Over the weekend, as many TBE readers will know, Donald Trump alleged via Twitter that the Republican Party of Virginia (“RPV”) was controlled by shadowy power brokers at the RNC, and that as a result of that nefariousness they had instituted measures to exclude Trump’s voters:
It begins, Republican Party of Virginia, controlled by the RNC, is working hard to disallow independent, unaffiliated and new voters. BAD!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 27, 2015
Trump is referring to adoption by the RPV of a requirement that voters in the upcoming March 1 GOP presidential primary state that they are Republicans before being allowed to participate. You see, in Virginia there is no voter registration by party, and state-run primaries in Virginia are open to all registered voters. But, under the Virginia law governing presidential primaries, the parties may require that voters indicate some affiliation with the party before being allowed to participate in selection of the party’s nominee. Just like in most states, where voters register by party and participate in primaries open only to members of that party, Virginia Republicans have exercised a right to allow only Republicans to choose the Republican nominee.
Oh, the horror…
Trump is only the latest and most high profile critic of this move. Radio talk show host and frequent The Bull Elephant guest contributor John Fredericks has lambasted the new requirement, as have numerous respected and not-so-respected denizens of the Virginia online Republican/conservative/libertarian community. Reasonable people can disagree.
There was only one Republican leader, though, who was willing to take on Donald Trump, and that’s Loudoun Delegate David Ramadan.
Whether you agree or disagree with the policy on the statement of affiliation—which reads quite simply, “By signing below I indicate I am a Republican”—Trump’s criticism of it as an RNC plot was inaccurate and hyperbolic (and disingenuous,to boot, as his campaign was made aware of the proposed policy before it was adopted back in September, and voiced no opposition until now).
Delegate Ramadan, in any case, was having none of it, and fired back at Trump. What followed that was a torrent of hundreds of Tweets from Trump supporters attacking Ramadan. Many of these Tweets were racist and threatening, as detailed in this piece by Betsy Woodruff at The Daily Beast, calling Ramadan a “terrorist” and insinuating the Lebanese immigrant was some sort of a Islamist mole secretly penetrating behind enemy lines.
What utter, hateful garbage. We’ve dealt with this kind of thing before, but it’s really a shame that the first item in their rhetorical toolbox that some of these folks reach for is the childish, simplistic, fearful rejection of anyone who has a funny name or doesn’t look like them.
Ramadan is the perfect example of how misplaced this kind of unthinking anger can be. He is a very successful, well-educated husband, dedicated family man, and small business owner who contributes significantly to the local economy. He followed all the rules to come here, and desired very much to become a naturalized U.S. citizen. He has worked for GOP candidates for decades, tirelessly supporting our fight to preserve our freedoms. He’s unabashedly pro-American, and rides an American-flag festooned Harley. He’s a walking embodiment of the American Dream.
He joined the legislature to continue that fight, and won in an immigrant-heavy district by practicing an unparalleled brand of retail politics (which, BTW, should be a model for how other Republicans approach conservative-leaning immigrant communities around the country). After just two terms, Ramadan is leaving public service, for now. Like he showed with Trump, he’s not afraid to fight the big dogs, and some of those big dogs made clear he was no longer wanted as a thorn in their side in Richmond.
This is the kind of Republican we conservatives should be praising. Whether you agree with Trump or not on the Virginia GOP statement of affiliation, the kind of fearlessness this guy continues to show is nothing short of marvelous.
Thank you, Del. Ramadan, for your years of faithful service to our party, the Commonwealth, and to our country. As you near the end of your service in the General Assembly, we want to let you know you will be missed. We look forward to the next chapter in the very American story of your life.
44 comments
I’M disgusted with the Republican Party, I don’t desire to share my awesome nominating powers with lookie-loos. If Trump expects to win and govern, he better get in and clean up the joint, at all levels!
I don’t know, the guy seems a tad shady to me, and any politician that supported the mega mosque at Ground Zero isn’t much of an American, in my opinion. No doubt RINO’s and GOPE’s love him.
ttp://counterjihadreport.com/tag/david-ramadan/
Only from a distance — up close and personal he blends in Loudoun.
