Right Way, Wrong Way

Sometimes, it's not easy for our Republican Party to do the right thing the right way. The right way can seem dangerous. It can seem more uncertain, as if it may cause more problems, especially if it hasn't been tried before. Even though it's probably better in the long run, the right way requires innovation, openness, and the risk of harm or failure.

So instead of doing things the right way, some in "leadership" demand to do things the easy (wrong) way. The way it has "always been done". The way they've always done it. The way that used to work, but is slowly failing and costing our party voters, credibility, and respect. The way that's killing our party. The wrong way.

As sent in a previous message, the State Committee previously voted to require a Republican presidential candidate to receive 20% of the statewide vote to receive at-large proportional delegates from Georgia to receive at-large proportional delegates from Georgia to the Republican National Convention, possibly disenfranchising many Georgia Republicans. This could give the vast majority, if not all, of the delegates to a single, leading candidate (currently, Donald Trump). This vote was originally taken in a way that may have ignored rules by not allowing discussion of lower percentage thresholds. So, within the past month, another State Committee meeting was held. Other proposals were heard. And the same 20% proposal was passed again. The "logic"? It'd help "unify" the party around a candidate early.

That's the wrong way. Telling fellow Republicans that because their candidate only received 10%, 15% or 19% of the vote in a potentially 9-way race, they get 0% representation to the national convention is wrong because it alienates people. Then telling those people that if it's a brokered convention (unlikely, but possible with so many candidates) that it's fine that they have zero influence over the nominee, is wrong because it will make great Republicans feel powerless. And then to tell those Republicans, that they aren't a good Republican for criticizing the poor "unifying" selection forced upon them through this system, will simply cause many of those Republicans to stay home and not vote. This is the wrong way for us and the wrong way for our country and party's success.

The right way to unify the party is to empower people and to let people know these decisions are being made and how to get involved. It's the right way to ensure as many voices and conversations as possible are heard, and not disenfranchising people from the top down out of perceived expediency or safety is key. We know which candidate(s) we like, and we should be welcoming with all fellow Republicans during and after the primary, not trying to suppress critical or dissenting voices. As a great Republican, Joe McCutchen from Elijay, Georgia has constantly shared, encouragement is vitally important. And it makes sense, if people are welcomed and encouraged, they are more likely to help get Republicans elected!

It may not be easy to allow all voices to be heard within the party, but it's the right thing.

One place where the exact opposite has been occurring, again (link to past article), is within the Newton County GOP. After breaking rules to maintain power and exclude many Republicans from participation in the convention earlier this year, much of the same "leadership" decided to continue breaking the rules last month by sending letters to elected county committee members throwing them out of the party. They unilaterally told their fellow Republicans, that they didn't like, that they were no longer members of the GOP, even though to do so would have required a meeting and vote of the county committee. While this is clearly appalling and turns people off from helping us get Republicans elected, it's important to realize it's not solely the fault of the Newton GOP. By the GAGOP State Committee taking the easy route in May 2015 and not making waves, not doing the right thing, and not voting to condemn the actions from the Newton GOP, it emboldened them to continue to do so now. The right thing would have been paying off now, allowing Newton's GOP to grow to be ready to support our 2016 nominees, instead, they are excluding long-serving, committed, Republicans.

That is why the solution is for you to get more involved! Talk to your state committee members about what the right thing is to be doing, and if you don't like what's going on, run for State Committee yourself in 2017! And next year, in 2016, be bring friends to the conventions to support you being elected as a delegate to the National Republican Convention so that your voice can be heard regarding the future of the GOP. The only way we can ensure the GOP does the right thing is for YOU to do the right thing!


Let’s work together to find ways to make the Republican Party brand strong. Let’s work together to ensure that Republican policies are enacted which, naturally, make our nation strong.


AlexJohnson@AdvanceTheGOP.com
404-436-1GOP (404-436-1467)