Addressing an attentive group of about 50 precinct committeemen in Distinct 17 this evening Republican contenders for leadership posts made their cases.
The open seat of Maricopa County Chairman brings to the fore candidates with dueling ideas of which direction to take the grassroots activists of the Republican party. Jerry Brooks, a longtime Chandler resident who served in elected city roles, carried the McCain banner and focused on inclusiveness.
Rob Haney, the immediate past chairman of Distinct 11 is an energized, no-nonsense conservative who proudly displays his credentials. He has presided for two terms over the district with the largest PC base in the state — most of whom he personally recruited — and speaks forthrightly of the costly impact of illegal immigration. Haney has the endorsement of law enforcement stalwarts Sheriff Joe Arpaio and Senator-elect Russell Pearce.
Haney also has the endorsement of outgoing Maricopa County Chairman Tom Husband.
The energetic Rob Haney who rose to his feet to address the attendees stood in stark contrast to Jerry Brooks who remained seated throughout the entire debate.
This Saturday, January 10th will tell the tale as the two distinct factions face-off.
Current State GOP Chairman Randy Pullen and his challenger Lisa James will have a rematch of their 2007 contest at the state meeting January 24th, where elected state committeemen will decide the direction of the Arizona Republican Party. Pullen has gained prominence on the national scene and is currently running for treasurer of the Republican National Committee.
It is important to remember that the underlying motivating factors in both of these races is border control, taxpayer-subsidized cheap illegal labor and amnesty masquerading as comprehensive immigration reform.
Conservatives are rallying around Pullen and Haney in these important races.
January 6, 2009 at 9:54 pm
One question: How in the world did this get posted so soon? I just returned home from the meeting which ended about an about hour ago and found this. I’m impressed.
January 6, 2009 at 10:16 pm
At the RNC televised national debate it was repeated that the Republican Party should weigh in on policy matters and it was up to the Precinct Committeeman to make our office holders accountable. Pretty powerful stuff.
Ken Blackwell has issued a “shareholder’s revolt document” emphasizing decentralized authority. “RNC members are elected by the grassroots base of the party. This is a shareholder revolt, and the grassroots of our party will once again be in charge of the RNC“.
Among those who endorsed Blackwell are Brent Bozell, Dr. James Dobson. Stuart Epperson (chairman of the Salem Communications Corp,), Steve Forbes, Tim LaHaye, Ed Meese, Phyllis Schlafly, Tony Perkins (Pres. Of the Family Research Council), and Pat Toomey to name a few.
January 6, 2009 at 10:52 pm
I watched the RNC debate and almost fell off my chair when all of the candidates tried to top each other in explaining how they spoke out against Republican office holders who advocated in favor of policies contrary to the Constitution and the platform. They said we must be a bottom-up organization not a top-down one, and stated we should stay and fight for Republican principles rather than resign.
Maybe there is hope yet for free speech and conservatism in the party. Someone go tell John McCain and John Kyl. They are in the process of kicking all the conservatives with a voice and a lick of sense out of the party for daring to oppose their policies publically.
January 7, 2009 at 8:07 am
Thanks for telling it like it is, Kate. I watched the RNC debate, also and came away with the same thoughts. Our own Republican elected office holders, especially on the congressional level, are scurrying as fast as they can to separate themselves from GOP leadership. And why? Because the squishy middle is where they think their voter base lies. Apparently they’ve missed the fact that here at home conservatives who articulated a clear conservative message captured seat after seat in the state legislature. If the AZ delegation thinks they win hearts with a soft on the border, “temporary” (?) worker scheme, they are as wrong as can be. The only hearts they are winning are those of the illegals and their advocates and their wealthy business campaign donors who care more about their bottom line than their country. We will withhold our support, both dollars and votes, from such people.
January 7, 2009 at 9:10 am
You’re right about the Brooks – McCain connection. It goes way back. McCain barely carried his own state in the November presidential race. We need to move away from that failed amnesty aficionado and think in terms of leadership that puts Arizona first.
I know Rob Haney and marvel at the time and energy he puts into PC recruitment and work for the GOP. Jerry Brooks was brought in solely to do McBidding.
January 7, 2009 at 9:43 am
I cringe every time I hear “moderates” like Brooks try to put the label of “divisive” on conservative candidates. In all the years I’ve followed and worked with Haney he has never hinted anybody–not even Sproul–should leave the Party. Haney offers reasoned and intelligent arguments for upholding the Republican platform and electing conservative officials.
Haney gets it…reinforce your argument instead of raising your voice. It is just disguised name calling when these moderates indicate the conservatives are “divisive.”
January 8, 2009 at 10:25 pm
If the individual leadership of the state and county parties is so important, meaning the writers here prefer a conservative rather than a moderate chairman, then of what value is the GOP platform? Are we a party of men or of laws?
If James beats Pullen or vice versa, no one should think it’s a referendum on illegal immigration. I mean, when Pullen won last time by four votes what did people conclude? And if he loses by four this time, what then?
I am fed up with the calls for unity. There is no sizable majority among GOP PC’s that can claim the authority to ram stuff down the throats of the rest.
January 9, 2009 at 11:36 am
Family first. Period. Citizens first. Period. Americans first. Period. CONSTITUTIONAL SUPERIOR KNOWLEDGE A PREREQUISITE.
January 12, 2009 at 8:42 am
Here’s the question:
Are the Republican losses of 06 and 08 due to poor packaging and branding, or are they due to a less than quality product inside the box to begin with?
Example: A large majority of voters nationwide wanted their borders secure and made a lot of noise about it. What were the leading Senators from Arizona doing to respond to the wishes of the voters? As one Arizona state “R” legislator put it a couple of years ago, ‘…we need all the imported labor we can get to keep the state’s economy going’.
I ask you, is that consistant with what the voters want to find in the package labeled “R”?
That is only one example. The product inside the “Republican” box must be in line with the product the consumer is wanting to buy (at the polls).
Lisa James is excellent at the marketing of the “R” brand – but its what’s inside the box the consumers are concerned about.
Here’s my bottom line for you to consider:
After Pullen won the chairmanship in 2006, where was Lisa James in the fight to raise funds, register new Republicans and all the things she’s promising today???
So, why can she do for the party now, what she didn’t do for the party then?
I hope the editors put this question out to their readership and perhaps some of the other blogs within the Republican community pick it up.
We can change the label and packaging all we want to, but if the product (think Newt Gingrich) in the box remains the same, when the consumer is interested in (for example) Sarah Palin, then we’re wasing our time and will contiue to deserve to loose elections. (As Nathan Sproul is so very good at doing)… sorry, couldn’t resist.