Meyer Fired
Republican 2nd District Chairman Bruce Meyer walked into today’s convention with the endorsement of almost every Republican elected official in the district (not that many of them were there). He walked out with only 34% of the vote, as veteran of the Reagan White House Gary Byler swept into the chairmanship, and brought most of his slate with him.
And Leo Wardrup had a few choice exchanges with Ron Paul supporters.
A packed auditorium was hopping with excitement, as Congresswoman Thelma Drake and Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Bryant spoke for Meyer, who gave an excellent pitch for his continued leadership. Then John Welch stood up and laid down the story for change. 4 races in November that were lost, and we need to get the Party back to its roots.
Gary Byler was at his populist best, talking the talk of winning elections, broadening the party and being positive. The vote was not even close, and Byler swept in two new State Central members who ousted two incumbents.
The highlight of the day, other than Del. Bob Marshall’s joke, was former Delegate Leo Wardrup absolutely pasting the Ron Paul folks from the podium. A candidate for delegate to the national convention went off on a Libertarian tangent about the Patriot Act and the war and the budget and whatever else the fringe likes to carp about.
Leo Wardrup took the podium to speak for Del. Bob Purkey for the same convention race and absolutely blasted the Paulites “This is a REPUBLICAN convention” said Leo, urging voters to send people to the National Convention who will support the Republican nominee as chosen by the voters.
Ron Paul supporters booed Leo, and did so loudly, and Leo blasted them with a quote from Shakespeare’s era that had me so roaring with laughter I can’t even remember what it was. Something about his horse and their donkey.
Jim Gilmore swung by and gave a really, really, really good speech. Damn, if he gets this going, he might be on the way. A bit too Buchananite for the mainstream middle still, but firing up the base? No problem.
Del. Bob Marshall was there, and as usual was l-o-n-g on talking about his legislative accomplishments. He should’ve stopped 30 seconds after his joke (How many Democrats does it take to change a light bulb? NONE – Democrats only promise change.)
But Byler whipping Meyer was the big story of the day. I know how hard Gary fights, and it looks like the days of the “kinder, gentler, bipartisan” Republican Party are over, at least in this neck o’ da woods.
Category: Campaigns and Elections
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True, but nowhere near to the degree that Carter or the Bush/Clinton clan did. It’ll be a cold day in hell before I vote for a Democrat, I think that was what (to bring this full circle) set me off the most about Wardrup’s comments. I’m for a traditional Republican platform, I actually want my Republic back. Not a socialized empire. The same could be said for Mr. Hendrix, the gentleman who gave the speech, and it was pretty well received before Wardrup started spouting nonsense.
Given your last comment, “Dan….Goldwater lost and Reagan raised taxes several times.”, I’d appreciate if you actually took the time to read my posts before responding. I believe I pointed that out.
(Please excuse the double post.)
I’m well aware that Goldwater lost. What I’m saying is that Reagan getting elected against the odds vindicated the Goldwater voters, as he was a far better choice for a candidate than Bush Senior.
What planet were you on? Well-received?
Everyone was polite. He was WAY out of step with the convention, but eh….we let him have his say politely. It was when someone stood up to you that y’all started whining like a bunch of Cindy Sheehans.
Dan, I read every word of your comments, and you didn’t mention Reagan’s tax increases.
Touche’, so I didn’t. Ya got me. I did mention that Goldwater lost, but enough semantics. To even think of casting the Ron Paul supporters with Cindy Sheehan shows clearly that you don’t have a very good grasp of what Ron Paul is all about.. or was that another snide ad-hominem remark trying to pass as discussion, much the way Trotskyites are trying to pass for Republicans?
Brian,
You write:
“Why would I rather elect Republicans than Democrats? Reid, you voted for Mark Warner because you thought he wouldn’t raise taxes and you voted for Tim Kaine because he said he wouldn’t do regional authorities. Sucks to be you, eh?”
Candidate for Governor Mark Warner lied to my face. My mistake? I took him at his word.
The GOP candidate for Governor that ran against Tim Kaine ran on a plan to create regional taxing authorities for regional transportation for Tidewater – so, it doesn’t matter – “D” or “R” – it made no difference. Either way we end up with an unaccountable regional taxing authority and myself and other citizens have to sue the General Assembly to have the HRTA thrown out.The primary architects of HB 3202 were Republicans – to include Attorney General Bob McDonnell.
SB 668 and HB 3202 were the product of Repubicans and Democrats.
It didn’t matter to the GOP that the voters of our region said “No” in November 2002 to SB 668 – Republicans lead the way to ignore the voters and inflict us with HB 3202 anyway.
