Hager elected RPV chair.

One of the very few right moves that the RPV has made in years was this weekend’s election of former Lt. Gov. John Hager as chairman. Hager was a member of Gov. Warner’s cabinet, he’s a long-time Sorensen Institute supporter, and I understand him to be a good guy. The trick, as always, will be holding together a badly divided party. But Hager’s been around the Virginia politics block a few times, unlike Ed Gillespie; I can’t think of a guy who would be better for Republicans in this position (and, consequently, worse for Democrats) than him.

Published by Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith (JAKE-with) is an open government technologist who lives near Char­lottes­­ville, VA, USA. more »

7 replies on “Hager elected RPV chair.”

  1. Waldo,

    I agree that John’s a good choice. I was a Hager for Governor delegate back in 2001. I seriously believe he could have defeated Mark Warner. But that’s another story.

    Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t think his position of Homeland Security Director was considered a “cabinet level” position.

  2. Unless I’m mistaken, I don’t think his position of Homeland Security Director was considered a “cabinet level” position.

    The AP, the Daily Press, and WDBJ all describe it as a cabinet level position. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue. :)

  3. Judge Smails,

    Actually, I admire John Hager.

    So, I thought it was cool that a heroic sort of guy in a wheelchair would be the one to get the job of putting a political party in disrepair back in order — back on its feet.

    Yep, I was using the irony you hoped was a faux pas. While I’m confident it didn’t bother Hager, I do hope my sense of license didn’t offend you.

    Furthermore, I want to congratulate the pachyderms on their wise choice. Things have not been going well, of late, and a change of direction was in order. Hager’s practical and skilled leadership should eventually pay dividends … unless the sometimes uncontrollable crazy wing of the Virginia GOP runs him off for being way too in touch with reality.

    Like it did in 2001.

  4. It’s all good. I don’t know much about Hager. I think he lost his GOP gubernatorial nomination fight to Mark Earley in 2001. More’s the pity.

    I do, however, get a little nervous when Democrats, even if they’re knowledgeable and friendly, start singing the praises of a specific Republican who I’m unsure of. Perhaps unfairly, I tend to think the individual in question may be a bit too squishy.

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