As I’ve gotten to know Ed Gillespie, I’ve been impressed by his commitment to the Constitutional principle of limited government and his support for policies that protect personal liberty and foster freedom in our Commonwealth and our Country.
Ed is a true movement conservative. He is an ardent advocate for religious liberty, our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, private property rights, and the protection of innocent human life. He and his wife Cathy have demonstrated their dedication to our nation’s founding principles through their generous support (both financially and through over 14,000 hours of volunteer service) of constitutional education programs in the public, private and home school communities.
As Governor, Ed will advance policies based on these principles. He knows that we must reform our schools and give parents greater control over our children’s education. He will put an end to McAuliffe’s rolling blanket restoration of rights to violent felons. He will lay out a substantive plan that includes tax and regulatory relief to spur much-needed economic growth in Virginia. And we can count on Ed to restore fiscal discipline in Richmond.
Ed is a tireless campaigner who has proven he can share our conservative ideas in a way that appeals to all Virginians. In 2014, he unified our party to nearly defeat the supposedly unbeatable Mark Warner, despite being abandoned by the national party and so-called conservative super PACs. He can again bring all Republicans – and all Virginians – together to win in 2017.
Ed would be an honest, ethical and principled servant leader worthy of Virginia. I am proud to endorse and support him to be our next governor, and urge you to do the same.
Rick Buchanan is a small businessman and activist in Fauquier County. He currently serves as President of the Virginia Tea Party Patriots Federation, and as Vice Chairman of the 5th Congressional District Republican Committee.
70 comments
[…] Bull Elephant published an endorsement of Gillespie by Rich Buchanan, who argued that “Ed is a tireless campaigner who has proven he […]
Rick Buchanan is a tough, movement conservative. He has led the TEA Party when it was popular and rising and he stuck with the movement when President Obama weaponized the federal government to attack citizens through the IRS, EPA, and the rest of the DC corrupted cauldron of crap.
TEA leaders who survive these types of fights develop a pragmatic conservatism that we need in government. We have successfully decimated the progressive D’s through out the country. In VA it’s been more challenging since we have had to fight the Cantor-Comstock machine.
Pragmatic conservatives take time to develop their craft navigating between entrenched interests who want to globalize and de-nationalize and the rest of us who want to be proud of our state and country. Ed Gillespie is a pragmatic conservative we can all support as President Trump and his team shed the people who are self-interested and work with people who are Americans-first interested.
Looking forward to supporting Ed as we work to continue to clean house in Virginia.
First, facing the facts of the recent Trump election why would anyone believe that the Virginia “conservative movement” is going to “carry” anyone to victory in the state in 2017? Putting any Ed Gillespie political axe to grind aside for one second and just looking at the gross voting population numbers for one key electoral region where you must be competitive for any chance to win, Northern Virginia, based on the post Trump election results, how is Ed Gillespie any better positioned in 2016-17 to carry the much needed portions of the northern tier including Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince Williams counties, as well as, the City of Alexandria, then he was in 2014? The clear facts are he is not so shouting from the top of the tallest building in Arlington what a great “conservative movement” guy he is isn’t going to shift that dynamic one millimeter.
Who truly believes this particular candidate given the events of the past 18 months has found the magic ticket to the Northern tier Wonka factory? It’s political fairy dust and the amusing part to me is he might have had a better shot on running and winning this cycle, based on the changes represented in the voter ballot box shifts, as the centrist Republican moderate he is (downplaying of course the establishment Bush legacy lapel pin he can not avoid) rather then the Conservative movement partisan that he clearly is not and which looks like a bad 99 dollar Maaco paint job his supporters are desperately attempting to slap on him for 2017. Why?
