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EDITOR OF REDSTATE

Shaun Kenney for Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia

By: Erick Erickson (Diary)  |  March 16th, 2009 at 08:00 AM  | 

RESIZE: AAA

On Friday the Directors of this site called on the Republican Party of Virginia to boot RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick. We understand the reasons the conservative grassroots have stuck with Jeff.

The moderates and liberals in the Virginia GOP have degraded the party, created internal infighting that has decimated the party’s power in the state, screwed the conservatives, raised taxes, collaborated and conspired with the Democrats, and ignored all calls for reform and change.

We get it.

We also get that Frederick has seized on this sentiment to put himself in power. And what has he done with the power? He has used it for himself. He’s now using it to try to get his wife elected to the see he occupies in the state legislature. He has failed to reform the party. He has been mired in infighting. He has sabotaged the potential of the GOP to re-secure the State Senate. His only defense is to hope conservative activists buy into the “oh poor me, the elites are after me” scenario.

One RedState reader commented:

I received a letter from him shortly after he became Chairman talking about how he had a “new vision” for RPV and was planning a brand new website and a more robust infrastructure. The new website arrived…six months later. Right before the election. And Frederick’s RPV ground game not only let us lose the Presidential contest for the first time since ‘68 (that is not solely his fault, of course) but also lose VA-11, VA-02, and VA-05 – the last of which is simply unforgivable. There is no way Tom Perriello should have won that district. He has been verbal gaffe machine and despite Morgan Griffith’s protestations to the contrary, I believe he had a large hand in the collapsing of the deal that was going to give us back the state Senate. There is too much on the line this fall. We have a six seat majority in the House of Delegates and absolutely cannot afford to lose it.

The pulse I pick up on from Virginia is this1: the conservative grassroots in Virginia are happy to see Jeff Frederick go, but only if another conservative will stand up to replacement and has the backing of the apparatus now being put in place to oust him. The conservatives will not let go of the guy unless they get a conservative replacement. And the First Vice Chair is a non-starter.

I have heard from a lot of Virginians who say they need another Ed Gillespie. Good luck with that. Does Tom Davis fit the bill? Yeah, that’s what I thought — the conservatives would rather keep Frederick.

Let me suggest Shaun Kenney. He does not have the name that Ed Gillespie has, but no one can question his conservatism and no one can question his commitment to the Republican Party of Virginia. He has been involved and active.

Kenney is both a charismatic speaker and technologically savvy. He gets the grassroots. He gets the infrastructure issues. He gets the new tools and technologies that can make the RPV effective. No, he does not have the power rolodex that Gillespie has or the national name — but that sure didn’t do the RPV a lot of good when Gillespie was there.

The conservative grassroots will not swap Frederick for someone that is not one of them. Shaun Kenney is, right now, the best option I’m aware of.

Bob McDonnell, Eric Cantor — you guys listening? It might be time to work a deal. After all, 2009′s elections are going to affect redistricting come 2011. It’s now or never. If you are active in the RPV, I suggest you start pushing this idea, lest you lose … again.

  1. I get asked a lot how I even know anything about Virginia politics, given that I’m in Georgia. Well, I have a heck of a lot of conservative friends active in Virginia politics, I’m in a unique position in that I have a large group of people across the nation who write me or fly me around to talk to GOP groups in various states. I’ve got a pretty good pulse on the internal machinations of a number of state parties. It kind of comes with the job. I also knew Jeff Frederick in college and it does not appear he has changed much at all.
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COMMENTS

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  • Scope

    Eric- You mentioned above the fact that Frederick asked to start a website to network the Republican Party in the state. Apparently Frederick asked O. P. Ditch to start the website, and Tom Whitmore is the second moderator of the site. Ditch has been posting prolifically in support of Frederick on that site. Just this morning he posted a discussion called “Prince William County supports Jeff Frederick.” He cites information concerning a convention in that county on this past Saturday, and claims that the Republicans in that county overwhelmingly support Frederick, and, they passed a resolution in support of Frederick. The information is not factual, as another member was at the convention, and remained when the vote was taken, after many hours of speeches. She claims that at least half the people in attendence had left by the time the vote came about. It seems only those in support of Frederick remained, or even knew that a vote was going to be taken. It was in no way a representative position of all of the Republicans in that county.

