Because my campaign for RPV Chairman began less than a month before the State Convention, I haven’t had the opportunity to visit all the units I would have liked, to talk to grassroots Republicans face-to-face about my vision for our Party and our conservative movement.

To help address the shortcomings of an abbreviated campaign, I’ve distributed some videos of me addressing my fellow delegates directly, featuring some thoughts and specific plans that should help you understand just what kind of Chairman I will be.

In this latest installment, I address an issue I am being asked about again and again from activists. Namely, will I as Chairman shrink from articulating our conservative views and positions on issues that some in the media – and even some in our own party – consider “controversial”?

As you’ll see from the video, my answer is a resounding “No”. I will not shrink from defending our values, and I will not do so for several reasons.

First, I believe our principles are right, and we should never back away from defending our core beliefs. Now, I completely understand that not all Republicans agree on all issues, but if these topics are discussed in a positive and thoughtful manner, we can avoid divisiveness and also build our Party.

Secondly, I believe it is the liberals who are extreme, in their views on taxes, marriage, federalism, life, immigration, eroding our Constitution – the list goes on and on. I will never be defensive when speaking to a liberal, as they are the ones who have much to answer for.

Finally, if we retreat when attacked, then we tacitly acknowledge that our opponents have a moral advantage. If we cower in the face of their onslaught, we will have no one to blame but ourselves when we look around and see that the people are no longer with us.

Bear in mind, we have attempted to run campaigns in the past that remained silent on these key issues. And, we’ve lost nearly every time it has been tried. Sounding more like Democrats, or blurring the differences between the two parties, does not result in Republican victories.

My campaign them is “Your Party. Your Chairman.” That’s because as a grassroots activist and local chairman, I know we must return to our core issues, putting our party back in the hands of our volunteers and local members. We must demonstrate to voters we’re confident in our conservative principles, and take on the Democrats at every opportunity, because, frankly, they are the ones who hold controversial views, not us.

If you think it is time the Virginia Republican Party had leadership pledged to build our party from the grassroots up and not the top down, then I ask for your vote at this week’s Convention.