I feel confident stating that the local Republican Party is unified and am very pleased to see the positive and constructive energy. Given this, it doesn’t make much sense how candidates could fail to gain party support before announcing a campaign. There have even been recent candidates who have failed to gain any real party support during a campaign.
If you look at the Central Committee, there is a very talented core with diverse backgrounds and talents. Any prospective candidate would be ill-advised not to tap this pool of resources during the diligence period before announcing a candidacy. The party is a great resource to assess strengths and weaknesses, analyze races, share experiences, gain perspective and discuss strategy.
Oddly enough, I am compelled to share this because I’m afraid that lack of party support will discourage future quality candidates from stepping forward. At the same time, I’m not going to blindly support any candidate just because they have an R next to their name. Anyone can put their name on a ballot. Fewer can get the support of the party. Even fewer can win elections.
I know this sounds very simplistic, but how hard could it really be to rally the support of the party who are eagerly looking for people step forward? Failure to accomplish this given the positive culture of the central committee definitely tells me something.
Party Support Makes Sense
Posted August 2nd, 2007 at 10:18 PM by B is for Business
I could agree with you to a certain point,,,,,,,but I know too many bright young people that have approached the party over the years wsihing to run for office,,,,,only to be told we are slateing this person,,,,or this person is the one we are backing,,,,,,,and it would be advised that you wait your turn,,,and not inccur the wrath of the party,,,,,,,so we have run failure after failure,,,,and people are just tired of it, The Gop has become exclusive,,,,and inclusive,,and the dems have beaten us,,,,,,,luckily they fight so much among themselves, or it would be even worse. GOOD LUCK, by the way.
I’m not going to put too much stock in the past. Chairman Barickman has done great job promoting a unified culture where more people are involved in decision making. I don’t agree with the exclusive argument, but I’m more intrigued by the notion that bright young people were interested in office. Really? If you will not share more detail in this forum, could you at least share some detail with the Chairman of the YRs who would probably be very interested to learn about these bright young people.
I think the bigger risk GIVEN OUR CURRENT SITUATION is that we have candidates who seem to ignore the application process all together. I have a few bright young republican friends who have asked, “Why isn’t the party supporting the candidate?” My only guess is because the first time I ever heard about them is when they announced their candidacy.
I’m saying this in a positive and constructive sense. I really don’t think it would be too hard to get party support. At the same time, I trust the party to ask tough questions to the surprise candidates who seem to wake up one day and decide they are going to run for office on the republican ticket.
B, while i like and admire Chairman Barickman for doing a great job at running Central Committee meetings, one thing i have noticed is the lack of volunteer efforts on the part of the younger Republicans. The YRs seem to be more about doing social events like the Lunch and Happy Hours. Even the "Paint the Town Red" event looks just like a longer and more dressy Happy Hour. I understand that younger folks are more busy, heck, im busy trying to find full time work, while trying to make ends meet with part time work, however, it seems that the Active Seniors do most of the volunteer work. They were the ones doing the County Fair tent, not a single YR except myself and one other bothered to show up, even for one hour to man our booth. I am someone who believes that you build the party by being out where the people are, like the Farmers Market in Urbana. If i were in charge of "Paint the Town Red", i would have it as an event where we strategize on how to build the party from the grassroots. I was part of the Leadership Institutes Youth Leadership School and i learned that all politics should be about the grassroots work and not just showing up for the glamor and glitz when local elected officials are there. If politics are local, then we need to get our feet working, even if we lose badly, we still need to be out there, knocking on doors, trying to get more people to join the party and building in areas like Urbana where we are incredibly weak. However, its going to take more than just a monthly social event. I love the YRs, but i think we can do better than what we are doing now!
Just a thought!
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
"They were the ones doing the County Fair tent, not a single YR except myself and one other bothered to show up, even for one hour to man our booth."
Incorrect.
I know a YR signed up for and covered the booth all of Monday evening of Fair Week.
"I love the YRs, but i think we can do better than what we are doing now!"
Then volunteer to organize whatever activity you feel would be most useful - door knocking, data entry, phone banks, etc. If you think that we can do better, demonstrate some leadership and make it happen. I know everyone involved would welcome it.
