More Losers Than Winners at the 10th Mass Meeting.

What A Three Ring Circus! At Least 2 Parts To Cover All The Ups And Downs And Intrigue. OPINION

Friday night's Mass Meeting was the District 10 entertainment extravaganza of the year. Republicans turned out in large numbers to support their candidate. The Goochland venue was decent but needed more parking. The Credentials line moved well, and those still in line were accommodated until 7 p.m.

The speechifyin' began with Rich Anderson getting some polite applause and introducing people, including Rick Buchanan, apostle of the Good gang and Grand Inquisitor of the Buckingham Republican Committee, followed by Bob Good. I'll not quote much from the speeches, as they were all the usual talking points we hear at these events. You can listen to them on X: @5AndDimeVA . I will finish uploading this week. I'll give a general impression below.

The big story is newcomer Luther Cifers' upset over Duane Adams, Amanda Chase, and Jean Gannon. You have read the general rundown in Cardinal News or other media. Since my phone has been buzzing with readers regarding this blog's insights, I'll offer my perception and opinion of how it turned out and leave the obvious to the media.

Leading up to the Meeting, I wrote about team Duane's CONsultants Bonnie and Clyde Strategies, LLC, working for the advantage of time, venue, and date. They are famous for rustling and rigging conventions. As many of us see, their manipulation strategy has become popular among other CONsultants, and many of the usual suspects were at the Mass Meeting for Team Duane. All with seeming visions of sugar plums and likely cash if Duane won. I saw Bradshaw, Chris Shores, Diana Shores, and Wavery Woods, and someone said, Anita Hile.

All these people were there to support Duane because Bob Good supported Duane, and most of those named above worked for or helped Good's failed campaign fiasco to retain his Congressional Seat. There was some speculation Good might run for the 10th Senate Seat should he lose, but there is no need to take a step down if Duane can secure half of the 5th.

This night was to be Bob's consolation prize, an 'everyone's a winner trophy' and a sure way to remain relevant for 2 years while they all work on a shot at getting his Congressional Seat back. No doubt Adams and Good’s CONsultants, the Shores, would work for Good to divide the 10th from the 5th to weaken McGuire's reelection in 2 years.

The speech breakdown:

Adam's was booming and he hit all the conservative cliches. It was better than his 2023 speech for this seat in projection. I’d guess he bought a voice coach, as did Jack Dyer of Hanover. The problem with voice coaches is that you may correct many deficits in voice and presentation, but you'll sound like every other coached politician. It turned out the 10th wasn't looking for another cookie-cutter Pol.

Chase's speech was mostly 'I'm the insider/outsider!' The one with two terms of experience in the Senate but, you know, is an outsider! The people who voted Bob Good out are sensitive to the problem of pols making a circus of the job at the expense of bringing home the bread. She was out in round 2.

Gannon came off as the calm grandma. Many (including me) thought she would be the adult-in-the-room candidate, but she withdrew in the 2nd round as most thought she should be knitting some stockings.

Luther Cifers turned out to be the surprise candidate. His speech was far better than I and many others expected. He struck a chord with the grassroots that would lead him to victory.

Bryan Hamlet did well. He came off as earnest as did Cifers. A young man struggling with the economy and raising a family but engaged in politics to serve and improve his community for his family and his neighbors. His one political postcard came late- a standard 4 x 6 with a simple graphic that looks like either he or a friend worked up, and his slogan- "Taking Your Voice To Richmond." The message on the back is a simple paragraph written by his hand. This may be the most phenomenal political postcard I have ever received. All the others- all of them- come from online political printers; you add your name. This card came from the candidate! I think we will see more of Mr. Hamlet in the future.

Shayne Snavely's speech struck me as disjointed, weird, and frankly defeatist; it was. Gone in the first round!

Alex Cheatham struck me as a college guy his pals put up to run on a TikTok dare. Ok. You got your name in the papers. Thanks.

CONSULTANTS ARE LIKE USED CAR DEALERS- THEY PROMISE A SMOOTH RIDE, BUT THE WHEELS COME OFF IN SHORT ORDER. NO REFUNDS!

NEXT INSTALLMENT:

I’ll attempt to analyze all the usual shenanigans and the scope of the losers. It’s not just Mr. Adams and the other candidates. A post filled with all the stuff you love the 5 and Dime for! STAY TUNED!

Five & Dime VA/HCC is an opinion blog. I employ satire, commentary, and fact to entertain and convey my opinions on religious, cultural, and political issues.