Thus, is sucks having to suffer RINOs.
What part of HB 3202 was “less government” and “lower taxes”?
We all know it failed the Supreme Court’s evaluation and was found to be unconstitutional.
So how exactly did having people with “Rs” next to their name make any difference?
The “Rs” were no better than the “Ds” in the example you used.
Dan, I heard his speech and the Paulas boo and hiss, and I’ve heard Cindy Sheehan. I couldn’t tell much difference. Sorry if that disappoints you.
Reid, next time you see people giving away free highways, let me know.
Brian,
Who is paying for the rest of the “new” RT 460 highway that will exist outside of our region?
I guess the good folks outside of Tidewater get a free highway since the GOP plan/HB 3202 doesn’t tax them.
Brian, I am just wondering. Would you be happy if those of us who have supported Ron Paul because he represents the core values of the Republican party, left it? It really seems to me that this is what you are looking for.
Reid, no one’s paying for the “new” 460 highway.
Stephen, no I wouldn’t be happy. But Ron Paul lost. Deal with it. My candidate didn’t win the nomination either, and I’m not rhythmically nodding my head and saying “read Dr. Paul’s book….read Dr. Paul’s book…”
Reid,
Every PPTA proposal for 460 builds it all the way to I-95. One proposal even does it with zero tax dollars; they simply collect tolls.
BTW, Reid, since you called me a closet Democrat last week on two blogs, glad to see you (rightfully) put me back in the Republican Party.
Ron Paul lost. Deal with it. My candidate didn’t win the nomination either, and I’m not rhythmically nodding my head and saying “read Dr. Paul’s book….read Dr. Paul’s book…”
I do believe it is this type of comment that drives a wedge between us. I must say that it is not us Ron Paul supporters that cause the problems.
Ok, Ron Paul didn’t lose. He actually won, but the media refuses to report it.
Feel better?
You’re right. You’re so right. You just won’t realize it for a few years yet.
“You’ll come around.”
-Ron Paul, to John McCain
L. Ronpaul Hubbard?
“Ok, Ron Paul didn’t lose. He actually won, but the media refuses to report it.
Feel better?”
Sarcasm is no substitute for wit. I can’t believe people take you seriously.
Lighten up, Francis.
Stephen – They do? Who?
Mr. Kirwin, all you have left is name calling, Sir?
That establishes that you haven’t won this debate, so I’ll let up. For now. Good day.
Dan, do you have an internal self-editor that makes you ignore the namecalling you’ve done throughout this thread?
[...] May 3rd, 2008, Brian Kirwin posted a story about the 2nd District Convention. In his story, there were many errors and it was flush with [...]
I don’t expect to see at least 80% of the people who came and voted for Byler at the convention ever again unless he runs for re-election. Its pathetic when you know you have to go OUTSIDE of the party to get votes. Byler has been non existent within the party for over 10 years! Take a look at his resume. I know for a FACT that some of his younger volunteers only helped him out because Byler would defend them for free in court. Nice way to buy votes eh? His volunteers also filled out multiple forms for other people. Nygard himself said Byler filled out his form. It was a corrupt win and he was not backed by any elected officials. Bruce had multiple elected officials backing him including Thelma! Bruce didn’t have to bring criminals and his mommas neighbors out to the convention because he was ALREADY active in the party. You would think he didn’t have to sweat worrying about the election, assuming mainly party members would be participating in the elections.
“Bruce had multiple elected officials backing him”
Yeah, they backed him so much, they weren’t even at the Convention for him.
“You would think he didn’t have to sweat worrying about the election”
Maybe that’s the attitude that leadership should never have.
I have no problem with Bruce, except for his propensity to whine like a little girl after he gets his butt whipped and how he’s rather attack Republicans instead of just saying “I got outworked.”
Recent postings floating around the blogosphere are suggesting that I am leaving my position as second district chairman for a position with the Republican Party of Virginia. These postings are in error. I shall not be working in any official capacity for the RPV, except as second district chairman. I am excited about our opportunities to advance the cause of liberty in the second and take seriously my obligations as chairman.
Next month we will be hosting a Fourth of July celebration of independence in our office parking lot with all the trimmings; live music, good food, fireworks, and most importantly a reading of the Declaration of Independence. Contact my office at (757) 490-8094 for a parking pass or more information. As always feel free to call or email.
[...] HRGOP was organized by Bruce Meyer, former 2nd District Chairman. [...]
[...] HRGOP was organized by Bruce Meyer, former 2nd District Chairman. [...]