Chairman's Message
Released September 2011
Summer, what little there was of it, is drawing to a close. Schools are open and the streets are filled with those large yellow busses and kids. The Mariners have just about played out and the Seahawks are about to try to regain winning form. All these signs of change and renewal remind us that we also have things to change and efforts to put forth.
The elections conducted in even numbered years in Washington are frequently referred to as “Off Year Elections.” That label tends to reduce voter attention thinking that not much is at stake and, after all, these are non-partisan races. Already, staunch Republicans and others are directing their attention toward the Presidential race of 2012. Unfortunately, if we do not pay attention and work hard to win elections those “off year elections” this year, we will be ill prepared to support effective campaigns in 2012 and will pay a heavy price in other ways.
The races in 2011 are very important for several reasons.
- Every one of the positions in play has, as a part of the power of the office, the ability to reach into your pocketbook and pick out your hard earned dollars. Whether the method of taking your dollars is through taxes or fees, the result is the same to you; fewer dollars for you and your family. Placing fiscal conservatives in these positions is critical
- The position may be non-partisan – the person who holds the office is not. For too long we have allowed these offices to go unchallenged or have failed to properly support our candidates. As a result we have allowed the progressives and liberals (aka Democrats) to expand their power across the county. If you wonder why all those “coordination” committees that plan land use and transportation for the county are filled with Democrats, wonder no longer. They go out full force for the non-partisan positions that fill those committees. We cannot allow that to continue.
- Elections are won as much by getting out our vote as by having really great candidates. The reason that the “red wave of 2010” stopped at the Washington border was that Republicans did not do as good a job as Democrats in getting voter ballots into the polls. Yell all you want about the tactics they used or they have the “unions” on their side. The bottom line is that they outworked us and the loss is on us not them. A lot of good candidates were wasted because we forgot the basics. It not how much money you raise or how many debates you may win. It all comes down to how many votes the elections office tallies for your candidate..
With that in mind, it should be clear that we need to put forth every reasonable effort to win every possible election in 2011. Time is short but we can still pull it out. It will take a concerted, direct effort by each and every one of us to achieve success. Do not let our candidates down. Do not let our country down, Most of all do not let yourself down by not giving your all to the effort. If you need to know what to do, call me 360-308-9845. HOPE is a very poor substitute for well directed, concerted effort. Let’s not Hope for victory, let’s WORK for victory.
The work that we do this year will set the stage for next year. Please remember that even though the Presidential race is important (we cannot allow the Democrats to win) the local and state races are equally important. Consider that if we can take the Governor’s mansion, increase the number of Republican Senators by three, and increase the number of Representatives by eight, Republicans will control the state. Then announced candidates for Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State are the strongest team we have fielded for a number of years. We have two really good candidates running for open seats in the 35th and a vulnerable seat in the 26th. Whoever replaces the recently promoted representative in the 23rd will not have much of an established record to run on and will most likely prove to be a fiscal liberal. Then of course there is the other Representative in the 23rd who, with her record, should be ripe for replacement in today’s fiscal environment. Every one of these races will require time, money, and lots of effort. Now is the time to gear up for that challenge. Kitsap has the potential to provide at least three of the eight seat gains needed for the House. Let’s show Washington what determination is all about.
The Republican caucus will be held on March 3, 2012. Included in the caucus will be a non-binding preference poll for our presidential nominee. Because we are holding the caucus before Super Tuesday, the poll must be non-binding. However, because the caucus is before Super Tuesday our outcome can influence voters elsewhere. We have a great opportunity for the candidates to visit the state and to have greater attention directed toward us. Because the incumbent cannot win reelection without carrying Washington, we become a bigger player in the mix. 2012 should be a lot of fun, but only if we are up for it and stay in the game at full strength the entire way.
To prepare for the caucus and the 2012 elections we need a number of Precinct Committee Officer vacancies filled. These positions are critical to our ability to validate our voter information files, increase voter registration, increase voter awareness, and help our candidates reach individual voters. PCO also serve as the chair persons for their precinct caucus. They are designated an automatic delegate to the County Convention and have the opportunity to seek election as a delegate to the state, and ultimately, the national convention. The work is not hard but does require dedication. Please contact me if you are interested in a PCO position or are willing to assist the PCO in your precinct.
We are starting preparations for Lincoln Day dinner 2012. We are looking for a date in February and are trying to hook a national figure to be our keynote. More information on this in the coming months.
Please get behind our 2011 candidates and give them all the direct assistance and support that you can. Winning is not everything but defeat is not acceptable.
Please contact me with your questions, ideas, recommendations and comments. This is your Republican Party and you need to let me know what you think and what you want.
Victory in 2011 and 2012
Chairman