I could be wrong but I thought Mosques were supposed to be built at Ground Zeros or places of significance.
Everybody loves David.
Everybody loved Obama too. Love can be blind.
Imad Afif “David” Ramadan:
After declaring bankruptcy as a 24-year-old graduate student in 1994, shortly before his marriage to the daughter of a Lebanese intelligence officer, Ramadan disappears even from his own campaign biography for nearly seven years. During this time, as a bankrupt student, he claims to have attended no fewer than four graduate schools, in Switzerland, the UK, Baltimore, and Washington, DC.
“When Imad re-surfaced in 2001, the bankrupt Shia student now cultivated an image of ‘international businessman.’ He began lavishing funds on the Republican Party, Republican candidates and conservative causes. Public records reveal massive donations.
If nothing else, Imad Ramadan had an eye for whose favors he should curry, and has given nearly $100,000 in political donations to prominent Republicans since 2008, even though he claimed at a court hearing that his personal real estate holdings were “underwater.” Think about it. Don’t be a puppet islamophiliac.
It’s a Rags to Riches story that serves him well on his electoral ascendency. I think it’s a part of a good political resume for a Congressional challenge.
There already is a Islamophiliac, in Congress, in his place. She does a good job pandering to foreigner Muslims.
I do not think that word means what you think it does.
I ment to match the scarf.
Just so everyone is clear, Burke Patriot is former House of Delegates Candidate Fredy Burgos and he is a virulent racist. Fredy is also, obviously, crazy as a shit house bat.
Just so we all know who is making unfounded personal attacks against Del. David Ramadan.
Roger,
Because someone disagrees with you doesn’t mean they are racist. Your elitist defense (moral superioty) is laughable. Your Godless reaction exposes you. No different than elitist Democrats. Using profanity does not make your case, it actually makes you exactly what you discribed. Just so that everyone knows.
Imad Afif Ramadan: How do you get to marry the daughter of a Shiite general in the Lebanese intelligence service, which has long been dominated by Iran’s proxy, Hezbollah? Certainly not by being a secular Muslim. When speaking to the infidel, it is permitted for the good Muslim to lie. You combine it with 💰 you create islamophiliacs. By reading the comments below, Imad succeeded.
Or he’s actually a nice guy with a checkered past.
Checkered scarf.
Ok, that’s funny and gets the upvote.
Maybe we’ll get to give him a checkered flag against Barbara??
☺That may keep him smiling.
The problem with you good folks in Flyover Country, particularly you genteel Virginians, is that you fail to grasp the audacity and “win-at-anything-cost” of the typical progressive activist. I would bet dollars to bagels that much of the hate and anti-Islamic diatribes targeting Mr. Ramadan are probably the work of progressive trolls. I grew up with these people in lower Manhattan. As a young adult I went to summer camp with them and also to college. They will do whatever it takes to destroy us – to include the increasing use of hate-crime hoaxing. Don’t assume that “hate” is coming from the Right. Much of it is manufactured by the Left to make us look bad. As I have said before, “I know these people.”
Or the work of Islamists targeting David — he’s not popular with both fringes.
Rocinante – look at this report. This is EXACTLY what I am talking about. And this hate-crime hoax phenomenon TENDS to be perpetrated by aggrieved blacks. http://www.chron.com/houston/article/Federal-officials-arrest-man-in-connection-with-6727623.php
And don’t forget Reichstag moments, and thumbs in the Wendy’s chili.
Sigh. This post is cringe-worthy embarrassing, perhaps even to Ramadan himself. It’s like when some white person brings a member of an etthnic minority to a party to show they have “colored friends,” and screws up their introduction with attributions not even true, to show “inclusiveness.”
You say Ramadan — who seems to be a fine fellow — is someone all conservatives should support, without mentioning any reason other than he called out Trump, rides a Harley and has worked to elect Republicans. I can like him and respect him for all that, but that low bar for conservative support may explain most of the ills of the VA GOP and why it’s strayed from conservatism.