Second, let’s suspend reason for a second and agree Mr. Gillespie is one outstanding “movement conservative” though more in line with a random selection of the Senate Republican variety, found nationwide, such as John Cornyn, Orrin Hatch, Pat Toomey, Thad Cochran, Bob Corker, or Mitch Mcconnell. Is the populist bent in the state’s voter attitudes post Trump election and reflected in the 45% in the state presidential race he garnered something to draw any meaningful conclusions from for a statewide race less the 18 months later? Clinton’s carried 49.7% of the popular vote total in the state winning by around 5 percentage points. Is Mr. Gillespie “movement conservative” creeds (true or not) going to capture the VAST majority of this vote that he will need (remember this “movement conservative” vote was rejected in the state presidential primary in the form of Ted Cruz by voters over Trump), as well as, serve as the vehicle to carry a solid portion of the independent and moderate Democratic cross overs (if any such thing exists in the latter case) to back fill that 5 plus percent he will need to carry the election. The answer to both of these question in my opinion is not very likely.
I believe Mr Gillespie to be a fine, sincere gentleman that rather desperately wants to hold some (any) statewide elected office in Virgina. But Trump coupled with the massive Democratic inroads into Republican state politics have broken once and likely for all time going forward doing things the “Virginia Way”. Mr. Gillespie is a fine example of a candidate for a time that no longer exists, you can in the face of facts deny that, you can ignore that, you can bemoan that but the chance is close to zero that unless you can get outside the box and really look at the actions of the voting base and where they are today you can change that regardless if you spend every waking moment between now and election day proclaiming to one and all what a outstanding movement conservative he really, really is. Wrong message, wrong candidate for 2017.
Spot on and brilliant!
Unfortunately, I’m not finding any Lawrence Wood session at the advance.
Why is it the GOP just refuses the lessons from the last election?
Does anyone have a basic list of what Ed has accomplished they can share? I went to his website and see his policy stances but I’d like to see a bullet list of accomplishments if anyone has one. Thank you.
EG2 = EG squared = Ed Gillespie = Economic Growth
https://issuu.com/edforsenate/docs/eg2-print_62f600df1d16ae
I agree with Rich Buchanan. I did not enter the GOP convention fray four years ago with an endorsement because I was hesitant of Ed’s connections with Karl Rove and all that Rove had come to symbolize to those of us in the grassroots movement. However, I’ve gotten to know Ed and Cathy well over the last four years and I’ve come to know the person, not just the politician. They are not just about public service through elected political office, but they have been dedicated to promoting conservative principles all over the country through nonprofits. Cathy (and Ed) helped create Constituting America, a nonprofit organization that is trying to implement Constitutional education in every school across America. BTW, it is crazy this isn’t a big emphasis in our school already! Cathy also helps with housing solutions for those struggling, using private, conservative solutions. I also greatly appreciate that Ed is intentional about reaching out to all constituencies of the GOP (whether tea party, libertarian, or establishment), and he values the input of all those groups. I’ve repeatedly seen Ed incorporate the feedback and suggestions he receives from these different constituencies – treating them all equally at the policy kitchen table.
Don’t forget that 3 years ago Mark Warner had the highest favorables of any elected official in Virginia, but Ed almost beat him. And that was even after the outside money groups left him stranded! I’m extremely optimistic that Ed can not only win next year, but bring great conservative solutions to the table.
EXACTLY. He’s become family and helped grow the grassroots as a FAMILY. It’s God honoring, FUN and is turning the tide. Go Ed. #UnifiED #LetsGrowVA #TurnVARed #LeadRight2016
Let the coordinated ‘Letters to the Blogitor’ begin!
Welcome aboard, Rick. As a former chairman of both the RPV and RNC, Ed has shown that he knows how to win. As an energy lawyer, I am drawn to Ed’s understanding of the many issues facing the western portion of Virginia and that of West Virginia — namely the fact that Obama decimated the coal industry. We and our neighbor, West Virginia, have been acutely impacted by Obama’s anti-energy policies. In the process, human trafficking is up along with drug trafficking. Like President-elect Trump, Ed wants to pursue polices aimed at returning Appalachian Americans to work and cutting us off from the dependence of foreign oil.
