Apologia Pro Steven Chapman
Enough.
Just about everyone in the Virgnia blogosphere has blindly jumped onto the bandwagon, merrily bashing Steve Chapman along the way without giving it a second thought.
People hate success, especially when it comes at a young age.
Before folks start looking for things to pick on, I'd like to explain why I believe Steve Chapman to be an excellent candidate for public office. I have no knowledge of any of his opponents in the primary, and they could all be outstanding citizens in their own right.
There is one immediate question I have though: why would candidates of character (or their supporters) go out of their way to attack a 29-year old young man? A neighbor and proven conservative? A successful businessman, trusted to do business on arguably the most sacred of American icons -- Arlington National Cemetary?
I have no question as to Steve Chapman's character or his commitment to the conservative cause.
And I have no question as to his capacity to represent the 50th District. In fact, that's the one item folks should have the least cause to question.
So why do people hate Steve Chapman? It's because he's a young, successful businessman who doesn't blink when it comes to defending conservative values.
Boil it all down, and that's the real reason. Read through all of the rhetoric and you'll see the same theme: Steve is an outsider, Steve is a conservative, Steve is too pro-life, Steve is too concerned about taxpayers and not concerned enough about fat bureaucrats, Steve doesn't squelch on the issues.
All criticism of Steve Chapman are variations on a theme; he's a conservative who won't back down.
Let's be brutally honest for a moment. I'm sick and tired of politicians who run as conservatives and vote as liberals. I'm exhausted after supporting candidates who don't govern as they ran. And frankly, I'm tired of half-truths and weak-kneed Republicans at the state and national level.
Steve Chapman is a known quantity, a proven conservative. That Steve Chapman is a proven conservative scares people, because they know he won't bend, won't cave in under pressure, and always do the thoughtful and right thing.
If you want that type of candidate, that type of representation in the 50th District, vote for Steve Chapman. If you're content with the status quo, then vote for the status quo. I'm sure Chapman will continue to fight the good fight, as he's always done.
But a vote for Steve Chapman will be a vote of character. Delegate Steve Chapman will fight for conservatives in Richmond. This I know.
Steve is a good man being pilloried and attacked either by those who don't know him or those who just don't give a damn, because power is at stake. Again, I know little of the character or mettle of his opponents, and they may all be fine individuals. But I know Steve, and he'll do what's right by conservatives in Richmond.
For that and all his accomplishments on behalf of conservatives in Northern Virginia, I heartily endorse Steve Chapman for his candidacy in the 50th District. Steve Chapman is a known quantity, a proven conservative of character who will get the job done and do what is right for Virginia.
...and cut it out with attacking Steve. It makes his opposition look childish to say the least.
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Scott 
6 Comments:
Let's not become this, shall we?
To this point, Churchill's maxim, "I have always felt that a politician is to be judged by the animosities he excites among his opponents" is ringing true.
Commonsense conservatives should take note.
Among the "A-types", it is considered good sport to look for ever-more sensational attacks to make on Steve. I don't even credit those people with having a human frailty like jealousy -- they're just looking for some cheap thrills, with no thought of the real people they are tearing down.
You have to remember, the "A-types" are very self-assured in their superiority, and take even statements of fact as a "hate crime" if those facts don't bode well for their favored candidates and fellow a-types.
And those of you who don't know what an "a-type" is, apparently they are the "good guys" of the republican party who seek only to purge the party of the intolerant b-types who can't be tolerated.
I respect your opinion, so let me run through the list of why I, at least, don't think these concerns really hold sway (or wander into what might be considered personal rather than political concerns).
Again, I have no idea who the other candidates running in the race are. They could all be fine conservatives in their own right, so I have no intentions of blasting them. But I do want to make it clear that Steve Chapman is a good man who deserves even consideration and less slander from both supposed friends and known enemies:
Concerns that he is not obviously a person with the skill set or temperament to hold a position of public trust,
Without that being qualified, it just looks like slander, yes? In the past 18 months that I have known Steve, not once have I questioned his skill set or demeanor -- in fact, he's very much reserved, and that's a plus as a Delegate.
(T)hat there's nothing obvious in his educational, military or business record to suggest that he's an estimable person,
That's where I strongly disagree. I could be very much mistaken, but I understand that his business assets at last check were somewhere either close to or beyond $1 million.
You don't get that kind of success by being (a) sloppy, (b) unprofessional, (c) discourteous, or (d) inestimable.
(T)hat the pool of potential GOP candidates is sufficiently large and diverse that we should not have to settle for candidates
That right there seems to be the gripe of many. Chapman is somehow "settling" for a 29-year old businessman rather than a 49-year old statesman.
I firmly disagree. Perhaps it's my Jeffersonian nature, but I'm almost certain that this isn't the egalitarian nature of Virginia politics.
I can think of a number of young candidates for public office who all face this same criticism. People hate success, and even more so when it comes to the young. Call it jealousy if you'd like, but I view this charge to be more of a slander (not intentional on your or anyone's part, believe me that's not what I'm intending to say) than anything else.
(W)ho do not have some obvious claim to support not just from the GOP faithful, but also from the electorate as a whole.
The man did run as the conservative standard bearer in the 50th when no one else would (i.e. when it wouldn't be easy to do so). That tells me plenty about his character and his beliefs.
As for "GOP faithful vs. the electorate as a whole", I have a different vision on this. Elected officials have a duty to represent the electorate that elected them to public office.
In that regard, as Steve Chapman has most certainly earned his street cred amongst conservatives last year and beyond, I think his constituency is well represented by a good man.
Great post, Shaun. Were I voting in the District, I would probably vote for Jackson Miller. But it's not a coincidence that the owner of the BVBL site maintains his anonymity (Greg doesn't, but I continue to be surprised by his continuing association with BVBL on that basis), and that Jackson Miller cancelled a scheduled blogchat on that site. Chapman's attackers are despicable and, in the main, cowards.
And I am sooooo impressed by NoVA Scout's comments, challenging Chapman's social skills, his character, and his accomplishments (some of which may, indeed, be valid criticisms) while safely hiding in anonymity so that we can't, say, evaluate his in comparison. His opinion on those issues is due NO respect or regard until he stops cowering behind a pseudonym.
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