It’s about conservative policies, not pandering to “diversity,” Steve. Just because Trump’s an oaf and Ramadan a respectable person doesn’t make the AffilIiation document a wise political move. Nor does David Ramadan’s tweets to Trump make him fearless. What would make him fearless is organizing a march of moderate Muslims to condemn Islamic terrorism and support a pause in immigration from Syria.He would certainly deserve the support of not just conservatives, but all Americans for playing that role.
I had almost the identical reaction, over the top and ladled on with a very heavy hand to shift focus from a decision that I believe he is slowly coming to understand was a rather serious mistake. This issue is about Republican party policies NOT personalities no matter how fearless you claim them to be or horrid in Trump’s case. When you are standing in a hole on an issue stop digging. In the two plus years I’ve been coming to this site I’ve never seen anything quite like this post and that includes the TBE/BD spitting wars. Hopefully we can all just move on.
Hopefully, although Joe Biden’s lauding Barack Obama as “a clean, articulate Negro” continues echoing in my head.
Absentee voters who do not include their statement of Republican identity when they mail back their ballots will not have their ballots counted. How clear will this requirement be made to absentee voters? Anyone who does not sign the statement at the polls cannot vote. This is no way to greet voters who come to vote for any of the Republican candidates. Some, for different reasons, prefer not to sign statements for permission to vote. Democrats who want to vote in the Republican primary will not mind signing the statement as they have done in past Republican canvasses. We do not need more disgruntled Republican voters going into the 2016 cycle. The SCC of RPV needs to reconsider this policy quickly!
Yes!
And these folks are who we entrust with the party and getting folks elected. I would like to know the logic and thought patterns of those that advocated for the primary and those that supported this particular ‘Statement’ of Work.
Are there any minutes on this? Coverage of the discussions? What possible reasoning goes into:
“Yes, let’s let non-Republicans select our nominees,
And let’s make the taxpayers pay for it,
And lets force those (including non-Republican) taxpaying voters to sign something that says they are a Republican.”
And get a majority of the party to go along with it?
Is this so we can crow that we have big numbers??
Is there some ‘politically stupid’ contest that we are deathly afraid of losing?
The shots at David are both unfair and pigheaded. I have been a staunch defender of my friend Del Ramadan and will continue to battle nitwittery wherever it is applied. Having said that , my friend Del Ramadan and those who advocate for this silly pledge are not only wrong but are taking a position grounded in extremely static thought.
Amongst all the banter about Dems voting our process and allowing the opposition to partake is missing the real point. The Republican Party , the very party for which I am an active member has done a horrible job of branding , staying conservative after getting elected, and pushing back effectively against those hellbent at remaking our state and our country. Thousands of conservatives have left the party sickened at the constant loses, the spineless leadership and go along nature of many in elected officials ranks. They are pissed! They stayed home allowing Obama to win two elections. Nationally it could be 3-5 million people. So when trying to entice those self proclaimed independent conservatives back into the game having them fill oaths, pledges or other such stupidity don’t stick your thumb in their eye. They don’t want to sign a pledge to the very party for whom they are mad at. Hell, a certain percentage will believe this a precursor or actual party registration and run for the exits. My fellow Republicans it is we who pissed em off and drove them away. Let’s not add insult to injury.
Agree 100% with you. As a matter of fact I wrote a email on how this will discourage those interested in voting Republican but don’t want anything to do with the Republican Party.
I witnessed this firsthand at a Trump event where the disgust with the Republican Party was heightened and anger prevailed.
For example in PWC, Chairman Corey Stewrt wins re election each time in a majority- minority county that has gone to Obama both election cycles. He has many crossover voteers as well as Bob Marshall.
This is simply a tactic to limit turnout for folks like Trump. I don’t think it will work though. I saw folks who had traveled hours to his rallies.
Spot on!
Yeah, they can come vote for our nominee after we pick them — Republicans nominate Republicans — then the General electorate gets to decide if our nominee is better than the other guy.
I have no desire to outsource our nominating responsibility to fickle non-Republicans. (Especially posturing RINO’s.)
