The Convention

was an interesting, uproarious time... much more so than 2001.

Congrats to Jim Gilmore.It was very close. The 7th saved him at the end.

And BIG congrats to Jeff Frederick.

Gilmore does his Hillary "inevitability" impression

in an interview at the Washington Times earlier this month, apparently:

..."I think I'll be the nominee of the party, I don't think that that's gonna be an issue," Mr. Gilmore told editors and reporters at The Washington Times earlier this month. "But we have to get our people to the convention and make sure that they're there, and that they're voting. But we see no indication that I won't be the nominee."...

Keep telling yourself that, Gov. Gilmore.

Jeff Frederick for RPV Chair

I was hoping to avoid this moment, but I just can't.

Hager's people are apparently using official RPV resources to help him win re-election as party chair. Chris Beer and Waldo Jaquith (!) have the story. I should point out I got the same email Waldo did.

I've been leaning towards supporting Jeff Frederick lately anyhow, and on Wednesday I got a nice call from Mrs. Frederick asking for my support. It's time for the old bulls to step aside and let there be a new birth of conservative leadership in the party and in the Old Dominion. I like John Hager, but this tips the scales. Jeff will be getting my vote Saturday.

Cuccinelli for AG

With Mr. Brownlee's entry into the race, I thought it appropriate to make it official.

We need a principled conservative in the AG's office for the next four years. Let's elect him.

Bob Marshall For Senate

A few months ago, I endorsed Jim Gilmore's Senate candidacy on this blog. This campaign has shown me that he is NOT the man for the job. He is a classic glad-handing establishment politician. The Republican party, particularly here in the Old Dominion, is at a crisis point in terms of not only electoral success, but in terms of its identity. We have lost our way very, very badly the past few years by pandering to a very loud, very boorish social conservative minority, while at the same time making a Faustian bargain with people who are anything but conservative for the sake of winning. The worst part is that we keep losing despite that.

It's time for a change. Bob Marshall actually took the time to call me personally a week or two ago, and spent half an hour making a powerful case for his candidacy. I part ways with him on some social issues, but he is absolutely right on on just about everything else from fiscal issues to border security and immigration. He does not ever compromise his fundamental principles. It's just not close.

Bob Marshall for Senate. I plan to support him at the convention next week. Join me.

Death to the Farm Bill

As readers of this blog know, I have my problems with President Bush on a great many issues ranging from Iraq to faith-based programs. However, by vetoing the farm bill, he took a tough and unpopular (thus far) stance against the exact kind of federal government handouts we need to put a stop to for good. The mistake of leaving out part of it gives conservatives (and anyone else who believes we shouldn't be subsidizing particular sectors of the country for no good reason) a second chance to rally against it. Let's not waste it. Everything from ethanol subsidies and mandates to food stamp programs (clearly what the federal government ought to be doing, right?) are in this bill, and none of it is good. The pressure is on the GOP leadership, particularly McConnell, to step up to the plate and fight this.

Support the President's courageous stand and sustain his veto, Congressional Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats.

The Tanc backs Bob Marshall

Per the DCPost blog...

I always liked the Tanc a lot... he calls it like he sees and has been an absolute American hero for his work on immigration issues.

Congresscritters Strike Again

Anyone still wondering why the GOP Congress was such a disappointment for the 12 years it had power? One (more) reason is guys like Kit Bond. The Air Force would like to continue purchasing the F-22, the most advanced air superiority fighter in existence. But Sen. Bond would rather see obsolete F-15 Eagles produced simply because they're built in his home state of Missouri. This is a classic case of a Congresscritter, to use a term from days gone by, dulling the edge of the American sword just for the sake of some jobs (votes, perhaps?) back home. The job of every defense appropriator should be to give the armed services everything they need to be successful in their mission. That means buying as many Raptors and JSFs as the Air Force needs, not ramming old aircraft down the throats of our military and risking the lives of our pilots and the security of our nation. Kit Bond is an example of exactly what we DON'T need in the Republican caucus.