Since the Clark County Republican Party took their suicidal plunge towards irrelevancy this past Saturday, I now see increasing comments regarding “Real Republicans,” indicating Republican candidates and incumbents such as candidate for County Council District 3 John Blom, incumbent 18th Legislative District State Senator Ann Rivers and incumbent 3rd Congressional District Representative Jaime Herrera Beutler are not “Real Republicans.”
Claims are that this declaration is based upon their voting records in the case of Herrera Beutler and Rivers and that Blom’s votes on the Planning Commission do not reflect those preferred by the leaders of the Clark County Republican Party or outgoing County Councilor, David Madore.
In the case of Blom, Madore showed himself to be an extremely poor loser last evening by labeling Blom and several others as “politicians [that] wage war against citizens and against faithful citizen representatives” and “those falsely campaigning as an R.”
After weeks and months railing on about “RINO”s that elect Democrats,” we now see not only Madore but vitriolic bloggers endorsing and publicly supporting Democrats Tanisha Harris (running against Blom) and former 49th Legislative District Representative Jim Moeller, campaigning against Herrera Beutler.
Madore states, “Regardless of political views, we cannot engage in deception or go along with those that do. That’s why I am supporting Democrat Tanisha Harris for Clark County Council. Even though her political views are different than mine, she is decent, honest, and respectful.”
I have no qualms with Tanisha who has shown herself to be a capable candidate. But bear in mind, Madore also claims Blom to be just a “rubber stamp” for those he hatefully labels “the three Liberals” on County Council.
So his answer is to support a known and admitted Liberal for the County Council?
And let us not forget, he and several others are the same ones demanding we get behind their choice of Donald Trump to stop Democrats and Hillary Clinton from winning.
In comments it is asked, “if Craig Pridemore or Sean Guard or Tim Leavitt or Jim Moeller ran as an R, would that make them an R? What is a genuine R? If you stand in your garage and claim to be a car, does that make you a car?”
Perhaps it has been forgotten that in the 2009 Vancouver Mayors race, Leavitt was accused by former Mayor Royce Pollard of being a Republican due to his introducing gubernatorial candidate Dino Rossi at an event earlier.
It is also claimed many times lately that candidates such as John Blom were never heard of before this election, so who are they really?
John Blom (Center) at 2013 Bill Turlay fundraiser. image by Dick Sohn
Need I remind all that back when I sat on the board of the Clark County Republican Party (2008, 2009), no one had heard of David Madore, Christian Berrigan, Sean Emerson, Kenny Smith (Party chair today) and several others angrily now leveling accusations and demeaning others as not “Real Republicans?” And we did not hold secret or private meetings back then as they came on the scene to determine just who or what they each were.
I can’t help but believe these people would strike Ronald Reagan’s name from the roster of “Real Republicans” for his votes as President giving amnesty to Illegal Aliens and would gleefully ostracize him for some other acts taken while in office.
And especially since he too was once a declared Democrat.
After all, Ann Rivers is being lambasted for her vote for a transportation bill that isn’t popular, so why would these cretins give Reagan a pass for illegal aliens?
And if Madore is what would be called a “Real Republican,” why does he get a pass for signing the budget when he was Council Chair that now confronts us with a $20 Million deficit?
Seriously, has there ever actually been an elected official that we can agree with 100% of their votes and statements?
Has there ever been one we oppose 100% of their votes and statements?
Of course not.
And don’t bother commenting that I am not a “Real Republican” because I will only agree with you. Regardless of what butt kissers like Kj Hinton claim, that I am a RINO, I have long been an Independent, leaving the Democrats in 1977 and leaving the Republicans in 2010.
Hinton only shows his utter ignorance and contempt by labeling someone not even a Republican as “RINO.” (Republican in name only)
When it comes right down to it, the most troubling aspect of this “Real Republican” nonsense is, who gets to decide and by what criteria?
Does the CCGOP intend to or already have a secret blue ribbon panel with their notebooks following candidates around to ensure they are “pure?”
Do they have an anonymous set of regulations known only to them to judge everybody else by?
Just what gives this hateful group the right to label everybody and place them in their little boxes?
Is it really much different than the Salem Witch Hunts of centuries ago where innocents were labeled and tested to their deaths, only exonerated of allegations once they were dead by the cruelest of means?
I will gladly place my name on that “not a Real Republican” list and enjoy voting my conscience for who I feel best suits the needs of the County, State or National Government.
In fact, who would really want to be a “Real Republican” if it means you must be like the miscreants driving more nails in the Republican party coffin every day?
Don’t we already have enough meanness in the world without embracing more now being offered by the hateful fringe in control of the Republican Party?
After all, if they really do not want more Democrats in office, why do they rely on claims such as, “It’s better to elect real Democrats than fake Republicans?” (Paraphrase)
It makes one question, just who is the real RINO?
