Senate Republicans oust StoschConventional wisdom amongst the talking heads here in the commonwealth had it that Republicans, after losing several seats in the recent election, needed to ... well, be more like Democrats. Better informed heads have instead prevailed.
In leadership shuffle, Norment is new head of chamber's caucus
By Tyler Whitley, Richmond times-Dispatch Staff Writer
In what appeared to be a peaceful coup, Republican senators shoved aside their leader, Sen. Walter A. Stosch of Henrico County, yesterday and elected two conservative senators to new leadership positions.
Stosch was made Republican leader emeritus, a new position. Sen. Thomas K. Norment Jr. of James City County, who had been floor leader, will now be the leader.
Conservative Republican senators had been pushing for a leadership change after the loss of the party's majority in the state Senate in the Nov. 6 election.
Sen. Stephen D. Newman of Lynchburg, who had been a leader of conservatives seeking a change, was elected caucus chairman, a position previously held by Sen. Martin E. Williams of Newport News. Williams was defeated for re-election in a primary.
Another conservative, Sen. Mark D. Obenshain of Harrisonburg, was made a whip along with Sen. Frank W. Wagner of Virginia Beach. Sen. Kenneth W. Stolle of Virginia Beach will be Republican leader pro tempore, a new post. (link)
Liberal Republicans in the Senate (see list above) prevented much of the GOP's agenda from going to the governor's desk in the last session. That coupled with their siding with the most fanatical tax-and-spend Democrats in Virginia, who pushed for a massive tax increase to pay for transportation fixes they claim were desperately needed, had independent voters around the state wondering why they should consider supporting Republicans when their opponents offered the same solutions to our many problems (taxes, taxes, taxes ...).
This - a two-party system! - is a welcome change. You go, guys.
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