Virginia GOP Gets a Senate Candidate

At the Republican Party of Virginia's state convention on Saturday, delegates voted to nominate former Governor Jim Gilmore as the GOP's candidate for the U.S. Senate this year. Having defeated Bob Marshall for the nomination, Gilmore goes on to face the all-but-certain Democratic nominee, former Governor Mark Warner (whose nomination will be confirmed at a party convention on June 14), as well as Libertarian candidate William Redpath and, possibly, Independent Green candidate Gail "For Rail" Parker.

In this series of videos, you will see Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, who chaired the convention, announce the results of the vote for the nomination, followed -- with an amusing delay -- by Bob Marshall's tepid concession speech (with no sign of support or endorsement of Gilmore), and then a video biography of the Senate candidate. Everything is wrapped up with a victory speech by Jim Gilmore himself.

First, Marshall concedes:

(Note how Marshall [at time marker 3:29 on the video] brazenly states he believes in "respect for the rights of all persons, old and young." Given his prominent sponsorship of the Marshall-Newman Amendment and his proud claim of being Virginia's "chief homophobe," we know he does not really believe in the rights of "all persons.")

Second, the Gilmore family takes the stage, the video plays, and the speech begins:

Third, Gilmore continues his remarks:

And fourth, Gilmore concludes his victory speech: