Michael Steele will headline the Virginia GOP Advance.

Virginia Republicans will gather at the Homestead resort in Hot Springs this coming weekend for the 2008 Don Huffman Annual Advance.

The event allows elected officials, party insiders and grassroots activists to assess the year gone by and plan for the next 12 months.

They should have plenty to talk about. Republicans lost Virginia in a presidential year for the first time since 1964, but have high hopes for statewide races in 2009.

The GOP is united behind AG Bob McDonnell as their candidate for governor and Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling is running for reelection. Attendees will take a straw poll on the GOP attorney general's race, too.

The headline speaker will be former Maryland Lt. Gov. Michael Steele. In 2003, he became the first African-American elected to statewide office in Maryland. He's an accomplished speaker and has appeared on Real Time with Bill Maher and The Colbert Report. In other words, he's a pretty entertaining guy.

 And if it's entertainment you want, training sessions will likely include blogging/new media, voter data management, parliamentary procedures and how to successfully organize and conduct a mass meeting!

Comments

[Newport News]

I like Michael Steele alot, but I think Chip Saltzman is a better choice, check him out:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33362016863

http://www.thearkansasproject.com/huck-pitches-saltsman-for-rnc-chief/

He looks like a good change for the RNC!

[MarylandRed]

I would also like to add that in addition to his entertainment prowess, Michael Steele is a qualified contender for RNC Chairman. I would encourage the Virginia Republican leadership to look at www.steeleforchairman.com to look at his vision as well as his credentials. I believe your leadership will agree that he is the best candidate for RNC Chairman. Please ask your national committeeman, committeewoman and state party to support and vote for Michael Steele in January.