I always write with trepidation when I have to differ with Jim Bowden, even slightly (as is the case here), but here goes.
Jim has a blog post on the GOP Convention, and why it matters in his view:
The nomination of Gov. Jim Gilmore as candidate for the U.S. Senate and the election of Del. Jeff Frederick to Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia may not seem really revolutionary. Yet, it is as clear a choice, not an echo, as what candidate Ronald Reagan presented to The People in 1980. It ‘s as sharp a contrast of solutions as Newt Gingrich contracted with America in 1994. It’s the important issues to citizens that Jim Gilmore defined in ‘No Car Tax’ and Jeff Frederick defended against HB 3202 with its punishing taxes and unconstitutional regional governments. It’s all based on a shared and uncompromising, unapologetic, unsurpassed understanding of Conservative principles.
I’d love to agree with this; I really would, but I can’t – at least, not yet.
It’s in Jim’s next paragraph that the reason why I’m holding back is revealed:
It’s the end of politicians running on the Virginia Republican Creed and governing as tax and spend Democrats. It’s the end of Republican tax hikes. It’s the end of Republican special interest spending – like Congressional pork fat-filled earmarks. It’s the restoration of the brand label “Republican” to provide a “Republican” product. Republican will mean Conservative in content as well as limited-government Libertarian in fact. It’s making elected Republicans accountable to all Virginians through the Republican Party. It’s about trust.
Will it really be “the end of Republican tax hikes”? From what I hear, we’ll see another one of those in this month’s special session on transportation. However, the special session itself could be the moment that ratifies everything Jim has written – if Frederick and Gilmore are prepared to stop a tax hike.
This may seem odd to ask Gilmore – a candidate for federal office - to stop a state tax hike, but his would-be predecessor (John Warner) has always been willing to stick his neck out for tax increases (he backed both the tax referenda of 2002 and the hideous HB3202 last year). So Gilmore certainly has a precedent for speaking out. Moreover, given that Bob Marshall will be fighting all tax increases in the House of Delegates, Gilmore – by joining him- can make it clear to all Virginians that the tax-hikers in the GOP are the exception, rather than the rule.
As RPV Chairman, Jeff Frederick can have an even greater impact. Much as GOP unit chairmen can have an influence on Supervisors, Frederick can have at least some sway with the delegates. He can certainly make it clear that the party is shifting in a low-tax direction, away from Howell et al.
If Gilmore and Frederick are ready to take a risk and cross swords with Howell and his ilk (perhaps they could even consider backing a change in leadership), then the convention that nominated them can indeed be the epochal moment Jim thinks it is.
However, if they stay silent in the face of higher taxes (or worse, meekly sign on), then all of the momentum from Frederick’s win will be lost, and Gilmore will be in big trouble (if he actually backs a tax hike, he’ll get deservedly waxed in November).
We will see what happens over the summer, which will certainly be a pivotal moment for all Virginia Republicans.
June 10, 2008 at 12:30 pm |
I would argue that George Allen as the titular leader of the Republican Party failed us in Virginia for not banging heads in the GOP Senate Leadership and stopping the 2004 tax increase scheme.
My theory is he didn’t want to rock the boat, and keep more donors in line for his presidential run in 2008.
Maybe that’s why some of these tax increasers wouldn’t like to see Gilmore in that position. The highest elected Republican, that is until McDonnell & Bolling are elected in 2009. Gilmore found ways to get record $$$ into transportation, funding the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge, starting mixing bowl and Rail to Dulles (study at least) during his term, and didn’t raise taxes doing it.
Now what do you think he will say in the upcoming debate over raising taxes, because his nemisis GOP Senate rivals frittered away huge surpluses in 2005,2005, & 2007? Remember, they couldn’t bring themselves to use general fund money for transportation.. To include all of the taxes on auto insurance premiums!
(back on subject) Think that Va wouldn’t have a Conservative bent at that point? Frederick chair, Gilmore a US Senator, both Gov. and LG solid Conservatives, and new Leadership in the VA General Assembly?
Think about this now, what kind of coat tails will McDonnell and Bolling have for our House members to strengthen that majority?
June 10, 2008 at 2:38 pm |
You must be joking when you contemplate Jeff Frederick or Jim Gilmore staying “silent in the face of higher taxes (or worse, meekly sign[ing] on).” I can’t imagine anything less likely than that.
June 10, 2008 at 3:20 pm |
It is exactly because so many Republicans thoughtlessly signed the No Tax Pledge, that we keep getting impossible and stupid legislation that depends on various ruses to raise revenue, rather than a clear-cut program that provides a reliable revenue stream that can also be readily audited.
The best and brightest among Republican legislators need to get together and craft a transportation package that includes a gas tax increase, a fee increase targeted at gas- guzzling “luxury” cars, trucks and SUVs and a bond issue, that will finally address both the long and short term transportation needs of our citizens.
The smart Republicans should make, as a condition of their support for this revenue program, that targeted cuts be directed at state programs where previous administrations have tried to create various “nanny-government” programs. Do not use across the board percentage cuts to all programs, since that just punishes the good performers along with the bad. Make targeted cuts a prerequisite for passing the transportation revenue package.
We mustn’t tie the hands of legislators with No Tax pledges, or by creating “lock-boxes” for project categories. No one has a crystal ball to foresee future emergencies that may require re-allocation of funds.
The Republicans who have for so long been wedded to never voting for any revenue programs must get a divorce from their No Tax Pledge, and finally admit that sometimes we need to raise money to sustain and build infrastructure, for the common good of all of our People.
The Smart Republicans will recognize that funding a transportation package will provide needed infrastructure and improvements that will stimulate our Virginia economy, creating more jobs both now and in the future.
If we can begin to actively invest in infrastructure, our renewed Republican Party will be able to offer the citizens a bright and prosperous future. If instead, our Party languishes in darkness, always opposing new revenue programs, all our Republican Party will then stand for is the continued decline of our society.
June 10, 2008 at 4:47 pm |
We don’t disagree whatsoever, DJ. Timing is everything. I describe where a New Republican Revolution would go – and give some specific examples. More to follow that unite the GOP with 55-60% of Virginians. We’ll find support from Gilmore and Frederick on these issues.
Some Virginia GA Republicans may choose to blow it on Transportation. Some Virginia Congressional Republicans may choose to continue to support earmarks and big spending bills. But, the distinction is this – now is the time for Republicans to support Jim Gilmore and Jeff Frederick and others – to oppose these behaviors and to remedy them in 09 – after we carry the day for Gilmore and Frederick in proven success in 08.
JTB: Transportation can be improved in HR/Tidewater without any new revenue other than user fees – for containers and tolls. There is adequate revenue. There is inadequate leadership and a fixation on Regional Government as the easy kind of corruption politicians like – and what this New Republican Revolution is about defeating.
June 10, 2008 at 5:08 pm |
JTB,
It is exactly that kind of thinking that has sunk the party over the last seven years.
The Democrats will never agree to cut anything, and we’ll be left defending higher taxes and bigger government.
JAB,
If Gilmore and Frederick really are revolutionaries, they’ll take on Bill Howell. Even if they lose the battle, they’ll win the war by showing the voters that they’re no longer falling for the nonsense parroted by JTB up there.
The question remains, will they cross swords with Howell?
June 11, 2008 at 2:41 pm |
Didn’t Frederick take a hike when it came time to vote on HB3202???
June 11, 2008 at 3:10 pm |
There were three votes on HB3202. Frederick vote no the first time, missed the second vote, and then voted no the last time.