SIP#65 - Virginia was abandoned - What we will do next

In this episode of "A Sip of Tea" #65, hosts Buddy Bishop, VATP 1st Vice Chair, and Nelson Velez, VATP Chairman, delve into a post-mortem analysis of Virginia's recent elections, expressing frustration over the unexpected Democratic victories despite what they view as strong Republican records.

They critique the Democratic candidates as unqualified or extreme—one described as an obscure congresswoman amid Democratic damage, another as a "Muslim communist" kept hidden from public view, and a third as a "homicidal maniac" with violent rhetoric against opponents, children, and law enforcement. In contrast, they praise the Youngkin administration for its scandal-free tenure, economic growth, protection of rights, and parental involvement in education. The hosts lament the landslide Democratic wins, including 11 out of 13 delegate races, attributing them to voter disconnection, Trump Derangement Syndrome, and a failure to engage on policy substance, with campaigns operating on parallel tracks—one focused on anti-Trump sentiment and the other on common-sense governance.

The discussion highlights key factors contributing to the Republican losses, such as low voter turnout among potential supporters, insufficient funding (with Republicans raising only a third of Democratic war chests), and a lack of national endorsements, including from Trump. They note specific demographics like college-educated women voting overwhelmingly Democratic to "send a message" on issues like abortion, while right-leaning independents stayed home. The hosts criticize internal Republican missteps, including late starts, infighting, and calls for leadership changes like Scott Pio's demand for Mark Peek's resignation in Loudoun County. They also touch on a unique virtual debate using AI voice cloning and PowerPoint for a absent candidate, which generated buzz but failed to sway voters, underscoring a broader disconnect where logic seemed absent from voting decisions.
Shifting to upcoming threats, Bishop and Velez warn of Democratic plans to push constitutional amendments that could reshape Virginia, including a "fourth amendment" on redistricting similar to California's, same-day birth abortion rights, immediate voting rights restoration for felons upon release, and repeal of the Gay Marriage Act. They express concern over these changes eroding conservative values, potentially creating a "liberal hellhole," and urge coalitions to fight back. The hosts emphasize the need for reform within the Republican Party, viewing the losses as an opportunity to address long-standing issues, while stressing that the Tea Party remains nonpartisan but uses the GOP as a vehicle for conservative goals.

Finally, the episode promotes the "Virginia Rising - Building Coalitions FORWARD" Winter Summit on November 22, 2025, as a timely event for rebuilding alliances amid electoral setbacks. Featuring speakers like Turning Point USA's Emily DeYoung, Tea Party Patriots co-founder Jenny Beth Martin, investigative journalist Christine Dolan (with ties to Robert Kennedy Jr. and experience as CNN's political director), VPAP's David Poole on campaign financing, and Commander John Hooper on Chinese economic and security threats, the summit aims to inform, inspire, and foster practical strategies. The hosts encourage ticket purchases via their website, highlighting lunch, networking, and a focus on youth engagement, past freedoms movements, and exposing hidden influences, positioning it as a rallying point for conservatives to strengthen rather than despair.

https://vatp.org/event/winter-summit-2025/