Loyalty to the Local GOP

I began my political journey in 1980. County Chairman Joe Lane Travis placed the required advertisement in the local newspaper with the largest circulation, I called to confirm the time and date of the meeting, and the rest is history. You either love or hate that history, but it is what it is, and I have wandered off the GOP reservation only because of my disdain for its nominee in the person of accused assassin Steve Nunn. I voted for Johnny Bell, and I was right to do so. I wasn't alone among my GOP friends. We'd all had enough of the shenanigans of our former state representative. I don't tell you this with any trace of pride. I am not pleased that I did what I did, but it was correct at the time. History will continue to prove it to be the right decision. We should have found a GOP primary for the accused assassin, but we didn't, and because we didn't we voted for Bell to be rid of the accused assassin.

I will happily debate the "strength" of the Barren Co. GOP at this time. The county committee NEVER meets; it doesn't even have its full complement of officers. Our vice chairman resigned over one year ago, and, to my knowledge, no one has replaced him because there is absolutely ZERO communication from the party hierarchy down to us precinct level folks. ZERO communication.

The party hierarchy has made no effort to raise money for operations. There was no coordinated effort to establish any sort of campaign organization for 2010. The Barren County Patriots set up the only phone bank that I know of to call for Rand Paul because the hierarchy was piqued at him because he had the gall to question the 'fairness' of the Lincoln Day Dinner's agenda in the spring of 2010.

It is time to work to change party rules to make them 'user friendly'. I have been a casual student of the GOP rules for many years, but I will become well-versed in them for the upcoming 2012 organization. You should too. Together we will build a vibrant and strong party. We will influence the selection of nominees who will carry a higher standard of Principles based upon the U. S. Constitution and the Kentucky Constitution. Only by choosing people committed to limited government will we prosper.

The time to be sore about previous primary fights is past. I am not writing about the recent gubernatorial primary. I write specifically about the State Senate primary of 2008. My brother-in-law Bob Bryant competed in that election against David Givens, the eventual winner, and Jeff Jobe. Bob, for one, got over his loss in the primary.

I have moved past that primary, and I am ready to work to elect David Williams and Richie Farmer. I am ready to work to elect someone who will help undo the damage done to our Republic by Barack the Occupant.

I do not choose to throw rocks, not matter how slyly, at fellow Republicans who do their appointed or elected jobs, but when a job is left undone, it is incumbent upon each of us to speak up.

As for me, do your worst against me if you so choose. I can take it, but you are on notice. I will not suffer your attacks gladly, and I will respond.

I prefer to attack the common enemy instead of a fellow Republican, but I will not turn the other cheek to someone with a vendetta.

Get over the past. Move forward. We have a bright future if we will do the necessary lifting. I don't want credit. I don't want a leadership role. I want strength and courage from my leaders in the party. I don't want someone to just hang on because of some sense of entitlement.

Take this as you will. I am not angry, but there is legitimate frustration with the present regime. It is time to begin to change things.

Oh, by the way, if back-biting and snide comments are your 'bag', keep it to yourself.

As David Williams says, "Lead, follow, or GET OUT OF THE WAY!"