I called Jim Crosby today to ask if I could have a copy of his speech. I was struck by his humility and willingness to serve. I was one of those who asked him to consider running for the position because of the difficulties we have experienced the past year in the SWAC area. I saw his dedication to the Party and his desire to help bring about resolutions to the conflict ... and a willingness to drive up and down I-81 at all hours of the day and night to help. He is truly a man of principle who has been a tremendous asset in his role as Vice Chairman of the 6th District.
Our thanks to Jim for offering a choice in the 6th District, and our thanks for his leadership. I am honored to call him a friend.
Below is Jim's candidate speech presented at the 6th District Convention on Saturday, May 3, 2008.
Good morning ladies and gentlemen, and fellow Republicans. My name is Jim Crosby and I am running for Chairman of this 6th Congressional District Committee of the Republican Party of this great Commonwealth of Virginia.
First of all, I would like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time, and spending the money for gas, to attend this Convention. I am certain that there are many other things that you could be doing today, and many of your families, neighbors and friends are doing just that.
YOU have chosen the better thing to do - You are participating in one of the greatest freedoms that we enjoy in this great country of ours. The freedom of Assembly to help determine the course of politics and our way of life, through the Republican Party, from here in Lexington, to Richmond and all the way to Washington, D.C.
We, as Conservative Republicans, have often been criticized for our backward look and reminiscing of the “good ole days.” We often long for those “good ole days” of Ronald Reagan and for a sentimental return to those days of confidence and momentum. We often ask ourselves, “Where is our modern day 'Great Communicator' ”?
Well, my fellow Republicans, those days WILL come again. But only if we look forward and not backward. Even this race is not about the past, the last 2 years, the last 4 years, or even the last 8 years. It is about the future -– our future, and our children and grandchildren’s future. Our vision -– our passion -– our energy -– and our shared focus for a better Virginia and a better America. As we were often told by President Reagan, “Our best days still lie ahead!”
We must seek out and nourish our strengths and our full potential. We have the power of freedom, the power of God blessing this great country and the power of each individual who is here today, to provide the source for that strength and potential. Fellow Republicans, when we do this, our government will follow our lead. This is the power and the strength of the grass roots.
I come before you with both humility and confidence.
My humility is for the respect and honor that you will place in me by choosing me to be the Chairman of this great Party. For us to freely associate and participate in the political process, where we can influence others with the simple power of our ideas and our vision for America. We may not always share the very same ideas, but we WILL learn to work successfully together to reach common goals as the Republican Party here in the 6th Congressional District.
My confidence emanates from my years of experience here in the Republican Party and my preparedness for this very moment! I am fully confident that I have the ability to lead this 6th District as your new Party Chairman.
Hopefully, you have received the handout, “Proven Conservative Leadership that Works!” This outlines my political experience, personal background and promises for the future.
This points out my many years of experience at many different levels of Republican Party activism. Years of work that provided RESULTS!
My personal background shows my understanding of the free-enterprise system, my dedication to family and country, and my willingness to serve for no profit or gain on my part.
All of this is important, but what is most important are my “Promises for the Future.”
First of all, I want to help rebuild our grassroots support throughout the 6th District, in order that we can work toward the re-election of Bob Goodlatte to the House of Representatives, this fall. This cannot be done by wishing or hoping, but only through experienced leadership that has run successful campaigns in the past. I ran one as recently as this last fall, when Billy Martin, past postmaster of Roanoke, was elected as the first Republican Supervisor from the Blue Ridge District in Botetourt County.
The next item on my agenda is a “6th District Leadership Advance.” This will be accomplished within the next 60 days. This has been met with enthusiastic support from many of your leaders here in this room. Many of our unit chairmen have difficulty in understanding and following Robert’s Rules of Order, properly handling a Committee Meeting, and running a successful Mass Meeting. This is very evident by the difficulties that we have had to deal with here today. This “Advance” will help to provide confidence for our Chairmen, and develop cooperation between our chairmen. Would you not agree that this is very important?
I am certain that you have heard the definition of insanity: “It is doing the very same thing, but expecting different results.”
We can no longer afford to continue to do the very same things that we have done in the past. We must challenge ourselves to develop new approaches that strengthen the Party and elect Republicans to majority status at every level of government. We must reach beyond our grasp until we again have victory in our hands.
I want to develop good communication skills with ALL of the District Chairmen, and by extension, to draw on the collective brain trust represented here within this room and in all of our committees. This Party must rebuild itself by listening to the ideas and concerns of its base, and to transmit those ideas and concerns up the line to our elected representatives. I want to help build a bottom up grassroots organization that is strong and vital, and determined to win no matter who the Democrat opponent is. This is a method for success and growth for our Republican Party.
I pledge to deal with any difficulties within the 6th District in a prompt, fair and efficient manner. I have even attempted to do this as the Vice-Chairman of this 6th District.
And finally, I desire to promote the Principles or Creed of the Virginia Republican Party. Please turn to page 9 in your Convention program. There you will see the current “Virginia Republican Creed.” A few months ago, the 6th District Committee unanimously proposed revisions to this Creed, to reflect the world in which we now live.
I will not take your time to read this revised Virginia Republican Creed, but I want you to take this home. Read it and see it his is not something that you too can support.
I hope, today, that you have sensed the passion that I have for SERVING as the Chairman of this 6th District, NOT for the position or title. That is not SERVICE!! I do not want to BE someone; I want to DO something!
I would be honored, today, if you would vote for Jim Crosby as Chairman of this 6th Congressional District Committee.
Thank you for your attendance, time and attention! And may God continue to richly Bless America!!
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