This is what I sent out yesterday for the consideration of state Central Committee members. After all, my snail mail has been full over the last two weeks with solicitations for my support; I just chose to do mine in a medium I’m comfortable with (and can afford, since sending 200-plus snail mails could cost about $100.)
Greetings to all,
My name is Michael Swartz and I’m a member of Wicomico County’s Republican Central Committee here in Salisbury. I’m writing you today to ask for your support this coming Saturday as I seek the position of Alternate Delegate to the Republican National Convention in Minneapolis this September.
Over the last couple weeks I’ve been the recipient of a number of e-mails and snail mail pieces extolling the virtues of a number of other candidates for all the posts we’ll vote on next week. However, I have one thing that they do not have: at the moment, my political website, monoblogue, is rated as the most influential political blog in Maryland by BlogNetNews.com. With a number of well-read contenders from both the left and the right, it’s tough to make it to the top – yet I’ve been there twice in the last three weeks.
And while I’ve been in this political game for awhile, I’ve found over the years that my talent lies in writing persuasively in favor of issues and candidates I support. It is for this reason I’d like to go to the convention as an Alternate Delegate, to provide an up-close and differing view to that which the mainstream (or “drive-by”) media will certainly provide to its audience. If you’re not familiar with my website, you’ll find that I’m not shy about expressing my opinion on issues like the Long War, immigration, the green movement, or the lunacy we see each spring from our General Assembly as common sense goes by the wayside. You’ll also see that candidates come by my support honestly based on the issues.
As it turns out, I’m not part of the slate put together by some in the Maryland GOP. Having seen this type of top-down elitism from the Republican Party in my native Ohio, you can be sure I had my thoughts on that issue too. Certainly those on the slate have the right to make their case, but I applaud Chairman Pelura for refraining to dictate who should be elected and allowing the grassroots activists from across Maryland – including those areas which actually elect Republicans such as my adopted Eastern Shore and those out in the far reaches of western Maryland – a chance to make their decision as to who represents the Free State in Minneapolis.
Some have said that running against the establishment is a hopeless cause, but I believe those who are Republicans are also those who are best at judging one on their merits. If you feel that my unique qualifications are what our state needs at the upcoming convention, I’ll appreciate your support next week. Regardless, win or lose, I don’t plan on stopping my quest to “push the country in the RIGHT direction.”
Sincerely,
Michael Swartz
Wicomico County Republican Central Committee
Since I sent this out yesterday, the rankings changed a little bit but the ideas are the same. I’d like to bring that little bit more of a reinventionist influence to the proceedings, making my argument that as a nation we need to return to our roots in the Constitution and limited government, despite our presumptive nominee’s ideas that sometimes suggest otherwise.
Later this evening I’ll have my input on something else the Maryland GOP had to say.
