So What Happened with Yesterday's Rumored Party Switch in Virginia?

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Jeff Frederick, head of the Republican Party in Virginia and a member of the House of Delegates, writes in to object to yesterday's post: "You really should do a better job of getting the facts before you make false reports. I'd expect better out of NR. See email below from House Majority Leader Griffith."

The e-mail:

Representatives from the Senate Republican Caucus informed several members of our House Caucus today about what they characterized as an imminent power-sharing agreement. In addition, it was indicated to members of our Caucus, myself included, that this information was already known and was public.

I suggested to Chairman Frederick that he get the word out, minus the details. Jeff did not post anything other than an unnamed D was looking at leaving their caucus and power sharing negotiations were underway.

There is no reason to believe that Delegate Frederick's posting on Twitter, which happened several hours into the day's activities in the Senate, affected the outcome. Perhaps, it was the visit by the wavering democrat with the Governor of the Democratic National Committee.* Regardless it is clear that the partisan makeup of the Virginia Senate is tenuous.

*[I presume he means Tim Kaine, governor and chair of the DNC.]

Despite what Delegate Frederick claims, there were Virginia Republicans who were hearing from "multiple high-placed sources" yesterday that word leaking via Twitter is what "scuttled the deal."

02/11 09:58 AM Share