Can the Virginia GOP Escape From Crazy Land?

RVP extremist John Whitbeck

As it gathers for the so-called "Republican Advance" - an event the Richmond Times Dispatch describes as "a holiday fundraising soiree where party notables, aspiring candidates and GOP operatives share a cup of wassail" - many wonder if the Virginia GOP has learned anything from its losses in 2013 and Ed Gilespie's defeat back in November.  In my view, the answer is a resounding "No."   Moreover, despite the fact that Bill Bolling (who unlike Ken Cuccinelli was electable) has tried to steer the Virginia GOP back toward sanity, the more likely trend is for the party to veer off into even deeper insanity, especially if The Family Foundation and Tea Party elements have their way.  The Richmond Times Dispatch looks at Bolling's efforts. Here are excerpts:

The annual gathering also offers an early glimpse at potential statewide candidates jockeying for position to run in 2017.

None of the party’s last three statewide officeholders — former Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, or Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli are expected at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles.

Cuccinelli, who lost the race for governor to Democrat Terry McAuliffe, will be in Richmond for the dedication of the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial, honoring 870 Virginia first responders who died in the line of duty.

McDonnell and his wife, Maureen, were convicted in September on federal corruption charges. The former governor has maintained a low public profile since the trial, pending his sentencing Jan. 6.

Bolling also will not be on hand — but the Hanover Republican has plenty to say about where the party is and where it needs to go to make future Advances seem less like retreats.   Bolling even took out a full-page ad in the Advance sponsorship booklet urging unity.  “This is a challenging time for our party, but if we work hard, smart and together, we can rebuild the Republican Party and once again earn the right to lead Virginia,” it reads.

He [Bolling] said some of the current leadership of the party is “in denial” that it needs a course correction despite losing the six statewide elections since Republicans McDonnell, Bolling and Cuccinelli swept to victory in 2009.

“Believe it or not, after losing two close statewide elections,” for governor in 2013 and U.S. Senate this year, “my sense of grass-roots Republicans is that they have an attitude of ‘we can do this,’ not any sense of defeatism,” Cuccinelli said in an email. “That bodes well going forward.”

Nominating candidates that “light the ideological fires of the farthest right wing of the party is fine, but those candidates aren’t going to win,” said Bolling.

Meanwhile, a piece in Blue Virginia looks at the insane likely next head of the Republican Party of a Virginia, an anti-Semite and far right extremist:

The race to lead the Republican Party of Virginia is all but settled and somehow, Virginia Republicans see no issues with elevating one of the most polarizing and insensitive figures in the Commonwealth. They couldn't find a single candidate more qualified than John Whitbeck, whose unique brand of extremism, obstructionism and of course, anti-Semitism shows Virginia Republicans couldn't be less interested in working to move Virginia forward. 

"It says a lot about Virginia Republicans that they would welcome as chair someone as extreme as John Whitbeck," said Morgan Finkelstein, press secretary for the Democratic Party of Virginia. "From his offensive anti-Semitic comments to his extreme positions opposing abortion even in cases of rape and incest, Whitbeck blatantly puts his ideological Tea Party agenda ahead of the citizens of Virginia. By backing someone so polarizing, the Republican Party of Virginia is sending a clear signal that they're only interested in being the party of 'no.'"

From his offensive positions to his far-right friends, John Whitbeck represents a major step in the Tea Party takeover of the RPV.

With voices like these leading the Republican Party of Virginia, it's no wonder that even hard-line conservatives are finding that they're not right-wing enough. Tea Party extremist Susan Stimpson has already announced a primary challenge to Speaker Bill Howell, Dan Moxley is primarying Senator Emett Hanger and of course, David Brat has already replaced Eric Cantor in Congress. John Whitbeck's rise to Chair is further proof that Virginia Republicans are bolting to the right wing extremes.