The Devalued Prime Minister of a Devalued Government

An English member of the EU Parliament speaking bluntly about the bailout, and economic policy.

Removing Frederick is More Important Than a McDonnell - Bolling Win?

An excellent article by Spank that Donkey on the insanity that is the attempt to oust Jeff Frederick.

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If we all just kick back for a minute, and try and understand the current political situation of the VA GOP...

Yes, it's Ugly... Lost both US Senators, elected a Democrat President for the first time in over four decades, and lost the VA General Assembly Senate...

The only glimmer of hope is that LG Bill Bolling decided to work with AG Bob McDonnell instead of against him... to unify Republicans.... yet who is Chairman of the Party is reason for a group of folks to send the party back into nuclear meltdown?

Chairman? Oh, I forgot, Chairman are supposed be lapdogs... Sitting around waiting on their masters to hand feed them an agenda, and words to repeat...

Maybe it's even a little more.... maybe there are some tax increases, or other party planks that need bending in our future? Maybe having a strong chairman to protest against them would be embarrassing, or just flatout inconvenient?

If you would like to get involved in the We Support Chairman Jeff Frederick movement, please join us on facebook, or the RPVNetwork, sign the petition, and contact your state central members and theMcDonnell campaign.

Bob McDonnell on Carch Check and the Economy

Good Afternoon ,

Early in this race we have witnessed the emergence of a defining issue. That issue is which candidate will stand up for Virginia’s pro-business environment, and stand up to big national unions attempting to take away the basic right of workers to cast secret ballots in workplace elections? After this week it is clear I am the only candidate running for Governor who will do this.

On Tuesday the so-called “Employee Free Choice Act” was introduced in the United States Congress. This legislation, far more aptly titled “Card Check”, would eliminate a worker’s most basic right: The right to cast a secret ballot in elections to determine if a union will be organized at their place of employment. Further, under this legislation, in newly organized workplaces, if the employer and the union do not agree to a contract in the first 130 days of negotiations, an arbitration panel from the federal government can be brought in and its decision would be binding on the employer.

This legislation threatens to significantly weaken our economy at a time when we can least afford it. For that reason this bill is adamantly opposed by workers, small business owners, and local Chambers of Commerce nationwide. Warren Buffett, the legendary investor who actually supported Barack Obama for President, came forward this week to make his opposition to the legislation clear.

Warren Buffet said this: “I think the secret ballot's pretty important in the country. I'm against card check to make a perfectly flat statement."

I am too.

This week I asked my three possible Democratic opponents to join with me in standing with the workers and business owners of Virginia in opposing this legislation. Would they choose Virginia’s best interests over their national special interests?

They chose their special interests. They chose the side of the big national unions.

All three refused to say a bad word about “Card Check.” Given recent reporting in The Washington Post that union donations to Virginia Democrats are reaching record levels, I guess I shouldn’t be surprised by the Democratic candidates positions.

It is clear. “Card Check” is a defining issue in this race. I am the only candidate running for Governor opposed to this job-killing legislation. And I know this means I have a bulls-eye on my back for big unions nationwide.

I don’t think we should turn Virginia into Southern Michigan. I believe we must oppose federal policies that would weaken and undermine our pro-business environment here in the Commonwealth. Too many jobs are on the line.

If you agree, I hope you will consider joining our campaign.

Please visit www.BobMcDonnell.com to get involved in our effort to stop “Card Check” and bring new jobs and greater prosperity to every region of Virginia.

Bob

PS: Below are some news clips about “Card Check” and this campaign. I hope you’ll take a minute to check them out.

