When a loss signifies victory

OUR OPINION
Published: June 4, 2008

An upset almost occurred last weekend. And even though Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, did not secure the Republican nomination for the seat of retiring Republican Sen. John Warner, he showed that he has the future potential.

Marshall, a conservative Republican in the strongest sense of the words, is the strictest opponent of abortion and gay marriage in the Virginia General Assembly.

He brought his conservative credentials up against former Gov. Jim Gilmore in Virginia’s Republican Convention last weekend and lost by only 65 votes. Gilmore won with only 50.3 percent of the votes.

A stiff breeze could have blown Marshall across the finish line and made him the Republican nominee for Senate.

And Marshall only spent $78,000 on his campaign, while Gilmore spent almost $1 million.

For some people, Marshall wasn’t considered a serious contender for the Republican nomination.

But the convention on Saturday proved that, in fact, he was, and perhaps still is. Marshall’s strong showing certainly should give him encouragement for any future campaigns he might consider.

Further, Gilmore’s narrow victory indicates that perhaps more Republicans are identifying with Marshall’s strident stance on social issues.

If Marshall were elected to the Senate he would do all he could to eradicate abortion and gay marriage, and he would certainly have more power to do so than he has in the Virginia House of Delegates.

Regardless, Gilmore will go on to face Democrat Mark Warner in the fall election.

But, we don’t expect this to be the last we hear from Marshall’s ambition. It seems that Marshall may soon move his radical views to the national stage.

We don’t necessarily agree with Marshall’s views, yet we find ourselves in the odd position of saying, “congratulations on a narrow defeat.” Here’s to many more.