him. His backing, support and ultimate declaration that the unconstitutional "regional taxing authorities" were 'constitutional' has sunk his boat for good. Democrats need only to run someone center of McDonnell and it'll be a third election in the a row for the Governor's job for them.

Pile on that, the total and complete inattention to the mess in the State Board of Elections by McDonnell and his staff and using his office of Attorney General to run his "McDonell for Governor" campaign on the taxpayers dime and you've got a solid formula for failure.

The Party is infested with nasty personal attack, smear campaign tacticians,(Kirwin) who have pushed anyone with any integrity, any honesty or any degree of honor out of the party. These self proclaimed "political consultants" have adopted the mantra of 'anything to win' and its ruined the Republicans reputation for honesty and they currently have no credibility.

The once center thinking conservatives are now, not only joining the Democratic Party of Virginia,they are winning elections (John Miller 1st Senate district) for them too!
I think its a foregone conclusion that 2009 will see the Democrats take the House of Delegates and the Governor's mansion, yet again, while maintaining control of the Senate in Virginia. The only thing the RPV will be doing is sitting on the sidelines (like they did for 120-years after the civil war) throwing rocks and making snide remarks.

For the Virginia Republicans, its going to get far worse, before it gets better! BANK ON IT!

[vamayhem]

The republican party leadership is in disarray from the national to the state level. In Virginia, GOP leadership is saying they need to reach out and in the same sentence talking about republican principles that they don't even adhere to. Try limited government for one and throw in parental rights. Maybe the republican party leadership should focus on governing with their principles and educating others as to what those principles are.

[Plumber Joe]

I suggest the GOP cease its fear-mongering and divisiveness as most recently exemplified by Sarah Palin while on the campaign trail - - and by Jeff Frederick in his unfair and outrageous comments about Mr. Obama a few weeks ago.

Our great Nation has long focused on hope, promise, and potential - - not in creating fear and tearing down other Americans - - so a little practice in "The Golden Rule" by these so-called faithfuls would serve them well.

I'm especially proud to be an American now following Mr. Obama's successful election, its potential for our Nation, and its message to our world.

[Jack]

Part of McDonnell's problem is that he is so wedded to his political sugar daddy--Pat Robertson. McDonnell attended Regent U and sits on various boards within it. Robertson has given him thousands of dollars over the years. The two are joined at the hip.

Virginia Republicans need to ditch Bill Howell and others in the "free lunch" wing of the party and start moderating their message.