Circus Act (RTD Editorial)

McDonnell Decries Federal Labor Proposal (Roanoke Times)

McDonnell Rails Against “Card-Check” Legislation (Virginian-Pilot)

Gubernatorial Candidates in Virginia React to Employee Free Choice Act Bill (RTD)

Gubernatorial Candidates Spar on Union Practices (WHSV)

McDonnell Opposes Card Check Legislation (Washington Post Blog)

AUTHORIZED BY BOB MCDONNELL.  PAID FOR BY MCDONNELL FOR GOVERNOR. Unsubscribe
McDonnell For Governor | 2819 North Parham Road, Suite 210 | Richmond | VA | 23294

Prince William County Republicans Support Jeff Frederick

The following article is written by someone who attended the PWRC meeting where the committee unanimously voted to support Jeff Frederick.  This is one of the biggest counties and a key to winning NOVA.  If Bob McDonnell is successful in upsetting these Republicans, and other likeminded Republicans around the state, well... I hope he doesn't.

Some Real Grassroots Support for Jeff Frederick

Ladies and Gentlemen of the State Central Committee,

Just three hours ago, I was in the Prince William County Republican Committee Convention.  At that time there was a resolution put to the floor in support of our (yours and my) Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia.  That resolution fully and unambigulously endorses Chairman Frederick; it calls on all of you to focus on winning the next elections; and to unconditionally assist Chairman Frederick in the performance of his duties.  

The measure was read in its entirety and discussion was requested-there was none.  A vote was taken.  Those in favor were asked to raise their hands and a forest of arms appeared.  Those against were asked to vote and I saw no hands.  Even accounting for a home town crowd, I say so much for the fantasy that there is a "grassroots" effort to unseat Chairman Frederick.  This would be a really good time to get down to the business at hand and forget the coup.

Best Regards,

Bill Card

Dumfries, VA

If you would like to join the effort to keep Jeff Frederick as Chairman, please join "We Support Chairman Jeff Frederick".

Warehouse Republicans

One of the greatest problems with conferences is that people will go to them, and then do nothing as a result of the amazing speakers they hear afterwards. I am amazed at the number of people who claim to be conservatives who care about their country who you can't get to just call their congressman, or even campaign for one night for a cause or issue they profess to love. If people don't get out and help get involved supporting conservative issues and candidates, what is the point of going to conferences like CPAC?

At CPAC this year, Mike Huckabee, the social conservative darling in the 2008 primaries, challenged the listeners to not just sit and listen to the speakers, but to act and do things as a result. He is famous for his use of the term "vertical politics." At CPAC he introduced conservatives to the idea of "Warehouse Republicans."

He wrapped up the speech by challenging the audience with these words:

But there is no other reason to get involved if we are going to be warehouse conservatives. Today I leave you with this challenge, let's get out of the warehouse, let's get in the water, let's stir things up, let's make some waves, let's change this country, because if we don't there might not be another generation left to get the job done.

This part of his CPAC speech begins at 8:41 on Part 3 of the speech and carries through to the stirring words at the end.

If you want to get involved in this years elections. Please get involved helping winning back seats for conservative congressional republicans, winning the statewide races in Virginia, helping Ken Cuccinelli win the Attorney General nomination at the RPV state convention, and help in the effort to keep Jeff Frederick on as RPV chairman.

Bill Bolling "New Ideas for a Better Virginia"

Today, the Bolling for Lieutenant Governor Campaign sent out their Bolling promo video to supporters.  It is a well done inspiring video that emphasizes Bollings record of accomplishments, the bipartisan way he has solved problems, and his "New Ideas for a Better Virginia".  I hope you watch the video and support Bill Bolling at the Virginia RPV State Convention, and McDonnell/Bolling in the general election.

The following is an article by Patricia Phillips, 2007 Republican nominee for the 33rd state senate district, about Jeff Frederick.  It is also linked on We Support Chairman Jeff Frederick.

Put Up or Stand Down

March 8, 2009

Patricia Phillips

Fact: The controversy about Del. Jeff Frederick’s tenure as RPV Chairman is hurting the Party and our statewide candidates’ chances in this fall’s election.  The longer this goes on, the greater the damage to our Party and thus, the greater the injury to Virginians statewide. 