    The mission statement on the website clearly states that “they frown on anyone using the site for personal gain or agendas, yet the creator of the site, O. P. Ditch, (who was hired by Frederick) is clearly using the site for the personal gain and the agenda of Jeff Frederick.

    A week ago or so, another member posted a discussion, in support of the removal of Jeff Frederick. O. P. Ditch not only removed the discussion, he actually went into the authors personal messages, where he is discussing the issue with another member, and removed the messages.

    I am in support of the removal of Frederick, if for no other reason, because he has lost all confidence, and in remaining is fracturing and dividing the RPV. For Frederick to remain and fight, speaks to his own personal wishes and against the good of the party. To use the RPV website to further his personal goals, as well as those of his wife, is a major violation of any principles, particularly because the Republican Party of Virginia is paying for the website, and should remain neutral, and not take sides in the debate.

  • the_guru

    http://www.winchesterreport.com – winchester virginia news

    I’m a conservative, but Jeff Frederick is a disgrace to conservatives. He is corrupt and stupid. It is well past time for his replacement.

  • usrbinperl

    This is why “conservative activists” aren’t being receptive to to the idea of removing the chair, because the Frederick lynch mob doesn’t have the facts.

    Ditch pays for that site out of his own pocket, without any financial support from the RPV. I don’t know if you were simply ignorant of that fact, or your motives were more nefarious, but I’m not going to speculate. Oh, and P.S. – having been admin for quite a few ning sites they don’t offer the capability to plunder someone’s personal mail file without compromising the entire account.

    I’m pro-Frederick, but I’m not in denial. Do I think he has trouble transitioning from the role of firebrand conservative to my ideal chair? Why yes. Yes he does. I’d rather my chair be seen and not heard, a powerful behind-the-scenes executive type with superior fundraising and management skill.

    McDonnell apparently feels that Frederick is a potential liability and is trying to eliminate risk in advance of the election. I get it. I won’t get into some of the specifics here as it’s second hand, but some insider types whom I trust very much have indicated that he’s far more involved in this than meets the eye. Make no mistake about it, I want to win in November. Some of my conservative brethren are peeved enough that they’re talking about pulling their support for McDonnell. That’s dumb. Regardless of what happens I’m still going to come out and give 100%.

    However, the question for me is does the means justify the end? The sum of the SCC letter outlining the reasons for removal are some rather disingenuous devices designed to make it appear (falsely) as if he’d been skimming cash and some petty complaints about parliamentary procedure. Likewise, the false contention above about the ning site being some RPV funded party organ pumping pro-Frederick propaganda concerns me. You have the Virginia RINO blogs openly accusing him of larceny.

    Do you see where this starts to look to some of us like a railroad job? Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

  • usrbinperl

    n/t

  • emgbane

    I am disappointed with the effort to remove Jeff Frederick. I admit I do not know the merits of the issue, but I think it is an unnecessary distraction.

    I personally like receiving his e-mails. I feel excited about the RPV. I am looking forward to attending my mass rally in Fairfax County. I hope to be selected as a delegate to our convention. I am very glad that we will be having a convention rather than a primary.

    If you are republican in Virginia and you do not know who the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor are, they have yet to chosen. McDonnell and Bolling have announced for Governor and Lt. Governor and they are unopposed. There are three candidates for Attorney General. The state convention is in May.

    Get active. Get informed. I get regular email updates from RPV. They also have an excellent website. http://www.rpv.org/

    I am just an ordinary Virginia Republican voter. I have no desire for more petty infighting. Let us work at taking back Richmond and deal with Jeff Frederick at the end of his term. He has only been Chairman for 1 year from what I can see the party is actually improving. That is not to say I was impressed with what happen in the last election cycle.

