Will Frederick run for re-election?
By JR Hoeft | Wednesday, November 26th, 2008 | PoliticsWaldo Jaquith’s recently posted that he would bet $100 that Chairman Jeff Frederick of the RPV would renege on his campaign promise not to seek re-election to the House of Delegates in Virginia’s 52nd District.
Interestingly, Frederick’s wife, Amy (or someone purporting to be Amy), bet in favor of her husband, stating that she’d donate her winnings from Waldo to charity when she won. Waldo would not accept the bet.
If this was Amy Frederick, then it’s a good first step towards the chairman fulfilling some of the promises he made and re-building the party.
We asked Frederick last May whether he would commit to serving as Chairman for the full term. His response was clear:
“My commitment to being Chairman is so strong that I announced I would not seek re-election to the House of Delegates if I am elected Chairman, so that I can have a dedicated focus on doing whatever it takes to turn things around at RPV.
…
“I am the only candidate in this race that can bring the long-term stability to RPV – not necessarily the stability of one long-term figurehead, but stability in vision, strategy, infrastructure, and a solid plan to start winning again.”
However, Frederick equivocated not a month later to the WaPo’s Anita Kumar:
“A lot of guys around here are trying to convince me,” Frederick said during a House recess. “I really don’t want to (run)…But if there’s this huge call and everyone in the world wants me to run for re-election, I guess there is some chance. If the whole world says we’re going to relieve you of your pledge.”
What RPV needs now more than ever is credibility. Unequivocally fulfilling a basic promise to party faithful would go a long way.
Bob McDonnell, when he was running for re-election to the House of Delegates, had a slogan, “Promises made, promises kept.”
If there is one thing about Bob McDonnell, it’s that when he says something, he’s going to do it.
In his campaign for attorney general, he promised to be tougher on gang violence and internet predators, and he has fulfilled his promise.
One of McDonnell’s best attributes is his credibility; therefore, the last thing the party needs is a chairman who is seen as less than credible, while McDonnell is running for governor.
When you add Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling to the mix, who honorably deferred his own ambitions for McDonnell, you have one of the most honorable political teams united in recent memory. The last thing we need right now is a kerkuffle at state central.
I do not advocate Chairman Frederick stepping down as party head; I was intrigued by his 100-day plan (how much of that was implemented, by the way?) and I think the RPV has had too many chairmen in the last four years.
But what I do want is a Republican Party that will do what it promises and stands strong on credibility.
Every day on this web site, some of our contributors still believe that the GOP is the party of fiscal accountability, government restraint, and personal responsibility, yet they are blasted and mocked by commenters who once believed that too and now feel betrayed by past GOP action or inaction.
The chairman must see this credibility gap and act on it.
A good first step is unequivocally stating he’s not seeking re-election. If he doesn’t, the outcome is simple: four more years of a Democrat in the mansion and continued GOP defeats in the General Assembly.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
Conservative to the core; liberal with his opinion! J.R. has been involved in politics for over a decade and has worked on several campaigns in Hampton Roads. He has served on the Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Chesapeake and the Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia. He is also the director of “Blogs United” in Virginia. E-mail J.R.. Follow J.R. on Twitter.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
18 Responses to "Will Frederick run for re-election?"
Sometimes promises are ill-conceived. There are those that leverage an unrealized “campaign promise” as a fault; unfortunately, more often than not those that point their fingers discount the reasons, causes, or effects.
In Frederick’s case, one has to balance whether a kept promise is more important than mitigating the possible risks of losing a Republican delegate seat. With partisan balance possibly tipping in the opposite direction, I am quite eager to release Frederick from his promise. But then again, I put the party before personal political vendettas.
“If there is one thing about Bob McDonnell, it’s that when he says something, he’s going to do it.”
Does that mean the HB3202 regional taxes are coming back?
He has stated repeatedly that he thinks they should return in some form (usually the first, pre-Kaine version).
I know, I know, I have one track mind.
As for this, I think Frederick made a mistake in making the pledge.
That said, I don’t think he can or should try to get out of it. Learn the lesson and move on.
Wally,
I love ya, my friend. But is that why “the GOP left (you
), (you) didn’t leave the party”?
Also, there are no personal vendetta’s here. We want to see GOP success.
Besides, if Jeff does not run, there are a lot of fine conservative candidates in the 52nd, including, potentially, Amy Frederick.
As for DJ…ugh. A lot of us made the 3202 mistake. We’ve learned. Get over it and let’s do something good for the people of Virginia.
