A number of bloggers have already weighed in with their impressions of last weekend's YRFV Convention in Richmond, and all have done so superbly. However, I had such a good time at the convention that I wanted to add my own thoughts and observations to the mix.

I highly recommend also checking out Virginia Virtucon, Crystal Clear Conservative and a quartet of Conservativa posts here, here, here and here, for additional coverage.

First, I have to note the hard work of YRFV Chair Lori-Ann Miller and Richmond Chapter Chair Cristen Vehorn whose efforts made this gathering such a success. There are exciting things going on at YRFV and Lori-Ann's energy is an irreplacable component of that progress. It was a great pleasure meeting so many enthusiastic young Republicans last weekend. Anyone who doubts the strength of our Party in years to come need only spend a few moments speaking with these individuals to be reassured.

As to the festivities, the convention featured a number of panels that were both informative and encouraging to those who may be worried about the direction of our Party. The welcome speech by AG Bob McDonnell proved that we will have a strong advocate for time-honored and tested conservative principles at the top of our ticket in 2009.

This was followed by a legislative panel featuring Delegates Chris Saxman, Ben Cline, Bill Janis and Senator Ryan McDougle. The most interesting part of this panel was hearing the different stories about how each of these guys got involved in politics. All four of these men are great young advocates for our pParty and our principles. Each of them would also make a geat statewide candidate someday. Certainly many have already discussed the statewide potential of Del. Saxman and he did not disappoint his fan club this weekend (myself included). The legislator and small businessman from Staunton was absolutely everywhere and gave an impassioned and memorable defense of Sen. John McCain at Saturday's lunch.

After the intial panel was a discussion of immigration policy by former Del. Jack Reed and Save the Old Dominion's Greg Letiecq. While it might have been interesting to have another panelist presenting a different perspective on this issue (especially a conservative Republican), the panel was nonetheless informative. I was particularly impressed with Mr. Letiecq, who I was hearing for the first time. With all that has been said about him, I half expected him to emerge breathing fire from three heads or something. Yet, despite all the outrage his efforts have generated, I found his comments to stick closely to the facts of illegal immigration and its impacts and I did not find him engaging in the type of racial demagogery of which he is often accused.

Once again, Mr. Letiecq's example demonstrates that a rational, fact-based approach to the important issues facing Americans is often more successful than the emotional schoolyard taunts engaged in by the left. It is these types of realizations that make me proud to be a Republican and a conservative who gives the people of this great nation the credit they deserve. Fortunately for us, the liberal bag of tricks hasn't changed much in the last 40 years, nor is it likely to in the near future.

Part II will be forthcoming.