    I am however, unwilling to believe that we must get rid of Chairman Frederick when the 2006 election cycle was nothing to praise either. Was 2008 really the fault of the man who took over in 2008? I for one want to give him and the RPV more time to see if the changes coming about are an improvement. So far, to me they seem like step in the right direction.

    For the first time in years, 2009 has seen competitive races in Northern Virginia. Let us keep our eye on the ball. Removing the chairman will prove to be a devise distraction when we have more important matters to contend with.

  • emgbane

    Thank you for your perspective I have been very confused on this matter. I trust redstate, and I am very glad this has made the front page, because I want a better understanding of what is going on.

    I was shocked at the call for his removal. I look forward to learning more details as to why some want him to stay and some want him to go.

  • Scope

    You claim that O. P. Ditch is paying for the RPV site on his own. That may be, but, it was set up at the request of Jeff Frederick. I personally asked Frederick, back in January, what the Republicans were doing to promote McDonnell as there were all kinds of articles coming out about McAuliffe in particular, as to all of the areas that McAuliffe have covered in Virginia, even before he declared or filed the necessay paperwork to run. One article was posted on RPV, that showed a Virginia map, dotted in all areas whee McAuliffe had already stared recruiting. The article was posted on RPV by O. P. Ditch. Here is the reply I received from Frederick-

    At 9:42am on January 4, 2009, Jeffrey M. Frederick said? Sandy — thanks for the note and for your interest. We’re very busy at the Party, first trying to rebuild, and second (importantly) gearing up for 2009. We have been well aware of McAuliffe and his activities, but as you know, there are two other Democrats running for Governor. We’re going to take each and every opportunity to point out why any of these three guys aren’t right for the Commonwealth, but we also want to let them engage in their own circular firing squad (to the extent they’ll be taking shots at each other, which I’m certain they will). They key to our success is coming together as a Party, building the grassroots, and providing our candidates with the help they need. All those things are in the works. It’s not necessarily my job to make sure everyone and anyone knows what we are up to (in fact, in some cases, we don’t want folks to know the details of our activities), but to implement the right plan — and we have a great plan for 2009. BTW, for starters, we are exchanging notes on this RPV Network that I asked O.P. and Tom to setup and get going to help us build coalitions.
    ____________________

    please note “RPV Network that I asked O. P. and Tom to setup.” O. P. may be paying for it, as I now understand, by selling t-shirts and buttons etc. to promote the site, but, it was started at Frederick’s request, and therefore, Frederick has his hand in it, and is using it to further his personal agenda, and by O. P. enabling him to further his agenda. If O. P. Ditch is paying for the site, and is in control of what is or is not posted on the site, it is not an independent Republican promoting site. I assure you the majority, if not all members, are not aware that the site is a propaganda machine, in support of O. P. Ditches goals.

    Please also note, in Frederick’s comment to me, he says,”it is not necessarily my job to make sure everyone and anyone knows what we are up to.” I’m sure that some things, as to the internal workings of the party, should remain away from the prying eyes of the Democrats, but, if it is not Frederick’s “job” to get the message out, then who the he!l’s job is it?

  • Scope

    That comment was ludicrous. You then go on to say “If you are a republican in Virginia and you do not know who the candidates for Governor and Lt’ Governor are, they have yet to be choosen.” Allow me to correct you- “If you are a republican in Virginia, and you don’t know who the candidate for Governor is, then you have yet to crawl out from under the rock you are sleeping under. There is “one” as yet, and hopefully to remain, candidate running on the Republican ticket for Governor of Virginia. So far, he is running unopposed, and will be declared the candidate at the Convention. That is a formality. The Democrats have been very active in the state as to the Governors race. It is March 16, 2009 today, in case you are unaware. There are about 7 months until the election. If anyone in Virginia does not know who the Republican candidate is for the Governors race, it is the fault of Jeff Frederick.

    You also say that “they have an excellent website.” That is the same website that I have been pointing out is totally under the control by O. P. Ditch that was assigned the task of the website by none other than Frederick. If you think it is an excellent website, you are dilussional, misinformed and apparently don’t participate there much. The site is about to blow up, mainly because of O. P. Ditches absolute position in support of Frederick, and to the detriment of those opposed.