If he knew how to win then he’d be a senator right now.
Ouch! Or go for Senate again — the job-hopping is what puts me off. No good answer for ‘Senate then, Governor now.’ (Unless he’s afraid of the ‘ReShaktch’)
You know he would have won if the RNC and jackasses like VB ‘republican’ mayor Will Sessoms supported our nominee.
Don’t get me started…!!
Bring your A game.
I’m violently agreeing with you about those that don’t support the nominee.
Let’s give credit where credit is due. We nearly pulled it off that year at a time when EVERY POLL in Virginia (sound familiar) showed him losing by double digits. Despite a few handwringers and malcontents who sat on their maladjusted backsides, we nearly unseated the most popular politician in Virginia through the diligent efforts of a broad spectrum of Virginia Republicans.
Close only counts…
He didn’t win, we didn’t win. If he loses for Governor, there’s always Senate to fall back on???
ROCINANTE: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/475104e6c571f31f54906bb1104ab237ff555806a4f79e9bcc30b4884ac18fe5.png
What? You think he did win? Ed and the party lost that election. It was closer than expected, and Ed did very well as the standard bearer.
That’s kinda the point of my sarcasm — Running and losing for Sen, then running for Governor, sorta fits the pattern of ‘I’ll just run for the next open seat.’
That’s a big issue that I think needs to be addressed. I expected him to go for Senate again and win.
Ha! Nearly pulled it off? If we had a more dynamic candidate instead of moderate milquetoast Republican maybe Republicans will win again in statewide elections. Why does the party continue to put forth boring candidates? How about giving us someone to rally behind and vote “for” instead of having to vote against the other candidate?
Nearly pulled it off! Wow! Remember second place is first loser.
Great endorsement!!
It is a pleasure to support Ed a proven conservative who can cross the aisle and get the job done for Virginia!
I’m always concerned with conservatives anxious to ‘cross the aisle’ and ‘get the job done.’
Frightens rather than reassures.
Sen. Bryce Reeves example of not only restoring, but expanding 2nd Amendment rights is a good example and very assuring.
I am confident that Ed Gillespie has the skill to navigate the General Assembly and get good legislation on his desk when he is Governor!
That would be good, but leading by reaching across the aisle usually equates to surrendering — I don’t think this is Ed.
I think that Ed is just as qualified if not moreso than Terry McAuliffe, but I want specifics rather than generalities and I want to know that he can win.
Remember that Ed wrote the Contract with America – and most of that was enacted. What else do you need?
Senator Gillespie.
But I will say this, if Ed is the nominee, I will work for him harder than I will work for my guy.
Will you and the others say and do the same?
100% absolutely. And I’ll show you how serious I am about this. I ran Carly Fiorina’s campaign in the 6th Congressional District. When Trump became the nominee – I donated big time “in kind” – to ensure that the Trump campaign would have the firepower to beat Hilary.
So don’t worry about us Ed supporters. In the unlikely event Gillespie loses – I’ll be the biggest backer of who ever wins the nomination.
Fair enough?
That works for me. This is what it means to be a Republican. Now let’s make sure our guys run for something rather than against each other.
THIS. unfortunately only one dude is being totally positive and that’s Ed.
?? I missed this one too — where?
I would have agreed beforevthe advance, but the only people flying anti-Corey stickers seem to be Team Ed.
This kind of politics is why Ed won’t win.
He did not. Luntz wrote that meaningless document, which was of no value to me in my 1994 House races.
I am looking forward to engaging with Ed directly.
From my discussions with Rick I believe that Ed is the conservative that we are looking for in our next Governor. I believe that as he starts rolling out his campaign platform, conservatives across the Commonwealth will also begin to see that he is the candidate we can unite behind.
I am particularly interested in hearing more about Ed’s ideas to take back our education system, since that is key to reversing the effects of the indoctrination that the left has been perpetrating on our youth for decades.
No, Ed is not a “movement conservative”. Or even a regular conservative.
