Our new Republican Party Chairman, Doug McKinney, is a capable man. I think he can lead us in the right direction and raise money; most importantly Doug McKinney knows he can.
But the best of intentions on his part will not save him from inevitable failure if he does not get the support of all the Republicans. Yes, he won and it was a decisive victory, but that will not keep the naysayers from doubting his every move. Don’t look so innocent. You know we all do it sometime.
The fact is Doug McKinney will not run the party like Rob Capehart, Chris Warner or the chairmen before them. He will lead Doug McKinney Style™. Whatever that is, it is the duty of all of us to trust him. Instead of analyzing his ideas and actions, let’s fall in and do our best to make him successful.
That is what it all comes down to: making our chairman successful. The problem that occurs so many times is well meaning followers do not follow. They have their ideas and suggestions and heaven forbid if our leader does not do it. If you wanted your ideas followed explicitly, you should have run for chairman. Since you did not, follow the guy who did and won.
May I suggest you do something that many will deem heretical? Instead of thinking what is best for the party, think what is best for Doug McKinney. No, I’m not saying we should give him a $120,000 salary and a Rolls Royce, but if we all work hard to make him look good and achieve his goals we will soon find out the party is looking good.
Whether you love or hate Chris Warner, Rob Capehart, or Mark Scott, we have our man and his name is Doug McKinney. The path to success is the Doug McKinney Style™.
For many decades Republicans have been few and far between, forced to survive on their own. Those days are over now. We can be a fighting force because we have a capable leader. All we have to do is follow.
–
Here’s a bonus: Chairman McKinney’s acceptance speech.
“Fellow Republicans, I am humbled by your vote of confidence in me, but I am trembling with excitement for what I believe lies ahead for our Republican Party and the state of West Virginia. You have given me your trust. I thank you and I am proud to serve as your Chairman.
“As we leave today and begin to work in earnest to implement the plan I have proposed and to make this election the most successful ever for Republican candidates in West Virginia, we must have the zeal and determination to bring these goals in fruition. Before you leave here today, I want you to take with you the three governing ideals that will be guiding me as I lead our party: God, family, and country.
“I am a Christian. I am not ashamed to be a Christian or be called one. God must remain in government.
“Family comes first. We are a family bound together by basic values and goals. Families must work for the good of the whole. Let’s each declare right now to set aside past history and any animosity that could fracture our family. We are only as strong as the commitment that binds us together.
“Our country, the land of the free and the home of the brave, belongs to us because our ancestors were willing to sacrifice their personal ambitions and fight for what is right. Republicans must step up – starting today – with the determined spirit of those men who founded this great country and established West Virginia and pledge to fight for what is right for West Virginians. We must protect personal freedom, demand personal responsibility and require accountability from our elected officials and government.
“We know that Republican values most closely mirror those of our citizens. It is time for each of us to go home and do our part in bringing fiscal stability and personal responsibility and require accountability form our elected officials and government.
“We know that Republican values most closely mirror those of our citizens. It is time for each of us to go home and do our part in bringing fiscal stability and personal responsibility back into government. We must do everything in our power to turn this state around. Republicans must rule if West Virginia is truly going to be ‘Open for Business.’
“I challenge you right now to accept the responsibility of supporting your party financially so that the party in turn can be that most important ingredient in establishing and sustaining a powerful Republican Party. My first act as your chairman is to ask each of you here today to make a personal pledge to give monthly for the next 12 months as much as you can. If it is only $10 that is fine, but will you think how much you are willing to invest regularly to insure that by 2010 Republicans will firmly control the government of West Virginia? It will be Republicans that next draw the line in the sand! Your financial support is the tipping point for this party to lead West Virginia.
“We must invest both time and money. Success builds success and you have my promise that I will work tirelessly to make our party a resounding success in the coming four years. Republicans will rule!”
- Add your comments (8 so far)
© Copyright 1999-2007 William Stewart. All rights reserved.
