Barnie Day was a Democratic delegate from Patrick County from his election in 1997 through the 2001 session. A former county administrator and business owner, he is now a banker. Put university charter proposal to referendum -- in 2026 Weighing the pig (of transportation) 'Gawwwn' but not forgotten The book on Faith and Values Center of Virginia's political universe Zell Nation Older Barnie Day columns Join A Discussion Reprint Email this Article

Monday, December 20, 2004

So you think a two-party system is bad? Try three. That’s what we have in Virginia now, three political parties -- one Democratic and two Republican.

Just when you think things can’t get any goofier, Richard F. Neel, a former treasurer of the Republican Party of Virginia, files a complaint with the Unites States Department of Justice’s Office of Professional Responsibility against Paul J. McNulty, the federal prosecutor who happens to be Republican, for ‘protecting’ George Allen, Jerry Kilgore, and other assorted lesser lights in the infamous ‘eavesdropping’ case.

And speaking of goofy, how’s this for tough bargaining: Republicans ‘settled’ that little mess for $750,000 -- more than TWICE the legal exposure in the case. Go figure. I guess it’s just that gift-giving time of year, isn’t it? Or maybe, just maybe, it’s something else. Like keeping Kilgore off the witness stand? Giving the ol’ Scout’s honor is one thing. Getting in the witness box under oath is something else.

(An aside here. Is it not refreshing, for once, to see and hear a politician brag about how much he didn’t know about something?)

Hey, it’s Christmas! Let’s give the kid a break. Besides, Kilgore’s got his hands full. And, no, I’m not talking about Tim Kaine. Kilgore’s got his arms around all he can tote way before he gets to Kaine. Gilmore. The mayor up in Warrenton. He seems like a nice guy. Probably some other folks still contemplating getting in. Blood in the water will do that. And this two-party system is killing him. Carrying one Republican Party on your back would be bad enough. Try carrying two.

Ask the Republican chairman, the un-indicted one, Kate Obenshain Griffin. I nominate her for the Cat Herder of the Year award.

Says she in a recent let-fly: “Virginians have sent a clear message in overwhelming numbers that they are united behind the values and principles of the Republican Party.”

Really?

Here’s one for you, Kate. Which Republican Party would that be? The Flat Earthers? The tax-and-spenders? The borrow-and-spenders?

Or, here’s a good one for you: how about the ‘Cold-Fusionists?’ You know this crowd, the say-it-long-enough-say-it-loud-enough folks among you who themselves believe in something for nothing -- like highways that don’t cost money.

And which ‘values and principles’ do you reference here? Go over that one for me again, the ‘values and principles’ one.

And while you’re mulling that one over, how about giving a little thought to this one: When is the Republican Party of Virginia going to give any indication that the message was received? When is the Republican Party of Virginia going to give some indication that any message was received? Give us a sign. A signal. Anything.

Here’s the thing, Kate -- here’s the message your Virginia Republicans -- both parties of them -- did not get: you won. You can stop fighting. You won, for crying out loud.

And, no, I don’t bring this to your attention out of some sense of chivalry. I don’t mind that you all continue to skin each other up way after the election is over -- not a bit. It’s just that … well …

Santa Claus is watching.