Jim Casey wrote in the Roanoke Times that the 6th District GOP Convention may be the most dangerous place in America this coming Saturday. I must disagree. It will be contentious yes, and sometimes conventions can be tough. But I know most of the people who will be attending this convention, and with very few exceptions everything and everyone will be on their best behavior.
Most of the people going to the convention are going to be perfectly fine. There are going to be some people there who have issues with their temper. I could name them but many have already been called out on here and in other online articles or blogs. But that is why we have campus police and campus security. I feel perfectly comfortable leaving my .44 magnum at home. Why? Because I’ll be around long time friends, friends who I have not yet had the chance to meet, and thousands of great Americans (whether I agree with them on certain issues or not). And protected by a competent police force which has handled rougher situations than Republican convention delegates.
I have great trust in the JMU police as should you. This will be stressful yes, but not violent. Sadly for Mr. Casey, pretty much every person who goes in will come out alive. Now this may hurt Mr. Casey’s feelings, but that’s ok. I say this as one of those racist sexist tea bagging homophobe crazies who Mr. Casey and Blue Virginia and certain parts of the GOP Establishment tend to look down on.
I would like to take this time to praise publicly each member of the Shenandoah County GOP and delegation. We have had many rough times over the past several years, and many of us have hurled harsh words at each other. I’ve been on both the sending and receiving end of many of these barbs. But we have always solved our problems with words and not with fists. Something that other delegations cannot say. Each and every member of the Shenandoah County GOP Delegation has conducted themselves with dignity and honor. I may disagree with who some of them are supporting. But pretty much everyone here has been a class act during the nominations process – something that many other delegations cannot say. And under the leadership of our new Chairman Randy Gilbert, that is how it will remain. I am proud to be associated with each member of the Committee, and each delegate and how they have behaved in this nomination fight. Whether they be Old Guard or New Guard. Be their last name French or Dellinger or Kwiatkowski or Wyss.
Contrary to what Mr. Casey thinks, Friday and Saturday will not be a freak show. Outsiders like John Fredericks with his rantings may have tried their best to make it a freak show, but they have failed. You will see 3500-4500 people – all of whom are patriots. Many of whom are personal friends of mine who I have fought many battles with on the same side, some not so much. Some will be supporting Delegate Ben Cline – a great conservative warrior. Some will be supporting Cynthia Dunbar, another great conservative warrior. Some will be supporting Chaz Haywood, who is not as conservative as Dunbar or Cline, but is a heck of a good guy to know and would also make a great congressman. And you will see others still who are supporting one of the other 5 candidates (Mike Desjadon/Ed Justo/Kathryn Lewis/Elliot Pope/Doug Wright). The supporters of 7 of those 8 will leave disappointed yes. Maybe frustrated. But that is part of the process. Everyone will have had their say. Some may have said their peace in ways that did not bring honor to themselves or their cause. But no one will be leaving there homicidally angry in the way that Mr. Casey seems to think we are.
I am there to support my good friend Scott Sayre for Chairman. If he wins I’ll be the happiest person alive. Scott has taught me more about precinct and GOTV operations than anyone else since 1980, the first election I ever got involved in. And if he does not win, then most of us who supported Scott will congratulate his challenger and we will move on. And sorry to disappoint many of you – but I’m still not officially or unofficially supporting anyone in the Congressional race. I’m having too much fun watching certain persons freak out over it.
So far We the Delegates of the 6th Congressional District have fought this battle with words, and words are going to be how we will continue to fight this battle. And unlike ANTIFA and some of the hotheads of the loony left, we will come together and be supporting our nominee. And will do so peacefully and gladly. Because whichever of the candidates we nominate – they will be better than whoever the party of bloated government puts up. And in honor of Mr. Fredericks – I just may go to a Waffle House Saturday evening.
