Today marks the first time that the Boss has let me write the Daily Commentary, and it’s a privilege that I do not take lightly. Thanks, Boss!
What Jon has done with the Flash Report in the short amount of time that it has been “live” embodies the pioneer spirit that drew me from my native Illinois to the Golden State. It is that same pioneer spirit-that celebration of individual freedom and liberty-that drew me away from my parents’ Democratic Party to join the Republican Party on my 18th birthday. My, how quickly 10 (or so) years go by… (:
As this article goes up on the Flash Report today, I’ll be driving up to Sacramento in my 9 year old, beat up minivan to attend an open meeting regarding the CRP platform that will soon be revisited. Based on the phone calls and emails I’ve received lately, there is no shortage of diversity of opinions on possible revisions to the platform, and I think that is a great thing! While there are some who drop the “RINO bomb” on anyone who doesn’t plug into their uni-mind, I think the majority of delegates and platform committee members will remain open-minded as we respectfully consider the thoughts of our Party-mates. I expect to witness the “pioneer spirit”, as Republicans from every part of the Party spectrum celebrate the individual passion and beliefs of their colleagues. Inasmuch as our Founding Fathers fought like cats and dogs to reach consensus on the Constitution, I predict some heated debates. But those debates will lead the CRP to a more well-rounded, representative platform than we could achieve otherwise. Disagreements and disputes are not something to avoid via backroom deals; instead, they are to be heralded as a healthy exercise in freedom of thought and expression. It’s my hope that the CRP will conduct itself in such a way that if a high school civics class were watching us behind a two way mirror, they would witness a living laboratory of respect for freedom of speech and the defenders of democracy in action.
**There is more – click the link**
August 24th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Great posting from a voice that I think is important to the future of the GOP.
Great job Jill!
Hopefully the Drafting Committee will tap Jill to write the new (and first) Republican plank on the Environment!
August 24th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Pioneer spirit? The CRP are the ones who gave us this Austrian socialist in the first place.
The only Pioneer I can see is Sen. McClintock. He’s the only one who talks the talk and walks the walk.
The rest of the Republicans appear to me to be socialists-lite.
August 26th, 2007 at 12:00 am
Great commentary, Jill. In my experience (I had the job of writing a proposed first draft two platforms ago, then keeping track of and reflecting the drafting and platform changes as the debates progressed), the discussions are worthy of civics class viewing. There are always a few folks who miss the point, however. Your commentary should be must reading for the committee members.