Some might say the Idaho Republican Party has a small tent, but I disagree. The tent is plenty big. It’s just full of weirdos like anarchists, pro-life Libertarians, big-government conservatives and dope smokers.
For several years, I was a volunteer and a precinct committeeman with the Idaho Republican Party and Ada County Republicans. I managed campaigns for Janet Miller, a District 17 state representative and a model for pragmatic, effective leadership. Between 2002 and 2008 I walked hundreds of miles through Boise neighborhoods for Republican state and federal candidates, passing out brochures, surveying residents and following up as a poll watcher and precinct committeeman. I didn’t necessarily agree with all the positions, but I had faith the party was looking out for the interests of business owners and economic growth.
No more. The 2010 Idaho Republican Party convention was a mean, dumb mashup of posturing. Conventioneers avoided complex issues like education cutbacks, high unemployment, run-down infrastructure and loss of well-paying jobs. Instead of any hard policy work, they indulged themselves in useless, feel-good issues like silver and gold coin collecting, legalizing marijuana, giving the finger to the feds, telling citizens they shouldn’t elect US Senators, demanding elected officials vacate their offices and pushing a tyrannical “loyalty oath” (thankfully, elected officials are not signing it). While these radicals rail against government, their entire agenda is obsessed with government. Entrepreneurs, small business people, the high-tech sector and anyone else serious about economic growth will find nothing in this self-serving pap.
I’m a by-the-book, traditional conservative, not a tear-down-society-and-overthrow-the-government conservative. I’m conservative about being conservative. I work hard to support my family, keep my business going, meet my obligations and otherwise remain a productive citizen. I want pragmatic leaders who will work to keep this a land of opportunity, not indulge in persecution fantasies or chest-thumping exercises.
I look forward to the day when I can once again work my butt off volunteering for an Idaho Republican Party that is safe and sane.
Idaho public policy, public relations and other stuff 
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July 13, 2010 at 12:07 pm
marciglass
Hope more Republicans will stand up as you are doing and re-claim the good and important tradition of moderation that the Republican Party used to be known for.
Sincerely,
Your moderate Democratic sister in civic responsibility,
Marci
July 31, 2010 at 11:43 am
Cole
I have never been able to understand why folks who conservatives prefer to imprison, (lynch when they can get away with it), harass, oppress join up with conservative movements. Why on earth would pot smokers want to be Republican? It is like being gay and Republican. Still, I must say that I am glad the Idaho Republican Party is now full of weirdos. I am not conservative, I am not Christian because I am one of those people the conservative Christians would just as soon lynch as look at.