Steve, one ill considered retort in a pique of what appeared to be anger on the bane of extemporaneous communication – Twitter does not define a career or the character of an individual but he very publicly and discourteously called the man a moron. If you open that can of worms with a individual like Trump you best understand there will be fallout. If you throw the first punch don’t be shocked to expect a counterpunch and using a broad brush to paint those that disagree with his opinions, based on a few Trump followers rantings, is frankly something I don’t expect to find at this blog, if I wanted to engage in that type of behavior, I know where to go. Trump seems to have a unique ability to bring out the dark side in many individuals but I’m positive Mr. Ramadan is completely capable of defending himself in the face of this type of behavior. To counter bad behavior I have not found it useful to emulate it.
I don’t think David is a “father” as this article suggests? He is a true family man, a wonderful son, brother and uncle, and he treats his pets like children, but he’s not a father.
OK. Thanks. I’ve tweaked that passage.
David is a great guy. My wife, the #Freuhline’s favorite Delegate (yes Anne has her own hashtag!)
Name calling at any level is counter productive. No excuses for that.
I have lived with a lifelong stuttering affliction so I’m no stranger to being mocked, ridiculed, laughed at and made fun of. It still happens to this day.
The issue here is not David.
It’s his untenable position on this exclusionary primary voter pledge. it’s indefensible.
David’s arguments for the bogus and dishonest pledge –concocted purely to discourage Independent and newly registered Trump for President voters from showing up on Super Tuesday — is vacuous. Let’s focus on the issue at hand: this intrusive document you are making unsuspecting voters sign at the polling table is nefarious, exclusionary and intimidating to some who may just want to vote in private for the candidate of their choice. Turning new voters and telling them to “go home” is ludicrous, a P.R. nightmare and discourages participation in a Party that has lost six statewide elections in a row.
If I was on SCC, I would have voted for a convention. But I am not, you are, and the primary won. So let the taxpayer funded primary election play out, in lieu of dreaming up schemes to stop Trump. This effort is aimed at Trump’s newly registered and Independent voters and it’s a dishonest attempt to manipulate a process your own SCC voted for and passed. Next time, get the three votes you need on SCC for a convention and be done with nonsense. John Fredericks
Imagine if a man wanted to ask a lady out for a date. She says in order to date her you must marry her afterwards. Most guys would not date her and get to know her because of her stupid demand! It is a crazy request. Our RPV is turning off new independents and Democrat-lite individuals who are tired of no commonsense statists from both Dem. and Rep. Parties. Ideas matter first not Party first. Many people are starting to get that. Nationalistic conservative values work and attracts new people who didn’t know that those values existed anymore. Many people haven’t heard Americanism spoken t over the past three decades because of advisors and PC police. Now we have real change. This conversation is in direct result of not having a convention. Conventions favors the people of our communities, conservative candidates with conservative values. It is why State Central voted against it in the first place. Primary’s favor the elitist rich. Let’s not close the doors to ordinary people who want a change in politics. No barriers to the stupid primary and let’s get the State Central Committee to vote for U.S conservative values empowering people,not elitists, through conventions.
Here’s the guy who can stand up for the 10th!
Although I disagree with the pledge requirement, I am a true believer in David Ramadan. I know for a fact, because I personally dealt with some of the nasty folks who were making up lies about him that he truly loves this country.
He has also demonstrated a strong commitment to his constituents. I really appreciate all the support he has given to our veterans and active duty members.He truly is a citizen legislator.
My family loves and supports David in any of his new endeavors. Wishing him and his family a Safe,Healthy,and Happy New Year.
Donna
On this we are in complete agreement.
Ramadan is not the problem, see RPV!. And put the roll of paper back where it will do some good.
Thank you!
Yes, we love David Ramadan and we’re going to miss him in the General Assembly.
Rarely ever do I agree with you Jeanine, but Dave is one of the the kindest humblest hardest working people I have ever known.
He is all that and more. He’s also a very generous, giving, loyal, and kind friend. We in Loudoun are very proud of him.
Why is that?