Posted on 02/27/2008 7:44:18 AM PST by Gopher Broke
February 27, 2008
By Seth McLaughlin - RICHMOND — Delegate Robert G. Marshall's maverick style has Republicans split over whether he is their best candidate to defeat former Gov. Mark Warner in Virginia's U.S. Senate race.
"I support him because he is not a team player," said Shaun Kenney, who recently resigned as spokesman for the state Republican Party. "There are a lot of conservatives who are so disappointed in some Republicans that they are really looking for people who will go to Washington, speak their mind and not go along with the establishment."
The delegate from Prince William County, first elected to the House in 1991, will fight for the nomination against former Gov. James S. Gilmore III at the Republican convention this summer. Mr. Gilmore is considered the front-runner. Mr. Warner is the presumptive Democratic candidate.
Delegate Jeffrey M. Frederick, also of Prince William County and a Gilmore backer, said Mr. Marshall's arguments "most of the time are solid and he is right and most agree with him, but his methods are usually the problem."
"Whether it's the legislature or with your wife, you have to pick your battles, and I'm not sure how Bob discriminates between which battles he should pick and which he shouldn't."
A Republican delegate who asked not to be named said Mr. Marshall, a staunch pro-life advocate, forgets that he has to "have a seat at the table" if he wants to "eliminate abortion."
Patrick McSweeney, a former state Republican Party chairman, said Mr. Marshall has the "spunk of Patrick Henry."
"Marshall is running against the prevailing political class that got us in the position we are in, not to be another member of that class. ...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
Further down in the article....
“Mr. Gilmore has been accused of being soft on abortion. He says he opposes the procedure but that a woman should be allowed a choice in the first eight weeks of pregnancy.”
Bob Marshall is a true conservative, but he does get in some unwinnable imbroglios. He’s true to his ideals, IMO.
TC
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