Allegations:  Apparently those seeking Chairman Frederick’s resignation, and some of our more loquacious bloggers, allege that: 1) that there are numerous instances where Chairman Frederick has acted improperly, bordering on being unethical; 2) that Chairman Frederick has been ineffective; 3) that Chairman Frederick is somehow responsible for the losses Virginians suffered in last year’s presidential, senatorial, and congressional races; 4) that Chairman Frederick has embarrassed the RPV; and 5) finally, that Chairman Frederick’s election at last year’s convention was somehow tainted.  These allegations are considered so grave that supposedly more than ¾ of the State Central Committee have signed a letter (that remains hidden from the rank and file of our Party) pledging to vote for Frederick’s ouster in April should he refuse to resign. 

Resolution:  All of the allegations against Chairman Frederick should be aired in public. Now. The matter is in the press; any further attempt to maintain secrecy in this matter “for the good of the Party” is pointless.  Further, the refusal of those seeking Frederick’s removal to allow the rank and file to judge the allegations for themselves raises very serious questions about the validity of the allegations. If we allow a select few to overturn a legitimate election, for their own purposes and absent proof of illegal or unethical behavior on Frederick’s part, we set a dangerous long-term precedent for both our Party and our state. 

Point One: The Party Plan allows for the removal of the Chairman in extreme circumstances, similar to the federal system of impeachment by the house and trial by the senate.  This option is not intended to resolve policy differences or personality conflicts.  The RPV does do not operate as a parliamentary system, with votes of no confidence. It is too disruptive. The vote of delegates at our conventions should only be set aside in the most extreme of circumstances. There is an election process to be followed. 

If there are valid allegations of illegal or unethical behavior, they should be made public – reason would suggest that the Chairman would resign in the face of documented, provable charges of illegal or unethical behavior on his part, as the rank and file of the RPV will not support or condone such actions. 

Point Two: Frederick has been Chairman for less than a year. He has already had the distraction of facing down a prior attempt to remove him last December.  Despite that, RPV is moving forward in technology, outreach, and organization. Absent proof of illegal or unethical behavior on Frederick’s part, those seeking his ouster are directly responsible for retarding our growth and improvements in our effectiveness in this gubernatorial year. 

Point Three: Given the election result nationwide, does anyone honestly believe that Chairman Frederick is to blame for our poor showing in last year’s elections? Those making this charge undermine their own credibility in the eyes of the rank and file – they are rightly seen as grasping at any excuse to affect the removal of our duly-elected Chairman.  It raises serious questions about their motives and intentions. 

Point Four: One charge seems to revolve around Chairman Frederick’s legitimate and accurate observation last year that then-Senator Obama chose to develop and maintain a long-term association with William Ayers, the self-admitted collaborator in the 1960s bombing of the Pentagon and other government buildings.  Those who criticize Frederick’s criticism of Obama, including Senator McCain, play into the hands of a biased media that is hell-bent on electing liberals at all levels of government.  The observation was accurate, humorous, and well within the bounds of political discourse. Those who claim otherwise have swallowed the Democrats’ propaganda hook, line and sinker. 

While I agree that the “Twitter” incident was a boneheaded and costly mistake, it was hardly an impeachable offense. 

Point Five: That Chairman Frederick was legitimately elected is incontrovertible.  I was at the convention last year.  His victory was overwhelming.  One blogger recently claimed that Frederick won because so many delegates left the convention following the vote on our Senate nominee.  There was not a significant exodus before the vote for Chairman of the party. The claim that somehowFrederick’s election last year was questionable or illegitimate strongly indicates that the people making this charge are looking for any excuse to subvert the vote held in last year’s convention.  

