The results of the Republican primary are in. The nominations have now been decided. George Allen will face Tim Kaine for the U.S. Senate seat, and Bob Goodlatte will be running against Andy Schmookler to retain his seat representing the Virginia 6th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Roanoke Tea Party congratulates the winners of all primaries today, and sends consolations to those which did not prevail. Running these campaigns is exhausting, gut-wrenching, down-and-dirty work, not to be taken lightly. We salute them all.
Some may be feeling disappointed at the results. Here is a silver lining – the Tea Party/Liberty movement is but 3 years old. We have gone from zero, to fielding candidates in just two election cycles. With a full slate of candidates to choose from, wasn’t it nice having an opportunity to vote for someone today?
Hold on to that feeling for as long as you can, because come November, most of us within the Liberty movement are going to have to vote against someone. Granted, that’s not a pleasant thought, it’s just the reality we find ourselves in this June 13th, 2012.
Let’s not be discouraged, but instead, strengthen our resolve, and rest well tonight knowing we did our best.
Gregory Honeycutt
President, Roanoke Tea Party
Thank You, Sir. This could not have been said better. Three years is such a short time to have come so far. I am near never a touch-n-go. It is difficult to see the relation one has developed with others disappear after such an event as this. We should “ALL” stay together. Take the elected and attempt to hammer and stone them back into the Patriot they should be. We never do this and simply walk off the battle field allowing them to do whatever they like. When will, “We The People” “The Patriots” ever get it. Just now let’s dance around Our Campfires, Drink and make Merry about our fight to win and Plan Our Strategies forward to hammer and Stone those elected into one of Us The Patriots.
I would like to add a comment if I may.
TEA Party, also don’t forget the sting of the defeat, take it in, feel it for all it is worth. This is just the beginning folks. Let this defeat harden your resolve and create more clarity in your mind about what has to be done. You’ve no doubt heard the comments along the way from the establishment Republicans in this state – they don’t think much of us, and that’s fine, after reading and hearing their comments throughout this election season I don’t think that much of them either. It is important to know your enemy, to know what you are up against, and if we in the TEA party have gained nothing else this election season we now understand what we are up against in Virginia and what we have to do to prevail. We must win politically at ever level in this state, there is no other option left to us. We must win delegates, we must take over leadership positions, we must leave no precinct in the hands of people who work against our goals, it is that simple. This is a bitter defeat, a feeling we do not want to have again, so let us do what we have to do to insure we don’t have to feel it again in the future. You can be assured no concessions will be given to us in the Republican party, the establishment Republicans in this state will take this as a “win” for their agenda and give nothing politically, and that is why we must continue to push on every front because no other way is left except sweeping victory for our cause. We must redouble our efforts, reach out to others of like mind, strengthen our bonds with our peers, organize, mend fences with one another within the TEA party, and push forward with ever increasing commitment and common purpose. Let us think to ourselves, what more could we have done ? There is more we could have done, and we will do it.
Fight on brothers and sisters. I am not one of you, meaning I am not part of the Roanoke TEA Party, but I have watched your efforts from my little corner of Virginia with great interest and admiration, and that is my message to you .. fight on. One quarter, one out of every four primary voters in Virginia voted for Jamie Radtke, one in three primary voters in the sixth district voted for Karen Kwaitkowski, and 2 out of every 5 primary voters in Virginia voted for Ron Paul for President. This is not insignificant, and establishment Republicans in this state toss and turn in bed at night worrying about it, believe it. You have made an impact with your efforts, even if they do go unrewarded this election cycle.
Now you know what you are up against, welcome that. As Greg said above, we will do what we must in November, but this is only the beginning, and there will be many elections past November. Let’s learn from our mistakes and look to the future.
Thanks Jeff. Sorry to be so slow on the mod button… I slept in today. (First time in a while!)