Comments
[…] by William Stewart […]
It is time for each of us to go home and do our part in bringing fiscal stability and personal responsibility and require accountability form our elected officials and government.
It’s too bad that President Bush doesn’t share McKinney’s commitment to “fiscal stability”, “personal responsibility” and “accountability”.
William,
I’m not a sheep, Im an Elephant in the grass!
I will not work towards the destruction of this Party.
A leader leads. It’s his job to take care of his people. In return his people take care of him. (How badly I want to use metaphors here they offend people less ) Our Chairman has never endeared himself to me. But I will give him his chance. The vote is over, I have high standards for myself. Do I make mistakes? Yes and so does every one else. I’m going going to stay positive, work hard, etc. etc.
I will not feel sorry for myself because things did not go the way I wished. I will call other members on it when they do it. Instead of invoking Warner, Caperton, Mckinney lets talk about the Ideals they projected. We quit acting like Democrats that can’t get past Bush and Blankenship.
My goals are to get Republicans elected.
County Chairs should fill their ballotts
Senatorial Dist Chairs should get with County chairs and fill their ballots. State Chairs should organize the resources. Elected officials should run down the oppositions positions (the Grass for frolicking young elephants) for distribution. When this happens all the little hurds will join because there is plenty of grass and irritating little donkeys few. No Mad Elephants.
This concludes my olive branch! Now where’s my Grass!
Thanks William,
Elephant in the Grass!
Some electronic roll call votes and opposition research is found on www.nofoodtax.com
It is a small step, but you might find it useful.
Cindy Frich
WV House of delegates, 44th
www.cindyfrich.net
Thanks for posting Doug McKinnney’s acceptance speech. He has a tough job ahead of him. The chairman’s job is always one that invites plenty of criticism His appproach of forgetting about the “recent unpleasantness” will prove to be very valuable. Being able to stay positive and constructive will drive the naysayers crazy. Besides life is more fun when one can stay positive in the face of unconstructive remarks.
Doug has expresssed a willingness to listen to people’s concerns. Therefore when there are concerns and even disgreements, I suggest that folks take these up directly with Doug. He responds to people’s concerns.
Lawrence T. Beckerle
To Lawrence T.
One of the issues on Mark Scott was he did not have the experience. Vic Sprouse made a good comment his blog about reaching out. Mark came in with 50K in pledges if he was elected chair.
Makes since to me that some-one would reach out and help heal both sides. Mark may not be ready (in many’s opinion)for the chair, but I bet he would make a Great Vice-Chair. The experience would be good for him also.
We will see! One has to question if money is the real issue as Chairman McKinney said when so much of it was turned down.
Please folks don’t take offense. I am just stating what is one more path. There is plenty of grass.
I will remain positive folks, but not blind and deaf. Cindy contributed, Holywiter hasn’t posted a strategy back yet.
Thanks William
Elephant in the Grass
Reaching out and healing must involve all Republicans - that means the Warners too! So if Doug McKinney is truely a uniter, he will reach out to Kris & Monte and bring them into the fold. We’re the minority, we can’t afford to leave anyone out.
Not withstanding his bad judgment in 2004, Kris Warner was one the best (if not the best) Chairman the Party has ever had. We need his expertise, his talent, his contacts.
How about it Dr. McKinney? Are you going to pull eveyone together on the team or are you going to continue to dwell in the past.
The next move is yours…
The great State of WV needs a strong Republican leader. Although I did not vote for Doug for governor, I watched from a front row seat, and respect Doug and have learned a great deal about this man. To date he has brought the party back to financal responsibilty, but has also been the leader to all and represents the true party rather than
a personal or family interest we witnessed in our 2004 fiasco. Doug Mckinney has passed the test and is now our party leader, and brought life back into fiscal, financal situation that we can be proud of. Hats off to Doug Mckinney
and our parties future.