    I see you as one of the type Eric described above, a moderate or liberal, from NOVA, that has completely divided the party.

  • emgbane

    “I personally asked Frederick, back in January, what the Republicans were doing to promote McDonnell?”

    Would it even have been appropriate for the chairman of the Virginia Republican Party to be working for McDonnell back in January? I know he is the presumed nominee of the party because no one else is running, but what is the rush? What if some else sought the nomination? If someone else sought the nomination, the party should have been neutral until then convention.

    The party needs to assert its brand not just promote candidates. Candidates should be seeking the endorsement of the Virginia Republican party. People who support McDonnell should be working on his campaign and promoting him. The party should promote him when he is selected as the nominee of the party. Before that, they should be stating to the press that he is a strong candidate for the nomination and would be a great Governor for Virginia.

    Moreover, it is not the only race. So far, we had at least three races in North Virginia, and we won one and the other two were very close. There are many important matters in addition to the race for Governor this cycle. I hope Chairman Frederick is putting party resources in all those areas.

    If your focus is on McDonnell get involved in his race, but note since the Democrats are going to have primary most to the news will be on that race.

    I hope the elected officials are opposing Chairman Frederick, because they are concern that they will face nomination challenges at future State party conventions. I think that is good thing, we need to get control of our party from out-of-touch politicians and moneyed interest. It is impossible to challenge incumbents in primaries with all their money and name recognition. The State conventions give qualified candidates a fighting chance.

  • emgbane

    I did not take a stand. I stated that I think it is an unnecessary distraction. I read some of the complaints at other sites and they seems at best petty.

  • emgbane

    You do not know me. I am not a moderate. I stated a fact. McDonnell is not the yet the nominee. Rephrase it if you like, but what you and I stated is factually the same. So, you hope he won’t face a challenge that?s fine I really don’t have a dog in the fight. I hope to go to the State convention; if he is the only name, he will obviously have my vote.

    The Party does not need to fight this race for seven months thats McDonnells job. McDonnell needs to raise money and raise his profile. The party needs to be on the ground and promoting him after September when most voters start paying attention.

    The party needs to help educate voters on State Republican party issues so we can run strong all across the state, and fire up our base so we are energized going into November. I will not be spending all my time worrying about McDonnell I want all three statewide offices, a larger majority in the house of delegates, and victory in local elections not party infighting.

    If there is a problem with Chairman Frederick, oust him when his term is up. This is an unnecessary distraction. If it essential to remove him now, make a better case.

  • emgbane

    Those are fighting words that you should take back.

    “I see you as one of the type Eric described above, a moderate or liberal, from NOVA, that has completely divided the party.”

    Who is devise? It makes me sick to be called such a thing. Since you really have no idea who I am, I’m not going to defend myself other than to say you owe me an apology. I feel as though I have been called a vile, disgusting, degrading term. If you knew me, you would know you have done me, a grave dishonor.

    I await your apology.

  • Aaron Gardner

    Is the Gov. an issue the party might want to focus on??? Also there is a difference between a candidate and nominee….you said candidate in your first post…so factually you are wrong and Scope was right in correcting you….there is one candidate right now…there is no nominee yet.

    Oh and posting three replies, with 20 – 30 minutes between them and trying to provoke a fight is really a distraction…could you please quit that now.

  • emgbane

    I am rather busy that is why there is a delay between my posts, but I am not really trying to start a fight. I actually thanked someone for information. I am looking forward to reading RedState to get more solid information on why people are opposing Chairman Frederick. From my position I have only been a user of his information, I found it helpful as a Virginia Republican voter to receive email updates, and I enjoy the RVP website.

    Perhaps I wrong. I was stating that McDonnell announce he was candidate for Governor. I said the party would select a nominee for Governor at the State convention. If I was not clear, I am sorry. I know there is difference between a candidate and a nominee. I started receiving e-mail from McDonnell as soon as he announced that he was candidate for Governor. I am really not sure how I could have phased it differently. I believe he is a candidate he has solicited me for donations and resigned as attorney general.

