This weekend’s happenings have been pretty well covered (especially by Lynn here at BD), but the notable absence of some really stood out at this year’s Advance.
1) Ken Cuccinelli – This has been covered all over the place, but for a guy that wasn’t there he certainly was the elephant in the room (well, THE ELEPHANT in a room full of other elephants…). While he was absent his supporters were not, and sure the crowd was definitely more Bolling than Cuccinelli, but private conversations showed a lot of folks just being polite. Even within “The Establishment” who typically attends the Advance there is a split that will show itself more as time goes on.
2) Jamie Radtke – While Cuccinelli’s absence was somewhat excused (some folks thought he was being polite, other’s just figured it was the Presidential debate in New York), Radtke’s absence was noted and very telling. Yes, she sent off an email apologizing for being unable to make it and then listing a bunch of endorsements. And, yes, she had an engagement down at at Tea Party forum at Natural Bridge. But EW Jackson also went to Natural Bridge. And was STILL a presence at the Advance Friday and Saturday night. More so than Tim Donner and David McCormick, who both also were there to greet the party faithful. This was a golden opportunity for Radtke to get face time with the very people she has got to gain traction with to not only win the primary but, should she do that, work with in the general. Choosing not to go says a lot about her campaign, its organization, its finances, and how it possibly views itself within the Republican Party. If Natural Bridge was about trying to find a single person for everyone to get behind in challenging George Allen for the nomination, that single person will have to show some traction with the Republican Party “establishment”. You don’t get that by blowing them off.
3) The Media – No one was there. No one. Well, OK, David Sherfinski from the Washington Times made it out. But that’s it. So no two. Republicans take control of the State Senate, build a super majority in the House of Delegates, have a (last minute for the Advance) Governor’s race on their hands, a Senate primary coming up, and so much more, and the media figured it wasn’t worth showing up. Ah well.
