EDITORIAL: Going Greene: Darn right it's a sellout

The greatest Republican ever was Abraham Lincoln.

Since his death in 1865, Lincoln’s name has become ubiquitous. Nebraska’s capital is named for him. Little toy logs that many of us grew up playing with were inspired by the 16th president’s boyhood cabin. Why, Lincoln is so widely recognized and honored that his name is synonymous with honesty and freedom.

That’s just part of the reason many Idahoans, particularly Lincoln-loving Republicans, are distraught over local GOP leaders bringing in Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene from Georgia as this year’s Lincoln Day Dinner keynote speaker.

Greene "has a long history of bigotry and association with white nationalism, which should have immediately disqualified her for a speaking role at any Idaho event," said Richard Turner, retired brigadier general of the Idaho Air National Guard.

Turner is a member of Defend and Protect Idaho, a coalition of citizens from law enforcement and the military, small business owners, faith leaders, farmers and ranchers, and others dedicated to fighting extremism.

Greene is one of the most extreme members of Congress, sounding at times like she not only supported the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol, but would have provided guns and ammo if she had it to do over.

Many reasonable individuals will attend the sold out Lincoln Day dinner. These are folks who do not agree with or approve of Marjorie Taylor Greene’s documented political activities and statements that clearly illustrate her bigotry, nor do they give credence to her many positions based on far-right conspiracy theories. These are Republicans who bought tickets because they believe in supporting their party regardless of a bad apple speaker, or maybe they just enjoy political theater, but they did not purchase tickets or tables because they think like Greene.

However, and this is what Lincoln Day Dinner organizers likely banked on when they invited the Georgia congresswoman to come to Coeur d'Alene, this event will also attract a good number of people who do think like Greene, and much of the money raised will go to support like-minded North Idaho candidates.

The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s decision to bring Greene to town to share the hate is a sellout, and it may be morally wrong, but it is perfectly legal. In fact, we would ardently defend their First Amendment right to do so.

But on Lincoln Day? Putting on the local GOP's biggest stage a speaker who represents so much of what is splintering the nation on a night named for the man most responsible for holding the union together is abhorrent.

The irony, alas, appears lost on the fundraiser’s organizers — which these days is the rule, not the exception.