Happy hours and lunches do not hurt. I like the idea of low-pressure events to get people interested in the party. Kudos to the YRs for doing this stuff. I had no intention of analyzing the YRs with this post.
I mean what I say in a positive and constructive way. I'm not going to criticize people who are willing to step up and run for office, but it only seems sensible to coordinate with party leadership and committee members beforehand. I am more inclined to support candidates and vote for them if they demonstrate good sense. Failure to leverage the central committee, in my opinion, demonstrates that sense is possibly lacking.
B
Interesting comments. Many thoughts have merit, some do not, but all in all...perceptive.
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;
Rex Bradfield
I'm not going to put too much stock in the past in the past. This is a new election cycle and it's an exciting time. I will consult the key party leaders to help determine where I should contribute my limited time and money. I will consider other things, but the party is going to be my first stop.
B
What public office are you considering, or offices for that matter?
To that end, I am, and shall always remain;
Rex Bradfield
good, maybe im just the new blood in the flock, possibly more time and experience would prove me wrong!
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
i never said that Happy hours and Lunches are a bad thing. Neither did i intend to "analyze the YRs." The fact that a former YR chairman is now the Central Committee chairman speaks volumes.
In regards to your comments about running things before the party, i slightly disagree. The reason is that sometimes the party may or may not have the good sense that the candidate does. Take for instance, Julia Rietz, the states attorney. She is a Democrat, however she is also very independent of the local Democrats whom she will not let control her. In my opinion, being independent of the party can be a good thing. I am not saying that being independent of our central committee is a good or bad thing. It should be on a case by case basis.
In regards to volunteering and going door to door, i plan on doing just that! i volunteered to staff a table at the Urbana's Farmers Market for the GOP. From what others have said, we did have a table, but only someone sitting down, and no one taking an interest.
From what i have learned at the Leadership Institute, that is the biggest mistake that anyone manning a booth for any cause or organization can make. You should not be sitting down, but standing out in front of the booth engaging folks passing by.
I spoke up in favor of the County Party having an entry in the Labor Day parade. Many rank-and-file union members are GOP voters even though their mandatory union dues are bankrolling the Democratic Party. Again, no interest! One reason given is that there would be hostile people there. Well, that comes with politics, my friends!
I believe that if you engage people, even those whom you disagree with on a one on one level, you can win people over.
Just my 2 cents,
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
"In regards to your comments about running things before the party, i slightly disagree. The reason is that sometimes the party may or may not have the good sense that the candidate does. Take for instance, Julia Rietz, the states attorney. She is a Democrat, however she is also very independent of the local Democrats whom she will not let control her. In my opinion, being independent of the party can be a good thing. I am not saying that being independent of our central committee is a good or bad thing. It should be on a case by case basis."
Campaign with a Party. Govern with everybody. I want candidates that I support to be Republicans while on the campaign trail. Once in office, I hope they'll support the party, but I want them to govern using their best judgment of what would benefit all their constituents, not just the Republicans. There's a difference between campaigning and governing. I want absolute partisanship in the former, and I want partisanship to take a backseat to judgment in the latter.
"In regards to volunteering and going door to door, i plan on doing just that! i volunteered to staff a table at the Urbana's Farmers Market for the GOP. From what others have said, we did have a table, but only someone sitting down, and no one taking an interest."
So take the lead and make it happen.
"I spoke up in favor of the County Party having an entry in the Labor Day parade. Many rank-and-file union members are GOP voters even though their mandatory union dues are bankrolling the Democratic Party. Again, no interest! One reason given is that there would be hostile people there. Well, that comes with politics, my friends!"
So take the lead and make it happen.
Just my $0.02 - but if you think it's important enough to tell the Party what to do, then it should be important enough for you to take the lead on. I always welcome advice from those who think we should be doing more/better, but I welcome active leadership even more.
"What public office are you considering, or offices for that matter?" I didn't envision talking about one person or myself specifically when I posted this. I may possibly consider a run for Precinct Committeeman. That one probably doesn't warrant a press release, but I'll still run it by some people first. I will consider supporting other offices with some time and money. I will be considering every office when I vote.