He’s your typical go-along get-along moderate Republican. Bland and generic as they come.
I’m not saying he wouldn’t be preferable to whatever contemptible dolt the Dems will be running. But I think we can do better.
Rob, ‘movement conservatives’ blame the growth of the administrative state for destroying individual initiative, and, as far back as I can tell Ed has argued that big government tax policy constitutes a serious problem. Ed has promoted an anti-regulation and a right to work message to business interests who share common ground with fiscal conservatives. I fail to see this as bland or generic.. Help me.
Any man who was in good standing with Dick Armey, who wrote the Contract with America, and who gave us the first real “Repeal and Replace” legislation for Obama Care is not a “moderate Republican”. Ed is the real deal who will get things done as our governor. Now if you want someone who froths at the mouth, Ed is not that guy. Ed is always polite and genteel, but being polite does not mean that Ed lacks backbone or has no principles. Ed is the most principled candidate out there.
Ed is the real deal, but he builds our party by giving of his time and love, not by being flashy or ridiculous. He’s also too humble to brag about himself, so I will. His planning and foresight are one of the best things this party has going for it. This is Allison btw. Proud to call the Gillespies my friends.
You don’t have to sell me on Ed being a good guy, he was our Senate Candidate!
Building our party by giving love doesn’t sound like palm card material — how about some examples? (planning and foresight, hold off on the lovebuilding for now)
Roc – just FYI – Ed was just endorsed by Senator Dick Black. Thought you should know.
One of the reasons I don’t like Bandwagon endorsements is that nobody bats 1,000 and we are really light on Horatio Bunces.
Dicks endorsements in the past gives us primary and #nevers.
I think GOP anointing endorsements of the nominees belongs to earlier times. One bad endorser spoils the bunch (waiting for the Comstock kiss of death).
(The online endorsement group hugs are cringeworthy on their own.)
We have to build community and family to win. Plus it is more fun and creates a culture where we can grow and mentor our future leaders. Ed gets this and was a big part of helping us move in this direction. All 4 guys are great and I will work to continue/build relationships with all 4 and support/vote 4 the nominee and gladly, but Ed has worked very hard to promote family in the RPV and that is something very special about him that is 100% the trajectory that I was already pursuing. Fyi it is what works with Boomers, Gen Xers AND Millenials.
Ok, I’m going to have to catch that session at the Advance, I’m too jaded to understand this kind of politics.
This is a huge endorsement for Ed Gillespie for Governor. He has been laser-focused on the issues that matter to Virginians. He will lead as a Conservative Governor, and that’s why we are seeing people like Rick endorse him.
Ed Gillespie a ‘movement conservative’? Come on. I’d support him if he got the nomination, but come on.
Back in the 90’s there wasn’t a Tea Party. We needed one. However, there was Newt and his team. Ed was a central part of that core team. Contract with America was more than a shot over the bow. I stand with Rick and support Ed 100%.
Was there a quid pro quo endorsement of Ed by Rick Buchanan.Sounds like a sell out to me!
Ed supports everything that “real conservatives” don’t.
Dominion Resources is really enjoying pumping money into Gillespie’s campaign.
An excellent endorsement! I agree, Ed Gillespie is the choice for Virginia Governor. He is incredibly knowledgeable, thoughtful and principled. Ed and Cathy’s service to our nation and our Commonwealth prove their dedication to doing the right things for the right reasons. He is going to be a great candidate and a great Governor. Ed is a true conservative who can connect with people from all walks of life, and his inspiring life story will resonate throughout Virginia. We need a candidate who can win, and his clear articulation of his beliefs and policies will serve the GOP well. No one is more qualified and more ready to be Virginia’s next Governor.
Rejected campaign button: “I’m Dizzy for Gillespie”
(Note: Don’t try to read into that, it is just a joke. If you didn’t get the joke, then move on, nothing to see here)
That’s part of the problem, the button wouldn’t be rejected by a candidate with the edge. A candidate without the edge gives us EG = EG2.
