Suite Speculation
So, a list of hospitality suites at the RPV Advance has found its way into the hands of intrepid Bearing Drift reporters…partially because we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a suite there too!
This, inevitably, leads to random, one-off, wild-eyed speculation about who is running for what.
The large suites include Convention of States and Citizen United who is honoring Barbara Comstock (not unexpected – the event is in her district, after all). But, interestingly, the three other large suites are Senator Mark Obenshain (along with Pete Snyder), Delegate Rob Bell, and Delegate David Ramadan?
From the last statewide go around, it’s not surprising to see Obenshain, Snyder and Bell on the list. It is almost a forgone conclusion that we’re going to see Obenshain reprise the role of Creigh Deeds and try to upend Mark Herring’s quest to become the next governor. It’s also no state secret that Bell really wants to be attorney general. He ran for it last time, and with Obie moving for the top prize, Bell is hoping to clear the field early for an AG party nod. And, as a Republican, you kind of like the ring of Obenshain-Snyder-Bell ’17, no?
That said, Ramadan’s suite is very interesting. Is he moving towards a possible LG run? Maybe a challenge to Tim Kaine in 2018? Or is this simply an opportunity to up his visibility among the party faithful and show others we’re truly serious about outreach?
Of course, there are other “junior” suites floating around out there too.
There’s Mike Church – “For God and Man at Richmond.” The popular XM Radio host appeals to “liberty-minded” conservatives; so, one would presume we’re going to see a good showing from Rand Paul supporters. It will be interesting to see who attends that event and it should be popular.
Corey Stewart is also having a suite. He did run for the LG nod in 2013 and, perhaps, this could be his announcement that he intends to do so again. That said, he is from nearby Prince William and maybe he wants to shore up base support for his next supervisor run? Of course, there’s no need to do that at an RPV Advance.
Finally, there’s little old Bearing Drift.
We’ve been doing this for 10 years. Can you believe it? 10 years.
If you would have told any of the originals that remain…oh, wait…that’s just me…that I’d still be doing this 10 years later, I would have told you that you were nuts (come to Suite 294 on Friday at 8 pm and you’ll see what I mean).
But as the years have passed, it became abundantly clear that an outlet was needed where all conservatives could come and talk, argue, or lament over a good pint, cup of coffee, or sweet Virginia tea – all from the privacy of their keyboard. This site is not only necessary to counter the left’s propaganda, but healthy for us to debate the direction of the party – as long as it’s done, well, healthily.
So, we are celebrating our 10th Anniversary with a party! Or is that merely a facade?
When we look at the BD roster: Chris Saxman, Shaun Kenney, Tim Donner, Brian Schoeneman, DJ McGuire, Rick Sincere – we’re not absent of folks who have held or run for office. We also have party leadership onboard, including Zach Martin, DJ Spiker, Terrence Boulden and Eve Marie Gleason. Not to mention pundits extraordinaire like Scott Lee, Rob Schilling, Norm Leahy and Joe Thomas. Then there are GOP consultants like Jason Kenney and Brian Kirwin.
And there are more of us who have been involved in grassroots activism for years.
So, I guess there’s another obvious question…who from Bearing Drift might be running for something? Who SHOULD run for something?
Hmmm…let the speculation begin…
Of course, you could just join us to celebrate and find out!
Special thanks to our sponsors: Curtis Colgate, Count on Coal, McGuire Woods Consulting, Senator John Cosgrove, Majority Leader Kirk Cox, House Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo, Del. Ben Cline, Del John O’Bannon, GenOpp, Del. Chris Peace, and Pete Snyder/Disruptor Fund.
