Byler vs. Meyer 2.0
By J.M. Ripley | Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 | Catch-All, Politics
On Saturday, May 8th delegates to the Republican 2nd District Convention will elect a new Chairman to lead the District for the next two years. This contest is a “re-match” from 2008, when Gary Byler defeated incumbent Bruce Meyer by a comfortable margin.
While the candidates are the same, the political climate is not and the dynamics of this campaign are quite different compared to 2008. With only four days until the convention, both sides are ratcheting up the rhetoric and working the phones to get their supporters to show up for the convention. This election is vital to the continued success of the Republican Party in Hampton Roads, as we focus on defeating Freshman Democrat Congressman Glenn Nye.
Being a resident and delegate to the convention, I have received a number of mailings from both candidates chronicling their past achievements and visions for the future of the party in the 2nd district. I think their campaign slogans perfectly sum up what their focus will be on, whoever wins the election.
Byler calls his “Join me in continuing the Republican Sweep”! While Meyer’s theme is “My Plan to Grow and Improve Our Republican Party and Win Back our Congressional Seat which was lost in 2008”.
One candidate focuses on past accomplishments while the other focuses on and presents a vision and plan for the future. Some may say that the best predictor of future success is past success (as a rule of thumb) while others feel that the candidate who can present a plan for the future is better suited for the job. I would have to agree with the latter and that is why I am supporting Bruce Meyer for Chairman of the 2nd Congressional District.
Bruce Myer has set out an aggressive plan for the future of the 2nd Congressional District and gives a timeline for its implementation if elected on Saturday. His plan includes the following:
• Create a membership committee that will work with each unit in the district, by reinstituting Grass Roots Training/Leadership workshops – it has been two years since any type of training has been conducted or hosted by the 2nd District.
• Formation of a committee to plan and implement an Annual Congressional District Issues Conference that will focus on policy issues which are important to voters. These issues will then be presented to elected officials, RPV and the RNC.
• The use of technology (website, Facebook, Twitter, etc.) to reach out to voters and to keep members informed of events and issues. While chairman, Bruce established the first ever website for the 2nd District (2dgop.com) – Gary Byler also established a website and Facebook page, albeit only about two months ago.
• Will preside over the 2nd District in a professional manner and will not allow unethical or nonsense behavior by candidates seeking the Republican nomination. He will also not endorse any candidate for any office, until the nomination process has run its due course.
• Will link up the district website to All State Board and Commission vacancies that Governor McDonnell will be filling during his term, allowing qualified men and women to serve who will oversee and influence the Commonwealth long after the Governor’s term has ended.
• Will link up the district website to City Councils and County Boards all vacancies for Boards and Commissions available so that conservative men and women will servie in places of influence in their local government.
If you want to take our party to the next level, please come out this Saturday and support Bruce Meyer for Chairman.
Tags:
Contribute for Conservatism!
Share this post
About the author
J.M. Ripley is new to blogging, but will focus on policy issues that drive politics and may editorialize on a few "pure" political topics as well. J.M. brings with him over 16 years of political experience, serving in many paid and volunteer positions with campaigns and the Republican Party. Recently finished a two year term as Vice-Chairman, YRFV and Vice-Chairman (Admin), Republican Party of Virginia Beach and was the Hampton Roads Young Professionals Coordinator for Bob McDonnell.
We're 75% there! Thank you to everyone who has so far contributed! Just $2000 to go!
Comments
24 Responses to "Byler vs. Meyer 2.0"
Jeff,
You’re my boy and all, but I couldn’t disagree with you more. Additionally, the allegations and bizarre charges Bruce has continued to throw around in this race are the furthest from professional and ethical. Today’s email was elect Bruce Meyer because Loretta Tate refused to provide Bruce and Gary with email addresses (Bruce blamed David Bartholomew and Curtis Colgate, which still has nothing to do with Gary)
Gary delivered in 2009 what Bruce was unable to do in 2007, a sweep in Virginia Beach Republican seats and contesting races in the 90th and 100th Districts. Additionally and most troubling, Bruce has not mentioned one time anything about Delegate or State Senate races that will be taking place next year. While the Congressional is obviously the focus for 2010, Bruce has proven to be continuously short-sighted. While Bruce has repeatedly failed to mention anything about the 2011 races, we must revert to past results and success.
Gary had a tremendously successful 2009, financially, logistically and most important where it counts, in electing Republicans in the 2nd District. There is no reason to fix what it isn’t broken.
One last thing, the idea that Bruce Meyer, who had a hand in the ill-conceived Hampton Roads GOP ‘blog’ (propaganda) and not once until a month after running utilized facebook and still doesn’t use twitter, will bring the 2nd ahead technologically is a farce.
