GOP: Divided, or newly enlightened?

Recently four local Republicans sat down to tell their story to the Coeur d'Alene Press, a story of division and turmoil. As a close observer of the local Republican Party for the past three years, I have seen a very different story. I have seen a story of the hard core establishment of the Republican Party losing their power, losing it to the people that are recently awaking and not liking what they see. They see that while they were busy raising family and building businesses or careers and minding their own business, a small core of power brokers had taken their country down a dangerous path, a path that had strayed from the principles and values that Americans hold dear.

Those that have been stirring this pot of division are the people that lost their elections. Looking for blame, looking for revenge of those that caused their loss of power. They need to look no farther than the electorate. The people have spoken; they want representatives that will stand for them, not for power in the party. Phil Hart isn't the reason these men lost their elections. Phil Hart doesn't control these newly elected officials. The people elected the new representatives, blame them, take it out on them and be honest with yourself. Jorgenson would like these new representatives "moved out," could he mean against the will of those that elected them?

In the by-laws of nearly all party related organizations, the leadership is required to stay neutral as to who they support in the primary. It is never wise as leadership to divide the party and its efforts. No one argues that Matt Roetter doesn't have a right of conscience to not support a candidate. What is not wise is to publicly come out against the party person, when you are a leader. If Matt Roetter would have kept his opinion private, he would not be facing the potential loss of his position as State Committeeman.

Funny thing about this whole situation is that these same people attacking Phil Hart were the ones who chastised and attacked the supporters of Ron Paul (a Republican) for not supporting McCain. The supporters of Ron Paul were told by these same men, they had no right to be a part of the party if they didn't support the parties "Chosen One." Their own words seem to be coming back to haunt them.

LEAH SOUTHWELL

Coeur d'Alene