Pseudonymous blogger Righthanded over at the CRFV Blog asks the question:
The weekend, however, might have been misconstrued by an outsider as simply a Star Trek convention with an elephant logo. While the entire voting part of the convention occurred on Saturday, the majority of attendees came Friday afternoon in time for Friday’s festivities. Friday night various elected officials and party organizations hosted
“hospitality suites.” I use that term loosely since hospitality to them seems to mean copious amounts of free alcohol being given out regardless of legal age or condition of sobriety. While in these “hospitality suites,” people too pompous to be genuine, slapped each other’s backs, turned the knife into the other’s back and sometimes both simultaneously. Even the elected officials themselves took part. One in particular engaged in a chugging contest of bourbon and then had to be placed in a cab to ensure that he didn’t get into a fight in the hotel lobby.Instead of the event being treated for what it was supposed to be- a chance for people who supposedly care about the future of the party to make a positive difference- the event became about the party. One attendee likened the event to a “spring break.” But, these people are not reckless college kids. They are for the most part middle aged party members, not party goers during this convention.
The Jeffersoniad Suite (alcohol free) was in near proximity to the Gilmore hospitality suite, where cheers of “Four More Beers” could be heard in the later hours of the hospitality.
I can’t say I necessarily agree with everything written over at the CRFV blog. Newcomers might decry the “inside baseball” and loyalty-based politics that dominate our environment. Loyalty is the only currency most care to banter in, and it would be wise for any neophyte to learn this quickly.
All that having been said, could it be argued that a newcomer to Virginia Republicans would have gone to some of these suites, and instead of finding deep conversation would find instead a drinking society. Not exactly the best first impression one would want to give to a principled young conservative.