Ed is an impostor and doesn’t deserve tea party support at all. Here’s why:
http://newsguardians.com/va-u-s-senate-race-2014-pt-2-who-is-ed-gillespie/
Ed was Tea Party long before there was a movement. Lets duke it out, I’m in.
Really Turbo! I know a lot of people in the Tea Party who don’t know their head from their elbow. And I would also say that a very few Tea Parties have teeth, but most are not what the Left would call ‘change agents.’ That is, real change agents for restoration of an American rule of law.
Uh.. notice who and how many R’s have won nationally? Sounds like you never met the man or hurled a good question his way. Next time he is in your part of the state man up and ask hardball questions. At first I doubted Ed but my efforts to dig up oppo failed and revealed an ally. Meet the man.
how is a belief that we can and should use the irs to manipulate people “Tea Party”?
Thats just one. lest keep it simple and discuss one topic at a time
Please. Has he ever attended even one TP event?
Greg – calling Ed an imposter is slanderous. Ed was the author of the Contract with America and wrote the first real bill to repeal Obama Care. Ed also understood that part of repealing Obama Care was serious Medicaid reform. Ed’s repeal and replace bill also included serious Medicaid reform. Ed is a warrior when it comes to conservative principles and Tea party principles.
Seriously, we have a ‘low information’ problem in the electorate at large. And we have a problems of ‘words, words, words’ and no real action.
We are now living in the world of Brexit, the Trump reaction, and now the no vote of confidence in the Italian Referendum vote. What world does Ed live in?
Keep supporting and voting for Ed candidacies — and expect more of the same.
Sorry but Ed is more conservative than Trump when it comes to issues like taxes and life and marriage. Nice try though
Don’t think Ed is running against Trump.
Not the issue. The issue was the person above said or implied that Gillespie was a liberal compared to Trump. And I say that Trump is a liberal compared to Ed
They probably overlap here and there — I put them both less conservative than me.
But I want a winner, and I don’t like the fact that Ed has gone office shopping.
Show me something how Ed is more electable, with our party, with the current political environment, against the democrat party candidate.
The cabinet speaks for itself. Better than what we’d have seen from my guy Cruz in fact.
Ha! Ed maybe, myabe talks tough, but it is all talk and no real force of action.
What Trump is or is not remains to be seen. But one thing can be reliably extrapolated from the Trump phenomenon (and Sanders too) is that the people are fed up to the gills with fake fake liberals, fake conservatives … people that talk so very tough but never amount to a hill of beans.
You are probably a very nice man, but I have to believe you are a little naive. Words like good on taxes, for marriage, this is all nice, but look around you see what we’ve got. From my perspective, I don’t see one ounce of proof of the pudding in Ed. No indication of real boldness.
But thanks for the comment …
Ed did not write the Contract with America, none of which ever passed anyway. I’ve known Ed for 30 years. He’s one of those “I am as conservative as you but…” types. To call him a “warrior” is comical. Nice guy perhaps but no warrior.
Ed is the guy with the ‘right-enough’ answers for the ‘right-enough’ occasions. But never ‘right enough’ to get any real Liberty promoting job done. If the Republicans don’t get some credible Restore the Republic action going, I won’t waste my time with voting for their weak girlie-man impostors.
Imposter? not quite, Poser? Perhaps. Tea Party support? That ship has sailed.
Conservatives in the party need to put away the ‘patriot’ logo’d business cards, shuck the ‘klubhouse’ mentality, and take back, or at least join the fight for the heart and soul of the Republican Party.
Don’t bother pretending to be above the partisan politics If you vote with an R, you own it.
Big news – glad to see that Rick Buchanan is doing the right thing and supporting a true conservative in Ed Gillespie. Ed has been fighting the fight since the early 1990’s. And will continue the fight for limited government in Virginia.
….but will you support Rick as “doing the right thing” when he takes a position with which you disagree? It will be interesting to see where this goes….