Conservativa

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore (second from right here) and family watch a biographical video of Gilmore, at the RPV convention. Gilmore today will join Mitt Romney, Bill Bolling, and Keith Fimian (running for Congress in the 11th) to campaign for Republicans in Virginia.

The Republican Party of Virginia chose former Gov. Jim Gilmore as its Senate nominee, and elected Del. Jeff Frederick as its new party chairman during its convention May 30-31, 2008. Here is a photo slideshow of the convention highlights.

Gov. Jim Gilmore had a conference call with 400 or more delegates yesterday. Read about the Gilmore conference call at Bearing Drift.

Also, a note about Warner possibly taking some voters for granted, from the Washington Post. Democrats usually do take “the black vote” for granted… as though it were one thing, that is owed them, because, you know, they’re Democrats and that’s the way things are. Gilmore, on the other hand, makes it clear that he wants to work for and win every vote of every individual voter. He has done that in the past and will be continuing that. In fact, he said in his conference call last night, “I have never tried to run against any group of people. I have always tried to bring people in.” (This was actually in a question involving immigration, but his attitude is admirable).

Photo details: Canon Nikon D40, ISO 800, SB-600 flash, 55mm, 1/100 at f/4.0.

Photo

Over at Bearing Drift:

Jim Gilmore at 7th CD Convention

Marshall’s Monger of Doom

7th CD Convention Blogging Pt. 1

At Saturday’s Virginia Conservative Leadership Conference on Saturday, a straw poll was taken during the banquet. The room was full of conservative activists, pro-life folks, home-schoolers, etc. For Senate, here are the results (roughly 200 people voting):

Jim Gilmore: 57%
Bob Marshall: 40%

Marshall was there that day and he should have owned the room. If he couldn’t win in that room, it’s not looking good for him for the convention. Conservatives can and will support Jim Gilmore for Senate.

Two more interesting results:

1. For President, 91% voted for McCain. So much for the idea that conservatives will refuse en masse to vote for him.
2. For Attorney General:
   Cuccinelli: 85%
   Brownlee: 9%
   Harris: 6%
3. Most predictable result: for Gov., Lt. Gov., McDonnell and Bolling at 99%+.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore was on a panel on homeland security, Saturday at the Virginia Conservative Leadership Conference in Richmond. Homeland security is a serious topic, but Gilmore approaches it with the belief that most people will respond well in a crisis, if they are well-prepared. You cannot overemphasize how important planning and preparation are, both for governments and for individual citizens.

Here is a sample of Gilmore’s work on National Security.

Photo details: Canon EOS 5D, 200mm, ISO 800, 1/100 at f/3.5.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore and former Gov. Mark Warner at the Shad Planking, seconds after shaking hands. Nice backdrop.

Former Gov. Jim Gilmore, now running for the Senate nomination, spoke to the YRFV in Richmond on Saturday. He was optimistic about the fall elections, noting that Virginia has not voted for a Democrat for President since Lyndon Johnson, which was well before most of those in attendance at this event were born. What do we tell others who say, “Does it matter whether I vote Democratic or Republican?” He said, “The United States does not expect Virginia to send two Democrats [to the Senate] to not represent the U.S.’ best interest.”

Why does this matter?

• Taxes. Mark Warner promised not to raise taxes, but he did, a lot. He now wants Republican tax cuts to go away. He’s running on raising taxes! Look how he raised taxes when he said he wouldn’t, and now he’s not even pretending… he will raise taxes.
• Energy independence. We must drill in Alaska, and offshore.
• Universal health care, which you know means nationalization of the health care system. Physicians will essentially be reduced to wards of the State.
• The war. This requires someone who has been in the military and who has worked on the issues. [He said this looking pointedly at Marshall, who was in the back of the room].

He followed this by encouraging us to do all those things we know to do to support our candidates, including donating, even in small amounts.

I definitely agree with “Proud Republican” over at VirginiaVirtucon, “…it was very apparent that a solid, solid majority of the YR’s in attendance are supporting Jim Gilmore for the nomination.”

Photo details: Canon EOS5D, ISO 1600, 200mm, 1/50 at f/2.8. Photoshop to lighten and desaturate the background a little. What genius decided that meeting rooms in hotels should all be painted a mustard color?