Under normal circumstances, this would actually be good news (Washington Post):
Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John H. Hager anounced (sic) today they are leading an effort to build the party’s grassroots organizations across the state.
The effort calls on local Republican committees to double their membership lists by Labor Day. Those that do will receive extra money to support their activities, including get-out-the-vote efforts for the November elections.
So why is it that I read this and instead feel impending doom? Maybe this had something to do with it (same link):
“Reaching out to those Virginians who share our principles and getting them involved is essential to strengthening the Republican Party and winning elections,” Hager said. “This initiative reflects the unity within the party and will pay dividends not only in 2008, but in years to come as well.”
Thus I am compelled to ask: Just what are those principles, Mr. Hager?
McDonnell and Bolling didn’t help much with their further emphasis on nuts-and-bolts stuff, but I don’t want to be too hard on them. After all, I’d be a fool to think the GOP can let its volunteer wing atrophy.
I just wish I saw a similar emphasis on the party vision, and so far, I don’t. Has Hager said anything about the upcoming special session on transportation? Has he made it clear the nonsense that was HB3202 will not be tolerated this time? Has he set the marker to lead the rest of the party toward refusing to “solve transportation” with a crippling tax increase (statewide or regional)?
So far, the answer remains “no” – meaning all of this build-up-the-volunteer, unite-the-party stuff will be of little use. It might help the federal candidates this year, but for 2009, unless something changes dramatically, it’s 2005 all over again. That’s how I see it.
Can a new chairman change this? Of course, if he can get elected. Can McDonnell himself change this? Indeed, he can, if he chooses to do so.
Will he? Stay tuned.
The majority of politicians have no principles. So, yeah, we’re fraked. (Pardon the Battlestar Galactica reference.)
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