Comments on: If He Had To Choose, Frederick Picks RPV Chair

By: James Young

James Young — Thu, 22 May 2008 02:03:14 +0000

“Gnarly,” you make a good point, if one believes that the problems for our candidates are something that arise from, or can be solved by, RPV. I don’t. Rather, it seems to me to be a function of: (1) the relatively sad state of the Republican “name brand” on the national level; (2) allowing individuals who have no institutional interest in advancing the Republican cause generally to influence our candidate selection process; and (3) those who withhold their support from and/or attack our nominees when they don’t get their way.

While “Belle View” has an excellent suggestion (with no disrespect of Jeff, I am among those who believe that she may be an even better candidate than he; Amy is certainly his greatest asset as a candidate) with all other things being equal, one has to wonder whether she would be interested, given the relatively young age of their daughter, and the fact that she is currently pregnant. Wouldn’t the demands of the short, intense legislative session make it difficult for her, to say nothing of a campaign for a special election (I believe she mentioned that their child is due in November)?

By: AWCheney

AWCheney — Thu, 22 May 2008 00:19:57 +0000

# Belle View said on 21 May 2008 at 1:07 am:
“Three words: Delegate. Amy. Frederick.”

Excellent suggestion, Belle…and no doubt precisely what they have in mind. My understanding is that Amy Frederick brings a great deal more to the table than people might realize, and it is actually FAR more common for popular elected officials to successfully “anoint their successors” than not…particularly if they are a spouse or adult child, and particularly in legislative offices (whether state or federal).

By: CONVA

CONVA — Wed, 21 May 2008 21:46:45 +0000

Hager is a nice guy. The problem is, there is no demand for nice guys.

By: Gnarly

Gnarly — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:36:46 +0000

I’d rather have a freshman Delegate in the 52nd in the MAJORITY than a more senior member in the MINORITY.

Without the kind of change at RPV that Jeff is proposing in this race, we can kiss the House of Delegates majority goodbye for a very long time.

By: James Young

James Young — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:32:07 +0000

Well, this raises the whole question of Jeff’s criticism of Hager. While I was heretofore inclined to support Jeff for the seat — my mind was all but made up by the end of the 11th District Convention, even though I’ve known John for more than 15 years (hell, he’s been in my office) — I don’t believe that his criticisms of John have been fair. Indeed, John has had so little time in the office that he’s barely had opportunity to make a significant mark. Therefore, I neither blame him for GOP losses, nor credit him for GOP successes. And therefore, it is a fairly close call for me.

Indeed, perhaps the most significant decision that has been made during John’s tenure is the decision to hold a convention to nominate for U.S. Senate, a decision which I fully support.

As for your sanguine predictions about the 52nd, Greg, even great leaders are notorious for an inability to anoint their successors, or to pick very good ones when their popularity extends to those they do anoint. Think Churchill/MacMillan and Reagan/Bush. And while there may be people in the District who could be as good or even better than Jeff, I know of none who are interested in running.

In the end, my very recent decision to support Jeff was a very close call, one made not because I perceive John Hager as the problem or a symptom of it, but because Jeff simply offers a marginally better way. His decision to surrender his seat if elected as State Party Chairman may well tip it. And I recognize that my situation may be unique. Others will doubtless consider other factors. Those are the ones that I am considering.

By: Greg L

Greg L — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:58:39 +0000

ALWAYS choose the best man for the job. If Jeff gets the nod for RPV Chair, I’ve no doubt he will ensure that a strong candidate in the 52nd District will be found, and he will work hard to get him or her elected with the volunteer base he has developed.

If he’s this great a campaigner, and I think he is, we need him working on campaigns beyond the 52nd District.

By: AsIseeit

AsIseeit — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:46:01 +0000

We need Jeff as 52nd Rep. but he is need so badly as Chair of the RVP.

Perhaps he has someone in mind to replace him.

Hager just will not do,as we need a change and get someone who will start looking out to get Repb. elected.
The group in there has lost many of the races for us.

Same with the Local and hopefully Lyle B. will change things around.

Kopko should be heading to jail, but will he? Money was wasted and switched around and no reports to State by the Treasurer. It’s nothing but a mess that Lyle has to get straight and I am sure he will.

By: Fan of Jeff

Fan of Jeff — Wed, 21 May 2008 16:23:01 +0000

If Jeff leaves the 52nd to be GOP Chair, it will be very difficult to retain that seat. This makes me reconsider my support for him as Chair. We need to keep him in the 52nd.

By: James Young

James Young — Wed, 21 May 2008 14:28:48 +0000

That may have made up my mind for me. We can’t afford to lose Jeff in the 52nd District. I may have to vote for John Hager.

By: not Russ Moulton

not Russ Moulton — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:39:58 +0000

Big deal. Still holds seat through session. If he’s going to resign it should be immediate upon election.

Otherwise, it’s just another “term limits” pledge by a politician.

By: Belle View

Belle View — Wed, 21 May 2008 05:07:35 +0000

Three words: Delegate. Amy. Frederick.

By: Anchor Baby

Anchor Baby — Wed, 21 May 2008 02:11:11 +0000

Losing Jeff would be a big blow to us in the 52nd District. While I haven’t seen eye to eye with him on every vote of his in the GA he is one of the few elected officials that will *personally* contact you back, even if it’s to tell you he respectfully disagrees.

He is a constant companion to our 2nd Amendment right. I wish him the best for RPV and will vote for him — but I hope he either reconsiders or grooms a person into the slot.