Monday, April 21, 2008
Illinois Republican Party: No Outside Views Allowed
by Lee Newcom
Could someone please explain to me why the Illinois Republican Party staff is making phone calls to county chairmen telling them not to allow people to speak who (gasp) may have ideas other than genuflecting to current leaders?
This morning WLS radio commentator and long-time Republican activist Dan Proft spoke to our monthly Republican meeting. But not before our county chairman recieved a call from the state party headquarters warning him that he should not allow Proft to speak. Why? Well, Proft "bashes" the Republican party. Huh?
Now I have heard Proft speak before and again today. He comes with a long pedigree of managing campaigns, writing and commenting on issues. He correctly speaks to the question of how we rebuild as a party. You don't correct your mistakes unless you are willing to ask where you went wrong and how you get back. That is NOT a negative message. It is engaging in dialog about where the party is and how we rebuild. In fact, Proft said nothing negative about the party or party leadership. He did make some very good points and I recomend him as a speaker to local GOP organizations.
There will be no rebuilding by people who are determined that NO ONE may dare speak except current leaders. Party leaders who have a staff sycophant calling to surpress any ideas shows only the weakness of those leaders. So long as the Illinois Republican Party has a sign hanging out, "No Ideas Allowed," there will be no success.
