Principle or Power
“Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.” — Alexander Hamilton
What is a Republican? Anyone who is qualified to vote can affiliate with the Republican Party and call themselves a “Republican.” There is no test or oath, just check a box and you are in. But what if there is a candidate who claims to be a Republican? Should you expect the candidate to hold the Republican values described in the Republican Platform? It is your job to determine what being a Republican means for each candidate or should the word “Republican” have a standard meaning?
You have reviewed the Republican Platform so you know what being a Republican means to you and you expect others to have roughly the same idea. But what if they don’t? What if a candidate believes they are a Republican because they SAY they are a Republican and not because they believe in Republican Principles? What if the candidate is philosophically a Democrat and they just call themselves a Republican so they can get elected and bring Democrat principles into the Republican Party? Do you want the Republican Party to do nothing to inform the voters?
Imagine you have a peanut allergy and a candy bar company uses peanuts but fails to list peanuts as an ingredient on the wrapper. You buy one of these candy bars after reading the list of ingredients, determine it is safe, so you eat it and moments later you frantically call 911 as your throat swells shut. Whose fault is it? Is it your fault for believing the wrapper and not testing the contents or is it the candy bar company’s fault for misrepresenting the ingredients? Of course it is the candy bar maker’s fault and a jury would agree and award you a sizable settlement.
If the Republican Party offers you a candidate that says “Republican” on the wrapper does the party have any obligation to ensure that what is inside is an actual Republican? Of course it does!
The Kootenai County Republican Central Committee’s (KCRCC) 73 unique precinct committeemen from every corner of Kootenai County agree with you that the Republican Party does have an obligation to inform you so you know if what is on the wrapper matches what’s inside.
Four years ago we put in place a process involving questionnaires, interviews, candidate forums, background checks and ultimately a special meeting of the entire central committee where we discuss each candidate. After the discussion, a paper ballot is issued to each member so they can cast a confidential vote for the candidate they believe the KCRCC should recommend as the best Republican for a particular office. The ballots are tallied in full view of the members, the results announced and immediately posted online.