Bruce is a dear friend of mine, as well as Connie, but I’ve endorsed Gary for a reason. While I can’t vote for him on Saturday, I can certainly support him and spread that support. Bruce has done a remarkable job at shaping the RPN and assisting the Party at the Advance and other activities and after Saturday he’ll remain an asset to the party as a whole.
Gary Byler on May 8th, 2010
D.J. Spiker
Chairman – Norfolk/Portsmouth Young Republicans
(and I never use my title!)
Thank you D.J.. I could not have said it better. From what I see from the inside looking out, the only ones who are believing all the felonious emails and hype are the ones who have not been around long enough to remember when Meyers was at the reign. Gary has done a tremendous job. Meyers has run a very negative campaign and you all know I am sick of that! To call David Bartholomew and Curtis Colgate unethical and immoral in a mass e-mail is unconscionable, especially to those that know them. Bruce knows David, Curtis AND GARY had nothing to do with him and Gary not getting the e-mail information and knows he and Gary got the names and phone numbers at the same time.
Just pitiful!!
All I can say is nobody has done more for the Second or Virginia than no other than Gary Byler. Gary has raised money which helped us to get great delegates like Ron Villuneuva.
Gary makes himself avaible for whenever you want to meet with him. And if you call him, he usually responds within the hour.Gary has been the largest asset to the CR’S and I hope we retain him.
As with DJ you dont fix whats not broken.
Tyler Spires
Chairman- Old Dominion University College Republicans
Quite frankly, I do not know either of the two candidates very well other than what their literature proffers. However, anyone who criticizes, lambastes and or otherwise besmirches Curtis Colgate takes a lower seat in my book.
Thanks
V/r
I concur, Gary is by far the better choice.
And;
Everyone takes a lower seat than Curtis, except that one sheriff in Norfolk…
Behind the scenes, Gary endorsed Scotty well before the primary. At which point would Gary have popped up on the radar and formally endorsed his good ole buddy boy Rigell? By Gary’s pre primary endorsement he turned on Republican candidates Taylor, Golden, Mizusawa, Sandlin, Maulbeck & Loyola.. This does not seem to be party loyalty but it smells walks and snorts like a behind the scenes favor from the royal order of the elephant.. the good ole boy network comes through.. is this payback time for Scotty? Ringling bros, eat your heart out!
I will refrain from naming names here but all along there have been scores of party faithful who planned to roll out their endorsements publicly as needed to sway voters and this will certainly sway many fingers at the booth. By not running a REAL unmolested primary to allow informed voters in this day and age to decide who the people want, Gary and his shameless allies are saying to Va-2 that they endorse Politics as usual.. this is an old trend that more informed voters of today are not comfortable with and it amounts to rotting elephant macaca piled on the same political turf where we feed in the eyes/noses many undecided right of center primary voters.
We need to consolidate the base by June 8 to defeat Nye and folks this does not appear to be happening.. Anyone else seeing the big picture or have I missed something?
Q: Who will run party more as a public entity and less so as a preferred members country club?
Turbo, we all know you are supporting Golden, so your post will highlight the angst. Golden choose to leave the Republican Party and that’s his choice. Please stop beating a dead horse. Others like Scott Taylor have little money but are still staying loyal to the Republican Party. I admire that.
It’s amazing how this blog can go along perpetuating rumors, innuendo, and fracturing statements concerning two life-long, dedicating men who have held the true ideals of the Republican Party. Either of these gentleman will well serve the party to the best of their abilities. Unfortunately, in the end, both will have to work at party mending because the irresponsible personal endorsements coupled with negativity that were blatantly fired on this blog.
What concerns me are the nuvo-political zealots that who pop-up for their own self-serving reasons and spout unsubstantiated gibberish. They come and they go. But the likes of Bruce and Gary, whether or not they prevail in this endeavor, will continue to remain dedicated to the cause.
Perhaps the party would better served by acting as a cohesive family, keep your opinions to your self, and cast your vote in silence. Candidates are fair game. Party leadership is entirely different. Learn the difference.
Wally – just got back from a business trip and have today off. Leaving on another one tomorrow. What are you referring to? Turbo’s statement?
I’m assuming so, because I see no innuendo in the post itself. Just Ripley’s thoughts on who would make a better chairman, as Kirwin did a few days ago for Byler.
We have an open comments policy, so unless it’s patently fabricated or malicious, we don’t control what is said. It’s up to other commentators to refute it.
As for our contributors, we strive for credibility. I insist that at least two sources be used to verify anything that is posted.
