Posted on 07/08/2009 6:55:10 AM PDT by flattorney
As a military officer for 30 years, I came to recognize the necessity of good leadership. When I retired from the military in 1998, I became active politically in the Republican Party. Since that time, I've been elected to two National Republican Conventions, acted as a military spokesperson for the Bush/Cheney campaign in 2004, and served as national veterans coordinator for Fred Thompson's presidential run. In 2007, I ran for Minnesota GOP party chair as a reform candidate, and lost. Over the years I have raised tens of thousands of dollars for GOP coffers, donated many thousands of dollars to local and national GOP candidates, worked many hours at the grass-roots level and been asked repeatedly to run for state or federal office by Minnesota GOP officeholders.
So why on Earth have I decided to leave the Minnesota GOP?
Simple: When a political party becomes so dysfunctional that it no longer can operate without tyrannical domination over the grass-roots, it is time to stop enabling bad behavior from that party. I have come to the conclusion that a majority of Minnesotans and many Republicans no longer trust the message of the Minnesota GOP. After years of ineffective party leadership resulting in a record number of defeats, lack of transparency in party dealings, alleged financial impropriety by former party employees, and numerous Federal Election Commission problems, can you really blame the electorate for abandoning the Minnesota GOP?
On June 13, the party continued its death spiral by electing the same failed leadership that has lost the last two elections. The "old guard" network of the GOP State Central Delegates continued to imitate lemmings gleefully following each other over the cliff to the political abyss below. Possibly the last chance to reform and re-energize the Minnesota GOP before the 2010 governor's race has been lost. For me, it was the last straw. I refuse to enable poor performance any longer. In my opinion, the new party leaders are rabid, power-hungry ideologues and the former attack dogs of the previous party chairman. They will not provide a message of inclusiveness or willingness to discuss contrary opinions. Honest, open and transparent party operations will not exist. The party is increasingly controlled by a small group of major financial donors and lobbyists who demand that their hand-picked people maintain the leadership positions. Most elected GOP politicians don't dare support reform out of fear of retribution. When lobbyist and corporate money has this type of stranglehold on a political party, fresh ideas and quality leadership fail to rise to the top.
The Minnesota GOP is no longer capable of competing. If you need further evidence, you only need to look at these two examples: the decision of Gov. Tim Pawlenty not to seek a third term and the decision of businessman Brian Sullivan, long thought to be the party's hand-picked successor to Pawlenty, of declining to run. I'm convinced both men, after watching the abandonment of Sen. Norm Coleman by principled conservatives and the debacle at last year's state GOP convention, where Ron Paul supporters were attacked and shouted down, have read the party tea leaves and decided the Minnesota GOP is so divided it is in no condition to contend in 2010.
After June 13, I came to the conclusion that the Minnesota GOP is no longer capable of being saved. My detractors will attack me, anonymously, or claim that I have hard feelings or that I'm just taking my ball and going home. Wrong — I'm only doing what thousands of Minnesota Republican voters have done over the last two elections; it just took me longer to pull the plug. Somewhere is a political party that is inclusive and wanting of seasoned political grass-roots talent. Somewhere there is a political party that will stand on principle, not radical partisanship. Somewhere there is a political party that isn't bought and paid for by large financial donors or special interests. There must be a party in need of fiscally conservative, principled individuals who will work for the people of Minnesota and not for the blind political ambition of a few. I encourage like-minded Republican voters to join me. I'm sure we'll find that new home.
Lt. Col. Joe Repya, of Eagan, is retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service that included Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Yeah, but the Rinos were always more prevalent on the east coast.”
Until we acknowledge that we conservatives are actually the real “RINOS”, we will continue to be disappointed. The real Republicans never really cared much for conservative principles. But, you’re free to live in your fantasy land, if you want.
“It’s a sad state of affairs when the majority of those left in our party today with any cajones are women! “
Well, maybe. But we have Collins and Snowe to help vote with Obama to aid in the destruction of America.
“Do you feel good about advancing the radical Democrat agenda?”
