November 30, 2007

Virginia republicans are gearing up for a very busy election cycle ahead in 2008. But it's one even republicans admit may be a challenge.

"In all things, including politics, there's ebbs and flows," said Keith Drake, the chairman of the Albemarle County Republicans. The pendulum swings both ways, and it swung the other way here the last two or three years, but I sense that it's swinging back."

About 700 republican party activists and office holders gathered in Arlington for the party's annual retreat. It's an opportunity to rally the base and build new energy in the party, as campaign 2008 kicks into high gear.

"It's a great opportunity for the Republican party to try and generate some momentum and enthusiasm," explained Sean O'Brien with the Sorensen Institute. "They've just come off a hard political season with the elections a few weeks ago and they need to get the base re-energized in 2008 and 2009."

"You've got two open seats at the federal level. (There are) lots of good republicans running for those seats and lots of good supporters of those candidates, and that will create a lot of excitement this weekend," said Drake, who has attended the annual event several times in years past.

Earlier in November, republicans lost control of the General Assembly. Ahead in 2008, democrats have a front-running senate candidate in former governor Mark Warner. And some say a democratic presidential nominee could even win Virginia for the first time in more than 40 years.

But the republican party retreat is aimed at preventing all of that from happening by energizing the supporters early. It's energy that's often carried back to smaller, individual communities by the leaders who attend the event.

"You bring back the message and you bring back the enthusiasm," said Drake. "This is really a great opportunity for the republican party to recruit and maintain volunteers at the local level."

As for the US Senate seat up for grabs next year, republicans acknowledge Mark Warner's popularity, but feel very strongly that they can hang on to the seat filled by senior Senator John Warner since 1979. Right now Jim Gilmore is the only republican to officially announce a run, but more candidates are expected to do the same.

Also on Friday Virginia Republicans rescinded their demand that voters in the February presidential primary sign a written oath of loyalty to the party's presidential nominee.

A GOP committee voted overwhelmingly Friday to rescind their request to the State Board of Elections regarding the February 12th primary.

The party had been criticized for imposing the oath.