Votes coming in for Senate…
1st: 643.27-490.73 for Marshall (confirmed)
2nd: 612-345.6 for Gilmore (confirmed)
3rd: 121.83-75.16 for Gilmore (confirmed)
4th: 382.53-319.45 for Marshall (confirmed)
5th: 666.17-419.65 for Gilmore (confirmed)
6th: 530.62-507.47 for Gilmore (confirmed)
7th: 1035.79-581.52 for Gilmore (confirmed)
8th: 156.96-145.04 for Gilmore (confirmed)
9th: 551.78-335.22 for Gilmore (confirmed)
10th: 584.5-160.5 for Marshall (confirmed)
11th: 1137-577 Marshall (confirmed)
Gilmore wins, 5222.73 to 5156.97.
Jim Gilmore speaks with the media following his victory.
Chairman’s Race
1st 579-544 for Frederick
2nd
3rd
4th Frederick
5th Frederick
6th 736-225 for Frederick
7th
8th Frederick
9th Frederick
10th Frederick
11th
….
3:39 p.m. John Hager is coming to the podium. No vote totals given out. He asks to elect Jeff Frederick by acclimation.
Other’s live-blogging the convention: Virginia Virtucon [1], Crystal Clear Conservative [2], James Martin at Raising Kaine [3], Rick Sincere [4], as well as The Shad Plank [5].
“This red state will stay red!” Bolling really got the crowd going.
Apparently in order to wave signs, you have to have a special credential. A free speech zone?
Del Cosgrove sang “Proud to be an American”…very cool.
10:42 a.m.: Pres. Bush delivered a video address…spoke about defeating terrorism, restraining gov’t spending and making tax relief permanent, expand free and fair trade, advocated for energy security and reducing dependency on oil and investing in clean coal. Etc.
10:43 a.m.: Bolling — we need to do a better job of outreach introduces Chuck Smith, former RPVB Chair. Smith does a great job speaking “We must be a party that reaches out to all ethnicities…takes no voter for granted. Be the party of Lincoln, party of values, strength…. We are the Republican Party and you’re welcome to come in.” Incredible speech.
10:54 a.m. Bolling exhorting the crowd. Going down a litany of congressional races. Some excellent sign waving going on. “I believe if we work hard and work together, that we will send a message to the potentates of pessimism that their statements about the demise of the Republican Party is premature,” said Bolling.
10:57 a.m. Bolling explains his decision to run for LG, but introduces to a huge ovation, his “good friend and the next governor of the commonwealth of Virginia” Bob McDonnell. McDonnell gives all the credit of party unity to Bolling.
10:59 a.m. “We’re hear to kick off the resurgence of the Republican Party,” says McDonnell. Applause was a bit less enthusiastic. Some might say tepid.
“Stick together, fight liberals, and make this a better state and nation,” said McDonnell exhorting delegates to unite after the convention.
11:10 a.m. Nomination for candidate for U.S. Senate kicks off.
Jim Gilmore’s name mentioned, as well as Bob Marshall. Marshall got HUGE applause. Interesting. We may have a very interesting result here today.
11:13 a.m. Gilmore is being nominated by Rep. Eric Cantor. “Jim Gilmore keeps his promises.” Goes onto explain how Mark Warner will say one thing and do another…especially by caucusing with Sen. Harry Reid. Seconded by Rep. Thelma Drake. She is talking about taxes and how Gilmore cut taxes to a 1/3 of what they were. Also talks about growing the economy, looking to our own resources for energy independence, etc. Much more enthusiasm from the Gilmore supporters building. From Hampton Roads, Chuck Smith also seconds, as does David O’Kelly and Del. John Cosgrove.
11:24 a.m. Gilmore speaking. MP3 to follow.
“It’s time for an declaration of energy independence!”
“[Mark Warner is ] another limousine liberal who says one thing to get elected and then does another.”
Gilmore’s complete speech [6].
11:33 a.m. Pat McSweeney endorsing Bob Marshall. HUGE APPLAUSE!
“Marshall is 100% pro-life!” HUGE APPLAUSE!
11:43 a.m. Sen. Ken Cuccinelli seconding Marshall. Talks about Marshall’s support for property and constitutional rights. “Bob Marshall understands that life is first!”
Cuccinelli’s seconding speech
11:50 a.m. Bob Marshall speaking. Focusing on his pro-life and social issues, including the marriage amendment. Reminds folks about the transportation bill (HB3202) and its unconstitutionality, and his participation in leading the charge against it.
“700,000 dead children is hardly pro-life.” Referring to Gilmore’s position on the first 8 weeks of a pregnancy.
WOW…they just cut him off. Convention in an uproar for Bob.
Marshall convention speech
12:00 p.m. Voting is taken place. If Gilmore loses, will Gilmore folks bail, causing a Hager defeat?
As an observation, there really seems to be a strong sense of anti-incumbency even in this convention hall. People are looking for change.
Apparently there are a lot of Marshall supporters, but not necessarily delegates.
12:17 p.m. 4th and 7th rumored to be for Marshall. He also has the 10th.
Marshall’s last line from his speech according to Shad Plank…”Gov. David…you just me Goliath!”
Here’s an interview I just scored with Bob Marshall [8]
12:35 p.m. So far the 1st, 4th, 7th and 10th are for Marshall. 6th and 11th looking Marshall. And the 2nd and 9th are for Gilmore….and the 2nd is heavy Gilmore. But Spotsylvania cancels our the margin of victory.
Talking to several folks around the floor…this is a GOP “wake-up” call.
10th 5 to 1 for Marshall. 3rd exceeding expectation for Marshall, but will likely go Gilmore. 5th went for Marshall, slimly.
1:44 p.m. Bill Bolling announces Gilmore’s victory [9]
1:45 p.m. Marshall concedes [10]. “Beat Mark Warner!”
1:51 p.m. Gilmore accepts the nomination. [11] “Don’t worry about a contentious convention…we fight all the time…we come out unified.”
Talks about not campaigning against Democrats but for a platform of commonsense values.
“People who say you can’t win in Northern Virginia are just flat wrong…If we stand for something, we will in Northern Virginia.”
2:10 p.m. Starting with party chair nominations. Hager is getting the first run. Nominated by Susan Allen and Morton Blackwell.
2:25 p.m. Frederick speaking now. Endorsed by former Del. Jack Reid and Majority Leader Morgan Griffith.
2:22 p.m. Del. Morgan Griffith seconding the nomination for Jeff Frederick.
2:49 p.m. Four Beach delegates were denied by Linwood Cobb, chairman of the credentialing committee, to vote today. Their votes would have been 36 votes for Marshall. Apparently there was a fax issue with their names. While Gary Byler tried to correct the issue, he was not able to rectify the situation. Couple these votes with the 25 that were cast for Berry, even though he was not a choice, the election could have swung for Marshall. Also, one vote in Carol County was worth 50 votes.
3:00 p.m. I had a chance to speak with Rep. Eric Cantor [12] and hear his thoughts on today’s events.
3:39 p.m. John Hager is coming to the podium. No vote totals given out. He asks to elect Jeff Frederick by acclimation.
Eric Cantor is basically wrapping the convention up: “Drill here, drill now, pay less”
3:48 p.m. A tribute to the late U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Davis