Conservative leaders are rallying to Hager. In fact, I just received this last-minute email from the Hager forces:
"Conservative icon Ollie North has joined the Hager team sending an important letter endorsing John Hager. Conservatives in Virginia know that Ollie North stands firm on his principles and won't allow his friends to be attacked and maligned without standing to defend them.
Ollie North joins a long and growing list of movement conservatives, such as Morton Blackwell, Paul Weyrich and David Keene, who are all supporting John Hager for Chairman."
... Of course, a Hager defeat will be portrayed by liberals as further proof that George W. Bush has lost is clout -- even among Republicans -- even in Virginia.
Frederick has a real shot at ousting Hager -- but it has nothing to do with Bush's popularity (or lack thereof). If Frederick wins, it will be because he has out-performed Hager. Because it is a convention, Frederick will need to "turn-out" folks who don't normally attend such events. An energetic campaigner, Frederick just might have the juice to pull it off.
Rest assured, if Jenna Bush's father-in-law is ousted, it will be an embarrasment that makes the national news. Stay tuned ...