TheNextRight blogger Soren Dayton was at the Republican Party of Virginia Convention yesterday. His observations:

“I have written a bunch about the role of Ron Paul supporters in the party and the impact that John McCain’s military supporters may have. Yesterday, I went to the convention of the Republican Party of Virginia. The only seriously contested race was for the nomination for Attorney General.”

“State Senator Ken Cuccinnelli, the candidate of grassroots conservatives, was the most likely winner, given who normally attends a state party convention. And indeed he won.”

“However, many people were shocked that he won on the first ballot over John Brownlee, former U.S. Attorney, and Dave Foster, a Republican who sits on the Arlington County School Board. When I drove down to Richmond for the convention, I certainly did not expect that result either.”

“But when I got to the convention floor on Saturday, it was clear what was going on. The Virginia chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus had endorsed Cuccinelli. They were out in force. From eyeballing, people identified with either the Republican Liberty Caucus or the Campaign for Liberty seemed to be about 10-15% of the convention. They pushed Cuccinelli over the top. I think that this marks a pattern for the future of the GOP in smaller caucuses and conventions.”

“State Senator Ken Cuccinnelli, the candidate of grassroots conservatives, was the most likely winner, given who normally attends a state party convention. And indeed he won.”

“However, many people were shocked that he won on the first ballot over John Brownlee, former U.S. Attorney, and Dave Foster, a Republican who sits on the Arlington County School Board. When I drove down to Richmond for the convention, I certainly did not expect that result either.”

“But when I got to the convention floor on Saturday, it was clear what was going on. The Virginia chapter of the Republican Liberty Caucus had endorsed Cuccinelli. They were out in force. From eyeballing, people identified with either the Republican Liberty Caucus or the Campaign for Liberty seemed to be about 10-15% of the convention. They pushed Cuccinelli over the top. I think that this marks a pattern for the future of the GOP in smaller caucuses and conventions.”

Why did the RLC endorse Senator Cuccinelli?

To begin, Senator Cuccinelli was the only candidate who had previously addressed our group — in 2007:

See part II and part III and part IV of Ken’s speech, too.

At his website, Ken Cuccinelli discussed the importance of property rights, open/accountable government, and fighting taxes.  Perhaps most important of all is that Cuccinelli truly understands the disconnect between Republican Party leaders and the grassroots. He knows why Republicans have been losing in Virginia and nationwide. And he is a longtime former activist for limited government.

Now he will be the next Attorney General.

And, according to Mr. Dayton (who was not supporting Ken for the nomination), our members put him over the top.  Says Mr. Dayton: “RLC/CfL/Ron Paul supporters are likely to continue to hold an important swing role in party contests like this.”

RLC member photos from the Convention are available here and here. A report on our success at the Convention is available here.