"Why the Republican Party Needs to Stand For Principles"

by Chairman Jan Klaas

Over the past week, questions have been raised regarding the right of political parties to remove candidates from the ballot. In a recent column, Chuck Sweeny asserts that the local parties are grasping at straws to be relevant in local government. Well I disagree. What is actually happening is that Republican leaders are in the process of implementing positive reforms for our Party. Our state faces a crisis in government due to corruption and poor leadership in both Parties and voters are cynical about politicians in general. I can assure you that the local Republican Party is carefully reviewing our candidates and our message with the hope of returning our Party to our conservative roots and providing honest leadership in government.

So what does it mean to be a Republican? Exit polls show that many people have forgotten what the Republican Party stands for. Perhaps the "big tent" has become so large that we have lost our distinctive characteristics. Why would people join an organization that has no core beliefs or common cause? Republicans have written a state and national platform that clearly outlines our approach to government and solutions to our most pressing challenges. In a nutshell, the ideals of the Republican Party include:

1. Fiscal Responsibility. A free society rests upon a free economy. Government must be limited and encourage growth and enterprise through minimal taxation and careful regulation. Spending reductions are preferred to tax increases.

2. Maintaining strong national security. A fundamental roll of government is the protection of life and property. Peace is maintained through strength; therefore, Republicans support maintaining a strong military and securing our borders against illegal immigration.

3. Traditional Values. We see all Americans as individuals and not as members of one group or another. We recognize that virtues and moral habits are foundational to a strong society. Core among these are respect for human life from birth to natural end, support of the family by recognizing marriage as a permanent relationship between men and women, and empowering parents with educational choice. A successful Nation requires its citizens to be instilled with a sense of duty and honor as well as fundamental love of country.

I believe that ALL of these ideals are important and necessary to win elections. Our Party must stand strong on our core principles because they work and will attract voters. Our principles have already led to great achievements. Against fierce opposition, Republican reformers brought forth the 13th Amendment banning slavery, the 14th Amendment extending the Bill of Rights to the states, and the 15th Amendment according voting rights to African Americans. More recently Regan reforms led to the end of the Cold war, collapse of the Soviet Union, and a robust economy. These ideals work and are worth fighting for.The challenge for Republicans is finding candidates that will not compromise our core beliefs.

Americans in general have become tolerant of weak, unprincipled leadership. Voters often express dismay at having to vote for the "lesser of two evils" on Election Day. Some Republican leaders think we should abandon core principles to attract voters; I disagree.

If we want real change in government today, we have to get serious about recruiting better candidates and electing better leaders. Regardless of what Hollywood or the media says, character still counts and morality matters. Locally the Republican Party is reviewing our process of selecting candidates. Through surveys and interviews we hope to determine a candidate's approach to government and issues we are facing. The decision of the precinct committeemen in Rockford Township to elect candidates through a caucus has been harshly criticized, yet the results are that new, young, well-qualified candidates for office have been identified.

This brings us to the events of the past week. The Republican Party of Winnebago County stands by the decision made by other Republicans to challenge candidates who voted in the Democrat Primary of 2008 and who are now claiming to be Republican. The Republican Party will maintain its right to defend the integrity of the ballot. It is our right to ensure that those who seek office and represent the Republican Party are what they say they are. A recent court case clearly upholds the election law against candidate party switching and states that it is the right of Republicans or Democrats to challenge the validity of a candidate's claim to Party affiliation based on that candidate's voting record. The people need now more than ever, candidates with principles, not party shoppers looking for social status and the easiest route to a government pay check.

It is wrong to claim that a challenge to a candidate's credentials based on this court decision is somehow reflective of any Party's "inclusiveness". Yet one such candidate, Mark Bonne, has attempted to make this claim despite the fact he himself used the very same objection to the candidacy of his opponent. Mark Bonne's criticism is without merit and hypocritical. Bonne's criticism of the very same Republican Party that he professes to be allied with proves that he has no allegiances to either Party or consistency. As Party Chairman I will support the Republican candidates who qualify for the ballot and will bear our standard in the April municipal elections.

In conclusion, I wish to thank Chuck Sweeny for wishing us luck in our Party reforms. I believe the community will see that positive changes are ahead for the Winnebago County Republican Party.