McGeachin: One wrong step too many
As many of us know, the “Conservative Political Action Conference” (CPAC) recently concluded its annual event in Florida. What some of us may not know is there is a group known as “America First Political Action Committee” (AFPAC) that also just finished their event at the same time and in the same city.
Most of us have not heard of AFPAC. I know I hadn’t. AFPAC was founded in 2020 by a 21-year-old man called Nick Fuentes. It has been reported that Fuentes began AFPAC to serve as a “counterweight” to CPAC; to allow a forum for those who believe CPAC isn’t conservative enough.
But the truth is, Fuentes had been kicked out of CPAC, no longer allowed to attend due to his anti-Semitic views as well as other radical beliefs. He had also been kicked out of Charlie Kirk’s well-known group “Turning Point, USA” for the same reason.
Fuentes has been labeled an anti-Semitic, white supremacist, and Holocaust denier. I am usually leery when someone starts that kind of labeling these days. There is so much distortion from the left seeking to destroy conservatives. However, from what I have seen, I believe in Fuentes’ case the label may be appropriate. Kirk, CPAC, and former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have all warned conservatives about Fuentes.
For starters, Fuentes has hijacked President Trump’s “America First” policy with views that absolutely distort what President Trump means with this message. There is nothing wrong with an America First policy, as President Trump defined and used it. Fuentes' group in no way means the same thing. Fuentes' distortion of Trump’s message ends by giving ground to the left by allowing them to say, “See, I told you so.”
So seems to be the politics in America these days. It is a shame. But let’s bring it local.
Unfortunately, it seems our own Lt. Governor of Idaho, Janice McGeachin, who proudly boasts President Trump’s endorsement for Governor of Idaho, has in my opinion brought shame on Trump’s endeavors. McGeachin gave a video presentation at the AFPAC event.
I checked the roster for this convention. There were a number of people speaking that one would not want to be identified, especially if running for public office.
Fuentes, to some degree, has been successful in leading many astray. I have noticed lately there are some very good people who have allowed themselves to be aligned with some very questionable groups, not just this one. The lack of discernment and caution with whom one aligns these days is nothing short of astounding. And this is not the first time McGeachin has not been careful with her associations.
Janice McGeachin is not one whom I have admired. Instead, she is one I have been carefully monitoring. Her antics as Lt. Governor, undermining the current Governor’s efforts, as well as basically campaigning for the office of Governor her entire term has fueled my ire.
There are so many questionable things she has done that I don’t have the space to list here. Just think about two-day Executive Orders. And maybe her reported attempt to deploy the National Guard to the southern border, apparently not understanding the correct method in which that needs to be accomplished. This, while Governor Little was already attending a meeting with nine other governors to discuss border solutions.
The media, more than once, has taken the focus off constructive things Governor Little has done, focusing instead on McGeachin's imprudent antics.
Her recent decision to attend the AFPAC is the final straw for me. “Questionable judgment” is the charitable criticism I could give. However, I prefer downright foolish. Certainly not Governor material.
Now that she has been criticized for attending this event, McGeachin has the audacity to tell us not to judge her by the company she keeps. She tweeted:
“The media wants us to play a guilt-by-association game where conservatives (and only conservatives) are accused of believing everything ever said by anyone with whom they share a stage. Don’t tell me what I believe. Listen to my words.”
Sorry Janice; it doesn’t work that way. Actions speak much louder than words! And yours are akin to a loud and clanging cymbal. Associations matter.
Who does that? Who attends, or gives voice to events with people whom they don’t want to be aligned? It was pure folly, in no uncertain terms.
If Janice McGeachin isn’t smart enough to avoid events like this, she isn’t smart enough to have your vote for Governor of our great state.
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Jan Conner is a Kootenai County resident.