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Who's the future of the local GOP?
Tuesday, November 4 | 2:53 p.m.
Whatever happens tomorrow, voter identification trends show a national Republican Party with a branding problem that will probably take years to clean up.
And if the GOP's road out of the wilderness starts anywhere, why not here? We're an ideological test tube: a center-right suburb in a center-left state with green sympathies and a libertarian streak.
So here's my question: what Clark County Republicans -- under 45, let's say -- are going to lead their party out of the wilderness, and what new ideas are they going to use?
I've started a list below the jump. Know anybody else to add? Throw 'em into the comments. We may spin this into a full story later in the fall.
Michael Delavar of Washougal, 35. The airplane pilot and Ron Paul acolyte spent the summer in trench warfare against the GOP establishment and wound up beating their candidate in the primary. If he can break 40 percent against Brian Baird without their help, he'll be the one serving crow.
State Rep. Jaime Herrera of Ridgefield, 30. Socially conservative Latina; solid red district; sharp as a tack. She's not exactly moderate - "less government at every possible turn" was how she summed up her philosophy within minutes of her appointment - but hey, neither was Reagan.
Councilman Tim Leavitt of Vancouver, 37. Is he a Republican? The party has endorsed him in the past, but he's famously coy about his sympathies. You would be, too, if you (a) voted Republican and (b) wanted to be mayor of Vancouver. Like the man he wants to replace in that job, Leavitt likes to play up his green genes.
Councilman Matt Swindell of Ridgefield, 37. He's had his moments of, shall we say, grim determination. But he's ambitious, well-connected and, as a former bad-boy turned millionaire turned debtor, has an interesting personal story.
Craig Williams of Salmon Creek, 43. A socially conservative environmentalist technocrat with an explicit critique of his party, this relative newcomer to the area was maybe the most interesting candidate in the primary to succeed Commissioner Morris. Don't call him a flash in the pan: he was still attending commissioner debates this fall, taking notes.
michael.andersen@columbian.com
by Craig Williams : 11/4/08 3:57pm - Report Abuse
Michael, there are many talented people capable of leading the local GOP and improving its effectiveness. Our current local leaders are already doing a great job. The key is principles.As I write this, the nation is voting and most polls suggest conservatives are going to take a beating. The reason for this is not because conservatism didn't work, it's because conservatives abandoned their principles and did not keep their promises.
Republican leaders didn't practice fiscal discipline, never balanced a budget, borrowed and spent (which is worse than taxing and spending), entered expensive wars that seem to have no end based on false information, ignored the environment, and enacted unprecedented restrictions on our rights and privacy. I'm like most Republicans, disappointed and somewhat disgusted. None of what they did was conservative.
I believe that future national Republican leaders will not make these mistakes again. I believe the next generation of Republican leaders will work with respect for all people and will effectively advocate our core conservative principles in a positive way that will advance our cause and our ranks. As we do this, and follow through on our promises, we will again earn the respect of the voters and the opportunity to represent them in government office.