Gillespie's Outta Here!

By: Lowell
Published On: 6/12/2007 9:50:54 AM

Ha, what is it with these Republican hotshots - Scott "Hitler Ad" Howell, Dick Wad(hams), and now Ed "Embedded Lobbyist" Gillespie - who keep coming to Virginia, only to hightail it the hell out of here a few months later?  Goodbye, Ed, it's been nice knowing you!

By the way, the key lines in the Richmond Times-Dispatch article on Gillespie's departure are these:

The prospective move to the White House came the same day Republicans were competing in several hotly contested nominating primaries.

The contests showed that Gillespie had done little to quell the intraparty fighting between conservatives and moderates.

Sad, ain't it? :)

[UPDATE BY ROB:  Not only did he do little to "quell" the fighting, it sounds like he was actively fueling it!]

Comments



Don't let the door hit ya on the way out... (The Grey Havens - 6/12/2007 10:46:59 AM)
so much for the republican's upcoming "grand slam".


It's not those who hightail it outta here I worry about (Susan P. - 6/12/2007 12:26:11 PM)
It's those who never leave, or worse yet, come back.  Like Jim Gilmore or George Allen, two recurring nightmares.


I miss Mr. Wad already (Chris Guy - 6/12/2007 2:25:30 PM)
I can't believe that loser went to Colorado. That's like pouring gasoline on an already out-of-control fire. Next year's Senate race there between Mark Udall and whoever he runs against went from "Toss-Up" to "Dem Pick-Up" when Dick Wad stamped his ticket.


The DPV's take on Gillespie (Lowell - 6/12/2007 3:10:53 PM)
So Long Ed, We Barely Knew You

Lobbyist Leaves Legacy of Disarray Following Six Month Tenure

It has been reported today that Virginia Republican Party Chairman Ed Gillespie will abandon his post before today's primary elections conclude in order to join George Bush's White House.  The Washington lobbyist who talked so boldly just last week about hitting a "grand slam" in Virginia is now calling in a pinch hitter. [Virginia's GOP Chairman Will Serve as Bush Counselor, Richmond Times-Dispatch, 6/12/07; VA GOPers Swing for the 'Grand Slam', Hotline on Call, 6/5/07]

While six months is barely long enough to leave a legacy, Gillespie's tenure can be summed up in one word:  disarray.  He leaves his party under intense scrutiny, under-funded and outside Virginia's mainstream.  Given his first six months, it is no wonder Gillespie is giving up his job with the Party and leaving today.

"It's clear Chairman Gillespie saw the writing on the wall and decided to abandon ship," said Virginia Democratic Party Executive Director Amy Reger. "With the Virginia Republican Party being taken over by Washington-style partisanship and politics, he knows better than anyone what problems his Party has heading into November.  Our hope is the next chair will rid Virginia Republicans of their extreme partisanship and pledge to work with Democrats to get things done.  It's time to put progress first."

THE FACTS:  Gillespie Leaves RPV in Disarray

Gillespie Fails to Unite Party and Stand Up to Partisan Extreme. Gillespie's failure to unite Republicans has created a Republican primary season marked by in-fighting.  Instead of talking about the issues and their vision for Virginia, Republican incumbents have been forced to defend themselves from friendly-fire and charges of being a "'RINO,' or ?Republican in name only.'"  One conservative candidate has called the primaries a "battle for the heart and soul of the Republican Party."  The result of this infighting? Republicans lack momentum heading into November.  [Anti-tax Faction Aims to Reclaim Virginia GOP, Washington Times, 6/11/07]

Gillespie's Tenure Marked by Possible Scandal.  Observers of Virginia politics know that Republicans are beating back at least two possible scandals in the state.  The first is in the 27th Senate District, where the Republican's own Mark Tate has raised questions into whether or not Gillespie orchestrated the use of secret Grand Jury testimony for partisan purposes.  It's a matter that veteran RPV official Jim Rich (10th District Chairman) has said "needs to be looked into." [State GOP to Judge Tate Saturday, Leesburg Today, 5/3/07]  The second growing controversy involves Republican Attorney General Bob McDonnell, who was blasted by two editorials this weekend for failing to avoid the appearance of impropriety regarding investigations in his office. [More Than Just the Appearance, Roanoke Times, 06/10/07; Donation Boxes McDonnell In, Virginian-Pilot, 6/9/07]

Gillespie Raised Money Has Put Candidates in Compromising Position.  While Gillespie is reported to have infused the Party with Bush money last month, he has put his candidates in the awkward position of having to accept money from an unpopular president.  For example, will Sen. Ken Cuccinelli take Party/Bush money, even though Cuccinelli said he no longer considers Bush the leader of the Republican party? Will Del. Jeff Frederick, who said Bush is "dragging us down" and "crazy" on the issue of immigration, accept Gillespie's money? [Cuccinelli Hits Bush on Immigration, Washington Times, 6/5/07]

Great stuff, keep it up, DPV! :)



John Hager for the Job (jackiehva - 6/12/2007 6:54:41 PM)
I believe John Hager would be a good choice.  No more Allen or Gilmore--or any of the extreme right wingnuts.


The GOP is hilarious (blue south - 6/12/2007 7:23:25 PM)
In 2006 the chair of the NCGOP stepped down on election day.  Now Ed is stepping down on election day?

Talk about "strength" in "red" states!



Classic carpet-bagger (Kindler - 6/12/2007 10:08:01 PM)
Comes down South to polish his resume and hightails it back up North as soon as he finds a better opportunity --not missing a Washington lobbying job or a cocktail party in the meantime.

So as Ed climbs atop the rapidly sinking Titanic of the Bush presidency, let us say -- BON VOYAGE!