RPV Chairman Candidates: Question 3
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John Hager and Jeff Frederick, candidates for chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, continue to answer questions in advance of this weekend’s convention:
What grade would you give our current grassroots organization?
John Hager
I think the volunteers who are rolling up their sleeves to do the grassroots work that wins elections all deserve an A+.
The problem is that, right now, a lot of our volunteers have become disillusioned and have fallen away from being active, and it’s easy to understand why. They don’t believe our party has delivered on our promises to the American people.
Fortunately, the 2008 election gives us an opportunity to keep our conservative elected officials and let them show the grassroots that we mean what we say and appreciate all their efforts
Jeff Frederick
Well, if “our” is the Republican Party of Virginia, I’d give it an “F”. They like to talk about grassroots, meanwhile we have units shrinking or dissolving entirely. You show commitment by actions, not words – and so far actions from RPV have been few and far between. In my campaign, my staff and I have traveled to nearly every unit possible; we listen to their concerns and what they tell us they need to grow their local party. Ask them yourself if they are satisfied with the attention they are receiving from RPV and they will tell you what they tell me: they desperately want a commitment of tools, reliable lists, web sites, interaction with the state Party and other units to try new ideas. It took Mr. Hager 10 months to finally start the “grassroots challenge” program but it occurred because Bob McDonell and Bill Bolling provided the leadership to push it forward. It is a good start, but more is needed beyond increasing membership. We must also encourage and reward real progress as measured in results. Recently I released a comprehensive 100 Day action plan that will initiate immediately upon my election as Chairman. I encourage your readers to have a look at www.votejeff.org/Plan and see for yourself how we will re-energize our grassroots in a team effort; to make sure every unit in Virginia is ready and equipped for an election every year.
We need an RPV that can honestly say to itself the day after an election: we did everything we could have done. Everything. We don’t have anything close to that today.
As for the grade of our local Republican units and clubs (like Women Clubs and Young Republicans), I’d give us an “A” for the effort these people bring because they are out there fighting for our Party, donating their time and money with insufficient support from RPV. As Chairman they will get a state party that works as hard as they do, to truly rebuild the GOP from the grassroots up.
10 MONTHS. Hager hasn’t been chairman for that long!
As usual Jeff is free and loose with the facts!
I find it funny that Hager realizes that there’s disillusionment all around but doesn’t understand why. He almost gets it. He says that the officials haven’t delivered on their promises. But then, he advocates more of the same by keeping those same people who failed to deliver on the promises in office. Brilliant!