Conclusion:  The rule of law is critical to the well-being of our Commonwealth. To repeat, if we allow a select few to overturn a legitimate election, for their own purposes and absent proof of illegal or unethical behavior on Frederick’s part, we set a dangerous precedent for both our Party and our state.  I have yet to see any proof, or even any serious allegation, of illegal or unethical behavior warranting the removal of Chairman Frederick.  Unless I am given such information, I will continue to proudly support the Chairman in his efforts to move our Party forward and I will urge the rank and file to unite behind our Chairman.  I welcome any substantiated information that might lead me to withdraw my support of Chairman Frederick.  I urge my representatives from the 10^thCongressional District to the State Central Committee to vote against any removal or censure of Chairman Jeff Frederick. 

Patricia Phillips
2007 Republican Candidate
33^rd Virginia Senate District

Tyranny by Another Name

On March 4th news that the Virginia state central committee was pressuring Jeff Frederick to resign as RPV chairman hit the blogosphere.  The following day the California Supreme Court held oral arguments on Proposition 8.  While most would argue that these two events have nothing in common, I would like to disagree.

Last November California voters approved a state constitutional amendment to define marriage as between one man and one woman.  In a state that voted overwhelmingly for Barack Obama, this measure passed by 52.1% with Barack Obama on the ballot.  After Prop 8 passed the opponents of the measure argued that a majority of the people have no right to take away the rights of the minority.  They argued they have a right to homosexual marriage.  If this is true the measure clearly removed that "right".  In an attempt to win on this argument they appealed the measure to the courts which resulted in the oral arguments on Thursday.  If the California State Supreme Court overturns the voice of the people, it will be yet another example of judicial tyrrany.  Judicial tyranny occurs when the courts override a decision of the legislature or the people for political reasons, and not because it is legally unconstitutional.  Conservatives would argue that Kelo vs. New London and, the two biggest thorns in the sides of social conservatives, Roe vs. Wade and Texas vs. Lawrence are examples of judicial tyranny.  Judicial tyranny occurs when unelected judges make the law instead of the people and their elected representatives.

In California we are faced with the possibility that a few judges will of over five million voters will be overturned.  In Virginia we are faced with the possibility that sixty plus members of the state central committee will overturn the will of the Virginia grassroots at the 2008 RPV State Convention.  The last convention was attended by over 4,000 activists from across this commonwealth.  Over the course of the campaign they were presented with two different visions for the RPV and were able to vote on the vision they agreed with.  The Virginia grassroots overwhelmingly supported Jeff Frederick for chairman of the RPV.  Instead of respecting that fact, members of state central have been opposing Jeff Frederick at every turn, and now it appears that in under a month a little over sixty party insiders will overturn the will of the Virginia grassroots as expressed last May.  We went to Richmond last May to make our voices heard, and we thought they were heard.  Now the party leadership says we don't care what you said we will ignore your voice.  It makes you wonder why we should have voted at all last year.

In California the voters are faced with the possibility that their votes for prop 8 last November will be overturned by a couple judges.  In Virginia Republican politics, we are faced with the possibility that our vote at last year's convention will be overturned.

This may not be judicial tyranny, but that is only because judges aren't involved.

Jeff Frederick, Bob McDonnell, and the Grassroots

In a podcast interview yesterday on Bearing Drift, Jim Hoeft asked Bob McDonnel what he thought about the effort by state central to remove Jeff Frederick as chairman. Before arguing for more effective leadership as we go forward in 2009, Bob McDonnell said, "I can say that I am aware of the grassroots initiated effort by the state central committee leaders to seek new leadership at RPV." (quote begins at 3:48 on the podcast)

This comment begs the question, does Bob McDonnell understand what the grassroots is? Traditionally the grassroots has been understood to be a,

"A grassroots movement (often referenced in the context of a political movement)
is one driven by the constituents of a community. The term implies that the creation of the movement and the group supporting it is natural and spontaneous, highlighting the differences between this and a movement that is orchestrated by traditional power structures. Often, grassroots movements are at the local level, as many volunteers in the community give their time to support the local party, which can lead to helping the national party."