The GOP leadership continually moving the moving the party to the left also enables the democrats to nominate progressively more radical candidates. A fine example of what this author is talking about is the failed Giuliani candidacy. Rooty was so far left that he repudiated the moral and political convictions of the entire conservative grassroots of the party. But we had him rammed down our throats. We were told that he was the only one that could win, that he was the only one that could get $100 million in contributions/lobbyist funding, that he could deliver the latino vote, the gay vote, etc. We were told that our only chance was to support a liberal that we all hated because he was bought & paid for and therefore a powerful contender. Well, ol Rudy went down in flames because nobody could stand him. When his keepers realized that Rudy had no chance, they threw their money and support to the next most liberal yet controllable candidate McCain and told us that we all had to support him. McCain’s coffers had been completely empty and was teetering on bowing out. Then he got picked up by Rudy’s keepers and we got him rammed down our throats. Conservative candidates got attacked, ridiculed and shouted down. McCain was a more liberal version of GWB with all of GWB’s baggage on the issues that had alienated the voters. Ain’t no wonder he lost.
Obama could not have won against any moderately acceptable GOP candidate with a level head. Instead by allowing McCain to be forced on us, we lost the election. The GOP leadership and powerbrokers cost us the election and brought us the most liberal president in history.
By enabling the GOP leadership’s questionable actions you cannot say that you are not advancing the radical Democrat agenda.
I don't abandoned my home of 20 years just because the yard is covered in fire ants.’
I call in the exterminators and take the damn thing back.
I paid for it, it is mine.
Same with the GOP. I refuse to let the bastards win by running me off.
The problem with many in the GOP is they are more akin to termites than fireants. You can clear out the fireants then safely inhabit the structure.
When termites take hold the damage they've done must be repaired or the structure razed. I think that is the point some on this thread are advancing.
They will screw Palin to their detriment.
My response to the RNC when they call for money will be, “my money is going to Sarah. If the RNC wants some of it, get on the Sarah train.”
“Do you feel good about advancing the radical Democrat agenda?”
As opposed to what? the Republican agenda = better and cheaper welfare state, and slower surrender to our enemies.
I enjoyed your posts.
Palin is playing this perfectly.
The only thing I would change is that I’d like to see her get a little more hardball with the GOP hierarchy.
1. Call off your attack dogs like Rove,Noonan etc.
2. She won’t bolt 3rd Party but the GOP is certainly thinking about the possibility....USE THAT ..THAT IS POLITICS!
I can't judge Joe, don't know anything about him, but RINOs don't speak in concrete terms 'cause they're certain to be criticized for not being "inclusive" and they fear that more than losing the argument.
LOL
But you are certainly spot on about the heat she is going to take. I say “bring it on!” The more she gets and handles the better she looks to average voter. Sooner or later the MSM’s PDS is going to reach the point of diminishing returns and every attack will serve only to move more people to her side.
“But, you’re free to live in your fantasy land,”
If you think we have 20 years to build a new party of conservatives, go for it. I don’t think America will survive even 4 years of this America-hating Marxist dictator POS, let alone 20 years.
Thanks for the info. I worry very much about conservatives jumping the GOP ship. It would do nothing but hand the democrats more victories. Somehow, we have to find a way to take our party back from the rinos..not abandon it altogether. The problem is that the GOP does not listen to us unless we threaten to leave and refuse to give them money....so we are in a catch 22 so to speak. There are more of us than rinos according to recent polling..so they had better listen up!
” I worry very much about conservatives jumping the GOP ship. It would do nothing but hand the democrats more victories. Somehow, we have to find a way to take our party back from the rinos..not abandon it altogether”
Exactly.
The only thing I would change is that I’d like to see her get a little more hardball with the GOP hierarchy.
That won't be necessary once they begin to realize what a huge draw she will be all over the country. Her ability to draw crowds will translate into dollars and, hopefully, a few conservative wins in 2010. At that point the GOP poobahs will hang around with their tongues hanging out.
And don't forget, Sarah has Rush, Mark and Ann in her corner. That right there is a lot of wattage.
Well her challenge now is to build support among like minded ELECTED officals in 2010. She’s already got the conservative grass roots. If she can do that she will have taken the first giant step towards 2012.
True enough.
I’ve got to go earn a living, while I still can.
I leave the thread in your hands to continue to preach sanity.
I am no fan of letting bastards run me off.
It's what they want.
I remember a time where surrender was just a vocabulary word in the USA...
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