Friday, May 06, 2011

Butler County GOP and Endorsements

This Politics Extra piece on the Cates replacement has a tidbit that I simply must address:
The county’s GOP central committee will also decide whether or not to do away with endorsements altogether for 2012 elections.

GOP Executive Chairman Dave Kern wouldn’t say much about the issue because he said any change in bylaws are the party’s “private business.”  But he did confirm the gathering and the topic of discussion.
Endorsements are VITAL to the process of selecting our nominees and the candidates need to be tested on messaging and organizational skills.  The endorsement process is critical for measuring the state of the party too.
Look, I get that some in the party find the process to be divisive.  That's what happens when you have to display leadership and take a stand on an issue or a candidate.  I also fully understand that the community has a history of ignoring the recommendations made by the endorsement process of the party (see Rogers, Kay for example).  That does not mean that the party should surrender its say in who represents us on the ballot.

The whole point behind having a party is to make these decisions and then help those candidates win elections.

If folks have questions, feel free to fire away in the comments section or by email...but I really am a firm believer in the endorsement process and we ought to be strengthening it rather than tossing it aside.