GOP Chairman or Immature Child?

GOP Chairman or Immature Child?

Tom Kopko Chairman of the Prince William Republican Committee needs to take some lessons in etiquette and professionalism.

In published reports in the The Gainesville Times about the Prince William County debate between Andrew Hurst and Tom Davis for the VA-11 Congressional seat, Kopko is quoted as being extremely rude,

Kopko, who was sitting behind a table 15 feet or so away from the panel where the two candidates spoke, scorned comments by Hurst throughout the debate, though relatively quietly at first, saying "yeah, right" and sneering at the end of some of Hurst's comments.

After each candidate made their closing statements, their supporters cheered and applauded as loud as possible. However, when Hurst concluded his remarks and shook hands with Davis, Kopko yelled as the hall drew silent, "Go home, Andy!" The comment drew a chorus of boos from the standing room-only crowd that filled two rooms.

One man said, "That is so rude." A woman added, "That's unprofessional.

Mr. Kopko needs to apologize to Mr. Hurst for these rude statements.

Then again, I can’t really blame him: he was merely following the lead of the Tom Davis campaign which, in recent weeks has gone increasingly negative.

In the past few weeks Davis’s mailers have gone more and more negative, to the point that they are now personally attacking Hurst, alleging he is a “dangerous out-of-this-world liberal”. Claiming that Andrew Hurst wants amnesty for all illegal immigrants (not true) and attacking Andy for “defending criminals”. Well in our country everybody accused of a crime is not only allowed a defense lawyer, but is guaranteed one by our constitution. And the worst of it is, of the 9 cases that Davis cites, only 2 resulted in convictions meaning 7 of the 9 were declared innocent, might I ask what is wrong with defending the innocent?

Mr. Davis is running scared (having spent $2.6 Million as of 10/18) and Mr. Kopko is just plain rude and unprofessional. It is absolutely unacceptable for someone of Mr. Kopko’s stature to act in such a childish way, that behavior is not acceptable from a volunteer or supporter, and certainly not from a Republican Party Chairman.

If you want to get in touch with Tom Kopko and ask him to apologize, his e-mail is chairman@PWCGOP.org

Nate de la Piedra is the Online Outreach Coordinator for the Andrew Hurst for Congress 2006 Campaign. The ideas expressed herein belong to Nate de la Piedra and do not necessarily represent those of Andrew Hurst, his advisors, staff, or "The Campaign".