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A WAKE UP CALL
During the past two weeks, everything Republicans did in Iowa was the subject of intense scrutiny in national and international media. Why is that? Well obviously Iowa is first. However that is only part of the answer. The Republican Party in Iowa is not only alive and well, it is vibrant. It is open and transparent. It welcomes everyone to their caucuses. While you must be registered to vote, you can become a Republican the night of the caucus, at your caucus location. Data from this year isn't in yet, but in 2008, sixty percent of people who attended were at their first caucus. Republicans in Iowa hold the governorship, a two-to-one majority in the State House and both US Senate seats. Iowans are represented in the US House by two Republicans including conservative stalwart Steve King.
Let's compare that with Colorado. Next month, our caucuses will be a footnote in the national media, if they are mentioned at all. If past trends hold true, as I write, GOP County Committees are still wondering if they will even have Chairs for every precinct. So how are we doing with Hickenlooper, Bennett and Udall? Where is our conservative stalwart in the US House? Will we hold onto our one vote majority in the State House?
This should be a wakeup call for the GOP in Colorado. It is 2012, yet the Colorado GOP seems to act like this is Chicago in the 1940's. It is way past time to open the membership in what the good old boys treat like their exclusive club. What, other than a means of exclusion, is a rule requiring people be registered in the GOP sixty days before our caucuses on February 7th? What were you doing a month ago? December7th, most people were probably still counting calories from Thanksgiving and planning Christmas celebrations. How many Republican "front runners" have come and gone since then? Why should any registered voter be excluded from the caucuses in Colorado? Amend the State GOP Bylaws to match those in Iowa. Invite every voter to the caucuses. Let them have a say in which GOP candidates will be on the ballot.
The stakes are high, and we must communicate our message without compromise.
Keep the faith,
Bob McConnell
beawatchman@aol.com |
