Reflections on political evolution

Watching the division among the GOP in Kootenai County has been quite the spectacle, but not at all unexpected. If we’ve been watching closely, this division has been occurring since the Ron Paul years in 2008, growing even stronger by 2012.

The Paul supporters were truly a group that may have been on the right track, but without clarity of what might be the end result. One thing they had right was the knowledge of the importance of the Precinct Committeeman position, calling it the most important position in politics.

On that they were absolutely correct. It is the most local position; the very closest to the people. It’s “we the people.” That’s how our government is supposed to work.

This group worked diligently and tirelessly getting their people in each precinct position. These are the people who control the decisions of the Idaho GOP, and we are seeing the results of those efforts today. I am thankful for some of these people. But we are also seeing the end result — division in the party.

In my view, the number one aspect that was wrong with Paul’s agenda was though they claimed to be the most conservative faction of the Republican Party, they weren’t. Many were and still are Libertarians — maybe that fact, even unbeknownst to some.

Paul was great about throwing around the importance of the Constitution, while not really honoring it. I think we are seeing that today in some of the current Idaho GOP candidates. Paul even admitted that the only reason he ran as a Republican his entire term in Congress, as well as his bid for President, was because he knew it was the only way he could win. Yes, he really said that.

In other words, he wasn’t truly a Republican as defined by the platform. But even back then, when the term RINO was first coined, I was aware enough to know who the true RINOs were. On that, I think the North Idaho Republicans (NIR) have a point.

Move forward about 10 years ago to the founding of the “Idaho Freedom Foundation” by Wayne Hoffman. Hoffman is a Libertarian and makes no bones about it. While Libertarians love to claim they are the most conservative, they actually lean closer to the left on social issues and even sometimes on foreign policy. Hoffman has admitted he would be supportive of legalizing marijuana in Idaho, as has Dorothy Moon, candidate for Secretary of State. This can be found on the IFF website. Look quickly.

Now, with that history aside, six years ago another movement was created with the entrance of Donald Trump. In my view, Trump was the best thing to happen to our nation in decades. It was a return to what we knew was the initial platform of our party.

People will try to call it something else — Populism — or whatever term one may find the need to identify; but in truth, Trump’s policies were the GOP of old. Conservative on social issues like abortion and faith for examples, while being very strong on the border, national defense, and a strong supporter of Israel. That’s the GOP. Trump was “America First” before that phrase was hijacked by a much rougher lot without full understanding of what Trump actually meant.

It may seem I am meandering a bit, but I include this because I believe Trump supporters are who most of the KCRCC is. However, the goals some may seek for Idaho and some of the CANDIDATES they support are in actuality not conservative, but libertarian, with a persuasion toward “far right.” And yes, I hate to use that label.

We are also seeing a change in methodology and tactics from some in our party. We don’t need to act like the left to beat the left. Think “doxxing” (Boise), set-ups, or careless “truth” otherwise known as “spin.” God isn’t going to bless that. And yes, it matters “with whom you share a stage” and whom you contact for interviews. Think Nick Fuentes and Stew Peters, respectively. SMH

Tommy Ahlquist’s recent “My Turn” makes it clearly apparent we can’t mindlessly support the other faction either. Calling Jan. 6 an “insurrection” and calling people “terrorists?” Come on! Was that really necessary? That just continues to inflame.

While Ahlquist was spot on about much he wrote regarding who not to vote for and why, that type of unfair rhetoric kept me from being able to share it.

While I will certainly not support the NIR candidates in full measure, neither will I support KCRCC candidates 100%. There has never been a time in Idaho history where we need to do our own research on each and every candidate. There was a time we could safely follow the recommendations of the central committee, but that time is no more.

Please do your homework. Research each candidate and vote your own values. Idaho is changing and I believe it’s intentional. Some of it may be happening naively; maybe some completely unaware because they aren’t thinking critically enough or with foresight. Maybe they are simply following the group that uses the right words, like "Constitution," "Bible" and even "guns." (And yes, those are things I support!)

Everyone knows they need to say those things to win in Idaho; we would be wise to dig deeper. We’re very foolish if we think that there’s not a move to bring ideologies to Idaho because someone has power/money to gain. Infiltration, as warned, certainly a possibility. What I suspect is an infiltration from where we least think.

Without pause, I will very deliberately be voting for some of the KCRCC candidates. But just as importantly, I will be strongly voting some from the old guard. What I know for certain is that both groups are ensuring we will eventually flip blue.

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Jan Conner is a Kootenai County resident.