Clearing the slate

Before I even begin, let me say right up front in the interest of full disclosure that I’m running to be an Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis this coming September.

Now that I have that out of the way, here’s my gripe – and it’s shared by some others who have e-mailed myself and others throughout the state’s Republican Party.

Apparently for previous conventions the state party selected a slate of Delegates and Alternate Delegates for approval at the state convention immediately before the national one. This time, though, state party Chairman Jim Pelura declined to pick a slate, deferring the decision to the conventioneers – a move I agree with 100 percent. It can be argued that those areas which already have a large number of votes will naturally hold sway and dominate the process, but at least it gives a chance to those who may or may not be favored by those in charge of the party in any given year.

Earlier this week though I got an e-mail from the Maryland Republican Party’s First Vice-Chair, Chris Cavey, who obviously felt a slate was necessary to assure some sort of “diversity”:

MDGOP will not present an official slate of candidates for RNC Delegates/Alternates at our Annapolis Spring Convention, May 10, 2008. Several of us, however, thought it would be a wonderful idea, plus a show of solidarity, to build a team of both party and campaign leaders from other Presidential campaigns.

We are not asking the McCain campaign for an “official blessing” (even though we would be honored to have such a blessing) but have informed them of our efforts to bring MDGOP members and our legislative leaders, as one, behind our party’s nominee, Sen. John McCain.

All of us know that you will naturally be voting for friends and honoring your commitments made prior to this letter. Maryland has many leaders and there are only 20 slots for the convention. This list is a recommendation for you, as you fill-out your ballot. It is a broad and fair representation of Republican leaders, plus demographic representation; we hope that you will consider all or part of this team for your approval.

Thank you,

The Unity Team Members

This so-called “unity team” comprises the following candidates for Delegate:

Joan Becker, State Senator David Brinkley, Chris Cavey, Chuck Gast, Mike Geppi, Anne McCarthy, Delegate Tony McConkey, Delegate Tony O’Donnell, Patt Parker, and Corey Stottlemeyer.

Then you have these people standing for Alternate:

Nicholee Ambrose, Ashley Barbera, Sharon Carrick, Kevin Igoe, Katie Nash, Gloria Murphy, Mike Pappas, Rex Reed, Delegate Chris Shank, Loretta Shields.

First of all, I don’t give a damn about gender or race representation because I want the best person for the job. If we have all white guys, so be it – the same goes for if they were all Asian women. What I do want is a pretty decent proportion of geographical representation, with emphasis on regions that actually elect Republicans!

Because the first 24 Delegates and Alternate Delegates are elected based on Congressional District, it is almost certain that some areas of the state will be more well-represented than others. This is the composition of the group as it currently stands, by county:

  • Montgomery and Anne Arundel counties, 8 apiece
  • Baltimore County, 7
  • Prince George’s County, 6
  • Baltimore City, 4
  • Harford and Washington counties, 3 apiece
  • Frederick, Howard, and Talbot counties, 2 apiece
  • Calvert, Carroll, and St. Mary’s counties, 1 apiece – for a total of 48.

This is how the Unity Slate would change the composition:

  • Baltimore and Anne Arundel counties, 10 apiece
  • Montgomery County, 9
  • Baltimore City and Prince George’s County, 6 apiece
  • Washington County, 5
  • Calvert, Frederick, Harford, and Howard counties, 4 apiece
  • Carroll and Talbot counties, 2 apiece
  • Queen Anne’s and St. Mary’s counties. 1 apiece – for a total of 68.

Wow, we picked up one county in this bid for geographical diversity. Granted, it is an Eastern Shore county but those of us south of Easton and at the western extreme of Maryland, counties that have proven to be decidedly loyal to GOP candidates, get zip. We can’t do anything about the rules subdividing the state by Congressional district for the purpose of selecting conventioneers, but at our convention we can certainly pick folks from areas that actually vote for the party in order to reward loyalty.

Now some will see this missive and call me a troublemaker who’s dividing the Maryland Republican party. Well, I have news for you – it already is fractured and that’s the natural result of a “big tent” policy where people who are comfortable with John McCain’s views on a number of subjects clash with those of us who are pro-border enforcement, pro-First Amendment, and believe that the theory of manmade global warming is a bunch of hot air in and of itself.

We’re more agreeable to a point on state issues because, quite frankly, Martin O’Malley has been a disaster thus far as Governor; but even in the First District people don’t always get behind the best candidate for Congress, State Senator Andy Harris. They have the misguided view that Democrat Frank Kratovil will be a “centrist moderate” – centrist my ass. He’ll be another Pelosi lap dog and in your heart of hearts you should know it. Quit being bitter about Wayne losing. If the result were different I’d be supporting Congressman Gilchrest even though we disagree on many issues, same goes for John McCain.

So if you’re reading this and can vote for the Delegates and Alternate Delegates to represent Maryland at the national convention, bear in mind two things: rewarding those areas that are loyal to the GOP and electing their candidates, and hewing to a conservative line in order to help influence the direction of the platform. I think I fit both bills; however, if you feel differently that’s your decision and I’ll stand by it. Either way, I’m going to enjoy my vacation time whether it’s in August or the week of Labor Day.

Crossposted on Red Maryland.

Author: Michael

It's me from my laptop computer.

4 thoughts on “Clearing the slate”

  1. You and Meekins really need to get off the Pelosi kick. Has Kratovil even met Pelosi? I don’t know. You assume that they are bitter about Wayne losing. Have you talked to them? Andy Harris is so far right of Wayne and most of your big tent, that it is easy for them to support a candidate who will not risk the concerns of the 1st District by blindly adhering to partisan politics and finding himself outside the realm of influence in Congress. If you think that you will be able to pull those of us who disagree with you on some issues over to the ‘right’ side by constantly ridiculing and belittling your chosen opponents, you are on the wrong track. Something tells me that the closer the election gets, the less regard I will have for your opinions if they remain on the current course.

  2. How is my prediction (based on experience with Democrats representing me for much of my life and last year’s CQpolitics party loyalty survey) that Frank Kratovil will lean much farther to the left than even Wayne Gilchrest did “ridiculing or belittling (my) chosen opponents?”

    I guess you will probably have less regard for my opinions as time wears on because I’m not going to moderate my tone. I have called a spade a spade since day 1 of monoblogue and I’m not going to back off because someone disagrees with me.

    Meanwhile, I still want to know where Kratovil stands on extending the Bush tax cuts, gun control, private property rights, etc. I’m thinking the answers will not be centrist whatsoever so I’m not holding my breath for them.

  3. You continually suggest that moderate Republicans are supporting Kratovil only because they are bitter about the Gilchrest loss. Are you the only one that supports candidates based on the issues?

    You continually suggest that Kratovil can’t think for himself and will only be able to vote according to the direction of Nancy Pelosi. Kratovil has stated that he does not always agree with Democrat leadership.

    I consider these two patterns among others as ridicule and belittlement of those who possess views that differ from yours. Rather than considering the opposition an intellectual challenge, you resort to trying to excuse differing viewpoints as some form of idiocy.

Comments are closed.