GOP convention contentious in Va.

RICHMOND - The GOP’s fabled “big tent” could end up a bit threadbare here at the Virginia Republican Convention, which began yesterday at the Greater Richmond Convention Center.

The two key races to be decided today have become increasingly hard fought. Conservative Delegate Robert G. Marshall of Prince William County claims he has gained on former Gov. James S. Gilmore III in recent days in the primary contest for U.S. Senate. Either would face a battle this fall against the Democratic nominee, popular former Gov. Mark R. Warner, as the state’s traditionally conservative electorate trends more toward the center.

The race for state party chairman is also unusually contentious.

Vice President Dick Cheney, speaking at an evening fundraiser, didn’t allude to the bitter contests but highlighted the need to support the nominees who are chosen today.

“President Bush and I look forward to helping our candidates up and down the ticket throughout this very important election, and the stakes are high,” Mr. Cheney told the fundraisers. “Whether the issue is the economy, or energy, or the federal courts or national security, the right answers are coming not from the Democrats, but from the Republicans.”

In remarks on national issues, Mr. Cheney urged his Virginia audience to remind voters hit by skyrocketing fuel prices of the Democrats’ continued opposition to oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and elsewhere.

“We have to produce more oil and gas inside the United States,” Mr. Cheney said. But “a lot of our Democratic friends, year after year, have tried to stand in the way of increased energy production.”

Mr. Cheney also urged the crowd of about 500 to resist Democratic calls to pull out of Iraq, noting that “the surge of operations that began a year ago is succeeding. The only way to lose this fight is to quit.”

Action in the second ring under the big top could be even more harrowing as moderates and conservatives again square off. Republicans must choose a state party chairman who can patch up the differences and help maintain the state’s streak of voting for a Republican president in every election since 1968.

“Regardless of who wins, it is critical to the future of our party that we … do anything in our power to make sure this red state stays red and this country stays on the right track,” Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling said during the opening session. Mr. Bolling was chosen to preside over the two-day convention over some protests.

Mr. Gilmore, once expected to easily win the Senate nomination - spent yesterday greeting delegates around the convention center. He said he is “not taking anyone for granted.”

Mr. Gilmore has previously called Mr. Warner his opponent for the Senate seat, seemingly looking past this weekend’s contest with Mr. Marshall.

A narrow victory over Mr. Marshall could dim Mr. Gilmore’s prospects against Mr. Warner - a multimillionaire former governor and formidable politician - in the general election to replace retiring Republican Sen. John W. Warner, who is no relation to Mark Warner.

But Mr. Gilmore downplayed such concerns.

“I don’t know what my [victory] margin will be here but it’s really irrelevant to a general election campaign,” he said. “What I do want to do is try to unify the party this weekend.”

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