Thanks, Del. Dillard
We all know what happened. If you don't, read it here.
I think Del. Vince Callahan said it best when he stated, "He (Del. Dillard) was one of the architects of the rejuvenation of the Republican Party in the latter part of the 20th century and eminently qualified to be on the Board of Visitors at the College of William and Mary."
The sad thing is, the House was really not voting on his qualifications. They used him as an example. It's a shame the House forgot all of the good and positive things Del. Dillard did throughout his career. But why would they? Focusing on the negative, unpleasant aspects of a person's persona and past seems to have permeated the majority party to the point of making it dysfunctional.
Del. Joe May of Loudoun County, who voted for Dillard's appointment, said his vote was "a matter of conscience." He said he did not agree with Dillard's actions in last fall's campaigns, but "that doesn't negate 30 years of good service." Click Here.
I am not sure who the other members of William & Mary's Board of Visitors are, but they gave Dillard a standing ovation upon hearing the news of his punishment. I would assume they are most likely well connected, politically minded people. That said, this can't look good for the Republican Party.
If Republicans spent as much time punishing Democrats as they do themselves our majority would be safe. However, if the cannibalism continues, I am not sure what the future holds.
posted by RBV @ 6:22 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Delegate James Dillard's education credentials are basically championing higher taxes, more money for schools, and opposing central --not "moderate"-- Republican ideals on education since 1995.
Dillard was a moderate who drifted leftwards. The vote wasn't over partisan politics; if it had been, most of the appointments would not have passed.
Dillard lost the vote for shameless back-stabbing; for supporting Democrats, for opposing Republicans, all the while taking Republican money for his elections.
Like punishing a child when all else fails, sometimes it must be done. Nobody "feels good" about the vote, but it needed to be done.
Even James Moran complimented the Republicans on their vote: the discipline and will to enforce needed conduct without sinking into partisanship.
(skywalker - partisan appointee votes is a guarantee of endless recriminations. It's a 'no-go'.)
Dillard misrepresented his positions and took campaign money on that basis. Normal people consider that "screwing them over" or lying and stealing (though it's actually only obtaining money under false pretenses) and get upset with people who do it. EDSkywalker calls it "following your heart".
If Dillard had the courage of his convictions (something Skywalker suggests but couldn't quite bring to print) he would have run Democrat or even independent. He didn't. There's no courage in backstabbing those who’ve supported you and no conviction in selling out to lobbyists.
It's a great credit that the Republicans believe voter's should get what they voted for; that voters should --to some degree-- know their vote counts in a certain direction, not the exact opposite. Arguments defending Dillard defend fraud.
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