I love ya too, J.R. Candidly, I was sought out to return to the Republican Party by the local leadership and I agreed. Regardless, I am firm in my ideological beliefs which have been consistent throughout my political involvement. My brief absence from the Republican Party only consisted of two years. Seems like we should all celebrate and leap for joy when a prodigal son returns home. Don’t you agree?
YAY! Where’s the fatted calf?
Not that this matters much but after the Primary run in 1968 was’nt it Reagan who stated that he would not run again for the nomination of President. Things happen and things change so whether he runs or not should be the result of whether constituents declare faith in his abilities. Maybe a GOP challenger would be healthy and humbling in a Primary fight for Frederick. Maybe thats the ebst way to send a message that you can’t take anyhting for granted anymore.
Huh?
IRT: “As for DJ…ugh. A lot of us made the 3202 mistake. We’ve learned. Get over it and let’s do something good for the people of Virginia.”
The GOP leadership has not “learned” – they are STILL pushing a HB 3202-like solution. Senator Stollee boasted he could inflict the same HB 3202 mess – with the HRTA – just find a way around the issue of regional taxing to non-elected regional government auhorities.
The GOP leadership has DONE NOTHING to reverse the mess they have made with their creation and advocacy for all-appointed regional authorities.
Doing “something good for the people of Virginia begins with reversing the state code that creates all-appointed, unaccountable regional authorities.
Please show us examples of how the GOP leadership has “Learned” and they have taken action to reverse such laws.
Hey, Reid….when you stop being the chairman of the Tidewater Libertarian Party and do like Wally and come back to the GOP, I’ll consider your thoughts. In the meantime, I could give a hoot. You might as well be a Dem.
You belong to another party, hence, you’re really not part of this discussion, nor any other that discusses intramural activities.
Jeff can run or not run, I really don’t care much…what RPV needs to significant changes NOW (yes I capitalized now for emphasis) to right this ship. The Grand Old Party in Virgnia is in ruins and we need fresh approaches, real grassroots iniatives and the use of all our resources and expertise to get this state back in the red…….I’m off the soap box now and on to eating some turkey. If Jeff can turn this ship around great, if not thet’d get some who can!
Jodi-
You are part of the problem. Your blog bashing Jeff, allowing pictures of him as a rat and letting Maximus create and post a video of him as Hitler is a disgrace. Jeff can’t turn a ship around unless everyone jumps on board to work together. If we can’t work together, 2009 will be another bloodbath. You are not a team player-so don’t pretend to offer advice that you, yourself, won’t follow.
Ann,
I hear ya…but it was a parody of a movie. And, the sub-titled content was kind of funny.
I support Chairman Frederick, but he has to be able to laugh at himself too.
Hey J.R. – nice welcoming attitiude for a DISCUSSION blog ya think? – try addressing my points instead of rudely employing the worn out and intellectually dishonest “attack the messenger” dodge.
Living in an echo chamber is another reason the GOP can figure out how to stop losing elections. Having a hostile and closed mind serves only to prevent you from learning anything.
P.S. enjoy the turkey J.R. – I am sure you are tired of eatting crow.
As a Libertarian, I know I am
You left out a crucial bit of the story, J.R. I offered the $100 bet. And Shaun took me up on it. Then a couple of days later, Amy Frederick (or, as you point out, somebody purporting to be her), showed up and tried to bet me $1,000. That’s like trying to buy a car after it’s been sold. That ship had sailed.
As I pointed out a) the bet was for $100, not $1,000 (I can wager $100. $1,000? That’s just stupid) b) Shaun had already accepted the bet and c) one must never bet on the outcome of a controllable event with a person able to control said outcome (that’s not a bet, it’s a bribe).
If Shaun wants to transfer his role in this wager to Amy Frederick, he’s welcome to do so. That’s his business.
That’s all tangential to the point of your blog entry, I know, but I just want to clarify.
People,
Jeff is a fine delegate and should go back to being just that a delegate. The party has shown that it will not come together around him. He should be the bigger man and admit that and move on. All his talk about grass roots is nice but… He has proven he cannot contribute to the financial stability of our party nor bring in the support of the large donors as previous chairmen have in the past. Let’s take the personal out of it and look at it from cold hard facts. He was not able to work with our Congressional delegation and he can’t fundraise. I believe Jeff to be a honest and honorable man. In fact as a brother Mason to myself I know him to be such. Therefore he should step down and work to bring in a chairman we can all agree with and move forward together with. Its not about any person it must only be about the work.
Well said, Lee.
I agree with everything save your conclusion JR: I believe Frederick’s decision to seek re-election [or not] is in no way a predictor of democratic success. The credibility issue is absolutely important, and the McDonnell/Bolling will remain credible no matter the goings on with Frederick.
Leave your response