Finally, did you not leave the GOP? How is that promoting cohesiveness?
Wally, Cohesive families take the road less traveled these days and work as a team..
Team work.. all for one, one for all. The present leadership, unle$$ I am terribly mistaken, appears may have taken the road more often traveled to DC. Do you object to speaking up and holding party leadership accountable when so much is at stake?
Defeating Glenn Nye should be Job #1 and it damn well better become a reality this fall regardless of the candidate. Whom ever prevails after May 8 has an obligation to unendorse the candidates and to put all of the candidates on a sound footing.. Some live open debates are long overdue.. Some candidates recently promised them at the RPN and they should be held accountable for their promises. Just sayin. Don’t taze me bro.
If you mean I don’t participate in the country club city committee, your right. But do I attend, conventions, mass meeting, advances. I subscribe to the creed. And since, my first volunteer effort was in 1962 and continuous to present I don’t think my true ideals are in question. Additionally, I have never exploited my party affiliation for any personal monetary gain.
Moreover, I was not questioning the veracity of bearing drift but addressing the potential divisiveness the resultant post to the endorsements may cause. Just my opinion.
Unfortunately Mr. Meyer believes it is acceptable to send misleading mailers and make false accusations; not only of the accomplishments of the Chairman, but also besmirching the reputations of Curtis Colgate and David Bartholomew.
Bruce’s misleading missives might lead those new to the scene and hence not familiar with the accomplishments of Gary Byler to believe Gary has done less than a stellar job in the Second District. Nothing could be further from the truth!
I received a message this morning from Randy Marcus, Chief of Staff at Lt. Governor Bill Bolling’s office, “I am disappointed that Bruce is trying to construe the LG not endorsing in the 2nd District Chairman’s race as a slight to Gary Byler. This is certainly not the case. The LG believes that Gary has done a great job as 2nd District Chairman. Gary’s leadership helped Governor McDonnell, Lt. Governor Bolling and Attorney General Cuccinelli win overwhelming victories in the 2nd District. The LG considers Gary a friend and appreciates his long-time dedication to Republican Party.”
So much for Bruce’s ‘strong message’. This is only one of a multitude of false information Bruce has sent out. That he has questioned the integrity of Curtis Colgate and David Bartholomew only further proves that you cannot believe any information that Bruce insists on disseminating.
I will be joining hundreds of other Delegates at the Convention on May 8, 2010 as we vote to re-elect Gary C. Byler for Second District Chairman.
Melody Himel Scalley
Melody why was your show cancelled yesterday? I heard because of fcc violations involving elections. Please elaborate for us
Melody,
Considering that Byler gave your campaign over $4000 ($2500 more than any other candidate in the 2nd district, including Stolle and Villanueva, who won) and you lost by 29 percentage points, I wouldn’t hold your opinion of him in high regard (www.vpap.org). Rumor has it that you two “have a thing going”, if that is true, that is a pretty good example of conflict of interest and favortism.
conflict of interest – the circumstance of a public officeholder, business executive, or the like, whose personal interests might benefit from his or her official actions or influence:
Maybe he should have given Ron Villanueva more money (only $1250), and we wouldn’t of had to have a recount (99% chance Ron will have an opponent in 2011, because of this). Considering he charged Delegate-Elect Villanueva $6000 in legal fees for the recount(www.vpap.org).
The last time I checked, Gary was not a high priced elections lawyer, put personal injury/traffic. In fact the Majority Leader, Morgan Griffith sent a high powered Elections lawyer down to advise and consult on the recount, who did it pro-bono. So, we have a district chairman, charging a candidate for legal fees for a recount outside of his expertise, hmmm…sounds like another conflict of interest example yet again! (see above definition)
All of this information is public knowledge, which anyone can find if they want.
Mr. Ripley,
Your post is a good example of what IS wrong in politics. Luckily we have leadership that is not as shortsighted.
For clarification:
I was the first woman to run for the House of Delegates on the ballot in the 100th District in Virginia. Without Mr. Byler’s support my name would have never been on the ballot. Not only was there no ‘personal involvement’ between myself and Gary while I was running for office; I did not meet him until shortly before I filed to run. He contacted me and suggested that I consider running due to my hosting the only conservative talk-radio show on the Eastern Shore. He wanted to be certain my opponent had a challenger.
By keeping me as a viable candidate against my opponent, an individual that had not even been opposed previously, we tied up his time and his money. My opponent spent almost $200,000.00 defending his seat against the $50,000.00 that I raised.
