Local GOP needs focus

The News Virginian / News Virginian
Published: March 25, 2008

Unrest continues to swirl in the Augusta County Republican Party after being stirred last year by Scott Sayre's failed primary attempt to unseat state Sen. Emmett Hanger, R-Mount Solon. Five opponents, including Hanger's wife, Sharon, have lined up to oppose county party committee Chairman Kurt Michael in the party's April 10 mass meeting.

Hanger says the local party needs rebuilding, a sentiment naturally fueled by Michael's support of the ultraconservative Sayre in last year's GOP primary. Hanger has made no secret of his frustration over the insurrection led by Sayre, Michael and others after 12 mostly productive years as the 24th District's representative in the state Senate.

Both sides are lobbing accusations and attacks on one another in the lively local conservative blogosphere. Much of the enduring rancor can be attributed to simple politics. But some of it demonstrates the struggle a once-strong local Republican Party faces in regaining its footing after years of quiet dominance in the Shenandoah Valley. It's one mirrored by national conservatives still uncomfortable with the idea of Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., as the GOP's leading man in November.

Spirited debate over ideas is healthier than some people recognize and unity only for unity's sake is vastly overrated. But real danger lurks when ideals are subsumed by bitterness and principled discord devolves into personal acrimony. That appears to be the case with the local GOP. In such an event, there are bound to be more losers than winners, not the least among them the constituents. Reaffixing the party's focus on ideals should be considered the top task of the county GOP's next leader.