Press Releases

Memo to the new RPV chair

Posted by Greg on Thursday, June 14

MEMORANDUM
TO:       New Chair, Virginia Republican Party
FR:       Virginia Democratic Party
RE:       Tips for Cleaning Up the Gillespie Mess

First of all, congratulations on your new post. We at the Virginia Democratic Party look forward to working with you to keep making progress for Virginia. We know Washington super-lobbyist and Bush confidant Ed Gillespie has left a mess for you to clean-up. We don't envy your position, so we put together five tips that may help you meet with success in your new job and help move Virginia forward.

1. Stop Gridlock
Maybe you saw our sign outside the GOP gala earlier this month . It was our way of sending a helpful hint. Virginia voters are tired of partisan gridlock, and don't appreciate your Party dragging its feet for years on transportation. Nor, frankly, are voters happy with how you've blocked efforts to expand pre-K and raise the minimum wage. As your first priority, we'd recommend you order your Party to stop the gridlock and start working with Democrats to make progress for Virginia.

2. Clean-Up Corruption
Of course, you understand how corruption, scandals and a lack of progress doomed national Republicans in 2006. Unfortunately, those same characteristics have come to typify Virginia Republicans in 2007. From Chairman Gillespie's alleged role in leaking grand jury secrets to force Mark Tate out of the race, to editorials raising questions about the appearance of impropriety in Attorney General McDonnell's office, Virginia Republicans have an image problem. We'd recommend you quickly call for thorough investigations into both of these matters, so you can put the "scandal" tag behind your Party once and for all.

3. Find a Positive Agenda
We know part of your base wants your Party's top priority to be divisive on issues like abortion, but we'd ask you to stop and consider whether a partisan agenda is what Virginia really needs. With challenges like education, health care and energy looming, shouldn't Virginia's leaders do more than appeal to the extreme right wing of the Party? We think so. This is why we've made issues like pre-K, protecting consumers at the pump and raising the minimum wage top priorities. Republican candidate Tricia Stall, on the other hand, wants to "end government involvement in education." We'd welcome the opportunity to work with Republicans on issues that move Virginia forward.

4. Get Control of the Extremists in Your Party
As you know, one of Chairman Gillespie's greatest failures was his inability to control the extreme partisans in the Republican Party. Instead of talking about the issues facing the Commonwealth, too many Republican candidates for office had to deal with in-party squabbling about "who is conservative enough." And this week's primary results have only worsened the situation. In today's Washington Post, Sen. Russ Potts points out: "If the Republicans retain control of the Senate, it will almost be as far right and radical as the House of Delegates, and that is bad news for Virginia." Virginians are tired of partisanship. We want leaders who will put the Commonwealth - not ideology - first. As a result, we recommend you try to unite your party behind a mainstream agenda. For an example of how that looks, perhaps you could browse the website of Governor Kaine.

5. What's the Deal With Bush's Money? Find New Sources of Campaign Finance

It's nice that Chairman Gillespie was able to bring his new boss George Bush to Richmond for a $600,000 fundraiser. The only problem is - who's going to take those tainted funds? Your candidates don't like George Bush. According to press reports, Ken Cuccinelli no longer considers Bush the leader of the Republican party. Similarly, Del. Jeff Frederick has said Bush is "dragging us down" and "crazy" on the issue of immigration. With opinions like those, how can they possibly take the President's money without compromising their character? Clearly, Gillespie has left them in an uncomfortable place. As Chair, you'd be wise to find fundraisers your candidates find more acceptable.

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