Gilmore confident of GOP nod

Richmond Times Dispatch
Published: May 25, 2008

Jim Gilmore appears to be ahead in the Republican nominating contest for the U.S. Senate, but the winner will depend on who shows up at next weekend’s convention in Richmond, several GOP officials said.

“I think we are going to win the nomination,“ a confident-sounding Gilmore said.

But the former governor acknowledged that he needs to get his supporters to the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

“It’s very close,“ said Del. Robert G. Marshall of Prince William County, who is vying with Gilmore for the nomination. “I am making sure that everybody understands my positions.“

Those positions are strongly conservative: anti-abortion, anti-tax and anti-illegal immigration.

Both campaigns are phoning prospective delegates and sending them mail and e-mail solicitations to remind them of the importance of showing up at the convention center Saturday for the vote.

In Lexington, Robert B. James, chairman of the Lexington/Rockbridge/Buena Vista Republican Committee, said he received a phone call at lunch one day last week from the Marshall campaign, then a phone call that evening from Marshall himself.

James, who is undecided, said, “We’re pretty evenly split. The delegates’ knowledge of Gilmore has helped. A lot of people don’t know Marshall.“

The winner of the nomination will run against Democrat Mark R. Warner, another former governor, in the fall. They are seeking the seat held by Sen. John W. Warner, R-Va., who is retiring after 30 years.

Gilmore is acting as though he has the nomination won and, in fact, claimed he had a majority of the delegate votes a month ago. Since then, he has spent most of his time attacking Mark Warner and ignoring Marshall.

Gilmore also pointedly distanced himself from President Bush in an editorial board meeting Monday with The Washington Times. The paper reported that Gilmore, who is urging increased domestic oil production, criticized Bush for asking Saudi Arabia to boost its oil output during his recent Middle East trip.

As for the nomination battle, Marshall aides point out that the delegates, elected at mass meetings in April and May, are not formally committed.

“His support is soft,“ said Steve Waters, Marshall’s campaign manager.

Backers of Gilmore say his greater name identification and record as governor from 1998 to 2002 have given him the edge.

“He eliminated most of the car tax; people in Southwest Virginia really like that,“ said Jerry Lester, the Buchanan County Republican chairman.

As governor, Gilmore promised to repeal the local personal property car tax on most cars and light trucks. The General Assembly balked at the price tag and limited the repeal to about 70 percent of the value of vehicles, about $970 million.

Gilmore’s campaign promises also appealed to Angela Kelly-Wiecik, chairwoman of the Hanover County Republican Committee. She said Republicans in Hanover are responding to Gilmore because “you know what you get, and he keeps his promises.“

Jim Kaplan, chairman of the Fairfax City Republican Committee, said Gilmore appears to have the upper hand in his area because he is better known. He said Gilmore also has been sounding national themes, while Marshall has run a campaign based more on state and local issues.

“Bob Marshall has friends, but he still has a challenge,“ Kaplan said.

But Bryce Reeves, the Spotsylvania County chairman, said, “This is a very close race. I wouldn’t write Bob Marshall off.“

Reeves said Marshall has been helped by the Virginia Supreme Court decision that overturned the regional transportation taxing authorities in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads. Marshall brought the suit against the authorities, arguing that unelected bodies cannot levy taxes.

Tom Foley of Saluda, the lst Congressional District chairman, cautioned that anything could happen at a convention.

“A number of folks do not make up their minds until after the speeches, and a smaller group will change their minds after hearing the speeches, regardless of what they said to a pollster,“ Foley said.

Republican Party officials said they expect about 5,000 people to attend the convention, which will get under way Friday afternoon. Former Gov. and Sen. George Allen will deliver a keynote address Saturday morning.

Under party rules, many of the delegates will have more than one vote. A candidate needs 5,260 votes to win the nomination.