This kept him busy so he could not campaign for other candidates. Additionally, I would not have been able to raise $50,000.00 or stay in the race without the support of the Second District Chairman.
I can guarantee you that if my opponent had not had to defend his seat he would have been contributing his funds to Villanueva’s opponent. I don’t know about you, but I am certain that an additional $200,000.00 in a race could easily buy enough advertising to sway more than 14 voters. Gary was politically shrewd enough to understand these dynamics.
Melody Himel Scalley
ps: No, my show is not cancelled. I’ll be happy to elaborate regarding anyone that would call themself a Republican and not stand up for 1st Amendment Rights! Would you like me to do that?
I’d just love to know when “themself” became a word.
I am not the poster asking about your “radio show”. I put my name on every post.
Your opponent, still managed to give $53,000 to the Democratic House Caucus (funneled to Democratic races).
I am in politics to win campaigns. I wouldn’t be worrying about a 2 term Democratic incumbent, non-chairman of any committee or sub-committee from the Easter Shore, being the campaign or fundraising juggernaut to employ those tactics against.
Jeff,
You raise a valid point. In politics to win campaigns. Thanks to Gary Byler’s leadership in the 2nd, we as Republicans won the 82nd with Chris Stolle and the 21st with Ron Villanueva, two seats that we lost in 2007 under Meyer. It’s just additional credit to Gary that not only did we win those two seats, we also challenged every Democratic held seat with precincts in the district.
Results speak louder then anything else.
It was refreshing to finally receive an email from Bruce Meyer today that did not contain an attack on anyone. Too bad it came the day before the convention. Bruce may have done better amongst delegates had he not run a fairly negative campaign, one that contrasted drastically with the results mentioned above.
Dear J.M. Ripley, your post is why so many good people choose not to run for office. It leaves them open for anyone to blast personally with no merit. Just because Byler did everything possible to help someone whom he did not personally know at the time win an office on the Eastern Shore, even though they lost, does not mean to me that any personal relationship that developed later is open for torpedoes. They both are single and it is none of anyone else business. Bad form.
Hello Everyone,
I wholeheartedly support Gary Byler for reelection as 2nd District Chairman. You will find out why in my nomination speech tomorrow.
Pam Brown
Chair, Norfolk GOP
DJ,
The fact that Byler was the Chairman when Thelma Drake lost her seat, seems to escape you.
I bet Stolle and Villanueva would beg to differ that thanks to Gary’s leadership they won their seats. You negate all of the hard work that they did on their own to win the race. Individual candidates have FAR more impact on winning and losing a race, than any party leader.
To give Meyer all the blame in 07 for losing 2 seats and to give Byler all the credit for getting them back in 09 is not justified. 07 was so different that 09. ANYONE could of lost 2 seats and ANYONE could have won them back in those circumstances.
You have to look at the nuances of each race to get the big picture of what happened in 07 and 09.
Also, don’t get me started on challenging Democrats in other districts. You don’t throw money down a hole when those resources can be used to win races that we have a shot at winning. Using the two that you mentioned…as examples… both candidates lost huge (by 29 and 34 points). I wouldn’t exactly hang my re-election campaign on that fact. I am sure Melaney, Jason and Amiral are nice people…but they had no chance whatsoever of winning, especially Call and Amiral.
You cannot run a white guy against and African American Democratic incumbent in a minority-majority district and win. It has never been done in the history of campaigns, since those types of districts have been drawn. It wasn’t done in 1999 (90th – Robinson v. Ball) against a damaged incumbent who had alot of baggage, and sure wasn’t going to happen in 2009 against a well respected and thought of Algie Howell.
As for Amiral…we couldn’t even beat Miller in 07 with a freakin retired three star Admiral(Giffen) in a very strong pro-military, veteran district, how in the heck was this guy going to do it.
You challenge in districts that you can win and pour all your resources into those campaigns. Every political consultant, commentator and party leader knew that was the Stolle and Villanueva race.
Anyway…see you at the convention.
J.M. Ripley, did you go door to door to speak face to face on Thelma’s behalf? I did. Nye put out a lie the public believed, the lie that Thelma voted against Veterans. The truth is there was a bill Thelma voted against because she didn’t think it was good enough for Veterans and she didn’t want to settle. We are not to argue with potential voters, but with some, they were so angry about what Nye was saying against Thelma, AND THEY BELIEVED IT, that no amount of persuasion would change their mind.
Nasty politics does work, this is proof of it. However, I can tell you I hate it. You can blame Gary all you want if that’s what you insist on doing. I know better.
Race is over. Gary won. Can everyone grow up and move on?
Are you ready to get dunked Peter Pan?
Leave your response