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.
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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.
This smart move comes as a surprise to me. I can’t think of a better person to help the Republicans get back on their feet.
Perhaps that wasn’t the most thoughtful of metaphors.
The AP, the Daily Press, and WDBJ all describe it as a cabinet level position. Otherwise I wouldn’t have had a clue. :)
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.
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.
If it makes you feel any better, I don’t know of any major, contentious political issue on which I agree with Hager. :)