Feb. 2, 2010

As reported in the Orlando Sentinel today, a lengthy list of Central Florida’s GOP leadership gave it’s blessing to state Sen. John Thrasher’s bid to serve as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida.  The list included Lew Oliver, OCREC Chairman, Gerald Braley, OCREC State Committeeman and Nancy Patterson, OCREC Committeewoman.

 

The question that comes to mind is how did the leadership of OCREC arrive at this decision?  The January meeting just took place last week and the topic never came up.  I can also attest that, as a member, my opinion was never sought on the matter.  Is it unrealistic to expect that consideration…naive, perhaps?  Do these individuals not represent the membership, at large, and, in as much as they do, their decisions reflect on the whole, do they not?

 

There is a prevailing opinion that the Republican Party is a ‘top-down’ organization, and, actions such as this serve only to perpetuate that opinion.  Leadership acting unilaterally, with little respect for the populace, is precisely what has motivated millions of Americans to rise up over the past year and get involved in the political process, many for the first time ever.  I have heard some quantify what is happening in America today as just part of the normal ebb and flow of politics, nothing more than the pendulum swing back to the right.  To think like this is a grave mistake and a true failure to understand that we are experiencing a significant, lasting change in American society. 

 

For the party establishment not to see this and continue with a ‘business as usual’ approach is a direct threat to the success that is so critically needed in November.  Success that will only come with a unified party where everyone feels valued, a party pulling together to achieve a common goal, which cannot happen with out of touch leadership.  If the present leadership cannot comprehend this, and develop a strategy to ensure these results, then, perhaps, we risk the future of this great country to continue under its guidance.