Thanks, GOP, for galvanizing Democrats

As chair of the Kootenai County Central Committee, I am compelled to respond. The recent announcement by Larry Spencer to try to take over the Democratic Central Committee may indeed have a silver lining. Democrats in recent years have held a pretty low profile as the various Republi-can factions have been fighting among themselves. It appears now that the expressed interest of the radical right to take over every board with taxing authority has now extended to the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee.

Mr. Spencer complains of meddling when those traditionally loyal Democrats who have decided to follow their consciences to register as Republicans are doing so to make their voice heard in the Republican primary. This is the outcome of Republican radicals' effort to rid their party of non-ideologues. In an essentially one-party state, a radical right contingent has gained the upper hand because moderate Republicans, like Democrats, aren't en masse getting out to vote. Democrats who cross over are trying to help Republicans elect reasonable, moderate candidates.

I applaud Mr. Spencer because the brouhaha he has engendered will serve the Democrats well in energizing more Democrats to come forward and get involved in their party. Many of us worked diligently in past elections to successfully elect reasonable, intelligent, qualified people - Democrat, Republican, and Independent. That effort needs to continue.

Running seriously for office takes a huge commitment of time, talent, and treasure, and thus really serious, qualified candidates are very hard to recruit; my committee has spent weeks in the effort with limited success. Those bonafide Democrats who are running will have the active support of Democrats and other reasonable voters who are fed up with radical Republican shenanigans. I assure Mr. Spencer that people of good will of any stripe are welcome to become a legitimate part of our Democratic party.

You will not succeed if you think you are going to take over the Democratic Central Committee and remake it with your own brand of radicalism. The most effective line which brought voters to the polls in recent elections, in my experience, was the warning that radical Republicans were trying to take over the school board or the city council to negate the progress that has been made.

Democrats: Now is the time to step forward to protect the core principles of our party: education, equal rights, a sound economy, and saving Idaho's public lands. Come forward now, or energetic and committed, but misguided and misinformed others will step forward as Mr. Spencer has predicted.

Contact me - Paula Neils, (208) 755-9590 - and we will find a way to put your special talents to work. Come to get personally acquainted with us at the weekly Friday noon luncheons of the Democratic Club at the Iron Horse Restaurant. Join us at the Democratic Spring Forward Social event at the Lake City Center, Wednesday, March 26, from 5-7 p.m., to meet and greet our legitimate Democratic candidates. We have a lot of work to do.

Paula Neils is chair of the Kootenai County Democratic Central Committee.