Will House GOP right the ship?

On Nov. 13, what remains of the House of Delegates Republican majority met -- safe from the prying eyes of the press and always-open pocketbooks of lobbyists -- at the Cultural Arts Center at Glen Allen for a post-election, pre-General Assembly skull session.

The caucus' pollster, Jim McLaughlin, warned that his numbers, and those amassed here on Election Day by Democrats for president and Congress, don't lie: Voters' decisions are being driven by the economy and jobs -- and this could apply to the 2009 contests to decide continued GOP control of the House.

Five days later in Roanoke, McLaughlin's admonition notwithstanding, Republicans seized the opportunity to play to Virginians' insecurity about the future. At a meeting of the House Appropriations Committee, they suggested balancing the out-of-whack state budget with cuts in education and health care.

As Mark Trail, the comic-strip outdoorsman, might exclaim when pounced upon by a monster bear, scurrilous polluters or his amorous squeeze, Cherry: "What Th'!"

It's not easy being a Virginia Republican, even with ascendant Democrats brawling over their gubernatorial nomination and -- call it GOP-lite -- hinting that the sacred cow of public schools may have to sacrifice millions of dollars in the name of fiscal discipline.

Republicans know well the way out of the wilderness: ideas, realistic and practical, that are recognized as such by a broad swatch of the electorate; that don't seem a sop to rigid purists whose standards for nomination weaken candidates for the general election.

But first, Republicans have to fight about this, offer a sacrifice to sate the bloodlust that builds with each embarrassing loss.

Thus, the long knives are out for the short-time state GOP chairman, Del. Jeff Frederick of Prince William. Shaming him into resigning six months after defeating incumbent and Bush-in-law John Hager will be hard; removing Frederick, harder.

Kenny Klinge, a veteran operative and lobbyist from Alexandria, is attempting the former. In a letter this past week to activists, he blasted Frederick for failing to live up to his own words: "In the end, effort is commendable, but the results are all that count."

All that stands between Republicans and a return to the minority are six seats in the House of Delegates. Klinge argues that if Frederick failed to stanch historic losses this year, how can he be expected to prevent more in'09.

Even Frederick's soul mates -- most, like him, are younger, restless, angry over the perceived high-handedness of Klinge's generation -- concede that Klinge's message is right. He's the wrong messenger, they say.

Had this screed come from someone linked to movement conservatives who dominate the GOP -- say, home-schooling advocate Mike Farris -- not only would the grass-roots take notice; so, too, would elective Republicans who depend on their kindness.

Perhaps Frederick emerges from the party conference at The Homestead next month with no more than his hair mussed. A no-confidence vote might force his exit -- stage right, of course.

GOP rules make it difficult, if not impossible, to dump a chairman without a month's notice and a three-quarters vote of the party's governing body.

All the more reason to rumble over what's really got Republicans steamed: a shortage of hotel rooms.
Contact Jeff E. Schapiro at (804) 6496814 or . Watch his video column Thursdays on inRich.com. Listen to his analysis Fridays at 8:33 a.m. on WCVE radio (88.9 FM).