    My main point was many Republican and independent voters will not be paying attention until after September so we will have plenty of time to attract those voters. I think back in January it would certainly be more appropriate for Chairman Frederick to be concerned with party building and the special elections we faced then the Governor’s race.

  • emgbane

    I’ll stop using the word nominee.

  • Mike gamecock DeVine

    we will have to require that all posters announce their schedules in their first post?

    smile

    non-substance distracts roosters

  • Aaron Gardner

    emgbane was so wrapped up in those “fighting words” that he/she missed the fact that he/she had misspoke and caused an argument where one should not exist….this being the real distraction.

  • Mike gamecock DeVine
  • Scope

    You began your post with- “I don’t know the merits of the issue.” You state that you are receiving emails from Frederick, and apparently that is the only info you claim to have as to the Frederick debate. Excuse me for a minute, please humor me for a second, you are getting your information from Frederick directly, and from a website that was set up at Fredericks request, and you are apprently clueless about the McDonnell position, against Frederick as the VA R Chair, and you are looking to become a “delegate” at the Republican Convention this year. Do I have that correct so far? You claim that I am “divise” ??? Did you mean divisive, but forgot several letters? No emgbane, I have not done you a grave dishonor, you have done the Republican Party a “Grave Dishonor” by being very uninformed, but, posting as though you have a clue.

  • Scope

    You can use the term nominee or candidate, it doesn’t matter, you still don’t get it.

  • Aaron Gardner

    I pointed out the error that caused the grievance…and now it is resolved

  • Mike gamecock DeVine

    Powers that be file out of Star Chamber. Details available on a need to know basis.

    smile

  • Aaron Gardner

    I love your wit and imagination, we all have our roles you are the good cop, I will be the bad cop….but by all means stay tuned because tomorrow shocking news and a new diary to boot….and if it weren’t for the dang bureaucracy and the toll hunters union we wouldn’t have to track our grievances like we are AIG or somethin’….See you in tomorrow’s Star Chamber briefing.

    ☺

  • Mike gamecock DeVine

    talk to me! So many of my comments, esp to trolls are going un-refuted so I am declaring victory as well!

    btw, ever read Seize the Day by Saul Bellow?

  • Aaron Gardner

    I will always talk to you brotha….I have been waiting to drop this new diary for about a month now…there was a slight glitch in my account that prevented my diaries from being recommended I have been informed of a work around but that is a surprise I will share tomorrow…so get your clicky finger ready cause I think you will probably like it.

  • Mike gamecock DeVine

    I have had a real difficulty reading fiction since my conservative epiphany in 2001. Its a short book.

    Look forward to your scoop tomorrow!

  • Aaron Gardner
  • emgbane

    I just love it. I am an ignorant troll moderate or liberal from NOVA that completely divided the party. Who should be shot down because she misused the words candidate and nominee and misspelled divisive.

    I thought I was just a RedState poster from Virginia looking forward to seeing more information as to why Frederick should be removed as Chairman. I have not state a position for Chairman Frederick. I wrote that I thought his removal would be a divisive distraction for the party. Why? His removal might cause his supporters not to work to elect Republicans in November.

    It appeared that divisiveness and anger hurt Gilmore in Northern Virginia during the last election cycle. I am not a party insider but from the outsider it appeared that people who supported Tom Davis, thought he would have won a primary, refused to back Gilmore. The result was the election of Mark Warner.

    I was not calling for support of Chairman Frederick because I do not have enough information to do so. (I know that makes me ignorant and unworthy of respect. ;o)) I was calling for party unity, because Republicans in Virginia have lost the last two Governors’ races and the last two Senate races. Its okay call me ignorant but I just cannot imagine that fratricide would be helpful during this election cycle.

    Scope Monday, March 16th at 8:06PM EDT “and you are apprently clueless about the McDonnell position, against Frederick as the VA R Chair, and you are looking to become a ?delegate? at the Republican Convention this year.”
    Let’s see no I am not ignorant of McDonnell position against Frederick. Yes, I am hoping to be a delegate to the Virginia State Republican Party Convention in May, I am a supporter of my state senator Kenneth T. Cuccinelli II. I look forward to voting for him as Attorney General at the Virginia State Republican Party Convention.

