OPINION:
I am tired of conservatives being blamed for the actions of libertarians who wish to shift to a nominating convention. This contingent says a convention would be to the benefit of conservative candidates, but the only Republican that would benefit from such a switch would be Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul.
Mr. Paul’s effort to switch to a caucus in Kentucky was approved by the Kentucky State Central Committee. Instead of speaking out to push legislation through the state legislature for registration by political party, closing the Republican primaries and allowing in people who would agree with the core principles of the Republican Party, Republican Party of Virginia Chairman John Whitbeck defends the indefensible by championing the convention system. I was the E.W. Jackson Newport News coordinator; most of the supporters of E.W. Jackson were not activists and they attended their first convention. Now I am the Virginia State grass-roots coordinator for Sen. Cruz, and I can assure you it is ’deja vu all over again.’ Mr. Cruz’s most ardent supporters are not involved in the Republican Party yet anyway.
If the Republican Party of Virginia votes to switch to a nominating convention in June, they risk conservatives sitting home this November and losing control of the state Senate. I have come to the conclusion that “libertarian Republican” means “no liberty for the rest of you” and that these “Republicans” would rather lose elections than power.
It is these people who need to be purged from the Republican party next year.
JOHN BLOOM
Newport News, Va.
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