Replacing RPV chair on Saturday is a mistake
By JR Hoeft | Tuesday, April 28th, 2009 | PoliticsThis Saturday at the Republican Party of Virginia State Central Committee meeting the chairmanship will potentially be temporarily handed over to Pat Mullins, Louisa County GOP Chairman, before the actual vote at the state convention on May 30.
This is a mistake.
Not because Mullins is a bad candidate or will make a bad chairman, but because the perception truly will be that this whole process has been a coup.
If Mullins is indeed selected this Saturday by SCC, he will have a gigantic target on his back that whoever else decides to run for chairman will surely exploit.
The most likely argument against Mullins will be that he has been “selected” by a few leaders vice “elected” by the “grassroots” We heard this time and again at the Jeff Frederick removal hearing and will hear it even louder after Saturday if someone other than Mike Thomas takes the reigns to the convention.
And they have a point.
I have been informed that Frederick is very close to making an announcement as to whether he will run again or not. He will certainly make that announcement before Saturday.
But even if he doesn’t, rumors abound that Mullins will be challenged by someone.
If the SCC is smart, and they want this distraction settled once and for all with a fair and heads-up contest at the convention, they will not unnecessarily rock the boat this Saturday.
But if they feel it necessary to raise the ire of hornets, then they make the appointment Saturday and can expect a noisy distraction between now and May. This will be a full month distracted from the McDonnell-Bolling message and away from the attorney general nomination contest.
Appointing Mullins now is unfair to him and unfair to the delegates.
Mike Thomas has been doing a fantastic job under difficult circumstances. The convention planning is going strong. The party is communicating. The focus is on the candidates and not the party.
If the party makes the switch from Thomas now, it will get everything it deserves.
The appointment of Mullins will not dissuade a challenge for the chair, it will invite it. Since that is the case, it’s best to not make the matter worse.
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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.
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10 Responses to "Replacing RPV chair on Saturday is a mistake"
I absolutely agree with you. This was a very stupid and unstrategic decision. It should be abandoned. I would urge all SCC members to delcine to vote on this matter, leaving the decision up to the convention. I have no doubt Frederick won’t win again, but a move like this makes that more possible than not.
Absolutely right. The best way to disarm those who might otherwise love to turn the convention upside down is to not have a hand-picked incumbent on the ballot. A large part of what got Frederick elected was a sense among conservative activists that the SCC was more of a ruling junta than a representative body. Appointing a “permanent” successor would only serve to confirm those suspicions and bolster those who would like nothing more than to stick their thumb in the eye of the party’s leadership. If SCC lets the people decide in the first instance, it will be better all around for party strength and unity, and will give the next chairman a much better (and more legitmate) head start on the 2009 elections. Bob McDonnell’s people should be pushing hard for this, or else risk their convention turning into a sideshow.
Who has Pat Mullins endorsed for Attorney General?
From the local paper for Louisa County, The Central Virginian, Mullins pretty much only wants the Chairmanship if it is indeed handed to him. Will not commit to running for the position if he is challenged. Sounds like quite a fighter. (sarcasm)
The SCC is a ruling Junta? How would anyone get that impression? (dripping with sarcasm)
At what point did ousting Frederick, and sending Mike Thomas into the Convention as Chairman not make him selected? (George Allen’s Fingerprints).
BTW:
Have you ever noticed that one of BD’s media resources is not the Washington Times, or even Fox News? Just an observation.
Unlike some blogs, we don’t simply exist to cut and paste articles from major newspapers.
Didn’t realize that Fox News covers Virginia politics.
Thanks for reminding me about the Times, though. That list on the sidebar was something I threw together quickly. I have my own list of sources on my aggregator: the Times is one of them.
STD, Mike Thomas never intended to run as permanent Chairman, that’s how it’s different. get over your supreme disappointment on the ouster of Boy Frederick.
Mike Thomas has done a fantastic job as Chair each time he’s been asked to step in–serving brilliantly while called on, then stepping down as soon a replacement is found.
Waiting until convention is not only good for party unity, it also allows Mike Thomas & team another couple weeks to help rebuild the organization BoyFrederick left in shambles.
[...] Jim Hoeft expressed concerns on Tuesday that predicted Frederick’s as well as what may be the grassroots’ response. Whether Frederick’s reaction reflects his own thoughts or a greater movement will show itself over the next four weeks and into the Convention at the end of the month. [...]
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