Comment: A brief review of past and present Iowa GOP and National Platforms would show that Iowa Republicans and the Party as a whole are solid supporters of LIFE and MARRIAGE. Why should we support those who differ from this position simply because they want to wear a "Republican" label? They are not in the "mainstream" of the party and if they were truly honest, might find themselves "happier" with those folks on the other side of the aisle.
They may or may not agree on the issues of Life and Marriage to the extent this gentleman may require.
BUT he seemed to think that BIG GOVERNMENT was the solution to all our problems even to the extent of allowing the State to determine a Fair and Equitable distribution of Air Time on Issues.
Iowa Christian Alliance President and Republican National Committee member Steve Scheffler is among 10 co-sponsors of a resolution being circulated that aims to impose a conservative litmus test on potential GOP candidates.
The resolution, dubbed a “purity test” by the media, became public Monday. It lists 10 positions Republican candidates should support to demonstrate that they “espouse conservative principles and public policies” that are in opposition to “Obama’s socialist agenda.”
Any Republican candidate who breaks with the guidelines of the resolution on three or more of these issues would be penalized by being denied party funds or the party endorsement.
See, that is where I diverge from Mr Scheffler. I may not agree with the results of an election, but I will fully support the right of voters to choose those who represent them.
NO Party official should have the right to withhold Party Funds from the winner of a Primary. The Voters determine who their nominee should be.
Recently the same dubious "Not A Real Republican" charge was levied against Halley Barbor of Mississippi. A man respected by many who obviously are also not considered REAL Republicans,
The Results?
In Des Moines County a motion to ask for his resignation. If failed with only two votes in favor.
But in Linn County, the motion passed
Be it resolved that for his intimidation of Republicans considering and/or seeking political office, we call on Iowa's Republican National Committeeman, Steve Sheffler, to resign his position.
passed at the Linn County Republican Central Committee by a vote of 20 to 11.
Resolution introduced by William Dahlsten, Pct. 41
For some reason when I insist that no one has the right to decide if another is a REAL Republican there as some who take affront, as if I were declaring that THEY are not REAL Republicans
They are not listening.
I don't think they have that right, I don't claim that right for myself and I reject the right of anyone else to make that decision for either of us.
I don't dispute the validity of Mr Schefflers ideals, I agree with most of them.
What I dispute is whether it is right and fitting for him to impose those on others and use his office in the RPI to punish those who do not agree with him
And it would appear by a ration of about 2:1 those who attended the Linn County Central Committee last night agree with me.
I myself did not vote.
I am an Associate Committee person, according to our By-Laws I may be heard from the floor and that I was, I did speak in favor of the motion.
But I have no vote, except in the absence of one of the two elected Committee Persons.
While one from my Precinct was absent there was another Associate Committee Person who has been attending Meetings far longer than I.
I looked them up and informed them that they should be voting.
They voted against the motion,
One gentleman who spoke against the Motion mentioned the dangers of a House divided,
That is so true, and we cannot afford to drive out of our Party Good Conservatives who do not agree with us on EVERY issue.
That is not my desire, I do not wish to drive anyone out, nor do I wish to stand by silent, while others do.
UPDATE: Audio File of the Debate and Voting
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Updated: Friday, 25 June 2010 5:49 AM CDT