By Rod Beck (former Idaho State Majority Leader) June 17, 2007
Ultraliberal Jim Fisher is now giving advice to the Idaho Republican Party!
As amazing as it sounds, it’s true. Fisher - leftist editorial writer at the Lewiston Tribune - is dispensing election advice to the Idaho GOP.
He thinks the Idaho Republican Party should not have adopted a rule that would prevent Democrats, like him, from participating in a Republican primary.
Actually, Fisher and Bill Cope (from Boise Weekly), liberal editorial writers both, are the twin poster boys for why the Idaho GOP is on the right track in closing its leadership selection process to Democrats.
Both have bragged about and encouraged Democrats to cross over and “help” Republicans pick their candidates. They and their ilk are the reasons the Idaho GOP have said enough is enough. No more liberal Democrats participating in choosing Idaho Republican leadership.
The Idaho Republican Party’s state central committee recently voted to adopt a rule that would not allow those, like Jim Fisher, and other Democrats who want to defeat the GOP, a chance to be included in choosing Republican leaders.
What a novel approach.
It’s such a strange notion that a majority of other states in the union have been doing just that for years. Registration by political party is a requirement in a majority of the states in the nation.
You might also be surprised to know that Idaho Democrats already hold a closed nominating process. Idaho Democrats participate in a closed caucus to choose delegates pledged to certain presidential candidates to the Democratic national convention and are not open to Republicans.
Imagine that. The Democratic National Committee rules prohibit recognition of any votes in states like Idaho that allow crossover voting. When you hear Democrats moaning about the new Idaho Republican rule, think duplicity.
Several years ago, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling that said a state has no business dictating to a private political party how to choose its leaders. And the U.S. Supreme Court is right on target with that issue.
The Idaho Republican Party responded to that ruling at the June 2006 state convention by passing a platform position, a resolution and even a proposed rule regarding party registration and to prohibit non-Republicans from participating in the choosing of Republican leaders.
The Idaho Legislature followed up by introducing two bills regarding a party registration requirement. There was no vote taken on either bill even though members of the Legislature knew the Idaho Republican Party would formally adopt such a rule at the June meeting.
The Legislature had a chance to do the right thing, but failed. And Democrats like Fisher were leading the charge in opposition to the effort. They want to continue to have influence in the Republican leadership selection process.
A political party is best defined as people who join together with a common set of governing values and principles for the purpose of electing people to public office.
As the positions of a political party become known and accepted by larger groups, it becomes a franchise.
Just as you know what to expect when you obtain any franchised product, you should also know what to expect when you elect a Republican or a Democrat.
Members of the Idaho Republican Party have been disenfranchised for years. Does it not seem strange to periodically witness Republicans acting like Democrats? The Republican Party offers a franchise of less government regulation relying instead on the free market and the strength of the individual and therefore lower taxes.
Occasionally, some people run for public office as Republicans who are more interested in the accumulation of power than ascribing to Republican values of less government. These are the politicians who routinely ignore the Republican parties’ platform and corresponding resolutions.
To allow Jim Fisher, Bill Cope and other Democrats the option to join in the selection of Republican leaders is to disenfranchise all Republicans.
That is why the U.S. Supreme Court said it is wrong. The freedom of association also includes the freedom to not associate. The natural consequences of a dilution of the Republican vote in a Republican Primary election are a gradual disconnect from the governing principles of the Republican Party.
How many University of Idaho football fans would appreciate the alumni association at Boise State University being allowed to participate in choosing the quarterback and starting lineup for the University of Idaho?
Republicans don’t appreciate the likes of ultra leftist liberals like Jim Fisher, et. al, participating in the selection of our quarterback and starting lineup either.
Rod Beck is the former Republican majority leader in the Idaho State Senate.