According to this definition, the attempt to remove Jeff Frederick from the chairmanship of the RPV has been anything but a grassroots movement. This has been an effort lead and orchestrated by the state central committee, and has only been revealed to the public by anonymous sources on blogs. Just like the state central meeting during the Republican Advance, this has been a highly secretive affair. There is little evidence that the overwhelming number of regular activists, the people that voted for Frederick at last year's state convention, want him removed. No petition with 2,000 Republican volunteers was ever filed. There was never a massive call for state central to do this by unit chairs around the state.

Last year Jeff Frederick won based on an overwhelming amount of support from party activists at the convention. The grassroots made their voice heard last year and said Virginia Republicans reject the chairman state central forced on us, and want a true fiscal and social conservative who wins elections. I hope state central considers the view of the grassroots when they make their decision in a month, or we will overturn them at the convention again, and if Bob McDonnell doesn't understand what the grassroots really is he may have a difficult time winning the governorship in November.

Cuccinelli Declares Victory in Three Key Localities

In today's Cuccinelli Compass Sen. Cuccinelli declared victory in Chesterfield County, Virginia Beach, and Hampton Roads. Also related to my last post about how this year's RPV state convention will be larger than last year's, in all these localities there was a significant increase in delegates signed up over last year. I think the appeal that Sen. Cuccinelli is enjoying throughout enjoying throughout Virginia in this attorney general nomination contest is evidence of the fact that Virginia Republicans like social conservatives with a record on the issues. I also think that Ken's record in the senate will complement Bob McDonnell and Bill Bolling's campaign of being a ticket with a record of getting things done for Virginians very well.

March 2, 2009

Dear Fellow Virginians,

I sent a Compass yesterday, so this will be short.

Today was the convention filing deadline for, among others, Chesterfield
and Virginia Beach. We VASTLY out-filed our nearest competitor in BOTH
units. And folks, these are the 2nd and 3rd biggest voting blocks at the
convention - over 10% of the total vote at the convention. Together, they
may account for more votes than all other filings up to this point!

Tonight was also the Hampton City mass meeting, and we lead here too... and
this one is particularly interesting... read on to find out why!

Chesterfield

There were 704 delegates filed in Chesterfield County for the 2009
convention - that's more than four times as many delegates as showed up in
2008. The GOP ain't dead yet!

Of those 704 delegates, Cuccinelli folks walked in the door with 396
(56%)! As of Sunday night, the next closest A.G. candidate had only filed
about 100 delegates. We have more than tripled the second place candidate
in Chesterfield. There is also a significant chunk of undecideds.

Have you heard anything this specific from any other candidate in this
race? No, you haven't. We read their emails too. Why do you
suppose they haven't been more specific? Hmmmm... I
wonder...

Virginia Beach

And now it starts to get interesting ... Dave Foster's campaign claimed
victory in Virginia Beach four hours after the filing deadline today -
Woops!

Last year, only 75 delegates went to the convention from Va. Beach.
438 delegates filed by today. Our party is coming back to life with so
many grassroots activists!

Of the 438 delegates filed by today, our folks walked in with 192 forms -
more than double any other A.G. candidate. Of course, many of the others
are our supporters too (we just didn't turn in all of their forms - they did it
themselves). Again, the next largest block after our block of delegates
appears to be the undecided block.

So much for that other campaign's victory claim!

Last But Not Least, Hampton City

And speaking of false victory claims, our other competitor, John Brownlee,
claimed a huge victory in Hampton today. Again, Woops!

63 delegates were elected at their mass meeting tonight. Over half of
these delegates are committed to our campaign. But Brownlee claimed he
leads all other candidates by a 3 to 1 margin.

How can this be? It can't. Someone either can't count or hopes
you won't!

Did you notice that they didn't provide any specific numbers - seeing a
pattern here?

Any reporters want to test this one to see who "counts better?"
Bloggers? We'll give you the list of our supporters - will our competitor
do the same?