I have not attended any leadership institute. In my experience, I have noticed how easy it is to point out opportunities for improvement. I have learned so much by watching successful leaders rally long-term support by creating a positive and constructive culture in both the business and political environments. Leading by example instead of talk obviously counts for a lot. Creating this culture is very difficult to do and I am more inclined to support leaders and candidates who bring this to the table. When this culture exists, I am more inclined to stuff envelopes, volunteer at booths, pass out literature, etc....all of those things they teach at leadership school.
Nothing wrong with pointing out opportunities for improvement, but it's just too damn easy to say things like "i think we can do better than what we are doing now!". No offense.
Just my $.02. One last important thing to Robert: THANK YOU for working the booth. Very much appreciated!
B for business, I do envy you once upon a time when I had more teeth in my head,,,,and hair on top of it,I had you're enthusiasm. Now ,,,,,,I put what I have to say in the take it for what it worth, dept. Lesson 1). We once had a large fund, called the Lincoln Club,,,,this was set up to draw the interest only, to support local candidates,,,,well a previous chairman made his own rules and used the money for other campaigns,,,moral,if you wish to give money draw you're own line in the sand and give directly to candidates of you're own choice. Lesson 2), Beware being the eager beaver,stuffing envelopes,,,licking them closed,,,going door to door, putting out signs,,poll watching, because right while you are at the table working away, you will look up and see some very intense young men doing that old Jack Benny bit, one hand across their chest holding an elbow,,and the other supporting their chins,,,,you see they are in the middle of a "Big Think". Lesson 3), beware someone saying "lets order some food in" you may very well be the only one there with cash in you're pocket,,or an ATM card. Other than that I wish you much luck and to have some fun at this. There endth the lesson.
Yea whatever happend to the Lincoln Club? Did it die when Sen. Stan Weaver died??
He tried to bring it back a few years before he retired,,,my last card was signed by him. Great Man I miss him alot. anyway,,,I am not sure if any GOP people want to try and start it up again, some are so young they never heard of it anyway. I also miss being in the ladies aux.......yeah I know,,,,,,,,but anyway I kicked in as member,. went to their monthly functions,,,,usually was the only guy there,,is was alot of fun. Greg,,,,,I dont really dont think anyone can get that club started again,,,,too much to ask for people to lay down a chunk of money,with no sure promise it will be used for it's intended purpose.
"Yea whatever happend to the Lincoln Club?"
The Lincoln Club of Champaign County is active. They raised about $14,000 in the first six months of 2007, and transferred $10,000 of that to the Champaign GOP Central Committee.
Of course, for those who wish the LCCC were more active, I'm sure they'd be happy to have more volunteers, energy and ideas.
"well a previous chairman made his own rules and used the money for other campaigns,,,moral,if you wish to give money draw you're own line in the sand and give directly to candidates of you're own choice"
This actually reminds me of a very positive recent example. There was a proposal to spend a substantial amount of money on TV ads for the local county races this past election. I had many concerns because I always have concerns when people want to spend money. I'm still not sure whether it was the best idea, but that is not important. What is important is that everyone at the Central Committee meeting had a vote. The idea was proposed to everyone and those with concerns were encouraged voice them. An impressive proposal was provided, the concerns were heard and countered in a respectful and constructive manner and not one person voted against it. The Chairman is not making decisions like the example you provided and is setting a great standard. I respect this system very much.
I can see how this system has not always been this way because it is very hard to find leaders who can create this culture. This reinforces my position that given our current situation, candidates should leverage the central committee.
B, that is a NEW concept for the local GOP. Maybe you are on to something,,,,,,,and just maybe times have changed. Something like you described was unheard of not so long ago:)
Maybe it is NEW, but I would even go further to say it is RARE. I'm not going to put too much stock in the past, however, I'm excited when I see those of the past seem to have embraced this culture and are staying involved. That tells me something.
Some questions about the Lincoln Club?
Where do they meet?
What is their purpose?
When do they meet?
Whom do i contact for more info?
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Robert Dunn
Ex-Leftist, Born-Again Conservative American
"Some questions about the Lincoln Club?
Where do they meet?
When do they meet?"
Their board is the same as the Exec Board for the Central Committee.
"What is their purpose?"
The Lincoln Club has always been (to my knowledge) the primary fundraising arm of the Champaign County Republican Party. I don't know why it's a seperate committee, but it has been that way as long as I can remember.
"Whom do i contact for more info?"
The Party Chairman, or anyone on the Executive Committee.