Not A Classy Move
By Greg L | 12 May 2008 | RPV | 12 Comments
Looks like someone out there has to be just a little more careful before sending out candidate endorsements to their mailing list. Just imagine getting emails from the Speaker saying that your spouse shouldn’t be selected to be the next Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia…
Yeah, I’d be upset, too.
FROM THE DESK OF
Amy N. FrederickAn Open Letter To William Howell, Speaker Of The Virginia House Of Delegates
Dear Mr. Speaker:
I received your letter this morning. To say that I was shocked would be an understatement.
It takes some nerve for you to write me to outline all the reasons my husband should not be Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV). Worse, your letter to me was apparently timed to arrive the same day RPV (the organization our opponent currently oversees) leaked misleading documents intended to attack Jeff’s integrity.
Can you imagine your reaction if Jeff sent a letter to your wife Cessie telling her — in light of the House Republican Caucus losing 11 seats to the Democrats since you’ve become Speaker — that you should not be Speaker any more? That the House GOP has gone from a very healthy governing majority to now a slim 3 seat majority under your leadership and therefore you’re not best qualified to be Speaker?
Then, on the same day after such a letter, you were attacked for standing on the podium at the 1993 Virginia Republican Convention to ask Republicans to defeat a pro-life nominee for Lt. Governor with a pro-choice alternative?
I believe you’d demand an apology from Jeff immediately — and while I can’t demand anything, I do believe you owe me an apology.
I realize Jeff is a young go-getter, and that rubs the old guard the wrong way. Yet, just because you’ve known Jeff’s opponent for over 20 years, as you stated in your letter, doesn’t excuse this sort of conduct.
I do find one of your statements rather curious:
“As the Speaker of the House of Delegates, I’ve stood firm for our conservative values and John Hager has stood with me. I’ve known John Hager for two decades, and I’ve always been able to count on him.”
Was it the time you were advocating the Party go with a pro-choice statewide candidate over a pro-life leader, or more recently when John Hager was working to advance the agenda of Democratic Governor Mark Warner, that you were counting on him?
True, Jeff was too young to vote two decades ago when you started working with John, but is the old guard really getting things done?
Republicans came to power on the backs of conservative, grassroots activists, and Jeff is a young leader who has shown he can motivate young voters to join those who have spent years doing the volunteer work necessary to elect conservatives.
Jeff is not going to march more in line with the establishment to earn their support; no thanks. It is amazing to me that the old guard has betrayed grassroots conservatives on so many issues, yet still feels it can dictate to the grassroots who they need to select as their Party leaders.
As you recall, John Hager lost his 1992 bid for RPV Chairman running as a moderate. Then the Party was able to get back to its conservative principles on life, taxes and the 2nd Amendment and the result was us winning control of both houses of the General Assembly and sweeping all statewide offices.
On May 31, I believe the Republicans who attend the convention will vote to get back to winning elections and governing as conservatives — and will defy you and the rest of the old guard to elect Jeff Frederick as RPV Chairman.
Sincerely,
Amy FrederickP.S. Please take “Mrs. Amy Frederick” out of your contacts, and please don’t send me anything further in the future about my husband.
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Something tells me that the Fredericks and the Howells won’t be exchanging Christmas cards this year.
I’m surprised she’s all up in arms over the Speaker telling people why Jeff shouldn’t be Chairman.
Jeff’s endorsers are doing the same thing to Hager…Neither of them should be chairman.
Ed Gillespie, come back!
anonymous,
She’s not “up in arms” about the Speaker telling “people” why Jeff shouldn’t be Chairman, she’s “up in arms” about the Speaker telling HER that Jeff shouldn’t be chairman.
I’m sure it was just a stupid mass mailing. A little simple on Howell’s part not to be wise enough to remove the candidates spouse from the list. But, then again, maybe it was an intentional dig.
In either case, it’s just an excuse for publicity for politicians.
The Speaker appears to be quite adept at making political faux pas…and whether stupid mistakes or careless mistakes, the end result has the same effect upon the party. A party leader knows what’s going on and has some “class”…tells us something about the Speaker, and the reason for our recent party “successes,” huh?
The only thing I received that was over the top was Mrs. Frederick’s mass e-mail. I didn’t get Howell’s letter, but she came off sounding like a nut case.
And the Democrats over at Raising Kaine are having a field day with this.
I don’t think Hager or Frederick deserve a post above dogcatcher for their RPV chairman campaign antics.
anon said on 12 May 2008 at 7:34 pm:
I’m sure it was just a stupid mass mailing.
Like everything else stupid the repubs have done the last 8 years. That’s why I’m now an INDEPENDENT!
It sure got the little lady’s knickers knotted up.
Typical crap from the “Old Geezers”. I refrain from calling the old guard because they haven’t guarded a damn thing except their seats, no pun intended. Hager, Howell and the rest of geezers should go back to shucking corn and make room for some younger folks that will get the conservative agenda back on track. “You go get’m Amy”!
I’m with you anon. @ 10:07. I am leaving the republican party and not looking back. I’m tired of the pitiful candidates they provide for which we are supposed to be grateful, or to have to “hold our noses” and vote for the lesser of two evils. I’m not playing their games anymore, just to “beat the Democrats.” The GOP candidates are, by and large, no different. I will, however, vote for Jeff Frederick before I go independent. Not sure if I’ll even bother with the Presidential elections in November.
I received Speaker Howell’s letter and he made one good point that made me think. He reminded us of how many chairman we have had over the years, and bascially to stick with Hager. Ok- so I thought about it for about a minute. Then I reminded myself that if he was such a hot shot why didn’t he investigate the convention in the 51st District? Why did he not raise any questions about the “over votes,” and why is that Mark Tate walked away leaving a trail of destruction in his path?
Then I got Amy’s letter and LMAO! Go Amy….
Jeff is a small government, low tax, no earmarks Republican, unlike Ed Guillespie who couldn’t run away fast enough!
I totally respect Amy Frederick for going public with this. Too much is hidden in darkness with politics, on both party sides. It amazes me how weak people really are when it comes to standing up for solid, conservative values in the Republican party. I agree completely with her. The old guards, mavericks, Establishment or whatever brand of Republicans they label themselves to be, have won elections on the backs of the conservative grassroots Republicans. We have been fooled once, and maybe twice, but not any more! Consequences are on the way to those politicians who have been playing devils advocate with their own party platform. Will the real Republicans please stand up!