    Scope Monday, March 16th at 11:29AM EDT
    “At 9:42am on January 4, 2009, Jeffrey M. Frederick”
    I read the e-mail you shared and it does not demonstrate to me that he needs to be removed as chairman. To the contrary, I liked his answer particularly. “We?re very busy at the Party, first trying to rebuild, and second (importantly) gearing up for 2009.” and “They key to our success is coming together as a Party, building the grassroots, and providing our candidates with the help they need.”

    emgbane Monday, March 16th at 10:14AM EDT
    “If you are republican in Virginia and you do not know who the candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor are, they have yet to chosen. McDonnell and Bolling have announced for Governor and Lt. Governor and they are unopposed. There are three candidates for Attorney General. The state convention is in May.”

    Scope Monday, March 16th at 12:02PM EDT
    ?If you are a republican in Virginia, and you don?t know who the candidate for Governor is, then you have yet to crawl out from under the rock you are sleeping under. There is ?one? as yet, and hopefully to remain, candidate running on the Republican ticket for Governor of Virginia. So far, he is running unopposed, and will be declared the candidate at the Convention. That is a formality.”

    Aaron Gardner Monday, March 16th at 1:25PM EDT (link)
    “Is the Gov. an issue the party might want to focus on??? Also there is a difference between a candidate and nominee?.you said candidate in your first post?so factually you are wrong and Scope was right in correcting you?.there is one candidate right now?there is no nominee yet.

    Oh and posting three replies, with 20 – 30 minutes between them and trying to provoke a fight is really a distraction?could you please quit that now.”

    My post of 10:14 am was my first post. Heck it was lifted for another thread. I posted the same comment on two different discussions about Frederick. My second post was at thank you at 10:27AM EDT. My next post did not come until 12:18PM When I asked would it be appropriate for Chairman Frederick to get involved in the Governor’s race in January 2009. I know we are writing in March, but the e-mail was from January.

    emgbane Monday, March 16th at 1:10PM EDT “Who is devise? It makes me sick to be called such a thing. Since you really have no idea who I am, I?m not going to defend myself other than to say you owe me an apology. I feel as though I have been called a vile, disgusting, degrading term. If you knew me, you would know you have done me, a grave dishonor.
    I await your apology.”

    I do not like being called a moderate or liberal from NOVA that completely divided the party. Nevertheless, I was joking. I thought it was funny in the ‘pass me the smelling salts’, or ‘chose your pistols duel and second,’ kind of way.

    I thought your (Scope and Aaron Gardner) tone was unnecessary harsh and argumentative. I was trying to lighten the mood. I guess Ann Coulter was wrong when she said only liberals have no sense humor. Of course I will admit without ;o) and lol it’s hard to judge tone in comments.

    Anyway, I’m not a troll, I am an actual conservative voter from northern Virginia. I care about the direction my state takes. I am sure you (Scope and Aaron Gardner), do also. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on the timing and necessity to remove the Chairman of the Virginia Republican party.

    Take care.

  • Aaron Gardner

    I wasn’t harsh in the least to you. I identified what caused the initial conflict between you and scope and alerted you because from my perspective both of you are right, and you probably agree.

    The point I made about the three posts was that it appeared that you were taunting scope, rather than engaging him in good faith. In the future make you point and then wait for a reply…give it a few hours if you need to…be patient. It will help you in your discussion too because you won’t be so heated in your responses to each other.

    As far as the ouster of Frederick…I am not from VA so I really don’t have a say. I would say though that the news that is coming out is not great, and it appears to be coming from the grassroots. Additionally having his wife possibly running for his seat is a pretty egregious display of nepotism, even if covered in a democratic cloke. With that being the case, I lean in support of his ouster.

    Next time I deal with you would you like me to put on kid gloves and speak in soft words? Don’t bother answering because I won’t bother changing anyhow.

    Good day.