Republican Party of Virginia Press Release
Ed Matricardi, Executive Director
August 14, 2000


Virginia GOP Wishes Democrats A Nice Vacation
But Sooner or Later, VA Dems Have to Come Home

Richmond -- The Virginia GOP wishes the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention a nice vacation in Los Angeles this week.

Unlike the recent Republican National Convention in Philadelphia, the Virginia delegation to the Democratic National Convention will not be the center of attention. Virginia Democrats will be housed at a hotel next to the airport (which is forty minutes from the Staples Center). Further, Virginia Democrats are seated in the upper deck of the arena (almost behind the podium).

“We hope the Virginia Democrats enjoy their vacation in L.A.,” said Ed Matricardi, Executive Director of the Republican Party of Virginia. “At least they have better seats than Democrats Abroad,” he added.

In an article on the convention in this morning’s Roanoke Times, Craig Fifer, a 22-year old delegate from Roanoke high-lighted how out of touch the Democrats are with Virginia: “The convention is about as far away from Virginia as you can get…I am thankful for that because that is the reason I am going,” stated Fifer.

Matricardi, responding to Fifer’s quote said, “With Virginia Democrat’s dismal electoral record in recent campaigns, I can understand why Virginia Democrats want to get as far away from Virginia as possible. Unfortunately for them, they will have to return home from the left coast to the reality that Virginia will vote for Gov. George W. Bush and Gov. George Allen this fall.”

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• It's certainly true that Virginia was not the most politicaly valuable delegation at the convention, and we didn't get the best hotels and seats. But the Virginia hotel was less than 17 miles from the Staples Center, and with restricted lanes and a police escort, it didn't take 40 minutes to get to the convention. Virginia's seats, as clearly shown in this photo, were not by any stretch behind the podium.
• The Roanoke Times wrote this article to clarify my comments.
• In 2003, Mr. Matricardi pleaded guilty to, and was convicted of, felony wiretapping for eavesdropping on a conference call of Democratic officials. He received a $10,000 fine and three years of probation, and his license to practice law was suspended for two years. Coincidence, or karma? You be the judge. :)